The Battered Body

There's trouble on the rise when the "Diva of Dough" arrives in Quincy's Gap to make the wedding cake for Milla and Jackson's Christmas Eve nuptials. The famous chef and television personality is Milla's sister, but while her confections are sweet and beautiful, the Diva herself makes enemies faster than you can say "praline pecan bundt cake." When the Diva is done in, her body found covered in cake batter, James and the other supper club members find themselves up to their elbows in suspects. A cozy "village" mystery, The Battered Body is the fifth book in the warm and wonderful Supper Club Mystery series. This high-calorie caper includes delicious recipes! Praise for the Supper Club Mystery series "Heavy on fun, light on gore, this savory mystery comes complete with yummy recipes."� Publishers Weekly "Foodies will love the recipes and fans the new adventures of the five friends."� Kirkus Reviews "Sprinkled with delightful characters and topped off with a dash of suspense."� Romantic Times Book Reviews From Booklist The flab five are back in what is one of the most satisfying books in the series. The dieters include librarian James, policewoman Lucy, mailman Bennett, artist and schoolteacher Lindy, and vegetarian and pet activist Gillian. James� widowed father, Jackson, is planning to marry on Christmas Eve. The trouble starts with the arrival of the bride�s family, including her sister, Paulette, a celebrity chef and television personality. The Diva of Dough plans to make a wedding cake to die for. But the woman seems to make more enemies than cakes. While no one is truly unhappy at her demise (her body covered in cake batter), the flab five feel they must discover who did it. As always, the story offers a delightful depiction of the village of Quincy�s Gap, Virginia. Stanley excels at gradually revealing more and more details about her appealing cast of characters, which, in turn, paves the way for plenty of engaging story lines to pursue in future volumes. The recipes included won�t do much for your diet, but maybe the introduction of a new character, dietician Dr. Ruth Wilkins, will help. --Judy Coon Review "Heavy on fun, light on gore, this savory mystery comes complete with yummy recipes." -- PW "Publishers Weekly"