Audiobook review: Icing and an Incident by Emmie Lyn
Icing and an Incident is the third book in the Dogs and Donut series by Emmie Lyn. The series centers on Emmie who recently took a job as a dog walker for and companion to Mimi, the owner of a local inn. Emmie also happens to come across dead or nearly dead people while working.
I have outlined my concerns with the series in my reviews of the first two books. Ellie is often over-dramatic and childish. However, I wanted to give the series another chance because it seemed to be heading in the right direction. Icing and an Incident starts out very promising. The story is engaging, and it promised to be an interesting whodunit with solid suspects. Ellie and love interest police detective Harry seem to be in a good place. However, things turned south for me when Ellie makes a horrible decision. Just after a murder occurs on the inn grounds, Ellie invites into her apartment a mysterious woman who is hiding in her garage. She then chooses to deliberately conceal this person from Harry, not even mentioning the fact that a potential killer is in her bathroom when he comes to her door. It’s one thing for Ellie to go against Harry’s wishes by doing her own investigation because that’s what happens in cozies. But it’s absolutely outrageous for her to hide the fact that a potential new witness or even suspect is IN HER apartment. It just put me over the edge. If I were Harry, I’d arrest her for obstruction of justice and move on. This poor guy just keeps pursuing her, and she’s so hot and cold.
Narration: The story is shared via first person POV of Ellie. Richardson uses a strong feminine voice for Ellie, which suits the character and storytelling. The narrator alters dialog to give each characters a unique voice, based on age and gender. Richardson amplifies the reactions of the characters, which can make them come across “over the top” at times.
So at 32%, I DNF’d Icing and an Incident, and I have no plans to continue the series.
My Ratings
Story: DNF
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
A donut or two and an important clue.
Nothing spoils a romantic evening with the hottest detective in town like stumbling upon a body. Oh. My. Bad. Luck. But, hey, I’m Ellie Hart and lately murder follows me everywhere.
Seeing the body was more than enough mayhem for me, but unfortunately, the prime suspect threatens to blackmail me into helping clear her name. Now I have no choice but to find a missing clue.
With the clock ticking and questions piling up, it looks like I might not get to collar the criminal. But my luck might not be over. Marley, my ever-faithful black Lab, is always at the ready to lend a sleuthing paw.
We have to sniff out the murderer before the sneaky killer slips the muzzle and lives happily ever after. Or kills again.
Author: Emmie Lyn
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Series: Dogs and Donuts series #3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Audiobook Release Date: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Tantor Audio
Length: 5 hrs 22 min
Source: publisher
Audio Speed: 1.35x