Divabetic Reader #3: And Then There Were Crumbs By Eve Calder

I enjoy reading cozy mysteries like Then There Were Crumbs. I consider cozy mysteries to be the literary equivalent of a Suduko puzzle. I can put down a cozy mystery, pick it up two days or even a week later, and not miss a beat. Plus, I’m learning the art of cozy mystery storytelling as I’m reading. That’s a tip I got from two Best-Selling Authors, Tonya Kappes and Brenda Novak, on how to improve your writing.

Currently, I’m knee-deep in rewrites for this year’s Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, A Christmas Peril, debuting in September 2021. At this point, we have had several full-cast rehearsals, so I’m listening to rehearsal tapes and tightening up the script. One of the biggest challenges for me is to say more with fewer words.

Eve Clader does a great job of storytelling in Then There Were Crumbs.

However, I found that the biggest mystery could be the real identity of the author! My google search of ‘Eve Calder’ revealed ‘nada.’ I guess I’m not much of a super sleuth after all.

That said, I really enjoyed this book, the characters, the mystery, and the charming setting.

Agatha Christie said, “The best time to plan a book is while you’re doing the dishes.”

She was right! I was plotting out Divabetic’s Mystery podcast while my hands were submerged in sudsy water. So here’s the link to Divabetic’s Mystery podcast, Kill Me Madam.

I don’t know about you, but reading is one of my favorite past-times. But, unfortunately, the food described in the pages of whatever book I’m reading triggers hunger pain more time than not. This is why I don’t read Joanne Fluke‘s books. Her books are high-calorie, high-carb indulgences with tempting titles like Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, Carrot Cake Murder, and Raspberry Danish Murder.

To stay on track with my own personal health goals, I like to have a healthy snack handy.

I believe developing healthy habits takes as much time and effort as developing bad habits, especially when it comes to snacks. Think about. In the time it takes to grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from the grocery store freezer, you can reach for frozen fruit and vegetables in the same freezer.

Lucky for me, I found a delightful frozen vegetable snack option at my neighborhood grocery store.

While reading Then There Will Be Crumbs, I supported my health goals by snacking on Strong Roots’ Spinach Bites. After all, this book’s sugar ladened subtitle is A Cookie House Mystery! While the townsfolk of Coral Cay, Florida were chewing on one cookie after another, I was eating several delicious spinach bites are wrapped up in a carrot and vegetable crumb.

The first ingredient listed on the food label is Spinach, so you know you’re actually eating an actual vegetable. One serving, 3 bites, has180 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates. I enjoyed 3 servings while I read.