Step into the cozy yet thrilling world of the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, where eggs, friendship, and murder make for an irresistible recipe! Penned by Laura Childs, this charming cozy mystery series follows three resilient women in their forties—Suzanne, Toni, and Petra—who run the Cackleberry Club, a quirky café in the fictional Midwest town of Kindred. With a knack for whipping up fluffy omelets and solving whodunits, these ladies serve up suspense with a side of humor.
Blending the warmth of small-town life with the pulse of psychological thrillers, the series captivates readers through its delightful mix of camaraderie, clever mysteries, and a dash of Midwestern charm. Whether you’re a cozy mystery fan or new to the genre, the Cackleberry Club Mysteries invites you to pull up a chair and crack open a case!
How Cackleberry Club Mysteries Began
Laura Childs, the pseudonym of Gerry Schmitt, launched the Cackleberry Club Mysteries in 2008 with *Eggs in Purgatory*. A former CEO and creative director, Childs traded her marketing career for storytelling, drawing on her knack for crafting fast-paced, atmospheric tales. Inspired by her love for cozy mysteries and small-town settings, she created the Cackleberry Club as a haven for three women rebuilding their lives after personal losses. The rehabbed Spur station café, complete with a book nook and yarn shop, became the perfect stage for their amateur sleuthing adventures.
Childs’ vision was to blend cozy comfort with a thriller’s edge—what she calls a “thrillzy.” Her Midwestern roots and knack for quirky details shaped Kindred, a town where everyone knows your name but secrets lurk behind every barn. The series’ unique focus on eggs and café culture sprang from Childs’ desire to ground the mysteries in everyday life, making the stakes feel personal and the triumphs deeply satisfying.
The Heart of Cackleberry Club Mysteries
The series kicks off with *Eggs in Purgatory* (2008), where Suzanne’s lawyer is found dead in the café’s parking lot, unraveling a scandal tied to her late husband. In *Eggs Benedict Arnold* (2009), the trio races to save Suzanne after she’s drugged while investigating a mortician’s murder. *Bedeviled Eggs* (2010) brings Halloween chaos when a mayoral candidate is killed with a crossbow at the café’s door. Later, *Eggs on Ice* (2018) delivers a chilling Christmas mystery as a Scrooge-like attorney is stabbed during a play rehearsal.
At its core, the series celebrates themes of friendship, independence, and resilience. Suzanne, Toni, and Petra—widowed, divorced, or separated—find strength in each other, turning their café into a hub of community and sleuthing. The Midwest setting, with its cozy café, knitting nest, and book nook, grounds the stories in a relatable, homey vibe, while Childs’ vivid descriptions of Kindred’s festivals and quirks add charm. Recipes, knitting tips, and a sprinkle of spirituality woven into the narratives make the series a multisensory delight, appealing to readers who crave both plot and personality.
Childs’ style leans on humor and heart, with witty banter and clever clues keeping the pace brisk. The mysteries, often layered with subplots like cults or local scandals, challenge the trio to think fast and trust their instincts, making each book a satisfying blend of cozy and cunning.
Why Cackleberry Club Mysteries Resonates
The Cackleberry Club Mysteries has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre by offering more than just puzzles—it’s a celebration of women reinventing themselves. Fans praise the series for its relatable heroines and immersive world-building, with Goodreads reviews highlighting the trio’s chemistry and the café’s inviting atmosphere. The series’ ability to balance lighthearted fun with gripping suspense has earned it a loyal following, with books like *Eggs on Ice* lauded for their creative murders and fast-paced chases.
Its lasting appeal lies in its universal themes: the power of friendship, the thrill of uncovering secrets, and the joy of a good meal. By rooting mysteries in a small-town café, Childs taps into a timeless desire for community and adventure, making the series a comforting yet exhilarating escape for readers worldwide.
- First Book: *Eggs in Purgatory* (2008)
- Number of Books: 9 (as of 2025)
- Setting: Kindred, a fictional Midwest town
- Author: Laura Childs (Gerry Schmitt)
Ready to savor a mystery with a side of eggs? Grab *Eggs in Purgatory* and dive into the Cackleberry Club Mysteries’ cozy, thrilling world!