Tally owns Tally's Olde Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg, Texas and business is going well. So well that she is trying to hire some staff. That, in itself, is becoming a challenge and she has her fingers crossed that the new hires will last. Add to that, her parent' are coming back to town. As they spend most of their time on the road, acting all over the world. Tally wants to throw a party for them, show off her candy shop and maybe attract new customers. Fine until the local theater director, Fran Abraham, has a major confrontation with Tally's mother, Nancy Holt. When Fran turns up dead and murder is suspected, the list of suspects is long. Fran was not a nice woman and she had history with both of Tally's parents. That puts them at the top of the list. Tally and her friend Yolanda know the killer is not Tally's parents and so they set out to track down the killer.
Alternating between Tally and Yolanda, the investigating duo figure out who dunnit but I did wish the ending chapter was not so abrupt. Other than that, I had no complaints. It had the clues, a good puzzle, likable recurring characters and a charming small town setting - all of the requirements for a well done cozy. It also works fine as a stand alone. I'll happily read future books in the series.
My thanks to the publisher Lyrical Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Deadly Sweet Tooth by Kaye George, who also writes as Janet Cantrell, is the 2nd book in the Vintage Sweets Mysteries series, and in my opinion it's not as good as the first book, Revenge is Sweet. Tally Holt has recently opened Tally's Olde Tyme Sweets shop in Fredericksburg, Texas. Next door, her best friend Yolanda Bella owns Bella's Baskets. Tally is throwing a welcome home party for her parents who are traveling performers. Unfortunately after arguing with Tally's mother, the towns foul-tempered theater director, Fran, drops dead. When Tally's mother is looked at like a suspect, Tally is determined to find the real killer. There are so many suspects who disliked Fran. This was not a bad book, it just seemed choppy. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, give this book a try, but read the 1st book first.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tally Holt owns Tally's Olde Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg, Texas, and is hosting a party for her parents' return from their latest performing gig overseas. She's invited everyone in town, since this is where she grew up and they all know her parents, and everything seems to be going swimmingly. That is, until one of the guests becomes ill and winds up dead. Now, With Detective Jackson Rogers heading the case, Tally's parents are in the hot seat, but with her mother ill from something she picked up overseas, questioning is going to take time. So Tally's out to discover who wanted the woman dead and why...

This is the second book in the series, and after reading the first I thought it would be a good start to a new series. But I did find that there were inconsistencies between the two, and while they wouldn't have bothered other people, I am a great believer in details, and I notice them. In the last book, Yolanda states how her sister Violetta and her girlfriend have met Eden's parents, but in this book they have not. Then in the last book, Allen helped Tally find a murderer, but in this book he seems disgusted by it and the fact that she wants to clear her father, who is one of the suspects. Huh? How did his personality change so quickly?

Also, perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if the killer hadn't practically pranced off the page at us. There was no suspense there; it was easy enough to figure out who the murderer was. I'm beginning to think Tally's a bit of a dimwit, since in neither book could she put two and two together until it was too late.

The plot was written decently, but when the clues started jumping at Tally she just couldn't figure it out. She comes off in this book as rather naive in a lot of areas; and I also found her parents' disclosure of their past 'escapade' a bit distasteful, as much as I would have if I learned it about my own parents, but she listens and then it's as if she thinks, 'okay, I'll just put it out of my mind now.' There's no thoughts about it ever again. Really? I think most -- if not all -- children would be pondering that one for quite awhile. It changes your view of who your parents are, and there's no getting away from it.

As to the rest of the story, there were several subplots that were added in that gave it a bit more oomph, and kept me reading to see where the relationship between Yolanda and Kevin was going to go, and if Cole was going to stick around this time (he's still my favorite character, aside from Nigel, whom I absolutely adore). As a matter of fact, Nigel is probably the best part of the book. When the ending comes, I did find that it seemed an entire chapter was missing; I really do like the 'climactic' parts in books and this one fell a bit short.

Although since I did enjoy the first book quite a bit, I will continue to read this series and see if Tally finally gets the employees she wants, along with a love life, and where Yolanda is going with her own life.

A pleasant cozy mystery. Some unusual background stories. Clever use of current popular item as a murder weapon. Not surprised at the involvement of one of the characters.

Tally has set aside a Saturday to celebrate her singing and dancing parents as they visit her hometown. Her parents knew many of the townsfolk and unknown to Tally had local enemies. When one of their friends dies at the celebration, Tally has high concerns for two reason. The victim was killed by poison and the food was provided by Tally. Tally’s father is the prime suspect.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more. I like the characters and hope for the success in their new careers.

Tally is preparing to do a party in honor of her parents. There are lots of stressors - the food and finding some help.
Yolanda has issues of her own. Her sister wants to introduce her girlfriend to their parents. And Kevin from the wine shop has caught her eye but he may not be telling her the whole story about his relationship status.
At the party, town matron Fran dies of poisoning.
The author uses a similar storyline to the first book for the murderer. This one has Tally’s parents thrown in with secrets from the past and her mother getting sick.
The ending is fairly abrupt. Tally is in danger and then the next chapter is on to a party that was suggested part way through the book. I feel like there were pieces of the story missing between Tally in danger and the second party. Maybe the digital ARC I received was missing a chapter?
This book gets 3 stars for the weirdness at the end and for how Tally and Yolanda hardly communicate during the book and have separate storylines going without Yolanda’s being crucial to the mystery.

I still think the series is cute and I like that Tally isn't immediately paired up with some guy. I do wish that the transitions between Tally and Yolanda weren't so...abrupt. And, why can't I ever get more info? How did Jackson know where to go? What is up with Cole? Why does it seem like the Molly situation is all set when we barely got info on it? HOW‽‽‽ I would love for Kaye George to spend a bit more time clearing things up before everything is tied up with a bow.

New author for me . Loved reading this book. Tally owns a sweets shop. When a murder happens. She sets out to investigate. To hear more read the book.

Oof. This one just didn't work for me and I ended up not finishing it. I couldn't click with the writing and I just found the characters a bit unlikeable (and a bit dim, like they couldn't pick up on any clues whatsoever). I did skip to the end because I was pretty sure where the story was going to end up, and I was right (unfortunately this just seemed a little too obvious for me, and the clues were a little too in your face to make this fun to solve). This just wasn't the book for me (but might click for other readers!)

Vintage sweets, a deadly surprise, and a mischievous Maine Coon cat—Deadly Sweet Tooth is the delightful cozy mystery you’ve been waiting for!

In a darling tourist town like Fredericksburg, Texas, a vintage sweet shop offering delicious old-fashioned favorites is a perfect fit—until someone decides to debut a recipe that’s lusciously lethal…

With Tally’s Old Tyme Sweets finally—well, almost—turning a profit, Tally Holt is taking one busy Saturday off to host a grand party for her parents, traveling performers who spend most of their time on the road. Tally’s counting on the publicity and free treats to attract new customers. And the event is a sweet success—at least until Fran Abraham, the town’s foul-tempered theater director, drops dead after a bitter confrontation with Tally’s mother.

Murder was definitely not on Tally’s menu, but it’s clear that Fran’s death wasn’t natural. The list of possible culprits includes not just Tally’s mom, but her protective dad too. Relying on Yolanda Bella, her best friend and the proprietor of Bella’s Baskets next door, for help, Tally will need to unwrap the sticky pasts and unsavory presents of everyone from her own parents to her new hires before Fran’s death sours everybody on her fledgling shop….
Amazon .com

Kaye George’s second book in the Vintage Sweets mystery series, Deadly Sweet Tooth, was released by Lyrical Press on June 2. Main character Tally Holt is a likeable, hardworking business owner and amateur sleuth. Her shop, located in the small tourist town of Fredericksburg, TX, in the heart of the hill country, attracts mystery and mayhem. With her best friend, Yolanda, another business owner, the two help solve the mysteries and at times help each other stay alive.

Deadly Sweet Tooth reveals Tally Holt’s parents, Nancy and Bob, and their history. Entertainers, who travel world-wide, they have not held center stage until this book, and perhaps with good reason. I admire Tally all the more after meeting her parents. Not that they are bad people, but running away from problems seems to be their specialty. Luckily for us, Tally’s specialties are sweet candies and solved mysteries.

If you have a question for WWK Blogger Kaye George about her book, please ask by leaving a comment. Here’s a link to the interview I did with Kaye about the first book in the series, Revenge is Sweet. E. B. Davis

I was surprised that in August, Fredericksburg would have such a difference in day and night temperatures, getting as high as 90s and as low as the 60s. Is this typical of the Texas hill country?
Yes, I used temperature charts to be sure and be accurate. It’s rather dry, classified as semi-arid, hence the day and night differences.

Tally seems almost unprepared for the party she is giving her parents when they arrive in town. How did the party evolve?
Very quickly! Her parents’ schedule is always erratic and they are arriving without much warning. She also rather suddenly needs new employees. Naturally, since it’s for her parents, she’s eager to do a good job presenting her new shop to them for the first time. Her friend Yolanda, who is more organized, usually, is a big help in getting it put together.

Although Tally had a successful business in Austin that she sold, she doesn’t seem to have a system for hiring employees. Why is she having so many problems?
See above! Also, these are the usual problems an employer has when hiring unskilled workers, from my experience. Being in a small town and having a small pool of possibilities doesn’t help! She can’t afford to pay a high salary.

Tally’s mom, Nancy, starts to feel unwell at the party and has to leave. At the hospital, they learn she has dengue fever. What is that, and how do you know about it? Is it contagious?
Great question! I know about it because my son contracted it in Thailand a few years ago. There is no treatment, as stated in the book, except to rest and hydrate until it’s over. You get it from an infected mosquito and it’s a perennial problem in that part of the world. I don’t think it’s contagious, since no one he was with caught it. There is a possibility that it remains in your body and you have relapses, he was lucky and has never had one. A friend of my daughter also has it and does have relapses every six months or so. It causes a fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Another name for it is “breakbone” fever. Nasty stuff!

Yolanda reveals to Tally that her sister Vi is gay. Yolanda and Vi decide to introduce their parents to Vi’s girlfriend at Tally’s party, thinking that their reaction will be contained in a public place. Is this fair to them? It almost feels underhanded to spring the unexpected on them there.
The thought, and hope, was that there would be less of a scene in a public place. Yolanda wants, first and foremost, to protect her little sister from their father’s formidable wrath. He’s not violent, just very opinionated and both daughters take his disapproval to heart whenever they’re on the receiving end of it. She’s very afraid her father will disown Violetta. The best laid plans, however…

When another woman at the party, Fran, leaves the party due to illness, she dies later of poisoning. Why didn’t Tally become the most likely suspect? It was her food that was poisoned. Instead her parents are more seriously considered.
This is due to the history of Fran and Nancy, Tally’s mother. Tally barely knows the woman, just what other people have told her about Fran. Also, you’ll see that Tally wasn’t around the food, having so many other details to take care of. The altercation is what everyone reports, so the suspicion naturally falls on Nancy…and Bob, Tally’s father, who the police are told did have access to the treats.

With Yolanda’s parents being so conservative, I was surprised that she got involved with a separated, but still married man. Is this her way of rebelling?
Yolanda has spent her whole adult life rebelling, or trying to. More than anything, she wants the approval of her stern father, and to be able to think of herself as an adult, rather than as the child he sees in her. She doesn’t know Kevin has or had ever had, a wife, when she first starts seeing him.

Tally’s employees help make the candy. I thought candy-making was almost a science. How could inexperienced people take on the most important part of the business? Is it actually easy?
Those famous recipes from Tally’s grandmother are all they need. Don’t worry, there’s one in the back of each book. Actually, I love to make candy and it’s not that hard.

Tally also lets one of her employees alter her website without her permission. I was floored. Why would she allow that even if it was a good thing?
Ah, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Tally trusts everything Lily does. She’s Tally’s golden girl. Why? Because she’s actually my granddaughter, who has begged me for years to be put into one of my novels. I finally thought she was old enough to read these, so in she went. I had great fun adding her! Another secret? She really wants to be the killer, so, someday…

When Tally questions her parents about their involvement with the victim, they reveal a whole lot of secrets I’m sure Tally never wanted to know. But I was surprised that Tally didn’t discuss their reveals with her brother, Cole. Why didn’t she?
She’s the big sis and just as protective of and fond of her little brother as Yolanda is of her little sister. She thinks less of her parents after learning all of their past, and wouldn’t want her brother’s opinion of them to be colored by that, too. There’s a lot about family relationships and entanglements in this book.

What lessons has Cole learned from their parents that Tally didn’t or rejected?
He’s more self-confident, almost to a fault. He’s making a good living with his art, something Tally would never dare to—or even want to—do. Tally isn’t really interested in art as much as being a success at something far removed from art and performing as possible. She never liked being on the stage as a child and would never want to relive those days. Cole didn’t mind it nearly as much.

Why would Tally’s father, Bob, pay blackmail on something he didn’t do? It makes him look guilty.
He does consider himself guilty, for not having insurance and therefore being able to take care of the man after he promised him he would. He’s not guilty of murder, but feels he could have done a lot better for the man and his family.

Mrs. Gerg’s garage-sale gifts to Tally are at least smaller, alleviating her space problem. What is she collecting for Tally now?
Jewelry! Tally is happy she won’t have to buy or build shelves for the trinkets. Like she had to when her landlady kept bringing her decorative boxes of various sizes, some of them not small.

Although Tally seemed on the verge of developing a personal relationship with Detective Jackson Rogers, he now knows many of the Holt’s secrets. Won’t Tally feel uncomfortable around him knowing he knows?
I doubt it. She knows she is not her parents, she is herself. She trusts Jackson to know that, too.

Is liquid nicotine sold for vaping regulated?
Not much. Minors are not supposed to buy it. That’s the only law in the places I researched. It has the same regulations as tobacco.

What’s next for Tally and Yolanda?
Into the Sweet Hereafter! They run up against an international smuggling ring, and, of course, murder. The book is scheduled to come out March of 2021, but this is extremely subject to change, since the publication date on this one was moved from September to June.

Poor Tally! She's incredibly happy to finally be making a profit (well) on her sweet shop and her parents are coming to town! Unfortunately, her party turns into a bust when her mom argues to Fran Abraham, the theater director, becomes ill, and then finds herself a suspect in Fran's murder. And the police are not just interested in Tally's mom, they're interested in her dad as well. Let's face it though- Fran was a pain so there's a raft of people who could have done it. I like that the perspective in this shifts from Tally to her friend Yolanda, who owns the basket shop- I think it adds a little dollop of difference. Good characters make this a good read, although the solution to the mystery felt a bit abrupt. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fine as a standalone and then you, like me, will be looking for the next one.

Tally holds a party to celebrate her parents coming back to town. During the party Tally’s mother has an argument with Fran. Unfortunately, Fran collapses and passes away. Tally’s father is framed for her murder. Overall it is a good read. It was difficult for me to connect with the characters. Tally seems distracted with everything letting clues get past her. I will be giving this series another try.
#DeadlySweetTooth #NetGalley

I liked this book. The characters are interesting, although I liked Nigel the most. The mystery is good, I would not have thought of Greer, one of her employees as being one of the bad guys. I thought the reveal of the bad guys was a bit abrupt in the ending. It kind of leaves you dangling as Telly runs away. #DeadlySweetTooth #NetGalley

The second book in the series set in Fredericksburg, Texas was my introduction to this author and series. While I love the setting, the writing leaves a bit much to be desired. The ending was anticlimactic and a major let down.

While I am a cozy lover, I am rather disappointed overall. I had pegged the guilty party early on and it was just a matter of some of the other pieces coming into play and adding them up as I read along to get to the final outcome.

Deadly Sweet Tooth is the second book in the Vintage Sweet Mystery series.
I rather liked this book. It doesn't follow the typical cozy mystery genre.
Much of the mystery didn't involve the ameateur sleuth.
It was still a great book with wonderful characters.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

Some of these books make hungry.
This one is set in Fredericksburg, Tx at a vintage sweet shop.
Personable characters, great setting, good mystery.

This is the 2nd installment of the Vintage Sweet Mystery series. Tally Holt is successfully running her store Tally’s Old Tyme Sweets in Fredericksburg Texas and is getting ready to host a party for her parents who are coming into town. It is tourist time and the shop is doing really good and Tally needs to hire some help as she cannot keep up with the party and the store so she hires three employees on a temporary basis with all three of them to work at the reception for her parents. Tally’s parents are coming in from for a break in between engagements as they are travelling performers. Tally’s brother Cole comes into town to help and she has her friend Yolanda from Bella’s Baskets next door to assist as well. Her parents arrive as planned and the town shows up at Tally’s shop. Len and Fran Abraham are old friends of her parents but Fran Abraham has seemed to have a thing against for her Mom for a long time. Nothings seems to have changed and although her Mom Nancy was not feeling well Fran and Nancy still get into an argument. Tally’s parents leave to take Nancy to the hospital and Fran collapses and later dies. The story is good and I was excited to see the culprits caught when all of sudden the story shifts to after the capture. Seems like a whole chapter was missing. This was really frustrating. I like Yolanda but I don’t really get where there are full chapters from her perspective that does not seem to add much to the mystery. Like her as a character but feels that it can draw away from the overall story. I will round up but give this a 3.5.

Other than the ending being kind of abrupt, I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed having Tally's parents back in town, it made for an interesting set-up, especially with the reveal of what happened long ago. Fun read, although I did guess the killer from early on, but it didn't dampen my enjoyment of the story.

A fun cozy mystery. Tally owns a sweet shop, and is putting on a party to celebrate her parents' visit. Her brother pops in too, and things look great. Until murder of the town theater director. When a sketchy past, dealing with her parents and the murder victim arises, Tally needs to step in. Would recommend this book and series. This is book 2, but you wouldn't be lost.

4 Stars

This is the second book in the Vintage Sweets mystery series by Kaye George.

The premise: Tally’s parents are always on the road performing. So when they come to town, one of the town’s own, a theater director named Fran, ends up dead. And with the suspect pool so large, Tally’s parents are at the top of the suspect list.

This book has a bit dual perspective but I am not sure that was their initial intention. Tally is the main POV but the basket shop owner, Yolanda had some scenes where she was front and center too. That alone made it a a bit difficult to jump back and forth. I think I would have enjoyed it more if Tally was the only POV character.

Tally doesn’t really follow the cozy rules of the basic mystery. Things around her just seem to happen without her being involved in the actual whodunit plot. I wish she had done some true investigating. I mean, come on, do you not want to dig up dirt on your parents in order to keep them from going to jail? Really? The situation surrounding her parents was pretty much dropped after they fell off the police’s radar. I would want to personally know what was bothering Tally’s mother so much that she had to keep facts from her daughter.

The best part of this was the vintage sweets and they really didn’t stand out as much as I thought they would. Book one did a better job of making the sweet shop shine.

When the real killer was revealed, I didn’t totally understand why they did it. Maybe I need to go back and reread the final section of the book. I still had my mind on all Tally’s parents issues.

The ending of this seemed a little odd too. Tally is running to escape and suddenly the scene shifts and her parents are somewhere else doing their traveling. I was like, wait a minute, why would they skip over that? To me, that would have been the best part to see how it all shook out, watch them get arrested and see what the killer’s motivation was. I have read enough of these to know something was missing from this book. But that doesn’t make it horrible. I just wanted more. I wanted clarity. I wanted the characters to leap off the page and make me want to live there. I didn’t get that from this. This series is still in its infancy so I am holding out hope this will snowball into greatness.

If you want to read a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.