Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns

Series Name: Baker Street Mystery Book #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: June 27, 2023
Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Acclaimed author Valerie Burns returns to her fresh, new culinary cozy series set in a charming small-town and featuring Madison Montgomery, a social media expert turned bakery owner and sleuth. This light, fast-paced mystery will appeal to fans of Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs, Ellery Adams, and Ellie Alexander.

With small town New Bison’s Spring Festival just around the corner, the pressure is on Maddy to continue her late great-aunt Octavia’s legacy. That means scoring the top prize and transforming Baby Cakes into Southwest Michigan’s must-visit bakery, even though her inexperience in the kitchen brings nightmares of humiliating tagged photos and scathing reviews.

There’s another reason for lost beauty sleep. A second bakery is opening in town under the ownership of CJ Davenport, a shrewd investor with a reputation for sabotaging anyone who gets in his way. And savvy, flashy Maddy tops his list. It’s a sticky spot to be in—more so when Davenport turns up dead with a Baby Cakes’s knife stuck in his back.

Maddy’s whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time

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Dru’s Short Musing:
Having adjusted to small town living, Maddy has made a new life there which could be interrupted with a proposed new bakery in town. Unfortunately, a murder or two puts her in the crosshair and when both Maddie and her good friend April are likely suspects, the gang get together to find the person behind the mischief and mayhem.

The author did a great job in presenting this whodunit with a great supporting cast, crisp and expertly written narrative, engaging dialogue and a feel-good small town atmosphere. It was fun following along with what the author intended and when I thought I had a handle on the murderer, there was a slight twist that kept me in the game until all was said and done. I simply adore this series and anytime I get to spend with Maddy Montgomery is a delight. With laugh out loud moments, you’ll relish in reading about #adventures of Maddy and her friends. Definitely looking forward to the next book in this entertaining series.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.