Goodbye Cruller World

Like the “healthy” donuts Emily Westhill makes for persnickety life coach Vanessa Legghaupt’s self-improvers’ meeting, Bolton’s sequel to Survival of the Fritters offers carob instead of chocolate. After loathsome Roger Banchen succumbs to an arsenic-dusted cruller at his wedding reception, cop’s widow Emily, who owns the Fallingbrook, Wis., coffee shop Deputy Donut with her father-in-law, Tom, must exonerate his bride, Jenn Zeeland, from whose clothing boutique Emily buys many, many sweaters. She must also save her own hide from charm-free state cop Yvonne Passenmath. Yet Emily’s energy goes primarily into plotting hookups for her high school best friends, EMT Samantha and cop Misty; some giggly scenes feel more juvenile than cozy. Meanwhile, she makes disappointingly scant progress in unbuttoning her lust for her late husband’s partner, gorgeous detective Brent Fyne. Food scenes tantalize with descriptions of single-origin coffees as well as classic and trendy donuts—solid recipes included. Those expecting much mystery and suspense may be left hungry. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency. (Sept.)