Murder by Cheesecake

Culinary Cozy Murder Mystery

By: S. Y. Robins

Narrated by: Gwenn Dawson

Length: 1 hr and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Can one decision kill a woman? Is Allison the one to blame?

At just 29 years old, Allison seemed to have it all, as a successful investigative reporter. However, a mysterious event leaves her broke - and broken - and she is forced to leave the city and return to the town where she grew up - the seaside village of Curtain Bay. It's been 12 years since she was last there, and nothing has changed - least of all the annual Cheesecake Competition. The town's residents take it as seriously as ever, and this year Allison is the star judge.

When Allison crowns an unpopular winner, Cassandra, who then turns up dead the next day, anyone could be to blame. Did one of the runners up kill Cassandra so that they could take her crown? Could Allison be partly to blame? She decides to investigate, as she still has the reported spirit inside her. Her search for the guilty party brings her closer to her old high school boyfriend Robert, who seems to be hiding something, and Allison is forced to face up to more than one secret from her past.

©2016 Lovy Books Ltd (P)2016 Lovy Books Ltd

Stay away from the cheesecake!

Murder by Cheesecake is part of the Culinary Cozy Murder series by S.Y. Robins. Allison, investigative reporter in the big city, has returned home for the first time in 12 years and is immediately drawn back into the drama of a small-town. Murder, a witch's cottage, and cheesecake contest do-overs keep the reader's interest. A definite twist in the plot and this quick, cozy whodunit is satisfactorily and surprisingly ended! Gwen Dawson does a nice job in narrating the novella, giving each of the characters a unique voice.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book and was not expected to give a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Short sweet murder mystery

Drama and murder in a small town are what awaits in this super fun and short mystery. The winner of the cheesecake contest is found murdered and everyone is considered a suspect. Can the failed reporter who has returned home after 12 years away solve the case and keep her head when it seems her old love interest is a suspect as well. Great quick listen with fun and witty characters that definitely kept me entertained and wanting more.

A short & sweet cozy!

This story is quite short, but it feels full. It's not rushed & it doesn't leave out any important details. There's a back story about why Allison returned to her small town (which is a mystery in itself), there is an old flame, old friends & a town full of suspects. A well rounded short story & a fun listen! I was gifted this book for my honest review.

Murder by Cheesecake

Murder by Cheesecake: Culinary Cozy Murder Mystery
: S. Y. Robins


There is nothing better than a cozy mystery to start a Monday and add cheesecake, makes it even better.It is a quick listen. A local girl comes home with a secret, but the people at home have secrets as well. I enjoyed this book with a good choice of "who done it."


The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Gwenn Dawson gives each character a unique personality.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

A short entertaining cozy mystery!

Allison has come back to her home town, a bit of a celebrity with her tail between her legs. Her mother has committed her to judging the local cheesecake competition. Small town drama abounds and ends in murder. Throw in a hunky guy and you've got a pretty entertaining story. I do wish it had been longer.
The narration was very good. Dawson's voice is easy to listen to and the character all have distinct and appropriate voices.

Jenny's review

I liked the mystery and the humor that makes it a cozy! Poor Allison comes back home with her tale tucked between her legs after twelve years, only to be dragged into judging a cheese cake competition. Right away someone turns up dead , her friend is mad at her and her past love resents her presence. So with no choice Allison is forced to solve this mystery before things continue to get out of hand.

What I didn't care for is how "oh god" is used often in the story.

The story teller did a descent job trying to give each character their own voice.

A silly waste of time with an excellent narrator

Allison, who left the seaside town of Curtain Bay when she graduated high school and never came back (not even to visit her mother, from whom she is not estranged), is finally back after twelve years. She clearly feels she's returned in disgrace, though keeping the disgrace secret. On the other hand, been invited to judge the town's treasured cheesecake competition, the obsession of the tiny town.

Does this make any sense to you? Because I have to say, it doesn't make sense to me.

We do learn that Allison left to be an investigative reporter, and that she is for some reason not working as a reporter at all. And it's a Disgrace from which she will never recover if anyone finds out.

When Allison crowns the "wrong" winner of the cheesecake contest, i.e., the unpopular Cassandra, who entered the best cheesecake, rather than her best friend from high school, who made the seconde best cheesecake, everyone is mad at her. When Cassandra turns up murdered very early the next morning, everyone is still mad at her, and Allison wonders if she was responsible somehow.

And of course she needs to find the killer.

The narrator is excellent. Really excellent. I'd happily listen to another book read by this marrator, Gwenn Dawson, but I have difficulty suggesting that anyone waste time on this particular item, in which Allison does every foolish thing she can do.

Not recommended.

I received a free copy of this audiobook, and am reviewing it voluntarily.