The Candy Cane Caper by Josi S. Kilpack – Review

About the Book

The theft of a friend’s priceless, family-legacy Christmas ornaments brings amateur detective and culinary expert, Sadie Hoffmiller, back on the case in a new standalone cozy mystery.

In the latest chapter to the Culinary Mystery series, amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller continues combining her sleuthing with her cooking and baking to connect with people and gain information she might otherwise not have access to. Moreover, now that Sadie is married to Detective Pete Cunningham, she has a street-savvy husband to test out her crime-solving theories.

With Christmas approaching, Sadie is preparing for a large blended-family gathering—including many new grandchildren—in their home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Even with the festive chaos, Sadie drops everything when word gets out that her friend, Mary, is the victim of a holiday robbery.

At ninety-four years old, and nearly blind, Mary knows this is may be her last Christmas and the last year to enjoy her family heirloom Christmas tree ornaments. She wants just one more holiday to display her ornaments and following Christmas Eve Mass, she’ll pass them on to her great-granddaughter, Joy. Though priceless to the family, the collection has been valued at $40,000, and the Christmas tree in the care facility has never looked so good. But before the ornaments can be retrieved by Mary, eleven of the most expensive ornaments are stolen.

A holiday Christmas caper might be new to Sadie, but she’s ready to mix in her seasoned crime-solving skills with a pinch of new holiday recipes.

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In My Opinion

I’ve become of fan of Josi S. Kilpack’s historical books over the past couple years, so I thought I’d give her cozy mysteries a try. What I didn’t realize is The Candy Cane Caper is the fourteenth book in the series. However, The Candy Cane Caper stood totally on its own. Not once did I feel like I was lost or missing out on something because I haven’t read the other books.

Sadie is overwhelmed with checking things off her to-do list before her family arrives for Christmas. Yet, when her friend’s antique Christmas ornaments go missing, Sadie is on the case. Family, friends, and nursing home staff are included in the suspect list.

Sadie is a little quirky, sometimes sticking her nose into things where it doesn’t belong, but her heart is in the right place. While the mystery is front and center in this book, the heart of the story is in the importance of family, friendship, and not judging others by appearance.

Add in some delicious recipes, and it’s no wonder Kilpack’s Sadie fans have requested another serving of the Culinary Mysteries.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.