Murder at First Slice

Baker Street Mystery #5

by Valerie Burns

Social media queen-turned-small-town baker Maddy Montgomery, her feisty friends, and her faithful English mastiff know you have to break a few eggs to solve a murder. . .

As Maddy’s wedding day approaches, friends and family descend on the little town of New Bison, Michigan, to celebrate—so much so that Maddy wonders if there might be another happily-ever-after in store for her widowed father and innkeeper Mrs. Law. Unfortunately, she also has to deal with an unhappy couple: feuding cousins Hannah and Dorothy, who haven’t spoken in decades. Maddy can only hope the spectacular wedding cake crafted by her head baker doesn’t wind up as ammunition in a food fight.

But she doesn’t have to wait long for a wedding disaster to strike. When the imperious Dorothy crashes the rehearsal dinner—with several uninvited guests in tow—and starts battering everyone with constant complaints, the drama reaches reality-show levels. And the next day, Dorothy is dead . . . with Hannah standing over the body, bloody rolling pin in hand.

Nobody in town believes Miss Hannah could commit murder. But a detective newly relocated from New York doesn’t know the sweet, memory-challenged Hannah the way the locals do—and the evidence seems open-and-shut as an oven. Now, with her sous-sleuths the Baker Street Irregulars, the bride-to-be is busy digging into Dorothy’s past to catch a killer before she cuts the cake . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

257 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2026

About the author

Valerie also writes as V.M. Burns

Valerie (V.M.) Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in
Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs,
British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the
Midwest she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Northern Georgia with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Vermeer Conspiracy" was an Anthony and Edgar Award finalist in 2022. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com.

Reviews

[Rae | My Cousin’s Book Club · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. While I haven’t read the previous books in the series, it was easy to pick up the characters and jump right into the story.

I listen to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrators, and I would love to get a physical copy in hopes that there are recipes in the book! So many of the desserts that were described sounded yummy!

As with many cozy mysteries, all of the action happened close to the end of the story, but I enjoyed the buildup. Although it is rather predictable, this was a fun story to read.

Definitely plan to check out more in this series!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love when series grow and characters are developed so well that the reader gets invested in their personal lives. I love that we’ve been allowed to tag along as Maddy gets ready for her wedding and we see the planning that goes into their special day. Family can be messy and there is no exception for this happy couple with a murder happening right before the big day. This mystery was well paced, with plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. And once justice is served, there’s a beautiful wedding that is the perfect ending to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the review copy.

[Judith Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy and Baby do it again… a small
Town love story with mystery and dead bodies wrapped up in icing and fondant 😉. In this book I very easily guessed the murderer., so that was a bittersweet. However finally getting the Micheal Maddy wedding we’ve been waiting on was fulfilling! Love the budding Colonel and Carson build up as well. There’s just so much sweetness in this book it makes my teeth hurt. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️!

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another entertaining installment in this series and I can see why it's average rating is more than 4 stars. Burns keeps the pace at an excellent clip and manages to pull a few surprises as the book progresses. I don't have much to say other than while I enjoy the humour and mayhem,I personally am grossed out by dog drool, or any animal drool, for that matter. The only exception to that was my children's when they were babies--rest assured they haven't drooled since, at least not when awake and I have no idea about when they sleep.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries and dogs, what's keeping you from reading this series? My average rating for the first 5 books is 3.8 which for me is very high for a cozy mystery series--only one has been a three star like.

[Thureka · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I have a sheriff, a state trooper, the Army, the Navy, two lawyers, a master baker, a tough-as-nails Brit, a barista with mad skills, the mayor, a mad hatter, and an eighth-of-a-ton mastiff who all love Miss Hannah as much as I do. This is war, and I intend to win.”

Murder at First Slice takes place a year after the first book. It was lovely to see Maddy's growth and the community rally to defend Miss Hannah. With murders occurring almost every three months in the Town of New Bison, the Baker Street Irregulars are working like a well-oiled machine. One would think that with all these characters, it would be overwhelming, but in fact it isn’t. The mystery is as usual, with its red herrings and the dramatic reveal, but I find comfort in the formula. As of writing this, book six hasn’t been announced, so if this is the final, it is a nice ending. I am hoping for a post-honeymoon mystery next year!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Love is in the air in New Bison, Michigan. Maddy Montgomery and Michael Portman’s wedding day is right around the corner, and guests have started to arrive at the Carson Law Inn. One guest stirred up quite a ruckus. Dorothy Evangeline Wilson, Miss Hannah’s estranged cousin. They haven’t spoken in years, and she had the nerve to show up for the wedding festivities with a nurse, her husband, and his personal assistant, without even taking the time to RSVP. Her arrival at the rehearsal dinner caused tons of drama as she complained about everything from the venue and her table location to the French food and a special event arranged by the Admiral.

The next day, when Maddy and Baby, her English Mastiff, arrive at the bakery early the next morning, she finds Dorothy dead and Miss Hannah in the doorway, holding a bloody rolling pin.

Who killed Dorothy? It couldn’t have been Miss Hannah, could it?

This is the 5th book in the Baker Street Mystery Series, and I am thrilled to be back in New Bison just in time for Maddy and Michael’s wedding. Add a murder to the mix, and it’s all hands on deck. Maddy and Michael need everyone’s help to clear Miss Hannah fast, especially when Detective Ethan Vincent takes over the investigation because Maddy’s BFF Sheriff April Johnson is too close to the people involved. So it’s time for the Baker Street Irregulars to get busy with two new additions, the Admiral and Carson. It has been so easy to get invested in these characters’ lives. They always come together to help each other, no matter what. I enjoyed how Leroy took Ms. Hannah under his wing and let her bake up a storm with him while the rest of the crew investigated.

Dorothy Wilson was not a nice person and had ticked off a lot of people over the years. When one of the suspects was killed, it was time to focus on the true motive for the murders. Determined not to let anyone or anything ruin her wedding, Maddy got her “gray cells working to find a killer”. I had a great time following along for each clue and twist. The takedown was absolutely epic. No spoilers here.

Murder at First Slice is a fast-paced, heartwarming story with a marvelous cast of characters. A suspenseful whodunit mixed with bits of romance and humor that comes together in a perfect recipe to serve up a happily ever after ending. #murderatfirstslice #happilyeverafter #aperfectescape

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute palette cleanser with sufficient red herrings and tasty treats. Maddy and Michael are getting married, but first they have to maneuver messy extended family drama and of course some murder as well.
I'm also glad to see that the references are now longer being overly explained unless it is something a little more obscure because that was something that irked me. (Though there is an error that should have been caught when Maddy and Alliyah say Arsenic and Old Lace was a Jimmy Stewart movie. It was Cary Grant!)
Also did feel like an unnecessary bummer when Baby and Daisy knock down the wedding cake and eat it. Also, why did they let them eat all that cake? Just because your dogs absolutely will eat a five-layer, rich cake does not mean you should just stand there and let it happen! That ain't healthy!

[Sherri B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie and Maddy can do no wrong in my eyes! I had been waiting for this book to come out and couldn't wait to get started with it. My favorite amateur (not so amateur) sleuth is back! There is always a fine line between of course they shouldn't be killed and yes they deserved to be killed. Overall great read!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Maddy was having the worst luck of anyone all through the wedding planning and even now as close as they were to the wedding, bad and weird stuff just kept happening. The worst thing was someone was trying to make it look like Michael’s grandma Miss Hannah killed her obnoxious relative. Maddy wasn’t resting until she found the real killer, so with her trusty sidekick Baby, all 250 drooling pounds of him, they nailed another killer. What a cool happily ever after though!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley and Amy opinions are my own.

[Natasha Goodley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series ❤️

[Lori Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad to see this series come to an end.
I enjoyed this final book 📖 complete with a twist.
Thank you Valerie Burns!
Please write more cozy mysteries!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Murderatfirstslice #NetGalley is a fun new addition to this series.
Maddy and Michael are getting married, and Maddy couldn't be more happy.
Wedding day nerves are normal until an unexpected family member shows up. wreaking havoc on everyone.
Dorothy is not a very nice person, and when her body is found outside Maddy's bakery, with Michael's grandmother holding the alleged murder weapon, things become intense.
Maddy is beside herself about Miss Hannah, she wouldn't hurt anyone, but someone is certainly trying to make her look guilty.

I really like this book, there was a lot going on, but it flowed smoothly and kept me reading until I finished.

[Hannah Hearts Books · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5- Wow! This was such a fun time! I truly think this series just gets better and better. Murder at First Slice was so full of juicy drama and found family. If you love a cozy mystery but haven’t yet picked this series up,I would highly encourage you to do so. Dear Valerie Burns, can we have more in this series please?

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at First Slice is the fifth book in the Baker Street Mystery series by Valerie Burns and the first one of the series that I have read. However, even though I have not read any of the previous books, as soon as I started reading, it was easy to get into the story. Burns writes it so that you get caught up instantly and fall in love immediately.

And I have to say Murder at First Slice is a pretty good book to start with if you haven't read any of the previous ones.

In Murder at First Slice main character Maddy is a week away from getting married. Her and Michael, the groom, have their wedding party set, the venue is booked, the wedding list is done, and close family and friends are arriving in town for some pre-wedding festivities.

Unfortunately, a few family members not welcomed show up. Dorothy, Miss Hannah's cousin shows up with her husband, her nurse and her husband's assistant. Miss Hannah, Michael's grandmother, has not spoken to Dorothy in about forty years and refused to attend the wedding if Dorothy is there.

Well, that ends up not being a problem because Maddy finds Dorothy's body and Miss Hannah standing nearby with a bloody rolling pin.

Everyone knows that there is no way that Miss Hannah would harm someone, let alone kill them, so Maddy and her crew do what they do .... look into the murder and all involved.

So, the week before Maddy is going to walk down the aisle in a beautiful wedding dress and marry the man of her dreams, she has to solve a murder .... in between all the wedding festivities. No worries she's got this !!

I highly recommend this series, and I plan to try to go back and read the previous books. If this one was this FUN, I can only imagine the others !!!

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually went to the town that I am sure inspired this setting this summer. It was just as lovely as a setting in real life. I love the people and the town itself. I do think Maddy is a bit of a caricature of a Millennial but I would follow baby in real life so who am I?
I had planned on taking longer to read this but it went by so fast and was so enjoyable I finished up early. This book had the right amount of wedding, mystery, and bakery antics so we never felt that one over shadowed the other. Her dad had a larger presence in this volume and I liked their relationship.
A great little book that I couldn't seem to put down.

5/6 stars

[Arika · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I did not want this series to end! I loved watching the characters grow and develop from book 1 to 5. The author really did a great job with weaving these stories together. I hope there will be more to these stories. Small town vibes with a little bit of murder. My kind of good reading.

[Classi ~ Ms.Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always love Maddie and her over protective mastiff, Baby!

Valerie Burns always put a great mystery together and I throughly enjoyed the wedding preparations and the plot.

Another great cozy mystery to enjoy!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maddie, Micheal, Baby, Miss Hannah, the whole group! And if you are not listening to this on audio, you are missing out. The narrator truly brings all the characters to life. Such a great cozy mystery series. I could not love it more! This newest book lives up to all the others. I cannot wait until the next installment!

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, excitement, delicious food, and great characters!

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another 10-star read for me in this series!

Love this series so much, I plan to check out more of Burns' writing/books!!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Susan McClintock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddy Montgomery, the pampered daughter of a navy Admiral, has transformed into a social media influencer and the owner of her late aunt’s bakery, Baby Cakes. She’s just a week away from tying the knot with her dashing fiancé, Michael, an Army veteran and veterinarian. Everything appears idyllic until the unexpected arrival of Michael’s distant cousin, Dorothy, who has been embroiled in a bitter feud with Michael’s cherished grandmother, Miss Hannah. When Miss Hannah is discovered dead over Dorothy’s body with a bloody rolling pin, the Baker Street Irregulars must work diligently to clear Miss Hannah’s name before the wedding. I thoroughly enjoy cozy mysteries that seamlessly blend a captivating mystery with the opportunity to catch up with familiar characters. This book strikes the perfect balance between the two elements. It’s a delightful cozy mystery that has left me eagerly anticipating the next installment in this series. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a solid and lovable installment in this series mostly focused on the wedding.
Congrats to the happy couple.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder at First Slice is another delightful entry in Valerie Burns’ series, and it’s packed with humour, warmth, and just enough drama to keep you eagerly turning pages.

With Maddy’s wedding on the horizon, New Bison is buzzing with family, friends, and more than a few complications. The feuding cousins Hannah and Dorothy bring their decades‑long bitterness straight into the festivities, and their explosive reunion sets the stage for a mystery that’s as messy as an over‑mixed batter. When Dorothy turns up dead and sweet, scatter‑brained Hannah is found standing over her with a bloody rolling pin, the stakes rise fast—and the tension is irresistible.

Maddy’s determination to clear Hannah’s name, supported by her loyal Baker Street Irregulars and her ever‑faithful mastiff, makes this story shine. The contrast between the town’s unwavering belief in Hannah and the newly arrived detective’s suspicion adds a great dynamic, and the investigation into Dorothy’s past is full of satisfying twists.

This installment balances humour, heart, and mystery beautifully. The wedding backdrop adds a lovely emotional thread, and the community spirit of New Bison remains one of the series’ greatest strengths. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong characters, culinary charm, and a dash of small‑town drama will find this an utterly enjoyable read.

A sweet, spirited mystery—perfect for readers who love their whodunits served with friendship, family, and a whole lot of flavour.

With thanks to Valerie Burns, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at First Slice by Valerie Burns is a fun romp (excluding the murder) through the week before a wedding, the bride being a little prone to hysteria. She had very little family but Michael had lots and putting together the guest list had been a challenge. It turns out Maddie invited someone she shouldn’t have, a cousin of Miss Hannah, Michael’s grandmother. Burns fills in most of the series’ background so, while it would be enjoyable, it is not necessary to read earlier books. Maddie, it turns out is a decent investigator despite her newfound profession as a baker. Michael is ex-army and his nickname for her is Squid, as she grew up as a navy brat. Lots more. All of it entertaining.

The cousin ends up dead and in the process Maddie was able to hear the story of why Miss Hannah and her cousin had broken up from several different perspectives. It was not too long before there was another murder. Poison. So, Maddie started looking at who might have access to such a thing. She made some missteps, as did the police. There was a state investigator involved as well as the local folks, and he made everything much more difficult. Maddie is a great character. Very real. She’d found her life and her love since moving here after she inherited, the house, the bakery, and the dog. Very fun book. Very fun characters. Good read. So many reasons to recommend this book.

I was invited to read Murder at First Slice by Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #KensingtonPublishing #ValerieBurns #MurderAtFirstSlice

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy and Michael’s wedding day is fast approaching and in a week, the two will be married. As extended family begins to arrive at the local inn in New Bison, Michigan, some unexpected guests make waves. Michael’s distant cousin, Dorothy has showed up unannounced after not RSVPing and has brought along an entourage of other long-lost family.

Miss Hannah, Michael’s grandmother and Maddy’s employee at Baby Cakes Bakery, is appalled. She hasn’t spoken to her cousin Dorothy in 40 years and isn’t about to start now. With threats of not attending the wedding if Dorothy goes, Maddy and Michael are at a loss. That is, until Dorothy is found murdered outside the bakery and it looks like Miss Hannah may have been the one to kill her.

Another delightful instalment of the Baker Street Mysteries! I love a cozy mystery, especially one that centres around baking and this series is no exception. I’ve read it since the beginning. Also, there’s a dog! A huge dog - a 250lb Mastiff named Baby to be exact.

Murder at First Slice was engaging and fast-paced (love the short chapters!) and I couldn’t wait to figure out what happened and whether Maddy and Michael’s big day would proceed as planned or if they’d need to postpone due to the tragedy.

This was a great next book in the series and I can’t wait to keep reading on.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder at First Slice" is book #5 in the "Baker Street Mystery" series by Valerie Burns.

Maddy and Michael are days away from their wedding as the friends and relatives begin to descend on New Bison. Unfortunately, some of them aren't as welcome as others. Cousin Dorothy is a difficult woman who seems to take pleasure in making others uncomfortable if only to get her way. So, it's not really a surprise when she is found dead - but it is an unsettling shock that Miss Hannah is a suspect!

Long held family secrets and outright lies slowly come to light as Maddy and the Baker Street Irregulars do some deep digging, ask questions and do a bit of research to figure out who may really be responsible. Despite the acting state Detective being convinced that Miss Hannah is guilty, everyone in town knows better and lets him know it!

The history between Miss Hannah and Dorothy was complicated but so is Dorothy's own family so there is a lot to explore. Some stunning revelations and well placed red herrings kept the story moving but also included several more lighthearted moments and lots of delicious sounding food references. A few recipes are included at the end of the book.

I love the core characters of this series. The Baker Street Irregulars had a couple of additions for this book which kept them on their toes. The relationships and dialogue all feel realistic. Of course the lovable Baby has several memorable moments!

This was a thoroughly entertaining cozy mystery!

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books got better as they go along and I am happy to continue my reading streak, although I seriously need to consider having baked goods available when I read these.

Maddie is getting married and her family is coming to the small town of New Bison, MI to help her and Michael celebrate. Except everything seems to keep going wrong. Maddie's wedding planner is heavily pregnant and could deliver at any time, the table settings arrive and are the wrong color. Maddie struggled with invitations and accidentally invited Michael's second cousin, who his grandmother, Miss Hannah, had a falling out with a long time ago. The woman is rude, entitled and makes a fuss at every turn. When she winds up dead, Miss Hannah is found holding the murder weapon. Now Maddie has to solve the mystery before she can marry Michael and clear Miss Hannah's name.

Baby, the mastiff, is the star of this book. He is as much of a character as the regulars, sometimes even better. I love the group/family settings that Ms. Burns creates in her books. She gives the reader the feeling that they are part of the story and you are returning to hang out with a treasured group of friends for 200+ pages. Her books always leave me feeling content (murder aside).

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social media guru and baker Maddy Montgomery is preparing for her wedding day. Friends and family descend on New Bison, Michigan, to celebrate. Unfortunately, she has to deal with an unhappy couple: feuding cousins Hannah and Dorothy, who haven’t spoken in decades. When Dorothy crashes the rehearsal dinner, with several uninvited guests in tow, she starts complaining to everyone. And the next day, she's found dead with Hannah standing over her body. Nobody in town believes Hannah could commit murder. But a new detective doesn’t know Hannah and the evidence seems overwhelming. Now, with her wedding day coming up, Maddy needs to find the true killer before she walks down the aisle.
This was one of the most enjoyable cozy mysteries in this fantastic series. Maddy is a courageous and intelligent sleuth who is found new life and new love. I honestly envy the amateur sleuth as she has reinvented her life for the better. All of the side characters are unique and lovable. Reading about the scenery in Michigan makes me want to go there someday. The plot was very intriguing and even though I thought I knew who the culprit was, I was surprised in the end. I will definitely read more of this series. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This review is my honest opinion.

[Ladiami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a good time with this one! I can honestly say I enjoyed it just as much as the other books in the series. Every time I pick up one of these mysteries, I know I'm in for an entertaining mix of small-town charm, humor, great characters, and a mystery that keeps me guessing.

Watching Maddy juggle the excitement and stress of her upcoming wedding while trying to clear an innocent friend made for a really fun story. The family drama, the wedding chaos, and the murder all came together without feeling overdone. I also loved spending time with the Baker Street Irregulars again, they're always one of my favorite parts of the series.

One of the biggest strengths of these books is the cast of characters. They feel like people I'd genuinely enjoy catching up with, and New Bison has become one of those fictional towns I'm always happy to revisit. It's just a cozy place to spend a few hours, even when someone ends up dead.

This was another enjoyable addition to the series, and I'm already hoping there are many more adventures ahead for Maddy, her friends, and the rest of this wonderful cast. I'd happily return to New Bison again and again.

Thanks Netgalley and Kensington Publishing
| Kensington Cozies for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.