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Ella Bloom Mysteries #6
Half-Baked Curses: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Sugar and spice and everything nice—except when it includes a killer with a sweet tooth for murder.
When a national baking TV show descends on Gloamington, amateur bakers compete for fame and fortune. But when something goes wrong and one of the contestants dies, Malcolm and Ella suspect that more than just the recipes were off.
The detective pair must search for a murderer in a maze of chaos where nothing is what it seems. However, murder isn’t their only concern…
As Malcolm races against time to recover the memories that hold the key to his past, Ella stands on the brink of entering the treacherous Gloaming to save his wife, Elaine. But discovering her true identity could shatter everything she believes about herself and cost her the only family she's ever known.
Can Ella and Malcolm catch a killer before the final bake-off? Or will murder, magic, and devastating revelations destroy everything they’ve built together?
Half-Baked Curses is the sixth book in the enchanting Ella Bloom Mysteries.
When a national baking TV show descends on Gloamington, amateur bakers compete for fame and fortune. But when something goes wrong and one of the contestants dies, Malcolm and Ella suspect that more than just the recipes were off.
The detective pair must search for a murderer in a maze of chaos where nothing is what it seems. However, murder isn’t their only concern…
As Malcolm races against time to recover the memories that hold the key to his past, Ella stands on the brink of entering the treacherous Gloaming to save his wife, Elaine. But discovering her true identity could shatter everything she believes about herself and cost her the only family she's ever known.
Can Ella and Malcolm catch a killer before the final bake-off? Or will murder, magic, and devastating revelations destroy everything they’ve built together?
Half-Baked Curses is the sixth book in the enchanting Ella Bloom Mysteries.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2026
About the author
Sarah Noffke
389 books1,501 followersSarah Noffke is a prolific USA Today Best-Selling Author, who writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. Most of her stories draw on her experiences living on the West Coast, growing up in Texas or traveling the world.
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 9, 2026
Take a back seat Great British bake-off, there’s a new baking show in town…… the great magical bake off and it’s starring in our own little magical town. Enter the wannabes, the influencers, the hanger ons and the real bakers as we embark on another murder mystery with our favourite team. It’s another suspenseful and enthralling read as we go from one clue to another, see Ella embrace more of her magical side and also catch the killer, and let’s not forget we catch up with more of the townspeople who we have grown to love and a few we don’t!! Of course then we finally enter the gloaming and get some answers to some long awaited questions and OMG I did not see that coming!! We knew Ella was special and now we know why and I for one am super excited for the next book!
March 21, 2026
The actual murder mystery takes up about half the book and was creative. The other half is focused on Ella leveling up her magical abilities and then going with Malcolm to enter the Gloaming and rescue Elaine. Plenty of secrets are revealed about Ella's past to explain the Curse that was predicted a few books ago by a witch. An unexpected reveal about the DoD agent also comes to light. There are some editing issues in this one and lots of repetitive sections/terminology that slowed down the storyline. I am interested in continuing with the series.
March 15, 2026
More revealed
Ella and Malcolm are watching the live taping of a magical cooking show when one of the judges keels over. They are once again thrust into a new mystery with plenty of people who had reason to kill him. I really enjoyed this book, Ella learns more magic from a friend and a gnome, and both she and Malcolm find answers that they have been looking for. I am looking forward to more fun and magic as the series continues.
Ella and Malcolm are watching the live taping of a magical cooking show when one of the judges keels over. They are once again thrust into a new mystery with plenty of people who had reason to kill him. I really enjoyed this book, Ella learns more magic from a friend and a gnome, and both she and Malcolm find answers that they have been looking for. I am looking forward to more fun and magic as the series continues.
May 18, 2026
The baking competition draws her out, but Ella soon has a murder to puzzle out and more powers to get sorted. The big reveal is in this book and I predicted that was what it was. I am pleased it is what I thought.
The murder itself is all about a baking judge who dies and the whodunnit, has a several characters lined up. Hilary is again a part of the suspicious contestants, but did she do it?
Read it and find out.
The murder itself is all about a baking judge who dies and the whodunnit, has a several characters lined up. Hilary is again a part of the suspicious contestants, but did she do it?
Read it and find out.
March 7, 2026
Answers can be unsettling
Another great mystery with Ella and Malcom. Love the assistance of Shadow and Bagpipe. Also who knew how the goldfish would help.
Solving a murder and the mystery of how to save Elaine takes a lot of energy and food. Thank heavens Peggy knows what you need! I need Peggy in my life!!
Another great mystery with Ella and Malcom. Love the assistance of Shadow and Bagpipe. Also who knew how the goldfish would help.
Solving a murder and the mystery of how to save Elaine takes a lot of energy and food. Thank heavens Peggy knows what you need! I need Peggy in my life!!
March 8, 2026
Magical
Wow! What a wonderful book. You have the murder part, which I guessed wrong. But the unexpected events with the characters was amazing. You really should read all the books, the build-up is wonderful. Sarah does it again.
Wow! What a wonderful book. You have the murder part, which I guessed wrong. But the unexpected events with the characters was amazing. You really should read all the books, the build-up is wonderful. Sarah does it again.
March 9, 2026
baking contests
I love the Ella bloom series it’s adventure and excitement galore, the characters are strong and friendly and the storylines are great I highly recommend these books a well deserved 5 stars
I love the Ella bloom series it’s adventure and excitement galore, the characters are strong and friendly and the storylines are great I highly recommend these books a well deserved 5 stars
March 18, 2026
Love it!
Sarah doesn't drag out big reveals.
They surprise us part way through the series,
And introduce the next mystery .
Life is always interesting and fun.
Can't wait for the next books
Sarah doesn't drag out big reveals.
They surprise us part way through the series,
And introduce the next mystery .
Life is always interesting and fun.
Can't wait for the next books
April 4, 2026
Fun Read
In a world full of Strife this book is fun and relaxing to fall into. A baking competition that goes deadly. As the Detective and his assistant investigation into the death, they have to dance around the government man and his goal to shut down the well.
In a world full of Strife this book is fun and relaxing to fall into. A baking competition that goes deadly. As the Detective and his assistant investigation into the death, they have to dance around the government man and his goal to shut down the well.
June 7, 2026
Oh my, wash your dishes
Sarah is just so fun to read
She floats the surprises way in advance
I think she mentioned a powerful magical race way back in the first book
Love the characters
Love jumping off into a new and different crisis
Thank you
Sarah is just so fun to read
She floats the surprises way in advance
I think she mentioned a powerful magical race way back in the first book
Love the characters
Love jumping off into a new and different crisis
Thank you
March 6, 2026
Had me stumped
I loved this book. I was involved every step of the way. For the first time, I didn't know whodunnit. That was a twist.
I loved this book. I was involved every step of the way. For the first time, I didn't know whodunnit. That was a twist.
April 3, 2026
Blooming Good Read
I have loved visiting magical Gloamington with it's lovely inhabitants for the last six books, and I hope to revisit them soon in the next books in the series.
I have loved visiting magical Gloamington with it's lovely inhabitants for the last six books, and I hope to revisit them soon in the next books in the series.
April 16, 2026
Fabulous series!
This series with wonderful characters , magic and mystery just keeps getting better. I don’t ever want it to end.
This series with wonderful characters , magic and mystery just keeps getting better. I don’t ever want it to end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews