Barbara Hackel
It was amazing The Pink Cupcake Mysteries continue with an unusual paring of the food truck and family. Amelia, who has a bad cold, learns from her ex-husband that he thinks their two children, Meg (14) and Adam (17), should come live with him and his new wife. Amelia never shares the negative side of their father with the kids, and as she mulls this over, she wonders why now? What is his angle? While working the food truck with Lila, they have decided they need another set of hands on board. So far the potential employees have been dismally unprofessional, uninterested in anything but a paycheck, and no one that the women want to work with. On this particular day, Lila has an interview set up and for once the person comes and looks professional. Better yet she has had bakery experience and is ready to work for the salary offered. As Lila is about to discuss this with Amelia, they are interrupted by a phone call from Amelia's daughter Meg. Meg tells her mom that the school is on lockdown and she can't get ahold of Adam. She doesn't know what's wrong and... the call is cut off. Amelia borrows Lila's car and tears off to the high school while Lila hires the young lady who has applied for the position and holds down the cupcake truck business. Once at school Amelia panics and calls her ex (John) to let him know what is going on. He rushes over and tries to bluster his way beyond police barriers, but is stopped by Amelia's boyfriend Dan, who is a police detective. Immediately Amelia remembers how useless John is in a crisis, and wishes she hadn't called him. Soon the students are led out of the school to their parents. No one really knows what is going on, except Dan has told them there is a student who is dead. Every parent there hugs their children a little tighter and wonder who? Why? How did this happen? Unfortunately this episode has only made John more adament that the kids should live with him as he can provide them a safe school and better living conditions. He then drops the threat that Amelia will be hearing from his lawyer. There are so many emotions and issues to be examined while reading this book: Exploring a group of "bad"kids and wondering if they murdered the student. Fundraising for the Art Club is being expanded to a huge bake sale, and the profits are to be split between the club and the family of the deceased student for a memorial donation to their favorite charity. Wondering which students to believe and which to question further. Amelia tries to help Dan solve the murder as well as comfort her kids, face her ex, and keep her business going strong. Author Harper Lin has done an excellent job of sorting emotions, presenting a new murder story with a twist you can't imagine, and not stooping to platitudes or political arguments. Well written and interesting, this is a book for everyone-teens to 92! Don't miss it!
2 people found this review helpful
Paula Hurdle
Amelia is on the case again - well unofficially. Love her detective boyfriend, her kids, and Lila. Can't stand her sleazy ex John - wish he would move. I really enjoy this series and trying to figure out who committed the crime before Amelia does - sometimes I do, sometimes I don't.
1 person found this review helpful