Customer Reviews

Trick or Treat: Corinna Chapman Mystery (Corinna Chapman Mysteries (Poisoned Pen Press))

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3 star:		(1)
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In Melbourne, large size baker Corinna Chapman becomes concerned when competition moves in down the block from her Earthy Delights bakery. She knows her food is superior to the chain, but their prices are much less than hers. At the same time she is panicky over her shop, an old friend visits her Israeli boyfriend, Daniel Cohen who is busy searching for stolen by the Nazis loot owned by Greek Jews. Georgiana is gorgeous and appears to want Daniel and though she admits to herself jealousy might taint her opinion Corinna believes the bakery too.

As she struggles to hold on to her business, perfectly sane people are jumping off buildings to their deaths. The police shut down foods shops to investigate the root cause. Meanwhile her friend Meroe the witch owner of Sibyl's Cave is unhappy with the gathering to celebrate Samhain. Soon the food issue, the stolen loot, and the witches' coven camp converge as a deadly predator has been working the neighborhood.

The latest Chapman mystery is a superb amateur sleuth that deftly merges several mysteries with the Lonsdale Street neighborhood goings-on that impact the lead heroine and her friends. The story line is fast-paced from the first confection to the final confrontation as Kerry Greenwood bakes a delightful Australian tale with a terrific twist that will send readers to the previous HEAVENLY PLEASURES of the EARTHY DELIGHTS Bakery.

Harriet Klausner

If it isn't one thing, it's another. No matter where Corinna Chapman, the affable Melbourne accountant-turned-baker looks, she faces problems. Looking down the street, she sees competition in the form of another bakery, a franchise store that can undercut her prices and put her out of business. Then, her love life suffers when an "old friend" comes to town and bunks with her Israeli lover - more unneeded competition.

But the real mystery is the source of contamination which is making people go mad and resulting in at least one death. Meanwhile, there is a sort of witch's ritual conclave going on in town, and items looted by the Nazis during World War II in Greece are making appearances. Quite enough to keep Corinna and her lover, David, occupied. In fact, more than occupied.

Kerry Greenwood is always good for an entertaining read, and this novel is a treat. Recommended.

NOT as enjoyable. Phryne and her cast of characters are delightful and a lot of fun. This group is also fun but wierd (weird?). The story line is interesting but the whole witch spiel was silly. Since I listened to the audiobook it's quite possible the big problem was the narrator, Louise Silversen. Talk about annoying! She whispers half the time and the pace just seemed off. This is one of the few audiobooks I've listened to where I thought reading the book would have been a better idea. Ms. Silversen does, however, do a good job of providing unique voices for each of the characters tho Daniel needs a more masculine, sexy delivery!

Having said all that, I will listen to/read more in the series to see if it improves. Still think Phryne is better!

TRICK OR TREAT provides a fine Corinna Chapman mystery, centering around the baker's face-off with a competing cut-price franchise bakery down the street. Add romance problems and her love's absences when an 'old friend' moves into his house and an outbreak of madness and you have a complex, satisfying mystery perfect for general mystery libraries.