Happy Book Release Day and Fat Tuesday! It is the last day before Lent begins. A Ghostly Mortality by Tonya Kappes, Everything Belongs to Us by Yoojin Grace Wuertz, Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer, Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke, More Than A Marriage by Amy Lillard, Annie's Recipe by Lisa Jones Baker, Murder at an Irish Wedding by Carlene O'Connor, and Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson are a few of the books that were released today. I hope you find a few books to add to your TBR pile.
Kneaded to Death by Winne Archer
is the first book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has returned home to Santa
Sofia, California after the unexpected death of her mother, Anna. She was killed in a hit-and-run accident in
the high school parking lot, and the killer has yet to be apprehended. Ivy’s grief has only been soothed by the
bread from Olaya Solis’ bakery, Yeast of Eden.
When Olaya offers a breadmaking class, Ivy is quick to sign up. Ivy is hoping it will help provide her with
inspiration for her photographs and photography blog. She has not been able to get inspired since
the death of her mother. Ivy and six
other students are in the class. Just
before the break, Jackie Makers, a fellow student, must take a call. They are getting ready to start up again, but
Jackie has yet to return. The group hears
raised voices outside, and they head outside to find out what is
happening. Ivy sees her old high school
beau, Miguel Baptista arguing with Randy Russell, co-owner of the local antique
mall. Miguel is attempting to calm the
man down. When Randy is finally subdued,
the group notices Jackie sitting in her car.
It looks like Jackie will not be finishing the class. When it is discovered that Jackie was
poisoned, Olaya ends up at the top of the suspect list. Ivy knows that Olaya would not harm a soul,
and starts asking questions around town.
Ivy gets pulled into a controversy on historic Maple Avenue where Jackie
owned a beautiful house (that Ivy would love to own). Santa Sofia is not the
quiet town Ivy left when she went off to college. Will Ivy be able to capture the killer or
will she end up getting burned?
I found Kneaded to Death to be
nicely written and easy to read. I liked
the characters (especially Mrs. Branford) and the hint of magic. The description of Maple Avenue was
delightful. There are some beautiful
historic homes on the street (especially Mrs. Branford’s Victorian). I thought the mystery was well crafted, and
it kept my interest (hooray). The author
provided some nice clues that will help the reader identify the killer (you must
pay very careful attention). I give
Kneaded to Death 4 out of 5 stars (are you shocked)! My one complaint is Ivy’s obsession with
Miguel Baptista. They dated in high
school, but Ivy has never gotten over him (in eighteen years and now we understand
why she is divorced). I thought her ogling
of Miguel to be a little over-the-top (once would have been fine). I hope that Ivy’s grief is lessened in the
next book. It is quite prevalent in
Kneaded to Death which is understandable.
There is another subplot in Kneaded to Death that is equally intriguing. There is not, though, too much going on in
the book. I could keep track of the
storylines and the characters. I thought
Kneaded to Death was a good first cozy mystery.
The series has potential, and I am looking forward to the next book in A
Bread Shop Mystery series.
I hope you have a delightful and fun filled Tuesday. I have review work to do today (posting reviews and sending the links to the publishers). I am currently reading Bel of the Brawl by Maggie McConnon. I will see you tomorrow when I review another new novel. Take care and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader