Murder at the Maplewood Bake-Off: A Maplewood Cozy Mystery

by Erin Macy

Murder Never Tasted So Sweet

Ivy Sinclair thought life in Maplewood, Maine, would be quiet—newspaper columns. Dog walks with her beagle, Watson. Friendly neighbors and cozy town traditions.

But when the fiftieth annual baking competition begins, celebration turns deadly. Luna, a sharp-tongued judge, collapses—poisoned before dessert was served.

The police might ignore Ivy’s instincts, but she trusts her gut—and Watson’s bark. A strange bottle of mead, a cryptic note, and a victim with far too many foes tell her this case is anything but simple.

Luna was notorious for feuds and complaints. Alice, Ivy’s neighbor and star baker, had once been her friend before rivalry set in. Elmer, the grouchy beekeeper, fought with her over wildflowers and honey.

Digging deeper, Ivy uncovers secrets buried among Maplewood’s flowers and honeycombs. The murderer still roams free.

She must find the killer before someone else pays the price.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 27, 2025

Reviews

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Sinclair is settling into Maplewood as much as she could with her Beagle Watson . Yes she’s a bit of a sleuth which is just as well. She’s been out on a prestige assignment, right up her alley,well she’s been doing the same sort of thing so far and now she’s going to have to get pally and find an in to be welcomed in without suspicion. Thus is her mission…“In fact, you’ve done such a good job that I’ve come to the decision that you should be the one to cover the upcoming baking competition and its fiftieth anniversary.It’s a great honor. This baking competition has been something that we’ve held for many years. Only the best writer should be covering the fiftieth anniversary competition.” Is she being set up for a fall ? Or does she prove her worth? One things for sure this mystery is full of mirth . But what is this ? A judge has been murdered by one of the pies…well before the desserts but did she get her just desserts? Luna had plenty of enemies that’s for sure ,the lady was anything but demure. Even Ivy’s friend is a suspect ,it’s all circumspect but there’s a few to be ruled out and a few added before the game is up. And of course the police are inept and out of their depth. Good job Ivy Sinclair and her Beagle Watson are about to suss things out. This book by Erin Macy is so good it’s tasty! The food is good as long as you stay clear of Luna ,y’hear? Great writing and fun . These series starter is off and running and I’m all in with a big fat grin . The storyline is divine and pulls you in so yes I’m telling that it’s compelling . The characters are all good too and may this series long continue

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Erin Macy, but it won’t be the last one. This story was very interesting, and I loved the main character Ivy Sinclair who is a reporter at the Maplewood Newspaper with her beagle dog Watson. Ivy thinks that moving to Maplewood, Maine will be quiet, but she soon finds out that is not to be. Ivy has been given the assignment of covering the fiftieth annual Maplewood Bake Off which she thinks will be very quiet but soon finds out that one of the judges has been poisoned while doing a tasting. But the police just dismiss Ivy’s Instincts about a bottle of Mead that was left in the judge’s tent. So, Ivy and Watson start to do some investigations on her own to try and figure out who is behind the poisoning. The judge Luna Williamson could be very outspoken and not everyone liked what she had to say. Luna Williamson not only had been a harsh judge but also was feuding with her neighbors about turning the front lawn into a wildflower bed for the bees to be able to collect the nectar for making honey. There were lots of twists and turns as well as lots of suspects. I loved how Erin had kept you so interested in the story that you could not put it down until you finished it. I would recommend this author and her books to anyone who enjoys a good murder mystery with out all the gore.

[G. Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished two of Erin's books, Murder at the Guesthouse, and Murder at the Maplewood Bake-Off. Murder at the Guesthouse was a Novella. It was a good read and it introduced you to Ivy Sinclair. Ivy arrived at this Guesthouse because the weather was really bad and driving was dangerous. She was not there very long and she was very tired from all the driving, but she noticed a gentleman there who was the cause of her loosing her job. She also noticed the other guests their were also victims by this man. The next morning he was found dead in his room and they were pointing at Ivy as the killer and she decided she had to investigate to clear her name. Check out this book to find out what really happened. The next book was a really good read and I enjoyed it. Ivy has arrived at her new job and the first day on the job is at a Bake Off and she finds a body. After talking with the police and giving her statement and tell her to not investigate, to leave it to the police. She was not happy with the way they said that to her and had concerns with the way the women died so decided to quietly check things out. Check this book out as well, it is really good and the investigation was full of a lot if questions for Ivy so she kept digging. Happy reading.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book of a new series by Erin Macy and is one that I recommend reading! The plot is excellent and well written with lots of suspects and clues. The victim had lots of feuds and was not well liked and when reporter Ivy Sinclair got the assignment to cover the 50th anniversary of the annual baking contest for the newspaper, the last thing she expected was to find was one of the judges dead. Her reporters instincts kicked in and when the police weren’t interested in her suggestions or help and told her to stay out of it, Ivy knew that there was noway she was going to stay out of it. She was determined now to find out what exactly happened to Luna. This is an excellent book and one that will keep you reading right until the end. I look forward to reading more of this author’s books!
Cherie

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy St. Claire a journalist has been sent by her editor to cover the 50th Anniversary of the town’s Bake-off competition. But before the festivities start can begin, one of the judges dies. Given that this particular judge was not well liked, not too many are upset about her untimely death. Ivy sensing there is more to this story, puts her reporter instincts to work. What she finds is scary and has the potential of hurting a lot more people. The book is well written with a determined main character, a police department that doesn’t think much of Ivy’s sleuthing and Ivy’s cute, lovable dog, Noodle, that agrees with Ivy that the police are barking up the wrong tree! Thank you to the author for this engaging book. This review is my opinion without remuneration for the gifted arc.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in a new series that has a lot of promise. Ivy Sinclair has left her job as a reporter in the fast paced city of Chicago and moved to the small town of Maplewood, Maine with her intelligent, intuitive beagle, Watson and is working for the local paper. She is assigned to cover the Bake-off. But when Luna, one of the judges drops dead - poisoned, Ivy, Watson and her friends jump into the investigation. Luna was not well-liked so there are quite a few potential suspects. And of course, the police want her to stay out of their case. This first book keeps you guessing until the end. I can't wait to see what other adventure Ivy and Watson get into next! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

ivy Sinclair is assigned the bake-off for Maplewood newspaper. She is just getting used to small towns as she had previously been a reporter in Chicago and wanted something slower in her life. Then one of the judges is found dead and she starts investigating. The local police don't like that she is looking into their case and warn her off, which immediately starts her looking more. Then the cause of death comes in and it's oleander poisoning. She can't leave it alone and gets friends to help her investigate. A few twists and a bad guy.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Sinclair is a reporter who loves to help solve crimes if she comes upon them whilst working. She is sent to cover the 50th anniversary of the local Bake-off and meets one of her neighbours there. Whilst chatting they hear a crash and Ivy races off with her phone camera working. She notices a dead body. One of the judges, it seems. When she goes to where the judge had lived, she finds most of the gardens have lots of wildflowers in them, but not the judge’s garden. The police warn her off, but, one thing and then another, sets her on the right trail to catch the killer.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun read that moved along nicely. Twists and turns keep you guessing throughout! Reporter Ivy gets way more than she bargained for in this town that is new to her; her first assignment includes a dead body! Without giving anything away, here's what you need to know: Lots of suspects in this well-written story that will keep you up for "just one more chapter." If cozy mysteries with small-town charm are your cup of tea, this is certainly one for you. This is my first read by this author, but I look forward to more in the future. Recommend without hesitation.

[Kelly Methey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy and her pup move to a small town, a new job and get mixed up in a mystery on one of her first assignments. Her investigative skills kick in even though the police want her to keep out of it. There are lots of secrets and people that had a motive for murder. It was an interesting story and a good, fast read.

[TheCoffeenatedCanadian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, very unique mystery that delved deep and came to an explosive conclusion. I really liked the mystery and the characters but thought the writing could have been tighter in places and found some of the phrasing a bit unnatural.

It was still a good read and I do appreciate the author thinking outside the box to make her book different than most.

[Penny Slusher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was good, but the author kept restating the same thought over in the same paragraph. Then the next chapter the same thing with a different thought. Just not a great flow.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming mystery that blended baking with lots of mystery. Macy delivered plenty of suspects, lighthearted humor, and satisfying twists that made this read fun, yet compelling!