Murder, Money & Marzipan

Lexy Baker #3

by Leighann Dobbs

When Lexy Baker makes it to the finale of America’s most prestigious bakery contest, Bakery Battles, she thinks her biggest dream has finally come true… Until she stumbles across the dead body of judge Amanda Scott-Saunders. 
 What starts out as a bad day for Lexy becomes even worse when the police discover the judge was strangled with Lexy’s apron. Now Lexy’s sitting at the top of the suspect list with a motive, means and opportunity… but no solid alibi. 
Lexy soon finds herself in a race against time to find the real killer before she ends up disqualified from the contest, or worse, in jail. But that’s no easy task. There’s a bakery competition full of suspects who all hated the victim and have a $100,000 motive for murder. And then there’s the gorgeous, smart police detective who has mysterious ties to Lexy’s boyfriend and thinks Lexy is the killer. Luckily Lexy has a secret weapon -- her iPad-toting grandmother. As long as Lexy can lure Nans away from the slot machines, she and her gang of senior citizen amateur detectives can help Lexy sift through the clues to uncover the startling truth about the real killer. With a $100,000 grand prize at stake and the search for the killer heating up -- will Lexy clear her name in time to grab the prize… or will her dream turn into a nightmare? This is book 3 in the Lexy Baker Bakery Cozy Mystery Series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Audiobook

168 pages, Paperback

First published February 2, 2013

About the author

USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

Reviews

[Caryn - iam.caryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A baking competition and murder? Combining my two favourite forms of entertainment made for one enjoyable read!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read the first two installments of the Lexi Baker series, both previous books were cute and fun. "Murder, Money, & Marzipan" was equally as cute, fun, and light as the previous two books. You won't be screaming from the rooftops that this was your favorite book and a must read for everyone you know, but it is still a nice little read. The story is quite far fetched, predictable, and a little corny, but that's what makes it fun and light to read. I love Lexi and Nan's wild and silly sleuthing. I did miss Jack in this novel. The budding romance between Lexi and Jack is one of the many reasons I keep reading the series. One minor complaint ... the editing of this story could be a lot better. I have a hard time turning off the teacher with the red pen in me and I found many grammatical errors that I found distracting. This is a fun read. This would be great to take with you for a long weekend, to the beach, vacation, or when life gets nutty.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun story this time set in Las Vegas were Lexy is in a baking competition. Nana and her assistant Cassie are with her and when one of the judges who seems to hate Lexy is murdered, Lexy goes to the head of the list of suspects and Jack isn't here this time to know she is innocent. A great story line that though I guessed half way through the murderer the story was so well written that I couldn't put the book down. The characters are great and I love Nana and her ipad friends who know have business cards.

[Tracey Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read

I keep saying the same thing,I really enjoyed reading this book. Fast paced filled with characters you can't help but like and root for

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars.

Another fun, light hearted romp of a read!

This story takes place outside her hometown, with it being centred on the murder of one of the judges at a baking contest that Lexi has entered.

I must say this hasn't been my favourite novel of the three so far; it seemed quite rushed. However it makes for a good read to while away a couple of hours.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately for Lexy Baker, even when she's not at home, she can still manage to stumble over a dead body! In Murder, Money, and Marzipan, Lexy, Cassie, and Nans are in Las Vegas where Lexy is competing for a big check in the Bakery Battles. This is great exposure for her bakery, The Cup and Cake. Lexy is tied for first place in the competition when she finds judge, Amanda Scott-Saunders, dead in the freezer! Amanda had recently called Lexy's marzipan, "atrocious", which makes her a person of interest. To make things worse, Amanda was strangled with one of Lexy's aprons! Her detective boyfriend, Jack Perillo, is at home with her dog, Sprinkles, so for this murder Lexy has to work with a woman detective--Nik Stone and her partner Jake Ryan. Of course Nans has her i-pad ready to get help from the Ladies Detective Club from the Brooke Ridge Retirement Center! This is another fun story in the Lexy Baker cozy mystery series. This series has a fun assortment of characters. And, Lexy's "winning" personality continues to shine!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a crazy circus of a baking show Lexy got mixed up in! But the grand prize was pretty darn grand at $100,000 and a magazine spread...grand enough to kill for? Lexy was mainly interested in keeping herself off the police radar since they had her as a suspect.

I really enjoyed the third person narrative in the minds of different people. It was interesting to see what happened in the police department, for example, when a scene with Lexy and Cassie was finished. We got to actually have dialogue and thoughts from the detectives. Most of the cozies I read are first person or third without that fun added feature of digging into other characters' heads, so I always enjoy this whenever I happen to find a series written like that.

The showdown was pretty exciting and Det. Nikki Stone arrived just in time to catch herself a killer. She did actually thank Lexy and Nans (and the retirement center grannies) for their help in the case.

It's fun at the end how sometimes the next case starts right up which of course got me started wanting to binge this series, lol.

[Gidg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this one was a lot more fun than the 2nd book in the series. First off it is set in Las Vegas and then there is a baking competition to pile on to the murder mystery. So this was a nice switch up from the last two books. Plus this book was a little less obvious as to whom the killer was and why.

Well, not really. I mean the killer wasn't too obvious as there were a few red herrings that were a bit more convincing than expected. But as for the motive... yeah that was a bit on the obvious side. These Lexy Baker aren't too complicated and just some fun mystery reads; which is what I need sometimes.

Of course in this book like the last Lexy's granny and her sleuthing posse were ready to help Lexy out of a jam and assist with solving the case. They are sharp minded geriatrics that I just love. They are certainly more sharp minded than Lexy that's for sure because Lexy can really miss a lot of obvious and subtle clues.

[Patricia Kiyono · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lexy and her assistant Cassie are participating in a baking contest in Las Vegas when she finds the body of one of the judges. Detectives find the judge, who’s known for being mean and nasty, has been strangled by the ties of Lexy’s apron. Fortunately, Grandma Nan has come along to Las Vegas, so she and the Ladies’ Detective Agency are quick to narrow down the suspects. Lexy’s snooping is complicated by the detective in charge Nicky Stone, a beautiful redhead who happens to be good friends with Lexy’s boyfriend, Jack Perillo. This mystery was a little better than the previous one, although I still have trouble connecting with the main character. Ridiculous shoe fetish aside (I can’t believe she hasn’t broken an ankle yet!), she makes some really dumb decisions.

[Emmalynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seriously, can she not be in stilettos all the time? The story here was far fetched and eye rolling. Also, Lexi should know by now not to hide evidence from the police🙄🙄. The also this story makes her seem very fickle and as if she can’t control her hormones and just has this irresistible urge to be attracted to these big strapping men in every book.. even though she’s with Det. Jack. Frankly, it’s a little insulting to Lexi to write her that way, but okay 🙄.
Nan’s sleuthing is great though so that helps, and the other grannies ready to jump in and help investigate is what helps the story move along.

2.6-3 stars

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Am I turning into an old woman for liking cozy mystery novels and wanting to bake pie? My boyfriend laughed at me because of this. I just simply put on another Lexy Baker audiobook and proceeded with my arts and crafts. I really like Lexy and her grandmother is slowly making her way into my heart as well. These books are so much fun, easy to listen to and enjoy while doing chores or craft related hobbies.
I must stay that I started listening to these books because of the narrator, Hollis McCarthy. Her voice is exceptional. I love her very much and I have planned to listen to all the books she has narrated.

[Shae · Rating 2 out of 5]

The change of scenery was good and worked well, but there are still some issues that are hard to overlook. The main character is still in a relationship with her detective, but when she finds a dead body, thinks about how she'll flirt with the lead detective to make it more likely they won't suspect her (ew) until she finds out the detective is a woman. She then proceeds to flirt with the other male detective to get information in between phone calls with her boyfriend. The actual murder and investigation was good, it just would have been nice if the main character wasn't so manipulative and gross.

[M.T. Bostick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second story I've read by Leighann. Her stories are a joy to read as cozy mysteries. Compared to other's I've read, Leighann outshines them all. She can really put suspense in her stories that keep a reader turning the pages wanting to know what happens next. Most cozy mysteries don't pull me into the story and I wind up reading them as a duty to the writer to write a review. Leighann makes reading a joy.

[Gen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lexy has got to stop sticking her nose in the murder business. Once again away from home she "accidentally" found a dead body. Although she did not commit the murder herself she decided to play detective and almost got herself killed in the process. The murder was solved with her Gran gang of Lady Detectives. I'm glad that the author added those octagerian who are smart, intelligent, full of pizzazz, and not afraid to use an Ipad to do research to help solve crimes.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pudeur, Money and Marzipan by Leaghann Dobbs is the 3rd book in the Lexy Baker Mystery series. Lexy Baker is in Las Vegas competing in Bakery Battles, when she comes across the body of one of the judges in the freezer. Luckily her grandmother is on hand to help investigate. I am enjoying this series more and more and especially Lexy’s grandmother and her detective club team. Lots of fun and an interesting mystery.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lexy Baker, with the help of her assistant, Cassie, has made it to the finale of the Bakery Battles, a televised baking contest in Los Angeles. Lexy has made some wonderful marzipan fruits, a delightful wedding cake, and several other noteworthy treats, but the contest takes bad turn when one of the judges is murdered.
Lexy's grandmother, known as Nans, has come to the show with a group of friends and they all work together to solve the crime.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A baking contest!

The ladies are in Las Vegas for the Bakery Battles that Lexi has entered. It’s a three day contest, with wedding cakes on day one, pies on day two and cupcakes on day three. But true to form, Lexi discovers the body of one of the judges and the investigative is off to the races! Nan is checking out clues as fast as she can while Lexi bakes. A great cozy mystery!






Vegas for the Bakery Battles

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lexy and her assistant are in Los Vegas, vying for the title of World Class Baker and a $100,000 prize. Things do not go well when all of the sudden a judge who has been less than kind to Lexy turns up dead, strangled by the apron ties of an apron with Lexy's name on it. Of course Lexy and her Gran, who is also with them, try to solve the murder before the cookoff ends.

[Kat, lover of bears... · Rating 4 out of 5]

While competing in Bakery Battles, Lexy finds the frozen body of one of the judges in the contestant’s freezer. What’s worse is Lexy becomes suspect number 1. With iPad toting Nans with her to investigate and the Ladies' Detective Agency back home, it’s a race to solve the murder before another is committed.

Lighthearted cozy narrated by Hollis McCarthy. A fun diversion for fans of the genre.

[marcia mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one

I must be reading faster cause these books seem to be shorter ! This is another very good cozy mystery with the required good looking detective and several possible suspects. The amateur sleuths do their investigating and, of course, almost get killed too! This author has a way of making a routine cozy a lot of fun to read and enjoy!

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine entry in the series

Lexy, Cassie, and Nans can always count on the Ladies Detective Club, even as far away as Las Vegas! The murder at Lexy's cooking competition creates an interesting storyline that is well conceived and executed. The characters are likeable, and I look forward to returning to Brook Ridge Falls.

[Marianne K. Benvenuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lexy in Las Vegas

I like mysteries involving food. This does not disappoint. Lucy's grandmother and her friends are getting more involved in solving the murder, too. Does Lexy win the baking competition? Without revealing the ending, I would say that everyone got their just desserts.

[Victoria Wienke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and baking,quite the mixture!

Levy is in a baking competition with one of her fiercest competitors when she finds a judge dead. As usual, Lexy gets involved trying to solve the murder while still competing in every category of the baking competition. She always finds her man but not without some hair raising circumstances.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow baker Lexy Baker tends to get caught up in mysteries wherever she goes. This time she’s in Las Vegas taking part in a baking contest. When a judge is murdered, Lexy becomes the prime suspect. She and her grandmother, along with Nana’s fellow Lady Detectives, scramble to gather clues to the real killer! These books are cute cozies, quick reads, and fun entertainment.

[🌟Star🌟 · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I thought some of Lexy’s thoughts and actions were ridiculous I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I finished it very quickly. The writing was about average but the story was very engaging. The Lexy Baker series is a short, easy read to get into.

[Patricia Blevins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another joyful and up lifting story of how Lexy gets into trouble when she finds a judge of the baking contest she is in murdered. So Lexy is at the top of the list again.will Lexy be able to solve this murder with the help of the Grandmother and her friends before the contest ends?

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bakers Battle Challenge in Las Vegas is more than Lexy had anticipated. Wedding cakes - sabotaged, murder, blackmail, gambling, embezzlement, it all adds up to a very interesting baking challenge/murder mystery for Lexy Baker and Nans, her grandmother and Nan's Ladies Detectives Club..

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good, quick read. Lexie is away from home in a baking competition and has taken her grandmother with her. Yes, Lexie finds another body and enlists grandma and her friends to help investigate.

[Steve Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story based in Las Vegas

Lexy needs to learn to not put herself in dangerous situations. I enjoyed the story but found it a little frustrating that Lexi keeps clues from the police.

[Sandy Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nan, Lexy.and the Gang

I am really enjoying this series...murder, fun and excitement!
Yes, I would recommend to my friends.
I rated this a 4 because, though not perfect, it is a very fun read!