Murder By Cheesecake: A Sweet Cozy Mystery

By S. Y. Robins

At just twenty-nine years old, Allison seemed to have it all, as a successful investigative reporter. However, a mysterious event leaves her broke - and broken - and she is forced to leave the city and return to the town where she grew up - the seaside village of Curtain Bay. It's been twelve years since she was last there, and nothing has changed - least of all the annual Cheesecake Competition. The town's residents take it as seriously as ever, and this year Allison is the star judge. When Allison crowns an unpopular winner, Cassandra, who then turns up dead the next day, anyone could be to blame. Did one of the runners up kill Cassandra so that they could take her crown? Could Allison be partly to blame? She decides to investigate, as she still has the reporter spirit inside her. Her search for the guilty party brings her closer to her old high school boyfriend Robert, who seems to be hiding something, and Allison is forced to face up to more than one secret from her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223534624

Book preview

1

"Home, sweet home, I thought, as the train dragged its way into the old familiar sight of Curtain Bay train station. Yeah right," I added. Home? Sure. Once upon a time. Sweet? Well, only if you counted the annual Curtain Bay Cheesecake Competition that the town went crazy for every July. But 'home sweet home'? More like a last resort. More like my only option.

I sighed as I pulled my luggage off the train and thanked the ticket collector. At least my parents would be pleased to see me. My old friends, maybe not so much. That's if they even recognise me that is. Twelve years is a long time to be away from your old town. That said; people in Curtain Bay don't forget anything.

Allison! I heard a bright cheery voice and turned around in surprise. I hadn't been expecting a welcoming committee. I brought my sunglasses up from my nose and squinted. Mom. Of course. I should have known she wouldn't let me walk all the way back to our old cottage down on the harbour.

I changed my face with a bright smile to mirror hers and walked over to embrace her. Hey Mum, I said, as she patted my back.

She pulled back and looked up, taking my hands to her face. So, our little journalist returns! At long last. She pulled a face to pretend she was having trouble remembering something. How long's it been since you were here?

You know it's been twelve years Mom. I pulled my suitcase behind me. So, where'd you park the car?

Car? She asked.

I stopped. You did bring the car, right? We're not going to have to walk all the way back to the house.

I brought transportation all right. But it's not exactly a car.

As we got outside the station, I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw what she meant. That's a - that's a bus, I said, my jaw dropping. Mom, why do you have a bus?

She shrugged. Times are tough, Allison. You know, we lost the business, so this is my new little earner.

You're a bus driver?

Look, I know it's not exactly the glamorous life you're used to now in the city…

It's fine Mom. I reached a hand out and patted her on the arm." I didn't want to talk about my so-called glamorous life in the city. For one thing, Mom didn't know the real reason I'd come back here, to escape from it all. As far as she knew, I was in town to write a story on the upcoming festival. Not that anything interesting EVER took place at Curtain Bay festival.

We climbed up into the bus. Where am I supposed to sit? I asked.

Wherever you like, love.

I took the seat directly behind her. The drive home was bumpy, and I kept a tight grip as we rounded the corners that led to our little harbour cottage.

Mom nodded out at a signpost as we rounded the last corner. There's a sign up for the festival there! You'll be attending of course, won't you love?

I'll have to, I