Cupcakes and Cyanide: A free culinary cozy mystery book for you to read and download.

Polly Holmes

Mar 2026 · The Cupcake Capers Book 1 · Gumnut Press

About this ebook

Start reading this complete Cupcake Capers Cozy Mystery Series for FREE now!

Welcome to Ashton Point. One sweet taste could be her last.

Charlotte McCorrson has spent her entire life building her business, CC’s Simply Cupcakes. The town of Ashton Point is her home and she’s garnered a reputation of stellar service and delightful pastries, one nibble at a time. But everything isn’t as sweet in the sleepy, coastal town as Charlotte would like to think. She is in for a rude awakening and no amount of sugar will make this medicine go down any smoother.

After catering a large town-wide event, Ashton Point’s morning newspaper fills Charlotte McCorrson with an icy sense of dread. The headlines scream Cupcake Killer! and put the blame squarely on CC’s Simply Cupcakes. When bodies begin to pile up behind her confectionary goodies, Charlotte must prove that while her cupcakes are delicious, they aren’t literally to die for—before she ends up in jail for a crime she didn’t commit.

Start reading the complete series today.

Cozy, quirky and brimming with scandal— Cupcakes and Cyanide is the first book in Polly Holmes’ Cupcake Capers Culinary Cozy Mystery series. The reading order for the series is:

Cupcakes and Cyanide (#1)

Cupcakes and Curses (#2)

Cupcakes and Corpses (#3)

Mistletoe and Murder (#4)

Dead Velvet Cupcakes (#5)

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Ratings and reviews

I loved this book. I really adored all the characters in this book, and the author wrote so well it made me care about the people in this story. This book had many twists and turns, and I couldn't put it down as I couldn't wait to see what happened next. And the romance was very sweet, and I found myself really rooting for them. Great read!

I like the story. I was actually surprised by the killer. I usually figure it out too easily.

great book

About the author

Australian author Polly Holmes delights readers with paranormal and culinary cozy mysteries bursting with charm, mischief, and a dash of magic. Her stories blend action, humour, and unforgettable characters, creating page turning adventures that linger long after the final chapter.

When the clues turn darker and the stakes rise, she writes as P.L. Harris, delivering gripping paranormal and contemporary romances filled with heart pounding suspense and irresistible heat.

Both pen names belong to an internationally recognised, multi award-winning storyteller. Her work has been celebrated across the Daphne du Maurier Awards, the RWAus Ruby and Sapphire Awards, the Silver Falchion Awards, the Davitt Awards longlist, and numerous national business and literary honours.

When she’s not conjuring mysteries or crafting romance, Polly can be found in her favourite café with a coffee in hand, rewatching classic whodunits, or strolling along the beach soaking up the salty Western Australian air.