The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack

The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Culinary Mystery

Book  Description:  This Christmas, Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham is making a list and checking it twice. For the first time since she and Pete married five years ago, their combined families are gathering for the holidays in Fort Collins, Colorado, for a party that would make Santa and Mrs. Claus proud.

She just has to bake the famous Cunningham Candy Cane Cake, make sure the looming snowstorm doesn't derail everyone's travel plans, and oh, yes, solve one teensy-tiny mystery before the big day.

At ninety-four and nearly blind, Mary, Sadie's friend and neighbor, knows this will be her last Christmas. When Sadie learns that someone has stolen antique Christmas ornaments from Mary's tree, she vows to find the thief, no matter what. The ornaments had been appraised at more than $40,000, but they were worth even more to Mary, who had intended to bequeath them to her great-granddaughter, Joy, as a final gift.

With Pete in Arizona wrapping up a case of his own, it's up to Sadie to question the residents of Nicholas House, where Mary lives, and deduce who had the means and the motive to steal heirloom ornaments during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

When stories of other thefts surface, Sadie feels like she's creating a "naughty" list that could rival Santa's. Identifying the thief, recovering the ornaments, and restoring them to Mary's tree in time will take a Christmas miracle—and maybe a few extra-special cookies. 


My thoughts:  It has been a while since I read a culinary mystery featuring Sadie. I am reminded of why I love her so much. She is a bumbling amateur detective who has a strong desire to help others.

This story takes place several years since the last one. If you have never read a book featuring Sadie Hoffmiller Cunningham, this is not a bad place to start. Of course, if you read this one you may want to go back and read the others.

Sadie's dear friend is celebrating her last Christmas. She celebrates by putting up a Christmas tree with her valuable ornaments adorning it. When several are missing Sadie is on the case. She wants this Christmas to be a happy one for her friend.

One of my favorite aspects of a Sadie book is the awkward situations she gets herself into. She has a wonderful sense of humor and doesn't take herself too seriously. She is a character that I really enjoy. This book was perfect for the coming season and for enjoyment. This book contains a bonus, at the end of every chapter is a recipe featured in that section. 

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  (Taken from Goodreads) I wrote my first book while on bed rest with my third child in 1998 and haven't stopped. My most recent books have been Historical Romance through the Proper Romance line with Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I currently live in Willard, Utah with my husband, and children.

Visit her WEBPAGE!