Battered

<p><strong>Murder is on the menu-served warm with muffins and lattes. </strong></p><p></p><p>Alene Baron has built more than a café-she's built a community. At Whipped & Sipped customers linger over Ruthie's decadent-but-healthy desserts children flock to Saturday story hour and knitting groups craft blankets for refugee families. Alene prides herself on knowing her patrons so well she can often place a wholegrain blueberry muffin on the counter before the customer themselves knew they wanted it.</p><p></p><p>But when her neighbor and close friend is murdered Alene's cozy world begins to unravel. Suddenly everyone she knows could be a suspect and she starts noticing the smallest inconsistencies furtive glances and unexplained comings and goings around the café. With each clue and misstep Alene pieces together a tangled web of secrets realizing that danger may be closer than she ever imagined-and that her own family could be in the killer's sights.</p><p></p><p>With her sharp eye for detail wry sense of humor and fierce devotion to her children Alene steps into the role of amateur sleuth. But in a community where tempers flare over hot chocolate grudges linger for years and secrets hide beneath friendly smiles finding the killer may prove harder than whipping up the perfect soufflé.</p><p></p><p>Battered the first in G.P. Gottlieb's Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series is a delectable blend of mouthwatering recipes quirky neighborhood drama and page-turning suspense. Perfect for fans of culinary cozies it's a tale where friendship food and murder are always on the menu.</p>