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Baker's Rise Mysteries #8

The Jam Before the Storm: A Very English Cozy Murder Mystery

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Put your wellington boots on for this eighth book in the popular Baker’s Rise series! Village life has never been cosier – or more deadly!

As the residents of Baker’s Rise congregate up at the Houghton’s farm for the first ever Autumn Festival, it seems the forecast is not looking good – in more ways than one!

With tears and tantrums, and a few unexpected altercations to further muddy the waters, storm clouds are clearly gathering on the horizon before the event has even begun.

It’s not only the weather that’s not playing fair, however.

At least the discovery of a dead body fits the Halloween theme – after all, what’s scarier than a corpse? It does put rather a dark cloud over proceedings though.

Packed with twists and turns, colourful characters and a lovely farmyard smell (only joking!), this new mystery will certainly leave you hungry for more!

Includes a recipe for a delicious Jam Marble Cake.

Note from the Since the same quirky cast of characters feature in each instalment of the Baker's Rise Mysteries, the books are best enjoyed when read in order!

234 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2022

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About the author

R.A. Hutchins

34 books69 followers
R. A. Hutchins is a British author of both cosy murder mysteries and even cosier romance. What her books all share in common, though, is a strong sense of place and strength of community as well as an endearing cast of characters.
In Rachel's contemporary romance, you can normally find themes of hope and new beginnings, loss and mental health, though her characters are always guaranteed their happily ever after and her stories have more than a splash of heady romance!
Rachel's favourite hobbies are reading, walking along the beach with her family, visiting new places, and seeing her flowers grow in the spring and summer months. Rachel particularly enjoys going out for coffee and cake when it also involves catching up with good friends. Now living in northeast England, Rachel has fond memories of the nine years she spent in Scotland.

Rachel's website is www.authorrachelhutchins.com
From there you can see details of new releases and special offers,

She also has a page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/RAHutchinsAu...

And on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ra_hutchins...



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5 stars
89 (65%)
4 stars
31 (22%)
3 stars
15 (11%)
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
61 reviews
December 30, 2022
A delightful fun series

What a fun series. I've enjoyed this series immensely. Can't wait for the next book. If you like the Patricia Fisher series by Steve Biggs, you will enjoy this series as well. I love Reggie. What a coworker!
Profile Image for Nikki.
1,459 reviews13 followers
June 2, 2023
The 8th book in this entertaining cozy mystery series set in Bakers Rise, with a cast of characters including Reggie the Parrot.

Flora and Adam are settling into their marriage together, Adam has retired from the force and is wholeheartedly throwing himself into village life. Just as well he's retired as Flora needs him more than ever with a murder at the autumn fayre; a baby being born in the village; and a much loved villager has been taken extremely ill. Bakers Rise does what it does best, it comes together to support their own, after all, they're family!

Flora, with Adam's support, makes a huge decision to help the village, but doing so puts her at odds with a certain couple in the village.

McArthur has a new partner to help her investigate the murder, but she has Adam to lean on too.

Flora and Adam come to a decision about their future.

A thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery series, each book is easily read in a few hours. The books are full of humour even though they all have a murder in them. Each book is a standalone story, but the books are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series. I'm looking forward to the next book already.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Holland.
Author 12 books106 followers
February 3, 2023
I love this cosy mystery series with all the familiar characters. This book didn’t disappoint and I found it a little too easy to read - before I knew it I’d finished it in one evening! This book delved a little deeper into the lives of the villagers (as well as a murder!). There were some emotional moments which were very well written. Looking forward to the next instalment of Baker’s Rise!
Profile Image for Christine.
20 reviews
June 23, 2025
Oh, this one had everything!

Another one-sit read and a satisfying ending after the latest murder in the village is solved by Flora, Reggie and Adam who lends his now retired professional expertise. Baker's Rise is rocked several times but rallies around those most impacted. Favorite parts have to include every scene between Flora and Adam as newlyweds and as she steps further into her role of 'lady of the manor.' I had no inkling that parish meetings were so dramatic!
On to book nine!
1,039 reviews10 followers
June 11, 2023
Another wonderful mystery

This is yet another wonderful book in a hilarious cozy mystery series. Flora still cannot bake to save her life, but she did get a round of applause from the whole town when she revealed the murderer! Fun!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews