Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder
A Baker Street Mystery, Book #1
Valerie Burns
5 Stars
Synopsis:
In a brand-new culinary cozy series with a fresh edge and a delightful small-town setting, the acclaimed author introduces Maddy Montgomery, a social media expert who’s #StartingOver in small town Michigan after inheriting her great-aunt’s bakery…and a 200-pound English Mastiff named Baby.
When Maddy Montgomery’s groom is a no-show to their livestream wedding, it’s a disaster that no amount of filtering can fix. But a surprise inheritance offers a chance to regroup and rebrand—as long as Maddy is willing to live in her late, great-aunt Octavia’s house in New Bison, Michigan, for a year, running her bakery and caring for a 250-pound English mastiff named Baby.
Maddy doesn’t bake, and her Louboutins aren’t made for walking giant dogs around Lake Michigan, but the locals are friendly and the scenery is beautiful. With help from her aunt’s loyal friends, aka the Baker Street Irregulars, Maddy feels ready to tackle any challenge, including Octavia’s award-winning cake recipes. That is, until New Bison’s mayor is fatally stabbed, and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the knife . . .
Something strange is going on in New Bison. It seems Aunt Octavia had her suspicions, too. But Maddy’s going to need a whole lot more than a trending hashtag to save her reputation—and her life.
“Everyone is a suspect in Valerie Burns’s entertaining new mystery, filled with surprising twists, suspicious characters and a mastiff named Baby who will win your heart. Top that off with humor and delicious recipes and you have a delight of a cozy.” —Valerie Wilson Wesley, author of A Fatal Glow (Amazon)
Review:
Maddy was going to get married on the internet until her fiance was a no-show. But as luck would have it, Maddy learns that great-aunt, Octavia, has left her house, her bakery and her dog. The problem is that she has to move to New Bison, Michigan, and live there for a year. With help from her Aunt’s friends she is planning on doing just that. When the mayor is stabbed to death and Maddy’s fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, she knows she will have to find the killer to clear her name.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Maddie’s aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars. And the people who work in the bakery. Even the sheriff who wants Maddy’s help, which does not usually
happen in cozies.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am excited that I have another series to read by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
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