From the Bookshelves: Pralines and Creamed (cozy mystery book review)

Happy December, everyone!

As we head into the busyness of holidays, I'm thankful to be talking about a fun, lighthearted mystery to cozy up with this season: Pralines and Creamed, the second installment in Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's Sweet Dreams Mysteries series.

I'm an occasional cozy mystery reader, not a diehard. While a good cozy is great, they're not always easy to find. Set in Pinewood, Arizona, the story has all the hallmarks of a great cozy mystery—an idyllic small town, lovable side characters, and a central gathering spot, Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour.

Join me in this cozy mystery book review as I share my thoughts on this fun read!

"The story has all the hallmarks of a great cozy mystery—an idyllic small town, lovable side characters, and a central gathering spot..."

The plot kicks off when horror author Jack Kelley is murdered during a Halloween book launch at the local bookstore. What starts as an intriguing puzzle quickly becomes personal for amateur teen sleuth Genevieve Winterland, whose best friend’s father is the prime suspect.

As the clues unfold, Genevieve navigates the line between small-town loyalties and the need to uncover the truth, all while whipping up recipes for Sweet Dreams. Along for the ride is Butterscotch, her trusty golden retriever who saved her in the first book, adding a heartwarming touch to this fun and twisty tale.

Genevieve is the heart of this series, and her character continues to shine in Pralines and Creamed. She’s spirited, resourceful, and refreshingly relatable. Her friendship with Brandon is full of humor and warmth, and the community of Pinewood is painted with vivid, endearing strokes.

Writing realistic teens in a cozy mystery without their characters becoming too saccharine is no small feat, but Naranjo nails it. Genevieve and Brandon talk like teenagers, complete with timely slang and an irreverent sense of humor. They still fit the cozy vibe, but these teens feel more 'real' than the teen in many other cozy stories I've read.

Their investigative methods reflect their age, too—they’re clever but not omniscient, and their mistakes and missteps make the mystery even more fun. The camaraderie between Genevieve and Brandon keeps the story light, even as they tackle some serious stakes.

Naranjo also weaves in subtle personal growth for her protagonist. Genevieve’s journey to reconcile her perfectionist tendencies with the messy realities of life adds depth to her character without overshadowing the fun of the mystery.

"Writing realistic teens is no small feat, but Naranjo nails it. Genevieve and Brandon talk like teenagers, complete with timely slang and an irreverent sense of humor."

One of the things that makes Naranjo’s writing stand out is her attention to detail. It’s easy to imagine Pinewood’s charming downtown shops, the ice cream creations at Sweet Dreams, and even the awkward tension of a teenage amateur detective calling the shots.

Naranjo has a knack for grounding the story with concrete details, whether it’s describing an action that mirrors a character’s mood or weaving small, humorous moments into the dialogue. This kept me turning the pages again and again.

Even when the teens are bantering about forming a Scooby Doo-type gang or improvising when their lack of adult knowledge shows (calling a geeky friend to help with an online search, for instance), it feels authentic and relatable while still retaining that cozy feeling readers crave.

Of course, no review of this series would be complete without a mention of Sweet Dreams Ice Cream Parlour. The whimsical setting adds another layer of charm, and Genevieve’s creative recipes (hello, Buttercream Dream sundae!) are described in a way that you’ll wish they were real.

It's easy to tell that Naranjo based this on life, with her daughter's first job working at an ice cream shop. I could imagine the scents and flavors, and I've never wanted a butterscotch malt more!

Plus, Butterscotch, Genevieve's loyal golden retriever, adds warmth and heart, reminding us why cozies like this are so satisfying to read.

In fact, this book had me looking up the author's short stories and other books because I was excited by the writing. I can't wait to see what Naranjo can do in other genres!

"Pralines and Creamed hits all the right notes for fans of cozy mysteries. It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of heart, with characters who feel like friends. "

Pralines and Creamed hits all the right notes for fans of cozy mysteries. It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of heart, with characters who feel like friends. The book delivers exactly what you want in a cozy: an engaging mystery, a charming setting, and characters you’ll want to visit again and again.

Whether you’re already a fan of the series or new to Genevieve’s world, this is the perfect holiday read. So grab a blanket, a warm drink, and let this sweet mystery transport you to Pinewood!

You can purchase a copy of Elizabeth Maria Naranjo's Pralines and Creamed on Amazon, and be sure to add Pralines and Creamed to your Goodreads reading list!

Have a book you think I should read and review? Let me know! It might be the next title featured on my blog!

Happy reading and writing!