A Cupcake to Die For

by Camilla Clove

A poisoned cupcake. A seaside town full of secrets. And a dog with a nose for trouble.

Jasmine Nazari, a burned-out marketing exec, stops in Pelican Cove hoping for rest before launching her inherited catering business. But when a loathed land developer drops dead after sampling her aunt’s cupcakes at the town bake sale, suspicion falls squarely on Mira and her beloved bakery.

To clear her aunt’s name, Jasmine dives into the investigation armed with sharp instincts, marketing savvy, and Mango—a scruffy mutt with a knack for finding clues. She reluctantly teams up with Detective Ben Holden, a charmingly naive cop just starting to take her seriously.

Between rival bakers, gossipy café owners, and threatening notes, Jasmine uncovers decades-old betrayals and a family secret worth killing for. Suspects include Dottie Lane, a hotheaded baker bitter over lease disputes, and Mrs. Donnelly, a sharp-tongued former landowner coerced into selling.

With Mira’s bakery on the brink and danger closing in, Jasmine must unmask the killer—before she’s next.

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2025

Reviews

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being the last book I finished reading in 2025, thos proved to be worth reading.
Interesting the alternance of perspective, between Jasmine, and Ben, the detective attached to the case of the murder.
Not a very complicated case, but still a cozy reading.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Cupcake to Die For is an Excellent story about Jasmine Nazari who was visiting her Aunt Mira. They had a booth at the Spring Bake Sale when someone collapsed. A very clever sleuthing dog appeared and chose Jasmine which she then called Mango. Detective Ben Holden investigates the mystery with the assistance of Jasmine and Mango who finds clues.
But can they solve the mystery and find the truth.
Excellent book which I enjoyed reading.

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasmine comes to Pelican Cove to see her Aunt. During a community gathering watches a man from town grab a cupcake from her Aunt's stand, proceed to eat it and then drop dead. The police look to her Aunt as the person who poisoned him. How does Jasmine find the clues to prove her Aunt innocent and will her new found stray pup help her?

[aem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could use a lot of editing

[Sajid Alimohamed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great first book by Camilla Clove. Love Mango the clue finding mutt, and the way Mango and Jasmine make a sleuthing duo. Mira is also a fantastic character. Love the story backdrop and characters.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun small town cozy mystery! I love the characters, and anytime a dog and a bakery get together in a cozy mystery. Seriously though, the writing is enjoyable. Great first book in a series.

[Clarissa Boucher · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked the homey ending, but I wasn't super invested in the mystery.