What Happens When the Past Rears Its Ugly Head and Murder Ensues?

Back in Episode 62 of the Because Fiction Podcast, I talked to Dana Mentink about her newest series, the Shake Shop Mysteries.  Mentink’s first book in the series, Pint of No Return featured Trinidad Jones as the newest resident of Upper Sprocket, Oregon–and an ad-hoc sleuth when not creating her amazing freakshakes.

So, when I had a chance to snag a review copy of book two, A Sprinkle in Time, I snatched it up so fast it wasn’t funny.

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What Happens When the Past Rears Its Ugly Head and Murder Ensues?

Snappy dialogue and enough plays on words to make Shakespeare jealous.  That’s what.  This time, Trinidad Jones has the most bizarre experience stumbling across a murder (she’s got some seriously bad luck, folks). In a move reminiscent of Merry Kramer in Gayle Roper’s Amhearst Mysteries, a body shows up in her grandpa’s trunk… but unlike poor Merry, it disappears before she can get the cops there to do something about it!

May the small-town chaos, gossip, and backbiting commence.  Okay, so there’s a lot of sweet support, encouragement, and sticking up for folks who just “couldn’t have done it.” With characters you love and others you love to hate, it’s hard to know if you’re rooting for someone to go to jail or stay out of it!  And… more people could be guilty than not it seems.

About one-third of the way through, I decided I knew “whodunnit.”  About halfway through, I was no longer certain. Someone else had edged in and made me squirm. What if…?  Then, I had this wild idea… and in the end, yeah. I figured it out. I usually do.  But guys… this was not a cut-and-dried, cookie-cutter, cut of the same cloth… (Running out of idioms featuring scissors or other cutting implements to my cutting humor… yeah. I’m going to quit here).

So… the verdict?

If you love a good cozy mystery (and who doesn’t?) with quirky characters and enough ice cream puns to make you dream of delectable frozen confections, A Sprinkle in Time will keep you on your toes.  And this is a good thing because you’re going to need a workout after all the ice cream you’ll need to consume for the most authentic reading experience.

Oh, and try the browned butter apple bar recipe. Let me know how they are.  It’s summer here in the desert. I can’t turn on the oven until November! I will, however, be making mint chocolate chip ice cream after church tonight. #BecauseIceCream

P.S.  While this is a general market mystery, Dana’s faith shines on every page, and there are even a couple of Scriptures sprinkled in for good measure.

A Sprinkle in Time is on tour with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: A Sprinkle in Time

Author: Dana Mentink

Genre: Cozy mystery (general market)

Release date: May 24, 2022

It’s Alpenfest in Upper Sprocket! Yodelers are congregating in the square, tourists flocking to the town, and Trinidad Jones is scooping up some fall flavors at her Shimmy and Shake Shop.

The cherry on the sundae is her upcoming feature in Go West magazine. She’s determined to serve up the perfect interview, but it won’t be easy, thanks in part to her meddling Cuban grandfather Papa Luis who has decided to make Sprocket his home for the foreseeable future. Papa Luis has set himself up as a taxi driver in his classic 1951 Buick.

But things take a turn when Papa Luis tells her he’s found a corpse in his trunk. Upon closer investigation, they realize the body has disappeared. With the assistance of Juliette and Bonnie (her sisterhood of exes) and the way too handsome nut farmer Quinn Logan, Trinidad must solve the mystery of the disappearing corpse, before her father is up to his neck in a murderous mess.

About the Author

Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author as well as a two-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, and the recipient of a Holt Medallion. She’s written over fifty titles in the suspense, lighthearted romance and mystery genres. She is pleased to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense, and Poisoned Pen Press. You can connect with Dana via her website at danamentink.com, on Facebook, YouTube (Author Dana Mentink) and Instagram (dana_mentink.)

More from Dana

Who wouldn’t want to visit Upper Sprocket? Sure there’s the odd corpse that turns up, but it’s a charming place, complete with a rail riders excursion business and the Shimmy and Shake Shop, run by the determined Trinidad Jones. It’s fall in Sprocket and the locals are hosting a series of Alpenfest events with everything from yodeling performances to sausage cook-offs. Papa Luis, Trinidad’s grandfather is happy to shuttle people around in his classic Chevy Bel Air until a body turns up in his truck. But other than that, Sprocket is an idyllic place with a newly opened train car inn operated by Bonnie, one of three women who were married at various times to the same rapscallion of a man.

Oh, and then there’s Noodles, Trinidad’s senior Labrador retriever who has learned how to operate the windshield wipers which comes in handy as stormy weather approaches. Trinidad, Papa, Bonnie, and Noodles along with other Sprocket residents are going to have their hands full as Alpenfest kicks off and gruesome items begin to pop up around town. Come along on the adventure as Trinidad wades knee-deep into the sticky mess.

Rail riding research with my sister!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 21

The Write Escape, May 21

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 22

She Lives To Read, May 22

Daysong Reflections, May 23

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 23

Texas Book-aholic, May 24

Pause for Tales, May 24

Inklings and notions, May 25

Blossoms and Blessings, May 25

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 26

For Him and My Family, May 26

deb’s Book Review, May 27

Blogging With Carol, May 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 28

Christina’s Corner, May 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, May 29

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 30

Simple Harvest Reads, May 30 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 31

Labor Not in Vain, May 31

Bigreadersite, June 1

Vicky Sluiter, June 1

Genesis 5020, June 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 2

Lighthouse-Academy, June 3

A Good Book and cup of Tea, June 3

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Dana is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a signed book!!

(If the winner is outside the U.S., then he or she will receive an eBook.)

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1df1a/a-sprinkle-in-time-celebration-tour-giveaway