Book Review: Murder is a Piece of Cake

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Title: Murder is a Piece of Cake

Author: VM Burns

Publication: 6/27/2023 

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Series: Baker Street Mysteries #2

Summary from the publisher: 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.

IThere’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 . 

What I liked:

🍰 Maddy’s determination

🍰 Involvement of social media & hashtags

🍰 Bake off challenge with the victim

🍰 Baby, the English mastiff, & his blues

🍰 Michael, the vet & Maddy’s boyfriend.

Final thoughts: This was a quick read & fun book. It has a modern feel to it (which I love seeing in cozies), great characters, funny moments and a few twists & connections to the murder I did not see coming. 

I love that Maddy is determined to keep her Aunts legacy alive and is learning all she can in the bakery. And the fact that Michael defended her to her dad just made me fall for him as much as she has. 

As for the murder, I love when the victim is not killed right off and is so unlikeable. As the book unfolds we find out several people had problems with him. I enjoyed following the clues, being thrown off by red herrings and being surprised at the end. 

I really enjoyed the book, the characters and the humor  can’t wait to see what book 3 will have in store!

ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

Get your copy of the book here!

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