When Piper’s former co-star and friend Glenna requests that Piper’s mother make the cake for her upcoming wedding, Terri says she couldn’t possibly, so Piper steps in to help her friend, but before long she is helping Glenna with more than just a wedding, she’s helping Glenna stay away from a murderer.

When Glenna receives a letter threatening her upcoming marriage she assumes it is her controlling ex-husband. When a co-star dies while hosting a charity event, Piper suspects the poisoned water may have been meant for Glenna and turns to her friend, handsome FBI agent Jack, for some advice. Even though Jack tells Piper to leave this to the professionals, she can’t help but be concerned for her friend and finds herself all too close to a killer who hasn’t taken a final curtain call.

The author of a dozen novels, Mary Jane Clark has easily made the transition from thrillers to traditional cozies. The book is well-paced and plotted, leaving a trail of clues behind several believable suspects. Piper is a down-to-earth, likeable character, as are those in both her television world and her family world. Piper gracefully moves in with her parents, acknowledging the disruption to their lives as well as hers, and tries to help them, especially her mother, as well as she’ll be allowed.

Piper’s loyalty to Glenna, along with a strong sense of curiosity, help her to fit the pieces of a deadly puzzle together quickly. Piper not only saves the wedding by catching a murderer, but also with her beautiful, original wedding cake. A great first layer to what could be a long, sweet series featuring Piper, actress, cake decorator and now, amateur sleuth.

--Jennifer Monahan WInberry