Winner Cake All

Chef-to-Go Mysteries Series, Book 3

By: Denise Swanson

Narrated by: Melissa Moran

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Next in New York Times best-selling author Denise Swanson's chef mystery books, Dani Sloan will have to solve the murder of a bride to clear her crush's name. Once again, it looks like Dani will get a slice of the action....

In the small town of Normalton, Illinois, there aren't a lot of opportunities for small business owner Dani Sloan to cater big-ticket events. But that's about to change - a client named Yvette Joubert is marrying Franklin Whittaker, the richest guy around, and they want Dani to cater their engagement party! The swanky event is the perfect opportunity to put Dani on the map for wealthier clients.

But when a storm hits the party after guests arrive, it becomes clear that more than the dinner is ruined: Yvette is found dead beneath the marquee. Is her death a tragic accident, or a perfectly orchestrated murder? Then the case gets even juicier - it turns out that Yvette's ex-husband is Spencer Drake, Dani's almost-boyfriend, and the police start circling. Now Dani must follow an unending list of clues to save her business, her better half, and catch a criminal. Let's just hope they get their just desserts!

©2020 Denise Swanson Stybr (P)2022 Tantor

Fun and Fast Paced Cozy Mystery

Dani Sloan is thrilled to be catering one of the biggest weddings of the year. She sees it as the perfect opportunity to establish her business further and turn a tidy profit. However, things go horribly wrong at the event. When the bride to be is found murdered, Dani is horrified and sets out to find the truth.

I love this series even more as it progresses. I'm comfortable with the characters. Dani is an excellent amateur sleuth. She doesn't put herself in crazy and silly situations. The mystery is well plotted and makes sense.

I am beyond relieved that we avoided a love triangle. I was a bit worried after the last book; however, the author came through.

I cannot wait for the next installment of the series to be released.

Love this series

Love this series-nothing like a good cozy mystery to listen to while working. Love the narrator as well

Forever love this series

I’ve listened to all of these and I really hope more gets made! I love them so much! I’ve grown so attached to all of the characters. Plus talking about all the food she makes is a plus! It all sounds so delicious!

Good Read

It seems like forever since we heard from Dani and the gang. It was great to spend time with them again. Dani, Spence, Gray, and the girls are great characters. This book gives us a closer look at Spencer's past and lays great groundwork for future books. The mystery itself didn't work for me, maybe because the victim was so horrible, and there were plenty of people who could have killed her, yet nothing really happened. I gave the book 4 stars because I love the characters and the overall story, but it dragged a bit, and the ending was rather abrupt. I definitely will read the next book, but I hope for a tighter and more engrossing story.

Melissa Moran did a great job narrating.

Left you scratching your head

The narrator was outstanding withe various character voices required. Always kept in suspense as to who done it.

Nice little story, but a bit boring

I liked this story but it didn’t really keep my interest because it tended to drone on. The first two books were crisp and clean, quick moving, and fun to listen to..this one, kinda boring.

Love this series!

This is starting to become my favorite mystery series. The author does a great job of developing the characters and their individual stories and experiences against the backdrop of a murder mystery. If you enjoyed the first two books, definitely get this one!

5 stars

I was happy to see another book in this series. It was fun and entertaining with engaging characters and an interesting plot. I look forward to the next book.

I absolutely love Denise Swanson!!

I absolutely love Denise Swanson!! Her cozy mysteries are hands down the BEST!! I suggest you read her other series too, Scumble River Series is my absolute favorite but this is a close second!

Dull, disappointing

This third book in the series was rather dull. The college girl boarders were hardly mentioned and had no connection to plot events. Sometimes the protagonist would literally wonder out loud, “I wonder what’s going on with the girls?” I wondered the same thing.

There was also almost no tension/peril with romantic interest’s security guard work or his past undercover work. The character would get nervous about his past being discovered every once in a while and then…nothing.

The worst part was the mystery plot line. There was no real investigation by Dani. Towards the end, she suddenly shares who she thinks did it with a numbered list. Um…okay? Then she watches from a hiding place while the murderer confesses to someone else in a sting…and the murderer KNOWS they are being recorded yet still confesses. What?!

Loved the first two novels in this series, but this one seems underdeveloped in all areas of the story. It has a long epilogue in which characters talk several of the plot lines forward because they didn’t happen in within the actual plot and things need to be set up for future installments. So disappointing for what started out as a fun series.