Dastardly Deceit and The Bow Wow Bakery

Doggy Bakery #1

by Belinda Page

Pet owners are thrilled with their small town's new doggy bakery until murder threatens their freshly baked treats!

After moving from New York City back to her hometown of Glenwood Falls, Sophie Harrington wants a quiet life with her sweet sable weenie dog Max.

She opens Max's Bow Wow Bakery, a shop for furry friends who visit excitedly and wag their tails while munching on delicious baked treats.

Sophie's friend, Hadley, owns the Needlework Trading Post next door, specializing in knit doggy vests and sweaters—the two team up to prepare their booths for anticipated festival profits.

Excitement suddenly stops when Sophie discovers a dead body next door to the bakery! Colton Worthington, a fierce local CEO, is dead, and it’s clear his death was not an accident.

Sophie realizes it’s up to her, Hadley, Max, and a handsome friend from the past to find out who’s responsible before the jeopardized Fall Festival is canceled for good.

*** Doggy Treat recipes included! ***

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2023

About the author

Belinda Page is the pen name of a cozy mystery writer who has a particular fondness for dachshunds! Her beloved furry companion, Max, has stolen readers' hearts everywhere with his enchanting escapades.
When she’s not spinning intriguing tales, Belinda works as a dedicated counselor in her community. In her downtime, she enjoys the therapeutic joys of meal prep and gardening—especially nurturing her prized tomato plants. Not to mention, she’s always on a quest to perfect her scrumptious spaghetti sauce, adding a pinch of love to every dish.
Keep up with Belinda's newest book release, bundle sales, and more by following her profile.

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me. Overall not a bad cozy mystery involving dogs.
Sophie the main character owns a bakery that tailors to not just humans but dogs as well. One day Sophie comes across men yelling at a construction site right next to her bakery and soon after discovers a dead body. She decides to investigate and find out who the murderer is and get her small town back to normal and fall festival back on. She takes her pup Max with her as she investigates. What happens when the police make an arrest that she doesn't agree with? Will her best friend believe her and help her out?
This was a quick read and does include 2 dog treat recipes.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated G

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Killed Colton Worthington ? . . .

Sophie Harrington has moved home to Glenwood Falls and opened Max’s Bow Wow Bakery featuring bakery treats for dogs and humans. Her best friend Hadley owns the Needlework Trading Post shop next door featuring knitted, embroidered, sewed, quilted, and crocheted items such as doggie sweaters. Even Max, Sophie’s dachshund, will get into the act if Hadley uses him as her “runway model” to show off an adorable autumn-themed sweater. The two are preparing for the annual Fall Festival where they hope to generate excitement for their products.

At lunchtime, Sophie and Max headed out to eat. There was an empty lot next door to her shop and a fierce bidding war had made the news with that property being so desirable. It looked like they were putting up an office building. She saw two men in the structure arguing. One was obviously the contractor Tripp Cattaneo, the other Colton Worthington, the travel company CEO who wanted it completed super-fast. Then a third man stormed over, identified as William Potts, yelling that Colton was building on stolen property as the contractor walked away. Max started to growl, then barked. Colton insulted Potts and walked away from him.

Sophie just finished lunch when Deputy Rey Beltran, a high school friend, knocked on the door. Max liked him immediately, rolling on his back for a scratch. Rey asked her if she had found any tools around since Tripp said things were going missing. That reminded her of the arguing that morning and she told him about it. Days later, Max scratched at the door to go out, but he barked and headed to the empty lot. Sophie found Colton dead on the ground! Sheriff Briggs arrested William Potts based on an anonymous tip, but Sophie had a strong feeling they grabbed the wrong man. If he had been guilty, why leave the evidence sitting out in the back yard in a bag? Will she join with Hadley and Ray… and of course, Max… to find the real killer? They need to make sure an innocent person isn’t blamed as well as keeping the Fall Festival the town depends on from being canceled.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dastardly Deceit and the Bow Wow Bakery is the first book in the Doggy Bakery Cozy Mystery series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author so I was a little unsure going in. I’m so happy I gave it a try because I really liked everything about the book. The main character, Sophie, is very likeable. She owns the recently opened doggy bakery. Her BFF (Hadley) owns a nearby crochet/knitting type shop; they’re able to get together and help each other. The mystery was well thought out and I enjoyed trying to figure it out. Sophie has a cute weenie dog (Max) who is with her most of the time. There is a little romance and the small-town setting (in New Hampshire) is described wonderfully. The book was the perfect length for me, not terribly long but it didn’t feel rushed at all (moves at a very good pace). I loved that the bakery makes both human goodies and doggie treats; it made it fun meeting the locals who came in with their dogs (and one cat on a leash). I look forward to the next in the series!

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie moved back to Glenwood Falls and opened a bakery with treats for both people and dogs. Hadley, her best friend, owned a craft store specializing in knitting and crocheting. Both are working furiously to prepare for the annual Fall Festival. Excitement is filling the air until Sophie discovers a dead body in the construction site next to her bakery. Who could have done this? With the townspeople frightened, will there still be a Fall Festival? The local police are trying to find the killer but they don’t seem to be making much progress. Sophie and Hadley have to jump into investigating so their town can feel safe again. Charming small town full of wonderful townfolks! Enough suspects to keep you guessing! Add plenty adorable pets and a budding romance and you’ve got the recipe for a wonderful sweet read!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has written a good mystery in this book. The suspects keep changing as the story develops.
Sophie has moved back to Glenwood Falls, N.H. Baking is what she excels at so she opened the Bow Woe Bakery. One half has people food, while the other half was bakery for organic treats for dogs. She has rescued a little dachshund named Max. He was her sales "clerk!". Hadley,het best friend, ran the Needlework Trading Post next door. A very unpopular developer is found dead by Max and Sophie. Hadley and a Sophie felt the need to help the investigation so the Fall Festival isn't cancelled.
There are recipes for healthy fog snacks in the back of the book for those who have dogs.

[Alice Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s time for Glenwood Falls annual Friendsgiving, a special event to allow friends to share a low-stress meal with each other before Thanksgiving. Hadley, Sophia and her rather new boyfriend Rey wind up sharing a table with an older woman named Rosemary. Surprised, Rosemary receives a small blueberry pie from a secret admirer with a lovely thank you note. But when Sophie finds Rosemary dead later that day, Erin, a single mom, winds up the main suspect, as she delivered the apparently poisoned pie. Sophia, owner of Max’s Bow Wow Bakery, decides to investigate to save Erin and prevent future Friendsgivings from being cancelled. A fun read and great cozy mystery, which I received a free ARC copy of. I write this review voluntarily.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 4 Star Mystery
Pet owners are thrilled with their small town's new doggy bakery until murder threatens their freshly baked treats! After moving from New York City back to her hometown of Glenwood Falls, Sophie Harrington wants a quiet life with her sweet sable weenie dog Max. She opens Max's Bow Wow Bakery, a shop for furry friends who visit excitedly and wag their tails while munching on delicious baked treats.
This is a good mystery. The culprit was an attorney who thought the world owed him everything. I borrowed/received this book from the author and Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Kandi A. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this and story

This story caught me right from page 1. I liked the setting, including the location and the bakery. Of course the dog was integral to the story, and he was a dog, not a talking dog but an actual lovable dog that was front and center in the story. There is a little romance, a cozy murder, the solving of the murder by the main character vs. the police. The story progressed at a nice pace vs. a lot of repeating or redundancy of the events which I find some authors use and I get bored with. While I guessed the culprit, there was an exciting reveal of that person. So, this author and series is definitely one that I am going to continue reading.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dastardly Deceit and the Bow Wow Bakery is the first installment of A Doggy Bakery Cozy Mystery series written by Belinda Page. This book is the perfect combination for a Good wholesome Cosy Mystery series. There are some quirky characters, amateur sleuths, with a pet sidekick. There are great, detailed characters, good clues to follow and it makes more for a light fun read. There are enough suspects to keep you guessing!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie with Max, her dog, runs a cafe for both people & dogs. The dogs get a separate area to eat & play in! There has been a big fuss about the block next door to her shop & construction has started. She met the owner who wasn’t at all a nice person. One morning, getting to he4 shop early she notices something odd & discovers a dead man. The owner & he’d been murdered. This makes the people very nervous & not many people venture near her shop for quite a while. Someone is eventually arrested, but, Sophie feels it’s a bit “off” & continues to investigate. Eventually the true culprit is found.

[Jacquelyn Schingeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this read and it was only made better by Max being a constant character. The murder/mystery was the focal point of the book but it was offset by the development of the characters and their lives and full time occupations. Max was a definite part of the entire story but I was pleased that he was presented as a cute companion who did doggie things. I especially liked the mention of his sunbathing one day since my dog loves to go out on the deck to sunbathe when the weather is appropriate.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story about Sophie and her dog Max. Sophie owns a bakery that makes human and dog treats and is right next door to a construction lot where there is a murder. Of course Sophie drags her friend Hadley into the investigation aka snooping into the murder. Sophie also manages to get her old boyfriend Rey, who is now a police officer, involved. Lots of crazy things happening trying to get ready for the fall festival and snooping but they manage to make everything great in the end.

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and her dog Max stumble upon a body while rushing to Max's Bow Wow Bakery. Despite the victim not being a resident of Glenwood Falls, Sophie takes the investigation seriously and clashes with Deputy Rey, who just wants to protect Sophie. This story is sweet and full of a budding romance, ending in a closed case. Very highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baker Sophie and her best friend Hadley are worried when a murder takes place next to Sophies' bakery. Her dog Max had discovered the body of Colton, the property owner laying on the ground by the new building. While there are many suspects, one of whom is arrested and put in jail, Sophie and Hadley wonder if he really committed the crime. Many twists to this mystery. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish we had a Bow Wow Bakery in our village!

This is a great book with great characters that you can't help but like. There's a murder in town and Sophie, the baker and Hadley, owner of a craft shop and knitter extraordinaire, decide the local police department needs help to solve it and bring peace and tranquility back to their town. Twists, turns and surprises abound before the murder is solved. You will enjoy the ending. This is my voluntary and honest review of this book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie & her dachsund Max are preparing people & doggy treats for the fall festival when a murder occurs next door. When the festival is threatened, Sophie, Max & their friend Hadley get involved in investigating unofficially. Really enjoyed the relationships between the friends & the townspeople. Didn't guess the culprit. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I’ve had the book practically since it came out and finally got a chance to read it and was glad I did! I just love little Max and it was so sweet when Rey adopted a dog too. I just have a feeling these dogs are gonna bring their owners even closer together.

It wasn’t a surprise as to whodunit and the showdown was short but tense enough. Max definitely had a paw in helping too. Can’t wait to read the next book now!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this book up for free on stuff your Kindle day, mostly because of the cute dachshund on the front.
Dachshunds are my favorite and you can generally count on me to purchase anything if there's a dachshund on it.
This was a quick read, nothing special to write home about, lady owns bakery- lady solves murder with help from her dog- dog saves the day.
I don't know if I would even recommend this book to anyone, even with the dachshund in it.

All the stars for the dog: 3/5 stars

[Dianne Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining cozy.

A fun and entertaining cozy with Sophie and her beloved dog, Max, investigating a murder despite warnings not to do so. I enjoyed the characters and the plot. Lots of action and twists made this an enjoyable book.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am providing my honest opinion.

[Linda Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie Harrington moves back to town with her dog Max,
& opens a dog-friendly bakery. He really is her partner & a very clever little dog. Sophie (& I) worked out who was the murderer. But it’s Max who raises the alarm & saves Sophie
This is a cute cozy mystery with interesting characters.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary honest review.

[Don Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries and it never lets me down. This book is called Dastardly Deceit and Bow Wow Bakery by Belinda Page. There is twist and turns and a great story line. This book had me from the start to finish. I highly recommend this book. I gave it a 5 star rating and high recommended getting this book. Way to go Belinda can’t wait to see what you write next.

Edith L

[Tom Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the characters and the easy to read way this story is written. The mystery deepens as the killing intensifies and worst of all, will the Trail event be cancelled?
I think you will enjoy this cozy so I recommend adding to your list.
I received this arc for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good cozy mystery that held my interest from cover to cover and read it in one sitting. The characters are well thought out and the plot is very interesting and has puppies what more do you need?! I'm hoping there's a follow-up...please?

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen Armes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and her dog Max have opened a doggie and human bakery. The Fall Festival will bring in alot of business for all the downtown businesses. But will it be canceled because of the murder right next to her bakery. Sophie, Max and Hadley have to solve this mystery before the festival is canceled for safety reasons.

[Mom2three · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I'm in the mood for a quick weekend read, and this fit the bill perfectly. Since it's the first book in the series, there's a nice amount of time spent describing the setting and introducing the characters which made it easy to slip into the story. The mystery is clean and well written, and I didn't figure it out until the end.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dastardly Deceit and the Bow Wow Bakery Cozy Mystery Book 1

Sophia returns to Glenwoods Falls to open her dog bakery and their buns owners bakeshop. She and her friend Hadley get caught up with a neighbor's death and a long with Max Sophia's dachshund help find her neighbor's murder.

[Min · Rating 2 out of 5]

The two stars are mostly because I hit the wall on my cozy mysteries binge and this book just happened to be the one I was on when it happened. I set it down for a few weeks and had a hard time getting back into it. It seems like a good cozy, though. But as I skimmed more than half of it I can’t really give it a decent review.

[Lady Galaxy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good start to a series. There were a few growing pains, inconsistencies, and plot threads left dangling, but they were small and easy to overlook. I liked the characters and the setting. Of course, the best part of the book was the dogs! My biggest disappointment was there was no recipe for the gluten free pound cake. It sounded delicious. Maybe next time!

[Emma McCabe · Rating 5 out of 5]

While out of a walk Max finds a dead body, Sophie is one case!!! A local marathon runner is found, by Max, on an early morning face down in the water while training for an up coming marathon. Not longer after, another runner is hit with a baseball bat, and then a third. Seems like someone is trying to take out the competition. A surprising ending to this great mystery.