The cozy mystery is good, but the Blueberry Banana Bread is excellent! Once again author Laura Childs brings an action packed murder mystery with many likely suspects and comic relief in the form of Junior, Toni’s estranged husband.
This is book #9 in the Cackleberry Club Series. The level headed (if not sometimes too brave) Suzanne witnesses a robbery and fatal shooting at the hospital pharmacy. As an eye witness, she is automatically involved, so despite the wishes of her fiancé to stay out of it, Suzanne investigates.
Blueberry Banana Bread
from a cozy mystery novel:
Egg Shooters
by Laura Childs
Book Outline and Tone:
The main character, Suzanne has it all: a successful business, supportive friends, and a loving fiancé. She also has the misfortune of witnessing a pharmacy robbery turned into a murder. Suzanne was on her way to deliver dinner to her fiancé Dr. Sam Hazelet, when she sees a commotion and hears gunshots. In an attempt to slow down the robber, she dumps the dinner of chili on the criminal, but he manages to disappear without a sound.
As an eye witness the sheriff wants as much information from her as he can get, but since the criminal was wearing a mask and it all happened so fast, Suzanne is not much help. Suzanne is now investigating and scrutinizing every new person that has come into her life. Could she be targeted as the witness?
Fortunately for the reader, Junior makes several appearances in this book. Junior is Toni’s estranged husband. He is not very bright, but full of energy and a can-do attitude. He always has a scheme in mind which is almost never successful. He is the comic relief and I find him enjoyable to read about, but glad I don’t have a “junior” in my life!
Point of View:
This book is in third person with the narrator knowing only Suzanne’s thoughts as she investigates the murder
The Author: Laura Childs
Laura Childs is a pseudonym for Gerry Schmitt. She is a New York Times bestselling author writing Cozy Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Eggs in Purgatory is part of her Cackleberry Club Mystery series. She also writes Tea Shop Mysteries and Scrapbook Mysteries. Her website boasts that TeaTime Magazine declared her one of the most influential people in the tea industry.
What is not to like?:
This is a fun cozy mystery and we are left with the notion that Suzanne and Sam’s wedding is just around the corner and in the next book, but where is this next book? This was published in 2021. Laura Childs, we need the next book!
The verdict:
I recommend this book, the mystery, the friendships, and the comic relief all come together to make a great cozy mystery.
I also recommend the Blueberry Banana Bread. So fast, so delicious!
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Blueberry Banana Bread
Assemble the Ingredients
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans or use silicone bread loaf pans which do not require grease and flour.
This Bread mold Supports temperature from Oven to freezer (-40 to 440 Fahrenheit).
Cream together butter and sugar.
Then beat in eggs.
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
Add mashed bananas.
In a separate bowl, measure out flour, reserving 2 tablespoons to coat blueberries.
Stir baking soda and salt into flour, mixing well.
Fold flour mixture into banana mixture and stir in vanilla.
Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the blueberries, then fold berries into batter.
Transfer batter to 2 loaf pans and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
Yields 2 loaves.
Blueberry Banana Bread
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1½ cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Or use silicone loaf pans that do not need to be greased and floured.
- Cream together butter and sugar.
- Beat in eggs.
- In a separate bowl, measure out flour, reserving 2 tablespoons to coat blueberries.
- Stir baking soda and salt into flour, mixing well.
- Fold flour mixture into banana mixture and stir in vanilla.
- Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of flour over the blueberries, then fold berries into batter.
- Transfer batter to 2 loaf pans and bake for 45 to 50 minutes.
- Yields 2 loaves.
What would I do differently next time?
I would double the batch and freeze 2 of the loaves to bring out for surprise company.
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