Scan barcode
randombookgrl's review against another edition
4.0
At first, I wasn't to sure about this one. I was not a big fan of the opening chapter, but fortunately, a new twist popped up each time I thought that I had it all figured out. Those twists kept me reading & by the end, I was looking forward to a book 2 in the series!
jbrooxd's review against another edition
5.0
[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
5 stars = Excellent!
The voice for this novel is what first grabbed my attention. It had a different vibe to it than other cozy series, and I was sold. Teddie is a fun and engaging protagonist - a cozy writer, a baker, a daughter, a friend, a cancer survivor who chose mastectomy without reconstruction. The cancer pieces - and Teddie's attitude about her journey - were another part of what captivated me here. It felt fresh and different, but not just for the sake of being different. There's an authenticity to it that I adored.
There's a great ensemble in the book of Teddie's friends and family that I loved. Then the book was set in a fictional Wisconsin town in the area where I grew up. And there was KRINGLE (and not that Hallmark movie garbage - the real stuff)! Add to that a terrific mystery with lots of suspects and fantastic pacing that gave Teddie time to dig into them with some significant time. And a believable reason for her sleuthing. This book was the whole package for me. I would read this again, and have book 2 on my radar already. (The author is launching another series at the start of 2021, too. And I KNOW I have read some of her Christian novels from 10-15 years ago before.) Cozy fans should NOT miss this one! (CW: references to the Harry Potter series and its author which may be a trigger for some readers.)
5 stars = Excellent!
The voice for this novel is what first grabbed my attention. It had a different vibe to it than other cozy series, and I was sold. Teddie is a fun and engaging protagonist - a cozy writer, a baker, a daughter, a friend, a cancer survivor who chose mastectomy without reconstruction. The cancer pieces - and Teddie's attitude about her journey - were another part of what captivated me here. It felt fresh and different, but not just for the sake of being different. There's an authenticity to it that I adored.
There's a great ensemble in the book of Teddie's friends and family that I loved. Then the book was set in a fictional Wisconsin town in the area where I grew up. And there was KRINGLE (and not that Hallmark movie garbage - the real stuff)! Add to that a terrific mystery with lots of suspects and fantastic pacing that gave Teddie time to dig into them with some significant time. And a believable reason for her sleuthing. This book was the whole package for me. I would read this again, and have book 2 on my radar already. (The author is launching another series at the start of 2021, too. And I KNOW I have read some of her Christian novels from 10-15 years ago before.) Cozy fans should NOT miss this one! (CW: references to the Harry Potter series and its author which may be a trigger for some readers.)
morticia32's review against another edition
1.0
Book one in a new series.
"I miss my breasts." I really could not get into this one. That first sentence of the book kind of set my mood and I just wasn't inclined to change it. I didn't like Teddie, I didn't like her mother. I didn't have a problem with Teddie being a breast cancer survivor, I just had a problem with her attitude.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
"I miss my breasts." I really could not get into this one. That first sentence of the book kind of set my mood and I just wasn't inclined to change it. I didn't like Teddie, I didn't like her mother. I didn't have a problem with Teddie being a breast cancer survivor, I just had a problem with her attitude.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
okiecozyreader's review against another edition
4.0
Pay attention to the first chapter! So much happens there. Also in the first chapter, you quickly learn that the main character, Teddie is a breast cancer survivor who has had a double mastectomy (like the author herself). I love having a point of view that is mature and strong, filled with life experiences. I liked this cozy mystery with a little romance and bookish characters. It seemed to have a clever plot that surprised me.
bookwoman37's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
rebecca_isreading's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
I'm always up to try a new cozy series set in my home state, and this bookish/foodie cozy was a pleasant treat. There is enough to make this a solid singular story with plenty of character development and community introductions, while still setting up some potential for future entries in the series. It made me crave kringle and I felt it got the region "right". Charming and fun!
I'm always up to try a new cozy series set in my home state, and this bookish/foodie cozy was a pleasant treat. There is enough to make this a solid singular story with plenty of character development and community introductions, while still setting up some potential for future entries in the series. It made me crave kringle and I felt it got the region "right". Charming and fun!
chelton's review against another edition
5.0
Teddie might be the most charming debut sleuth of the year. Smart, wickedly funny, and with a bold fashion sense, she’s the perfect guide through small town Wisconsin. Her attitude is routinely upbeat—even when facing accusations of murder—and it’s refreshing to find a character approaching the mystery she’s been embroiled in such a straightforward manner. Sure, she has her doubts, but it’s a testament to author Laura Jensen Walker’s ability to craft realistic characters that these never overwhelm the broader flow of the action. There’s hope in these pages. More pressingly, there’s a killer out there, and there’s never any doubt that Teddie has the pluck and determination to crack the case.
And what a case it is. Teddie, after her scarf is discovered as the murder weapon, unfortunately becomes the first suspect in the case. From there, it’s a whirlwind of clues, misdirection, and some inventive investigating on Teddie’s part. After all, it should be no surprise that someone so invested in clothing knows how to whip up a costume or two.
While Walker has expertly worked in enough tension to give this cozy some edge, it’s her humor that shines through. Teddie has an eclectic group of pals who help her along—or, in the case of a certain sheriff, hinder her—while dishing out jokes and positive energy. They’re an easy group to fall in love with as they banter, and several moments between them feel genuine. They’re usually chatting over one of Teddie’s regional delicacies, like fattigman bakkels, which Walker has no problem describing in delicious detail. It would be easy—though not recommended—to drool on these pages. Fortunately, she’s also included several tried and true recipes.
Baked goods galore. A clever mystery. Tons of fun. Murder Most Sweet is a stunning debut to a hopefully very long series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
And what a case it is. Teddie, after her scarf is discovered as the murder weapon, unfortunately becomes the first suspect in the case. From there, it’s a whirlwind of clues, misdirection, and some inventive investigating on Teddie’s part. After all, it should be no surprise that someone so invested in clothing knows how to whip up a costume or two.
While Walker has expertly worked in enough tension to give this cozy some edge, it’s her humor that shines through. Teddie has an eclectic group of pals who help her along—or, in the case of a certain sheriff, hinder her—while dishing out jokes and positive energy. They’re an easy group to fall in love with as they banter, and several moments between them feel genuine. They’re usually chatting over one of Teddie’s regional delicacies, like fattigman bakkels, which Walker has no problem describing in delicious detail. It would be easy—though not recommended—to drool on these pages. Fortunately, she’s also included several tried and true recipes.
Baked goods galore. A clever mystery. Tons of fun. Murder Most Sweet is a stunning debut to a hopefully very long series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpress.com/
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I had planned to read and review this book closer to the release date but I was suffering from chemo side effects and preparing for surgery at that time. Now I have just a few radiation treatments left and am in a much better place to read this book that features a breast cancer survivor protagonist.
Teddie St. John loves to bake and she’s good at it. She also loves to write mysteries and she excels at that too. A breast cancer survivor she has plotted her life around those two things, plus her friends, her mom, and her American Eskimo dog, Gracie. She is excited to attend a book signing at her BFF Char’s bookstore. The author, Tavish Bentley, is a famous British suspense writer who ended up in Lake Potawatomi when his event in Milwaukee was canceled. Sadly just as the event is getting started Teddie suffers one of those dreaded side effects brought on by cancer treatments and ends up leaving the book signing early.
Later while out walking Gracie she makes a gruesome discovery. Behind her friend’s bookstore, she finds the famous author’s fiance dead with a significant clue that points directly at Teddie as the murderer. Thankfully she is friends with the sheriff and he knows she didn’t kill anybody. The author does have a fan who is obsessed with him, and Teddie’s money is on her as the killer but then a second body is found and that really twists things up. Teddie enlists the help of her besties to help her find the real killer and serve them up on a silver platter.
I love Teddie St. John! It is always nice when you have something in common with the lead character in a cozy but this time it isn’t just a craft or an occupation, it is something neither would have chosen for ourselves. Surviving cancer is a battle and her road was much tougher than mine. I know the author drew from her own experiences and that makes the story even more special. Ms. Walker also surrounded Teddie with excellent friends, an overbearing mother, and a lovable pup. These characters all drew me in right away.
Setting the story in my home state, also the author’s, grabbed my attention too. The dialogue rang true, the descriptions of the people and places was like looking out my back door, and OMG the food/Kringles mentions brought me actual joy.
The mystery was top-notch, with actually two to solve. Teddie was an interesting sleuth to follow. If you are looking for quirky, somewhat creepy characters look no further than the people that land on Teddie’s suspect list. She takes some risks but none of the “too stupid to live” kind that some amateur sleuths do. I did hone in on a few things before she did but was very entertained by the way things played out.
The story had a great flow with one scene near the beginning of the book that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. There is also the start of a romance for Teddie. At first, I thought it was happening too quickly but who am I to judge. Teddie has been through a lot and deserves all the happiness she can get.
Murder Most Sweet is a terrific cozy mystery that has set this series off to a fine start. My appetite has been seriously whet, I can hardly wait for Deadly Delights that will be hitting shelves June 8, 2021.
I had planned to read and review this book closer to the release date but I was suffering from chemo side effects and preparing for surgery at that time. Now I have just a few radiation treatments left and am in a much better place to read this book that features a breast cancer survivor protagonist.
Teddie St. John loves to bake and she’s good at it. She also loves to write mysteries and she excels at that too. A breast cancer survivor she has plotted her life around those two things, plus her friends, her mom, and her American Eskimo dog, Gracie. She is excited to attend a book signing at her BFF Char’s bookstore. The author, Tavish Bentley, is a famous British suspense writer who ended up in Lake Potawatomi when his event in Milwaukee was canceled. Sadly just as the event is getting started Teddie suffers one of those dreaded side effects brought on by cancer treatments and ends up leaving the book signing early.
Later while out walking Gracie she makes a gruesome discovery. Behind her friend’s bookstore, she finds the famous author’s fiance dead with a significant clue that points directly at Teddie as the murderer. Thankfully she is friends with the sheriff and he knows she didn’t kill anybody. The author does have a fan who is obsessed with him, and Teddie’s money is on her as the killer but then a second body is found and that really twists things up. Teddie enlists the help of her besties to help her find the real killer and serve them up on a silver platter.
I love Teddie St. John! It is always nice when you have something in common with the lead character in a cozy but this time it isn’t just a craft or an occupation, it is something neither would have chosen for ourselves. Surviving cancer is a battle and her road was much tougher than mine. I know the author drew from her own experiences and that makes the story even more special. Ms. Walker also surrounded Teddie with excellent friends, an overbearing mother, and a lovable pup. These characters all drew me in right away.
Setting the story in my home state, also the author’s, grabbed my attention too. The dialogue rang true, the descriptions of the people and places was like looking out my back door, and OMG the food/Kringles mentions brought me actual joy.
The mystery was top-notch, with actually two to solve. Teddie was an interesting sleuth to follow. If you are looking for quirky, somewhat creepy characters look no further than the people that land on Teddie’s suspect list. She takes some risks but none of the “too stupid to live” kind that some amateur sleuths do. I did hone in on a few things before she did but was very entertained by the way things played out.
The story had a great flow with one scene near the beginning of the book that had me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. There is also the start of a romance for Teddie. At first, I thought it was happening too quickly but who am I to judge. Teddie has been through a lot and deserves all the happiness she can get.
Murder Most Sweet is a terrific cozy mystery that has set this series off to a fine start. My appetite has been seriously whet, I can hardly wait for Deadly Delights that will be hitting shelves June 8, 2021.
cyireadbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Murder Most Sweet is only my second Cozy Mystery and I'm really liking this genre. This book is actually better that my first since I didn't have to contend with a library ghost.
Set in a small town called Lake Potawatomi, WI, it is the perfect warm and comfortable setting for the story to take place. The protagonist is not only an accomplished writer, she is also an accomplished baker (hence the bookish baker mystery.) The protagonist has an Eskie (American Eskimo dog) and what a delight that is. You dog lovers will really enjoy the relational aspect between dog and human. It just adds to the storyline.
Murder Most Sweet has a great combination of light mystery and light romance. However, I thought there was an abruptness to uncovering the perpetrator. Maybe that was just me.
Overall, a good read. An added bonus -- real recipes you can use at the end of the book. I'll need to try some -- especially the Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a small town called Lake Potawatomi, WI, it is the perfect warm and comfortable setting for the story to take place. The protagonist is not only an accomplished writer, she is also an accomplished baker (hence the bookish baker mystery.) The protagonist has an Eskie (American Eskimo dog) and what a delight that is. You dog lovers will really enjoy the relational aspect between dog and human. It just adds to the storyline.
Murder Most Sweet has a great combination of light mystery and light romance. However, I thought there was an abruptness to uncovering the perpetrator. Maybe that was just me.
Overall, a good read. An added bonus -- real recipes you can use at the end of the book. I'll need to try some -- especially the Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.