Anna just wants to earn enough money on the side to buy into the bakery, Callie’s Cakes, where she works together with her best nerd pal, Callie. The last thing she expects to see when she walks into Arthur’s apartment to do some moonlighting is a blood bath. Callie’s ready to jump into the investigation of Arthur’s murder, and she’s bringing another bakery worker, Kristie, into their hijinks … whether Kristie wants to or not. But things aren’t as they seem. There are gang affiliations, illegal gambling dens, and ladies of the night to wade through. Will Anna and Callie discover who murdered Arthur, or will Callie’s detective boyfriend and Anna’s self-appointed protector put a stop to such aspirations?
Come join us at Callie’s Cakes, where murder investigations are on the menu, but make sure to bring your own baker, because Anna’s a bit preoccupied at the moment.
Warning: This is NOT your mom’s cozy mystery. Bring Your Own Baker may be a ‘clean’ read, but if gangs, illegal gambling, and pimps make you turn your nose up at your e-reader, you might want to skip this one. Although you’ll be missing some sizzling chemistry between Anna and her protector. Not to mention a whole bunch of witty dialogue.
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Favorite Quotes:
Arthur wasn’t in a gang. He was a computer programmer. Unless there’s some total nerd gang I haven’t heard of.
Maybe we should get you a gun. No one’s going to be intimidated by a sprite in Strawberry Shortcake pajamas holding a knife.
The last thing we need is a gang targeting Callie’s Cakes because of our extracurricular activities. Stupid gang probably wouldn’t understand that harming cupcakes is akin to sacrilege.
Holy coffee cake, you guys make me hot. Like smoking hot. I should probably carry a fire extinguisher in my clutch.
Not going to lie. I have no idea what I’m talking about. Most of my information about prostitution is the result of an obsession with Richard Gere and Pretty Woman.
My Review:
Anna is a pink spiky-haired pixie sized baker who stumbles into several remarkably odd and dangerous situations once she becomes embroiled in solving her friend’s murder, well she just has to since the police show no interest in the effort. She lives to bake and even uses the names of desserts to swear with. I adore D.E. Haggerty and her clever cozy mysteries! I adore everything about her work – the quirkiness of her lovable characters, the odd situations they find themselves in, the eccentricities of the secondary characters, the snarky inner voices they use in their heads, the humor, the banter. It is fun and clever entertainment start to finish, with an intriguing mystery as the buttercream icing on the cupcake.
I am not ashamed to admit I have a girl crush on Anna, our pink-haired pixie cupcake baker. It started with Never Trust a Skinny Cupcake Baker and it has fully blossomed after reading Bring Your Own Baker. She’s feisty and funny, and I really need to start adopting her “curse” words as my own.
Anna gets herself mixed up with murder, mystery, and mayhem after discovering the body of her friend Arthur. Next thing you know she, Callie, and bakery worker Kristie, are on the hunt for the murderer…because once again Detectives Dumb and Dumber are on the job, and we’ve seen how capable those 2 are! Throw in Callie’s own sweet detective Ben and one sexy undercover cop out to protect Anna, and you’ve got all the makings for a delightful and charming read.
Murder isn’t funny business, but in the hands of Anna, Callie, and Kristie, the solving of a murder sure is! I loved the antics these 3 got into, the unlikely of predicaments they found themselves in. I want these gals to be my friends! With a little bit of luck on their side, as well as those 2 hunky men to lend a hand, they work to uncover clues and discover who killed Arthur.
I’ve so enjoyed the first 2 books in the series, and I’m looking forward to seeing what more D.E. Haggerty has in store for Callie and the gang!
When Anna finds her friend, Arthur, murdered she’s determined to find out who killed him. Not only was he her friend but also her employer. She had been doing some part time financial work for him in his business as a hacker – a very good hacker. Since she is found with the dead man she’s the prime suspect.
Anna and Callie, the owner of the bakery where Anna works, investigate various suspects including biker gangs. Kristie works there too and helps the women look for the killer.
I loved this cozy mystery! It’s a well written book filled with lots of laughs and love. Even looking for a murderer was funny when these ladies get involved in the investigation. The main characters in this novel are absolutely priceless. They definitely drive the story. They were easy to get to know and easy to connect with. Their boyfriends sure help the story along. The fact that they are both big and handsome doesn’t hurt either.
This is a great series and I’m glad I received a copy of Bring Your Own Baker in exchange for an honest review.
This was a captivating, entertaining novel that was a joy to read. It is definitely one that should make its way into the libraries of all cozy mystery lovers.