For the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew, wedding bells turn to death knells in this latest mystery in the New York Times bestselling series.With Angie and Tate’s wedding just around the corner, it’s a happy time for Melanie Cooper and the bakery crew. Not only are they finessing the last minute details of the big day, but their bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, has just been hired to bake cupcakes for the … bake cupcakes for the blockbuster book signing of a controversial author who wrote a steamy bestseller filled with juicy local gossip.
But one by one, the people Angie has hired to work at the wedding begin turning up dead. As the body count rises, the bestselling author is the next to bite the dust. Mel quickly realizes she needs to figure out how the murders are connected and why–before the killer brings the entire cupcake crew crumbling down. After all, Angie and Tate deserve their sweet happily ever after.
INCLUDES SCRUMPTIOUS RECIPES!
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I always look forward to reading a book by Jenn McKinlay. I love her sense of humor and her characters begin to feel like old friends. I can’t wait to see what kind of trouble Mel and Angie will get into next.
Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinlay is the tenth book in A Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Angie DeLaura is marrying Tate Harper in just one week. Angie and Mel have left Fairy Tale Cupcakes in the capable hands of Oz and Marty while they head out to issue payment to wedding vendors. After visiting the florist, they head to Blaise Ione’s studio, the wedding photographer and old friend of Tate’s. They find Blaise sitting at his desk with a camera strap twisted about his neck. Later that day, they discover that the driver Angie hired was found bludgeoned to death. Is someone trying to sabotage Angie and Tate’s wedding? To keep their minds and hands occupied, they agree to provide five hundred cupcakes for a book signing Cassie Leighton of A Likely Story is hosting the next day. The event is for the release of Elise Penworthy’s The Palms which has many people up in arms. It turns out that Cassie needed a new baker because the one she hired had been murdered. It seems that Cassie had hired the same photographer and driver for Elise that Angie was using for the wedding. Mel and Angie rush off to find Elise, but they are too late. Elise has been stabbed in the back with her own pen (ouch). Cassie ends up arrested. Angie and Mel know she did not kill anyone and set out to find the guilty party. The suspect list for those who disliked Elise is quite lengthy thanks to her book. Can the cupcake ladies find the killer before the wedding march begins?
Wedding Cake Crumble is not a standalone novel. You need to read the other books in the series prior to picking up Wedding Cake Crumble. I thought the book was well-written and had a nice, steady pace. Jenn McKinlay has a writing style that draws the reader in and keeps their attention. The characters are well-developed and relatable. There is a nice mix of personalities and Angie’s brothers will have you in stitches. Marty is a unique character that has issues with his daughters and his girlfriend, Olivia Puckett. I was happy to see him stand up for himself (finally). Oz has come such a long way. From the descriptions provided, the cupcake tower he made for the wedding was beautiful (the color scheme for the wedding was aqua and pewter). My favorite character was Peanut, Elise Penworthy’s puppy (he stole the show). His hijinks will have you laughing out loud. Peanut and Captain Jack are adorable together. The mystery was not complicated (unfortunately). Identifying the guilty party was child’s play. I thought it was clever how the author managed to work in a mention of an incident from the of A Hat Shop Mystery series. There are plenty of cozy moments in Wedding Cake Crumble with the family and friends coming together for Angie and Tate’s wedding. I am looking forward to Joe and Mel’s upcoming nuptials now that they have set a date. I am giving Wedding Cake Crumble 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Jenn McKinlay has provided readers with an entertaining cozy mystery that they will delight in devouring as quickly as possible.
In this next book of the series Angie and Tate’s wedding is on the horizon and there is much excitement in the air. While running wedding related errands Angie and Mel inadvertently find the body of the wedding photographer and Tate’s good friend murdered with his own camera. Who would have killed such a great guy and why? When it comes to light that several other vendors have met a bad end Angie worries that it has something to do with her upcoming nuptials. To keep their minds off of things Angie volunteers them to cater a book signing of a local author who has in a sense written a tell all about an affluent area in town. When the author is murdered it looks like all the deaths might be related to her and not to Angie’s wedding. The owner of the bookstore and publisher of the book becomes the main suspect, it looks like she has a great deal to gain from the authors death. Mel can’t believe that Cassie was in anyway responsible for the death and let’s everyone know her feelings on the subject. Follow along as Mel investigates the people from the book, does her maid of honor duties, and runs the cupcake business. With all that’s going on will she be able to help clear her friends name. This is such a fabulous series filled with great characters, a wonderful story line, and tasty recipes at the end. I always look forward to each new book and the adventure the author takes us on.
I love those series for so many reasons! There’s the cozy mystery vibes, movie quotes, zany situations, delicious cupcake recipes, strong friendships, humor, and sweet romances-I mean, 10 books for Angie and Tate to FINALLY put a cap on their relationship required perseverance! And…I really need at least one more book for Mel and Joe to have a wedding too!! However, the main reason this series has been so much fun is due to the character driven storyline. I found myself invested time after time with these characters and I’m so happy with the way things have turned out!
You know how sometimes a favorite series has some higher points and some lower points? This was a high point. I might even go so far as to say one of the best books so far in the series.
What I liked about “Wedding Cake Crumble”:
An engaging mystery – I do not think I was bored for so much as a paragraph. This book hit the ground running with a case that was lively and entertaining. I did zero in on a suspect that actually proved correct but seeing the way Ms McKinlay wove the story was still very satisfying. I also appreciated the way it concluded which was a page turner but not exactly the typical cozy mystery method of storytelling.
The wedding – I do love me a good wedding and this one was perfect. The scenes between Angie and Mel got me right in the heart.
Joe and Mel’s relationship – They make me swoon. It’s almost too much but in the very best way.
Plot development with Joyce – I won’t spoil but I will say, at first I wasn’t sure but I believe I wholeheartedly love it.
Levity – Tennis pro Anton Argosi. That just made me laugh right out loud. And Peanut. Oh Peanut, you crazy little beast. And Joyce setting off an awkward rumor.
What I didn’t care for:
The high drama vibe – I suppose if you’re familiar with anything “Real Housewives” this probably read well for you, but it was a little lost on me since I’ve never seen so much as a single episode.
Some of the peripheral characters – Not our regulars, but seriously, those salon employees kind of creeped me out.
Once I hit the final third of this book, I truly did not want to put it down. I love the chapter-ending cliffhangers. I love the cast of characters. And while the case held my interest, it was really the progression of the series story arc that I couldn’t get enough of. I can’t wait to see what happens for our cupcake bakers next…especially after the way this one ended!
The crew at Fairy Tale Cupcakes is very happy with Angie and Tate’s wedding fast approaching. They have also been hired to provide cupcakes for a controversial author’s book signing. But people whom Angie has hired for the wedding are turning up dead then the author is killed. Mel decides to investigate so she can make sure Angie’s special day goes as planned.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. It’s well-written with well-rounded characters, some of whom you’ll like and others you may not. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept hooked throughout. There’s both intrigue and romance in this engaging story and the mystery will keep you guessing. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order for the most enjoyment and benefit.
Great series.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I can’t ever put down these books by Jenn McKinlay!
A quick great read. Everything cozy mystery fans love about the genre. My only complaint, as usual with this genre, is the ending is either too long and drawn out in a chapter long overly dramatic ending or too quickly wrapped up after a couple of sentences. But over all I enjoyed the story.
Thanks, First to Read, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
I am a big fan of the Cupcake Mystery Series. They are fast-paced and entertaining. I love cozy mysteries because I can trust them not to suddenly turn too frightening for me to finish after investing hours in the story.
I really like all the books in this series
Wedding bells are in the air for Angie and Tate. The long awaited nuptials are moving into the present without much fanfare…..or so it may seem. Mel has been assigned the task of creating the cupcake masterpieces that will be on full display at her friends’ wedding. If that isn’t stressful enough, Mel is also the maid of honor AND best man. A task that Mel is handling with ease. If her place wasn’t full enough, Mel has also agreed to provide the cupcakes for a local book signing for a famous author. So – what could go wrong?
Don’t count on things to slide by where Mel and Angie are concerned. After all – dead bodies seem to land at their feet. Fairy Tale Cupcakes is at the center of the action once again, and Mel and Angie are trying to uncover the trail before it gets cold. What more could a gal ask for when planning her nuptials? For Mel and Angie it’s just another day at Fairy Tale Cupcakes, where cupcakes are served with a side of mystery and mayhem.
Are you looking for a fun and flirty mystery that will leave you laughing at every turn? Wedding Cake Crumble is the book for you!! This novel mixes sleuthing and romance all in a nice and delicious package. The characters in this serial keep a smile on my face at the constant antics and mayhem! Jenn McKinlay always delights my reading experience with her engaging characters and quaint humor. This latest installment in the Cupcake Baking Mystery is no exception!! What’s in store for the next book? I know I will be (not so) patiently waiting for all of the deliciousness that will unfold in the next book in the series!!
I really like books that come in a series. It lets you know when you can expect well-written books. Jenn McKinley never disappoints.
love these books. I have read all of them and look forward to the next one.
I LOVE this series! If you been following this series, this is one you won’t want to miss! Tate & Angie are getting married! Things start going wrong when their photographer is found dead. Plus the bakery is providing cupcakes for an author’s book signing so Mel is busy! This truly has everything I love about cozy mysteries!
Another great mystery from the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series! As preparations gear up for Angie’s wedding, Mel finds herself in the midst of dead bodies once again. The plot is multi-layered as the mystery is unwound and the personal lives of the characters once again becomes intertwined. Excellent plot with superb characters keep you entertained and engaged with the story!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Wedding bells will soon be ringing for Angie and Tate and Fairy Tale Cupcakes is busy baking cupcakes for an author’s book signing. They just need to stay clear of any dead bodies until after the wedding. Yeah, right, this is Mel and Angie we are talking about. The book signing is for an author that has written a thinly veiled novel about a neighborhood much like her own and filled it with truth and gossip, not trying to really hide the people’s identities with very telling nicknames. Shortly after her big event, she found dead and Mel thinks it may be connected to some other murders. Can she solve the case before Angie’s trip down the aisle? Or will everything crumble down around them?
This was such a sweet read. Mel, Angie and the Fairy Tale Bakery gang are some of my favorite cozy characters. This being book ten, I truly feel like I am visiting old friends and excited to attend this long-awaited wedding. Mel, Angie, and Tate have been through so much. I was so happy to see this wedding take place. Hopefully, Dear Joe and Mel’s will follow soon.
I really enjoyed the way each character was utilized throughout the story. In addition to creating the cupcakes for the wedding, Oz was having some personal problems. Marty has personal issues on his mind too. Uncle Stan seemed preoccupied and even Mel’s mom has a secret. Each of these characters has their own little subplot. I loved it!
While the story does feature a lot about the wedding Jenn McKinlay doesn’t hold back on the murder/s mystery. The bodies start to pile up early and a clever twist turns the everyone’s thinking around, but finding the real motive takes a bit of sleuthing. The suspect pool changed and it was overflowing of suspects. Another epic twist gets to the heart of the issue and everything falls nicely into place. What a fantastic journey to a very satisfying ending.
This series debuted in 2010 and I have loved all of them. Sprinkle With Murder, the first book in the series, was one of the 1st books featured on my original Dollycas’s Thoughts blog. I hope this series continues for at least 10 more! I do recommend starting at the beginning to get maximum enjoyment of the characters and their growth, but you can jump in anywhere along the way. You can’t go wrong with a Jenn McKinlay novel.
Be sure to check out the recipes in the back of the book too.
Ten books already? In a way, it feels like I just started reading this delicious series. Yet, in another way, I feel like I have been friends with these characters for decades. There’s even a new character that I feel I’ve known my whole life. All I know is this, it’s my extreme wish that I get to spend at least ten more books enjoying the Fairy Tale Cupcakes gang!
As with all the books in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries, WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE drew me in on page one and held me captive until the very end. I didn’t close the book until I had finished the story, and the great recipes included afterwards.
With the time clicking down toward their nuptials, wedding excitement for Angie and Tate can be tasted on every page. But, as a killer mystery will do, that sweet taste is interrupted with murder. Then, author Jenn McKinlay treats us to another murder, because like a cupcake, you can’t have just one. So, wedding plans and investigations intertwine making for a hectic time for our cast of characters, but a thrilling time for readers as the story amps up on every chapter, until it’s final, surprising reveal, and its conclusion.
Oh wait! I totally forgot to mention if Angie and Tate finally take their vows. Well . . . you’ll just have to read WEDDING CAKE CRUMBLE and find out for yourself!
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. This is a great cozy mystery. This is a great addition to the Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series. Angie and Tate are about to get married, but their vendors are getting murdered, including a friend of theirs! Uncle Stan and his officers and the Cupcake Crew must solve the murders so that the wedding and honeymoon can go off without a hitch. I loved this book! I can’t wait for the next one!
It is one week until Angie and Tate’s wedding, and Mel, as maid of honor, has joined Angie in running errands to various venders to make payments. A stop at the photographer turns up a nasty surprise – his dead body in his office. Mel’s Uncle Stan, a homicide detective, quickly makes a connection to another murder, that of Angie and Tate’s limo driver. Is someone out to sabotage the wedding? Will any of them be the next target?
This book is a pure delight for fans. The wedding does take over a bit in the second half, but I didn’t mind in the slightest. We’ve been waiting a lot of books for this moment. And that’s not to say we don’t get a good mystery with some interesting twists. The new characters are good, but the series regulars shine with their own sub-plots. This book also has some great laughs.