For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay

 For Batter or Worse

Book Summary

For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay has Mel and Joe finalizing the plans on their upcoming nuptials.  Oz Ruiz is preparing the cupcakes for the reception which is being held at the posh Sun Dial Resort where he works his magic as the master pastry chef.  Things are not rosy at the resort thanks to the bullying chef de cuisine.  Joe, Angie, and Mel observe a scorching row between the two men while sampling Oz’s sweet creations.  After meeting with the wedding coordinator at the resort, Joe and Mel decide to stop by Oz’s kitchen and see if he has any more cupcakes.  They find Oz crouching over the chef de cuisine’s body with blood on his hands.  Uncle Stan arrives and, unfortunately, must put Oz at the top of the suspect list.  Mel is not about to let Oz take the fall for a crime he did not commit.  Mel, Angie, Joe, Tate, Marty, and the DeLaura brothers sift through the clues and subtlety question suspects.  They need to work quickly so they can clear Oz before the wedding day.  Can the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew find the guilty party before Mel and Joe say I do?

My Thoughts

For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay is the 13^th A Cupcake Bakery Mystery.  This is a sweet addition to a scrumptious series.  It is finally time for Joe and Mel’s wedding (hooray), but a murder may put a crimp in the big day.  I thought For Batter or Worse was well-written with developed characters and it moved along at quick pace.  I love the snappy dialogue between the characters.  I find the movie quotes (the game they play) delightful.  I have enjoyed following Mel and Angie since the beginning of this scrummy series.  There is a delightful cast of characters that includes Angie, Mel, Tate, Joe, Oz, and Marty.  The DeLaura brothers are a hoot.  I laughed often while reading about their antics.  Marty is another humorous character.  The detailed descriptions of the cupcakes will have you salivating and heading for the closest bakery.  The mystery is well-plotted with several suspects, misdirection, and a tantalizing twist.  I had fun solving this zestful whodunit.  I like the romance between Uncle Stan and Mel’s mother, Joyce.  I wonder if wedding bells are in their future.  There are some special moments in this story.  I just loved the ending.  If you are new to the series, I would not recommend starting with For Batter or Worse.  A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series is one I highly recommend reading in order.  For Batter or Worse has lovable characters, laugh out-loud humor, scrumptious cupcakes, and an enticing mystery.  This is one cozy mystery you do not want to miss.  For Batter or Worse is a tasty tale with delectable delights, marriage arrangements, a pregnant partner, a frantic friend, bothersome and brilliant brothers, and an exultant ending.

For Batter or Worse can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series here.  Jenn McKinlay also writes A Library Lover's Mystery series.  Killer Research is the 12th novel in the series and it publishes November 2.  She also writes A Hat Shop Mystery series set in England (it is delightful).  Ms. McKinlay has Wait for It releasing August 10 (a contemporary romance).  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Death Gone A-Rye by Winnie Archer.  It is 6th A Bread Shop Mystery.  I hope that you have a sweet day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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