Three friends open a country store and breakfast restaurant called The Cackleberry Club. Readers will enjoy egg puns, clever mysteries, and delicious recipes. Three friends also mean 3 different personalities and as this is book #2 on the Cackleberry Club series, there is more fun, relationships, growth, and mysteries to come.
Eggs Benedict Arnold is book #2 in Laura Childs The Cackleberry Club series. Readers are still getting to know the three friends, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra. Each lady is her own lady with strength, personality and their own set of troubles. Petra is the expert cook and she has shared her recipe for Cinnamon Date Scones. Give them a try, you will love them.
Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs
Book Review
Outline and Tone:
One thing I love about books is that they force you (allow you) to see situations through perspectives that are different from your own. The author, Laura Childs did a fantastic job of that in Eggs Benedict Arnold. People tend to make quick judgements on looks only. Protagonist Suzanne seems to be able to look past the first impressions and help us as readers see it with her. But, can she see what makes up the person on the inside well enough to stay safe from a murderer? Suzanne, Petra, and Toni are 3 friends who lean on each other for support and run a country breakfast shop. These friends are perfectly teamed, where one has a shortcoming, another is stronger. Suzanne, Petra, and Toni are reminded that PTSD affects everyone differently and mental illness does not mean someone can’t be helpful. This story kept me guessing until the very end.
The author:
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 Tea Time Magazine declared her one of the most influential people in the tea industry.
What is not to like?:
The ending seems a bit abrupt. I would have enjoyed more story after the killer is revealed.
The verdict:
The Cackleberry Club is just getting started. This is book #2 and it was not a sophomore slump. I loved the Cinnamon Date Scones and will be reading book #3.
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).
Assemble the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in dates, then cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
This recipe can easily be made with out a stand mixer. I like to use OXO Mixing bowls because they are nonslip on the counter.
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
Use OXO Nesting Measuring Beaker set to measure the milk and combine eggs and milk and stir into mixture until it is blended and soft. 
Place dough on a floured surface and knead gently, about 10 times. Gently pat dough into a 6″ x 9″ rectangle. Cut into 3″ squares, then cut each square diagonally.
The simply best way to do this is to use a silicone pastry mat that has measurements on it.
Place scones on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle a little extra sugar on top.
I didn’t need to grease my baking sheet because I used a baking mat. I am partial to the OXO Good Grips Silicone Baking Mat. For even baking and never no not ever sticking to the baking sheet.
Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve warm with butter and jam or Devonshire cream.
Petra's Cinnamon Date Scones from: Eggs Benedict Arnold
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 4 Tbsp sugar
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅔ cup dates, chopped
- 6 Tbsp butter
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- ⅓ cup mild
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Stir in dates, then cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.
- Combine eggs and milk and stir into mixture until it is blended and soft.
- Place dough on a floured surface and knead gently, about 10 times.
- Gently pat dough into a 6" x 9" rectangle.
- Cut into 3" squares, then cut each square diagonally.
- Place scones on a greased baking sheet and sprinkle a little extra sugar on top.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly brown.
- Serve warm with butter and jam or Devonshire cream.
What would I do differently next time?
I don’t think 1/4 tsp of cinnamon is enough. I would bump it up to 1/2 tsp easily. Also, it is high time I got some larger sugar crystals to put on the top of muffins and scones.
Are you like me and enjoy scones? Try these Scones
Sour Cherry Scones from Carry On by Rainbow Rowell,
Cinnamon Date Scones from Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs, and
