Dead Pan is a fun cozy mystery about a small town baker getting roped into solving a murder of a townsperson.

I really d the MC Daphne Martin, especially the tidbits about her past, how she got away from her husband and started afresh. I found it surprising that a cozy mystery such as this one had mentioned some heavy topics and I LOVE it.

The way Daphne works her way through clues is interesting to read and although the mystery was a bit predictable, mostly because there was no hint of any other motive in the whole book, I did end up enjoying this read!20222 s Andrea14

An easy read which is nice. Although, as a microbiologist, I'm not too sure of some of the facts concerning Campylobacter spp testing...but it is fiction so there you have it :) Also, I found it ended very suddenly. And certain things are not wrapped up for me. For instance, I don't "get" why Fred died still! Did I miss something? We know who caused his initial accident by the end of this book but we don't know what the relationship is between the subsequent brain injury, the Campylobacter infection and the pharmaceutical company's amazing new drug. Actually that is the only thing that wasn't really wrapped up for me I guess. Did I miss something?

Other than that, I the writer's style. I learning about the cake baking and decorating methods along the way. I feel somewhat inspired to start baking...if only I had the time to add another activity to my already busy days...This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review2 s Donna675

This was a VERY light and forgettable read on a trip. But the whole book was worth it for the following quote:

"The proprietor was sitting in a rocking chair by the window with a space heater at her side and a long green. . .something. . .she was crocheting. For some reason, the heavy woman with her squinting black eyes and her gray hair pulled into a bun reminded me of Madame Defarge. That was ridiculous, of course; Madame Defarge was a knitter, not a crocheter."2 s Linda Smatzny2,935 29

The main character is Daphne Martin who makes and decorates cakes from her home. When a young man who had a brain injury from an accident dies following a Christmas party, Daphne wants to know everything. She constantly questions everything about the people involved. The book was an easy read.craving-for-cozies-20231 Stephanie Tiner265 45

Daphne Martin has recently moved back to her hometown in Virginia to open Daphne’s Delectable Cakes. Shortly after starting her cake business, Daphne discovered her first customer dead, of suspicious circumstances. After helping to solve the mystery behind Yodel Watson’s death, Daphne is hoping to spend some time making Christmas cakes and all around getting ready for the season.
That all changes when half of her small town becomes ill at an office Christmas party. Thankfully, the doctors there were able to help everyone. Everyone except Fred Duncan. What would appear to be a simple case of food poisoning quickly turns into murder and Fred’s mother is asking Daphne to help her discover what happened to Fred, before anyone else gets hurt.
Daphne is at it again in this second installment in the Daphne Cake Mysteries. Daphne is doing much better since the end of “Murder Takes the Cake.” She’s getting along better with her family, her cake business is gaining ground, and her relationship with Ben is going smoothly. Her natural inclination to ask questions and ferret out the truth makes her a wonderful candidate to assist in finding answers to Fred’s death. Her previous accomplishment solving Yodel Watson’s murder also adds to her credibility.
In the first novel, her cake business had barely taken off, but in this installment, you can tell she is doing much better.
I have to admit that I have conflicting feelings about this novel, as a whole. The mystery is intriguing and I was happy to discover that we have a better look into the personality and character of Fred Duncan. After meeting him in the first novel, I was surprised that he was the victim in this novel, and more worried that we would not be presented with a full picture into his life and personality. I was thankful that we were.
I was also happy that we were able to learn more about Fred’s car accident and his resulting brain injury that was mentioned in the first novel but not expounded upon.
I found that by the end of the novel, I had numerous questions that were not addressed in this book. During her investigation, Daphne manages to learn a lot about Fred and the people in his life, some of which seemed important to the mystery, however, some of the information’s involvement was never explained. Also, there were some questions about some of Daphne’s business endeavors that were never explained either.
In the end, I found myself stuck somewhere in the middle. I d the mystery, I wasn’t surprised by the big reveal, and I found myself with a number of unanswered questions.
I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoyed book one and would to learn more about Daphne Martin. I may read book three in the future, in the hopes of having some of my questions answered, though I cannot say when that will be.
I received my copy of this novel from the author for the sole purpose of providing an honest review and have permission from the publishers at Bell Bridge Books to use an image of the cover artwork featured above.
stephanietiner.weebly.com1 KyBunnies1,207 9

Originally posted at Bunny's Review


First let me state I love the title “Dead Pan” it conveys a message that a pan is not just a pan. I don’t feel it was the best title for the book but it does work. However, the story between the pages is something that will leave readers with a satisfying mystery to help solve.

Daphne is up in cakes and murder again. After delivering a cake to an annual holiday party she soon learns that almost everyone is sick and that one person has died. Daphne becomes a suspect and vowels to help the mother of the person who passed find out what happened.

I really enjoyed this book and the mystery involved. The story line was easy to follow but provided just enough information about the criminal to keep readers guessing. There are a lot of extra characters in this book and all have a purpose along with all the extra information. It may seem the author is trying to overwhelm readers but that is the exact opposite. All of this was needed for a complete and well-rounded story.

The bunnies and I give this book carrots.


Disclosure: This book was borrowed from the public library.2016 a-great-read america ...more1 Katherine765 97

This is the second book in the Daphne Martin mystery series which offer a fun blend of mystery and cake decorating. I'd probably prefer giving it 2 1/2 stars because while I do the idea it barely seemed to get going before it wrapped up. Very little suspense, sweet but simply too short.2012 food mystery-cozy ...more1 Helen Thompson126 7

Enjoyed the first book, but this second one was a big disappointment. It begins well, but suddenly wraps up. We know who the murderer was, but not how or why she committed the murders.1 Darlene126

This was a fun mystery. A quick read and the second book in the Daphne Martin mystery. You also get a couple of free recipes in the back.1 Julie HowardAuthor 2 books19

I enjoyed this light easy cozy mystery. This is book two but it stands a stand alone book, so you don't need to have listened to book one to enjoy it, I haven't. It was quite fun so I might end up getting book one for my collection. The picture say that recipes are included but luckily they are not in the audio book version (sorry but I don't it when twenty minutes of a story are taken up with recipes I am not ly to make). A bit of story time is taken up with baking but that is so a group of guinea pigs can have a party and the main character can ask some questions. I found the whole thing light and amusing. The mystery was good but despite there being a number of suspects and reasons, I did know who the killer was.
When a number of people fall sick at a party that Daphne has provided the cake for she is worried her cake will be blamed. Luckily the party is being hold for a pharmaceutical company and the head doctor is on hand with a nearly developed vaccine. While visiting the only man to need hospital treatment the man dies and Daphne promises his mother she will investigate. Was his death because of his brain injury caused by a car crash years ago? Daphne's family don't want her to investigate, she is a baker not a detective but when someone she cares about also gets sick, she puts down her pans and starts asking question. Questions someone doesn't want asked .
I d the narrator and thought she did a good job with all the different voices.audio-book Michelle2,502 16

This is the second book in the series. Daphne has made a cake for a pharmaceutical company’s Christmas party. When a large number of the party goers come down with a serious GI illness, a doctor who works for the company is able to treat them with one of their new products and everyone but one person gets better. Daphne is shocked to find out that it is Fred who is critically ill and when he dies, his mother asks her to look into what happened. As Daphne looks into Fred’s past, with help from his cousin, she learns more about the accident he had and his talent as an artist. I had mixed feelings about this one as I thought some things were incorrect or presented unrealistically, particularly where it related to the clinical research and process of using unapproved drugs, but that is a personal bias. I have hopes that the third book will be an enjoyable addition to the series.cozy-mystery Kimberlee498 10

I won this book in early reviewers and have to admit that this was a well written and amusing book. I enjoyed this book immensely and would to read the first book of this series. It is to my knowledge that another one in this series will be coming out soon. I would to read that one too. I d the main character, Daphne Martin. I thought her personality was amazing and kept me laughing. I definately enjoyed this book Ellen White7,542 42

Daphne’s has opened her cake decorating business and not good advertisement when the first one man dies. Then others from the party are sick in this small town of Brea Ridge. Sure it wasn’t hers.Instead of decorating cakes for holidays she is investigating . Good and good deserts Debi Emerson823 4

Great mystery! Believable & endearing characters!mystery Ashley86 3

Hilarious with intensity

I'm loving this Daphne Martin series! Quick reads with a lot of laughs!! Daphne and Myra are quite the pair of friends! D1,150 18

Daphne Martin is on the fringe of this crime; she provided a cake to the party. Many twists and turns are found in this fast-paced book. cozy-mysteries Sharon214 1 follower

A hit Poswiata418

I had just finished a very emotional book, so this was the perfect read for me. It’s a light read and entertaining enough to keep you reading. Lori206 27

I am a fan of entertaining and intriguing mysteries and author Gayle Trent does not disappoint with Dead Pan, the second installment in her "cake decorating" series.

Heroine Daphne Martin returns and is the cake decorator of the series title. She is spunky, fearless and seemingly in the wrong place at the wrong time, leading her into part-time sleuthing duties after the unfortunate Fred Duncan dies after attending a party that featured one of Daphne's prized cakes. A party in which a handful of people fall ill after feasting on Daphne's luscious dessert.

I did not have the luxury of reading the first book in the series, Murder Takes the Cake, but I was easily acquainted with Daphne and her menagerie of family and friends in her town of Brea Ridge, including her disapproving sister Violet, neighbor Belinda and her award winning guinea pigs and Daphne's boyfriend Ben.

Ms. Trent's writing style is light and breezy, the perfect description of Dead Pan. It is far and away more entertaining than suspenseful and thrilling; do not expect Agatha Christie or the . I figured out "whodunnit" before the big reveal but it did not spoil my overall enjoyment of the book.

The only downside to Dead Pan might be the excessive cake decorating details. I found them interesting, if a bit repetitive by the end. Other readers who care not about cake decorating might find the descriptions tedious. The baker at heart will appreciate the recipes included in the book.

For diehard mystery fans, Dead Pan might fall short of expectations. For cozy mystery lovers, Dead Pan should happily fit the bill.

mystery Kathleen Kelly1,375 129

Dead Pan by Gayle Trent is a 'cozy mystery' about a woman, Daphne Martin, the amateur sleuth, who had solved the murder of Yodel Watson, a mean gossip, a few months before. She is asked to look into the death of Fred Duncan by his cousin Fran and her mother. As she tries to find out what happened to Fred she finds out more than she really wanted to know and the truth will put her in danger.

The story has a fun group of characters, Daphne's sister Violet, wants Daphne to test drive a video guitar game, to see if it is appropriate for Violets twins. Daphne enlists the help of Fred Duncan's mother and cousin Fran to help her cater a "cavy" party, guinea pigs for those of us have no clue what a cavy is. Fran also helps Daphne by trying to figure out what happened to Fred. Daphnes older friend Myra, who learns to play the video game along with Daphne. There is Fred's mother Connie who blames Daphne for her sons death. You will meet the grocery store owner, the doctor who helped the people get better and a reporter who has her own agenda. And last but not least is Ben, Daphnes significant other.

I enjoyed this book a lot. The characters were quirky enough to be believable. The writing style was very easy to read . At the end the bad guy or gal gets what is coming to them and all is well, or until the next book in the series. If you want to read a fun series, this would be the one...I highly recommend it.


I received a complimentary copy of Dead Pan by Gayle Trent as an ebook, from Library Thing.









finished Marybeth Mank28 8

I acquired this book as a free Kindle download several months ago. I finally opened this past weekend. The first few pages filled me with doubt, proving once again that you should never judge a book by its cover (or its first few pages!). Once I got into the storyline and the characters, I couldn't put my tablet down...LOL!

The plot was well developed with all sorts of twists and tuns as well as red herrings, and the final outcome was not at all expected. I d the cultural icon touches (i.e. having the lead character meet noted sugar hall of fame artist and Food Network icon Kerry Vincent) as well as explaining some cake decorating techniques.

The characters were well drawn and interesting. Overall, I really enjoyed this book immensely. It was kind of a cross between the Greater Tuna plays, Steel Magnolias, Fried Green Tomatoes and Lillian Jackson Braun's The Cat Who mystery book series all with Dan Brown and Scott Turow thrown in for good measure. If you enjoyed those, you will most definitely enjoy this book as well as the rest of the series.

Bookmom618 15

The second book in the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating Mysteries puts Daphne into the uncomfortable situation of investigating the death of an acquaintance. She'd been at the hospital visiting when Fred passed away and his mother begs Daphne for help since she has experience at this type of thing. Of course her own family would prefer that she stayed out of it. More than this initial mystery is solved in this story.

A large part of the story is built around Daphne's business of making and decorating both cake and candy. At first the step by step process for making a gum-paste character seemed a little much, but I began to appreciate some of the ideas and instructions provided in the story as other things were made.

The mystery itself was well done. Information is gathered in a fairly relaxed manner as Daphne goes about doing other things while taking time to ask questions. We're given a number of possibilities but the protagonist isn't easy to guess before the author decides it's time.

I found it a light, enjoyable read.

Read for Library Thing Faythe Shattuck252

When half the town gets sick from food poisoning following a party at the local pharmaceutical company. Daphne Martin finds herself being questioned by the police since she had provided the cakes for the party. For Fred Duncan a his bout of food poisoning turns fatal. Now his Mom Connie would Daphne to find out who caused his death. While doings this for Connie, Daphne also has to cater a birthday party for a group of pet guinea pigs, work at her cake decorating, and test driving a guitar playing video game for her sister to see if it's appropriate for her niece and nephew.

The author has a writing style that is light and breezy and is easy to read. The plot if well developed with twists and turns with a few red herrings thrown in. The characters are believable by the way they have started to let their individual personalities start to show through.cozy-mysteries Diane ~Firefly~2,009 77

Daphne confuses me. She acts s she is 20 sometimes (calling guys HAGs - Hot Available Guy) but I'm pretty sure she is supposed to be 30s or early 40s. And then she admits what she is doing is stupid and doesn't have a very good reason for doing it.

But otherwise I d the book. The rest of the time Daphne is fairly normal. I love Belinda and her prize winning guinea pigs. Ben could actually use more face time, but at least he isn't upset at her for snooping.

So I'm not sure how the killer knew that Fred would die if infected and she wasn't around to make sure his dosage of the cure could be tampered with. So this seemed to be a horribly planned murder or a happy coincidence.food kindle mystery Gretchen1,796

This is the second of a series about a woman who bakes and decorates cakes out of her home for a living. This one is about a party at a pharmeceudical company during which everyone got sick with a bacteria and the doctors at the lab gave them a new miracle drug that cured them quickly except for one person who died. Daphne looks into the death of Fred, the bagger at her grocery store. She also investigates an accident he was in the year before which gave him brain damage.
I the characters in this series. The solution to the crime was obvious to me, and the book ended very abruptly. Annie Fyfe427 4

Dead Pan was a fun quick read with a little holiday flavor mixed in. I enjoyed the writing and the characters, especially the main girl. I hadn't read the previous book in the series but I had no trouble figuring out who was who and keeping up with the storyline. I do think there was a little too much time before the plot started unfolding and I wanted some things to happen a little quicker between the characters. But overall a very fun light book that I would recommend to anyone who is in the mood for something short and sweet!holidays mystery small ...more Carol73

Second in the series. Daphne is a cake decorator/baker, but she can't stop getting involved in "questionable murder" investigations. There seems to be a run of dead bodies around the small town she has recently move to. (her home town)It is a fun read, as opposed to an intense murder mystery. I enjoy the first one in the series as well as this one. If you want a fun, fast read, this is the series. Angie979 16 Read

As another reviewer said, I also received this as an advanced reader's copy, but unexpectedly received it as a .pdf. I don't remember that being mentioned as the format, b/c I would have never requested it. It's ly I'll never get around to reading this as I don't have a handheld reader and have no interest in reading it off my computer when I'm away from work. Incredibly frustrating and disappointing!read-but-no-longer-own Cory895 6

Reading this second book in a series reminded me what I didn't about the first book--namely, the incessant detail about things that I don't particularly care about. I get it . . . you're a cake decorator! I don't need a lesson in making frosting roses every time you make them! Also, there were enough typos and misused words in this volume to make me think "Wait! Was this self-published??!" I don't think I'll read the next one. Barbara778

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