Whiskers & Whispers of Murder

by Becky Bakewell

A fresh start, a missing neighbor, and a dash of gluten-free danger in Maple Glen!

Mo Daley moves to Maple Glen with her cat Sprinkles and dreams of opening a gluten-free café after the death of her husband. She’s looking for a fresh start but instead gets chaos. Mo learns the unsettling news that a local woman has vanished without a trace.

With the help of June the chatty librarian and Biscuit the town stray who refuses to leave her side, soon Mo lands knee-deep in small-town secrets, nosy knitters, and suspects galore.

Did Lila leave town without telling anyone or did someone murder her. From Edith a flustered postmistress with trembling hands to Sheriff Dawson who insists she just left town and doesn't like Mo and June asking questions, anyone in town could be a suspect.

Maple Glen’s quirks turn perilous as the truth begins to crumble. With threats and broken windows Mo needs to unmask a desperate culprit before her grand opening, or her sweet new beginning might end up half-baked—and fatally frosted.

Whisker's And Whispers of A Maple Glen Cozy Mystery – Book 1

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 4, 2025

Reviews

[Andrea Stoeckel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To fresh starts. And terrible decisions that work out anyway."

Maureen ( Mo) Daley moved to Maple Glen to start her life over after her husband was tragically killed. She wanted to fulfill their dream of a bakery. However, almost before the car had cooled off she ended up investigating a missing person's case.

What happened to Lila Turner? She's gone missing but something didn't feel right. So Mo and June, the local librarian start looking for clues....and literally stumble on them.

This book seems like a kind of teaser for a fun cost series and I look forward to seeing more of Becky Bakewell. Highly Recommended 5/5

[GinaB. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick read prequel to the series! Mo Daley and Sprinkles the orange tabby got a fresh start in Maple Glen, Vermont after her hubby was murdered to open the gluten-free bakery they dreamed of opening when they retired since couldn’t stay in Boston without him. She met another widow, June the librarian, and Biscuit the dog on her first day in town. June told her Lila Turner disappeared a week ago without a word to anyone, so they got to work to solve the mystery. A VERY nice touch at the end was a GF recipe for muffins! I received a free copy of this short story from the author via BookFunnel & am voluntarily leaving a review.

[G. Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really good book finished. Mo is a baker who recently lots her husband. They had dreams and she decided she would go to the little town they found and open her own Gluten free cafe. Little did she know what would be there waiting for her on arrival. She decided that she could not solve her husband's murder but maybe she could solve this one with the grip of her new friend June. All said and done, they did work well together and was getting to the truth. Come along grab this book and see what Mo and June revealed to the Sheriff. Happy reading.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of starting over and heart rending as well. It starts with a senseless killing over a mugging of someone dear to the main character, Mo, and her making herself start over, even though she wanted to give up. The story shows us there are good people everywhere, if you know where to look and willing to keep your heart and mind open to them. There is also a mystery to solve, a dog to give a home to, and a dream to realize. I definitely recommend this prequel and look forward to the next book in the series.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I’ve read this prequel and met Mo and June, I feel like I’m ready to read the next book in the series. I’d started it but there were just some things I felt already happened in a story, so sure enough there was this prequel. June was such a amazing new friend to Mo who’d come to town for a fresh start as a widow—but she wanted to be known as more than just that. She definitely made herself known by sleuthing out a missing person and murder with her new bestie.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very short book, but a good read. No has arrived in Maple Glen, Vermont, t9 open a gluten-free bakery. She has her cat, Sprinkles with her, but, gets adopted by a dog, Biscuit. Biscuit had belonged to a woman who has gone missing. June, the local librarian, welcomes, Mo & they become partners in finding out just what had happened to Lila and where she was.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman is missing but is it something sinister. Mo is new in town but she couldn't stand not knowing what had happened to Lila. Will she solve the mystery? This is a poignant story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Goodreads.This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mo, Biscuit, and June investigate when Lila is missing under mysterious circumstances. Can they figure out what happened to Lila? A great starter of a Maple Glen Mystery for Becky Bakewell.

[Joanne Garbato · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lately the cozy mysteries I've been reading have been to silly to really enjoy. This was so much better and I really like the main character Mo Daley.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good start to the series. It helps to get to know the main characters, Mo and June along with starting to meet some of the supporting cast.

[A Keegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, love the characters, interested to continue the series!

[Tisha Downing · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars

A fun cozy mystery with plenty of twists and turns! I enjoyed following the clues as the killer and their motive were finally revealed. A quick, entertaining read!

[LINDA BASS · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart went out to Mo who went on to fulfill her dreams of opening a small bakery, but her husband was killed before they could make it come true, but then she found herself caught up in a missing person mystery.