When her catering event turns frosty, pastry chef-slash-amateur sleuth Sophia Cummings must solve a murder if she wants to earn her dough Sophia Cummings may be unlucky in love, but she knows that the way to a man’s heart is through his sweet tooth. This evening, she plans to use that knowledge—and her skills as a New York City-trained pastry chef—to open the hearts and wallets of Rumford, … wallets of Rumford, Kentucky’s richest men. Sophia, proprietress of For Goodness Cakes, has been commissioned to cater the Heart of the Town Library charity fundraiser at Grape Valley Winery. She’s spent all her dough to make this a successful event, raise her profile, and win more plum catering jobs.
At first, the going is as smooth as an elegant chocolate ganache. After nibbling Sophia’s tasty treats, Ray Peel, the winery’s landlord, announces he will pay off Rumford’s library loan. But the evening soon turns decidedly frosty when Ray is murdered—before he can make good on his promise, and before he can pay Sophia for her catering services.
For Goodness Cakes will collapse if Sophia can’t collect what she’s owed. So Sophia once again puts on her sleuthing apron to figure out who iced Ray. A glass of your favorite red or white is the perfect accompaniment to Maymee Bell’s scrumptious Batter Off Dead―with authentic Southern recipes!
For fans of Joanne Fluke and Leslie Meier comes the second in Maymee Bell’s delectable Southern Cake Baker mysteries.
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this is a good story, if you like cozy mysteries you will like the book I got the book form net gally but this is an honest reveiw
Another great mystery in the Southern Cake Baker series! There are so many potential suspects, and I love that Maymee Bell kept me guessing until the end. Batter Off Dead has the perfect blend of mystery and humor, along with a hint of romance. I look forward to my next visit to the charming little town of Rumford, KY to see what Sophia, Sheriff Carter, and Bitsy are up to next.
I voluntarily read & reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
Batter Off Dead by Maymee Bell is the second book in her Southern Cake Baker series and was another fun read for cozy fans.
Sophia has For Goodness Cakes Bakery up and running now in Rumsford. She has been hired to cater at the Heart of the Town Library charity fundraiser at Grape Valley Winery. Ray Peel, the local bachelor millionaire has made a promise to the town library to pay off the construction loan for the new wing but it all turns south as Ray starts breaking promises not only to locals but to old acquaintances, too. Poor Sophia trips over his dead body while going to the winery to collect payment for the event. Things go from bad to worse has Madison, one of Sophia’s closest friends, is the police’s number one suspect. That’s all Sophia needs to know to begin sleuthing.
Ms. Bell’s characters are engaging, likable and down-to-earth in this small Kentucky town. I always feel like I’ve been welcomed back whenever I read a book in this series. With a swiftly paced plot, twists and turns that kept me guessing, plenty of suspects and a shocking reveal, Ms. Bell has written a mystery that will keep a reader turning the pages.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Sophia Cummings, owner of For Goodness Cakes bakery, is helping with The Heart of the Town fund-raiser for the new addition to the Rumford’s Library held at The Grape Valley Winery. Sophia is hoping that this event will lead to more business. At the end of the evening, Sophia decides to go see about being paid, and literally trips over the dead body of Ray Peel.
When Sophia’s friend, Madison Ridge, becomes the prime suspect, Sophia knows her sleuthing won’t set well with her boyfriend Sheriff Carter Kincaid, but she decides to snoop none the less. Innocently asking her mama, Bitsy questions, who jumps on board to help.
Sophia thinks she is making headway in her snooping, when Carter and her return to her home after a date and find her home ransacked. The following morning, Sophia arrives at the bakery to begin the day and discovers the bakery was vandalized. Sophia worries that she may be a little too close for comfort with the killer.
Anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries will love this series! Included is recipes for many of the desserts mentioned in the book. I can’t wait to try the Cherry Flip Flops!
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Sophia has agreed to cater the library fundraiser at the local winery. Things seem to be going smoothly until she overhears a few disagreements with Ray Peel, one of Rumford’s wealthiest men. From what Sophia hears of these disagreements Ray is not going to keep his end of some promises, including one promise that will affect the fundraiser. When Sophie is headed to collect her paycheck she literally falls over the body of Ray. Then when one of her best friends is one of the suspects, Sophie has to get involved in the investigation to clear her name.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the second book in a series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. The characters are strong, confident, quirky and fun. The setting of Rumford, KY gives you small-town southern charm. The mystery has a great pace with several twists and turns along the way. Every time I thought I had the killer figured out I would have a new suspect. I was completely surprised at the end of who really was the killer. For food lovers, there is the added bonus of authentic Southern recipes included in the book.
I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries, food, southern charm, and female protagonist. I was given an ARC of this book in hopes I would supply a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and have in no way been influenced.
Sophia has come back home to open her dream bakery (love the name For Goodness Cakes – cute!) Unfortunately, she finds a dead body, a wealthy man in town who has been murdered after angering several folks in the town with his false promises. When one of Sophia’s best friends is accused of the murder, she can’t help but investigate. In addition, someone is sabotaging her bakery. She definitely has her hands full in this story!
I find the Southern Cake Baker Mysteries to be a great cozy series that I really have been enjoying, always full of community, friendship and interesting murder mysteries – a must read for fans of the genre.
Note: I did receive an ARC of the book from the author, but was not required to provide a review of any kind. I have shared my opinion hoping more readers will find this great author and series!