Review: To Have and to Kill by Mary Jane Clark

 

To Have and to Kill is the first book in the Wedding Cake Mystery series by Mary Jane Clark from William Morrow.

Book Blurb:

Piper Donovan never imagined that decorating wedding cakes could be so dangerous! A struggling actress with no immediate prospects and a recently broken engagement, Piper moves back in with her parents to take stock of her life. She steps tentatively into the family bakery business and finds herself agreeing to create a wedding cake for the acclaimed star of a daytime television drama. But soon someone close to the bride-to-be is horribly murdered and it seems that someone is ruthlessly determined to stop the wedding.

With the help of her former neighbor, Jack, a handsome FBI agent with a soft spot for the gorgeous cake-maker, Piper moves closer to the truth. And as she narrows in on a suspect, she realizes that it's hotter in the kitchen than she may be able to handle. . . .

My thoughts:

Piper Donovan is a twenty-seven year old actress who is currently working as a waitress and having a hard time making ends meet.  To save on money Piper decides to move back home with her parents.

When a good friend tells her that she is getting married, Piper offers her mothers cake making skills to the bride-to-be, but her mother is having some trouble that Piper is unaware of - and declines to make the wedding cake, but suggests that Piper make the cake herself.

Piper is excited about the upcoming wedding - but someone else is not.  The bride-to-be receives a threatening letter and Piper shows it to her FBI friend who thinks it’s just a prank.  But then someone is murdered and no one thinks it’s funny.

To Have and to Kill is an enjoyable read.  I like Piper very much and had no problem at all connecting with her character.  

This is the first book I’ve read by Mary Jane Clark and I really like her writing style - flowing and effortless. :)

I give To Have and to Kill 3 out of 5 stars and look forward to more adventures from Piper.

M