Cruel Candy is the first in a new cozy mystery that is definitely all about the characters. The main character Winifred (Fred) is a middle-aged woman restarting her life after a divorce and a betrayal by her long-time best friend. I especially enjoyed her down-to-earth, no-nonsense personality as well as her refusal to focus on the negative points of restarting life at her age. She has moved to the small Colorado town of Estes Park to be closer to family and to achieve her dream of opening a bookstore. Her new lease on life is derailed when she finds the dead body of her neighbor in her new business location, and she begins to investigate the murder when the police detective on the case concentrates on her stepfather Barry as the main suspect. She is accompanied on all her adventures by her cranky but lovable corgi Watson, and she is either butting heads with or feeling romantic stirrings towards a certain police detective. I loved her interactions with her family as well as many of the local residents, and I was completely shocked by both the identity of the killer and the motive. I truly didn’t see that one coming, and I think that is the highest compliment in a mystery. I am looking forward to continuing the series with book two soon.
Angie Hickman’s narration is fantastic. She has a very high pitched voice, but it isn’t squeaky like you might expect. She differentiates extremely well between characters, and her delivery of the dry wit of the story is perfection. I had previously enjoyed her performances of romance novels, but I think she is even more suited to the cozy mystery genre. I highly recommend anything that she narrates.
I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.