The Great British Bump-Off #1

The Great British Bump-Off #1

by John Allison, Max Sarin (Artist), Sammy Borras (Colorist)

BREAD OF THE DEAD! An Agatha Christie-style murder mystery set in the world of English competitive baking from Giant Days? John Allison and Max Sarin. When she enters her country?s most beloved baking competition, Shauna Wickle's goal is to delight the judges, charm the nation, and make a few friends along the way. But when a fellow contestant is poisoned, it falls to her to apprehend the culprit while avoiding premature elimination from the UK Bakery Tent . . . and being the poisoner's next victim!

Genres: Mystery, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Humor, Cozy, Crime

26 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2023

About the author

John Allison is the author and artist of the British webcomics Scary Go Round and Bad Machinery.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See other authors with similar names.

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 3 out of 5]

's Alright. I get that you want to get into the story as quickly as possible, but here I feel we could've done with a little bit more ramp up.

(Is Fanny Cradock a robot? Or is the implication that she's been resurrected?)

Max Sarin is, of course, an art wizard.

[Courtney Fong · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt a little too intense for an off-brand GBBO story. But the subtle nods to the show were fun.

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been so many people I know who've wanted to write cozy mysteries set in the GBBO tent and it looks like John Allison has done a decent job. There are some mean jokes, there are some spot on ones, and there's even Fanny Cradock. But I am really enjoying that Shauna Wickle is from Bad Machinery is back and still loves modern architecture.

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, if a bit campy. And I love the use of Fanny Cradock who appears to be as big a bi*ch as the original when she imploded in the 70’s. As Terry Wogan dubbed her "the lethal combination of Margaret Thatcher and Vlad the Impaler".

[Tony]

A great tribute/parody

Fans of a certain UK baking franchise will get a kick out of the comics setting, and Allison populates the world with his normal full-of-life characters. Can't wait to read more.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and fun mix of Agatha Christie-style closed circle mystery and the Great British Baking Show. I'm not sure how much it will hit for people who do not watch GBBS since a lot of the characters and plot are directly relevant to that specific show. The pacing felt a little jumpy, but overall it's an entertaining and fun read. 3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

[Caleb Hintze · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Pays nice homeage to bake-off, but it’s a little disjointed at times and you’re jumping from scene to scene quickly.

[itchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitchen show contest homicide. Sounds delicious--er, fun.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this comical knockoff of The Great British Bakeoff but unfortunately it’s just #1 in the series and I hafta wait until May 10th for the next one —not to mention my wait in the holds line at the library! But as a fan of both comics and TGBB, this one takes the cake. It even has Paul Hollywood & Prue doppelgängers, although Prue might be a wraith. Guess we’ll have to wait until May 10th to find out.

[AfterforeverComics · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. Had that mystery feel to it. Those describing it as an Agatha Christie vibe are absolutely correct. The artwork in this book is great. There is also that sense of comedy the co-host being a cat is just perfect (I’m a huge cat person).

As for the story. It is solid so far more than I was expecting when I read the solicit. Our main character investigating the murder while having to bake her cake is great. Everything that she is trying to do gets messed up. She wants to do a certain cake in honor of someone when a judge walks over and points out the guy was a bad person so she snaps around and says, “well then it’s honoring him laying in his grave and the worms eating him”.

In closing if you want a book that will make you smile and laugh this one is for you. I would give it an 8.5. less

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.75)

When I first saw this title, I knew I had to read it. I adore GBBO, it's my ultimate comfort show. That being said, in the 26 pages of this, there was some major cringing. I was amused by the blood-glove reference from the third season , along with some other obvious satire. That being said, I do kinda want to know who did it, even if I was mildly irritated lol

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a fun take off on the Great British Bake-Off, with the cast of characters you've come to expect there, and an unknown culprit poisoning the contestants. The Perky University Student contestant turns her hand to solving the mystery. Clever and enjoyable, AND a proper variant of the classic closed-room mystery.

[Audiophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and witty - an excellent idea baked to perfection

The art style isn't normally my vibe, but the premise was so good I couldn't resist and I got used to the art pretty quick.

If you aren't familiar with GBBO you'll be missing out on a lot of references and jokes so your mileage may vary, but for me this is gold

[V. Arrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to LOVE this, so I think I went in with my expectations too high. It's fine, it's cute, and if you're neither a GBBO nor cozy mystery superfan -- and I'm both -- it'll hit the spot. As it is, the satire is a bit lazy in my opinion, on both counts.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun, wonderful art that leaps off the page and believable dialogue that makes each character's voice perfectly suited to their dynamic visages and postures. I adore the Bake-Off but adding murder to the mix is delicious genius.

[Jayda Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun little Great British Bake off spin-off! I love the art style and I love the characters. Neal seemed like an ass but I hope he recovers well!

[Jodi_ice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cawpile: 6.29 3.5*

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this is all my favorite things!!!!! John Allison! Great British baking show! Agatha Christie murder mystery!

[Elizabeth (Miss Eliza) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread before the new issues, damn I love all the GBBO and baking jokes and I wouldn’t mind a cat cohost who hates fascists.

[Courtni Soucy]

Reality tv baking show and murder mystery? Sign me up!

[Mainon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Corny and fun

[Jennifer Van Oosbree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book dives into the drama and puns at full force! Get ready for a graphic novel murder mystery with many crazy characters.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun art and a decent mash-up of murder mystery and bake-off. Didn't quite gel completely for me, but still an endearing concept.

[Alison Fong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read based on the great GBB.

[Thomas Bruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Great British Bump-Off" is tons of fun. I hope there will be future issues.

I loved the characters, color, writing, mystery, and desserts.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun read full of little inside jokes for fans of the Great British Bake-Off.

[Megan]

Series recommended by Mike

[Jody]

Terrific!