What do you think?
Rate this book
Ivy Clark #1
Murder With a Side of Bacon: An Ivy Clark Mystery
A small town, a cozy diner, an adorable cat, and a handsome sheriff. What could be better than that?
When Ivy Clark moves to Muddy Creek to help her injured aunt with her diner, she expects a quiet life. The town is barely on the map, and excitement is rare.
Everything is going smoothly until Ivy’s uncle is murdered and evidence is found in Ivy’s purse. With her aunt and cousin doubting her innocence, she knows it’s up to her to find the killer.
Ivy enlists any help she can get, including a fifty-year-old cook and a seventy-year-old diner patron. Will they find the murder and clear her name, or will she end up in prison for a crime she didn’t commit?
When Ivy Clark moves to Muddy Creek to help her injured aunt with her diner, she expects a quiet life. The town is barely on the map, and excitement is rare.
Everything is going smoothly until Ivy’s uncle is murdered and evidence is found in Ivy’s purse. With her aunt and cousin doubting her innocence, she knows it’s up to her to find the killer.
Ivy enlists any help she can get, including a fifty-year-old cook and a seventy-year-old diner patron. Will they find the murder and clear her name, or will she end up in prison for a crime she didn’t commit?
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2024
437 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
November 3, 2024
Really cute feel good mystery. Very Hallmarkish & a little Murder, She Wrote. No spice, just good clean fun AND a cookie recipe as well!
June 2, 2025
This was a lite, quick read. It wasn't bad, but I'm sitting on 3 stars because I honestly don't know how I felt about it. Ivy is a good character, the writing wasn't bad. The story did feel rushed and things moved quickly. But I never was really vested in the story. I'm really not eager to read more in the series.
October 17, 2025
A fun change of pace for me but definitely not my favorite. I just feel like we don’t know Ivy that well like maybe if we got some more time with her before her arrival in Kansas or something. For me it just felt like I was walking around with a tour guide lol like they are friendly enough but I don’t really know them but I’ll stick with them. Hatedddddd the relatives lmao after they tried to get her to pay to stay oh baby they would’ve heard my tires SQUEALING. I’m gonna stick with this series though and hopefully we get more personality and info on Ivy as the series progresses.
November 23, 2025
Tasty Treat
Now that was a fun cozy! So much family drama. Some fun twists and turns, all topped off with a cute kitty and mouth watering desserts! Now I want a cookie or four. Ivy and her new friends kept me chuckling as I zoomed off with them on their escapades. A handsome Sheriff is always an added bonus! Definitely a fun read.
Now that was a fun cozy! So much family drama. Some fun twists and turns, all topped off with a cute kitty and mouth watering desserts! Now I want a cookie or four. Ivy and her new friends kept me chuckling as I zoomed off with them on their escapades. A handsome Sheriff is always an added bonus! Definitely a fun read.
September 23, 2024
Kristy Dixon has done it! A fun cozy mystery that makes me want more! I couldn’t put it down.
June 6, 2025
Why did I ever think Kristy could do me wrong?! Unfortunately I judged a book by the cover and I’ve been missing out. If you need a quick read and love a good mystery, this is one for you!
September 1, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
Pretty predictable for the most part, kind of hallmark-y but I enjoyed it. Fast read, cute "mystery"
Pretty predictable for the most part, kind of hallmark-y but I enjoyed it. Fast read, cute "mystery"
September 30, 2025
So cute!! I loved this! It reminded me of one of my favorite author’s writings - Summer Prescott. I bought the first book in this series in February, but I believe I had it marked on my To Read list for a couple of years. I’m glad I picked this up because I was immediately hooked!
That Tania, yuck. She is spoiled and no one to blame but her mom. I’m hoping that what happened to her in this book makes her a little nicer, but probably won’t.
I wish nothing had happened to Ivy’s uncle, but I’m sure it had to be included so everything could tie together.
I like the characters in town and the closeness they all share. This book includes the recipe for Ivy’s chocolate chip cookies. The recipe calls for powdered sugar as one of the ingredients which I know makes them especially good and chewy due to the cornstarch. I use cornstarch in my own chocolate chip cookie recipe. I should give Ivy’s a try.
I very much like Jose and Boyd. I wish I had a friend like those two and I pray that Dixon doesn’t kill either one off or make one a criminal!
If you like good ol’ family and close knit community style books, you’re gonna love this series!
Next is Book 2 of 9 Murder With a Hint of Cinnamon. Book 9 will be released on October 6 which means it will be right around the time I’m done with books 2-8. YAS! My timing is perfect!
That Tania, yuck. She is spoiled and no one to blame but her mom. I’m hoping that what happened to her in this book makes her a little nicer, but probably won’t.
I wish nothing had happened to Ivy’s uncle, but I’m sure it had to be included so everything could tie together.
I like the characters in town and the closeness they all share. This book includes the recipe for Ivy’s chocolate chip cookies. The recipe calls for powdered sugar as one of the ingredients which I know makes them especially good and chewy due to the cornstarch. I use cornstarch in my own chocolate chip cookie recipe. I should give Ivy’s a try.
I very much like Jose and Boyd. I wish I had a friend like those two and I pray that Dixon doesn’t kill either one off or make one a criminal!
If you like good ol’ family and close knit community style books, you’re gonna love this series!
Next is Book 2 of 9 Murder With a Hint of Cinnamon. Book 9 will be released on October 6 which means it will be right around the time I’m done with books 2-8. YAS! My timing is perfect!
March 7, 2025
Muddy Creek has one place to eat - Linda’s Diner. It has a lawyer who visits once a week, a sheriff who is also on the local fire department squad, and a library created and run by a resident. Ivy Clark expects her temporary relocation to Muddy Creek to be boring and routine. Why wouldn’t she? She is only coming to help out her injured Aunt Linda with the diner. But when her uncle suddenly dies and evidence points to Ivy as the killer, things are anything but boring and routine. Will all of those procedural tv shows and Nancy Drew books as a kid help her prove her innocence? Or will she end up in the small town jail for a crime she didn’t commit?
Ivy Clark immediately captures the reader’s heart. She is realistic, wholesome, and is someone you’d want on your side. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. The book does a great job at weaving a simple mystery and investigation, keeping the reader engaged. While there is a little bit of romance and some crimes are definitely committed, this book is a great YA option. It is light-hearted and a fast read, and I cannot wait to read the next one (or 4) in the series.
Ivy Clark immediately captures the reader’s heart. She is realistic, wholesome, and is someone you’d want on your side. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. The book does a great job at weaving a simple mystery and investigation, keeping the reader engaged. While there is a little bit of romance and some crimes are definitely committed, this book is a great YA option. It is light-hearted and a fast read, and I cannot wait to read the next one (or 4) in the series.
January 24, 2025
Ivy comes to Muddy Creek to help run the family diner while her Aunt recuperates from a broken leg.
The day she arrives she is put to work while her cousin walks out leaving Ivy on her own with no training. Since she has no supervision she starts by adding her baked goods to the menu. And adds bacon and eggs for breakfast rather than only pancakes.
When it’s discover her Aunts brakes were cut and then her Uncle Rob is murdered it appears Ivy is being framed. Jett the Sheriff is good but Ivy, the cook Jose and Boyd set out to try and figure out who did what and why.
Fun story that will make you crave home baked cookies.
The day she arrives she is put to work while her cousin walks out leaving Ivy on her own with no training. Since she has no supervision she starts by adding her baked goods to the menu. And adds bacon and eggs for breakfast rather than only pancakes.
When it’s discover her Aunts brakes were cut and then her Uncle Rob is murdered it appears Ivy is being framed. Jett the Sheriff is good but Ivy, the cook Jose and Boyd set out to try and figure out who did what and why.
Fun story that will make you crave home baked cookies.
September 17, 2025
Rating: 3.5
Liked:
- no unnecessary love triangle
- no unnecessary animosity between law enforcement and sleuth
- no running off alone by the sleuth
- no hiding of evidence even if it made the sleuth look guilty
- actually worked and didn’t just run through asking staff to cover
- Boyd
So-So About
- some characters were introduced but didn’t really have anything to do with the story e.g. Brian Hooper. I guess you could argue that started the process of settling Ivy in Muddy Creek; maybe he will show up in new stories
I too sometimes like PB on my brownie - sometimes.
Nothing like getting stabbed in the back not once but twice by family
Happy Reading!
Liked:
- no unnecessary love triangle
- no unnecessary animosity between law enforcement and sleuth
- no running off alone by the sleuth
- no hiding of evidence even if it made the sleuth look guilty
- actually worked and didn’t just run through asking staff to cover
- Boyd
So-So About
- some characters were introduced but didn’t really have anything to do with the story e.g. Brian Hooper. I guess you could argue that started the process of settling Ivy in Muddy Creek; maybe he will show up in new stories
I too sometimes like PB on my brownie - sometimes.
Nothing like getting stabbed in the back not once but twice by family
Happy Reading!
December 28, 2024
Fun
The start of this cozy mystery is so frustrating I almost didn’t finish, but I’m glad I did. Out of work, Ivy is sent to take care of her ailing aunt, Since her car accident her Aunt can’t run her dinner,even though her daughter is there and quite capable. Ivy is met with outright hostility. After her drunken Uncle is killed and evidence is found in Ivy’s purse, she goes on the attack with the help of some new friends. I throughly enjoyed this story because of the characters. Nice, quick, fast read.
The start of this cozy mystery is so frustrating I almost didn’t finish, but I’m glad I did. Out of work, Ivy is sent to take care of her ailing aunt, Since her car accident her Aunt can’t run her dinner,even though her daughter is there and quite capable. Ivy is met with outright hostility. After her drunken Uncle is killed and evidence is found in Ivy’s purse, she goes on the attack with the help of some new friends. I throughly enjoyed this story because of the characters. Nice, quick, fast read.
October 25, 2024
What a cute story!! I loved this cute murder mystery! The characters were great and I just loved Jose and Boyd! They made me crack up with all the shenanigans with Ivy! Obviously the Sheriff and Ivy will have to get together and some point but I like it! I do feel bad for Ivy’s mom. First her brother and then to find out what her sister end her niece did….terrible!
I’ve already downloaded book 2 and I love that the chocolate chip cookie recipe was on the last page of the book!
I’ve already downloaded book 2 and I love that the chocolate chip cookie recipe was on the last page of the book!
October 30, 2024
This was a great book! The flow was steady and intriguing, the characters were very likable - except for the ones that we meant to be hated, and they were.
The only reason I can't give this book 5 stars is because I figured out 'whodunnit' about a quarter into the book. It was incredibly obvious who the reader was meant to suspect. I hoped there would be a twist ending I didn't see coming, but there wasn't.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a delightful cozy little mystery.
The only reason I can't give this book 5 stars is because I figured out 'whodunnit' about a quarter into the book. It was incredibly obvious who the reader was meant to suspect. I hoped there would be a twist ending I didn't see coming, but there wasn't.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. It was a delightful cozy little mystery.
November 10, 2024
This is the first in the series. The main character is Ivy Clark. She gets a call to help them with the diner because her aunt Linda has been hurt in a car crash. When she gets there and her cousin tells her the diner is hers for the time being. Then she finds out Linda's brake line was cut. Then her uncle is murdered. Now someone is trying to frame her. Can she figure this all out before it's to late?
January 31, 2025
Murder With a Side of Bacon is a really fun cozy read. It has interesting characters including Ivy Clark, her disgusting relatives, the sheriff, and Ivy's new friends. Ivy definitely gets a raw deal when she goes to help out her Aunt Linda and work in her diner. No pay and a room without a bed/pillow to stay in! I liked that she adopted a cat to keep her company! I think this will be a fun series and I want to see what develops between Ivy and the sheriff!!
March 2, 2025
Ivy was in town working and managing her aunt’s diner as a favor. Then her uncle, the town drunk, dies. When murder was suspected, Ivy and the gang try to figure out possible suspects. Then when evidence shows up in Ivy’s things, it would seem someone was trying to frame her. But who?
This definitely gets your thinking hat on. I enjoyed the setting and the characters.
A good, small-town mystery!
This definitely gets your thinking hat on. I enjoyed the setting and the characters.
A good, small-town mystery!
March 21, 2025
I found this author from a stuff your kindle event. I really liked the first story and I’ll keep reading this series in between other reads. And you also get a recipe at the end of the book!
This cozy mystery takes place in a small town, Ivy goes back to help her aunt with her dinner. But Ivy’s Uncle Rob ends up dead, and Ivy is being framed for his murder. Read this book, and see if you can keep up with the clues and figure out who did it.
This cozy mystery takes place in a small town, Ivy goes back to help her aunt with her dinner. But Ivy’s Uncle Rob ends up dead, and Ivy is being framed for his murder. Read this book, and see if you can keep up with the clues and figure out who did it.
June 20, 2025
This was a great first book in a cozy murder mystery series! Ivy is the usual curious msin character but at least has the good sense to call the sherif when needed and gains help from new friends. Having a cat I'm the story is always a bonus, I always look forward to any scenes with a cute cat!
Ivy's little team with José, the middle aged cook, and Boyd, the older man with an ear for gossip, is simply adorable. I love the dynamic between the three of them.
I'm already ready to start book two!
Ivy's little team with José, the middle aged cook, and Boyd, the older man with an ear for gossip, is simply adorable. I love the dynamic between the three of them.
I'm already ready to start book two!
August 12, 2025
A quick read with the requisite happy ending. Figuring out who the villain was easy but getting the details right took a little more thought. I didn’t like the main character Ivy in the beginning - too easily taken advantage of by her relatives- but by the end of the book she’s become a little more self-confident. The only thing I still don’t like is the teenage style romance going on between her and the sheriff. They are adults, aren’t they?
.
.
August 20, 2025
Loved it!
There was nothing about this book that I didn't like! Characters are all interesting and developed well, storyline is interesting and developed well, and, of course, there's a hunky sheriff and a kitten! What more do we need in a cozy mystery! The family dynamics was a little disconcerting, but no doubt there are families such as this! I'm looking forward to reading more about Ivy and Jett!
There was nothing about this book that I didn't like! Characters are all interesting and developed well, storyline is interesting and developed well, and, of course, there's a hunky sheriff and a kitten! What more do we need in a cozy mystery! The family dynamics was a little disconcerting, but no doubt there are families such as this! I'm looking forward to reading more about Ivy and Jett!
November 13, 2024
Fun, Cozy murder mystery
I enjoyed this book so much. Ivy comes out to Kansas to help her aunt Linda when she has an accident. Linda owns a diner and is not willing to change anything. Uncle Rob, a town drunk, comes over to the restaurant and dies upstairs. Cute Sheriff Jeff thinks it could be a murder. And Ivy thinks that her cousin may be framing her.
I enjoyed this book so much. Ivy comes out to Kansas to help her aunt Linda when she has an accident. Linda owns a diner and is not willing to change anything. Uncle Rob, a town drunk, comes over to the restaurant and dies upstairs. Cute Sheriff Jeff thinks it could be a murder. And Ivy thinks that her cousin may be framing her.
August 20, 2025
Good read.
Recently, I discovered a delightful cozy mystery series, including the intriguing "Murder with a Side of Bacon". The book was a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and light-hearted entertainment. Its compelling narrative effortlessly captured my interest, and I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more titles in this promising series.
Recently, I discovered a delightful cozy mystery series, including the intriguing "Murder with a Side of Bacon". The book was a perfect blend of engaging storytelling and light-hearted entertainment. Its compelling narrative effortlessly captured my interest, and I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more titles in this promising series.
September 15, 2025
Getting into trouble is easy
At first I thought the story was not going to interest me. However, the more I read the twister the story became. Ivy and her side kick cooks venture out to seek clues at every opportunity they can find. Not only does Ivy have her eyes and ears out for clues but has eyes for the hot sheriff as well.
At first I thought the story was not going to interest me. However, the more I read the twister the story became. Ivy and her side kick cooks venture out to seek clues at every opportunity they can find. Not only does Ivy have her eyes and ears out for clues but has eyes for the hot sheriff as well.
September 19, 2025
This series is fun. In a world obsessed with “spicy” romance and a jump in bed after the first date culture, it’s refreshing to just read a fun mystery. There’s a bit of a romance between Ivy and the sheriff that keeps the will they or won’t they vibe, but in a pure way.
Is it the best I’ve ever read? Nope. But for the fun, quick read, it’s a keeper!
Is it the best I’ve ever read? Nope. But for the fun, quick read, it’s a keeper!
October 23, 2024
Good Hometown Feeling
A murder mystery to be solved without the blood and gore. Most of the story was actually about the town and the people. The characters were well defined and you are given a glimpse into their lives. Romance is sprinkled in.
A murder mystery to be solved without the blood and gore. Most of the story was actually about the town and the people. The characters were well defined and you are given a glimpse into their lives. Romance is sprinkled in.
Read
November 9, 2024Fun culinary cozy
No good deed goes unpunished and when Ivy comes to town to help her aunt with her diner after an accident, she finds that out up close and personal. Well plotted with interesting characters, humor and a romantic interest.
No good deed goes unpunished and when Ivy comes to town to help her aunt with her diner after an accident, she finds that out up close and personal. Well plotted with interesting characters, humor and a romantic interest.
January 25, 2025
Quick read
It’s a quick and easy read, the story is alright but the main character it’s too much of a push over for my liking. I’ll follow the series and see if she grows some spine.
It’s a quick and easy read, the story is alright but the main character it’s too much of a push over for my liking. I’ll follow the series and see if she grows some spine.
February 16, 2025
Incredible! I loved the whole story, characters, and plot. The only issue is that I already guessed who was behind the murder but even that didn't distract from the incredible book. Great writing, highly recommend.!
May 21, 2025
I love this series of/about Ivy and the diner. Quirky small-town characters are the best....and laugh out loud moments add to the series.
I just finished book series #1-6 and must wait until July for book #7 ;until then get cozy and READ!
I just finished book series #1-6 and must wait until July for book #7 ;until then get cozy and READ!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews