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Baker Street Mystery #2
Murder is a Piece of Cake
With small town New Bison’s Spring Festival just around the corner, the pressure is on Maddy to continue her late great-aunt Octavia’s legacy. That means scoring the top prize and transforming Baby Cakes into Southwest Michigan’s must-visit bakery, even though her inexperience in the kitchen brings nightmares of humiliating tagged photos and scathing reviews.
There’s another reason for lost beauty sleep. A second bakery is opening in town under the ownership of CJ Davenport, a shrewd investor with a reputation for sabotaging anyone who gets in his way. And savvy, flashy Maddy tops his list. It’s a sticky spot to be in—more so when Davenport turns up dead with a Baby Cakes’s knife stuck in his back.
Maddy’s whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time . . .
There’s another reason for lost beauty sleep. A second bakery is opening in town under the ownership of CJ Davenport, a shrewd investor with a reputation for sabotaging anyone who gets in his way. And savvy, flashy Maddy tops his list. It’s a sticky spot to be in—more so when Davenport turns up dead with a Baby Cakes’s knife stuck in his back.
Maddy’s whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time . . .
Audio CD
First published June 27, 2023
436 people are currently reading
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About the author
Valerie Burns
7 books548 followersValerie also writes as V.M. Burns
Valerie (V.M.) Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in
Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs,
British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the
Midwest she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Northern Georgia with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Vermeer Conspiracy" was an Anthony and Edgar Award finalist in 2022. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com.
Valerie (V.M.) Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in
Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs,
British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the
Midwest she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Northern Georgia with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Vermeer Conspiracy" was an Anthony and Edgar Award finalist in 2022. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews
March 13, 2023
A deliciously entertaining culinary/bakery cozy mystery that has endearing main characters, an amazing pet, humor, and a captivating murder mystery. Small town charm, great twists and turns, and a strong protagonist all held my attention from start to finish. One feature I really love is that nobody, and I mean nobody—puts Baby in the corner! I highly recommend this story to cozy mystery readers.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2023
This was an okay read for me. As entertaining as all the murders and mysteries were, it just didn’t hit for me like book one did. I think this was an unnecessary follow up to book which would’ve probably been better had it had a new MC like April. This still being in Maddy’s pov felt like a very long extension of book one.
Granted, i still love and adore these characters, the humor and the writing style.
Granted, i still love and adore these characters, the humor and the writing style.
March 3, 2023
Maddie relocated from LA to a small town in Michigan when her great Aunt Octavia left her a bakery and a 250 pound mastiff named Baby. Her friend's obnoxious ex comes to town, and threatens to open a rival bakery with a Belgian pastry chef. Then he's murdered, and of course Maddie is a suspect. She wants to investigate some suspicious events and people, and she's assisted by her friends in town, her employees, and her veterinarian boyfriend, Michael. Likable characters, the small-town ambiance, recipes, and of course, Baby, make this series one that I will look forward to following. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.
January 11, 2023
Murder is a Piece of Cake is even better then the first book, which amazed me.
Maddy is such a great character, there's something about her character that just makes me smile.
Maddy can't believe she's found herself in the middle of another murder investigation and this time one of her employees is the suspect.
This is quickly becoming my favorite series and I can't wait to read more!
Baby is a great dog, I love how the author brings his personality alive in these books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#MurderisaPieceofCake #NetGalley.
Maddy is such a great character, there's something about her character that just makes me smile.
Maddy can't believe she's found herself in the middle of another murder investigation and this time one of her employees is the suspect.
This is quickly becoming my favorite series and I can't wait to read more!
Baby is a great dog, I love how the author brings his personality alive in these books.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#MurderisaPieceofCake #NetGalley.
December 6, 2023
It's OK easy read skimmed it really.
July 21, 2023
This is such a fun series! I love the characters, particularly Maddie and her dog, Baby. The mystery was intriguing, well-paced, and kept me guessing the whole time. I enjoyed getting to know more about April’s and Leroy’s pasts and the added dimension of Maddie’s relationship with Michael. The hashtags still aren’t my favorite but I just skip over them. Looking forward to the next.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
March 25, 2024
Three months after the events of the first book Maddy is faced with another murder done by one of her bakery knives. The blurb tells you more, of course, but Maddy and her friends are endearing as is her dog (that said, I personally could do with less focus on various licking and drooling details--I personally would never live with a dog that drools like a mastiff!) I plan to read the third book after it comes out.
July 4, 2023
Oh baby! Murder is A Piece of Cake is just the coziest of cozies with lots of heart, humor, excitement, murder and oh, deliciousness!
In book two of this adorable series, we find social media influencer, Maddy, now the owner of a bakery called Baby Cakes named after her late Aunt Octavia’s very large Mastiff named Baby. They both are still recuperating from their first adventure and the bakery is closed due to renovations. What could possibly go wrong? The will stipulates Maddy must keep the bakery afloat for a certain amount of time in order to receive her inheritance, so that’s what she must do. But with a closed store, no money is coming in.
As she and the “real” baker, Leroy begin to figure out what to bake for the upcoming New Bison Spring Festival, two things suddenly go wrong. First, there is something wrong with Baby and no one can figure out what. She’s not sick, it sees she’s depressed. And oh, there is a murder!
When multi-millionaire and not the nicest guy in the world CJ Davenport comes into town, he does more than just seek revenge on Maddy’s best friend, but not only does he open up a bakery directly across from Baby Cakes, but they discover he owns deeds to a couple of other stores. And he’s after Baby Cakes. So, with most of the town not happy with him, he ends up dead. In Maddy’s bakery with a knife in his back…Karma, I guess.
So as Maddy and her new friends who like to solve mysteries and are known as the Baker Street Irregulars try to find out who the killer is and with the police not very happy with Maddy and even suspecting her, they must figure this out quickly who the murderer really is because the bakery needs to open.
No one believes the killer is Maddy, but when one of their own confesses to the murder they are all thrown into chaos. They know the person is not guilty, so why would they take the fall?
In the meantime, they discover Baby is in love. Not with Maddy, but ANOTHER mastiff named Daisy. How on earth does Maddy deal with this? She wants to keep Baby happy…but. Her own love life is going pretty well in New Bison as she has been seeing the veterinarian, Michael.
What they soon discover is that this murder is somehow related to all the trouble they had just a few months ago. Will it never end? Well, I hope not! In this plot we begin to learn much more about the backstories of some of the characters we as readers have all fallen in love with all the juicy soap opera details of life in a small town.
Maddy and Baby’s adventures are comically enjoyable and continue to entertain with solid mysteries, yummy recipes included at the end of the books all of which continue to be completely satisfying. #loveforBaby #waitingforthenextinstallment.
Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns #MurderisAPieceofCake for the advanced copy.
In book two of this adorable series, we find social media influencer, Maddy, now the owner of a bakery called Baby Cakes named after her late Aunt Octavia’s very large Mastiff named Baby. They both are still recuperating from their first adventure and the bakery is closed due to renovations. What could possibly go wrong? The will stipulates Maddy must keep the bakery afloat for a certain amount of time in order to receive her inheritance, so that’s what she must do. But with a closed store, no money is coming in.
As she and the “real” baker, Leroy begin to figure out what to bake for the upcoming New Bison Spring Festival, two things suddenly go wrong. First, there is something wrong with Baby and no one can figure out what. She’s not sick, it sees she’s depressed. And oh, there is a murder!
When multi-millionaire and not the nicest guy in the world CJ Davenport comes into town, he does more than just seek revenge on Maddy’s best friend, but not only does he open up a bakery directly across from Baby Cakes, but they discover he owns deeds to a couple of other stores. And he’s after Baby Cakes. So, with most of the town not happy with him, he ends up dead. In Maddy’s bakery with a knife in his back…Karma, I guess.
So as Maddy and her new friends who like to solve mysteries and are known as the Baker Street Irregulars try to find out who the killer is and with the police not very happy with Maddy and even suspecting her, they must figure this out quickly who the murderer really is because the bakery needs to open.
No one believes the killer is Maddy, but when one of their own confesses to the murder they are all thrown into chaos. They know the person is not guilty, so why would they take the fall?
In the meantime, they discover Baby is in love. Not with Maddy, but ANOTHER mastiff named Daisy. How on earth does Maddy deal with this? She wants to keep Baby happy…but. Her own love life is going pretty well in New Bison as she has been seeing the veterinarian, Michael.
What they soon discover is that this murder is somehow related to all the trouble they had just a few months ago. Will it never end? Well, I hope not! In this plot we begin to learn much more about the backstories of some of the characters we as readers have all fallen in love with all the juicy soap opera details of life in a small town.
Maddy and Baby’s adventures are comically enjoyable and continue to entertain with solid mysteries, yummy recipes included at the end of the books all of which continue to be completely satisfying. #loveforBaby #waitingforthenextinstallment.
Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #ValerieBurns #MurderisAPieceofCake for the advanced copy.
July 25, 2023
(The fact that I basically copy/pasted my review from book 1 should tell you all you need to know...)
This had all the ingredients to be so good, but the execution was unsatisfying. 😔
The ending was wrapped up with a bad guy monolog/confession. BORING! She didn't "solve" the mystery. That would include her doing the monolog to explain everything she found and how it all fit together. Not asking the murder "how/why'd ya do it" and him rambling on like an idiot.
Then for him to get shot AFTER being hit over the head with a frying pan? No one questioned that??? No one questioned the lawyer being the mole?
Her "I ramble when I'm nervous" thing just isn't cute. Just convenient for dragging her into more trouble than she should be.
This had all the ingredients to be so good, but the execution was unsatisfying. 😔
The ending was wrapped up with a bad guy monolog/confession. BORING! She didn't "solve" the mystery. That would include her doing the monolog to explain everything she found and how it all fit together. Not asking the murder "how/why'd ya do it" and him rambling on like an idiot.
Then for him to get shot AFTER being hit over the head with a frying pan? No one questioned that??? No one questioned the lawyer being the mole?
Her "I ramble when I'm nervous" thing just isn't cute. Just convenient for dragging her into more trouble than she should be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2025
2024 Reread:
This was delightful and I'm glad I reread this before book 3.
Original 2023 Review:
This was delightful! I'm looking forward to a visit from her Dad next book!
This was delightful and I'm glad I reread this before book 3.
Original 2023 Review:
This was delightful! I'm looking forward to a visit from her Dad next book!
July 9, 2025
Loved revisiting the towns and its members again! Taking off a star as this one ended a bit too abruptly and left a lot of loose ends.
July 29, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Maddy Montgomery is working hard to continue her late great-aunt Octavia’s legacy and that means getting the Baby Cakes bakery reopened and participating in the baking competition at the New Bison’s Spring Festival and winning a top prize. Thankfully she has a wonderful team helping her because her own baking skills still need work. When she learns another bakery is opening across the street and it is owned by CJ Davenport, a man who just happens to have a huge connection to Sheriff April Johnson she is apoplectic and she isn't the only one. But when the man is found dead with one of Maddy's knives in his back her ire is replaced by fear that she could go to jail for a murder she didn't commit. Pushing her fear to the side she works with her wonderful boyfriend and the Baker Street Irregulars to catch the killer before #newbisonbakerdead is trending all over social media.
______
All our favorite characters are back from Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. Maddy is finding her place in New Bison and slowly learning to bake her great aunt's delicious baked goods but Leroy Danielson and Miss Hannah are still doing the majority of the baking. I love the way the relationship between Hannah's grandson, the local vet Micheal Portman and Maddy is evolving. He is a great guy with a huge heart. Leroy has been crushing hard on Sheriff April Johnson so CJ Davenport's arrival in town adds an interesting twist. All the characters continue to develop nicely as we get to know them even better in this story when backstories emerge.
Baby, the two-hundred-fifty-pound English mastiff Maddy inherited from Octavia again found his way into my heart. In this story, he is feeling out of sorts and not acting like himself. His vet Michael runs a bunch of tests. It was a heartwarming moment when he and Maddy figured out what was wrong as was the solution to the problem. Ms. Burns always catches the dogs in her story's personalities so well and she did it again here. I loved it. He also protects his new person, Maddy. I wouldn't take any malicious actions against her when he is near. He went to great lengths to come to her rescue in this story.
The mystery had good old-boy Trooper Bob on the case because April had to recuse herself. That didn't mean she wasn't investigating though. As was Maddy who got some help from an interesting person. There were a nice number of suspects other than Maddy but Trooper Bob sure didn't appreciate her help. I really enjoyed following along with the clues. The case was more complicated than I first thought and had tentacles that were far-reaching. While the current mysteries are solved I have a feeling there are still things to uncover in New Bison.
Murder is a Piece of Cake is a terrific follow-up to Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. A multi-layered mystery, with captivating characters set in the unique small town of New Bison, Michigan. A great big dose of humor and just the right amount of romance add to this very entertaining read. With Baby's Cakes now open I can't wait to see what Valerie Burns has in store for her characters next. #5starread #5recipes #perfectescape #letemeatcake #cozymystery #babycakes #englishmastiff #somuchfun
Maddy Montgomery is working hard to continue her late great-aunt Octavia’s legacy and that means getting the Baby Cakes bakery reopened and participating in the baking competition at the New Bison’s Spring Festival and winning a top prize. Thankfully she has a wonderful team helping her because her own baking skills still need work. When she learns another bakery is opening across the street and it is owned by CJ Davenport, a man who just happens to have a huge connection to Sheriff April Johnson she is apoplectic and she isn't the only one. But when the man is found dead with one of Maddy's knives in his back her ire is replaced by fear that she could go to jail for a murder she didn't commit. Pushing her fear to the side she works with her wonderful boyfriend and the Baker Street Irregulars to catch the killer before #newbisonbakerdead is trending all over social media.
______
All our favorite characters are back from Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. Maddy is finding her place in New Bison and slowly learning to bake her great aunt's delicious baked goods but Leroy Danielson and Miss Hannah are still doing the majority of the baking. I love the way the relationship between Hannah's grandson, the local vet Micheal Portman and Maddy is evolving. He is a great guy with a huge heart. Leroy has been crushing hard on Sheriff April Johnson so CJ Davenport's arrival in town adds an interesting twist. All the characters continue to develop nicely as we get to know them even better in this story when backstories emerge.
Baby, the two-hundred-fifty-pound English mastiff Maddy inherited from Octavia again found his way into my heart. In this story, he is feeling out of sorts and not acting like himself. His vet Michael runs a bunch of tests. It was a heartwarming moment when he and Maddy figured out what was wrong as was the solution to the problem. Ms. Burns always catches the dogs in her story's personalities so well and she did it again here. I loved it. He also protects his new person, Maddy. I wouldn't take any malicious actions against her when he is near. He went to great lengths to come to her rescue in this story.
The mystery had good old-boy Trooper Bob on the case because April had to recuse herself. That didn't mean she wasn't investigating though. As was Maddy who got some help from an interesting person. There were a nice number of suspects other than Maddy but Trooper Bob sure didn't appreciate her help. I really enjoyed following along with the clues. The case was more complicated than I first thought and had tentacles that were far-reaching. While the current mysteries are solved I have a feeling there are still things to uncover in New Bison.
Murder is a Piece of Cake is a terrific follow-up to Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder. A multi-layered mystery, with captivating characters set in the unique small town of New Bison, Michigan. A great big dose of humor and just the right amount of romance add to this very entertaining read. With Baby's Cakes now open I can't wait to see what Valerie Burns has in store for her characters next. #5starread #5recipes #perfectescape #letemeatcake #cozymystery #babycakes #englishmastiff #somuchfun
July 3, 2023
Book 2 after 2 Parts Sugar, 1 Part Murder
Really enjoyed this second book in the series! We are back in the small town of New Bison and the Spring Baking Festival is almost here! Maddy is hoping to get the top prize in the contest to put Baby Cakes Bakery on the map as a must-visit bakery. When a second bakery comes into town from CJ Davenport, an investor who is determined to sabotage Maddy in any way he can, she is worried about the competition to no end. All of a sudden, CJ ends up dead and they're looking for the killer.
I enjoyed being back in this small town with our great cast of characters and Maddy continues to grow as a baker in her Aunt Octavia's old bakery. This mystery was a bit more complete and I didn't figure it out! The only thing I am not fond of in this one is the overuse of the hashtags in this story - sometimes it just takes you out of the story. Loved having Baby the Mastiff dog back in the story and the overall cozy vibes of the town, characters and mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for a NetGalley ARC copy to honestly read and review.
Really enjoyed this second book in the series! We are back in the small town of New Bison and the Spring Baking Festival is almost here! Maddy is hoping to get the top prize in the contest to put Baby Cakes Bakery on the map as a must-visit bakery. When a second bakery comes into town from CJ Davenport, an investor who is determined to sabotage Maddy in any way he can, she is worried about the competition to no end. All of a sudden, CJ ends up dead and they're looking for the killer.
I enjoyed being back in this small town with our great cast of characters and Maddy continues to grow as a baker in her Aunt Octavia's old bakery. This mystery was a bit more complete and I didn't figure it out! The only thing I am not fond of in this one is the overuse of the hashtags in this story - sometimes it just takes you out of the story. Loved having Baby the Mastiff dog back in the story and the overall cozy vibes of the town, characters and mystery.
Thank you to the publisher for a NetGalley ARC copy to honestly read and review.
July 2, 2023
When last we left Maddy, Baby, and the folks of New Bison, Michigan, I said that although one murder was solved, two deaths remained mysterious and I wasn’t sure who to trust in the town or even in Maddy’s inner circle. Well after reading Murder is a Piece of Cake, I’m no longer unsure of who to trust (many characters confirmed my initial good opinion of them) but I’m definitely unsure about who NOT to trust. Some people I thought were safe in book one definitely seem to be hiding some things in book two… and I’m pretty sure at least one of those people is a murderer. I love this story arc that connects the whole series, and I can’t wait to see how it all plays out in future books!
Maddy is once again an absolutely lovable character, as is her 250-pound English Mastiff – Baby. They’re actually a lot alike, though I wouldn’t necessarily tell this to either of them lol. Both characters have big hearts and lots of love to give. They will fiercely protect the ones they love, and they both have instincts that people need to pay more attention to. And… they both appreciate good food that other people fix haha. (Though, kudos to Maddy, who is getting her bake on more in this book.) We also get to know April and Leroy’s backstories more in Murder is a Piece of Cake, and of course I still adore Maddy’s swoony new veterinarian boyfriend Michael and his grandmother Hannah who is a sassy spitfire, despite battling dementia.
There’s a lot of mystery swirling around New Bison in this book, and I have a strong feeling that even more layers will come to light in book three. The initial victim is decidedly unlikable, but the suspects are a who’s-who list of my fave characters. Needless to say, Maddy is personally invested in this case, and so was I. It’s a lot more complex than it first appears to be, and I enjoyed piecing clues together as more elements were revealed. The small town/bakery/influencer vibes complement the mystery-solving aspects of the story, and I really admire how the author develops the characters in step with the sleuthing. Also, if I’m ever in danger, I want a dog like Baby in my corner. #doggoals
Bottom Line: Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns is fun and entertaining, with mouthwatering food and heart-racing mystery. Bodies and suspects pile up along with a hearty dose of small town scandal and Trooper Bob grumpiness as Maddy & her Baker Street Irregulars tackle another investigation in New Bison. Wonderful characters, lots of intriguing layers, and some swoony (but not overdone) romance mean you’re in for a delightful read from cover to cover.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Maddy is once again an absolutely lovable character, as is her 250-pound English Mastiff – Baby. They’re actually a lot alike, though I wouldn’t necessarily tell this to either of them lol. Both characters have big hearts and lots of love to give. They will fiercely protect the ones they love, and they both have instincts that people need to pay more attention to. And… they both appreciate good food that other people fix haha. (Though, kudos to Maddy, who is getting her bake on more in this book.) We also get to know April and Leroy’s backstories more in Murder is a Piece of Cake, and of course I still adore Maddy’s swoony new veterinarian boyfriend Michael and his grandmother Hannah who is a sassy spitfire, despite battling dementia.
There’s a lot of mystery swirling around New Bison in this book, and I have a strong feeling that even more layers will come to light in book three. The initial victim is decidedly unlikable, but the suspects are a who’s-who list of my fave characters. Needless to say, Maddy is personally invested in this case, and so was I. It’s a lot more complex than it first appears to be, and I enjoyed piecing clues together as more elements were revealed. The small town/bakery/influencer vibes complement the mystery-solving aspects of the story, and I really admire how the author develops the characters in step with the sleuthing. Also, if I’m ever in danger, I want a dog like Baby in my corner. #doggoals
Bottom Line: Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns is fun and entertaining, with mouthwatering food and heart-racing mystery. Bodies and suspects pile up along with a hearty dose of small town scandal and Trooper Bob grumpiness as Maddy & her Baker Street Irregulars tackle another investigation in New Bison. Wonderful characters, lots of intriguing layers, and some swoony (but not overdone) romance mean you’re in for a delightful read from cover to cover.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 24, 2023
Oh for cryin’ out loud. Why did I do this to myself?
Maddy is a “marketing genius” who just posts a couple of pictures with some weird hashtags. She’s a “brilliant” armchair detective who immediately forgets every important clue. I’m not exaggerating. She’ll say “oh wow this is important and provides MOTIVE” and then two pages later someone will ask “but what would be the motive?” And Maddy thinks “hmm, I feel like I’m supposed to remember something but I’m not sure what it is. Oh well, #lovemyenglishmastiff.”
The characters are flat and the story hinges on Maddy forgetting every single important detail. (That’s not a spoiler alert! It literally just wouldn’t exist if she remembered the clues she works so hard to uncover.) The ending on this one is just as sudden as the first, and I anticipate the third will be the same.
I feel like all three books could have been combined into one if Maddy would just remember things.
Maddy is a “marketing genius” who just posts a couple of pictures with some weird hashtags. She’s a “brilliant” armchair detective who immediately forgets every important clue. I’m not exaggerating. She’ll say “oh wow this is important and provides MOTIVE” and then two pages later someone will ask “but what would be the motive?” And Maddy thinks “hmm, I feel like I’m supposed to remember something but I’m not sure what it is. Oh well, #lovemyenglishmastiff.”
The characters are flat and the story hinges on Maddy forgetting every single important detail. (That’s not a spoiler alert! It literally just wouldn’t exist if she remembered the clues she works so hard to uncover.) The ending on this one is just as sudden as the first, and I anticipate the third will be the same.
I feel like all three books could have been combined into one if Maddy would just remember things.
June 11, 2023
The first half was lots of setup, the middle things started to fall in place, and then the reveal. What I will say is that the ending makes me think the bigger storyline of New Bison's secrets is not over. But can another murder happen and Maddy be in the middle?
Maddy did grow on me from book 1, less spacey and grounded but the amateur sleuthing gotta stop and the hashtag this hashtag that. 🤭
CN: domestic violence, alcoholism, animal abuse, financial abuse, dementia
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Maddy did grow on me from book 1, less spacey and grounded but the amateur sleuthing gotta stop and the hashtag this hashtag that. 🤭
CN: domestic violence, alcoholism, animal abuse, financial abuse, dementia
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2024
I didn’t go into this book with the highest hopes, but it didn’t keep my attention as much as I would have liked. Especially in comparison to the first book of the series, “Two Parts Sugar, One apart Murder.”
I think I would have enjoyed the mystery more if the books weren’t so repetitive. A lot of the same quotes and devices were recycled from the first book and even multiple times within the book. I got sick of the references to “the Admiral” and would have liked a little less “romance,” but that’s my own personal distaste of romance themes.
I started tuning this book out at about halfway through and it was all downhill from there. I really wanted to like this book more.
I think I would have enjoyed the mystery more if the books weren’t so repetitive. A lot of the same quotes and devices were recycled from the first book and even multiple times within the book. I got sick of the references to “the Admiral” and would have liked a little less “romance,” but that’s my own personal distaste of romance themes.
I started tuning this book out at about halfway through and it was all downhill from there. I really wanted to like this book more.
June 29, 2023
2.5⭐️
While I enjoyed this sequel a little more, everything I said for the first book remains true. I couldn’t bring myself to care much for the characters (except maybe for the dog), the plot didn’t retain my attention so I already know I won’t re-read, and there was an overuse of hashtags in this one too. But at least, the writing was fluid.
While I enjoyed this sequel a little more, everything I said for the first book remains true. I couldn’t bring myself to care much for the characters (except maybe for the dog), the plot didn’t retain my attention so I already know I won’t re-read, and there was an overuse of hashtags in this one too. But at least, the writing was fluid.
August 5, 2023
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for a free ecopy of this novel in return for an honest review.
Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns is the second instalment in the Baker Street Mystery series. This novel continues on three months after the first book. We follow Maddy, the daughter of a Navy Admiral. After the death of her great aunt Octavia and the end of her relationship she decides to move to New Bison, a small quaint town in Michigan that gives serious Stars Hollows vibes. There she has to live for 1 year in her great aunts old house and run the bakery before she has access to her inheritance, But nothing is quite as it seems. Who can Maddy trust? Are there more nefarious things going on in this town?
Beware of mild spoilers ahead :
The first book in this series ended up on my favorites of 2022, so I was so excited when I received a copy for review. I loved to be back with all the characters. I loved the found family aspect that these books have. I love me a bit of amateur sleuthing. Unfortunately I didn't like this book as much as the first. There were some problems the first book had that I really hoped this one wouldn't but alas. The pacing of both the first book and this book had some issues. It takes ages before we get the final reveal (at the 90% mark), and when we do finally get our answers, we are left with so many questions because the bad guy gets killed within 0.1 seconds. It leaves me with a feeling of whiplash.
The quick endings I can overlook. I still have a good enough time with these characters that I will be coming back for more, regardless of how rushed the endings are. There was unfortunately a really big problem at around 30%. This is when I will be getting into spoilers.
Maddy is called from her house by the police to come to the crime scene. Someone has been murdered at her bakery, so naturally the cops have questions. She arrives together with her English Mastiff, Baby. The lead investigator asks her to please keep the dog in her car, he doesn't want the dog to come inside and contaminate the crime scene. Personally I find this a very reasonable request. Maddy's friend April, who also happens to be the sheriff of the town, says something along the lines that Trooper Bob cannot make this request of Maddy because Baby is a trained service animal, and under the Americans with Disabilities Act he cannot refuse the dog entrance and he is also not requered to wear a vest. The facts are correct, except that Baby isn't a service dog at all.....
I'm very disapointed that the author would include something like this in the book. It is a fact that a lot of people put a vest purchased from Amazon on their dog and pretend that they are service dogs, simply because they want to be able to take their dogs everywhere. The amount of fully trained service animals that have been hurt, bitten and traumatized by pets is alarming. Service dogs can help people with a number of different disabilities. You have dogs that are trained to lead the blind, but also dogs that are trained to detect problematic heart rythms, fainting spells, high blood sugar etc. Distracting or even causing hurt to a service dog can lead to them missing a cue and their owner getting hurt. When they are traumatized by events like this, the dog is usually unable to do his job and has to retire. A service dog costs between 15.000 and 30.ooo dollars. It is a huge investment the disabled person has to make, and they can lose it all in the blink of an eye if their dog gets attacked by a pet. I simply don't understand why anyone would include this in a novel and pretend like this is an OK thing to do. It is not okay. The people who actually bring their pets with them and pretend that they are service dogs are despicable to me. I would greatly appreciate if people would just leave their dog at home, or with someone who can look after them if you're going to be gone for a while.
So what next? Will I continue to read on with the series? Probably. I just hope that someone will actually read this review and will learn from this. Dog owners, aspiring writers and the team behind this book alike.
Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns is the second instalment in the Baker Street Mystery series. This novel continues on three months after the first book. We follow Maddy, the daughter of a Navy Admiral. After the death of her great aunt Octavia and the end of her relationship she decides to move to New Bison, a small quaint town in Michigan that gives serious Stars Hollows vibes. There she has to live for 1 year in her great aunts old house and run the bakery before she has access to her inheritance, But nothing is quite as it seems. Who can Maddy trust? Are there more nefarious things going on in this town?
Beware of mild spoilers ahead :
The first book in this series ended up on my favorites of 2022, so I was so excited when I received a copy for review. I loved to be back with all the characters. I loved the found family aspect that these books have. I love me a bit of amateur sleuthing. Unfortunately I didn't like this book as much as the first. There were some problems the first book had that I really hoped this one wouldn't but alas. The pacing of both the first book and this book had some issues. It takes ages before we get the final reveal (at the 90% mark), and when we do finally get our answers, we are left with so many questions because the bad guy gets killed within 0.1 seconds. It leaves me with a feeling of whiplash.
The quick endings I can overlook. I still have a good enough time with these characters that I will be coming back for more, regardless of how rushed the endings are. There was unfortunately a really big problem at around 30%. This is when I will be getting into spoilers.
Maddy is called from her house by the police to come to the crime scene. Someone has been murdered at her bakery, so naturally the cops have questions. She arrives together with her English Mastiff, Baby. The lead investigator asks her to please keep the dog in her car, he doesn't want the dog to come inside and contaminate the crime scene. Personally I find this a very reasonable request. Maddy's friend April, who also happens to be the sheriff of the town, says something along the lines that Trooper Bob cannot make this request of Maddy because Baby is a trained service animal, and under the Americans with Disabilities Act he cannot refuse the dog entrance and he is also not requered to wear a vest. The facts are correct, except that Baby isn't a service dog at all.....
I'm very disapointed that the author would include something like this in the book. It is a fact that a lot of people put a vest purchased from Amazon on their dog and pretend that they are service dogs, simply because they want to be able to take their dogs everywhere. The amount of fully trained service animals that have been hurt, bitten and traumatized by pets is alarming. Service dogs can help people with a number of different disabilities. You have dogs that are trained to lead the blind, but also dogs that are trained to detect problematic heart rythms, fainting spells, high blood sugar etc. Distracting or even causing hurt to a service dog can lead to them missing a cue and their owner getting hurt. When they are traumatized by events like this, the dog is usually unable to do his job and has to retire. A service dog costs between 15.000 and 30.ooo dollars. It is a huge investment the disabled person has to make, and they can lose it all in the blink of an eye if their dog gets attacked by a pet. I simply don't understand why anyone would include this in a novel and pretend like this is an OK thing to do. It is not okay. The people who actually bring their pets with them and pretend that they are service dogs are despicable to me. I would greatly appreciate if people would just leave their dog at home, or with someone who can look after them if you're going to be gone for a while.
So what next? Will I continue to read on with the series? Probably. I just hope that someone will actually read this review and will learn from this. Dog owners, aspiring writers and the team behind this book alike.
January 29, 2023
This was a very fun book and the perfect sequel to Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder.
Maddie and the gang are back along with a few new characters. Once again she finds herself trying to solve a murder mystery and to save her bakery.
I’m not quite convinced the actual murderer was arrested so the next book is going to be very interesting!
This was a 3.5 for me, I usually don’t round up but I’m feeling generous today. Maddie has learned some from the time from the beginning of book 1 to book 2, but she needs more growth.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for this eARC.
Maddie and the gang are back along with a few new characters. Once again she finds herself trying to solve a murder mystery and to save her bakery.
I’m not quite convinced the actual murderer was arrested so the next book is going to be very interesting!
This was a 3.5 for me, I usually don’t round up but I’m feeling generous today. Maddie has learned some from the time from the beginning of book 1 to book 2, but she needs more growth.
Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for this eARC.
July 10, 2023
I loved this book just as much as the first book. A fun easy read, like the first, which had me chuckling throughout.
March 13, 2023
Another lovely cozy mystery starring Maddy Montgomery and Baby! Once again somehow someone ends up with a Baby Cakes knife in their back framing Maddy as the killer. This time, the victim was about to own a rival bakery.
What I liked about this one:
-The mystery was more complex than the first one!
-Seeing Maddy progress as a baker and come up with her own recipes like the Peanut Butter Dream Cake (which sounds good, I just don’t like chocolate cake!)
-Little tidbits about what small town life is like, for example the stoplights in fictional New Bison stop working at 11pm and flash yellow in all directions due to the lack of traffic
-The way this book portrays the magic and comfort of baking through metaphors and imagery.
-The friendship between Maddy and April!
-The cute, old-timey idioms like “he could talk the cherries right off the tree”
What I didn’t like:
-Maddy’s hashtags. As someone who runs a minuscule Bookstagram blog, I know you can’t have dashes and @ anyone in a hashtag. The way Maddy comes up with Hashtags boggle my brain! For example “NotAsPrettyAs@PieLadyBooks” wouldn’t work at all. I wish Burns focused more on Maddy’s social media captions instead of the hashtags that break my immersion.
Neither here nor there:
-Either I need to brush up on my pop curatorial his is very personal but some of the references seem pretty dated for a book about someone Maddy’s age (she seems to me to be mid to late 20s) What’s a Clarence Darrow attorney? Who’s Hank Aaron?
Maybe I’m just not the target audience for this book. Hey publishers, black Zillenials read cozy mysteries too!
Final thoughts:
Overall it was a fun read, perfect for unwinding before bed.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
What I liked about this one:
-The mystery was more complex than the first one!
-Seeing Maddy progress as a baker and come up with her own recipes like the Peanut Butter Dream Cake (which sounds good, I just don’t like chocolate cake!)
-Little tidbits about what small town life is like, for example the stoplights in fictional New Bison stop working at 11pm and flash yellow in all directions due to the lack of traffic
-The way this book portrays the magic and comfort of baking through metaphors and imagery.
-The friendship between Maddy and April!
-The cute, old-timey idioms like “he could talk the cherries right off the tree”
What I didn’t like:
-Maddy’s hashtags. As someone who runs a minuscule Bookstagram blog, I know you can’t have dashes and @ anyone in a hashtag. The way Maddy comes up with Hashtags boggle my brain! For example “NotAsPrettyAs@PieLadyBooks” wouldn’t work at all. I wish Burns focused more on Maddy’s social media captions instead of the hashtags that break my immersion.
Neither here nor there:
-Either I need to brush up on my pop curatorial his is very personal but some of the references seem pretty dated for a book about someone Maddy’s age (she seems to me to be mid to late 20s) What’s a Clarence Darrow attorney? Who’s Hank Aaron?
Maybe I’m just not the target audience for this book. Hey publishers, black Zillenials read cozy mysteries too!
Final thoughts:
Overall it was a fun read, perfect for unwinding before bed.
Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series. Baby is an absolute joy I love that all the characters love him so much. Maddy’s whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time. This was a fun, twisting, and well developed mystery. I love the relationships between the characters in this series. I can't wait for the admiral in the next adventure to make his debut.
#MurderisaPieceofCake #NetGalley
#MurderisaPieceofCake #NetGalley
January 22, 2023
She's got an overindulgent father who is a USN Admiral, a loving veterinarian boyfriend, and a big baby (and that's his name, too) of a protective English Mastiff who weighs 250 pounds. She inherited the dog along with the Baby Cakes Bakery when her aunt died and has made more real friends than ever. But now there's another murdered body in the bakery and she is one of the prime suspects. Let the sleuthing begin! Great fun! Fine whodunit! Loved it!
This can't be an unbiased review as I loved the first in series, too!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
This can't be an unbiased review as I loved the first in series, too!
I requested and received an EARC from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 20, 2023
We're back in New Bison and Maddy is preparing to reopen the bakery after the murder of the previous mayor and the fire that was set to cover it up. But a new bakery is set to open right across the street and it's personal for Maddy and a dear friend. When another body is found in the Bakery, Maddy has now choice but to find the culprit because she and her friends are the main suspects.
Yeah, I don't know. The real culprit is painfully obvious and this ending was annoying. I want to be more specific, but Spoilers, so... The hashtags were also tiresome. I like the characters and most of the mystery but overall, this was kinda disappointing.
Yeah, I don't know. The real culprit is painfully obvious and this ending was annoying. I want to be more specific, but Spoilers, so... The hashtags were also tiresome. I like the characters and most of the mystery but overall, this was kinda disappointing.
August 5, 2023
Murder is a Piece of Cake is the 2nd book in the Baker Street Mystery series, but I mistakenly read it first. Although it worked fine as a standalone story, there were references to the first book and how Maddy ended up living and owning a business in New Bison, Michigan. In this book, a wealthy business owner, CJ Davenport, comes to town with plans to own as much of it as he can. It is a bit of revenge as his wife, Police Chief April Johnson, has been estranged from him for years, in fact, most people don't even know she was married. When CJ challenges Maddy to a cooking contest to get ownership of Baby Cakes Bakery, she agrees if he promises to leave town and give April a divorce if he loses. The next thing they all knew, there was a commotion when Davenport showed up next door at the cafe and told the owner he bought it from the legitimate owner and kicked her out. Things are not happy in New Bison, that is until CJ Davenport ends up dead in Baby Cakes. Who killed him? How did they get in the shop? When Leroy confesses to allow Maddy to be free to investigate, Maddy and the Baker Street Irregulars set out to solve the crime.
I have read other books and series by Valerie Burns under VM Burns, so was anticipating another great story. There was a fire in the bakery in the first book (I plan to listen to it next to find out what happened) so they are baking in Maddy's kitchen and selling from the garage on her property that had been fitted as a roadside stand. I found that interesting as they explained the rules in Michigan about selling from your homes. Maddy is a great protagonist. Her army brat days often come into play when figuring things out which I loved. She is an instagram influencer who still does a lot of posting, but that is not her job anymore. She has a boyfriend, Michael, who is the veterinarian and is just at the beginning of their relationship. The Baker Street Irregulars are a group of friends that were brought together my Aunt Octavia before her death and are really good at solving mysteries. They are also a wonderful group of characters, some smart, some quirky, some fun, some old, some young, so it is quite an eclectic group with different sources and abilities. Of course the best character in the story is Baby, Maddy's huge mastiff who will protect her and her friends from just about anyone. There are a lot of suspects in this book, and Maddy knows something sneaky is going on, but she isn't sure what. With lots of clues, red herrings, suspects and twists, this was an interesting mystery and I was in the dark until the end. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Maddy and all her friends, and of course, Baby.
I have read other books and series by Valerie Burns under VM Burns, so was anticipating another great story. There was a fire in the bakery in the first book (I plan to listen to it next to find out what happened) so they are baking in Maddy's kitchen and selling from the garage on her property that had been fitted as a roadside stand. I found that interesting as they explained the rules in Michigan about selling from your homes. Maddy is a great protagonist. Her army brat days often come into play when figuring things out which I loved. She is an instagram influencer who still does a lot of posting, but that is not her job anymore. She has a boyfriend, Michael, who is the veterinarian and is just at the beginning of their relationship. The Baker Street Irregulars are a group of friends that were brought together my Aunt Octavia before her death and are really good at solving mysteries. They are also a wonderful group of characters, some smart, some quirky, some fun, some old, some young, so it is quite an eclectic group with different sources and abilities. Of course the best character in the story is Baby, Maddy's huge mastiff who will protect her and her friends from just about anyone. There are a lot of suspects in this book, and Maddy knows something sneaky is going on, but she isn't sure what. With lots of clues, red herrings, suspects and twists, this was an interesting mystery and I was in the dark until the end. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for Maddy and all her friends, and of course, Baby.
May 21, 2023
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dalmada91
@dalmada91

Recommended and rated this book
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Murder is a Piece of Cake (A Baker Street Mystery Book 2)
Valerie Burns
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Wow, another one knocked out of the park! Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance for the early read. This book is as good as the first if not better. I really like Madison, she is quite the character and whoa to those who don't take her seriously. Besides the influencer lite vibe, Maddy obviously got some smarts and backbone from Great Aunt Octavia and her dad the Admiral! That she can be vulnerable but also finding her new self, realizing what is really important to her in her new life in New Bison is what makes her an interesting character. Not to mention that she continues to find herself in the middle of some weird things going on in her new home town, as murder and mayhem continue, as people from her friend's pasts show up unexpectedly and not with good intentions. This is a saga that I do not believe is totally finished, so well worth your time.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read
Entertaining
Original
Witty
Wonderful characters
7 days ago
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dalmada91
@dalmada91

Recommended and rated this book
1 star2 stars3 stars4 stars5 stars

Murder is a Piece of Cake (A Baker Street Mystery Book 2)
Valerie Burns
Save
Buy
Book Details
Wow, another one knocked out of the park! Thanks to #NetGalley for the chance for the early read. This book is as good as the first if not better. I really like Madison, she is quite the character and whoa to those who don't take her seriously. Besides the influencer lite vibe, Maddy obviously got some smarts and backbone from Great Aunt Octavia and her dad the Admiral! That she can be vulnerable but also finding her new self, realizing what is really important to her in her new life in New Bison is what makes her an interesting character. Not to mention that she continues to find herself in the middle of some weird things going on in her new home town, as murder and mayhem continue, as people from her friend's pasts show up unexpectedly and not with good intentions. This is a saga that I do not believe is totally finished, so well worth your time.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read
Entertaining
Original
Witty
Wonderful characters
7 days ago
Like
Share
Write a comment...
More From This Reader
Recommended for You

visit our facebook page
visit our twitter page
visit our pinterest page
visit our instagram page
COMPANY
About
Careers
For the Press
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
Contact
Your Privacy Choices
READERS
What Is BookBub?
Free Ebooks
Free Kindle Books
The BookBub Blog
Invite Your Friends
Help
All Authors
All Books
PUBLISHERS & AUTHORS
Partners Overview
Submit New Deal
Partner Dashboard
Claim an Author Profile
BookBub Partners Blog
Partner FAQ
POPULAR BLOG POSTS
62 of the Best Book Series of All Time
Find a Book from a Vague Description
Top Fantasy Worlds in Literature
Malcolm Gladwell's Best Books
Books to Make You Smarter
Book Club Kit: 'Lilac Girls'
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November 6, 2023
2.5.
I'm actually quite disappointed in this one, especially with how much I enjoyed the first one. It felt like a lot of the characterization that was built up well in the first book turned into a bit of flanderization. The mystery element, too, was fairly straightforward and fairly easy to solve - unless there's a major twist that is being held for a later book. The way the book concludes almost feels like Burns got bored writing this one and wanted to wrap it up so she could get to the next book in the series.
I think there's a larger issue I'm having with this series, which is the author seems to be trying to build a much larger mystery - one that is solved over the course of several novels, rather than just one. It's leaving me feel kind of incomplete when I finish the individual books in the series. For example, the first book solved one murder, but left quite a few questions that went unanswered. However, rather than answer some those questions in this book, Burns ignores quite a few of them and instead introduces new questions - questions that also remain unanswered at the end. It feels like Burns is trying to write this series like a serial TV show in which there is a case of the week (that gets solved), but also a longer, more complicated mystery at hand. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that blend works quite as well with books that are released several months apart, compared to weekly episodes. It might work if the larger mystery were less important or if the "case of the week" were smaller, but right now it feels like the mix isn't quite right.
I'm actually quite disappointed in this one, especially with how much I enjoyed the first one. It felt like a lot of the characterization that was built up well in the first book turned into a bit of flanderization. The mystery element, too, was fairly straightforward and fairly easy to solve - unless there's a major twist that is being held for a later book. The way the book concludes almost feels like Burns got bored writing this one and wanted to wrap it up so she could get to the next book in the series.
I think there's a larger issue I'm having with this series, which is the author seems to be trying to build a much larger mystery - one that is solved over the course of several novels, rather than just one. It's leaving me feel kind of incomplete when I finish the individual books in the series. For example, the first book solved one murder, but left quite a few questions that went unanswered. However, rather than answer some those questions in this book, Burns ignores quite a few of them and instead introduces new questions - questions that also remain unanswered at the end. It feels like Burns is trying to write this series like a serial TV show in which there is a case of the week (that gets solved), but also a longer, more complicated mystery at hand. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that blend works quite as well with books that are released several months apart, compared to weekly episodes. It might work if the larger mystery were less important or if the "case of the week" were smaller, but right now it feels like the mix isn't quite right.
June 27, 2023
Not bad not bad! Good pacing, the story seemed a bit thin to me and though I like a shorter novel this just didn’t seem to have much meat to it. Book two is always a struggle because book one has to be so spectacular but this followup was decent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2023
Just a little too cringe for me this go ‘round and the repetitions wore me down lol
Still cozy and cute!
Still cozy and cute!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 484 reviews