Cherry Slice

Grat story about a woman who is a celebrity but faces a lot of problems with taht. Then she decides to become a PI and solves her first murder.

Written in the first-person point of view, this fun murder mystery is a very clever modern interpretation of the classic locked room/remote house traditional mystery.
Instead of a country house, the murder location is a celebrity TV game show called Big Blubbers when a contestant Kenny is found dead on the show. Kenny is a former friend of two Essex girls, Cherry and Kelsey.
Two years later, Cherry is a tabloid-style undercover journalist investigating vote-rigging on popular TV reality shows – until she is sacked and opens an unprofitable novelty cake shop next to Kelsey’s nail bar.
Then Kenny’s sister turns up and begs Cherry to find out more about Kenny’s death – she does not believe that the man sentenced for the murder is guilty – and she will pay her some of the money the TV gave her to shut her up.
Cherry reluctantly agrees. How hard can it be?
Absolutely up to the minute, fun, moving and packed with memorable and very real characters. This may not be a traditional cozy mystery, but it hit all of the cozy mystery story beats, even up to the final denouement by our sleuth – in front of the assembled suspects in front of a live TV audience.
Smart, fun and a real page turner. 5 Stars.
I look forward to reading more from Jennifer Stone.

Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Reality TV... Oh, my !

2016, Essex, Kenny Thorpe, contestant on Expose TV’s weight loss reality show Big Blubber gets murdered live on television.

2018, Cherry Hilton is an investigative reporter for the Essex Chronicle. The paper sent her undercover into The Caravan of Love, another Expose TV’s reality show, to expose the possible rigging of votes. Unfortunately, she’s uncovered, booted from the show half naked in front of cameras, humiliated, and disavowed by her paper.

Her career destroyed, along with her self esteem, she takes over her parents’ cake shop on Brentwood street. Until, one day, Kenny Thorpe’s sister enters the shop, asking her to get back to investigating, in order to prove that his brother’s murderer wasn’t the one everybody seen with their own eyes.

This is the start of the mystery. A pretty forward clue-like mystery. Six contestants sequestered in a reality show house.

But, that’s not where the originality of this book resides. See, I don’t think it takes place in our reality. It’s set in a weird parallel reality Essex in which everybody and his neighbor seem to have participated in one of Expose’s wildly outrageous, ridiculous, and hilarious reality shows. An Essex where those who failed to make it in the reality business all open shops on Brentwood street, to the dismay of the mayor. An Essex where Kelsey, Cherry’s airhead best friend, is obsessed by her social media status. Detective Constable Jacob, Cherry’s on-off love interest, is himself constantly followed by a COPS like crew.

It’s Black Mirror by way of Monty Python. I’m pretty sure there is a social commentary in this (and the book sometimes even goes meta on us, evoking The Truman Show), but I was too distracted by bouts of hysterical laughter to really get the gist of it.

The mystery is pretty straightforward, and thanks to the clues gathered by Cherry, keen readers will have figured it out way before the final confrontation. A glorious final confrontation à la Hercule Poirot: all contestants reunited in a room, while a vindicated Cherry reveals her damning conclusions. But, of course, aired live on Expose TV.

This is a light and quick read, and the weird universe created there makes for an hilarious background. What could have been a Stephanie Plum clone becomes, thanks to this, something else entirely. The characters are lovable and, for myself, can’t wait to read what Jennifer Stone has in stock for us next, as this is the first book in a welcome new series.

This is well worth the low price of admission. The mystery might be rather classic, but the setup will bring tears (of laughter) to your eyes.

Thanks to Duckworth Books, Farrago, and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

Cherry Slice by Jennifer Stone, published by Duckworth Books is volume one in A Cherry PI Mystery Series.
Meet Cherry Hinton. The journalist and undercover something investigates the murderb of Kenny Thorpe. He was murdered live on camera at the reality tv-show Expose.
I will not spoiler here, only so much. I started reading the book and couldn't put it down anymore. The writing is great and the story is a nailbiting pageturner. I loved reading C's story, 4 beautiful stars.

A very entertaining and good book, easy to read and really enjoyed reading it, will definitely be reading more from this author.

I enjoyed this book and the story! Loved reading about Cherry and her undercover and investigating work. I liked the fact all the characters come into there own! Couldn’t put it down

A quirky investigative story, set in the world of reality TV. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC egalley.

Cherry Hinton was a journalist till a reality show mishap (or was it sabotage?) destroyed her career. Now she's running the family bakery. She's smart and funny, even if she doesn't always show wisdom in her life decisions. Along with her family, friends, and enemies, Cherry's talent for getting into trouble makes this book a romp through Essex club life.
I feel as though I might have missed some of the undertones because I know nothing about Essex, or the stereotypes about Essex. The location is definitely a character in the book. But Cherry's life is larger-than-life anyway, even before she gets tangled up in murder.
The book is well-written and hard to put down. The mysteries are not the most important part of the book, though they are intriguing. Think of this as high quality comic chick lit with a side of mystery.

The cosy mystery genre is one that’s meant to be tongue in cheek. Its central premise is that extremely unlikely protagonists manage to solve crimes that defeat that the experienced police force, and whilst that may occasionally happen in real life it’s not an everyday occurrence. This is what gives the genre its energy and allows authors to pull out all the stops imagination-wise.
Cherry Slice is a wonderful example of an imaginative cosy mystery. It’s an ingenious reworking of the locked room mystery, the type that Agatha Christie made famous. This time the action happens in a reality TV setting. And instead of Christie’s high society characters, we have a true Essex Girl, Cherry, as our chief sleuth, and the murder suspects are a group of wannabe celebs with weight issues.
Cherry, like all good amateur detectives, comes with emotional baggage. She used to date the victim, and she’s under a black cloud for some undercover work she did as a journalist. She now works in her parents’ bakery, famous for its tasteless (metaphorically speaking) gimmicky cakes.
As you’d probably expect from this description so far, there’s plenty of humour, wit and quirkiness in this novel. The characters are all larger than life, and not just the ones on the Big Blubber show. There are shady underworld figures, glitzy bimbos and plenty of almost-ordinary people but with something a little absurd about them to make them fascinating.
The Essex setting is convincing, especially for someone like me from just over the border in south Suffolk and knows the area, and the plot is original and cunningly thought-out. If you like a cosy that makes you chuckle, occasionally wince and be thoroughly entertained from start to finish, then this is for you.

This was a cute murder mystery. I loved the blend of murder and the live tv show it made for a fast paced plot and very funny show. Although this isn't your normal cozy mystery it was one I won't soon forget. I enjoyed the story and the characters and the twists and turns. I can not wait to read more from this author!

Cherry Hinton, former investigative reporter/ex-communicated reality tv-star turned baker, is approached by Kenny Thorpe’s sister, to uncover who the true killer is of Kenny. But why would anyone question that it wasn’t Martin who done it, when the world saw him kill Kenny live on the weight-loss reality tv show, Big Blubber?
This is her best opportunity to win back the public’s trust in her reporter skills by uncovering the truth in who truly killed Kenny and why. Along her journey, she is aided (and in many times, not so helped) by her nail salon owner/instagrammer best friend, Kelsey and her embarrassing but still awesome mother by questioning the cast and crew of Big Blubber, all the while, trying not to get distracted by her high school crush-turned police chief, the sexy Jacob Stow, who somehow is always showing up where she is and intruding on her investigation.
I was skeptical at first when I started reading this book, but my skepticism quickly turned to laughter all some of the crude statements or script that occurs in the story. This book had be laughing out loud and I can’t wait for the second story in the series.

Social media postings will be on my Instagram channel.

Cherry is rebuilding herself and proving to those around her she got brains not just cleavage. Realistic and enjoyable to go along with Cherry’s adventure. She shows all in the town that she has what it takes to be Cherry; PI while making the pastry shop profitable.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley, Duckworth Books, and Jennifer Stone.

This is a light funny look at reality TV, the public's perception, and going "behind the curtain" to find the truth.
When Kenny Thorpe is killed on TV while competing in a weight loss reality show, the police arrest another competitor and he accepts responsibility. Two years lather, Cherry is contacted because the killer's sister doesn't really believe he did it even though he confessed. Cherry had her own problems with the reality TV world when she went undercover to investigate vote rigging on Caravans Of Love. When the producers found out she was a journalist, she was very publicly thrown off the show in the middle of the night, half naked. The newspaper denied she was working for them and fired her.
After having to move back in with her parents and going to work in the family bake shop, Cherry jumps at the chance to investigate the supposed closed murder case.
What follows are interesting characters, too many suspects and clues until the final show down. Did Martin kill Kenny? Was he set up? You need to go pick up this wonderful book and find out for yourself. I am looking forward to reading more about Cherry, her friends and her investigative skills.

Cherry Hilton, once a reporter of the chronicle, but now after an undercover action in a real live tv show were she’s was exposed as an cheater, she now runs a cakeshop. Brooke, the sister of the in another tv show (big blubber) killed Kenny, is asking Cherry to help her find the real killer, after she received a letter from Fat Martin, who was in jail for the killing. Cherry is taking the challenge and find out lots of information about the other contestants and finds the real killer. But before she does, she has to handle with a hot police officer, her parents and a neighbor Kelsey who spends a lot of time in her cake shop and the rest on social media.

It’s a great cozy crime. I really likes Cherry an her problems, I loved her mum an her friend Kelsey, they were fun. It’s also a story with diversity in the characters, and the setting of Expose tv, real live tv is a great choice. I started reading with no expectations, but it was nice and I kept reading till the end. It taste like more, and I don’t mean only because of the cakes.

Cherry is a hoot and a half! If you are a Stephanie Plum fan you are going to devour Cherry Slice in the time it takes to make some scones because you will not be able to put it down. From the small town of Essex comes everything reality TV-related, including but not limited to: sex, drugs, subterfuge, caravans, love, getting "nicked", envy, and really good pastries. The titles the author comes up with for these fictional shows are HILARIOUS! This character's debut is sure to be just the first of many stories and I am hoping that as the characters develop, so will the recipes. As for the basic plot, there is nothing basic about it and it incorporates many of today's social norms even though some of the people do not seem very norm-al. Cherry is the sort of character that makes you laugh out loud, nod your head in agreement, and cheer silently as she picks herself up literally and proverbially, dusts herself off and soldiers on in spite of the media that won't seem to "let it go." The supporting roles/characters such as her nail artist and Instagram junkie Kelsey are spot on showing support as only a bestie can. Cherry's folks are typical parents as well, Mom wants her to be the best at whatever it is she is trying to be (but please stay out of the media and quite be involved in scandal), Dad is good with whatever Cherry wants. Oh and there is the hot n cold relationship with Jacob. Oh the history lesson that you are in for to be sure. You may find yourself shaking your head and talking out loud to the book at some point. All in all, I for one am inspired to try my hand at making a cherry bakewell. Hope to see the next installment soon!

Cherry Hinton is trying to reinvent herself as a cake shop owner after her career as an investigative journalist came to a humiliating end when she was framed as a cheat on a reality TV show. When her former boyfriend appears to be murdered on camera during another reality show, Cherry starts looking into the killing. She knows that things on TV are not always what they seem.

This is a fast, fun cozy mystery, distinguished by the behind-the-scenes looks at reality TV and the juxtaposition of the cake shop and the much grittier scenes in night clubs and gyms. The characters are sharply etched, with identifiable voices and accents. There are some wonderful details, my favorite of which is that Cherry’s mum is a devotee of armchair Zumba: “all of the Latino beat while relaxing in a seat.”

On the downside, the mystery’s resolution relies on an implausibly ready confession, and there is vulgar language. Still, this was an enjoyable story, and I look forward to the next installment in this series.

A quick flowing, quite enjoyable mystery. The first in a series Cherry is a celebrity turned P.I. set out on her first murder case when an ex bf of hers was killed live on tv on a reality series.

Cherry Hinton is trying to start over. After being caught in a compromising situation, on national tv, her credibility as a journalist has taken a serious hit. Deciding to try something new, Cherry opens her own bakery and gives up journalism/sleuthing. Until the man who committed a murder, on the same tv show Cherry was on, swears he didn't do it.

I liked the book, but wouldn't necessarily categorize it as a "cozy". While there are some cozy elements, Cherry is a more "gritty" character. The premise was interesting and I enjoyed seeing Cherry move on from a mistake and succeed.

I received an ARC from NetGalley

In the first of the Cherry PI series, disgraced journalist Cherry Hinton is asked to investigate the murder of Kenny Thorpe - a former Big Blubber contestant.

As someone who watches quite a lot of reality TV this book did not disappoint. In a world that can make or break you, Cherry is trying to move on from an incident that saw her half naked on TV across the nation and reclaim her professional integrity. When Brooke Thorpe asks her to investigate the death of her brother Kenny, Cherry embarks on a journey to discover the truth. Did Martin really kill him or is someone else responsible.

Jennifer Stone writes in such a humorous way and Cherry is a great, fun character. Stone manages to develop an Essex that is celebrity obsessed and explores everything that is potentially wrong with being a local celebrity. A great read - I look forward to the next instalment!

This was a very interesting mystery. The characters were likeable and the story was very engaging. After kennys murder on national tv cherry cant get it out of her mind. She thinks theres more to it. After suffering a humiliation on tv in front of evetyone she moves back to brentwood to hide away and forget her humiliation. She opens a cake shop to start a new life and suddenly kennys sister walks in with a letter so whats a snoop suppose to do? I really loved this book and I want to read more by this author.

I liked this book!! It was a good story!! Received this book from Duckworth books from netgally!! It was pretty interesting story!!

Cherry Slice by Jennifer Stone is a very readable book. It is light and very amusing. It is a sort of cosy mystery but a little more with a wonderful sense of humour.

Normally I would read such a novel quickly - easy to read but also a mystery where you want to know how it ends - however at the moment in 2020 all over the world, life isn’t normal. So I read this novel slowly, to savour the enjoyment of a light hearted story about an ex-journalist who loses her job and starts up a novelty cake shop (with an amusing array of unusual and different cakes) and then becomes involved in investigating an old murder and then a new murder which appears to be linked. The story is also linked with reality TV shows which adds more humour to a story that has many twists and it is certainly entertaining!

The main character is Cherry Hinton and she is a down to earth young woman who reminds me of several other female characters such as Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s novels, though not quite as rough; Phryne Fisher from Kerry Greenwood novels, though not as sophisticated; and Corinne Chapman from Kerry Greenwood’s other series, though not obsessed as much with cooking but still an amateur investigator.

All the characters feel real though some a bit quirky. From reality TV personalities to official detectives, to rogue reporters, to Cherry’s parents and her friends.

If your interested in a light and very entertaining novel I would highly recommend Cherry Slice and take the time to savour the delightful humour.


Thank you to Netgalley and publisher Farrago Books for a copy to read and review.

I found this very entertaining and quirky, it was easy to read and could most definitely be devoured in one sitting. This is the first in the series and I will definitely be looking out for future books.

When it appears Fat Martin Kenny Thorpe live on Big Blubber it is obvious Fat Martin is a murderer. Two years later his sister Brooke receives a letter from Cancer stricken Fat Martin saying he is dying and wants her to know he was innocent. Brooke visits Cherry Hinton in her new cake shop asking for her help tracking the real killer. The loveable characters and comical storyline made this a very enjoyable read.

An engrossing and entertaining cosy mystery that made me smile and have fun.
I liked the well crafted plot, the fleshed out and likeable cast of characters and the solid mystery that kept me guessing.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley for my honest review.*

Cherry Slice is a new series by Jennifer Stone. Cherry Hinton owns a bakery in Essex, England now after being humiliated on "Caravan of Love" on the Expose TV channel that focuses on Essex locals and reality TV. Cherry was an investigative reporter undercover on Caravan and was outed as a cheat and humiliated by Expose. And when her employer wouldn't back up her story of being an investigator, she was forced to move back in with her parents and take over their bakery.

Two years prior to this story, Kenny Thorpe was killed on live reality TV that was being produced by Expose TV, Big Blubber House. Kenny's murder was aired live and Fat Martin was blamed and confessed to the murder. Now, Kenny's sister, Brooke, is asking Cherry to look into the murder because Brooke received a letter from Fat Martin on his death bed that he is not guilty. Cherry begins to investigate and also starts to get death threat emails. So she knows that something is amiss.

This novel has quite a modern feel to it with Cherry's best girlfriend Kelsey helping her to investigate and settings in local clubs and bars, a transgender murder suspect, an overbearing mother (although, I think that most of the cozy mysteries nowadays have this!), and "vajazzled chocolate muffins" for sale in the bakery. The writing style is very hip and the situations during the investigation were quite amusing. The descriptions of Chris Gordon and his pit stains, for example, are things that I am sure everyone has thought and Stone has put into words so eloquently!

I am looking forward to the next in the series and reading what baked concoctions Cherry can come up with to make amends with her friends.

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in what I hope is a new series by Jennifer Stone

What a fun cozy romp this was. It was like the cozy mystery version of reality tv. This definitely does suck you into the drama.

Basic premise: Former reality star Cherry Hinton is in the perfect position to investigate the death of a fellow reality star who was murdered on live tv!

You would think this would get the immediate eye roll as a book you should pass up but don’t do that. This book is so funny and filled with drama that you just can’t look away for a second. Cherry has a rather sordid past with her reality tv experience and that sort of opens doors that no one else could get into.

The ending was classic Agatha Christie where Hinton gets all the suspects together on live tv and outs the killer. If you love a good reality tv show, you should definitely check this book out! You won’t come away disappointed. I just came away wanting more!

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.

What a delightful book. I didn't really know what to expect with this one but once I started it I could not put it down. A murder happens in broad daylight on a national reality TV show called "Big Bubbler." Seems straightforward initially- but is it? I do not want to say too much for fear of spoilers but the characters were well developed, the plot was great, the writing was well written and it held my attention. Thank you to NetGalley and Duckworth Books for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cherry Slice by Jennifer Stone is a light cozy mystery and is funny at times. I enjoyed the various characters. The dialect is annoying at times. It was about reality TV shows. A very enjoyable book. Thank you to Net Galley for sending an advance reader’s copy for review.

Reality TV turns deadly in Cherry Hinton’s first case

When Kenny Thorpe, a contestant on Expose TV’s Big Blubber, the hot new celebrity weight-loss show, is murdered on live television in front of 3 million viewers, the case seems pretty watertight. After all, everyone saw Martin do it – didn’t they?

Cherry Hinton knows there’s more to this than meets the eye. As an investigative reporter, she went undercover on dating show Caravan of Love… but after getting in too deep with one of the other contestants, she was caught knickerless in front of the nation. Humiliated, fired and heartbroken, she has fled to Brentwood, where she opens a cake shop, and tries to forget all about Expose.

Until Kenny Thorpe’s sister walks into her shop with a letter that turns Cherry’s world upside down. Is Martin innocent? How is infamous gangster Leon Solent involved? Is Expose to blame, and is there a killer still on the loose?

Cherry is the only one in a position to find out.

This was a quick, light witty mystery with fun, quirky characters. It was a great beach read.
Many thanks to Duckworth Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Description
Reality TV turns deadly in Cherry Hinton’s first case

When Kenny Thorpe, a contestant on Expose TV’s Big Blubber, the hot new celebrity weight-loss show, is murdered on live television in front of 3 million viewers, the case seems pretty watertight. After all, everyone saw Martin do it – didn’t they? Cherry Hinton knows there’s more to this than meets the eye. As an investigative reporter, she went undercover on dating show Caravan of Love… but after getting in too deep with one of the other contestants, she was caught knickerless in front of the nation. Humiliated, fired and heartbroken, she has fled to Brentwood, where she opens a cake shop, and tries to forget all about Expose. Until Kenny Thorpe’s sister walks into her shop with a letter that turns Cherry’s world upside down. Is Martin innocent? How is infamous gangster Leon Solent involved? Is Expose to blame, and is there a killer still on the loose?

Cherry is the only one in a position to find out.

My Review
Cherry Slice by Jennifer Stone is a fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed the premise of a reality tv show and how Cherry Hinton gets involved to solve the murder of a fellow reality tv show. The characters are believable and the story-line is easy to follow. I especially enjoyed the ending as all suspects are gathered on live tv and the killer is revealed.

This ARC was provided in exchange for my honest opinion. Well, I can tell you I recommend this cozy mystery, a definite must.

I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Solid writing, fast paced which makes it an easy read if you are feeling like you want to read something in just a few sittings. I did not know what to expect from this really as it is the first book I read by this author but I was pleasantly surprised and I am intrigued to read more of Jennifer Stone's work.