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Baking Up a Murder: A Novel
A family-owned bakery gets stirred up in trouble in this cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander and Bree Baker.
When her beloved grandfather dies, pastry chef Madeline quits her high-brow job at a renowned LA restaurant to take up her grandfather’s mantle and keep his bakery running alongside his widow, her big-personality grandma Ruth. For Madeline, bringing her passion for French pastries to Solvang, California, is her biggest baking challenge yet: the town is completely Danish themed, down to the windmills.
In an effort to connect with the locals and convince them that an eclair is just as good as a spandauer, Madeline enters a local baking competition at Grandma Ruth’s urging. Despite her triumphant win, things go terribly wrong when a jilted competitor accuses Madeline of cheating and Grandma Ruth gets very publicly protective of her granddaughter. When that competitor is found dead outside the bakery with Grandma Ruth standing over the body, it’s no surprise who everyone thinks is responsible.
With the police focused on Grandma Ruth as a suspect and the gossipy locals quickly turning on Ruth and the bakery, Madeline becomes determined to prove her grandma’s innocence and save her grandfather’s legacy before the whole thing goes up in smoke.
When her beloved grandfather dies, pastry chef Madeline quits her high-brow job at a renowned LA restaurant to take up her grandfather’s mantle and keep his bakery running alongside his widow, her big-personality grandma Ruth. For Madeline, bringing her passion for French pastries to Solvang, California, is her biggest baking challenge yet: the town is completely Danish themed, down to the windmills.
In an effort to connect with the locals and convince them that an eclair is just as good as a spandauer, Madeline enters a local baking competition at Grandma Ruth’s urging. Despite her triumphant win, things go terribly wrong when a jilted competitor accuses Madeline of cheating and Grandma Ruth gets very publicly protective of her granddaughter. When that competitor is found dead outside the bakery with Grandma Ruth standing over the body, it’s no surprise who everyone thinks is responsible.
With the police focused on Grandma Ruth as a suspect and the gossipy locals quickly turning on Ruth and the bakery, Madeline becomes determined to prove her grandma’s innocence and save her grandfather’s legacy before the whole thing goes up in smoke.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
256 pages, Hardcover
Published March 24, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hattie Fox’s Baking Up a Murder is a suspenseful cozy murder mystery set in a small town that main characters, Madeline and Grandma Ruth find themselves with a murdered competitor outside of their bakery.
As you read this story, it is apparent that word gets around in the community yet, with different characters introduced it throws in mixing up who you might actual think the murder is. The pacing was slow in the beginning yet picked up towards the middle. Personally, I felt like the end was cut a little short (hopefully there is another book coming out). I would love to see more romance for Madeline.
My favorite part of the whole story is Madeline finding justice for her Grandma Ruth regardless of how dangerous her own investigation may be.
Readers who enjoy a small town cozy murder mystery will definitely love reading this story!
This is the first book I’ve read from Hattie Fox, and I loved her writing style. I can’t wait to read her future books. I’d give this book four stars.
Thank you NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for this amazing eARC!
As you read this story, it is apparent that word gets around in the community yet, with different characters introduced it throws in mixing up who you might actual think the murder is. The pacing was slow in the beginning yet picked up towards the middle. Personally, I felt like the end was cut a little short (hopefully there is another book coming out). I would love to see more romance for Madeline.
My favorite part of the whole story is Madeline finding justice for her Grandma Ruth regardless of how dangerous her own investigation may be.
Readers who enjoy a small town cozy murder mystery will definitely love reading this story!
This is the first book I’ve read from Hattie Fox, and I loved her writing style. I can’t wait to read her future books. I’d give this book four stars.
Thank you NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for this amazing eARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2026
When Madeline's grandfather, the owner of a small-town bakery, passes away, she quits her fancy culinary job in LA and moves back home. According to her grandmother, Ruth, Madeline can take over the bakery on one condition: she must sell her specialty, French pastries—something the locals are 𝐧𝐨𝐭 accustomed to.
When a local baking competition is announced, Ruth convinces Madeline to enter. It is the perfect opportunity to promote the bakery.
However, once Madeline wins, things start to go wrong. Another competitor accuses her of stealing her recipe, but Ruth refuses to accept the accusation.
Later, the same competitor is found dead in the alley outside the bakery—discovered by none other than Ruth. It is no surprise, then, that Ruth becomes a suspect in the crime. Madeline will do whatever she can to save the bakery and prove her grandmother's innocence.
🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪
This cozy and entertaining murder mystery will leave you craving an éclair or inspired to get into the kitchen and bake something delicious.
The bakery was described as cozy and comforting, with a sweet cat, making me feel as if I could transport myself right into the book as soon as I started reading. I loved the dynamic between Madeline and Ruth. Ruth was so funny and enjoyable that I wish I could read another book featuring her.
I loved the ending. I had guessed it to some extent, but I did not expect it to conclude as dramatically as it did.
This book may not change your life, but it is definitely worth reading. If you enjoy small-town murder mysteries, this book is perfect for you.
When a local baking competition is announced, Ruth convinces Madeline to enter. It is the perfect opportunity to promote the bakery.
However, once Madeline wins, things start to go wrong. Another competitor accuses her of stealing her recipe, but Ruth refuses to accept the accusation.
Later, the same competitor is found dead in the alley outside the bakery—discovered by none other than Ruth. It is no surprise, then, that Ruth becomes a suspect in the crime. Madeline will do whatever she can to save the bakery and prove her grandmother's innocence.
🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪🥐🔪
This cozy and entertaining murder mystery will leave you craving an éclair or inspired to get into the kitchen and bake something delicious.
The bakery was described as cozy and comforting, with a sweet cat, making me feel as if I could transport myself right into the book as soon as I started reading. I loved the dynamic between Madeline and Ruth. Ruth was so funny and enjoyable that I wish I could read another book featuring her.
I loved the ending. I had guessed it to some extent, but I did not expect it to conclude as dramatically as it did.
This book may not change your life, but it is definitely worth reading. If you enjoy small-town murder mysteries, this book is perfect for you.
July 22, 2026
The writing flowed smoothly for me in this one, making it easier to read, but the story itself was a mess; Madeline leaves work to investigate (huge pet peeve), breaks in to several places to get clues (another pet peeve), and blunders through an investigation of sorts, bullying suspects and muddying chains of custody. The ending was surprising but by then I was so disappointed in the lack of character development that it didn’t really phase me. Not sure if this is a series but I will not continue with it if it is.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There’s a dead body outside the bakery and Grandma Ruth is standing over it like she wished she’d done it. I mean, if looks could kill, this whole Danish-themed town would already be toast. Welcome to Baking Up a Murder, where the pastries are flaky, the locals are nosy, and the murder suspect is an aggressively delightful grandmother who once coached high school football and could bench-press your dad.
Our main girl Madeline is fresh off the LA pastry scene. Think Michelin-starred, stress-sweat, 14-hour shift realness. She peaces out after her grandpa dies to take over the family bakery in Solvang, aka the town that thinks a croissant is heresy unless it’s wearing clogs. She wants to honor her grandpa, keep the bakery alive, and maybe slowly die inside trying to make eclairs appeal to people who think spandauer is a personality trait.
But then. THEN. Grandma Ruth shoves Madeline into a local baking competition because that’s what grieving families do, apparently. Madeline wins, which would be great if her win didn’t result in public accusations, a murder, and her grandma standing over the victim like a Swedish noir villain with arthritis. And listen. Grandma Ruth might be chaotic, but she’s not that chaotic. Probably.
Here’s where the book almost lost me. The mystery part kinda gives “I watched a few episodes of Murder, She Wrote and thought, yeah I can wing it.” It’s fine. It does what it says on the tin. But if you’re looking for shocking twists or deeply clever clues, this one’s more buttercream than brain melt. I guessed the killer before Madeline even put on her metaphorical detective hat. Which, side note, is just her regular baker’s hat but tilted like she means business.
But I stayed for Ruth. I would die for Ruth. She’s loud, rude in the way only the truly lovable are, and she does not have time for your feelings unless they are baked into a tart. I wanted more of her, more of her weirdly intense relationship with the town, and more of her mysterious past, which is teased like a slow-drip gossip fountain but never quite delivers. Like. Ma’am. Explain the football coaching. I need to know.
Madeline herself? She’s like the sensible sister in a sitcom full of drama queens. I liked her, but she’s a little safe. Like a bakery version of “this meeting could’ve been an email.” There are hints at growth, and the whole “save the bakery, solve the crime, don’t cry in front of the sourdough” arc almost hits. But she needs a few more unhinged choices before I’m fully invested.
And then there’s Ash. Detective. Ex-football player. Possibly a cinnamon roll, TBD. No insta-love, thank god, just vibes and a slow burn that smells faintly of copaganda and pie. I’m not mad at it. I’m intrigued. But again, this whole book felt like a pilot episode where they introduced half the characters and then just... stopped. Like someone yanked the plug right before the final plot twist. I wanted to love it. But instead I liked it and kept mentally adding post-its for “hope this gets unpacked in book two.”
Would I come back for another helping? Absolutely. Because this town is deranged in exactly the way I like. Everyone’s got secrets. The bakery has legacy drama. Grandma Ruth is an icon. I need more weird crimes and pastry-fueled sleuthing, preferably involving competitive jam-making and at least one suspicious moose head in the church basement.
Final vibe? 2.5 stars. Tasty enough to keep reading, not quite flaky enough to devour. But if this becomes a series, I’ll grab my fork and camp out in Solvang.
Whodunity Award: For Most Unhinged Bake-Off Brawl That Ends in Homicide
Big thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for feeding my cozy crime addiction and letting me run wild with a murder mystery that comes frosted in family drama and sprinkled with sass. You had me at “pastry chef murder suspect grandma” and honestly, I regret nothing.
Our main girl Madeline is fresh off the LA pastry scene. Think Michelin-starred, stress-sweat, 14-hour shift realness. She peaces out after her grandpa dies to take over the family bakery in Solvang, aka the town that thinks a croissant is heresy unless it’s wearing clogs. She wants to honor her grandpa, keep the bakery alive, and maybe slowly die inside trying to make eclairs appeal to people who think spandauer is a personality trait.
But then. THEN. Grandma Ruth shoves Madeline into a local baking competition because that’s what grieving families do, apparently. Madeline wins, which would be great if her win didn’t result in public accusations, a murder, and her grandma standing over the victim like a Swedish noir villain with arthritis. And listen. Grandma Ruth might be chaotic, but she’s not that chaotic. Probably.
Here’s where the book almost lost me. The mystery part kinda gives “I watched a few episodes of Murder, She Wrote and thought, yeah I can wing it.” It’s fine. It does what it says on the tin. But if you’re looking for shocking twists or deeply clever clues, this one’s more buttercream than brain melt. I guessed the killer before Madeline even put on her metaphorical detective hat. Which, side note, is just her regular baker’s hat but tilted like she means business.
But I stayed for Ruth. I would die for Ruth. She’s loud, rude in the way only the truly lovable are, and she does not have time for your feelings unless they are baked into a tart. I wanted more of her, more of her weirdly intense relationship with the town, and more of her mysterious past, which is teased like a slow-drip gossip fountain but never quite delivers. Like. Ma’am. Explain the football coaching. I need to know.
Madeline herself? She’s like the sensible sister in a sitcom full of drama queens. I liked her, but she’s a little safe. Like a bakery version of “this meeting could’ve been an email.” There are hints at growth, and the whole “save the bakery, solve the crime, don’t cry in front of the sourdough” arc almost hits. But she needs a few more unhinged choices before I’m fully invested.
And then there’s Ash. Detective. Ex-football player. Possibly a cinnamon roll, TBD. No insta-love, thank god, just vibes and a slow burn that smells faintly of copaganda and pie. I’m not mad at it. I’m intrigued. But again, this whole book felt like a pilot episode where they introduced half the characters and then just... stopped. Like someone yanked the plug right before the final plot twist. I wanted to love it. But instead I liked it and kept mentally adding post-its for “hope this gets unpacked in book two.”
Would I come back for another helping? Absolutely. Because this town is deranged in exactly the way I like. Everyone’s got secrets. The bakery has legacy drama. Grandma Ruth is an icon. I need more weird crimes and pastry-fueled sleuthing, preferably involving competitive jam-making and at least one suspicious moose head in the church basement.
Final vibe? 2.5 stars. Tasty enough to keep reading, not quite flaky enough to devour. But if this becomes a series, I’ll grab my fork and camp out in Solvang.
Whodunity Award: For Most Unhinged Bake-Off Brawl That Ends in Homicide
Big thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for feeding my cozy crime addiction and letting me run wild with a murder mystery that comes frosted in family drama and sprinkled with sass. You had me at “pastry chef murder suspect grandma” and honestly, I regret nothing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Welcome to Solvang, California, a cozy Danish themed town where the spandauer is THE pastry that everyone is clamoring to try. This cozy bakeshop mystery starts with the end of one career and the start of another. Madeline is a classically trained French pastry chef who finds herself relocating from swanky Los Angeles to tourist town Solvang to continue a family legacy but with a completely new look. Madelaine’s grandpa Victor was a baker and a very good one, his wife, Grandma Ruth, is not a baker. Ruth’s strengths lie in her ability to be super supportive, and she coaches Madeline to stay in town and reopen the bakery as the French Patisserie that Madeline has always wanted. Oh, and while she is at it why not enter a local baking contest to drum up business and possible support from the locals.
Grandma Ruth is a hoot. She knows all about coaching, since she was the high school assistant football coach for enough years to have coached Detective Ashton back in the day. This cute cop catches Madeline’s eye and her ire when he doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough to find the murderer and save Ruth’s reputation. Who would have ever guessed that Grandma Ruth would be the person to find the body of Solvang’s newest resident, Mallory Gates, dead behind the bakery. As with most small towns the gossip is quick and everyone seemed to add to the drama, even though Ruth was a local, a well-respected local while Mallory was an argumentative newbie. I was also surprised as to how gutsy Madeline was, taking chances as a first-time sleuth which very few seasoned amateurs would try. The case seems to be stalled which throws Madeline into a flight or fight mode, as her nerves start to get the better of her or maybe it is because there is a possible stalker shadowing her steps and leaving strange notes. Notes that might have come from the suave sommelier James, whom she knows from LA, who just happens to be in town for a seminar at a local winery.
There is definitely a good bit of action, several clues, and a couple of red herrings. Grandma Ruth stole the show with her sassy ways. After reading about the tantalizing treats, I was a little disappointed that there are no recipes included for either spandauers or eclairs. I am not sure which of the two I would pick but since Madeline’s bakery offers both no one has to choose. Speaking of choices, it looks like Madeline might have some interesting choices of her own in the future, even though she says she doesn’t have time for romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy.
Grandma Ruth is a hoot. She knows all about coaching, since she was the high school assistant football coach for enough years to have coached Detective Ashton back in the day. This cute cop catches Madeline’s eye and her ire when he doesn’t seem to be moving fast enough to find the murderer and save Ruth’s reputation. Who would have ever guessed that Grandma Ruth would be the person to find the body of Solvang’s newest resident, Mallory Gates, dead behind the bakery. As with most small towns the gossip is quick and everyone seemed to add to the drama, even though Ruth was a local, a well-respected local while Mallory was an argumentative newbie. I was also surprised as to how gutsy Madeline was, taking chances as a first-time sleuth which very few seasoned amateurs would try. The case seems to be stalled which throws Madeline into a flight or fight mode, as her nerves start to get the better of her or maybe it is because there is a possible stalker shadowing her steps and leaving strange notes. Notes that might have come from the suave sommelier James, whom she knows from LA, who just happens to be in town for a seminar at a local winery.
There is definitely a good bit of action, several clues, and a couple of red herrings. Grandma Ruth stole the show with her sassy ways. After reading about the tantalizing treats, I was a little disappointed that there are no recipes included for either spandauers or eclairs. I am not sure which of the two I would pick but since Madeline’s bakery offers both no one has to choose. Speaking of choices, it looks like Madeline might have some interesting choices of her own in the future, even though she says she doesn’t have time for romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader's copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📱📖 Read on Kindle (ARC)
📃 256 pages
⏱ ~3 hours read time
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Publishing Date: March 24, 2026
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
Baking Up a Murder is everything you want in a cozy culinary mystery, with its comforting, flavorful energy and just the right amount of bite. Hattie Fox sets her debut in Solvang, a town so vividly described you can practically smell the butter and cinnamon wafting from the bakery. This book brings Amanda Flower vibes from the Amish Candy Shop series but with a fresh California twist that got me craving pastries at midnight.
What truly elevates this debut though, is the relationship between Madeline and Grandma Ruth. This is not your soft-edged, cardigan wearing grandma troupe. Ruth is brash, blunt, unapologetically loud, and absolutely unforgettable. Their dynamic crackles with warmth and humor, and it gives the story the emotional anchor that makes the mystery connect with you. When Ruth becomes a murder suspect, Madeline's determination feels deeply personal rather than plot-driven, and that makes all the difference.
Sure, the small town gossip mill spins predictably at times (which is where the one star was lost), but the heart, the legacy-saving stakes, and Ruth's unfiltered zingers elevates it to feel-good gold. No insta-love fluff, just solid bonds and holiday wartm that lingers like sugar dust. Debut cozy mysteries don't get any tastier. This is a cozy culinary mystery triumph!
Would I recommend it?
This debut cozy culinary mystery is a treat. Hattie Fox delivers Amanda Flower level comfort with fresh flair. Perfect for cozy mystery fans craving baking competition drama minus the bland.
Your favorite Grandma sleuth moment?
Spill in the comments: What's the sassiest grandma character in cozy mysteries you've adored?
📃 256 pages
⏱ ~3 hours read time
🏷️ Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
📅 Publishing Date: March 24, 2026
🎁 ARC provided by NetGalley
Baking Up a Murder is everything you want in a cozy culinary mystery, with its comforting, flavorful energy and just the right amount of bite. Hattie Fox sets her debut in Solvang, a town so vividly described you can practically smell the butter and cinnamon wafting from the bakery. This book brings Amanda Flower vibes from the Amish Candy Shop series but with a fresh California twist that got me craving pastries at midnight.
What truly elevates this debut though, is the relationship between Madeline and Grandma Ruth. This is not your soft-edged, cardigan wearing grandma troupe. Ruth is brash, blunt, unapologetically loud, and absolutely unforgettable. Their dynamic crackles with warmth and humor, and it gives the story the emotional anchor that makes the mystery connect with you. When Ruth becomes a murder suspect, Madeline's determination feels deeply personal rather than plot-driven, and that makes all the difference.
Sure, the small town gossip mill spins predictably at times (which is where the one star was lost), but the heart, the legacy-saving stakes, and Ruth's unfiltered zingers elevates it to feel-good gold. No insta-love fluff, just solid bonds and holiday wartm that lingers like sugar dust. Debut cozy mysteries don't get any tastier. This is a cozy culinary mystery triumph!
Would I recommend it?
This debut cozy culinary mystery is a treat. Hattie Fox delivers Amanda Flower level comfort with fresh flair. Perfect for cozy mystery fans craving baking competition drama minus the bland.
Your favorite Grandma sleuth moment?
Spill in the comments: What's the sassiest grandma character in cozy mysteries you've adored?
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The story opens with a death - not a murder - but it sets the background for the two main characters, Madeline and Grandma Ruth. The reader is teased with Grandma Ruth’s backstory before the murder mystery begins. I say teased because some parts of their backstories are not explored and feel forgotten.
The story is set in Solvang, a Dutch based village with associated bakeries and Madeline with Grandma Ruth’s blessing and backing, reimagines the family bakery to offer French based pastries with a couple of family favorite Dutch based options.
I was attracted to this story with its baking backstory.
Enter Mallory, an odd woman that has rubbed everyone she encounters the wrong way since she moved to town. Making the reader dislike her is done well.
The book has the “a novel” designation but reads (and ends) like the first in a series as there were some pieces underdeveloped and unresolved.
I wanted to love this story but I only got to somewhat like. I didn’t connect with Madeline and wanted more of Grandma Ruth. Police Detective Ash, a former football player for Grandma Ruth and believer in her innocence looks to be a future love interest of Madeline.
The ending felt rushed and there was at least one point unresolved for me. That being said, the story was a pleasant read with some surprises.
Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on this book.
Happy Reading!
The story is set in Solvang, a Dutch based village with associated bakeries and Madeline with Grandma Ruth’s blessing and backing, reimagines the family bakery to offer French based pastries with a couple of family favorite Dutch based options.
I was attracted to this story with its baking backstory.
Enter Mallory, an odd woman that has rubbed everyone she encounters the wrong way since she moved to town. Making the reader dislike her is done well.
The book has the “a novel” designation but reads (and ends) like the first in a series as there were some pieces underdeveloped and unresolved.
I wanted to love this story but I only got to somewhat like. I didn’t connect with Madeline and wanted more of Grandma Ruth. Police Detective Ash, a former football player for Grandma Ruth and believer in her innocence looks to be a future love interest of Madeline.
The ending felt rushed and there was at least one point unresolved for me. That being said, the story was a pleasant read with some surprises.
Thank you #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on this book.
Happy Reading!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Baking Up a Murder is a charming, comforting cozy mystery with the perfect mix of baking, family dynamics, and small-town intrigue.
I loved the setup right away — a pastry chef leaving behind a high-end LA restaurant to save her grandfather’s bakery in a very opinionated, Danish-themed town. Madeline is an easy protagonist to root for, and Grandma Ruth absolutely steals the show with her big personality, warmth, and fierce loyalty.
The mystery itself is classic cozy goodness: a baking competition, gossip-fuelled accusations, and a murder that puts the wrong person in the spotlight. The stakes feel personal without ever becoming heavy, and the bakery setting adds so much heart and charm throughout the story.
This is the kind of cozy mystery that’s easy to sink into and perfect to read with a sweet treat nearby. Fans of culinary mysteries, amateur sleuths, and close-knit (slightly nosy) communities will really enjoy this one.
Thank you to Hattie Fox, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the ARC
I loved the setup right away — a pastry chef leaving behind a high-end LA restaurant to save her grandfather’s bakery in a very opinionated, Danish-themed town. Madeline is an easy protagonist to root for, and Grandma Ruth absolutely steals the show with her big personality, warmth, and fierce loyalty.
The mystery itself is classic cozy goodness: a baking competition, gossip-fuelled accusations, and a murder that puts the wrong person in the spotlight. The stakes feel personal without ever becoming heavy, and the bakery setting adds so much heart and charm throughout the story.
This is the kind of cozy mystery that’s easy to sink into and perfect to read with a sweet treat nearby. Fans of culinary mysteries, amateur sleuths, and close-knit (slightly nosy) communities will really enjoy this one.
Thank you to Hattie Fox, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m sorry, but why does this entire book read like an Instagram caption? Pleaseee, I am deceased.
The plot itself is simple but compelling enough, I mean, you do want to find out who’s after Madeline and her Grandma Ruth. So that mystery element may have carried the story for a while.
Unfortunately, every single character feels painfully one-dimensional, which makes the whole read fall flat. Grandma Ruth comes across like an over-the-top cartoon character with endless quips that feel forced rather than charming. And there’s virtually no character development for anyone, not even Madeline, who’s written as almost too perfect. Our very own small-town Nancy Drew, apparently.
By the 60% mark, it really did start to feel like a slog. The “twist” isn’t really a twist so much as a straightforward whodunnit reveal, which made me realise that cozy mysteries may not be my thing after all.
The ending also seems to hint at a sequel. But honestly? Even if there is one in the works, I don’t think I’d be picking it up.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-Arc.
The plot itself is simple but compelling enough, I mean, you do want to find out who’s after Madeline and her Grandma Ruth. So that mystery element may have carried the story for a while.
Unfortunately, every single character feels painfully one-dimensional, which makes the whole read fall flat. Grandma Ruth comes across like an over-the-top cartoon character with endless quips that feel forced rather than charming. And there’s virtually no character development for anyone, not even Madeline, who’s written as almost too perfect. Our very own small-town Nancy Drew, apparently.
By the 60% mark, it really did start to feel like a slog. The “twist” isn’t really a twist so much as a straightforward whodunnit reveal, which made me realise that cozy mysteries may not be my thing after all.
The ending also seems to hint at a sequel. But honestly? Even if there is one in the works, I don’t think I’d be picking it up.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-Arc.
March 12, 2026
Loved that this book got straight to the point. Madeline returns home after her grandfather’s passing to take over his bakery, only to immediately clash with on of the locals—who soon turns up dead. While Madeline expects to be the prime suspect, the police set their sights on Grandma Ruth instead. Determined to clear her grandmother’s name, Madeline starts digging for the truth. Quick, cozy, and engaging—it might even have you building your own little murder board. 🧁🕵🏽♀️📌
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoy cozy mysteries and am always seeking new reads, but I quickly lost interest in Baking Up a Murder by Hattie Fox due to its simple plot. The characters are one dimensional. There is a lack of character development for all the characters including Madeline. The whodunit can be solved before Madeline dons her “sleuthing cap.” There are no twists or shocking reveals. The pacing is sluggish, especially in the middle. I appreciated the bond between Madeline and her grandmother, Ruth. Ruth comes across as direct and endearing, and the glimpses into her life suggest she's lived fully and happily. I pictured the inviting bakery and the aroma of fresh pastries. The ending was abrupt (it felt like the author reached her word count and said that’s it) and one item was left unresolved. If this starts a series, I won't read the sequel. I like steak more than whipped cream. Baking Up a Murder didn’t do it for me.
April 3, 2026
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
This cozy mystery debut shows an author with potential, even if this one didn't blow me away. It has solid elements- a charming town and a spunky grandmother character- and the overall plot is interesting. I'd read another in the series.
This cozy mystery debut shows an author with potential, even if this one didn't blow me away. It has solid elements- a charming town and a spunky grandmother character- and the overall plot is interesting. I'd read another in the series.
July 24, 2026
Baking Up a Murder by Hattie Fox is a quirky and fun cozy mystery. I thought the characters needed a little more dimension and development to make them believable and relatable, but the storyline was entertaining. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are strictly my own. I rated it a three.
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