Birthday Cake and Betrayal

by Cindy Bell

Genres: Culinary Cozy Mysteries; Animal Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

Chocolates, Celebrations, and Murder!

Ally and Charlotte are excited to host a candy-making party at the chocolate shop to celebrate a special birthday. But things don’t go to plan and the festivities are cut short when the guests start arguing.

Then the guest of honor is found murdered. With their pot-bellied pig Arnold and mischievous feline friend Peaches by their side Ally and Charlotte swap chocolate molds for sleuthing hats and are determined to find the murderer. With the town abuzz with gossip the three quirky chocolate shop regulars, Mrs. Bing, Mrs. Cale, and Mrs. White, are eager to lend a helping hand. But the victim had a lot more enemies than friends and it’s proving a difficult case to crack.

The sleuths uncover a melting pot of hidden motives, surprising secrets, and puzzling clues. Their investigative efforts lead them straight toward trouble. Will they catch the killer before they become the next victims?

Join the chocolate-making sleuths, their lovable pets, and eccentric friends for a clean, fun-filled, puzzling, delicious, cozy mystery by USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Cindy Bell.

Release date: August 26, 2025

Print pages: 224

Sample

Chapter One
Ally Sweet-Elm smiled to herself as she began arranging the assortment of
candy molds on a long, stainless steel table in the middle of the kitchen of
Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven. She could already predict the excitement of the
women who’d be arriving shortly for a birthday party.
Although growing up in her grandmother’s chocolate shop had given her
plenty of chances to see people use sweets to mark special occasions, whether
joyful or painful, she’d never seen a birthday celebrated right there in the shop. Other
than hers.
“I think they’re going to love this.” Ally added a few more molds to the table
and glanced up at the clock on the wall.
“Absolutely, they will.” Gabby Write began placing different utensils on the
table. “What better way is there to celebrate your birthday than to create and enjoy
the most delicious treats?”
“It’s funny. I’d never even thought about doing something like this. When
Bianca came to me to make the request, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of it first. I
think this is definitely going to become a regular thing.” Ally looked over the table to
ensure she hadn’t forgotten anything. “There will be quite a few people working in
the kitchen at the same time. I’m wondering if we should set up a second table.
Maybe one right by the window?”
Ally glanced over at the large window that overlooked the front of the shop.
Many of the locals would linger by the window and watch while she, Gabby, or her
grandmother created the most decadent candies. Of course, they would also usually
enjoy a few free samples and make a few purchases.
“I think this will be fine, Ally. If you try to squeeze in another table there, I think
it’s going to make it too crowded, and people will have a hard time moving around.
These ladies are all friends, right? I’m sure they’ll be kind and courteous to each
other.” Gabby began setting up the double boilers on the large stove.
“Yes, you’re probably right,” Ally said slowly. “But something just doesn’t feel
right.”
A chime rang out as someone entered through the front door. Ally poked her
head into the doorway between the shop and the kitchen and spotted her husband,

Detective Luke Elm, adding a few of his hand-carved wooden toys to a shelf near the
front of the shop.
“Luke, I’m so glad you’re here. Do you think you can help me move a table,
please?” Ally grabbed his hand and tugged him into the kitchen.
“Ally. You’re obsessing,” Gabby huffed. “We don’t need another table. Just
relax.”
“I’m trying. But I can’t help it.” Ally scanned the table again. “I just want
everything to go smoothly. Bianca grew up around here, and she works at that big
PR firm in Lansdale. She’s kind of a big deal, and if she’s not happy...” She trailed off
as she adjusted a stack of dessert plates. “Let’s just say I don’t want to see what
kind of reviews that leads to.”
“All right, I have to get back to work soon, but what can I do to help?” Luke
glanced at the tools on the table. “I’m not exactly an expert at making candy. If you
want something carved out of wood, I’m your guy. This? Not so much.”
“It’s just nice having you around for a bit.” Ally smiled. “Help yourself to some
candy.”
A short while later, Charlotte Sweet stepped into the kitchen, and Ally
felt herself relax. Having her grandmother in the shop always settled her nerves.
Even after Charlotte had moved into Freely Lakes, a retirement village, Ally
treasured the days she came to stay overnight at the cottage she’d grown up in.
Those visits were less frequent now, since Ally had married Luke, and Charlotte had
Jeff to keep her company.
The second bedroom at the cottage was available for Charlotte whenever she
wanted to stay, but it wasn’t quite the same as it used to be.
Still, nothing could take away the feeling of having her grandmother in the
chocolate shop, a place Charlotte had opened when Ally’s mother was just a child,
and had kept running even after losing her daughter and raising Ally alone.
“Okay, what do you need me to do?” Charlotte dropped her purse behind the
front counter.
Ally grinned as she led the way into the kitchen. “I think I have just about
everything set up. Can you take a look and make sure I didn’t forget anything?”
“Sure.” Charlotte waved to Luke, then walked over to join Gabby at the large
table.

“I’ve already checked it twice.” Gabby grinned at her. “I think Ally had a little
too much coffee this morning.”
“Coffee!” Ally gasped and snapped her fingers. “That’s what I forgot. I need to
make some fresh coffee.”
She rushed into the front of the shop and began setting up a few carafes of
the most popular flavors. Her thoughts drifted, as for an instant she flashed back to
an entirely different lifetime. She’d moved far from the small town of Blue River to the
big city to start her own life. But after her fiancé broke her heart, and her career path
fell through, she’d come back for a visit to lean on her grandmother’s good advice,
and delicious chocolate, and she’d ended up staying.
It turned out to be the best move she’d ever made, as she quickly met a local
detective who helped her forget the man who’d never had her best interests at heart.
Now, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere other than the chocolate shop,
surrounded by the people she loved most.
“Ow!” Ally gasped as she brushed the side of a hot coffeepot.
“Enough.” Charlotte swatted a towel at her. “Just slow down.”
“I’m just trying to make it perfect.” Ally ran her hand under cold water in the
kitchen sink. “I’ll be okay.”
“Yes, you will,” Luke said. “But you’re going to take a minute to clear your
head. Come with me.”
Even though Ally still had a few last-minute things to handle, she let Luke lead
her out back into the courtyard.
A pot-bellied pig and an orange cat ran over to greet them.
She crouched down to pat Arnold’s head, who snorted happily as he nuzzled
her hand, and Peaches rubbed up against her leg.
“I thought they might help you relax.” Luke scratched behind Arnold’s ears.
“You were right.” Ally smiled at the pets.
Peaches was the only part of Ally’s city life she’d brought back to Blue River,
her best friend and confidante. Arnold had been her grandmother’s pet, but when
Charlotte moved to Freely Lakes, Ally had inherited him, along with the shop, the
cottage, and a life she hadn’t planned on but had grown to love.
“This was just what I needed. But I don’t have time to waste.” Ally headed
back inside.

Luke slipped a few dried apple chips to Arnold and a treat to Peaches before
following her.
“Everything’s going to be great.” Charlotte gave Ally a quick pat on the back
as she walked past. “But remember, nothing’s ever perfect.”  ...