That Old Black Magic by Mary Jane Clark

Author: Mary Jane Clark
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of publication: January 2014

Aspiring actress and wedding-cake decorator Piper Donovan has barely arrived in New Orleans to perfect her pastry skills at the renowned French Quarter bakery, Boulangerie Bertrand, when a ghastly murder rocks the magical city. Intrigued by the case, Piper can't help but look for the "Hoodoo Killer" among the faces around her. Could it be the handsome guide eager to give her special private tours? Or the inscrutable jazz musician who plays on historic Royal Street? What about the ratings-starved radio talk-show host? Or even the amiable owner of the local Gris-Gris Bar?

Cake decorator/ aspiring actress Piper Donavan is back in That Old Black Magic.  This time around, she has traveled to New Orleans to work with a world famous baker and bake a cake for a wedding.  Of course, someone is murdered and Piper can't help but stumble into the mystery.  I did like this mystery and the killer took me by surprise.  I liked how Piper put it together this time.    As in her other books, the list of suspects is long and filled with many who could definitely have done it!  

I have to admit to not really loving this series in the beginning.  It has definitely gotten better over the 4 books in the series. I have enjoyed seeing Piper grow as both a person and a detective.  She still has some TSTL moments, but they make the story that much more entertaining.  One of the things that I loved about this book was how Piper is still feeling the after effects of the previous case.  Particularly in the claustrophobia and insomnia.  For me it made Piper more realistic since I think a lot of people would have some PTSD after being poisoned and almost dying. I feel like in a lot of mystery series, once the case is solved the main character moves on and it's almost like the danger in the book before never happened.

My only two complaints were the pop culture references.  Those drive me crazy! Having real actor names thrown into a fiction book really throw me off.  The part about Piper acting in a movie with Channing Tatum had me rolling my eyes.  Not a big deal, just a personal preference.  I also want more Jack!  This relationship needs to move forward.  I look forward to the next book, hopefully with more Jack and Piper together!

Review: Footprints in the Sand by Mary Jane Clark

Author: Mary Jane Clark
Publisher: William Morrow
Date of Publication: January 2013

It's the dead of winter and struggling actress and wedding cake decorator Piper Donovan is thrilled to be in warm and romantic Sarasota, Florida, enjoying the powdery white beaches, soothing seas, and golden sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. She and her family are there to celebrate her beloved cousin's wedding. Not only is Piper creating the sugar sand dollar-festooned wedding cake, she's also the maid of honor.

But a cloud seems to hover over the whole affair. Shortly after a bridesmaid mysteriously disappears, a kindly neighbor's car is run off the road and a prospective witness, an innocent Amish teenager, is threatened to keep silent. Then a body is found on the wedding beach. 

In my review of  The Look of Love, the second book in this series, I ended by saying I hoped the third book would be the charm.  I am happy to say that it definitely was this time around.    Footprints in the Sand was a much more enjoyable story.  The mystery was much tighter with less suspects.  That was my main complaint about the first two books.  

I liked Piper more in this book.  She seemed more sure of herself and she actually solves the crime.  OK it's almost too late for the revelation, but still.  Kudos for her.  I liked the characters overall.  It was easier to connect with them.  It's a very quick  and enjoyable read.  It gives me hope that the next books will be better.  I just hope Jack makes his move in the next book!

The Look of Love by Mary Jane Clark

Author: Mary Jane Clark

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing

Date of Publication: January 2012

 

New York Times bestseller Mary Jane Clark introduced readers to professional wedding cake decorator and amateur sleuth Piper Donavan in her acclaimed mystery novel To Have and To Kill. 

Piper's back in The Look of Love, on cake creating assignment at a West Coast luxury spa for the wealthy and famous--where nip and tuck and murder are offered in equal measures. Clark really hits her stride with The Look of Love, providing a winning recipe for delectable mystery that combines chills, twists, humor and often very romantic suspense in the bestselling vein of Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Faye Kellerman, Elizabeth Lowell, and Jayne Ann Krentz. She even includes scrumptious pastry recipes and fabulous cake design tips.

I should have known when the first book, To Have and To Kill, in this series was just an OK read (my review) for me.  I was hoping for better with The Look of Love, but sadly it was also just OK for me.   As with the first book, there were just too many suspects thrown into the pot.  Even with the amount of people thrown in, the real culprit came as a surprise for me.  I didn't see it coming at all.  I didn't feel like there were enough clues to really point to the killer. Also, Piper, again kind of stumbles into the killer. So there is no real amateur sleuthing going on.

The relationship conflict between Piper and Jack was a huge let down.  To be honest, it wasn't very necessary since, in the end, there is no resolution.  It was almost like it was thrown in to make the book a little longer.  I'm not sure I like Piper's character all that much.  I liked her family much more than her.  There are some pretty funny scenes involving her father that had me giggling. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to save the book for me.  Will I continue with the series?  I'm not sure yet.  Maybe the third time will be the charm?

To Have and to Kill: A Wedding Cake Mystery

Author: Mary Jane Clark
Publisher: William Morrow

Piper Donovan, an actress who has been having a hard time of it living in Manhattan, has returned home to her parents’ small town in New Jersey. She’s been helping out at her mother’s bakery, which makes it perfect that Piper’s close friend, Glenna Brooks, has asked her to prepare the cake for her upcoming wedding. However, things aren’t as perfect as they seem, and when there is a murder, Piper is determined to figure out what happened and protect her friend.


This is the first in a new series by Mary Jane Clark. It was a really quick read. I was a little disappointed in the book. I felt like the storyline was all over the place. There were too many possible suspects. I kept waiting for Piper and her FBI friend to get involved in the investigation like the synopsis said. Their role in it is peripheral at best and Piper actually stumbles onto the solution by accident. I didn't really connect with any of the characters.

This is the first book I have read by Ms. Clark, so I'm not sure if this is her normal style of writing. If you are looking for something quick (the audio version is only 5 hours long) then give it a shot.

--Kari