Crepe Factor

Crepe Factor by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran is the fourteenth book in the Scrapbooking Mysteries. Carmela Bertrand owns Memory Mine in New Orleans, Louisiana. Carmela is at the Winter Market in the French Quarter with her friend, Ava Gruiex (who owns Juju Voodoo). They are enjoying the various booths (especially the ones with wine) when they hear a fight. The fight is between Martin Lash, who writes Glutton for Punishment blog, and Quigg Brevard, owner of Mumbo Gumbo. Martin had written a bad review about Mumbo Gumbo, and Quigg is upset about it. Later, Ava and Carmela are at a booth that sells corsets (Ava cannot resist and is busy trying on a leather one) when a man stumbles towards them with a serving fork sticking out of his neck. It is Martin Lash. Unfortunately, Quigg ends up being the number one suspect. Quigg asks Carmela to investigate and prove his innocence. Carmela is torn about this request. She dated Quigg at one time, and, while she is not interested in him in that way any longer, it will upset her boyfriend, Edgar Babcock. Edgar is a detective with the New Orleans Police Department and is working the murder case. But Carmela cannot turn down Quigg’s request (even after Edgar warns her off from investigating again). Carmela starts investigating with the help of her friend, Ava. Will Carmela be able to find the culprit before the killer strikes again? Carmela has an added difficulty of Shamus. Her ex-husband is wanting time with Boo and Poobah, the dogs. Carmela does not wish to be away from her babies (or deal with Shamus and his drama). Join Carmela and her friends in Crepe Factor! Crepe Factor was just a delight to read. I enjoyed returning to the world of Carmela (and friends) and seeing what she was up to this time. I enjoyed the mystery in the book. It was interesting how Laura Childs set it up. I could see where it was heading (very clever), but I enjoyed following through to the end. The novel is well-crafted and enjoyable to read. Ms. Childs brings her characters to life. The only thing that troubled me was Edgar. I did not like how he treated Carmela sometimes and, personally, I do not know what she sees in him (she could do better). I would like Carmela to find someone that understands her curiosity and need to investigate. Crepe Factor has great characters, lovely setting, fast pace, humor, friendship, and an interesting concept. I love the description of Memory Mine and would love to visit it. There are instructions on how to use crepe paper in various projects at the end of the book (some clever ideas). Crepe Factor can be enjoyed alone, but why would you want to! I highly recommend reading the previous novels in the series. I give Crepe Factor 5 out of 5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book (as you can tell). I just wish we did not have to wait a year for another visit with Carmela and her friends.

Charming and delightful. Just the cover speaks charming to me. I was drawn into the little shop and fictitious events and shops of the French Quarter in New Orleans. I wanted to go for a visit! This is only the second opportunity I have had the chance to read the books by Laura Childs. I really enjoyed Pekoe Most Poison from the Tea Shop Mysteries Series. I knew that Crepe Factory would be just as good. And it was! The characters in this series are charming, delightful and quirky. Even though it is #14 in the series I wasn't lost or left confused with the story. Each of the characters are introduced into the story smoothly making Crepe Factor a very enjoyable read. Much to the chagrin of Carmela's current boyfriend Babcock (the police detective) Carmela the main character gets caught up in trying to clear her ex-boyfriend Quigley's name when he becomes the primary suspect in a murder. The reader is taken on a tour of the quaint restaurants and events associated with the holiday season as she parties with her best friend Ava. And while they enjoy the festivities they do a little sleuthing. Since the victim isn't a very friendly guy there is no shortage of suspects. Eventually with the help of some goofy Cajun characters all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and the real killer(s) are revealed and Quigley is exonerated. Babcock finally shares his real feelings with Carmela and all ends well. At least until the next crime. I enjoyed Crepe Factory and give it my hard to get 5 stars rating. I received a complimentary copy from Great Escape Tours.