My name is Hannah Portman, but everyone calls me Miss Hannah. I’ve worked at Baby Cakes Bakery in New Bison, Michigan almost as long as the current owner, Madison Montgomery, has been alive, and long before she inherited it from my best friend, her great aunt Octavia. Some folks think I’m senile. But just because I’ve had a few memory lapses, doesn’t mean my elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top floor. Lots of people can’t remember why they went into various rooms. And, I’m not the only person who has gotten distracted and misplaced my keys. The remote control. Or two dozen sweet potato tarts. After all, we spent hours cleaning the egg-splosion after Maddy, my soon-to-be-granddaughter-in-law, got distracted and left eggs boiling in the kitchen until the water evaporated. There were eggs everywhere, but nobody accused Maddy of having dementia. I have had a lot of memory lapses lately. There’s time I can’t account for. Still, there are some things that I can’t forget no matter how much time has passed or how hard I try. My cousin Dorothy’s betrayal is one of them.
At one time, Dorothy and I were close. More like sisters than cousins. I never dreamed she would steal Lincoln Wilson, the love of my life. But that’s exactly what she did. I swore I’d never talk to her or Lincoln again. I’ve kept that promise for over forty years. But when I heard Dorothy’s shrewish voice raging over the phone about hotel accommodations for my grandson, Michael and Maddy’s wedding, I saw red. Dorothy Evageline Wilson may still be on the family tree, but she was persona non grata at any events that included me. I threatened to skip the wedding, but that would have devastated both Maddy and Michael. So, I sucked it up and muscled through the family meet and greet. When Dorothy was found the next morning, murdered at Baby Cakes Bakery with my rolling pin covered in her blood, my memory went blank. I may have wanted her dead, but surely I would have remembered if I’d killed her, right? Fortunately, most people don’t believe me capable of murder, but the new detective handling the case wants a quick arrest. And I’m the most likely suspect. Maddy and Michael’s happy ending, and my freedom depends on Maddy and the Baker Street Irregulars figuring out Whodunit.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of MURDER AT FIRST SLICE. Tell us what you like about attending a wedding. One entry per person. U.S. residents only, please. The giveaway ends July 30, 2026. Good luck everyone!
MURDER AT FIRST SLICE
Series: A Baker Street Mystery, Book 5
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: July 2026
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link
Social media queen-turned-small-town baker Maddy Montgomery, her feisty friends, and her faithful English mastiff know you have to break a few eggs to solve a murder. . .
As Maddy’s wedding day approaches, friends and family descend on the little town of New Bison, Michigan, to celebrate—so much so that Maddy wonders if there might be another happily-ever-after in store for her widowed father and innkeeper Mrs. Law. Unfortunately, she also has to deal with an unhappy couple: feuding cousins Hannah and Dorothy, who haven’t spoken in decades. Maddy can only hope the spectacular wedding cake crafted by her head baker doesn’t wind up as ammunition in a food fight.
But she doesn’t have to wait long for a wedding disaster to strike. When the imperious Dorothy crashes the rehearsal dinner—with several uninvited guests in tow—and starts battering everyone with constant complaints, the drama reaches reality-show levels. And the next day, Dorothy is dead . . . with Hannah standing over the body, bloody rolling pin in hand.
Nobody in town believes Miss Hannah could commit murder. But a detective newly relocated from New York doesn’t know the sweet, memory-challenged Hannah the way the locals do—and the evidence seems open-and-shut as an oven. Now, with her sous-sleuths the Baker Street Irregulars, the bride-to-be is busy digging into Dorothy’s past to catch a killer before she cuts the cake . . .
About the author
Valerie (V.M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, and Edgar Award-finalist. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is a member of Sisters in Crim, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Crime Writers of Color. 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 North Georgia. Readers can keep up with new releases by following her on social media. Connect with Valerie at www.vmburns.com, on Facebook, Instagram, and on Bookbub.
The pageantry of the wedding is so fun to participate in, as spectators!
Let’s not forget that cake also!
Oh I agree! Wedding cake is the best!
l love everything about weddings. All the family and friends getting together to celebrate the happy couple. And of course, the food.
Unfortunately, as I get older, I’ve been attending more funerals than weddings.
Sharon, Weddings and funerals do seem to be the two events that bring people together. Like you, I prefer weddings to funerals, but have definitely attended more funerals recently.
I enjoy seeing the happy couple so much in love pledging their lives to each other. it’s also fun to see them partying at the reception as they start the next chapter of their life together.
Diane,
I agree. From the pledge to the party, weddings can be a wonderful adventure.
I love weddings where the couple have held to their plans in spite of nudges from family and friends and everyone recognizes they were right! I love watching the tentative dance of two families discovering many things in common. love best being a guest and not the officiant.
Maren, I think a wedding that is true to the couple getting married is truly the best. It should be a celebration. Love when it works out that way. I also love being a guest and not part of the bridal party. No pressure. No spotlight.
Thanks so much for the chance for this book. I love her books. I like weddings because they are a chance for the whole family to get together and it’s so fun to get to see everybody. And the cake, of course. I love cake.
Carol,
I think it’s great to see families come together for a celebration, and I totally agree about the cake. Thanks for the comment.
Hannah is such a great character. I’m so bummed she’ll be a murder suspect. MUST READ!
Kaye, I love Hannah Portman, too. She’s a fun character to write. Thank you for the comment.
I am a minister, so my favorite thing about a wedding is seeing two people begin or continue their life together, making vows that will hopefully get them through the good and the bad.
Lori,
That is awesome. I love seeing pictures of two young people who are just starting out and then later seeing a picture of them 50 years later. My parents were married for 52 years.
No way could Miss Hannah kill anyone! Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks.
Marcia – That’s the same response that Maddy had at the thought that Miss Hannah was a suspect. Too bad Miss Hannah can’t remember what happened.
Hi Valerie! Your books are so much fun! I like the reception part of weddings!
Linda,
Thank you so much. I love receptions, too. That’s so much fun.
I enjoy seeing the happy couple so much in love pledging their lives to each other. it’s also fun to see them partying at the reception as they start the next chapter of their life together.
Diane, I agree with you. I really love seeing the couples relax and just enjoying themselves with their friends and family.
I love seeing how in love and happy the couple are. I also enjoy the food and dancing at the reception afterwards.
Cherie,
Yes. Yes. And YES!!! Honestly, that sums up weddings in a nutshell. Love, food, and dancing.
My favorite part about attending weddings is witnessing two families become one and seeing which family has the best line dance moves. lol
Tanya,
That is hilarious. Comparing line dance moves sounds like a fun way to enjoy a reception.