Book Review: Pralines and Creamed by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo
A few months ago, I reviewed “Murder by Milkshake,” a cozy young adult mystery by Elizabeth Maria Naranjo, and today I’m excited to participate in a Reader Review event for WOW! Women on Writing for the next book in the series, “Pralines and Creamed.”
About the book:
ASIN: B0D97GM9CJ
ISBN: B0DHHB3HWT
Publication date: October 1, 2024
Print Length: 234 pages
Genre: Young Adult Cozy Mystery
Pralines and Creamed; A Sweet Dreams Mystery (Sweet Dreams Mysteries Book 2) is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon. Add it to your Goodreads list.
Learn more about Elizabeth’s writing process for this book in a recent interview.
About the author, Elizabeth Maria Naranjo:
Elizabeth Maria Naranjo is the author of The Fourth Wall, The House on Linden Way, and What Was Never There. Her stories and essays have been widely published and nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best American Essays, and Best of the Net, and her short story, “Windows,” was selected for Best Microfiction 2023. She lives in Tempe, Arizona, with her husband and two children.
Visit her website at www.elizabethmarianaranjo.com.
Twitter/X: @emarianaranjo
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/elizabethmarianaranjo
Book Review:
“Pralines and Creamed” is the follow-up to Elizabeth Maria Naranjo’s young adult novel, “Murder by Milkshake,” and part of the Sweet Dreams cozy mystery series. It’s Halloween in Pinewood, Arizona, and Genevieve Winterland and her best friend Brandon Summers are excited about participating in a book signing event at Hidden Treasures, the bookstore Brandon’s family owns. The Halloween-themed event (complete with fans dressed in costume) features a bestselling local horror writer, Jack Kelley, but before the signing commences, Genevieve and Brandon realize there’s tension among Brandon’s mother, Charlotte, who used to work for Jack, and Brandon’s father, who appears envious of the relationship. Tension quickly escalates into murder when Jack Kelley unexpectedly dies at the event, and Brandon’s father Richard becomes the prime suspect. Having practically grown up in the Summers household, Genevieve is determined to find the real killer and clear Richard Summers’ name.
There’s no shortage of suspects, as Jack Kelley had racked up enemies in both his professional and personal lives, and his manner of death mimics the crime in his latest novel. There’s also another unexpected visitor in town, Genevieve’s mother, Lauren Starr, who left the family years earlier to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Her desire to spend time with Genevieve throws a wrench in her daughter’s sleuthing plans. Why has she decided to make an extended visit at this point in time? As in “Murder by Milkshake,” Genevieve and Brandon team up to figure out the best way to narrow down the murder suspects, including once again enlisting the help of an ethical hacker classmate, much to the chagrin of the local police detective. And of course, none of this would be complete without the assistance of Butterscotch, the loveable Golden Retriever Genevieve adopted in “Murder by Milkshake.”
Genevieve is a likeable character, still completely devoted to her father and the family business, the Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour, but she is also realistically portrays the impulsive characteristics of a young adult woman. I quickly picked up on who the murderer might be, was diverted by a few other suspects, and had my hunch confirmed by the end. Let’s see if you can solve the puzzle as well!
As with the first book, I found myself craving ice cream throughout (as well as coffee and pastries) even though I’m lactose intolerant. I also felt like the author sprinkled enough back story into the beginning of the book that it can serve as a standalone. Readers don’t necessarily have to have read “Murder by Milkshake” first in order to enjoy “Pralines and Creamed,” but they’ll be missing out on another fun, fast-paced mystery featuring young adult characters if they don’t.