Hi. My name is Madison Montgomery, but everyone calls me Maddy.
Until recently, my life was very different than it is today. As the only child of a navy admiral, I’ve traveled the world. My mom died when I was two years old, and The Admiral didn’t have the time or the emotional capacity to raise a daughter. I’ve been told he over-indulged my penchant for designer clothes and shoes while ignoring my need for support and boundaries. Now, in my late twenties, I’ve been described as “spoiled.” #whatever.
My life as a fashionista and social media influencer changed forever when my fiancé was a no-show for our Livestream wedding. Humiliation doesn’t even scratch the surface of my feelings. Just because I wasn’t in love with him was no reason for abandoning me. Needless to say, I just wanted to find a big rock to hide under until things died down. Fortune stepped in when I learned that my great aunt Octavia, whom I don’t remember ever meeting, has died and left me an inheritance consisting of a house, a bakery, and a 250 lb English Mastiff named Baby. My aunt lived in New Bison, Michigan, a sleepy little resort town on the shores of Lake Michigan. I’ve certainly never heard of New Bison, so it should be a perfect hiding place.
I packed up my Louboutins and headed to Southwestern Michigan with dreams of selling the house, the bakery, and the dog, and returning to civilization triumphant. However, strong-willed Aunt Octavia had other plans. According to the terms of her will, in order to inherit, I have to run the bakery, stay in the house, and keep the dog that’s the size of a small pony for one year. Even though I can’t cook, have never owned a home, and haven’t been able to keep a goldfish alive, I accepted the challenge. How hard can it be? But, I’m barely in town for a day when the offers start pouring in. Everyone seems intent on convincing me to sell. Fed up with the offers, I get into an argument with a man who wants to expand his store into my bakery. When he’s found murdered inside the bakery and my fingerprints are all over the murder weapon, my goose will be #cooked, if I can’t figure out #whodunit. Aunt Octavia had suspicions that something sinister was going on in New Bison, and she left plenty of clues for me to follow. And, it turns out mastiffs are good listeners and excellent character judges. Between Baby, and the friends’ Aunt Octavia called The Baker Street Irregulars, the game is afoot.
Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder, A Baker Street Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy
Release: August 2022
Purchase Link
In a brand-new culinary cozy series with a fresh edge and a charming small-town setting, acclaimed author Valerie Burns introduces Maddy Montgomery, 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.
About the author
Valerie (V.M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, and Edgar Award-nominated author. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and her new Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is on the national board of Sisters in Crime and the Southeastern Chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She is also an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in Eastern Tennessee with her two poodles. Readers can keep up with new releases by following her on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.
GIVEAWAY: Valerie will be giving away one print copy of Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends September 1, 2022. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Oh how totally awesome this new book sounds! Really exciting and fun! Love that there is a dog in it too! I love reading books by new authors! Thank you so much Dru Ann and Valerie for the chance to win! And love the spectacular cover! 😊📚📕😊
This sounds like a great new series. I can’t wait to read it!
Cindy, Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy it. Good luck!
A fun new series to start
This sounds like a fun read from a proven author.
Sharon, thank you. I hope readers enjoy it. Good luck!
Sounds like a great fun read…anything with “dog” gets my vote…
Gram, Thank you. I couldn’t agree more about the dog. 🙂
What a name for a mastiff! Bet she is a great character too! Congrats on the release and thanks for the chance to win!
Thank you. I think Baby is the star. Good luck!
Intriguing tickler. Can’t wait to read it. And thank you for your extensive contributions to SinC and MWA.
Nancy, Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the new series. I was pleased to get the opportunity to work with SinC and MWA. Both are great organizations. Good Luck!
This sounds like such fun – especially the dog! Congratulations on the new series!
As an Army brat, I’ve got to read this one! I’m a fan of the Mystery Bookshop series, so I’m sure I’ll love this as well.
I already enjoy the Mystery Bookshop series, and since I love culinary mysteries I’ve been really looking forward to this book.
This book is on my list to purchase and read. I enjoy Valerie Burns writing and look forward to this new series.
Sounds like a fun book to read which is exactly what I need at this point of time.
Sounds like a great new series. Looking forward to reading the book.
I am a fan of this author and I look forward to reading this book!
Sounds like a delightful read.
I’d like to get a copy! tWarner419@aol.com
**** WINNER ****
Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder is Cindy B.
Congratulations!
It is the best cozy I have read in a long time and I read a lot of good cozy mysteries. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves. V.M. Burns is an outstanding author.
Congrats Cindy B.