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Maple Lane #7
Gingerbread and Gunshots
What does a bride-to-be and a killer have in common?
When the friend responsible for getting Maddie her first baking job comes to visit, a mess of trouble follows her to town.
It's going to take all Maddie's skills, a legacy from her grandad, to solve the crime. While that's not exactly a new thing, this level of vengeance is worse than anything she's encountered so far.
Fortunately, she has her team of gal pals and a bossy cat on the case. Big Red, the large Maine coon, senses something is amiss from day one and he's on a one cat mission to track down the people messing with his family.
Will her involvement in these crimes prove to Ethan yet again that Maddie's a walking disaster—and not exactly marriage material?
The Maple Lane Mysteries are light, cozy mysteries featuring a quirky cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth.
When the friend responsible for getting Maddie her first baking job comes to visit, a mess of trouble follows her to town.
It's going to take all Maddie's skills, a legacy from her grandad, to solve the crime. While that's not exactly a new thing, this level of vengeance is worse than anything she's encountered so far.
Fortunately, she has her team of gal pals and a bossy cat on the case. Big Red, the large Maine coon, senses something is amiss from day one and he's on a one cat mission to track down the people messing with his family.
Will her involvement in these crimes prove to Ethan yet again that Maddie's a walking disaster—and not exactly marriage material?
The Maple Lane Mysteries are light, cozy mysteries featuring a quirky cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth.
- GenresCozy Mystery
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2022
About the author
C.A. Phipps
32 books856 followersC. A. Phipps is a USA Today best-selling author from beautiful New Zealand. Cheryl lives in a quiet suburb with her wonderful husband of more than four decades.
With a large family to keep her busy when she's not writing, there is just enough space for a crazy mixed breed dog who stole her heart!
She enjoys family times, baking, rambling walks, and her quest for the perfect latte.
You can find her at www.caphipps.com
C. A. Phipps also writes romance as Cheryl Phipps at www.cherylphipps.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 20, 2022
Maddie’s friend from Manhattan, Camille, has come for a visit. Maddie owes Camille and her family for helping gain confidence in her baking and taking a chance on her dream to open a bakery. While showing Camille around, the ladies stumble over a body, which Camille recognizes instantly as someone she knows from New York. Maddie has to investigate this suspicious death and find out why they were killed.
This is a fun cozy mystery. The characters are realistic and relatable. I do like Maddie, however, my favorite character is Big Red, Maddie’s cat. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns. If you like mystery, baked goods, and a feline protectors this is a book for you.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
This is a fun cozy mystery. The characters are realistic and relatable. I do like Maddie, however, my favorite character is Big Red, Maddie’s cat. The mystery is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns. If you like mystery, baked goods, and a feline protectors this is a book for you.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
December 20, 2022
Murder in Maple Falls . . .
Maddie Flynn’s good friend Camille Fournier, whose family owned a bakery in Manhattan, has arrived in Maple Falls to visit her friend. She is actually a bit worried about something she has to do to protect her family from some serious repercussions from some bad guys. Her uncle had noticed drugs while making a bakery delivery and he called the police. So the Valaro (crime) family wants her to marry Ricky Valaro to keep her family from being killed by the drug dealers. Ricky himself is supposedly not a criminal, but his family definitely is. Something more is going on, but Camille is not sure what they really want out of this situation.
Maddie takes Camille over to show her the resort that had been vandalized. Maddie’s boyfriend is the Sheriff, so she knew she would find Ethan there investigating the B&E crime. Maddie told him about Camille’s situation. Camille was furious that she shared her story without her permission, but Ethan said he would run the family names through the database and check out the Family. Since Ethan was wrapping things up for the evening, he let Maddie continue to show Camille around the resort as long as they avoided the vandalized room. He even agreed to accompany them if it was a quick tour. But when Maddie spots a gym bag by some shrubs near the pool, she also points to a hand under the bushes… attached to a dead body. The color drained from Camille’s face as she recognizes her fiancé, Ricky Valaro, who should have been back in New York! Is his murder tied to Camille’s problem? Can they find out what Ricky was doing here and why someone would have killed him? Would his crime family assume Camille had something to do with his murder since she was here in Maple Falls too? And applause goes to Big Red, Maddie’s smug cat, who played a big part in solving this one. Grab your copy and see whether they can sort this out!
This is a well-written mystery with characters who are convincingly real as they interact with each other. I loved how the mystery played out with parts that seemed unrelated at first glance. It definitely grabs the reader’s attention!
Maddie Flynn’s good friend Camille Fournier, whose family owned a bakery in Manhattan, has arrived in Maple Falls to visit her friend. She is actually a bit worried about something she has to do to protect her family from some serious repercussions from some bad guys. Her uncle had noticed drugs while making a bakery delivery and he called the police. So the Valaro (crime) family wants her to marry Ricky Valaro to keep her family from being killed by the drug dealers. Ricky himself is supposedly not a criminal, but his family definitely is. Something more is going on, but Camille is not sure what they really want out of this situation.
Maddie takes Camille over to show her the resort that had been vandalized. Maddie’s boyfriend is the Sheriff, so she knew she would find Ethan there investigating the B&E crime. Maddie told him about Camille’s situation. Camille was furious that she shared her story without her permission, but Ethan said he would run the family names through the database and check out the Family. Since Ethan was wrapping things up for the evening, he let Maddie continue to show Camille around the resort as long as they avoided the vandalized room. He even agreed to accompany them if it was a quick tour. But when Maddie spots a gym bag by some shrubs near the pool, she also points to a hand under the bushes… attached to a dead body. The color drained from Camille’s face as she recognizes her fiancé, Ricky Valaro, who should have been back in New York! Is his murder tied to Camille’s problem? Can they find out what Ricky was doing here and why someone would have killed him? Would his crime family assume Camille had something to do with his murder since she was here in Maple Falls too? And applause goes to Big Red, Maddie’s smug cat, who played a big part in solving this one. Grab your copy and see whether they can sort this out!
This is a well-written mystery with characters who are convincingly real as they interact with each other. I loved how the mystery played out with parts that seemed unrelated at first glance. It definitely grabs the reader’s attention!
December 19, 2022
Gingerbread and Gunshots is an exciting, twisty, fast paced, cozy mystery! Big Red nearly out sleuths Maddie in this well written Maple Lane mystery. This awesome series always delivers a great story but this book takes things to the next level with possible mafia connections and a feline detective as well as Maddie, the Girlz and Gran, You do not want to miss this book!
March 22, 2023
This was a good read. I enjoyed the story line and I love the role the cat plays in the solving of the mysteries. I would definitely recommend.
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway!
January 13, 2023
so cute!! what a fun book cover! will read more, from C.A. Phipps ...i love a good cozy mystery. check this series out.
September 12, 2024
This is a well written cozy mystery, with good, smart characters, who don't act juvenile and take logical steps to solve the mystery.
This was the seventh book in the series but had enough background to catch up with the story.
I liked the anxiety representation and the friends that Maddie has who notice when she is getting anxious.
Another great thing about the book was that Maddie didn't leave things till the end and tried to solve the things in the present, also the fact that she was not aware about a lot of developments from the police was more realistic and believable than if she knew everything.
Definitely recommended for all cozy mystery lovers.
This was the seventh book in the series but had enough background to catch up with the story.
I liked the anxiety representation and the friends that Maddie has who notice when she is getting anxious.
Another great thing about the book was that Maddie didn't leave things till the end and tried to solve the things in the present, also the fact that she was not aware about a lot of developments from the police was more realistic and believable than if she knew everything.
Definitely recommended for all cozy mystery lovers.
December 21, 2022
Camille, Maddie’s friend from Manhattan was finally able to come for a visit in Maple Falls, but she comes with some troubling news. She's made a shady agreement in an attempt to protect her family from this potential gangsters threatening her family and is only taking this trip to come to terms with the agreement set before her! While sightseeing, Maddie and Camille find a dead body and things quickly spiral out of control as they try to solve this mystery, try to help protect the Fourniers, and also avoid being caught in the crossfire of the situation.
This was a fun and quaint little cozy mystery story. I throughly enjoyed it rather much so. The characters are very realistic and oh so relatable. I do like Maddie, however, my favorite character is Big Red, Maddie’s cat. I did love how very much of a big role Big Red got to play in this storyline. Without him involved in the storyline, many of the clues would have never been even found and there would likely have even been more dead bodies. The mystery is very well written with plenty of plot twists and details turned askew. I like mystery, baked goods, and a feline protectors so this book was right up my alley. If you're a fan of Big Red and his feline antics, you'll thoroughly enjoy Gingerbread and Gunshots.
I received an advanced copy of the book, however I give my review of the book voluntarily.
This was a fun and quaint little cozy mystery story. I throughly enjoyed it rather much so. The characters are very realistic and oh so relatable. I do like Maddie, however, my favorite character is Big Red, Maddie’s cat. I did love how very much of a big role Big Red got to play in this storyline. Without him involved in the storyline, many of the clues would have never been even found and there would likely have even been more dead bodies. The mystery is very well written with plenty of plot twists and details turned askew. I like mystery, baked goods, and a feline protectors so this book was right up my alley. If you're a fan of Big Red and his feline antics, you'll thoroughly enjoy Gingerbread and Gunshots.
I received an advanced copy of the book, however I give my review of the book voluntarily.
December 21, 2022
Gingerbread and Gunshots
This is the seventh book in this series and another crime has been solved and Maddie is engaged and happiness is found
This is the seventh book in this series and another crime has been solved and Maddie is engaged and happiness is found
December 18, 2022
I love visiting Maple Lane and Maddie never disappoints. Gingerbread and Gunshots keeps you guessing especially the twist near the end just when you think you have it worked out something else comes along. Big Red comes into his own and what a clever cat he is as he helps to solve the mystery.
December 20, 2022
Maddie's friend comes to visit and that's when the mystery begins. Big Red is on the case and leading Maddie and Ethan to the clues they need to solve this crime. Loved seeing the whole gang come together to solve this mystery. Great cast of characters.
December 21, 2022
Maddie, Big Red and our favorite cast of characters are back for more adventure and danger in this edition of Maple Lane Mysteries. Maddie's friend from the city comes to stay with her for a mini vacation to help her get her head on straight, but that is the last thing that happens. Trouble seems to follow Maddie - or really, her keen observations and bad timing keep putting her in the path of murder and the ensuing trouble. Will she be able to curb her natural instincts and leave the detective work to the professionals, or will she continue to stress Ethan at every turn? An enjoyable read, despite the murder. Hoping there will be more in this series.
December 21, 2022
I always enjoy a mystery set at Christmas. Not only did the author set the season, the characters were well-written and the mystery intriguing with lots of threads that all tie together in the end.
Maple Falls is a very interesting place. I was rather liking Uncle Carlos. I really love Big Red. He played a large part here in "providing clues." The thumb drive discovery happened a little differently than I've read in other books. And check out the recipe at the end!
Maple Falls is a very interesting place. I was rather liking Uncle Carlos. I really love Big Red. He played a large part here in "providing clues." The thumb drive discovery happened a little differently than I've read in other books. And check out the recipe at the end!
December 12, 2022
👩🍳Big Red the sleuthing cat front & center😼
Big Red, amateur baking detective Maddie's well-pampered cat, is a star in this cozy murder mystery set in a small Oregon town. It's good fun and friends supporting each other, sticking together, when danger comes to town along with Maddie's NYC friend Camille. This time the baddies are from out of town, but their threats extend to the locals, even Maddie's grannie!
The cat's moves make this story stand out from others in the series. I don't recall him out-detecting Maddie and her sheriff fiance to this extent in earlier stories, but I can just picture his smug expression!
Fun, chaotic and all's well that ends well (for most, at least: this is, after all, a murder mystery!). And the cover, so cute and apt to the plot. Especially that front, sad cookie with the black holes in his chest!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Big Red, amateur baking detective Maddie's well-pampered cat, is a star in this cozy murder mystery set in a small Oregon town. It's good fun and friends supporting each other, sticking together, when danger comes to town along with Maddie's NYC friend Camille. This time the baddies are from out of town, but their threats extend to the locals, even Maddie's grannie!
The cat's moves make this story stand out from others in the series. I don't recall him out-detecting Maddie and her sheriff fiance to this extent in earlier stories, but I can just picture his smug expression!
Fun, chaotic and all's well that ends well (for most, at least: this is, after all, a murder mystery!). And the cover, so cute and apt to the plot. Especially that front, sad cookie with the black holes in his chest!
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
January 20, 2023
Definitely cozy albeit a bit cliche
Cozy mysteries aren't typically my thing anymore but I won this Kindle edition in a Goodreads giveaway.
I love Big Red, the cat character, I picture my sister-in-law's cat every time he's described and it makes me giggle.
The storyline was fine, enough to keep me reading. Characters weren't the most realistic to me but that's because it's a "clean" novel, so perfect for the religious people who love a good mystery but may be weary of the language in the traditional suspenseful novel.
This would've been a 5-star for teenage me who read all the clean, suspenseful and romance novels that I could get my hands on. Equivalent to the Love Inspired harlequin series without the christian aspect.
Cozy mysteries aren't typically my thing anymore but I won this Kindle edition in a Goodreads giveaway.
I love Big Red, the cat character, I picture my sister-in-law's cat every time he's described and it makes me giggle.
The storyline was fine, enough to keep me reading. Characters weren't the most realistic to me but that's because it's a "clean" novel, so perfect for the religious people who love a good mystery but may be weary of the language in the traditional suspenseful novel.
This would've been a 5-star for teenage me who read all the clean, suspenseful and romance novels that I could get my hands on. Equivalent to the Love Inspired harlequin series without the christian aspect.
December 20, 2022
Camille is finally visiting Maddie in Maple Falls, but she comes bearing worrisome news. She's made a dubious agreement in an attempt to protect her family from potential gangsters and is only taking this trip to wrap her head around it! While sightseeing, Maddie and Camille find a dead body and things quickly spiral out of control as they try to solve the case, protect the Fourniers, and avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
I loved how much of a role Big Red played in this entry. Without him, many of the clues would never have been found and there would likely be even more dead bodies. If you're a fan of Big Red and his feline antics, you'll thoroughly enjoy Gingerbread and Gunshots.
I loved how much of a role Big Red played in this entry. Without him, many of the clues would never have been found and there would likely be even more dead bodies. If you're a fan of Big Red and his feline antics, you'll thoroughly enjoy Gingerbread and Gunshots.
December 16, 2022
Another delightful Maple Lane mystery, with Big Red showing he is a cat with special investigative abilities.
Maddie is excited to have her friend Camille come to stay from Manhattan; however instead of a relaxed break, things take a turn when a body is found. Maddie being Maddie cannot help but get involved to try and solve the mystery, much to her Sheriff boyfriend's dismay. But where Big Red is involved too, Maddie cannot help but pick up on his clues and help the police do what she does best.
Maddie is excited to have her friend Camille come to stay from Manhattan; however instead of a relaxed break, things take a turn when a body is found. Maddie being Maddie cannot help but get involved to try and solve the mystery, much to her Sheriff boyfriend's dismay. But where Big Red is involved too, Maddie cannot help but pick up on his clues and help the police do what she does best.
March 19, 2023
Received as a Goodreads giveaway. Not my cup of tea. Cozies are fine by me, when the story is plausible. The plot was far-fetched, dialogue meandering, characters behaving antithetical to human nature, featuring a magical mystery cat, and a sheriff’s office that apparently crowdsources crime solving. If I get caught up on my Hannah Swensons and Meg Lanslows and Lucy Stones… then I could see picking this series up afterwards.
March 20, 2023
This was a fun cozy mystery. The characters were well developed, realistic and likeable. I really enjoyed the cat in the story. The story was a bit predictable but very enjoyable. Great read!!!
August 31, 2023
Engaging read.
Loved the characters and the story line in this series. I could easily see myself in this quaint town because the authors description was clearly shared. I hope she continues with a book 8 in Maple Lane.
Loved the characters and the story line in this series. I could easily see myself in this quaint town because the authors description was clearly shared. I hope she continues with a book 8 in Maple Lane.
April 3, 2023
Gingerbread
I like how C A Phipps can tell a cozy mystery to want you to keep on reading till the end
I like how C A Phipps can tell a cozy mystery to want you to keep on reading till the end
September 28, 2023
I have enjoyed every C.A. Phipps book I've read and this one was good too. They are exactly what I think a Cozy Mystery should be. :)
March 12, 2024
Camilles adventure
Family comes to town to find herself only to be wrapped up in the middle of Married newest escapades. Does Big Ted help save the day?
Family comes to town to find herself only to be wrapped up in the middle of Married newest escapades. Does Big Ted help save the day?
January 16, 2023
This is such a great series -wonderful main characters, always engaging plots with lots of red herrings and twists and turns. And not to mention the beautiful Main Coon named Big Red.
January 16, 2023
This book had a lot going on. I felt the plot a little cheesy and unbelievable. As i read on, I was more invested in the characters and the clues. Big red I thought would be a big Ole Coon hound until I learned he was a fluffy male cat. He and Maddie def became my favorite characters. Gran was pretty awesome too. I felt the ending to be a bit confusing when all the guilty characters started being named, I felt like I needed a list to reference back to. All in all a solid 3.5-4 stars. I would read another by this author.
I was provided an ARC of this book to read and give feedback. The review above was no way swayed by receiving a free copy of the book.
I was provided an ARC of this book to read and give feedback. The review above was no way swayed by receiving a free copy of the book.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews