Midnight Snacks are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery)
by Libby Klein
About the Book
Midnight Snacks are Murder (A Poppy McAllister Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Kensington (July 31, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1496713056
Digital ASIN: B0776HFC8V
When her sleepwalking aunt is accused of committing murder, Poppy McAllister finds out there’s no rest for the weary . . .
Between trying to get her gluten-free baking business off the ground and helping her aunt remodel her old Victorian into the Butterfly House Bed and Breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey, Poppy is ready to call, “Mayday!” And now Aunt Ginny—who’s a handful wide-awake—is sleepwalking on her new sleeping pill prescription and helping herself to neighbors’ snacks and knickknacks.
Even more alarming, a local humanitarian who worked with troubled teens is found murdered, and the police suspect the “Snack Bandit.” Other than a bad case of midnight munchies and some mild knickknack kleptomania, Aunt Ginny is harmless. Someone’s trying to frame her. Poppy will need to work tirelessly to uncover the killer and put the case to rest—before Aunt Ginny has to trade in her B & B for a bunk bed behind bars . . .
Includes Seven Recipes from Poppy’s Kitchen!
Review
I enjoyed the first in this series and can happily say the same about the second! This one was just as laugh out loud funny as book number one. In case you’re wondering, you really don’t need to read the first to enjoy the second. Midnight Snacks works as a stand alone. You can catch up on any key info easily and there are no spoilers in case you do want to go back to book one.
The characters:
Poppy is going strong in her journey of self-betterment. She’s committed to her diet and exercise and to standing up for herself more. The scene where she finally tells her (former) mother-in-law a thing or two was glorious.
Aunt Ginny is a crazy as ever. We get bits of info about her past and see how devoted Poppy is to her. Libby writes this eccentric old lady who is beloved by friends and neighbours and who always delivers a great laugh.
Sawyer is back. We see Poppy’s best friend hiding a secret of her own yet still trying to make time for her friend in need.
The love triangle: I’m not a huge fan of love triangles so this is not my favourite part of the story. However, it’s so well-written! And it’s not a secret. Gia is suave and sweet and hot… ask Judy who insisted on walking behind him just to enjoy the view! Tim is nostalgic and charming and cute. He was Poppy’s first love. I have no idea which one Poppy will eventually pick. But I think part of me is rooting for Gia.
The murder mystery aspect is very well plotted. There were several possible murder weapons, suspects, good motives and opportunities. The red herrings abound as well. A couple of those suspects I would have happily seen tossed in jail though!
The pacing is done right throughout the book. The tension is also well-done. Poppy finds herself in just the right amount of hot water to make the tale interesting but not too much to induce eye rolling.
Favourite parts:
I wanted to choose just one favourite part but I couldn’t decide between these two:
- The party bus search party for Aunt Ginny.
- Aunty Ginny playing escape artist.
Least favourite:
Amber. We gotta get to the bottom of the real Amber story!
Favourite quotes:
…I was too tired to grouse this morning about what God had given me and Betty Crocker had perfected…
…I let a bleary-eyed Sawyer in to help keep an eye on the Gangsta Granny. “How’d it go last night?”
I sighed. “The schnapps helped. She didn’t try to escape until around five a.m.”
“Is that why there’s an Officer Birkwell in front of the mailbox?”
“He had the pleasure of frisking her, to fish her spare car keys out of her bloomers this morning.”
Those kids could text the Constitution in thirty seconds using just emojis.
Overall this was a very fun read and a great follow-up to Class Reunions Are Murder.
I give this book 4.5/5 snacking espresso shots!
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Great and funny review Nina. I am going to have to read these books, I love a cozy mystery with comedy wrapped all up in a ball. Aunt Ginny sounds like my type of auntie. I had an aunt Ginny but she passed on to to the good Lord. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Boy Lori sure knows how to pick some winners doesn’t she? Have a wonderful day honey🙂
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Oh I’m happy you had the joy of an Aunty Ginny in your life! I’m sure you have some wonderful memories.
Lori does manage to find us some pretty awesome reads.
A very good weekend to you Jody!
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Thank you so much All About Books! Aunt Ginny is based on my grandmother who has also gone on to be with the Lord. It’s a lot of fun bringing her back to see what trouble she can get into.
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💜
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Lovely review… I loved the car becoming the party bus hehehe It was funny
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Thank you Shalini! Those seniors sure know how to have fun!
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I know… I loved both your books. I had great fun reading and reviewing them. You are a fab and fun writer… 😘
Can I take a few minutes and just say – thank you. It is not often when I see an author commenting and interacting with us…well…me 😉 so I am so happy you did that. It just made my day. You just made me your fan!!! 😘😍💕❤️
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Aww. And so true!!!! It wonderful when the authors stop by ❤️. I also appreciate it a lot.
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♥️♥️
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And Libby, I loved your quotes in the beginning for chunky girls and for bullies….
Hey Nicole, I remember quotes…. Well this one I did because Libby said to all bullies – she won!!
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She did indeed! 😊
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Thank you Shalini. High school drama makes you feel like you’ll never get past the hurt, but then you grow up and you realize what a small part of life that was. It was a shallow, little pond and we were bullied by insignificant fish that were just a little bit more important than we were. How nice to have the best days of our lives ahead of us instead of during adolescence.
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I agree… We don’t have such a thing so far in our schools yet at least I think so… But in colleges there is a lot of bullying etc.
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So very true. And now you are bringing delight to so many through your writing! 😊
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Great and funny Review
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Thanks 😊
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I’ve never visited your blog before, but I really enjoyed it, and your review of Midnight Snacks are Murder ~ Thanks for being on the Great Escapes Tour!
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I’m glad you enjoyed.
You’re welcome 😊
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Ok the book sounds great, but I really want to know if the recipes are gluten free? I tried to enter, but it’s US only:(
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They are gluten free!! Poppy makes all the gluten free pastries for Gia’s coffee shop. She can’t have gluten anymore herself.
Oh my gosh… another blogger just posted this week about the US only giveaways! Check it out: https://morganasbookbox.com/2018/08/07/how-to-annoy-a-book-blogger-do-a-u-s-only-giveaway/
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AJ, All the recipes are gluten free and some of them are Paleo – which means grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, etc. I’m gluten free so everything I make has to be modified so as not to kill me.
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Great, good to know! I’m very allergic to dairy and gluten so I end up modifying everything!
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Oh, this sounds so fun and funny, Nina! Loved the quotes and your review! I also love that you can read this as a standalone, but also that it’s cohesive if you are continuing from book one. I think that takes a lot of talent. Happy Friday, Nina!
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Thanks Jennifer. It’s definitely a tricky combination to master! But it makes it so easy for readers to jump in at any time and not feel to overwhelmed! Lol
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Fabulous fun review! I’m putting this on my list especially if it can be read as a standalone!
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Definitely can. And I’ve seen lots of good reviews for it as well 🙂
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Wonderful review. I need to read this series, it sounds so much fun. I love the first quote you used. That would be me for sure.
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That’s my favourite! Lol.
It’s definitely a series that’s been getting lots of positive reviews.
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Yes, I see we agree for the most part, your review of the book excellent. I also grabbed that one quote. Only difference I’d have with you is Gia–yeah, no. Not a good match, wouldn’t work. (When cute dies, what’s left?
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Hahahahahahaha
Well he’s been so supportive of her sleuthing. And he got her those very thoughtful presents….
But his mama is gonna be a problem!
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Okay… I NEED to read these books. Your review for the first book really made me want to read it, and this one?! Can I steal my neighbours snacks and knickknacks and BLAME it on sleep walking?? And a party bus search party?! 😂😂 This one sounds AMAZING!! I LITERALLY need these in my life right now!! 😁 Ordering them both RIGHT NOW!! 💖
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Hahahahahaha. Ah you should have checked NetGalley for book two.
I have a feeling you’re going to appreciate Aunt Ginny a lot!!! Lol
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Oh, they were on Netgalley?! Okay, catching up, so when book 3 comes I can get it from there!! 😂😂 They really do sound FANTASTIC!!
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Yeah… I think I’ll be getting book three when it come out. I gotta know who she chooses… and what else happens with Aunt Ginny 😉
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Ya, I’m not into a love triangle… But, done okay… When it’s not the whole focus……
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Yeah. And it’s not a secret. The two guys know about each other. And I usually don’t like it either.
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…. That’s even weirder… Do they like, high five when they trade off?? How does this work?? 😂😂
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Hahahahaha… you’ll have to read it… but one date does partially happen in the presence of the other……..
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So weird… I’ll have to check it out!! I can’t wait! 💖💖
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❤️
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Thank you so much bookworm! I hope you love them!! Let me know how that sleepwalking goes for you.
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Ha ha!! Thanks for the comment, and I’ll definitely let you know!… Or, you’ll see it on the news when I’m arrested! 😂😂 I’m very excited to read your books! 😁
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LOL
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Shhhh Libby, don’t give that bookworm Nicole ideas. She is wild enough to try them all, that too pairing it with alcohol😉😉😂😂
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She would definitely try it 😂
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Hahaha cozy babe, it would be hilarious…
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Thank you so much for reviewing Midnight Snacks Are Murder! And for the fabulous blog post!! 4.5 snacking espresso shot is very high praise! I can not give any information about the love triangle – but – you have my word that it will not go on for long. Thank you for the kind words. xoxo
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Hahaha. It would have too good to be true to get a spoiler on that front. I’ll just have to keep reading 😉
You’re welcome.
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I loved this book Nina!! I thought it was hilarious.
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