Murder hits a little too close to home for bakery owner Lexy Baker when a grim discovery is made in her homicide detective husband, Jack's, basement.
With Jack as the main suspect, Lexy has to turn up the heat and find the real killer while still trying to whip up the perfect meringue cookie recipe for the Brook Ridge Falls Desserts Contest. Normally, she would enlist the aid of her amateur detective grandmother, Nans. Except ...
Nans has a secret and is uncustomarily disinterested in investigating. Not to be daunted, Lexy turns to her iPad-toting posse of grandma sleuths who help her sift through the clues in an investigation that keeps dishing up the most unlikely suspects.
When a surprising twist causes Lexy to suspect those closest to her, it makes her wonder if some things from the past aren't better left alone.
USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Really think I have had it with this series. First, Lexy should give Cassie at least a 50% interest in the bakery, as she seems to be the one who is there working all the time while Lexy gads about. Second, if Lexy feels her parents need the money she owes them so badly, why doesn't she just go to a bank, get a loan and then pay the bank back when the house is sold. Or, is that too logical a thought? The whole scenario is ludicrous. People just don't help their friends and neighbors hide bodies. And I can't imagine that when the McDonalds returned from Europe, they would not have a problem living in their house knowing a body was interred in their basement. I know I would not be too comfortable about it. Then there is the black wig that Nans comes up with that has the DNA of Marco, a reputed mobster, but she won't tell who she got it from. Maybe she won't tell her neighbors, but, come on, you have to tell your readers. Of course, that is, if the writer has the answer or is just letting it fly because she can't come up with an answer. Then, last, but by no means least, is Violet, who is touted by the writer as the hired assassin without coming out and saying it, but Lexy, Nan and the others most certainly have that in mind. But, this doesn't seem to dissuade them, as they invite her over to visit, etc. Don't think I could be that cavalier about it. All in all, as I said previously, I am finished with this series and do not recommend it to anyone with a thinking brain.
Definitely going to be spoilers. You've been warned.
Was reading along, 12% mark, it's, not all that believable, mummified body in whouse that used to belong to older couple. Full basement of stuff to be sorted so house can be sold. Lavender sachets that still smell heavily like lavender 60 years later after being behind a closed off area of basement with mummy.
So, I did what I do, went to read a few reviews to see what's what. What I find is that there's a very bad ending to this book. So, I go to the last chapter, thinking the author would not do this to her Main character in the TENTH book of the series. Yup, she would.
What did she do? She did what I consider unforgivable. She's built Lexi up to be an upright citizen, law abiding, doesn't keep secrets from her HOMICIDE DETECTIVE HUSBAND. In this book, 5 neighbors, including Lexi's grandmother help to hide a body of man named Earl in a neighbors basement while they are away on a trip.
Fast forward to when the police figure out that they had SOMETHING to do with it...the 5 women get only 30 days of community service, for hiding a dead body, breaking and entering, and more.
Lexi figures out who the killer is, due to a pair of pinking shears that were used to cut off the dead man's toe. Plus some other things. Lexi decides not to tell the police who the killer is almost certain to be, because...the murder was 60 years ago, the killer is old, and not really a threat...now...
Congratulations author. You have utterly destroyed your main character's credibility. Smashed it to smithereens. She's now keeping the identity of the most likely person to have murdered Earl from the police, including HER HOMICIDE DETECTIVE HUSBAND. If she tells him, he's obligated to tell his superiors or his credibility is toast also.
I now no longer trust this author to be able to write credible characters in any series...so she will be on my HELL NO list permanently. Too bad, I actually like her books for when I just want a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Skip this one. I have enjoyed all the Lexy Baker books, but this one commits the cardinal sin for me in a mystery. It stops; it doesn't end. I wont say who is implicated but either the mystery is not solved; or it is, and the whole cast of our favorite characters decide to let a vicious serial killer go and continue to live among them. The minimum a mystery writer needs to do is solve the mystery, not simply imply stop the story. I gave this two stars instead of one because the characters of the Ladies Detective Club remain charming as does Lexy. However, the plot here is so convoluted and unbelievable that it should not have come as a surprise that even the author couldn't make a reasonable end. Tortured coincidences, utterly uncharacteristic and preposterous behaviors by both the amateurs and law enforcement only make it worse. Leighanne Dobbs is a talented writer, so this is particularly disappointing.
I have to agree with some of the other reviews about this story. I have never heard of upstanding citizens helping their neighbors hide a crime and many years later giving the law red herrings to keep them off the trail of the real killer. Hard to believe a police detective's wife would hide the truth from her husband. I was shaking my head in disbelief throughout the book.
I enjoy this series of well written Cozies by prolific writer Leigh Ann Dobbs. Lexi, owner of her own bakery and Jack detective extraordinaire, are a well matched couple and crime solvers. Who couldn't love the seniors who help them in their pursuits of seeking justice. This book is one of the later Books in the series but each book is a stand alone read. When cleaning out his basement in order to sell his home Jack and Lexi discover a body behind a wall. Jack is eliminated from the police enquiry due to being the owner of the home. Lexi calls in the Ladies Detective Agency for help but her grandmother Nans is suspiciously absent during the detecting process raising Lexi's concerns. This was a real surprising ending and I was thinking WOW! A great read!
Mummified Meringues by Leaghann Dobbs is the 10th book in the Lexy Baker Mystery series. Cleaning out the basement in her husband Jack's home, Lexy's dog Sprinkles uncovers a mummified body. An interesting mystery although it moved a bit slow as the culprit seemed rather obvious and no-one was really interested in helping the investigation, especially Nana. Not one of the better books in the series.
Each book-in the series focus on a murder but also a different type of bakery product. This one is on meringues which although I love, this is not one I’m interested in but the murder mystery was intriguing.
Lexy Baker has a dessert contest to get ready for. This year’s theme was: meringue.
While trying to clean up a house they were trying to sell, Jack and Lexy find a mummy in their basement. A mummy, really? Who sealed the poor guy in the wall and why?
Because it was found in Jack’s house, he was the number one suspect. Of course! But, in actuality, the cops didn’t really seem to make a big deal out of this. Lexy was more concerned about selling the house as quickly as possible than about her husband going to jail. That’s why she wanted to solve this thing fast. Sounds like a job for the Ladies Detective Club.
So they’re all looking into an old case while Lexy is trying to perfect her meringue recipe for the contest. Who cares who stuffed the guy in the wall over 70 years ago?
I've read the previous books in the Lexy Baker series. "Mummified Meringues" fit right into the theme of the series - easy cozy reading. Each book in the series has been light, cute, and a super quick read. I would call the series "mind candy" - no blood or gore, no heavy thinking, no crazy twists, just silly and fun sleuthing. The story is far fetched, predictable, and a little corny, but that's what makes it fun. Nans and her geriatric pose's always add a bit of shenanigans and fun to each story. This is a great series if you are looking for a quick read while you are on the go, a day at the beach, a rainy weekend, any time you just need a fun light story.
This one is too unbelievable to be enjoyed. Lexi is becoming an air-headed version of teenager Nancy Drew but it’s not so appealing in an adult. She neglects her business, dumping all the work on her partner. She worries about owing money to her parents. Doesn’t she know that’s what banks are for? The unity of the pack of neighbors goes to the point of absurdity. People spill their hearts out to this pack of Senior ladies, remembering things they “forgot” to tell the police! I’ve enjoyed others in this series but this one is strange. Even in the end there are still too many unanswered questions.
The ending was a little disappointing. Spoilers ahead:
I think Violet getting away with killing Earl was stupid. Especially if she got away with everyone's money that Earl scammed from them back in the day. She's basically living off those neighbors cash.
Still there was enough suspence for me to through the book to see what happened next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Mummified Meringues has Lexy and the gang chasing down a mystery from the 1950s. A murder occurred in the house directly behind the one which belonged to Mona and has now been purchased by her granddaughter, Lexy. Mona is acting suspiciously and Lexy fears that her grandmother may have been involved.
The inconsistencies in the timeline are concerning. Mona must now be well in her 80s and she acts decidedly two decades younger. Another detail was a mention of "Wheel of Fortune" on tv in 1955 when it aired during the 1952-53 season and a programme by that name was not seen again until 1975. Additionally, Legos are discussed but the Lego block as we know it wasn't put into production until 1958 and were not readily available in the US until 1961, so the "parents stepping on lego brick" meme doesn't really work into this story's chronology.
Overall, the story is a fair "Lexy Baker". It is perhaps not the best one, but it still is a good romp.
I've enjoyed previous Lexi Baker mysteries, but this one was a bit off.. a couple of things that were said weren't remembered by me the way Lexi remembered them. Then the ending was really messed up..if Lexi's suspect really killed the "mummy", why did that person stay in town? Once you've read it, you'll see what I mean. Otherwise, it was very entertaining..a little too many suspects thrown in, as well as too many motives. The characters were great though, even though the dart player at the bar wasn't mentioned in the end, for some reason, like the other suspects were. I always enjoy Mona"s friends in the Ladies Detective Agency, & Lexi & Jack & Sprinkles are definitely favorite characters of mine. And I'm REALLY glad the authoress threw in the recipe for the meringue cookies! Can't wait to bake & try them!
Love this series and following Lexy, Nan, Ida Ruth & Helen along with Lexy's detective husband Jack. The "Lady's detective agency " ran by Nan and her 3 gal friends from the retirement home are normally on the case and ready to solve any mystery no matter the age but in this one... What has Nan --- Mona's attention? Is her memory failing? Is she in love as her friends have suggested? Lexy is worried but not Jack, at least not but her memory or her possibly having a boyfriend, he has a problem in his basement that needs to be solved! You are sure to love the many twists and turns, especially as Jack needs to take a back seat to all the investigations. I can't wait for next one in the series!
Poorly written, not proof read, and unbelievable situations that were not thought out. Might have been a good story but I gave up. Moved to slow and I gave up on interest over annoying issues. Don't writers do outlines? Proofread? Don't they have editors who give feedback? If someone has the sun in their eyes as they are using binoculars, sitting in a car, they can't see in a dark house at a couple sitting in the couch, her in his lap. The curtains were drawn. They have a front lawn. The driver of the car is so far away, how'd the sun reflect off the binoculars? She wasn't leaning out the window Be plausible.
I am a fan of Leighann Dobbs' Lexy Baker mystery series. Lexy Baker-Perillo lives in Brook Ridge Falls with her homicide detective husband Jack. She owns and operates The Cup and Cake bakery. While clearing out the basement of Jack's house to get it ready to sell, they discover a mummified man. Lexy wanted to concentrate on perfecting her meringue cookies for the Brook Ridge Falls Desserts Contest, but now she's sidetracked with figuring out how the dead body got there. Once again she gets help from her Nans and their Ladies Detective Club--Ruth, Ida, and Helen. This book has a lot of twists and turns and surprises. The characters are a lot of fun and the books are well written.
easy read on my daily commute...enjoyed the story until the end...why save the murder, should have turned the old lady in, mention a show not produced in 1955...wheel of fortune and always repeating that the crime was committed 50 years ago, when the murder was committed closer to 60 years, which would make all the elderly people much older than their ages in the book, and how is Nans going to call her friends in Europe, did they give her their hotel number...move the setting to 1965...the story had a lot of plot holes
This one really wasn’t the best. It was so obvious from the beginning what was going on, to the point I asked myself if the solution could really be that easy… but yes, it was And the fact that Lexy somehow needed hours to figure out the end….seriously? And you wanna investigate stuff? Even though you comple the my disregard anything that doesn’t fit your theory?
Style is okay, but nothing awesome. Could be better tbh.
Jack, Lexy husband had bought a house in which basement was full of items. Clearing out 50 years of junk the previous owner had. Sprinkles, Lexy dog came across a hole, a wall that didn’t conform to the others. Secrets have been concealed for how long, and could they find out what had happen. Her books are always nice flowing cozy mystery. and one likes Lexy and Jack, and her bakery creations.
I read all genres, nut when it comes to cozies I have a few authors who always deliver. Dobbs’ Lexy Carmichael series delivers. Lexy, along with a team of seniors, investigate murders in a most delightful manner. In this book the gang takes on a murder most foul from fifty years prior. I think most readers will enjoy this series as I do.
Lexy and her grandmother set out to solve a mystery involving the mummified remains found in the basement of Lexy’s husband’s house. At the same time, Lexy is trying to perfect her meringue recipe for the upcoming contest. It all comes together but leaves a few hanging threads. Enjoyable but not totally satisfying... and I’m not a fan of meringues!
Makes one think twice when buying a new house. Who knows what could be lurking within.
Just who are the good guys and how great is their crime?
Good character development with an old friend as the ultimate hero! Best of all is her aging, comedic sidekicks! They form a quirky band of crime solvers.
This one kept me guessing until the end and some of my theories were way off base. Like the rest of the series this was fun and playful. It was obvious that something was up and that Nan was involved but I was expecting something more like The Oriental Express.
Too funny the way everyone keeps telling Lexy that her meringue cookies need more sugar and she has to keep adding more and more sugar for the contest! Then after the contest she is told that her meringues have too much sugar!
Thoroughly enjoyed the running around trying to figure out the murderer.It was a little dizzying,hoping it wasn't Mona. It was amazing they could remember things from fifty years ago. By the way Legos came to the U.S. in 1962.
Entertaining storyline about a body that was found in the cellar of a house that they want to sell. This is when the fun begins, Lexy, and the girls trying to find out who murdered the body from fifty years ago!
I enjoyed this book very much. I love this author. I never worry about vulgar words or graphic sex scenes. This book was entertaining and kept me guessing right up to the end. The characters were well defined and easy to relate to.
Was funny to read with all the quirky characters. But the story was too obvious in many ways, and the ending left a bad taste in my mouth. However, the cookies did not.
Lexy and Nan with a twist. A murder, tight neighbors, and clue pointing to crime solving,granny, Nan. The old girls mystery solving club is at a disadvantage when Nan is “ disinterested in a murder.
This was a funny quick read which I enjoyed very much. I kept thinking of the Dixie Chicks song, Earls gotta die. Because it mirrored the song in that Earl was a missing person who nobody missed at all.😆😆😆