Devi Nair
š±š Read on Kindle (ARC) š 256 pages ā± ~3 hours read time š·ļø Publisher: Crooked Lane Books š Publishing Date: March 24, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Baking Up a Murder is everything you want in a cozy culinary mystery, with its comforting, flavorful energy and just the right amount of bite. Hattie Fox sets her debut in Solvang, a town so vividly described you can practically smell the butter and cinnamon wafting from the bakery. This book brings Amanda Flower vibes from the Amish Candy Shop series but with a fresh California twist that got me craving pastries at midnight.
What truly elevates this debut though, is the relationship between Madeline and Grandma Ruth. This is not your soft-edged, cardigan wearing grandma troupe. Ruth is brash, blunt, unapologetically loud, and absolutely unforgettable. Their dynamic crackles with warmth and humor, and it gives the story the emotional anchor that makes the mystery connect with you. When Ruth becomes a murder suspect, Madeline's determination feels deeply personal rather than plot-driven, and that makes all the difference.
Sure, the small town gossip mill spins predictably at times (which is where the one star was lost), but the heart, the legacy-saving stakes, and Ruth's unfiltered zingers elevates it to feel-good gold. No insta-love fluff, just solid bonds and holiday wartm that lingers like sugar dust. Debut cozy mysteries don't get any tastier. This is a cozy culinary mystery triumph!
Would I recommend it? This debut cozy culinary mystery is a treat. Hattie Fox delivers Amanda Flower level comfort with fresh flair. Perfect for cozy mystery fans craving baking competition drama minus the bland.
Your favorite Grandma sleuth moment? Spill in the comments: What's the sassiest grandma character in cozy mysteries you've adored?
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.com.
š±š Read on Kindle (ARC) š 256 pages ā± ~3 hours read time š·ļø Publisher: Crooked Lane Books š Publishing Date: March 24, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Baking Up a Murder is everything you want in a cozy culinary mystery, with its comforting, flavorful energy and just the right amount of bite. Hattie Fox sets her debut in Solvang, a town so vividly described you can practically smell the butter and cinnamon wafting from the bakery. This book brings Amanda Flower vibes from the Amish Candy Shop series but with a fresh California twist that got me craving pastries at midnight.
What truly elevates this debut though, is the relationship between Madeline and Grandma Ruth. This is not your soft-edged, cardigan wearing grandma troupe. Ruth is brash, blunt, unapologetically loud, and absolutely unforgettable. Their dynamic crackles with warmth and humor, and it gives the story the emotional anchor that makes the mystery connect with you. When Ruth becomes a murder suspect, Madeline's determination feels deeply personal rather than plot-driven, and that makes all the difference.
Sure, the small town gossip mill spins predictably at times (which is where the one star was lost), but the heart, the legacy-saving stakes, and Ruth's unfiltered zingers elevates it to feel-good gold. No insta-love fluff, just solid bonds and holiday wartm that lingers like sugar dust. Debut cozy mysteries don't get any tastier. This is a cozy culinary mystery triumph!
Would I recommend it? This debut cozy culinary mystery is a treat. Hattie Fox delivers Amanda Flower level comfort with fresh flair. Perfect for cozy mystery fans craving baking competition drama minus the bland.
Your favorite Grandma sleuth moment? Spill in the comments: What's the sassiest grandma character in cozy mysteries you've adored?
Originally posted at viewsshewrites.com.