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]

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.

[Lilly Guirguis]

Okay I loved this book! Under 100 pages, and it feels like murder she wrote, with a female lead and male lead with great chemistry (and they may be platonic)

I loved every line and there were connected to the plot development so nicely!!

[Susan Murphy]

This was a quick and enjoyable cozy mystery. The story follows Jasmine, who arrives in town to visit her aunt before starting her own bakery. However, her visit quickly takes an unexpected turn when her aunt becomes the main suspect in a murder investigation. Determined to clear her aunt’s name, Jasmine sets out to uncover the truth before she has to leave town.

The mystery moves at a good pace and keeps the reader engaged as Jasmine pieces together the clues. There is also a hint of a possible romance developing, which adds an extra layer of interest and leaves room for future stories. Overall, this is a fun, light mystery with the potential for both continued sleuthing and a budding love story in future books.

[Mrs K.Bryant]

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.

[Megan Olds]

I liked it! And I like how the main character and the police officer worked together in this one.

“Fight fire with frosting.” Cute turn on a justice rally!

Favorite quotes:

“…Anyone who returned after burning bridges rarely came just to sweep the ashes…”

“…The kind of [culprit] who was only dangerous in the shadows, never built for daylight.”

“‘People carry guilt like glass in their shoes. Takes one sharp step to make it show’…”

[Linda Whitenight]

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?

[G. Lynne]

Enjoyed this book, to me it had what I like to read. It was funny in spots, there was murder of course, investigations and hidden secrets. A book that kept you reading because you want to know all the answers and mysteries yet to come. Go check out this book and read what transpired and you see what I mean. Looking forward to getting the next book.
Happy reading.

[Jasmine]

It was a usual cozy mystery. Nothing unique, entertaining or memorable about it. Needs a bit more editing since some scenes merge together making it confusing to read. I'm not all that inspired to read the next book.

[aem]

Could use a lot of editing

[Sajid Alimohamed]

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]

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 B.]

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