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Macarons & Murder
Not yet published
Expected 27 Feb 26Her macarons are to die for. Literally.
Liv Bennett left the demands of a professional kitchen to fulfill her late Aunt Mae's dying run the beloved Sweet Harbor Bakery. Eighteen months later, she's hit her stride with her signature lavender honey macarons and a thriving business. But when a famous food critic drops dead at the annual food festival moments after eating one of her macarons, Liv's dream turns into a nightmare.
One poisoned pastry. One dead critic. One baker in a fight for her business, her reputation, and her life.
Victor Greene wasn't just any food critic. He was the most influential culinary voice on the East Coast, destroying restaurants overnight with scathing reviews. When he's discovered dead near the festival with one of Liv's signature lavender honey macarons clutched in his hand, all evidence points to her pastries as the murder weapon.
With Detective Marcus Reid investigating her every move, Liv becomes the prime suspect in a murder she didn't commit.
Suddenly, the bakery Aunt Mae spent forty years building is empty. Customers vanish. Orders are cancelled. Liv's new life in Sweet Harbor is crumbling faster than her perfectly-baked cookies.
When the police won't clear your name, you have to do it yourself.
Determined to save her aunt's legacy and prove her innocence, Liv starts her own investigation. She discovers Victor Greene had plenty of enemies in Sweet Harbor, and they all had motive and opportunity to do the deed. And someone made sure Liv would take the fall.
As Liv digs deeper, she finds an unlikely ally in Marcus Reid, the widowed detective whose morning coffee visits were the highlight of her day. Marcus knows Liv is innocent, but proving it means going against his department, and powerful people who want this case closed. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but can Liv trust the man investigating her? And can Marcus risk his heart again?
A recipe for murder. A town full of suspects. And a baker who's in way over her head.
With her baker's attention to detail, Liv notices the small clues others overlook—suspicious timing, alibis that don't add up. But getting too close to the truth puts her in the killer's crosshairs. Someone in Sweet Harbor will kill to keep their secrets buried, and they've already framed Liv once. They won't hesitate to silence her permanently.
From the picturesque harbor to dramatic coastal cliffs, Liv must navigate small-town secrets, betrayal, and deadly intentions. With Marcus by her side and best friend Ellie helping with research, Liv races to unmask the real killer before she loses her freedom, and possibly her life.
Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Diane Mott Davidson, and culinary cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a side of romance.
Macarons and Murder is the first book in the Sweet Harbor Cozy Mystery series,
A determined baker-turned-amateur-sleuth with a talent for spotting cluesA swoon-worthy detective learning to love againMouthwatering descriptions of baked goodsCharming coastal setting with quirky charactersHigh stakes mystery with clever twistsSweet slow-burn romanceA tight-knit community that rallies around their ownNo graphic violence—just smart sleuthing and satisfying justiceEach book can be read as a standalone, but you'll love watching Liv and Marcus's relationship grow throughout the series.
Liv Bennett left the demands of a professional kitchen to fulfill her late Aunt Mae's dying run the beloved Sweet Harbor Bakery. Eighteen months later, she's hit her stride with her signature lavender honey macarons and a thriving business. But when a famous food critic drops dead at the annual food festival moments after eating one of her macarons, Liv's dream turns into a nightmare.
One poisoned pastry. One dead critic. One baker in a fight for her business, her reputation, and her life.
Victor Greene wasn't just any food critic. He was the most influential culinary voice on the East Coast, destroying restaurants overnight with scathing reviews. When he's discovered dead near the festival with one of Liv's signature lavender honey macarons clutched in his hand, all evidence points to her pastries as the murder weapon.
With Detective Marcus Reid investigating her every move, Liv becomes the prime suspect in a murder she didn't commit.
Suddenly, the bakery Aunt Mae spent forty years building is empty. Customers vanish. Orders are cancelled. Liv's new life in Sweet Harbor is crumbling faster than her perfectly-baked cookies.
When the police won't clear your name, you have to do it yourself.
Determined to save her aunt's legacy and prove her innocence, Liv starts her own investigation. She discovers Victor Greene had plenty of enemies in Sweet Harbor, and they all had motive and opportunity to do the deed. And someone made sure Liv would take the fall.
As Liv digs deeper, she finds an unlikely ally in Marcus Reid, the widowed detective whose morning coffee visits were the highlight of her day. Marcus knows Liv is innocent, but proving it means going against his department, and powerful people who want this case closed. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but can Liv trust the man investigating her? And can Marcus risk his heart again?
A recipe for murder. A town full of suspects. And a baker who's in way over her head.
With her baker's attention to detail, Liv notices the small clues others overlook—suspicious timing, alibis that don't add up. But getting too close to the truth puts her in the killer's crosshairs. Someone in Sweet Harbor will kill to keep their secrets buried, and they've already framed Liv once. They won't hesitate to silence her permanently.
From the picturesque harbor to dramatic coastal cliffs, Liv must navigate small-town secrets, betrayal, and deadly intentions. With Marcus by her side and best friend Ellie helping with research, Liv races to unmask the real killer before she loses her freedom, and possibly her life.
Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, Diane Mott Davidson, and culinary cozy mysteries with heart, humor, and a side of romance.
Macarons and Murder is the first book in the Sweet Harbor Cozy Mystery series,
A determined baker-turned-amateur-sleuth with a talent for spotting cluesA swoon-worthy detective learning to love againMouthwatering descriptions of baked goodsCharming coastal setting with quirky charactersHigh stakes mystery with clever twistsSweet slow-burn romanceA tight-knit community that rallies around their ownNo graphic violence—just smart sleuthing and satisfying justiceEach book can be read as a standalone, but you'll love watching Liv and Marcus's relationship grow throughout the series.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 27, 2026
About the author
P. A. Bumpass
10 books3 followersP. A. Bumpass writes sweet, clean romance and cozy mysteries filled with small-town charm, hopeful hearts, and a little mystery along the way. She believes love still exists in this world—and every story she writes is an invitation to believe it too.
When she’s not creating fictional towns you’ll wish were real, you’ll find her surrounded by books, dreaming up new characters, and sipping very serious coffee (because life is too short for bad brews ☕).
If you love stories that feel like a warm hug—with a twist of intrigue—you’re in the right place.
When she’s not creating fictional towns you’ll wish were real, you’ll find her surrounded by books, dreaming up new characters, and sipping very serious coffee (because life is too short for bad brews ☕).
If you love stories that feel like a warm hug—with a twist of intrigue—you’re in the right place.
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