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Murder by the Crumbs: A Lily Swan Cozy Myster
Lily never imagined she’d be trading deadlines for dead people.
Lily Swan trades deadlines for doughnuts—and a mischievous Husky—for a fresh start. Leaving behind her Chicago food-writing career, she settles into her aunt’s small-town bakery, the Cup & Crumb, hoping for pastries and a peaceful slower pace. But she didn’t know that murder would be on the menu.
When a ruthless book critic drops dead at Pinewood’s literary festival, chaos erupts, and the suspect list is as long as a bestselling novel. From her vantage point at the bustling bakery, Lily finds herself tangled in the twists of a real-life mystery puzzle.
The victim had no shortage of enemies, and Pinewood’s secrets run deeper than its scenic riverfront. With her sharp instincts and journalist’s curiosity, Lily steps into the role of amateur sleuth—alongside her four-legged sidekick, Benny. But the clues are as deceptive as a cleverly plotted mystery.
Someone in town wants the past buried—and they’re willing to kill to keep it that way.
Can Lily crack the case before she becomes the next chapter in a killer’s story?
Lily Swan trades deadlines for doughnuts—and a mischievous Husky—for a fresh start. Leaving behind her Chicago food-writing career, she settles into her aunt’s small-town bakery, the Cup & Crumb, hoping for pastries and a peaceful slower pace. But she didn’t know that murder would be on the menu.
When a ruthless book critic drops dead at Pinewood’s literary festival, chaos erupts, and the suspect list is as long as a bestselling novel. From her vantage point at the bustling bakery, Lily finds herself tangled in the twists of a real-life mystery puzzle.
The victim had no shortage of enemies, and Pinewood’s secrets run deeper than its scenic riverfront. With her sharp instincts and journalist’s curiosity, Lily steps into the role of amateur sleuth—alongside her four-legged sidekick, Benny. But the clues are as deceptive as a cleverly plotted mystery.
Someone in town wants the past buried—and they’re willing to kill to keep it that way.
Can Lily crack the case before she becomes the next chapter in a killer’s story?
- GenresMystery
52 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 23, 2025
Perhaps more like 3.25 or 3.5 ?
Anyway, the baseline is pretty common with these cozy mysteries ... the central character is getting away from the busy town where he/she lived, and try to retire to some remote small town/village, for a quieter live, only to be tangled in a murder mystery, which obviously he/she suceeds to solve.
This story is good enough to make you go up to the end, even considering it's pretty short length.
What I was not very convinced with is that .... the husky, Benny, meets Lili at the very beginning but further into the story stays with her like he belonged to Lily from no on ? (it wasn't explicit being stated this, but makes you consider this while reading). And since I'm a succer for covers with dogs on them, Lily collaboration with Benny to find clues and solve the crime mystery was not that much deep/convincing.
Also, clearly is a short story here, but I felt that finding who the killer was was way to easy.
Anyway, the baseline is pretty common with these cozy mysteries ... the central character is getting away from the busy town where he/she lived, and try to retire to some remote small town/village, for a quieter live, only to be tangled in a murder mystery, which obviously he/she suceeds to solve.
This story is good enough to make you go up to the end, even considering it's pretty short length.
What I was not very convinced with is that .... the husky, Benny, meets Lili at the very beginning but further into the story stays with her like he belonged to Lily from no on ? (it wasn't explicit being stated this, but makes you consider this while reading). And since I'm a succer for covers with dogs on them, Lily collaboration with Benny to find clues and solve the crime mystery was not that much deep/convincing.
Also, clearly is a short story here, but I felt that finding who the killer was was way to easy.
July 16, 2025
MURDER BY THE CRUMBS is a Lily Swan Cozy Mystery by Clara Storm. This story is also my introduction to the author. This is a cleverly plotted mystery story.
Lily Swan has left a successful and busy food opinion writing career in Chicago for her aunt’s Cup & Crumb Bakery, hoping for the peaceful pace she desires. It's such a nice dream.
When a rude, opinionated book critic is murdered at Pinewood’s Literary Festival, the suspect list is, well, everybody. It's not long before Lily finds herself in a real-life mystery puzzle filled with cryptic clues. With her journalist’s curiosity and her four-legged clue finding partner, Benny, she starts following deceptive clues and finding people with too many secrets to count. Are these secrets so important that someone would kill to keep their's?
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and the above is my voluntary and honest review.
Lily Swan has left a successful and busy food opinion writing career in Chicago for her aunt’s Cup & Crumb Bakery, hoping for the peaceful pace she desires. It's such a nice dream.
When a rude, opinionated book critic is murdered at Pinewood’s Literary Festival, the suspect list is, well, everybody. It's not long before Lily finds herself in a real-life mystery puzzle filled with cryptic clues. With her journalist’s curiosity and her four-legged clue finding partner, Benny, she starts following deceptive clues and finding people with too many secrets to count. Are these secrets so important that someone would kill to keep their's?
I received a free copy of this book from the author, and the above is my voluntary and honest review.
July 24, 2025
Murder by the Crumbs written by Clara Storm. What an interesting read. There is action, murder & mystery. Lilly lived in Chicago and she got frustrated living the & Joanna has been getting her to come to Pinewood. She gets and Aunt Joanna has a bakery store and as soon as gets there the bakery is just hopping busy so she helps out her Aunt Joanna. Theirs a festival in Pinewood so her Aunt has a station setup & Lilly’s helping out. All of a sudden someone screams & everyone rushes over to find out someone was murdered. You will have to get this book to find out what, who & how this person died. Yes I have this book & it’s a great read, this is my honest review.
Written by
Edith L 🐈⬛🐈
Written by
Edith L 🐈⬛🐈
June 18, 2026
Lilly Swan’s life has been upended—she has broken up with her boyfriend and lost her job as a food critic in Chicago, leaving her uncertain about her next steps. An opportunity to work at her aunt’s bakery, The Cup and Crumb, offers her a chance to start over in a small town and rebuild her life.
However, shortly after her arrival, a notorious book critic is found dead at a local literary festival. Drawing on her journalistic instincts in a new way, Lilly finds herself pulled into the investigation.
A fast-paced and entertaining cozy mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted whodunits filled with small-town charm and amateur sleuthing.
However, shortly after her arrival, a notorious book critic is found dead at a local literary festival. Drawing on her journalistic instincts in a new way, Lilly finds herself pulled into the investigation.
A fast-paced and entertaining cozy mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy lighthearted whodunits filled with small-town charm and amateur sleuthing.
August 15, 2025
Short but good mystery
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quick read.....almost bullet point descriptions....characters are well written......I could see an excellent series following this mystery.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Quick read.....almost bullet point descriptions....characters are well written......I could see an excellent series following this mystery.
February 8, 2026
I liked it, but spotted the murder at the end of page two.
October 8, 2025
I enjoyed what I read and I liked the way the author developed her sleuth. Can't wait to read a full book and see what Lily Swan can solve next time.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews