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fdarlene491's review against another edition
3.0
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an advance readers copy of this story.
Murder Most Sweet, by Laura Jensen Walker, is available at booksellers on 9-8-2020. This is book 1 of 2 in Ms Walkers A Bookish Baker Mystery series. I'm afraid that this is the end of the line for me. I have had a hard time with the characters, I never managed to get involved with them. The story is ok but the mystery is buried in the leads angst. She's so hung up on having no breast after cancer that it's all she thinks about. After all this time she's still hiding behind scarves & making wisecracks that are not funny but are awkward. Her breast cancer took over the main spot in the story and I wanted more mystery. I did manage to kind of like the new British boyfriend. I'm a sucker for an accent.
#Netgalley #LauraJensenWalker #MurderMostSweet # ABookishBakerMystery #CrookedLaneBooks #Mystery #Romance
Murder Most Sweet, by Laura Jensen Walker, is available at booksellers on 9-8-2020. This is book 1 of 2 in Ms Walkers A Bookish Baker Mystery series. I'm afraid that this is the end of the line for me. I have had a hard time with the characters, I never managed to get involved with them. The story is ok but the mystery is buried in the leads angst. She's so hung up on having no breast after cancer that it's all she thinks about. After all this time she's still hiding behind scarves & making wisecracks that are not funny but are awkward. Her breast cancer took over the main spot in the story and I wanted more mystery. I did manage to kind of like the new British boyfriend. I'm a sucker for an accent.
#Netgalley #LauraJensenWalker #MurderMostSweet # ABookishBakerMystery #CrookedLaneBooks #Mystery #Romance
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Murder Most Sweet by Laura Jensen Walker is the debut novel in A Bookish Baker Mystery series. Teddie St. Johns is a strong female protagonist who is an author, avid baker, and breast cancer survivor. Teddie writes a cozy mystery series set in a town similar to her own of Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin. She is a likeable and relatable protagonist who is going through early menopause (from chemo). We get to see how the breast cancer has changed Teddie’s body and life. There are some humorous moments. There are a variety of secondary characters that includes her fashionista mother, Sheriff Brady Wells, and her two close friends, Char and Sharon. Teddie has an American Eskimo dog named Gracie who is such a sweetie. Two women die in this whodunit after famous author, Tavish Bentley comes to town. Teddie becomes a suspect because she has no alibi and her scarf was used as the murder weapon. The evidence is circumstantial, but the police must follow procedure. The clues, like the killer, were obvious. I would have liked a more challenging mystery. Despite two murders, romance is in the air for Tavish and Teddie. At times, Murder Most Sweet felt more like a romance than a mystery. Teddie likes to bake and does so frequently especially when she is stressed. She whips up treats for friends and for bribes to get information. It was interesting learning about the pastries native to Teddie’s ancestry and Wisconsin like the Kringle. To my disappointment, there foul language present throughout the story (mild). I preferred it when these type of words were taboo in cozies. There is a scene involving Gracie that dog lovers will find upsetting. I loved the Lord Grantham reference. Murder Most Sweet is a lighthearted cozy mystery with a bevy of baked goods, an attractive author, modish mother, a concerning contract clause, and one worried writer.
shawn2024's review against another edition
5.0
When I first started I was not too sure if I would like this book or not. But as I kept listening I enjoyed it more and more. I can't wait to see where Teddy and tavish land up. Eager to get started on deadly delights.
titagee's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I guessed who dunnit pretty quickly. Most of the book focused on the romance. I found it difficult to understand the motives of the main character. The police seemed to just sit around with their fingers in their ears and allow the main character to solve the murder on her own. Their behavior made absolutely no sense.
blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
3.0
An amateur sleuth who loves books and baking? Yes, please! I was hoping to really like this heroine and series, but this first installment ended up being more than enough for me. Teddi is likable in some ways, but she gets super annoying super fast. Like the author, Teddi has had a double mastectomy, which is interesting, except that she talks about breasts in some way or another on every page of this book! It's a *bit* much. She also just doesn't seem very smart. Why in the world would she jump right into a relationship with a man who's just broken up with his fiancee, doesn't seem at all broken up about her death, and is being investigated for murder? And her friends cheered her on? Makes no sense. As far as plot goes, the story focuses mostly on Teddi's relationships, not on the murder investigation. It's wordy to boot and features some ridiculous scenes involving costumes and fake identities. The murderer is obvious from the get-go as well. Needless to say, I didn't love MURDER SO SWEET. If I hadn't needed to read a book set in Wisconsin for a reading challenge, I wouldn't have finished it. I gave it three stars, because I don't expect cozies to be realistic in the first place and because it is a light, entertaining read. Also, the recipes included seem unique and yummy. For me, though, MURDER MOST SWEET was just an average (or less than) read. Bummer.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
MURDER MOST SWEET by Laura Jensen Walker
The First Bookish Baker Mystery
Teddie St. John is known for her writing, her baking, and her scarves. A mystery writer, Teddie is happily single with good friends and an adorable dog. Teddie is pleased to meet the dashing bestselling British author Tavish Bently at her friend's book store, but a menopausal emergency causes her to leave the book signing early. Deciding to take her pup for a walk, Teddie lets Gracie take the lead only to find herself behind the bookstore with Gracie barking at a dead woman. A dead woman with one of Teddie's scarves around her neck!
A captivating mystery is just one of the things that make MURDER MOST SWEET a standout. I really like Teddie and her self deprecating humor. I understand her doubts about Tavish; is he truly interested in her or merely looking for information and deflecting suspicion from himself? I love her friendships with her childhood friends, their banter and camaraderie enhancing the cozy feel of the book. I also appreciate Teddie's relationship with her mother, a tricky one, to be sure. The delectable descriptions of the food made my mouth water and stomach rumble. I really want a taste of that Danish layer cake, but although the recipe was thoughtfully provided it's a bit complicated for me. I'll just have to hope I can snag a Kringle from Trader Joe's!
MURDER MOST SWEET is a delightful start to a new series. Good friends, delicious food, and bookish people make this intriguing mystery a hit.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
The First Bookish Baker Mystery
Teddie St. John is known for her writing, her baking, and her scarves. A mystery writer, Teddie is happily single with good friends and an adorable dog. Teddie is pleased to meet the dashing bestselling British author Tavish Bently at her friend's book store, but a menopausal emergency causes her to leave the book signing early. Deciding to take her pup for a walk, Teddie lets Gracie take the lead only to find herself behind the bookstore with Gracie barking at a dead woman. A dead woman with one of Teddie's scarves around her neck!
A captivating mystery is just one of the things that make MURDER MOST SWEET a standout. I really like Teddie and her self deprecating humor. I understand her doubts about Tavish; is he truly interested in her or merely looking for information and deflecting suspicion from himself? I love her friendships with her childhood friends, their banter and camaraderie enhancing the cozy feel of the book. I also appreciate Teddie's relationship with her mother, a tricky one, to be sure. The delectable descriptions of the food made my mouth water and stomach rumble. I really want a taste of that Danish layer cake, but although the recipe was thoughtfully provided it's a bit complicated for me. I'll just have to hope I can snag a Kringle from Trader Joe's!
MURDER MOST SWEET is a delightful start to a new series. Good friends, delicious food, and bookish people make this intriguing mystery a hit.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
3.0
"Murder Most Sweet" the first instalment in the "A Bookish Baker Mystery” series by Lara Jensen Walker Is a easy read and entertaining if on the little slow side for me personally. But as with some first in series that can be expected. I did enjoy it enough that I will read the second instalment to see if it improves.
I enjoyed visiting Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin and meeting Teddie and her friends Sharon and Char. But by far my favourite was furbaby Gracie the American Eskimo dog. I’m a sucker for pets in my cozies.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed visiting Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin and meeting Teddie and her friends Sharon and Char. But by far my favourite was furbaby Gracie the American Eskimo dog. I’m a sucker for pets in my cozies.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
peggyemi's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book in a new cozy series by author Laura Jensen Walker. I thought the story was a solid start to the series. Theodora St. James, or Teddie as she is known by friends, is a sympathetic and likable protagonist. She is a breast cancer survivor and is taking nothing for granted as she lives her life. She is surrounded by a secondary cast of characters that includes her two best friends Sharon and Char, and her childhood friend Brady, the town Sherriff, as well as her mother and her cute dog Gracie. I thought the secondary characters were well done and enjoyed the friendship between all of them. Teddie is a bit self-deprecating when it comes to some of the repercussions of her cancer, but there were times when I just wanted to smack her mother. Fortunately, she mellowed by the end.
The mystery involves two killings that occur when a well-known writer comes to town on a book tour. He and Teddy hit it off but things don't go as planned when she circumstances appear that she is the killer. I thought the mystery was the weakest part for me. I'm not really good at always figuring out the whodunit part of a cozy mystery, but this time I did. Early on I suspected that I knew who the culprit was and I was a bit baffled as to why this person was not even on the radar. To me, it seemed obvious. I also thought it was a bit flimsy that Teddie became a suspect on circumstantial evidence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and it was fun to see how Teddie tried to clear her name. There is a budding romance with the other author that I think works for the series and characters. I enjoyed this story enough that I will check out the next book in the series. Oh...Teddie is a baker, which helps relieve her stress, so there are some delicious sounding recipes included.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley.
The mystery involves two killings that occur when a well-known writer comes to town on a book tour. He and Teddy hit it off but things don't go as planned when she circumstances appear that she is the killer. I thought the mystery was the weakest part for me. I'm not really good at always figuring out the whodunit part of a cozy mystery, but this time I did. Early on I suspected that I knew who the culprit was and I was a bit baffled as to why this person was not even on the radar. To me, it seemed obvious. I also thought it was a bit flimsy that Teddie became a suspect on circumstantial evidence.
All in all, I enjoyed the book. The characters were interesting and it was fun to see how Teddie tried to clear her name. There is a budding romance with the other author that I think works for the series and characters. I enjoyed this story enough that I will check out the next book in the series. Oh...Teddie is a baker, which helps relieve her stress, so there are some delicious sounding recipes included.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley.
addy1991's review against another edition
3.0
It's refreshing to see an older woman as the main character. Teddie is a delight! She decides to look at the bright side after cancer caused a drastic change to her appearance and I admire her for it. She and her two lifelong friends, dubbed the Three Musketeers, are fun and sure to be the life of any party they attend. The killer was clever and had me wondering if I chose the wrong culprit but the reveal was worth my not knowing everything in advance.