Éclair and Present Danger (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1) by Laura Bradford

I have to admit while I always love a new series, when I saw who the author of Éclair and Present Danger (Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery #1) by Laura Bradford was, I was delighted. I absolutely love her writing style and was so exited to start a new journey with her.

From the back of the book:

The first book in the delicious new Emergency Dessert Squad Mystery series from national bestselling author Laura Bradford.

With her rent rising faster than her pie crust, bakery owner Winnie Johnson had hoped to be rescued by an inheritance from her wealthy friend and neighbor Gertrude Redenbacher. Instead all she inherits is the widow’s hostile hissing tabby, Lovey, and a vintage ambulance, restored by Gertrude’s late husband. As her dream crumbles, Winnie makes her final delivery—a peach pie to an elderly widower. But she finds Bart Wagner lying on his kitchen floor, smothered by a pillow.

To comfort her frightened and grieving neighbors, Winnie comes to the rescue with her baked goods—and an idea is born: dessert delivery via her ambulance and a new business called the Emergency Dessert Squad. When she’s not speeding to the scenes of dessert emergencies, Winnie is also racing to track down Bart’s killer—before she needs to call a real ambulance for the next victim.

My thoughts:

First, the creativity of the setting was beyond what you usually get in a cozy. The business idea was so unique and clever. I could imagine it being a smashing success for real. Past that bit of creative genius, what propelled this story above and beyond for me were characters that I wish I had written. These are some seriously well drawn people, who I could fully see and feel the emotion from. Winnie is so easy to relate to, I wrapped myself around her and her friends, oh and Jay, well he just stole my heart. I think if I ran into him I would have melted too. I can't wait to see how they all progress as this series grows.

But you are here for a mystery right? You will get one, there is a nice clip that things move along at, which made this a one to two night read at most. It was hard to put down. The clues where there if you were able to take your eyes off Jay and Greg to look for them. I suspected the guilty party, but was surprised as the motivation unfolded (that was just before the reveal but well played). Overall for me this was so perfectly executed that I am giving you my highest, put down what you are reading, and pre-order this now, recommendation! June 7th is just around the corner.

Did I mention the cat? Ha! I loved, Lovey. Plus, recipes, oh my the tasty goodness. 

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Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.