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Fudge Frosting Murder
WELCOME TO THE BAKING SCHOOL BAKERYWhere the food is delicious, the people are nosy, and murder is always on the menu. Delaney Dodge has it all. Her bakery is thriving. She teaches baking lessons at night. She's landed a big deal with a New York publisher for a cookbook. And the most eligible bachelor in town can't stop flirting with her.But all of this is threatened when Delaney finds a dead body early one cold January morning.The most respected businessman in town has been murdered, and the evidence points to one of Delaney's oldest and dearest friends. And with a local county attorney looking to make a name for himself with a high profile arrest, time is running out. So Sheriff Maggie Duckworth, understaffed and overextended, asks Delaney Dodge a question that will change the course of the young baker's life.Are you as good at solving crimes as you are at baking desserts?Join Delaney, Gladys, Marv, Jamal. Laura Lee, Sheriff Duckworth and the rest of Appleton Falls as we find out the answer together.Start your Baking School Mysteries adventure today by reading the first book in the series, Fudge Frosting Murder! Delicious Recipes Included at the END of the BOOK!
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 12, 2023
292 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Carson
39 books160 followersDaniel Carson lives in Nebraska with his wife and their perfect adoring children who have never ever misbehaved. Not once. Honest.
His days are a mixture of... teaching, cooking, driving, cleaning, more cooking, lots more driving, cleaning and more driving. So much driving. When the children finally go to bed, Daniel writes stories.
The Hope Walker Mysteries is a cozy mystery series with action, humor, and just a bit of romance. A Hopeless Murder is the first book in the series.
The Baking School Mysteries is a culinary cozy mystery series where the food is a delicious, the people are nosy but lovable, and murder is always on the menu. Fudge Frosting Murder is the first book in the series.
His days are a mixture of... teaching, cooking, driving, cleaning, more cooking, lots more driving, cleaning and more driving. So much driving. When the children finally go to bed, Daniel writes stories.
The Hope Walker Mysteries is a cozy mystery series with action, humor, and just a bit of romance. A Hopeless Murder is the first book in the series.
The Baking School Mysteries is a culinary cozy mystery series where the food is a delicious, the people are nosy but lovable, and murder is always on the menu. Fudge Frosting Murder is the first book in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
December 1, 2023
great new series!
I’m a Daniel Carson fan! So I’m a Hope Walker series fan. And now I’m a Baking School Mystery fan. What I like about the books are that they’re entertaining, easy reading, and leave you wanting more. I’ve read some cozy mysteries where the interactions between the characters were forced, and stories dragged. Not Daniel Carson. His characters feel genuine, the story moves naturally, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
I’m a Daniel Carson fan! So I’m a Hope Walker series fan. And now I’m a Baking School Mystery fan. What I like about the books are that they’re entertaining, easy reading, and leave you wanting more. I’ve read some cozy mysteries where the interactions between the characters were forced, and stories dragged. Not Daniel Carson. His characters feel genuine, the story moves naturally, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
July 11, 2024
If you are reading the Hope Walker Mysteries, you will remember Delaney from 'A Hopeless Journey'. She's the fabulous baker and owner of the Baking School Bakery, and both Hope and Katie fell in love with the sweet treats.
As this book opens, we meet Delaney Dodge as she gives us the short version of her life before being a celebrity. Then she gives us the longer one starting with her bakery and baking school. The opening night of the Baking School is a hoot, with her students Gladys and Marv playing a big part and we also meet the other students, Sharon, Robbie, Patricia and Donna.
You see, Delaney had planned to start this night with a boom after explaining that the store-bought frosting isn't frosting but fake frosting. To do so she placed the frosting in a stock pot, lit a firecracker put it in the pot but before she could cover it Marv jumped to action.
The resulting explosion has Delaney's assistant Laura Lee, rushing in from the bakery to take in the scene.
It's quite the mess with fake frosting everywhere, especially on Marv. This is something Delaney will never live down.
However, the lesson does continue after cleaning up the mess. Creating Frosting for fun is the assignment and with no amounts listed for the ingredients her students dove in to experiment. Everyone except for Marv, he just looked confused.
That opening leads to a new concept for Delaney's cookbook and her agent is thrilled to present it to the publishers.
Then of course we need to have the mystery part of the story. That begins with Derek Forbes' party for which Delaney provides the desserts. He's a determined pursuer of her affection but she's really not interested. He makes an announcement and a couple of folks get into arguments. One of whom ends up the victim, the other the main suspect.
That Sheriff Maggie Duckworth enlists Delaney's assistance is both intriguing and fun.
I love this introduction to the series. We meet all the main players some of whom you've met if you read the Hope Walker Mysteries. Two of my favorites are Sheriff Maggie and Jamal Turner.
There are plenty of twists and many characters to meet as well as learning all about Delaney's career from the beginning.
There are also recipes at the end!!
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
As this book opens, we meet Delaney Dodge as she gives us the short version of her life before being a celebrity. Then she gives us the longer one starting with her bakery and baking school. The opening night of the Baking School is a hoot, with her students Gladys and Marv playing a big part and we also meet the other students, Sharon, Robbie, Patricia and Donna.
You see, Delaney had planned to start this night with a boom after explaining that the store-bought frosting isn't frosting but fake frosting. To do so she placed the frosting in a stock pot, lit a firecracker put it in the pot but before she could cover it Marv jumped to action.
The resulting explosion has Delaney's assistant Laura Lee, rushing in from the bakery to take in the scene.
It's quite the mess with fake frosting everywhere, especially on Marv. This is something Delaney will never live down.
However, the lesson does continue after cleaning up the mess. Creating Frosting for fun is the assignment and with no amounts listed for the ingredients her students dove in to experiment. Everyone except for Marv, he just looked confused.
That opening leads to a new concept for Delaney's cookbook and her agent is thrilled to present it to the publishers.
Then of course we need to have the mystery part of the story. That begins with Derek Forbes' party for which Delaney provides the desserts. He's a determined pursuer of her affection but she's really not interested. He makes an announcement and a couple of folks get into arguments. One of whom ends up the victim, the other the main suspect.
That Sheriff Maggie Duckworth enlists Delaney's assistance is both intriguing and fun.
I love this introduction to the series. We meet all the main players some of whom you've met if you read the Hope Walker Mysteries. Two of my favorites are Sheriff Maggie and Jamal Turner.
There are plenty of twists and many characters to meet as well as learning all about Delaney's career from the beginning.
There are also recipes at the end!!
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 23, 2025
"Fudge Frosting Murder" is book #1 in the "Baking School Mystery" series by Daniel Carson.
This story drew me in from the start. Delaney has some unique talents. Not just when it comes to baking skills and getting the attention of her students but also for getting herself into some very strange and awkward situations! Luckily, she has some kickass friends in Jamal whom she's known since high school and her employee Laura Lee who takes sass to a whole new level. I love the relationships she has with these two. They keep it real and are loyal. The relationships and dialogue felt realistic - even when things got strange and a bit out of hand for Delaney.
I found myself laughing at some of the date experiences but also cringing or being creeped out by just how unsuitable these guys turned out to be.
Then there was Gladys and Marv! These two sure know how to push each others buttons but you know there is more to it!
The murder wasn't much of a shock - nor was the initial suspicion of a suspect - though no one who knew them thought they could have done it. Someone was clearly trying to frame them. The question was why and who?
Delaney had to get through some bizarre dates and conversations to get to the truth but getting there was a delicious ride. I figured out the truth before Delaney did but wasn't sure of the reason for a few more pages. The reveal was well done.
A few frosting recipes are included at the end of the book but they are heavy on the sugar content. A bit too sweet for my taste but I have my own family favourite that I make sometimes.
The story itself, I would give 4.5 stars. However there were a few typos that should have been caught in a more thorough proof read. There were two times where the last name of a character was changed and one where Delaney was referred to as Hope. As this series appears to be a spin off of the Hope Walker series (I've only read the first one of that one so far) I can see how that could happen but it still should have been caught. There were also a couple of sentences that clearly had a word missing or had awkward phrasing that made it a bit harder to read. Not critical errors in the grand scheme of things just really annoying and distracting.
Overall an entertaining cozy read. 4 of 5 stars.
This story drew me in from the start. Delaney has some unique talents. Not just when it comes to baking skills and getting the attention of her students but also for getting herself into some very strange and awkward situations! Luckily, she has some kickass friends in Jamal whom she's known since high school and her employee Laura Lee who takes sass to a whole new level. I love the relationships she has with these two. They keep it real and are loyal. The relationships and dialogue felt realistic - even when things got strange and a bit out of hand for Delaney.
I found myself laughing at some of the date experiences but also cringing or being creeped out by just how unsuitable these guys turned out to be.
Then there was Gladys and Marv! These two sure know how to push each others buttons but you know there is more to it!
The murder wasn't much of a shock - nor was the initial suspicion of a suspect - though no one who knew them thought they could have done it. Someone was clearly trying to frame them. The question was why and who?
Delaney had to get through some bizarre dates and conversations to get to the truth but getting there was a delicious ride. I figured out the truth before Delaney did but wasn't sure of the reason for a few more pages. The reveal was well done.
A few frosting recipes are included at the end of the book but they are heavy on the sugar content. A bit too sweet for my taste but I have my own family favourite that I make sometimes.
The story itself, I would give 4.5 stars. However there were a few typos that should have been caught in a more thorough proof read. There were two times where the last name of a character was changed and one where Delaney was referred to as Hope. As this series appears to be a spin off of the Hope Walker series (I've only read the first one of that one so far) I can see how that could happen but it still should have been caught. There were also a couple of sentences that clearly had a word missing or had awkward phrasing that made it a bit harder to read. Not critical errors in the grand scheme of things just really annoying and distracting.
Overall an entertaining cozy read. 4 of 5 stars.
February 16, 2025
After the first few paragraphs this story is told in a flashback. There was a bit of humor in there along with even more attempted humor that didn't work for me. The dates the main character, Delaney, goes on are mostly unbelievable at best and outright cringey most of the time. In addition to a couple of temporary name changes there seem to be some personality changes, too. A couple of characters that start out seemingly as comic relief later are terribly serious only to return to comical by the end. I had a hard time believing that, regardless of how small the town is, the sheriff would just turn over the case to the local baker for her to solve with almost no intervention from the police.
February 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Delaney is straight forward when talking to anyone. I love how her mother is setting her up on blind dates. One was really fun.....it was fine until the end of the evening when the guy talked about hair and wanted a sample of Delaney and her parents...the best was Mr. Rich going after her - Dillon Forbes. He was after Delaney and everyone knew he had the hots for her but she was not interested and it got worse when they had that one date. I loved her hero and best friend Jamal who came to her rescuse when Dillon threatned her. Gladys and Merv add a lot of flavor too. This book will have you laughing. You won't be able to put this down because it has a lot of action
June 13, 2025
Delaney is the owner of the Baking School Bakery, which is just what it sounds like. It sounds like this may be a spin-off of another series because she refers often to helping Honey solve a murder and the sherriff actually asks for her help when a man is murdered in town.
Since there are a lot of characters, there are a lot of suspects, including a man Delaney can't even believe it of, to the point that she saves information that she doesn't share ewith the sherriff.
There are.... a lot of characters. I stopped writing names down after 8. And there is a lot of exposition when each character is introduced.
Since there are a lot of characters, there are a lot of suspects, including a man Delaney can't even believe it of, to the point that she saves information that she doesn't share ewith the sherriff.
There are.... a lot of characters. I stopped writing names down after 8. And there is a lot of exposition when each character is introduced.
February 19, 2025
A quirky storyline with a believable ending and some nutty characters as well as some jerks. The town scion is bashed in the head and dies, the main suspect doesn't have an alibi and was known to dislike the man. Jamal and Delaney are great, although both seem to be oblivious to who the perfect partner for them is. Delaney deals with humor and ridiculous dates, even the ones who seem basically normal turn out to be weird. Loved the idea of a cookbook with recipes along with hilarious stories and bad date woes.
November 17, 2023
I am a HUGE Carson fan and waited with bated breath for each new Hope book. Unfortunately, this book does not measure up.
The main character is boring. There is no humor. No tension. Plot is terrible. The sheriff just asks the local baker to solve a murder? Huh? The opening bakery scene was great. The rest a bitter disappointment.
I will grab the next Hope book and, only because I have faith in Mr. Carson, read the next in the series in the hope it will improve.
The main character is boring. There is no humor. No tension. Plot is terrible. The sheriff just asks the local baker to solve a murder? Huh? The opening bakery scene was great. The rest a bitter disappointment.
I will grab the next Hope book and, only because I have faith in Mr. Carson, read the next in the series in the hope it will improve.
April 14, 2025
I love the Hope Walker mystery series so I was excited to see a spin-off with Delaney Dodge. I enjoyed this mystery and getting to know the students of Delaney’s baking school, getting some good baking tips along the way. The mystery was intriguing and there were plenty of suspects to make investigating along with Delaney and Sheriff Duckworth entertaining. The friendship between Delaney and Jamal is cute but it’s difficult to think of them as just friends as there are hints to more in the Hope Walker book. Hoping for more in this series.
May 29, 2024
Not Bad
But not nearly as good as the Hope Walker series. I didn’t laugh much, and I thought Delaney made some really terrible decisions. There were also a few editing issues, missing words and once an incorrect surname of the victim.
I think I’ll continue with the series but I’m just not that invested.
But not nearly as good as the Hope Walker series. I didn’t laugh much, and I thought Delaney made some really terrible decisions. There were also a few editing issues, missing words and once an incorrect surname of the victim.
I think I’ll continue with the series but I’m just not that invested.
January 12, 2025
A really great cozy mystery - kept me guessing all the way through. Great characters I want to get to know. Will definitely read more in this series and by this author. Loved the recipes at the end and can't wait to try them! Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries that keep you engaged.
December 3, 2023
An amazing and fun read
Delaney has opened her bakery but her baking school has been n her dream. In the funny read, one of her older friends/students has been accused of murder and she is determined to prove his innocence. Great read!!
Delaney has opened her bakery but her baking school has been n her dream. In the funny read, one of her older friends/students has been accused of murder and she is determined to prove his innocence. Great read!!
March 9, 2024
Fudge Frosting Wins The Day
A quirky storyline with a believable ending and an array nutty characters that you could find in most lives. With witty dialogue through out, Carson has kept up with his own charming catalogue books and characters. He doesn't get old, at least not yet.
A quirky storyline with a believable ending and an array nutty characters that you could find in most lives. With witty dialogue through out, Carson has kept up with his own charming catalogue books and characters. He doesn't get old, at least not yet.
January 11, 2025
Google small town mystery
A Baker and friends must try to solve the murder of a town scion at a party. Said scion is bashed in the head with a rock, and the person suspected of the murder hasn't got an alibi.
Down to the wire angst for all involved.
A Baker and friends must try to solve the murder of a town scion at a party. Said scion is bashed in the head with a rock, and the person suspected of the murder hasn't got an alibi.
Down to the wire angst for all involved.
February 19, 2025
a fluffy murder?
Just think a murder can be surrounded by fluffy confectionery, a best friend who is probably looking for more if the other ever asked, humor and ridiculous dates, over the top behavior on a few people’s parts but a wonderful solving of a crime.
Just think a murder can be surrounded by fluffy confectionery, a best friend who is probably looking for more if the other ever asked, humor and ridiculous dates, over the top behavior on a few people’s parts but a wonderful solving of a crime.
October 27, 2023
Fudge frosting murder
Daniel has another hit series on his hands . I also like first person talking. Well worth the read
Delaney is right up there with Hope!
Daniel has another hit series on his hands . I also like first person talking. Well worth the read
Delaney is right up there with Hope!
February 4, 2024
This was a cute start to the series ❤️
July 10, 2024
Easy breeze cozy mystery
August 12, 2024
Did I guess the murderer by 50% of the book? Yes. But this book had so many lovable characters that I flew through it. I had such a fun time reading it.
November 2, 2024
Enjoyed the story but miss the humor found in the Hope Walker series.
November 19, 2024
Fabulous debut!! I really enjoyed this mystery!! Looking forward to reading the next one!!
December 3, 2024
Another new to me author! That is always a big hit! I enjoyed this story, surprised by the twist that came with the ending.
December 11, 2024
This book was a light fun read that kept me engaged. I'm hoping to read more from the author.
January 16, 2025
Cooking murder
It didn't hold my interest. Took a while to actually get into the story. Not a cozy murder likeable read.
It didn't hold my interest. Took a while to actually get into the story. Not a cozy murder likeable read.
February 15, 2025
Fun easy read. No depth here. But enjoyable characters and setting.
July 18, 2025
Cute book. Easy read.
August 4, 2025
Didn’t resonate with me like Hope Walker series. ..
December 29, 2025
Cute new series with enjoyable characters in the town that attend a cooking class together and get pulled in to help Delaney solve a murder. All while her mom is trying to set her up and she's being flirted with by the very wealthy and very attractive hot shot in the town. Only problem is it is one of his partners that ended up dead.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews