Cranberries and Criminals

A Book Store Cozy Mystery #9

by Lucinda Race

Welcome to Pembroke Cove, where witches and murders are multiplying...
Whose half-baked idea was it for bookstore owner and witch Lily Michaels to enter an amateur baking contest in her small town of Pembroke Cove, Maine? Her pie plate’s already bubbling over learning about her witchy powers from her trusted companion and snarky familiar—a talking cat named Milo. Toss in solving a few murders while stirring in wedding planning, and Lily’s stretched thin as an overworked pie crust.

Lily doesn’t have the baking skills of her best friend, Nikki, who’s an accomplished kitchen witch. As Milo says, Lily can barely boil water and his dear witch should stay out of the kitchen except when opening a package of smoked salmon. But why shouldn’t she try baking? The crisp November air and approaching holiday season is the perfect inspiration for whipping up some seasonal goodies. It’s not like somebody can die from eating a muffin, can they?

With help from Nikki, and the support of Lily’s fiancé, police detective Gage Erikson—a.k.a. Detective Cutie—Lily preps for the Cranberry Bakeoff. But it’s a recipe for disaster when a judge collapses. Was it an allergic reaction, or is someone tired of losing and tart fruits turned into sour grapes. The air is thick with suspicion, and it’s up to puzzle-loving Lily to combine the right ingredients to catch a killer with their fingers in the cookie jar.

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 6, 2024

About the author

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of cozy mysteries and romance novels

She spins tales of small town romance and cozy mystery—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s wandering in her garden or curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.


Be sure to follow her on Bookbub for the latest on sales and new releases. https://bit.ly/LucindaRace

Reviews

[Lucinda Race]

What fun. Lily and baking was a hoot. Thank you to my readers who submitted recipes for me to include. You are rock!

[Texas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author's books are well written, well thought out with interesting story lines and loveable characters. She also does not follow the Stupidity Formula that is so common nowadays with characters that cannot communicate, and act and think stupid. There aren't any silly misunderstandings. Source: Booksprout.

Bookstore Cozy Mystery Series:
CRANBERRIES AND CRIMINALS, #9 - Interesting and fun to read this book filled with good characters and story lines. 5*

BOOKS & BRIBES, #1 - Usually a romance writer, Ms. Race tells a good witchy tale quite a lot better than the usual dumb down Cozy. Good characters, talking animals and a sweet romance made for an entertaining, enjoyable read. Source: My Kindle library. 5*

CATNAPS & CRIMES, #2 - Interesting. Romance become more of a focal point for the two best friends. It was easy to figure out the killer but still a good story with a good core of regular characters. Source: My Kindle library. 4*

TEA & TROUBLE, #3 - There's another murder with all kinds of "I did it" confessions. Dax and Gage open Lily's eyes. With plenty of secrets coming to light, an interesting mystery and our loveable characters blending together to make this a one sitting read. Source: My Kindle library. 5*

SCARES & DARES, #4 - It was easy to figure out the killer but that didn't stop the flow of the story. Interesting with some good fun with Dax, another correct assumption that I made about him. A fun, entertaining way to spend a few hours. 4*

HOLIDAYS & HOMICIDE, #5 - Lots of fun, romance, shady characters and a good investigation of murder. Good Christmas spirit to add to the mix. 5*

LEPRECHAUNS & LARCENY, #6 - Another interesting addition to this series. Good pace, likeable characters and good story lines made for an entertaining read. 4*

MAGICIANS & MURDER, #7 - Interesting story lines, good characters and a move with their romance. 4*

ARTIFACTS & AMULETS, #8 - Interesting story lines, a surprising killer and a loss to the police force. 5*
Bookstore Cozy Mystery Series end.

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucinda Race whips up a delightful mystery in Cranberries and Criminals, blending the charm of small-town life with magical mischief and a dash of murder. This ninth installment in the Bookstore Cozy Mystery series delivers all the warm, witty, and whimsical elements fans have come to love.

Lily Michaels, our quirky bookstore owner and novice witch, is an absolute delight. Her struggle to balance baking contests, magical training, wedding planning, and crime-solving is hilariously relatable, especially with Milo, her snarky and ever-entertaining feline familiar, providing constant commentary. Milo’s personality practically leaps off the page, and his smoked salmon obsession adds the perfect touch of humor.

The baking contest adds a festive seasonal vibe, but when a judge keels over mid-competition, the stakes rise faster than Lily’s attempt at a pie crust. Race masterfully combines the cozy comfort of Pembroke Cove with the intrigue of a well-paced whodunit. Suspects abound, and the twists will keep you guessing until the final page.

The romantic subplot with Lily and her fiancé, Detective Gage Erikson (affectionately nicknamed Detective Cutie), is just the icing on the cake. Their partnership—both romantic and investigative—adds depth and heart to the story, making you root for them as they navigate the chaos together.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries brimming with magical charm, lovable characters, and a hearty dose of humor, Cranberries and Criminals is the perfect read for the holiday season. It’s a satisfying addition to a series that keeps getting better, with the promise of both justice and just desserts.

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

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Cozy mystery
- Paranormal
- Snarky sidekick
- Wonderful characters
- Small town

I LOVE this series. I think Lily and Gage are the absolute cutest couple and I cannot get enough of Pembroke Cove! I read this book in one sitting because I could NOT put it down! I think this was my favorite so far in the series.

Lily, a novice witch, has a penchant for finding trouble. Or it finds her. But either way, she has a knack for piecing together clues and finding out the truth. Her fiance, Detective Gage (or Detective Cutie as her cat familiar Milo calls him) knows it is impossible to keep Lily from looking for clues, so he includes her in his investigations.

Lily is not known for her cooking abilities, but her best friend Nikki, a kitchen witch, convinces her to enter an amateur baking contest that features a Maine staple, cranberries. Nikki and William, a sweet town baker, tutor Lily on a few recipes prior to the event.

However, when one of the judges collapses after an apparent allergic reaction, something smells fishy...and it isn't the salmon cake Milo is dreaming of! Now Lily is trying to solve a mystery AND compete in the bake off. Did she bite off more than she can chew this time?

Although this is book 9 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. But the series is wonderful and I do highly recommend reading the other books!.

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

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pushing herself to new levels, Lily enters an amateur baking competition. Using no magic and with the support of her loved ones, she excels. The competition is fierce, but everything goes sour when a judge collapses. Is it an accident or something more deadly? While competing, Lily has an inside track to uncovering the criminal. As the clues add up, it’ll be up to Lily and Gage to put cuffs on the one hellbent on revenge before a winner in crowned in the competition.

Cranberries & Criminals is a paranormal cozy mystery combining my two loves: baking and solving crimes. Flawlessly written, I thoroughly enjoyed Lily trying something totally out of her comfort zone. The descriptive narration is so detailed, you’ll be craving these sweet treats. The cast of characters are quirky and add humor to the story. If you love baking competition mysteries, you’re in for a delightful treat with Cranberries & Criminals.

Lucinda Race has penned the best book in this paranormal cozy mystery series. It’s filled with zany one-liners, a couple of red herrings, and a sweet ending. The investigation flows well. The star of the book is Lily. It’s so well-written, you’ll be hooked.

Disclaimer: I proofread this book but it in no way influenced my review of this book.

My Rating: 5++ stars

Reviewed by: Nancy

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amateur baking competition with bickering judges becomes a new puzzle for Lily Michael’s to solve. Not a cook by any stretch of the imagination, Lily wasn’t sure she should even enter the contest. With the support of her best friend, kitchen witch Nikki, as well as William at the cafe, and of course fiancé, Gage, she tries her hand at a non-magical endeavor. But when one of the judges collapses during the first entry, Lily’s sleuthing senses are activated. Is this a case of accidental allergic exposure or something more sinister?

I love this series by Lucinda Race, and this was another excellent addition. I’ve enjoyed seeing the growth of these characters as they’ve matured, especially Gage including Lily in the investigation. Milo should be proud of his witch as she continues to study her book and learn her skills. Readers new to this series will find much to love about Pembroke Cove and its quirky inhabitants as well. My only complaint is that I missed Dax. Hopefully we’ll get to check in with him again in the future.

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

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner in this series!

I so love this series!! The characters are wonderful, and the well told, exciting story-line is filled with mystery, friendship, romance and humor (courtesy of Lily's familiar, Milo). As with the earlier books, the chapters are told from first person point of view of either Lily or her fiance Gage - this is really nicely done, and give a great feel for how they are seeing things. Their relationship has me smiling all the time.

Do read them all, in order, because you will feel more connected to all the characters and events.

In this one, Lily enters a baking contest and, when one of the judges collapses, Lily sets out to help the police (including detective Gage, of course), solve it. Lots of suspects and it took til that person was revealed for me to be sure.

Awesome series. and I am ready for the next one. More, please!!!


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

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Betcha never thought Lily Michaels would get involved in a baking contest from the way she always said she was terrible at anything to do with the kitchen. But that was what good friends were for, to coach and support her efforts which ended up surprising everyone.

Pretty sure no one had counted on a murder happening but you gotta admit, a baking contest is a pretty good setting for one. It was great how Lily once again figured out whodunit and I loved that their little investigation group grew by a couple new people. I really missed Dax being in the book, but I'm sure he'll show up for Lily and Gage's wedding.

The showdown was more of a telling whodunit and why to the entire suspect group, and the very ending was really fun. Can't wait for the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by BookSprout, and my opinions are my own.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who Murdered the Judge ? . . .

Bookstore owner and witch Lily Michaels decides she wants to try her hand at baking and enters the Cranberry Bakeoff contest despite her cat familiar, Milo, reminding her she can hardly boil water. But when Roy Fletcher, one of the judges, becomes deathly sick and collapses, will it be from an allergic reaction or deliberate murder when he dies later from a heart attack caused by the anaphylaxis (and perhaps someone’s attempt to smother him with a pillow)? Lily is ready to join the police in the search for clues. Will she and her friends, along with her fiancé, police detective Gage Erikson, solve the case? (And I know you all were trying to figure it all out… were you able to get there first?)

[Sue Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't quite come together for me. The baking competition didn't make a whole lot of sense and was never well explained. If all the ingredients were provided by the venue sponsoring the contest, why were banned items like almonds even in the pantry? The transition were sometimes not well explained. I don't mean the change in viewpoints. Those were clearly marked. But sometimes there was a jump in time or place that left me unsure when or where it was taking place. A few plot threads were left dangling. The bookstore served mostly as bookends. The story started out and ended up there, but it played no real role in the story. Still, it was good to see Lily getting more comfortable and confident as she learns to use her magic. And as always, Milo is my favorite part of the series.

[Nightangel_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lily and Milo have another case to solve, this time at a baking competition our dear witch has entered. All goes south when one of the judges collapse during the first round. It’s up to lily to help find the murderer.


Honestly I love every single book in this series so far. It has the right amount of cozy, mystery, and witchy. Plus this book has a set of baking recipes at the end (points for that).

If you are into a cozy bookshop owned by a witch and her feline familiar in a quaint little Maine town then this is the series for you. They are quick reads and keep you trying to figure out the mysteries as you go. So far only a few have stumped me and I love that they keep me on my toes.

[AMBER CLARK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cranberries & Criminals is the ninth novel in the A Book Store Cozy Mystery Series; although each book can be read as a standalone, it is best to read them in order. It is a sweet, clean, cozy mystery that guarantees the culprit is caught.
Wonderful characters and a story filled with humor, friendship, romance, mystery, and suspense. Lily enters a baking contest. When a judge is poisoned, she decides to help the police investigate. I was guessing until the reveal. I can't wait to join Milo and of course Lily on their next adventure. Thanks Race.

[Dana Norberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and intrigue make this book an adventure-filled page-turner. Lily barely makes it through the first round of her first baking contest when someone collapses from an allergic reaction. Of course, it's not an accident, and we follow along as Lily works with Milo and other friends to solve the mystery. This is another fun book in this series by a great author. Highly recommended!.

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

[Fleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I did giggle a little at Lily entering a baking competition and of course something had to go wrong, however if there is a good time to keel over honestly having Lily around is that time!
I just love seeing Lily continue to grow into her magic as well as see her relationships evolve while having a good few laughs some times at her expense as you try and work out the bad guy before they do.

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

[Marichus Real · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we have another story about Gage and Lily and all their friends.
Lily enters a baker's competition. It is supposed to be fun but ends up being deadly.
I missed Dax and some spells, but at the same time, I liked the new group.
It was a bit messy with all those allergies but apart from that, it was a great book as any other written by Lucinda. Thanks for another wonderful book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not so friendly competition

This time around Lily enters a non-magical baking contest. Armed with trading from Nikki and recipes from Nancy and her Aunt, Lily steps out of her comfort zone only to have one of the judges so suffer a critical allergic reaction. Can Lily figure out the culprit before it's too late? Great story. There were a few inconsistencies with the timeline and another important detail thus the one star reduction. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. The mysteries are well thought out and engaging. I love watching Lily and Gage's relationship (and sleuthing) grow with each new book. The support they show each other is so sweet. Milo might be the funniest familiar I've ever read.

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

[Sabrina Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 9 of a Bookstore Cozy Mystery series. This book continues on the series as a bake-off is new. While at the beginning of the bake-off drama starts and a murder. This book kept me into the story and the characters are easily liked.

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

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a super paranormal cozy mystery.. I liked it so much.. It is clever and witty, with surprises and suspense..

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

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery because Lily has to bake and not use magic. Of course, Milo thinks she is nuts since cooking is not one of her best things. But of course, we have a murder and trying to figure this one out with a lot of allergies was a little challenging.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Lily's mind worked to solve this crime. It wasn't an easy case.