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Great Witches Baking Show #8
Cakes and Pains: The Great Witches Baking Show, Book 8
Baking and murder under the competition tent.
The fun of an English baking contest set in the beautiful English countryside complete with witches, recipes, and murder. Join Poppy and her friends as she puzzles out another complex murder that might have ties to her!
The fun of an English baking contest set in the beautiful English countryside complete with witches, recipes, and murder. Join Poppy and her friends as she puzzles out another complex murder that might have ties to her!
Audible Audio
First published September 29, 2021
109 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
359 books1,883 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
February 6, 2023
I’m reading these in order and the underlying plot of her finding her parents is taking much too long . The ending of this book was rather abrupt. I love the characters and everything else, including the cat and the magic.🐈⬛
September 21, 2022
All I can say is if I wasn’t 8 books into a 9 book series I wouldn’t bother reading further. The stupid cliffhanger sucked, no resolution to the murder in this book, what was the purpose of the murder anyway??it’s like the series has been strolling along lost in a daze and suddenly took a meandering gallop: still don’t know who the parents are, though there’s a possible clue and if that’s her mom, then Poppy really is dumb.
April 7, 2023
This is tiresomely dragging out the mystery regarding her parents.
Then this had the au-damn-dacity to end on a cliffhanger without solving the crime🙄
Then this had the au-damn-dacity to end on a cliffhanger without solving the crime🙄
November 14, 2021
A cozy mystery with witches and baking to entertain and delight! This series is quickly coming to a conclusion and I’ll be waiting on pins and needles until I can listen to the next book! Poppy’s life is really getting exciting as she keeps trying to figure out her birth heritage, her friends are coming to the end of the baking competition and of course, another murder to solve! This narrator is quickly becoming a favorite as she does an outstanding job of bringing the characters to life!
March 18, 2022
That ending was so abrupt that, had I not been 8 books deep into this series I wouldn't want to read the rest.
October 3, 2021
Not really happy
Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations based on the other books, which I really like. The main characters were great, although I wasn't keen on the direction the Florence aspect took. I also didn't like when the person who went home was that person. It made sense for the continuation of the story but, not the Baking Show, itself. The book was too short, the victim wasn't a great choice, and the "cliffhanger" was unfair to us because the murder was not solved.
Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations based on the other books, which I really like. The main characters were great, although I wasn't keen on the direction the Florence aspect took. I also didn't like when the person who went home was that person. It made sense for the continuation of the story but, not the Baking Show, itself. The book was too short, the victim wasn't a great choice, and the "cliffhanger" was unfair to us because the murder was not solved.
October 18, 2021
Really interesting entry to the series, and definitely ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. Who is the killer? Or are there two killers? And is Poppy ever going to find out who her father was?
April 11, 2022
Well things are starting to heat up. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series
August 17, 2024
Good clean fun
I love these characters! Poppy and pals are what friendships should be. I appreciate good clean nature of these books!
I love these characters! Poppy and pals are what friendships should be. I appreciate good clean nature of these books!
October 4, 2023
Wait. Did she really do it? Or is like a 2 part cozy mystery and we get the answer in the next book. The next book is the final in the series
April 27, 2022
This is not a full stand alone novel.
This is like half a book.. or actually maybe even a quarter.. once again we get absolutely no where with the whole investigation into Poppy's parentage but this time we have a meeting with "Joanna" who isn't really Joanna and for some peculiar reason Poppy makes no effort to find the real Joanna or to inform Mavis that her daughter has been involved in an accident or when she later finds out it wasn't her that someone is going around pretending to be her. Why? It's not logical no matter what else is going on you would say something.
Then the murder. No resolution. A lot of contradictory claims. Some rather bizarre assumptions. An arrest that makes little sense.
Florence's weird behaviour. The attempt to cheat. The suddenly perfect bake. But it goes nowhere.. too many random clues that lead nowhere and are totally ignored and a sudden ending with a vision that feels totally unfinished.
As I said, this is not a full stand alone novel. You cannot read these as books on their own because none of them are complete stories. It's about three books worth of story spread out into small sections to make more money than its worth. I don't like author's who do this.. they get successively shorter and less believable as the padding falls away.
This is like half a book.. or actually maybe even a quarter.. once again we get absolutely no where with the whole investigation into Poppy's parentage but this time we have a meeting with "Joanna" who isn't really Joanna and for some peculiar reason Poppy makes no effort to find the real Joanna or to inform Mavis that her daughter has been involved in an accident or when she later finds out it wasn't her that someone is going around pretending to be her. Why? It's not logical no matter what else is going on you would say something.
Then the murder. No resolution. A lot of contradictory claims. Some rather bizarre assumptions. An arrest that makes little sense.
Florence's weird behaviour. The attempt to cheat. The suddenly perfect bake. But it goes nowhere.. too many random clues that lead nowhere and are totally ignored and a sudden ending with a vision that feels totally unfinished.
As I said, this is not a full stand alone novel. You cannot read these as books on their own because none of them are complete stories. It's about three books worth of story spread out into small sections to make more money than its worth. I don't like author's who do this.. they get successively shorter and less believable as the padding falls away.
October 2, 2021
Too Much Angst and Loose Ends
I honestly liked the premise of the series and was quite intrigued. But with each successive book entry, it seemed/seems to get more unnecessarily angst-focused, more unnecessary convoluted loose ends and phony build-ups. It's too much! I also don't kike that the author has Poppy always afraid, scared and hesitant to move forward on so many things. This book's particular story line is good but I couldn't see killing off the Earl. What for? It just makes for too many loose ends. Casting suspicion on Florence just seems to the author as a set up and expected by the readers. I find it too ordinary and forced logic. The romance with Benedict is okay but if she is a witch, she sure doesn't respect nor show a companionship with her 'belo ed' familiar, Gateau who seems to be left in the cold and out of the equation. All in all, I'll read/scroll through the next book as I have done the last three and hope for some logical tie-ups instead of all this convoluted angst and interminable loose ends.
I honestly liked the premise of the series and was quite intrigued. But with each successive book entry, it seemed/seems to get more unnecessarily angst-focused, more unnecessary convoluted loose ends and phony build-ups. It's too much! I also don't kike that the author has Poppy always afraid, scared and hesitant to move forward on so many things. This book's particular story line is good but I couldn't see killing off the Earl. What for? It just makes for too many loose ends. Casting suspicion on Florence just seems to the author as a set up and expected by the readers. I find it too ordinary and forced logic. The romance with Benedict is okay but if she is a witch, she sure doesn't respect nor show a companionship with her 'belo ed' familiar, Gateau who seems to be left in the cold and out of the equation. All in all, I'll read/scroll through the next book as I have done the last three and hope for some logical tie-ups instead of all this convoluted angst and interminable loose ends.
November 1, 2021
That's it?
Okay, quick review: the novels in this series are based around a baker who enters TGBBO in order to look for her birth parents, and her adventures along the way. They are fun, delicious reads, until the last one, which doesn't tell us who her parents are/were! It doesn't even solve the murder of the Earl. It concludes with a note from the author thanking us for reading the last book.
it
A frustrating conclusion, to say the least. My hope is that a new novel will be forthcoming, but there aren't any indicators of that.
Okay, quick review: the novels in this series are based around a baker who enters TGBBO in order to look for her birth parents, and her adventures along the way. They are fun, delicious reads, until the last one, which doesn't tell us who her parents are/were! It doesn't even solve the murder of the Earl. It concludes with a note from the author thanking us for reading the last book.
it
A frustrating conclusion, to say the least. My hope is that a new novel will be forthcoming, but there aren't any indicators of that.
September 29, 2024
I love this series. I read 90% of this installment in a single day, and would have finished it if I hadn't had to charge my Kindle. As it was, I got up early the next morning to finish the last few chapters.
Poppy is an engaging character. She's a baker; she's a sleuth; she's a novice witch, supported by the local coven. And she has an adorable cat, Gateau, as her familiar. What's not to like?
Poppy is an engaging character. She's a baker; she's a sleuth; she's a novice witch, supported by the local coven. And she has an adorable cat, Gateau, as her familiar. What's not to like?
December 27, 2022
This book was certainly weirder than the others and I got that it’s the set up before the last book but the structure still felt wonky. The cliffhanger was unusual and this whole book felt kind of like a race to nothing and it’s like you’re still not sure what happened. I think it would’ve been better if the next book had been combined or this book and had more plot and conclusion. Overall sucked in and curious to see what happens next.
January 9, 2022
I’ve not been as happy with this series since Poppy left the competition, and this particular book just ended without the murder mystery of the week solved!
Joanna’s identity is painfully obvious, and Poppy not seeing it makes her look like an idiot.
Can Florence just be revealed as the secret villain already?!
Joanna’s identity is painfully obvious, and Poppy not seeing it makes her look like an idiot.
Can Florence just be revealed as the secret villain already?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
Did I miss the ending?
I love this series, but I feel like this book didn't end. Seems like there should be at least a couple of more chapters. Someone was arrested for the murder, but it was way too convenient so I'm sure it's was a setup. It's also taking too long for Poppy to find her birth parents.
I love this series, but I feel like this book didn't end. Seems like there should be at least a couple of more chapters. Someone was arrested for the murder, but it was way too convenient so I'm sure it's was a setup. It's also taking too long for Poppy to find her birth parents.
April 14, 2022
Sorry end. No end.
, I truly felt it was half a story. I couldn't imagine it was the end a main character charged with murder. A prominent man the victim. Really left me bewildered. Yes, I do know the next book could solve it but have never read a book in a series that didn't end this mystery and start another .
, I truly felt it was half a story. I couldn't imagine it was the end a main character charged with murder. A prominent man the victim. Really left me bewildered. Yes, I do know the next book could solve it but have never read a book in a series that didn't end this mystery and start another .
October 3, 2021
I would have given it a 5 star, but the book just stopped. I don't remember any of Nancy's books not having a final conclusion. Was really disappointed.
December 8, 2021
I think I must have missed something. This book felt incomplete............
October 13, 2021
Another good book in this series. This one shed very little light on Poppy's search for information on her birth mother. The friendship with Benedict Champney, son of the Earl of Frome, changes from simply platonic to possibly more but it is blown up by the sudden death of the Earl and his widow's complete snobbery. Interesting developments.
Amazon synopsis:
Poppy's happy in her new role as baker at Broomewode Inn, exploring her powers as a witch and enjoying the friendship of Benedict Champney. However, when Benedict's father, the Earl of Frome, insists on running a fox hunt, Poppy's outraged. She calms down when she learns they don't use a real fox, just a scented rag for the hounds and hunters to follow, but someone is being hunted. To death.
Meanwhile, Poppy's meeting a woman who she believes once knew her mother and feels she's getting closer to the mystery of her birth. Until the woman disappears.
It's the semi-finals in The Great British Baking Contest and tensions are running high for the three remaining contestants. Who will win? And will Poppy stay alive long enough to find out?
Amazon synopsis:
Poppy's happy in her new role as baker at Broomewode Inn, exploring her powers as a witch and enjoying the friendship of Benedict Champney. However, when Benedict's father, the Earl of Frome, insists on running a fox hunt, Poppy's outraged. She calms down when she learns they don't use a real fox, just a scented rag for the hounds and hunters to follow, but someone is being hunted. To death.
Meanwhile, Poppy's meeting a woman who she believes once knew her mother and feels she's getting closer to the mystery of her birth. Until the woman disappears.
It's the semi-finals in The Great British Baking Contest and tensions are running high for the three remaining contestants. Who will win? And will Poppy stay alive long enough to find out?
October 10, 2024
I will admit I liked this one better than the previous few books. There wasn’t a whole lot about the baking show this time, and we finally see which male character becomes a love interest for Poppy after subtly hinting at Sgt Lane (and his dimples) could possibly be the one for a few books now.
This one wasn’t a straightforward culprit was caught and all is solved, the murder here will stretch into the 9th and final book of the series.
Who is Joanna really? Why is Poppy being warned away from Broomwode? Who is her father and will she ever meet her birth mother? Plus, who really killed the earl? I guess I’m finally going to get the answers I’ve continued reading the series to get! I really hope Florence gets her comeuppance at the end of everything, and I’m guessing the author will do the stereotypical thing after laying the foundation of having Florence try to wiggle her way in front of Poppy for the new earl’s affections.
This one wasn’t a straightforward culprit was caught and all is solved, the murder here will stretch into the 9th and final book of the series.
Who is Joanna really? Why is Poppy being warned away from Broomwode? Who is her father and will she ever meet her birth mother? Plus, who really killed the earl? I guess I’m finally going to get the answers I’ve continued reading the series to get! I really hope Florence gets her comeuppance at the end of everything, and I’m guessing the author will do the stereotypical thing after laying the foundation of having Florence try to wiggle her way in front of Poppy for the new earl’s affections.
October 31, 2021
Cakes and Pains is the latest book in this fabulous series. It is a continuation from the previous books so I definitely recommend that these books are read in order to fully enjoy them.
Poppy has settled in to her new job and gets on well with the new chef. Her relationship is finally progressing but her search for her real parents is once again a non starter. This book, and series, has baking, a body, great recurring characters, a mystery, a resident ghost or two and just a little magic. Sadly there is not enough magic seeing as Poppy has just discovered she is a witch, just the odd reference to it.
As this is the competition semi finals week I am assuming that all the answers will come in the next book. I am enjoying this series but it is definitely time for the truth to be revealed.
Poppy has settled in to her new job and gets on well with the new chef. Her relationship is finally progressing but her search for her real parents is once again a non starter. This book, and series, has baking, a body, great recurring characters, a mystery, a resident ghost or two and just a little magic. Sadly there is not enough magic seeing as Poppy has just discovered she is a witch, just the odd reference to it.
As this is the competition semi finals week I am assuming that all the answers will come in the next book. I am enjoying this series but it is definitely time for the truth to be revealed.
October 11, 2022
💖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Paranornal cozy mystery
💕 Positives:
* Broomewod's official egg dealer title is beyond cute. 😂
* Storyline and murder set up was inventive.
🚫 Negatives:
* They never solved the murder nor the accident.
* Nothing on the mystery of her parents either. It's incredibly frustrating.
⚡Trigger Warning: None.
🌟 Overall, the ending of this story was incredibly frustrating. There was a theory of who killed the victim, but no solid answers. Also, Poppy didn't get anywhere on the search of her birth parents. The book ended pretty abruptly and left the reader on a bit of a cliff hanger. That's a huge pet peeve of mine. I'll read the last book just to finish out the series.
📚 Genre: Paranornal cozy mystery
💕 Positives:
* Broomewod's official egg dealer title is beyond cute. 😂
* Storyline and murder set up was inventive.
🚫 Negatives:
* They never solved the murder nor the accident.
* Nothing on the mystery of her parents either. It's incredibly frustrating.
⚡Trigger Warning: None.
🌟 Overall, the ending of this story was incredibly frustrating. There was a theory of who killed the victim, but no solid answers. Also, Poppy didn't get anywhere on the search of her birth parents. The book ended pretty abruptly and left the reader on a bit of a cliff hanger. That's a huge pet peeve of mine. I'll read the last book just to finish out the series.
May 12, 2023
I don’t understand why poppy keeps going on about how sweet Katie is. Katie has lied and acted shifty since Poppy met her and now it’s all “oh sweet Katie”. I don’t think so. And the whole Florence being too motivated to win and that making her a bad person is ridiculous. She’s super flirty, cares a lot about her appearance, and deeply wants to win the contest. That doesn’t make her a bad person. Except Poppy keeps having an “eye roll” attitude towards her.
And the ending was so sudden, the mystery wasn’t really solved. Many aspects of this book were annoying to me. I’m upset that Poppy has gone from being a realistic person I enjoyed reading about to this weird prudish Karen-lite.
And the ending was so sudden, the mystery wasn’t really solved. Many aspects of this book were annoying to me. I’m upset that Poppy has gone from being a realistic person I enjoyed reading about to this weird prudish Karen-lite.
April 18, 2025
Cakes and Pains
Poppy is in for a show when the Earl is having a hunt and all kinds of people descend upon the village to watch and eat! There is all kinds of work at the Inn and quite a lot of changes and of course the Semi-final of The British Baking Show, Florence, Hamish and Gurav are left and Poppy has grown close to all of them.
During the hunt an accident happens and of course not all is as it seems and for the first time you truly have a cliffhanger trying to figure out who done it. Read along and have a lovely time and be prepare to go read book 9 and see if all the ribbons connecting the series finally tie up.
Poppy is in for a show when the Earl is having a hunt and all kinds of people descend upon the village to watch and eat! There is all kinds of work at the Inn and quite a lot of changes and of course the Semi-final of The British Baking Show, Florence, Hamish and Gurav are left and Poppy has grown close to all of them.
During the hunt an accident happens and of course not all is as it seems and for the first time you truly have a cliffhanger trying to figure out who done it. Read along and have a lovely time and be prepare to go read book 9 and see if all the ribbons connecting the series finally tie up.
October 1, 2021
A good read but still wanting answers.
This latest book from Nancy is a great edition to the series. You’ll still be wanting Poppy to get answers regarding her heritage. Especially as she gets to meet somebody who knew her birth mother. Also Poppy is developing her witch powers and wondering who will win the baking contest, whilst also working in the Inn. Honestly the girl has a lot going on, learning about a more humane fox hunt and maybe a romance in her life and also maybe a murder happening. It’s a packed book and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
This latest book from Nancy is a great edition to the series. You’ll still be wanting Poppy to get answers regarding her heritage. Especially as she gets to meet somebody who knew her birth mother. Also Poppy is developing her witch powers and wondering who will win the baking contest, whilst also working in the Inn. Honestly the girl has a lot going on, learning about a more humane fox hunt and maybe a romance in her life and also maybe a murder happening. It’s a packed book and I can’t wait for the next instalment.
February 17, 2025
Just frustrating. I feel like the author has just strung us along forever about Poppy’s parentage and the mysteries surrounding it. You’d think I’d be excited there is one book left because I’ll finally know what’s going on. Even having something happen with Benedict (answering the “will it be the earl or the cop question”) would make this one get a higher score in general. But it’s kind of feeling like too little too late? Idk. 3.5 rounded down because I’m annoyed… I better get some dang stuff answered in the final book of the series!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2025
Best one yet
Best book of this series and, perhaps even her other fantastic series' too!
I personally loved the fact that there was a huge and exciting chunk of story before the murder. I think these books are actually brilliant outside of murder and enjoy that the mystery element could be anything. Nancy Warren is a wonderful author, so many details and facts about all sorts of subjects with great pacing and brilliantly written characters. I devour these books! Will be jumping straight into the next installment immediately.
Best book of this series and, perhaps even her other fantastic series' too!
I personally loved the fact that there was a huge and exciting chunk of story before the murder. I think these books are actually brilliant outside of murder and enjoy that the mystery element could be anything. Nancy Warren is a wonderful author, so many details and facts about all sorts of subjects with great pacing and brilliantly written characters. I devour these books! Will be jumping straight into the next installment immediately.
October 12, 2021
You won't get any answers
I really enjoyed this series at the start, I couldn't wait for the next book, I need answers. I was hoping that we would finally be getting somewhere with this book, but I feel as if the ending has been left out. If the next book isn't the final book, I'm afraid I'm
done, the whole series has just been dragged out far too long now. Its such a shame for something that started out being such a page turner.
I really enjoyed this series at the start, I couldn't wait for the next book, I need answers. I was hoping that we would finally be getting somewhere with this book, but I feel as if the ending has been left out. If the next book isn't the final book, I'm afraid I'm
done, the whole series has just been dragged out far too long now. Its such a shame for something that started out being such a page turner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews