Death at High Tide: A Coastal Bakery Cozy Mystery

Baked by the Sea #1

by Sally Winters

Nelly Hartley left her old life behind to open a cozy bakery in the charming coastal town of Rolling Wave Cove. With her loyal English Bulldog Bruno snoring under the counter and the smell of fresh-baked scones drifting out to the weathered boardwalk, she's finally found her place in the world. But when a notorious food critic with a talent for cruelty turns up dead behind her shop, Nelly realizes this peaceful seaside community is hiding secrets darker than the bottom of a coffee cup.

The sheriff calls it an accidental drowning, but Nelly's not so sure. The tide charts don't add up, Bruno sensed something wrong hours before the body was found, and it seems like half the town had a reason to want Gordon Finch silenced forever. With the help of her sharp-tongued best friend Trudy and her own keen instincts, Nelly starts asking questions—and the answers lead her down a dangerous path where nothing is as it seems.

Welcome to Rolling Wave Cove, where the pastries are warm, the community is close-knit, and even the most bitter endings can have a hint of sweetness. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and just the right amount of suspense, Death at High Tide introduces an unforgettable amateur sleuth who proves that the best recipes for solving murder require equal parts intuition, persistence, and a very good dog.

Genres: Mystery

122 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 31, 2025

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in the series. The main characters are Nelly and Trudy, Nelly owns a bakery in Rolling Wave Cove. She hears that a food critic is in town and this guy is know for shutting down many a dinner. He shows up at her bakery a few minutes later and while he doesn't say anything bad about her pasties, he doesn't say anything good either. Then the next day Nelly finds him in the ocean behind her bakery. The Sheriff is saying an accident but Nelly is sure it is murder. With the help of her friend Trudy they start to ask questions. Nelly isn't sure who did it but the deputy tells her she is sure as well that it is murder but needs proof before she goes to the Sheriff. Then Nelly finds the murder weapon and calls the deputy. Now the Sheriff knows it too. Nelly is sure of who it is but has no way of proofing it. Then she gets unexcepted help. Will that be enough ?

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed meeting Nelly and her friends in Rolling Wave Cove and of course sweet Bruno, her English bulldog who had a nose for clues…and dead bodies. With his help and her trusty sidekick Trudy, Nelly set out to prove the body Bruno found was dead due to murder not an accident. It was great how she figured it out, and Trudy was a hoot at times keeping things light.

The showdown was nice and peaceful and since the entire series is already published, I can borrow it from KU when I’m ready to read the next book, which I hope will be soon.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be better than owning a bakery in a coastal town? One thing that could be better for Nelly Hartley is not having a dead body behind the shop. Especially when the man is a food critic. Will people think Nelly killed the man over a bad review? Maybe. Open the book, turn the first page, and learn the secrets in Rolling Way Cove.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Mystery by Sally Winters

This was a very intriguing mystery with some great characters. Only one hated character, but every story needs one. The mystery was not easy to solve and the Sheriff didn't seem to be much help. Everything was nicely wrapped up in the end. I'm looking forward to reading more of this series.

[Anthony R Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great mystery

A good read but it was almost the exact same story as another author, same story, same motive just a different dog with a few different characters. I like the bulldog.

[Lynne Donnelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book

Great setting and nice characters. I enjoyed the story.
I enjoyed the authors style. The book moved well. I liked how she solved the mystery

[Sally Marcheterre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent cozy, good pacing, characters are interesting, I will read more from this author.

[Luvada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death at High Tide

This one caught my attention from start to finish. A very well put together mystery plot.its keeps your attention all the way thru and no bad language. I Enjoyed the read.