Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah Narrator: Amy Melissa Bentley
Series: Beacon Bakeshop #2
Published by Tantor Audio on October 12, 2021
Source: Purchased
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Length: 9 hrs 30 mins
Pages: 304
Format: Audiobook
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Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewell is ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe...
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever--winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition...
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake-off, and she's not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone's stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead--and covered in crumbs from Lindsey's signature cookie!
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey's wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she'll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
The Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off cover is absolutely adorable and honestly may have been the reason I picked it up. It’s the second in the Beacon Bakeshop series but worked fine for me as a stand-alone. Lyndsey wants a perfect Christmas, she’s got tons of lights for her lighthouse bakeshop, her family is coming, and her bakery is filled with all kinds of goodies.
Then, of course, things start to go awry. The town announces a Christmas cookie contest with a celebrity judge, hoping to draw more tourists and their money. Every business that wants to participate, and everyone does, must have a signature cookie set out for visitors, then there’s voting and a live finale. Except, most business owners don’t bake or don’t have time to, so Lyndsey’s phone starts ringing off the hook for “signature cookies.” She is overwhelmed until Carol Nichols arrives out of the blue and takes over most of the baking. And then the celebrity judge is found dead, covered in crumbs from Lyndsey’s cookie.
The characters, Lyndsey and her family and friends are relatable and support each other. Beacon Harbor is a charming town and Wellington, Lyndsey’s Newfoundland, is adorable. And so many cookies – it made me want to start baking.
The mystery was well-plotted with good clues and several suspects. And the way Lyndsey found out what was going on was hilarious at times, and maybe not well planned at others.
This was a fun cozy with a bit of Christmas magic. It also has a couple of cookie recipes. I listened to the audiobook, so I’m glad the recipes are also available on the author’s website.
About Darci Hannah
I have recently gotten into cozy mysteries. I’ve been reading them one after another. My favorites have been the Cat Groomer series by Eileen Watkins and the shorter Living History Museum series by Amanda Flower. And now, I’m searching for some fun cozies to sink my teeth into. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off sounds perfect. I might start with the first book in the series.
*Christmas cozies to sink my teeth into
I’ve been on a bit of a cozy mystery kick lately. I think the first in the series will probably give you a little more information on how they know the lighthouse is haunted.
Fun that it includes a few cookie recipes! 🙂
I wonder how many people try the recipes in cozy mystery books. I think I’ve only tried one once.
Awww!!! This sounds great for xmas
It was. There is a hint of a ghost and maybe some magical realism, too.
I bought this book also because of the cover but haven’t read it yet.