Ivy Culpepper keeps the ovens hot at Yeast of Eden, a Northern California bakery that specializes in traditional breads. But now she has to deal with a stone-cold killer . . . Just as Ivy’s brother Billy is about to get engaged to his beloved, a tragedy interrupts the happy moment. The body of longtime Santa Sofia resident Marisol Ruiz washes up on the beach—and it’s even more heartbreaking … heartbreaking since Marisol’s father also recently died. But Marisol was a strong competitive swimmer. It seems unlikely there’s even a grain of truth to the theory that she accidentally drowned.
As Ivy gets to work helping her mentor, Olaya Solis, with the catering for Marisol’s funeral, she also teams up with her partners in detection—because if they want to prevent someone from getting away with murder, there’s no time for loafing . . .
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Very good book! When a woman who was a longtime employee of Ivy’s boyfriend Miguel’s family restaurant turns up dead, the woman’s husband asks Ivy to help find out who killed her. When it turns out that the woman, Marisol, was indeed murdered, Ivy and Miguel investigate with the help of Ivy’s neighbor and friend, Mrs. Branford. Ivy’s main suspect is Marisol’s ex-husband. When news of Marisol’s current husband, David’s, death comes during the funeral, Ivy and Miguel suspect that David uncovered something and was murdered before he had a chance to tell the police. Lots of secrets on behalf of the funeral home. Ivy’s ex-husband also comes to town and states that his wife wants to kill her. I found this storyline very intriguing and heartbreaking. I am looking forward to what is next for Ivy and Miguel as well as Billy and Emmaline. Great characters and charming town in this fun series!
Y’all this one had me! Multiple literal jaw drops! And that ending?!
Ivy has settled into her hometown again. She has a job she loves, she’s rekindled her high school love, her brother and best friend are about to get engaged, she’s settled. But when a dead body interrupts the big night, can Ivy help find out what happened?
Book 4 in the Bread Shop Mystery series is definitely the best so far! There were so many twists and turns, I loved it! I loved that we got to know Ivy more and all of her friends more. But overall, it felt like we were welcomed in as a part of the town. My jaw actually dropped multiple times while reading because of surprises. And then the ending?! I’m totally picking up the next one immediately!
Another outstanding plot from this wonderful cozy mystery series! Ivy and crew are on the hunt again to figure out what happened to a longtime family friend of Miguel’s. The plot that untwists is quite intriguing and definitely heightens the enjoyment of reading this book. The characters as always are well developed and relatable so that you can’t help, but fall prey to late night reading binges as you won’t be able to stop reading, or as in my case, stop listening to this book! I can’t wait to read what happens next as a big bombshell is dropped at the end which only enhances your desire to get your hands on the next book!!
Flour in the Attic by Winnie Archer takes us back to Santa Sofia, California. Ivy Culpepper is thrilled for her friend, Sheriff Emmaline Davis who is planning to propose to Ivy’s brother, Billy that evening at the beach. Unfortunately, Emmaline’s plans are put on hold when the body of Marisol Ruiz is found floating offshore. Marisol’s husband, David suspects foul play since Marisol was a competitive swimmer who swam in the ocean daily and asks that Ivy don her investigator cap once again. Can Ivy find out what happened to Marisol? Flour in the Attic is the fourth A Bread Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy is setting up her photography business as well as spending time at Yeast of Eden. I like the diverse cast of characters in this series with Olaya Solis being my favorite. Miguel Baptista and his family are so friendly and accepting. The story is well-written, but I did find the pacing to be a little slow. I wish it had been peppier. The mystery was a little dark (for a cozy), but it was well-done. Ivy actively searches for answers. There are several suspects in Marisol’s death, and I liked the subtle clues. It will depend on your sleuthing level on whether you find this whodunit a challenge to solve. I admit that I had trouble reading Flour in the Attic. I never became engrossed in the book. It did not have the same spark that I enjoyed in Kneaded to Death. There is some foul language which is unusual for a cozy mystery. I like that Emmaline Davis, the town’s sheriff, is proposing to Billy, Ivy’s brother. I look forward to their nuptials. There is a cliffhanger at the end, and we will have to wait for the next A Bread Shop Mystery to see how it plays out. Flour in the Attic is curious cozy mystery with squabbling siblings, a postponed proposal, a marine murder, and an indomitable investigator.
This is one of my favorite series and this, the fourth book, is just as great as the previous three entries. I would love to say a lot about the plot, etc. but I’m afraid I’d unintentionally commit spoilers and that is a huge no-no for me. So, I will start by saying this is, in my opinion, a series best read in order. Then, as for the characters, they are very well drawn and are the sort of people I would like to have in my life. Ivy has come back home, recovering from a bad relationship and has started her photography business. At the same time she is involved with the bakery, Yeast of Eden, making traditional Mexican breads in the traditional manner. There is some romance for Ivy and her life seems to be on the right track, a new chapter.
The mystery starts fast, none of this waiting for the action to start and you have already read half of the book. It’s complex and has more than one red herring to distract the reader from the search for the killer. This is a cozy with a bite. I hope there will be many more in this series. Until the next book I will try to control my craving for really good bread.
I have found this to be an entertaining series so I was happy to have a chance to read and review Flour in the Attic. I enjoy these characters. They are developing nicely and the relationships are progressing in a natural way. Ivy has settled into her life back in Santa Sofia and finding her niche with her photography as well as at Yeast of Eden. I live the diverse secondary cast of characters as they add depth along with a different perspective to the story. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing throughout the entire book. The author provides good clues that could be interpreted in different ways, thereby causing the reading to be distracted by the true motive for the killings and the true identity of the killer. I was surprised by the outcome as I didn’t guess it until shortly before Ivy and Miguel correctly surmised what was happening. I will definitely be back to read more in this series, especially with the bombshell the author dropped in the last sentence of this book.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley
Flour in the Attic by Winnie Archer was a great addition to this series. I had previously read the first three books in this series and this one is even better than the previous ones.
Ivy and Miguel are together in solving this case since it involves a waitress at Miguel’s restaurant and long time family friend. Olaya and Mrs. Branford are wonderful secondary characters that always add depth and insight into the current mysteries as Ivy investigates. This plot was complex; and in spite of the clues that Ms. Archer sprinkled throughout the story, I didn’t have a clue as to who had committed the crimes or why they had done it until the reveal. The “surprise announcement” dropped by Ms. Archer on the last page of this book has me eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.