What do you think?
Rate this book
Spicetown Mysteries #5
A Tough Nut to Crack
Saucy makes his stage debut in the local community play while teenagers are running amok at the high school, Mayor Cora Mae Bingham is trying to decorate every tree in town and a new spice has hit the streets of Spicetown! Can the "city's finest" save Christmas?
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 25, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 7, 2021
My favorite part of this read was the community play going on and the many faces involved. I wish the author had spent more time on Christmas and that light-hearted angle and less on the drug mystery. As always the book was completely clean and profanity free; but I do wish for more humor and less of a heavy loaded read. I could probably say that about most cozies though!
December 25, 2019
Wonderful read
I live in Ohio and am thoroughly enjoying this authors nooks. Her characters are strong, very real and entertaining. Enjoy
I live in Ohio and am thoroughly enjoying this authors nooks. Her characters are strong, very real and entertaining. Enjoy
December 29, 2019
A visit to Spicetown turns deadly...
The latest book in the series was as good as the previous books. The mystery was complex and filled with "red herrings"! I love the characters and the fact that there are two main characters - Cora (the Mayor) and Conrad (the Police Chief). They make a wonderful sleuthing team! The supporting characters have a familiar feel and add to the book.
A Tough Nut to Crack, has all the cozy elements I love - great mystery, a sleuthing team who has experienced life and has a positive and realistic outlook, supporting characters who you care about and who help solve the mystery, friendship, loyalty and humor. Briscoe, the police canine, has added a fun and interesting dimension to the series!
When you read a Spicetown cozy mystery, it's like visiting with "old friends" and the setting for this book, a community play production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" was the perfect backdrop for the mystery.
I'm ready for another visit!
The latest book in the series was as good as the previous books. The mystery was complex and filled with "red herrings"! I love the characters and the fact that there are two main characters - Cora (the Mayor) and Conrad (the Police Chief). They make a wonderful sleuthing team! The supporting characters have a familiar feel and add to the book.
A Tough Nut to Crack, has all the cozy elements I love - great mystery, a sleuthing team who has experienced life and has a positive and realistic outlook, supporting characters who you care about and who help solve the mystery, friendship, loyalty and humor. Briscoe, the police canine, has added a fun and interesting dimension to the series!
When you read a Spicetown cozy mystery, it's like visiting with "old friends" and the setting for this book, a community play production of "Arsenic and Old Lace" was the perfect backdrop for the mystery.
I'm ready for another visit!
January 4, 2021
This was a cute, cozy mystery book with likeable characters (some not so much) and an interesting plot that highlights the problem of drugs in schools. Set in a charming small town in southern Ohio, the book centers around the mayor and her dynamic leadership to open a new community center and plan events throughout the year to involve the community. Part of this plan is staging a play with a cast made up of local people. Cute idea, very heartening. The mayor's relationship with the police chief is one of deep friendship and concern for the community. Drugs and death add the reality to the plot. Enough red herrings to make it interesting and side plots as well. I enjoyed it most for the characters in the community.
June 8, 2021
Heart tugging
As always, this latest read is hard to put down. Amidst the Christmas festivities in Spice town is the issue on teenage drugs in schools and also among some naive and unsuspecting adults. This particular story tugs at the reader's heart strings and it' s commendable for the writer to make people aware of the problems that are not always noticeable and addressed. Overall, this heartwarming book shows the caring side of people who want to make a difference. On the lighter side of things is the account of the first Christmas play presented at the newly renovated community center that brings all types of people together. Till the next book...
As always, this latest read is hard to put down. Amidst the Christmas festivities in Spice town is the issue on teenage drugs in schools and also among some naive and unsuspecting adults. This particular story tugs at the reader's heart strings and it' s commendable for the writer to make people aware of the problems that are not always noticeable and addressed. Overall, this heartwarming book shows the caring side of people who want to make a difference. On the lighter side of things is the account of the first Christmas play presented at the newly renovated community center that brings all types of people together. Till the next book...
January 19, 2020
Two Stories of Spicetown's Mayor and Police
The story is of the police chief adopting a dog from the shelter only to find he apparently is law enforcement trained, including drug sniffing. A young man dies of a drug overdose and when the chief takes the dog to the high school, he alerts at eight lockers. The mayor and the chief and his force are dedicated to getting drugs out of their town. This brings today's drug problems with teens and adults. Very well done.
The story is of the police chief adopting a dog from the shelter only to find he apparently is law enforcement trained, including drug sniffing. A young man dies of a drug overdose and when the chief takes the dog to the high school, he alerts at eight lockers. The mayor and the chief and his force are dedicated to getting drugs out of their town. This brings today's drug problems with teens and adults. Very well done.
January 12, 2020
Seriously Funny
Small town big hearts. Drugs are a problem at the High school. Unknown til Briscoe the police dog gets the scent. All this while town get to enjoy Arsenic and Old Lace . The cast is all locals. Great read! Go get it!
Small town big hearts. Drugs are a problem at the High school. Unknown til Briscoe the police dog gets the scent. All this while town get to enjoy Arsenic and Old Lace . The cast is all locals. Great read! Go get it!
January 31, 2021
Wonderful
I haven’t read a Spicetown book I didn’t like. Just the fact that “Arsenic and Old Lace” was being produced at the new community center made me want to dig out my Cary Grant DVD and watch it again.
I haven’t read a Spicetown book I didn’t like. Just the fact that “Arsenic and Old Lace” was being produced at the new community center made me want to dig out my Cary Grant DVD and watch it again.
February 18, 2020
Fabulous series. You want to visit Spicetown!
Read
January 28, 2020Great
Another great story in the series. Every one keeps getting better. No curse words, no drinking, and interesting. I can't wait for the next one.
Another great story in the series. Every one keeps getting better. No curse words, no drinking, and interesting. I can't wait for the next one.
February 28, 2021
Ive been enjoying this series about a small town in Ohio and the people who keep the wheels turning smoothly. Spicetown's a friendly place with likeable characters, a realistic situation, well plotted and compelling. A few spots where an editorial red pen would cross out unnecessary words, but overall a good, light read.
It looks like the books just keep getting better. I hope the writer plans lots more books in the Spicetown Mysteries series.
It looks like the books just keep getting better. I hope the writer plans lots more books in the Spicetown Mysteries series.
October 26, 2021
A great story using a problem plaguing America
Once again, the book was simply too good to put down, even though I had to. The stories included in the book cover so many things going on in the town and surrounding areas.
Once again, the book was simply too good to put down, even though I had to. The stories included in the book cover so many things going on in the town and surrounding areas.
January 14, 2021
Great read
These get better and better, and more enjoyable with each book!😃 I am still albeit the relationship between the chief and mayor will progress!
These get better and better, and more enjoyable with each book!😃 I am still albeit the relationship between the chief and mayor will progress!
December 18, 2021
Good read
Another good one, the characters are great and the storyline was really engaging. Looking forward to another book in this series.
Another good one, the characters are great and the storyline was really engaging. Looking forward to another book in this series.
November 19, 2023
As this book opens, Mayor Cora Mae Bingham is heading out with Police Chief Conrad 'Connie' Harris to catch a bite to eat. They're heading to the auditions for the first holiday play at the new community center. The play chosen is Arsenic and Old Lace. and Cora wants to see if her instincts are correct as to who should play the parts. Afterward she and the chief are going to pay their respects to the young Myler boy. He passed away from an overdose.
At the restaurant they run into Hazel who Spicetown Blooms and Gifts and Cora invites her to join them. Conrad's not pleased but he lets it go, there's just something about her he doesn't like. Hazel is looking for more reliable help she has two part time workers and one of them is really not working out. Her home is one of the first going up at the new subdivision owned by her father's company and there's been many delays. She just hopes to be in by Christmas.
Cora's assistant Amanda and her boyfriend Bryan are both busy with the Christmas trees Bryan's nursery provides to the town and residents.
Conrad starts his day returning calls. The high school principal Daniel Wittig is out on campus, so he'll get back to him later. The other call is from Doug Keegan he's in charge of the subdivision site.
Doug's concern is that someone is sleeping there, they've found food wrappers and a blanket. There have been some instances of materials in disarray but no clear evidence of theft. He and his wife have just adopted a dog from the shelter where Conrad adopted Briscoe. It seems the two dogs became friends and Doug thought maybe they could let the dogs run together out on the property.
Conrad stops at the school with Briscoe and Daniel meets them in the parking lot. He's concerned about Peter Mylar's death and the rumor that there is another individual who was hospitalized but there is no confirmation on that. He doesn't want to force locker searches and the board wants to pretend it didn't happen. His idea is for Conrad and Briscoe to walk the halls to give the impression of searches even though Briscoe isn't a drug sniffing dog. Conrad wants to see how Briscoe reacts to the crowded hallway before committing to the plan.
Once again Conrad has to wonder about Briscoe's actual training, he completed testing on a four-week course in just a week and now he's discovered drugs on a student.
Spicetown is a small community, and there haven't been reports of drugs, yet they are out there. Conrad knows they'll have to investigate this and find the source to cut it off.
In the meantime, the community is excited for the play and holiday spirit is everywhere. Trees and decorations, holiday meal plans and the ever-growing relationship with Amanda and Bryan all just add to this delightful and informative mystery.
I am already reading the next book!
At the restaurant they run into Hazel who Spicetown Blooms and Gifts and Cora invites her to join them. Conrad's not pleased but he lets it go, there's just something about her he doesn't like. Hazel is looking for more reliable help she has two part time workers and one of them is really not working out. Her home is one of the first going up at the new subdivision owned by her father's company and there's been many delays. She just hopes to be in by Christmas.
Cora's assistant Amanda and her boyfriend Bryan are both busy with the Christmas trees Bryan's nursery provides to the town and residents.
Conrad starts his day returning calls. The high school principal Daniel Wittig is out on campus, so he'll get back to him later. The other call is from Doug Keegan he's in charge of the subdivision site.
Doug's concern is that someone is sleeping there, they've found food wrappers and a blanket. There have been some instances of materials in disarray but no clear evidence of theft. He and his wife have just adopted a dog from the shelter where Conrad adopted Briscoe. It seems the two dogs became friends and Doug thought maybe they could let the dogs run together out on the property.
Conrad stops at the school with Briscoe and Daniel meets them in the parking lot. He's concerned about Peter Mylar's death and the rumor that there is another individual who was hospitalized but there is no confirmation on that. He doesn't want to force locker searches and the board wants to pretend it didn't happen. His idea is for Conrad and Briscoe to walk the halls to give the impression of searches even though Briscoe isn't a drug sniffing dog. Conrad wants to see how Briscoe reacts to the crowded hallway before committing to the plan.
Once again Conrad has to wonder about Briscoe's actual training, he completed testing on a four-week course in just a week and now he's discovered drugs on a student.
Spicetown is a small community, and there haven't been reports of drugs, yet they are out there. Conrad knows they'll have to investigate this and find the source to cut it off.
In the meantime, the community is excited for the play and holiday spirit is everywhere. Trees and decorations, holiday meal plans and the ever-growing relationship with Amanda and Bryan all just add to this delightful and informative mystery.
I am already reading the next book!
October 14, 2021
Unanswered plot points
I find it frustrating as a reader to have major plot points concluded with a one sentence comment in future books. Still surprised about the dog. He was suddenly and casually thrown into the story arc.
I find it frustrating as a reader to have major plot points concluded with a one sentence comment in future books. Still surprised about the dog. He was suddenly and casually thrown into the story arc.
December 10, 2023
This was a fun, light mystery that was perfect for late nights in December. Kept me amused and entertained. We pretty much knew who had to be the culprit, but the characters were fun, the dog was wonderful, and the mystery was solid. A fun read.
October 25, 2023
Who killed Peter Myler and why and how??? Drugs??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book,
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews