What do you think?
Rate this book
Death by Christmas Cake
A cosy, Christmassy crime that’s equal parts mystery and delicious festive food! Perfect for fans of The Great British Bake-Off and Murder at Mistletoe Manor.
A dash of murder, a sprinkle of amateur sleuthing, and a cup full of Christmas spirit…
After months of working alongside the legendary chef Shirleen Foster, Keisha Scott is ready for a night of festivities celebrating her boss’s famous 12 Christmas Cakes.
It’s all of Keisha’s dreams come true, until the night takes a turn for the worse. Her boss’s former collaborator (now rival), Ruby Walton, accuses Shirleen of stealing her recipes.
Even worse, Ruby is found dead a short while after their argument, leading the police to arrest Shirleen as the top suspect.
Keisha is less convinced, however. Fuelled by her passion for true crime podcasts, and aided by Shirleen’s vexing nephew, Virgil, she sets out on a mission to clear Shirleen’s name.
This will either be a piece of cake or a recipe for disaster…
A dash of murder, a sprinkle of amateur sleuthing, and a cup full of Christmas spirit…
After months of working alongside the legendary chef Shirleen Foster, Keisha Scott is ready for a night of festivities celebrating her boss’s famous 12 Christmas Cakes.
It’s all of Keisha’s dreams come true, until the night takes a turn for the worse. Her boss’s former collaborator (now rival), Ruby Walton, accuses Shirleen of stealing her recipes.
Even worse, Ruby is found dead a short while after their argument, leading the police to arrest Shirleen as the top suspect.
Keisha is less convinced, however. Fuelled by her passion for true crime podcasts, and aided by Shirleen’s vexing nephew, Virgil, she sets out on a mission to clear Shirleen’s name.
This will either be a piece of cake or a recipe for disaster…
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨️ ARC REVIEW ✨️
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover
Publication date: 3rd November 2026
Thoughts | 3.5 ⭐️
If you love cosy small Christmas mysteries look no further! Despite the plot dragging in some places;I really enjoyed this and I'll give it to the author she had me guessing till the last page - which doesn't happen often anymore ( after a certain amount of books😂 )
Now as a Brit, I will say that despite this mentioning British Bake Off and Christmas cake; I did go into this read thinking it'll be a British Christmas cake mystery which it wasn't; nonetheless I had fun reading how everything unfolded.
Plot Summary
Keisha’s festive evening takes a dark turn when a famous chef’s rival is found dead, and her boss, Shirleen, becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove Shirleen’s innocence, Keisha teams up with her boss’s frustrating nephew to investigate the murder. With secrets, rivalries and suspicious characters around every corner, she must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
My Bookstagram
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover
Publication date: 3rd November 2026
Thoughts | 3.5 ⭐️
If you love cosy small Christmas mysteries look no further! Despite the plot dragging in some places;I really enjoyed this and I'll give it to the author she had me guessing till the last page - which doesn't happen often anymore ( after a certain amount of books😂 )
Now as a Brit, I will say that despite this mentioning British Bake Off and Christmas cake; I did go into this read thinking it'll be a British Christmas cake mystery which it wasn't; nonetheless I had fun reading how everything unfolded.
Plot Summary
Keisha’s festive evening takes a dark turn when a famous chef’s rival is found dead, and her boss, Shirleen, becomes the prime suspect. Determined to prove Shirleen’s innocence, Keisha teams up with her boss’s frustrating nephew to investigate the murder. With secrets, rivalries and suspicious characters around every corner, she must uncover the truth before it’s too late.
Many thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the ALC
My Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twelve Christmas Cakes, One Deadly Secret, and A Whole Lot of BAD BLOOD = very entertaining!
Keisha now works for chef Shirleen to update her iconic cookbook. But when former collaborator Ruby crashes the festive celebrations with accusations of recipe theft, old rivalries threaten to boil over. Then murder happens! This festive gathering becomes a murder mystery! The tension between these ladies needed a serrated knife! The side eyeing, smack talking, mocking, and years of bitterness? OH, THE DRAMA! When it comes to Shirley and Ruby, Christmas cheer is nowhere to be found. These two have a history of bad blood, including accusations of stolen recipes that ended up in court. Keisha teams up with Shirleen's nephew, Virgil, a true-crime podcast host, to investigate. But with suspicious behavior, buried secrets, and decades of jealousy simmering beneath the surface, figuring out who committed murder is no piece of cake!
This cozy Christmas mystery serves up plenty of festive mischief, culinary rivalry, and suspicious characters. Everyone has a story, everyone has something to hide, and someone is getting away with murder.
I read in tandem while I listened to the audiobook and it was thoroughly entertaining! The narrator absolutely nailed the different characters and voices, bringing their personalities to life with just the right amount of sass, attitude, and drama. The tension, the snark, and the petty rivalry all came through beautifully, making the listening experience even more enjoyable. She knew exactly when to turn up the drama, and it made this festive murder mystery that much more fun to listen to!
Thank you Netgalley, Datura Books, Highbridge Audio for the ARC & Audiobook.
Read & Listen on 11/03/2026.
Keisha now works for chef Shirleen to update her iconic cookbook. But when former collaborator Ruby crashes the festive celebrations with accusations of recipe theft, old rivalries threaten to boil over. Then murder happens! This festive gathering becomes a murder mystery! The tension between these ladies needed a serrated knife! The side eyeing, smack talking, mocking, and years of bitterness? OH, THE DRAMA! When it comes to Shirley and Ruby, Christmas cheer is nowhere to be found. These two have a history of bad blood, including accusations of stolen recipes that ended up in court. Keisha teams up with Shirleen's nephew, Virgil, a true-crime podcast host, to investigate. But with suspicious behavior, buried secrets, and decades of jealousy simmering beneath the surface, figuring out who committed murder is no piece of cake!
This cozy Christmas mystery serves up plenty of festive mischief, culinary rivalry, and suspicious characters. Everyone has a story, everyone has something to hide, and someone is getting away with murder.
I read in tandem while I listened to the audiobook and it was thoroughly entertaining! The narrator absolutely nailed the different characters and voices, bringing their personalities to life with just the right amount of sass, attitude, and drama. The tension, the snark, and the petty rivalry all came through beautifully, making the listening experience even more enjoyable. She knew exactly when to turn up the drama, and it made this festive murder mystery that much more fun to listen to!
Thank you Netgalley, Datura Books, Highbridge Audio for the ARC & Audiobook.
Read & Listen on 11/03/2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I do so love a good foodie cozy mystery and this one has introduced me to a new-to-me author! Eeeeep! Love the cozy Southern charm and the light touches of Christmas. And all those cakes – delish! Fair warning: reading this book might induce sugary cravings!
Keisha’s living her dream, working with a baking legend…until things go awry and murder becomes a main ingredient! Keisha’s natural curiosity and loyalty to her boss compel her to try her hand at amateur sleuthing. She is a true crime aficionado, after all. Unfortunately that means she has to match wits with her boss’s annoying nephew. Love Keisha’s spunk and there’s some great humour and banter in this developing relationship. Looking forward to seeing where that goes in future books!
The mystery is intriguing, with enough plot twists to keep things interesting – culinary rivalries, multiple secrets, and enough plausible suspects to keep an armchair sleuth like myself precariously balanced on the edge of my seat all the way to the end! Excellently plotted with a lovely balance between investigating and character development. Really appreciate the diverse cast and I’m eager to meet up with them again though now I’m not sure if this actually is the start of a series. Ack, I hope it is, but if it isn’t perhaps eager cozy mystery fans might be able to change that.
I listened to the audio edition of ‘Death by Christmas Cake’ and thoroughly enjoyed my listening experience. Narrator Ozzie Jacobs did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. She really captured their personalities and the overall mood of the story. Highly recommend the audio version of this festive cozy mystery.
My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.
Keisha’s living her dream, working with a baking legend…until things go awry and murder becomes a main ingredient! Keisha’s natural curiosity and loyalty to her boss compel her to try her hand at amateur sleuthing. She is a true crime aficionado, after all. Unfortunately that means she has to match wits with her boss’s annoying nephew. Love Keisha’s spunk and there’s some great humour and banter in this developing relationship. Looking forward to seeing where that goes in future books!
The mystery is intriguing, with enough plot twists to keep things interesting – culinary rivalries, multiple secrets, and enough plausible suspects to keep an armchair sleuth like myself precariously balanced on the edge of my seat all the way to the end! Excellently plotted with a lovely balance between investigating and character development. Really appreciate the diverse cast and I’m eager to meet up with them again though now I’m not sure if this actually is the start of a series. Ack, I hope it is, but if it isn’t perhaps eager cozy mystery fans might be able to change that.
I listened to the audio edition of ‘Death by Christmas Cake’ and thoroughly enjoyed my listening experience. Narrator Ozzie Jacobs did an amazing job bringing these characters to life. She really captured their personalities and the overall mood of the story. Highly recommend the audio version of this festive cozy mystery.
My thanks to RB Media and Net Galley for providing me with an audio copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one pulled me right in! I have been craving fluffy, holiday-themed books that don’t take much energy to work through, and this seemed like a perfect fit. I received a complimentary ALC from HighBridge Audio via NetGalley and pressed play right away.
I will say that this wasn’t what I thought it was going to be at all, and that’s OK. I don’t read full descriptions because I want to go in as blind as possible, so that’s on me. I ended up enjoying the book; I was just a little disappointed since I thought I was getting something else. Why? Well, it mentions Christmas cake and The Great British Baking Show, and the picture on the cover made me think I was getting a British Christmas cake mystery. After all, Christmas cake isn’t universally popular in the US!
So unfortunately, a cozy British baking mystery this was not. BUT, it was a fun mystery that drew me right into the action. It didn’t maintain my attention quite like it did at the beginning, as it meanders a little with some padding that I felt wasn’t needed. But maybe I’m subconsciously biased because of my initial expectations?
It was narrated by Ozzie Jacobs, who did a fine job with the prose. She kept me engaged with the story, and I was pleased to listen to her narration. The production was OK. It doesn’t sound as polished as some of the other productions I like to listen to, but it was good enough that it didn’t overly distract me.
So, if you’re looking for a cozy Christmas mystery, this has all the pieces! It’s endearing, chock-full of baking fun, humor, and culture, even if it wasn’t quite the British baking mystery I thought I was getting.
I will say that this wasn’t what I thought it was going to be at all, and that’s OK. I don’t read full descriptions because I want to go in as blind as possible, so that’s on me. I ended up enjoying the book; I was just a little disappointed since I thought I was getting something else. Why? Well, it mentions Christmas cake and The Great British Baking Show, and the picture on the cover made me think I was getting a British Christmas cake mystery. After all, Christmas cake isn’t universally popular in the US!
So unfortunately, a cozy British baking mystery this was not. BUT, it was a fun mystery that drew me right into the action. It didn’t maintain my attention quite like it did at the beginning, as it meanders a little with some padding that I felt wasn’t needed. But maybe I’m subconsciously biased because of my initial expectations?
It was narrated by Ozzie Jacobs, who did a fine job with the prose. She kept me engaged with the story, and I was pleased to listen to her narration. The production was OK. It doesn’t sound as polished as some of the other productions I like to listen to, but it was good enough that it didn’t overly distract me.
So, if you’re looking for a cozy Christmas mystery, this has all the pieces! It’s endearing, chock-full of baking fun, humor, and culture, even if it wasn’t quite the British baking mystery I thought I was getting.
November 7, 2026
Kesha is working with legendary chef, Shirleen Foster, to update her classic cookbook for its fiftieth anniversary. A party is thrown to celebrate the event and highlight the twelve Christmas cakes that had made Shirleen famous.
Everything is going well until Ruby, Shirleen’s rival, turns up and accuses Shirleen of stealing her recipes. When Ruby is found dead a short while later after eating a slice of one of the cakes, Shirleen seems the obvious suspect and the police arrest her. But Kesha is not so sure and she sets out with Virgil, Shirleen’s nephew and true crime podcaster, to prove her innocence and uncover the real culprit.
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glove is a fun and lighthearted Christmas cozy. If, like me, Christmas cozies are an important part of the lead up to the season, this is a nice fast read to help get you into the spirit.
Thanks to Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for ann early audiobook of this novel narrated by Ozzie Jacobs who does a fine job. All opinions are my own.
Everything is going well until Ruby, Shirleen’s rival, turns up and accuses Shirleen of stealing her recipes. When Ruby is found dead a short while later after eating a slice of one of the cakes, Shirleen seems the obvious suspect and the police arrest her. But Kesha is not so sure and she sets out with Virgil, Shirleen’s nephew and true crime podcaster, to prove her innocence and uncover the real culprit.
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glove is a fun and lighthearted Christmas cozy. If, like me, Christmas cozies are an important part of the lead up to the season, this is a nice fast read to help get you into the spirit.
Thanks to Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for ann early audiobook of this novel narrated by Ozzie Jacobs who does a fine job. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🎧 Listened in audio | 📢 Narrated by Ozzie Jacobs
⏱ Duration: 10 hours | Genre: Cozy Mystery
📅 Pub date: November 3, 2026
ARC by NetGalley
🏷️ Publisher name: Highbridge Audio and Datura Books
Death by Christmas Cake has a premise I was immediately drawn to: a festive cozy mystery set around a famous chef’s twelve Christmas cakes, with a rival’s accusation and a murder shortly afterward. The storyline has a lot of promise, and the early setup delivers on it.
What worked for me were the characters. Keisha is easy to root for, and her true-crime-podcast-fueled sleuthing gives the investigation energy. The crime itself was compelling, and the case felt intense and absorbing for much of the book.
Where it lost me was the misdirections. There were so many of them that they pulled my attention away from the main thread of the story. The friends and their dinners, the ex-husband, and the child prodigy all felt like detours rather than clues, and I often lost track of where the mystery was actually headed. By the time we reached the solution, it didn’t feel earned, and I wasn’t sold on it.
Ozzie Jacobs’ narration was good. It was clear and easy to listen to over the 10 hours, though not distinctive enough to leave a lasting impression.
Would I recommend it?
Death by Christmas Cake has a strong start and a cast I enjoyed spending ten hours with, but a cluttered middle and an unconvincing ending let it down for me. If you enjoy character-driven cozies with lots of subplots and don’t mind a busy plot, you may get more out of this than I did. It releases November 3, so mark the date in your calendar and add it to your TBR if a festive cozy is on your list.
⏱ Duration: 10 hours | Genre: Cozy Mystery
📅 Pub date: November 3, 2026
ARC by NetGalley
🏷️ Publisher name: Highbridge Audio and Datura Books
Death by Christmas Cake has a premise I was immediately drawn to: a festive cozy mystery set around a famous chef’s twelve Christmas cakes, with a rival’s accusation and a murder shortly afterward. The storyline has a lot of promise, and the early setup delivers on it.
What worked for me were the characters. Keisha is easy to root for, and her true-crime-podcast-fueled sleuthing gives the investigation energy. The crime itself was compelling, and the case felt intense and absorbing for much of the book.
Where it lost me was the misdirections. There were so many of them that they pulled my attention away from the main thread of the story. The friends and their dinners, the ex-husband, and the child prodigy all felt like detours rather than clues, and I often lost track of where the mystery was actually headed. By the time we reached the solution, it didn’t feel earned, and I wasn’t sold on it.
Ozzie Jacobs’ narration was good. It was clear and easy to listen to over the 10 hours, though not distinctive enough to leave a lasting impression.
Would I recommend it?
Death by Christmas Cake has a strong start and a cast I enjoyed spending ten hours with, but a cluttered middle and an unconvincing ending let it down for me. If you enjoy character-driven cozies with lots of subplots and don’t mind a busy plot, you may get more out of this than I did. It releases November 3, so mark the date in your calendar and add it to your TBR if a festive cozy is on your list.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Christmas cozy with a new-to-me author, a literal killer cake, and superb narration? Yes, please! 🎄🍰
Keisha Scott is a recipe developer for popular Chef Shirleen, but when Shirleen's former partner-turned-rival winds up dead after eating a cake, just about everyone becomes a suspect. Naturally, Keisha teams up with Shirleen's nephew to investigate, and things get deliciously complicated.
There was a lot to unwrap (Christmas pun absolutely intended 🎁), but the festive atmosphere and a sweet, G-rated budding romance kept me happily entertained. I did struggle a bit to keep track of the many characters, their motives, and their alibis. And because I apparently trust NO ONE in a cozy mystery, I was busy inventing motives for characters who weren't even being dangled in front of me like Christmas ornaments. Surely EVERYONE had a reason to want Ruby dead or Shirleen framed, right?!
Ozzie Jacobs delivered superb narration! Her performance brought the characters and holiday atmosphere to life, making this an especially enjoyable listen. She's absolutely a narrator I'll be seeking out again.
Overall, a fun, festive mystery that delivered plenty of Christmas cheer alongside its murder and mayhem!
📖 Death by Christmas Cake
✍️ Nicole Glover
🎙️ Ozzie Jacobs
🎁 Highbridge Audio
📅 11/03/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Keisha Scott is a recipe developer for popular Chef Shirleen, but when Shirleen's former partner-turned-rival winds up dead after eating a cake, just about everyone becomes a suspect. Naturally, Keisha teams up with Shirleen's nephew to investigate, and things get deliciously complicated.
There was a lot to unwrap (Christmas pun absolutely intended 🎁), but the festive atmosphere and a sweet, G-rated budding romance kept me happily entertained. I did struggle a bit to keep track of the many characters, their motives, and their alibis. And because I apparently trust NO ONE in a cozy mystery, I was busy inventing motives for characters who weren't even being dangled in front of me like Christmas ornaments. Surely EVERYONE had a reason to want Ruby dead or Shirleen framed, right?!
Ozzie Jacobs delivered superb narration! Her performance brought the characters and holiday atmosphere to life, making this an especially enjoyable listen. She's absolutely a narrator I'll be seeking out again.
Overall, a fun, festive mystery that delivered plenty of Christmas cheer alongside its murder and mayhem!
📖 Death by Christmas Cake
✍️ Nicole Glover
🎙️ Ozzie Jacobs
🎁 Highbridge Audio
📅 11/03/26
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
#DeathbyChristmasCake #NetGalley
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I was pleasantly surprised as I turned each page.
Keisha is working with a legendary chef, Shirleen Foster, but secrets from her past catch up to her.
Keisha soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation, along with Shirleen's nephew Virgil, who believes everything is podcast worthy.
The story escalates when a woman is killed and everyone thinks Shirleen is responsible, but Keisha doesn't believe it. Virgil and Keisha interview possible suspects, hoping to find a clue that will help unravel this mystery.
This is the first book I've read by this author, but I was pleasantly surprised as I turned each page.
Keisha is working with a legendary chef, Shirleen Foster, but secrets from her past catch up to her.
Keisha soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation, along with Shirleen's nephew Virgil, who believes everything is podcast worthy.
The story escalates when a woman is killed and everyone thinks Shirleen is responsible, but Keisha doesn't believe it. Virgil and Keisha interview possible suspects, hoping to find a clue that will help unravel this mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover is a entertaining holiday read that focuses on a baking competition. I was very excited about this, as I am a longtime fan of Great British Bake Off and its Canadian counterpart.
The main protagonist Keisha is a recipe developer helping Shirleen update her cookbook, and she is present when the murder happens. She pairs up with Shirleen's nephew Virgil to try and uncover who was responsible for Ruby's death. Their amateur sleuthing uncovers a number of clues that the police have missed and draws the attention of the killer.
I enjoyed the birds eye view of the highly competitive cookbook and food industries. I also appreciated that the book acknowledges the complexities of long standing friendships and the grief that comes with loss, even and especially when their is estrangement. There is a strong focus on friendship, family and community in the book, which was wonderful.
Shirleen was an intriguing character, and I enjoyed Keisha as the main protagonist. Her passion for food and cooking for others feels familiar to me. Keisha's dynamic with Virgil was complicated, they butt heads frequently but managed to resolve their issues and work together efficiency. Because of this ongoing conflict the potential for a romantic connection doesn't work for me, but I could see them having a decent friendship.
The resolution of the mystery didn't work for me. I didn't see it coming but it felt like it came out of nowhere as opposed to coming from clues that were built over the course of the novel. That being said the story was enjoyable and I would read more books in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ozzie Jacobs' narration, she was the perfect fit for the main protagonist and all of the various secondary characters.
I received an ARC copy of this audiobook via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
The main protagonist Keisha is a recipe developer helping Shirleen update her cookbook, and she is present when the murder happens. She pairs up with Shirleen's nephew Virgil to try and uncover who was responsible for Ruby's death. Their amateur sleuthing uncovers a number of clues that the police have missed and draws the attention of the killer.
I enjoyed the birds eye view of the highly competitive cookbook and food industries. I also appreciated that the book acknowledges the complexities of long standing friendships and the grief that comes with loss, even and especially when their is estrangement. There is a strong focus on friendship, family and community in the book, which was wonderful.
Shirleen was an intriguing character, and I enjoyed Keisha as the main protagonist. Her passion for food and cooking for others feels familiar to me. Keisha's dynamic with Virgil was complicated, they butt heads frequently but managed to resolve their issues and work together efficiency. Because of this ongoing conflict the potential for a romantic connection doesn't work for me, but I could see them having a decent friendship.
The resolution of the mystery didn't work for me. I didn't see it coming but it felt like it came out of nowhere as opposed to coming from clues that were built over the course of the novel. That being said the story was enjoyable and I would read more books in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed Ozzie Jacobs' narration, she was the perfect fit for the main protagonist and all of the various secondary characters.
I received an ARC copy of this audiobook via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had a lot of fun with this one! Give me a Christmas mystery with murder, baking & a little bit of drama and I’m happy 😂
I really enjoyed Keisha and her determination to figure out what happened. The whole situation between Shirleen & Ruby made things even more entertaining. There was definitely no shortage of tension between those two!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ozzie Jacobs and really enjoyed it. The characters were easy to tell apart & the narration worked so well with the story.
A fun little Christmas cozy that was exactly what I was in the mood for.
Many thanks to Netgalley & Highbridge Audio for the opportunity to listen early!
I really enjoyed Keisha and her determination to figure out what happened. The whole situation between Shirleen & Ruby made things even more entertaining. There was definitely no shortage of tension between those two!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ozzie Jacobs and really enjoyed it. The characters were easy to tell apart & the narration worked so well with the story.
A fun little Christmas cozy that was exactly what I was in the mood for.
Many thanks to Netgalley & Highbridge Audio for the opportunity to listen early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quick Summary: A tasty deception murder mystery
My Review: Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover is a standalone novel. It is categorized as "Mystery & Thrillers." The novel is scheduled for release on 11/3/26.
About the Book: "Keisha Scott has been working with the legendary chef Shirleen Foster to update her classic cookbook...
...before the night is over, things will go horribly wrong...
Shirleen's former-collaborator-turned-rival, Ruby Walton...is found dead..."
The Hook: "With a dash of murder, a sprinkle of amateur sleuthing, and a cup full of Christmas spirit, Death by Christmas Cake is a must-listen for cozy crime and Christmas lovers alike."
In My Own Words: Did someone get their just desserts via a deliciously devious MDK?
About the Characters & Conflict: A host of scrumptiously colorful characters serve up an unforgettable whodunit in this mystery/thriller. From the prime suspect to the amateur sleuthing duo to the community of players, Death by Christmas Cake is a highly entertaining gotcha.
Some of the story's action and movement involved (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):
🥂 - A 50th anniversary dinner party gone wrong
🎂 - 12 Christmas Cakes to die for
💬 - Rival Words and Accusations
🚨 - DOA in Real Time
🌀 - A Taste of True Crime
🔎 - Partner Pairings
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Ozzie Jacobs. The entire listening experience was superb. I loved the playful inflections, the warm tones, and the down home mood that was communicated. I felt like I was listening to a full cast delivery.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
✨- Entertaining
✨ - Witty
✨ - Wonderful characters
✨ - Charming and cozy
My Final Say: I really liked this murder mystery. It had a familiarity to it, but at the same time, it was all its own. There were quite a few characters, which was initially a bit overwhelming, yet as the story continued, it became easier to make sense of it all. The way the story unfolded was like the proofing process with bread. It took time to rise, but the end result was worth it. It was a treat to follow.
I hope a series is on the menu for the future. I would be interested in reading more stories like this one. This story vibed like a classic Agatha Christie formula reimagined with a rich nod to Black culture and a side of food recipes and yum.
Other: Readers who enjoy amateur detective stories, food-based crimes to go, and cozy crimes with a side of holiday whodunits will like this novel.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🍰🕵️♀️🎙️
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Title: +
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Highbridge Audio), and to NetGalley for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work of fiction. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
My Review: Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover is a standalone novel. It is categorized as "Mystery & Thrillers." The novel is scheduled for release on 11/3/26.
About the Book: "Keisha Scott has been working with the legendary chef Shirleen Foster to update her classic cookbook...
...before the night is over, things will go horribly wrong...
Shirleen's former-collaborator-turned-rival, Ruby Walton...is found dead..."
The Hook: "With a dash of murder, a sprinkle of amateur sleuthing, and a cup full of Christmas spirit, Death by Christmas Cake is a must-listen for cozy crime and Christmas lovers alike."
In My Own Words: Did someone get their just desserts via a deliciously devious MDK?
About the Characters & Conflict: A host of scrumptiously colorful characters serve up an unforgettable whodunit in this mystery/thriller. From the prime suspect to the amateur sleuthing duo to the community of players, Death by Christmas Cake is a highly entertaining gotcha.
Some of the story's action and movement involved (coded, so as to avoid spoilers):
🥂 - A 50th anniversary dinner party gone wrong
🎂 - 12 Christmas Cakes to die for
💬 - Rival Words and Accusations
🚨 - DOA in Real Time
🌀 - A Taste of True Crime
🔎 - Partner Pairings
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Ozzie Jacobs. The entire listening experience was superb. I loved the playful inflections, the warm tones, and the down home mood that was communicated. I felt like I was listening to a full cast delivery.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
✨- Entertaining
✨ - Witty
✨ - Wonderful characters
✨ - Charming and cozy
My Final Say: I really liked this murder mystery. It had a familiarity to it, but at the same time, it was all its own. There were quite a few characters, which was initially a bit overwhelming, yet as the story continued, it became easier to make sense of it all. The way the story unfolded was like the proofing process with bread. It took time to rise, but the end result was worth it. It was a treat to follow.
I hope a series is on the menu for the future. I would be interested in reading more stories like this one. This story vibed like a classic Agatha Christie formula reimagined with a rich nod to Black culture and a side of food recipes and yum.
Other: Readers who enjoy amateur detective stories, food-based crimes to go, and cozy crimes with a side of holiday whodunits will like this novel.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 🍰🕵️♀️🎙️
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Title: +
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Highbridge Audio), and to NetGalley for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work of fiction. I look forward to reading more from this writer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book but did find the interviews at the start of each chapter annoying mainly because I didn't see the relevance of them, especially the list of cook books. Yes I know the story was about a famous chief writing cook books but did we need to know every single title.
Otherwise it was a fun cozy christmas mystery involving food. The Christmas theme was subtle and it's only thinking back that I realise how much was weaved into the story. So yes it is a Christmas story.
There was a lot going on with tv shows, parties, betrayal, rivalry and murder especially as you were never quite sure who the intended target was but everything gets wrapped up nicely and it did keep me guessing.
I liked the characters but did find Virgil need to shove a recorder in everyone's face started to grate but I guess it's a sign of the times when everybody has a podcast or hashtag this and I guess it did come in handy with the investigation. I did like Keisha and the feisty Shirleen who did grown on me. The author even found time for a budding romance.
I would look out for another book in this series.
With a new cook book coming out a big celebration party is planned but when Keisha gets a message warning her boss needs to change her ways or she won't see the night out, Keisha is weary of what the night will bring. Unexpected guest are added to the list complicating things, with Shirleen's ex husband and ex co writer/best friend Ruby on the list, Keisha has to be ready for anything. She wasn't prepared for Ruby to drop dead after eating one of the cakes. With Shirleen's temper caught by everybody at seeing her sheet friend the police are quick to look at her. keisha and Shirleen's nephew Virgil must work together to not only make a podcast people will listen too but also to find the real killer because Ruby was murdered and Shirleen is being framed for it.
I liked the narrator. This is the first book I have heard her read but it won't be my last.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Otherwise it was a fun cozy christmas mystery involving food. The Christmas theme was subtle and it's only thinking back that I realise how much was weaved into the story. So yes it is a Christmas story.
There was a lot going on with tv shows, parties, betrayal, rivalry and murder especially as you were never quite sure who the intended target was but everything gets wrapped up nicely and it did keep me guessing.
I liked the characters but did find Virgil need to shove a recorder in everyone's face started to grate but I guess it's a sign of the times when everybody has a podcast or hashtag this and I guess it did come in handy with the investigation. I did like Keisha and the feisty Shirleen who did grown on me. The author even found time for a budding romance.
I would look out for another book in this series.
With a new cook book coming out a big celebration party is planned but when Keisha gets a message warning her boss needs to change her ways or she won't see the night out, Keisha is weary of what the night will bring. Unexpected guest are added to the list complicating things, with Shirleen's ex husband and ex co writer/best friend Ruby on the list, Keisha has to be ready for anything. She wasn't prepared for Ruby to drop dead after eating one of the cakes. With Shirleen's temper caught by everybody at seeing her sheet friend the police are quick to look at her. keisha and Shirleen's nephew Virgil must work together to not only make a podcast people will listen too but also to find the real killer because Ruby was murdered and Shirleen is being framed for it.
I liked the narrator. This is the first book I have heard her read but it won't be my last.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I never thought I would write cozy and murder in the same sentence, but here we are. “Death by Christmas Cake” was in fact a lighthearted, cozy murder mystery where I was oblivious throughout the book of who the actual murderer was. What drew me in to read this book was the title, because I was wondering how anyone can die off a Christmas cake - which to be fair is supposed to be the most innocent thing in the world.
As you probably have guessed by now this book is a murder mystery with a fairly Christmassy plot: Keisha has been working alongside the legendary chef Shirleen Foster to update her cookbook for its fiftieth anniversary. The festivities started with a dinner party highlighting the twelve Christmas Cakes that made her famous. During the party Ruby is found dead after an argument with Shirleen, making it look like she committed the murder. Keisha is not so sure this is the case, and she investigates together with Virgil, Shirleen’s nephew, and they investigate what happened.
The plot for me is sometimes a bit long, and I struggled to keep track of the person gallery, making me rewind the audiobook a couple of times. This might be different if I did an immersive read or had the physical book in front of me. Some parts of the plot seemed a bit long until the next plot twist came along. I struggled a bit with the narrator, as it seemed as if she was rushing and it took some time to get used to it at the start of the audiobook.
I really enjoyed the ending of the book, and it was a perfect Christmassy ending with friendship, murder solved and certainly some good fictional food. It’s a good read if you like lighthearted, Christmas murder mystery!
Disclaimer: I received this as an ARC through NetGalley against an honest unpaid review. Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Glover and the publisher and RBMedia for this ARC.
As you probably have guessed by now this book is a murder mystery with a fairly Christmassy plot: Keisha has been working alongside the legendary chef Shirleen Foster to update her cookbook for its fiftieth anniversary. The festivities started with a dinner party highlighting the twelve Christmas Cakes that made her famous. During the party Ruby is found dead after an argument with Shirleen, making it look like she committed the murder. Keisha is not so sure this is the case, and she investigates together with Virgil, Shirleen’s nephew, and they investigate what happened.
The plot for me is sometimes a bit long, and I struggled to keep track of the person gallery, making me rewind the audiobook a couple of times. This might be different if I did an immersive read or had the physical book in front of me. Some parts of the plot seemed a bit long until the next plot twist came along. I struggled a bit with the narrator, as it seemed as if she was rushing and it took some time to get used to it at the start of the audiobook.
I really enjoyed the ending of the book, and it was a perfect Christmassy ending with friendship, murder solved and certainly some good fictional food. It’s a good read if you like lighthearted, Christmas murder mystery!
Disclaimer: I received this as an ARC through NetGalley against an honest unpaid review. Thank you to NetGalley, Nicole Glover and the publisher and RBMedia for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover begins with an intriguing premise that immediately caught my attention. The story has several appealing ingredients: an interesting mystery, a cast of great characters, and a festive setting that makes it a fitting seasonal read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and was curious to see how the mystery would unfold.
Unfortunately, the pacing became a little uneven as the story progressed. While the opening successfully drew me in, the middle section felt rather slow and dragged on longer than I would have liked. The mystery lost some of its momentum, and I found my attention beginning to wander. I still wanted to know how everything would come together, but by the time I reached the final stretch, I was ready for the story to wrap up. In fact, the ending couldn’t come fast enough!
I listened to the audiobook, and overall, the narrator did a good job bringing the story and its characters to life. The performance was engaging, and the different character voices helped distinguish the cast. However, a few of the vocal portrayals were rather high-pitched for my taste and occasionally became grating. This is a personal preference, but those moments did distract me slightly from the story.
Overall, Death by Christmas Cake had a promising beginning, an intriguing mystery, and some enjoyable characters, but the slower middle section made it difficult to maintain my initial interest. I appreciated the premise and wanted to enjoy it more than I ultimately did. It was an okay seasonal mystery, though a tighter pace and slightly more restrained character voicings would have made for a more enjoyable audiobook experience.
Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for providing this ALC. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ARC of Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover via NetGalley, so a big thank you for the opportunity to read this book early!
On paper, this had the potential to be the ultimate holiday murder mystery. Murder, baking, and a true-crime podcast—what could possibly go wrong?
Unfortunately, for me, a lot went wrong in the execution.
First off, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Right from the start, I felt dumped into the middle of the narrative and expected to magically know who everyone was. The book is bloated with an overwhelming cast, many of whom served zero purpose to the actual story.
That bloat bled directly into the pacing. The plot is packed with side stories completely irrelevant to the central mystery, making the entire book drag on forever.
When I pick up a murder mystery, I want a more focused plot—I genuinely do not care about endless weekly dinners with friends or mandatory Christmas caroling scenes. Very little actually happens plot-wise, yet the narrative just keeps going and going.
By the time I finally reached the end, the reveal felt completely lackluster—though to be fair, that was likely because I didn't care who the killer was in the first place.
I would categorize this as an extreme cozy mystery: it relies heavily on deep character fluff, world-building, backstories for every background figure, and a very slow-burn reveal. If you love immersive, slow-paced holiday cozies with lots of community events, this might be right up your alley. But if you want a tight, compelling mystery, this one might leave you cold.
On paper, this had the potential to be the ultimate holiday murder mystery. Murder, baking, and a true-crime podcast—what could possibly go wrong?
Unfortunately, for me, a lot went wrong in the execution.
First off, I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Right from the start, I felt dumped into the middle of the narrative and expected to magically know who everyone was. The book is bloated with an overwhelming cast, many of whom served zero purpose to the actual story.
That bloat bled directly into the pacing. The plot is packed with side stories completely irrelevant to the central mystery, making the entire book drag on forever.
When I pick up a murder mystery, I want a more focused plot—I genuinely do not care about endless weekly dinners with friends or mandatory Christmas caroling scenes. Very little actually happens plot-wise, yet the narrative just keeps going and going.
By the time I finally reached the end, the reveal felt completely lackluster—though to be fair, that was likely because I didn't care who the killer was in the first place.
I would categorize this as an extreme cozy mystery: it relies heavily on deep character fluff, world-building, backstories for every background figure, and a very slow-burn reveal. If you love immersive, slow-paced holiday cozies with lots of community events, this might be right up your alley. But if you want a tight, compelling mystery, this one might leave you cold.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ALC Review from NetGalley
Keisha lands her dream job, updating a classic cookbook. Working side by side with the legendary household name Shirleen. In the biggest public event Ruby (Shirleen’s rival & ex friend) ends up dead. All clues point to Shirleen. Keisha must team up with Shirleen's nephew, Virgil to clear out her name.
It had the potential of being a great story but there was a vast number of characters and made it hard to follow along. There were many stories of the past that didn't add to the mystery and made the story drag on. Keisha was a fine character, but I didn't connect with her and she wasn't memorable. The podcast interview style could have added to the clues but for the most part it seemed irrelevant. I didn't see the plot twist, but it felt lackluster. Also, a small detail annoyed me, the lack of police work. There is a hint of romance/friendship, but I dint feel like there was chemistry. I did enjoy seeing the rivalry in the cooking world. Maybe it would be a different experience if you read it vs. listening to it.
It could be a great book for someone who wants to feel the Christmas ambiance and the coziness of cooking/baking with a slow-paced story. Other people seem to really enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley
Keisha lands her dream job, updating a classic cookbook. Working side by side with the legendary household name Shirleen. In the biggest public event Ruby (Shirleen’s rival & ex friend) ends up dead. All clues point to Shirleen. Keisha must team up with Shirleen's nephew, Virgil to clear out her name.
It had the potential of being a great story but there was a vast number of characters and made it hard to follow along. There were many stories of the past that didn't add to the mystery and made the story drag on. Keisha was a fine character, but I didn't connect with her and she wasn't memorable. The podcast interview style could have added to the clues but for the most part it seemed irrelevant. I didn't see the plot twist, but it felt lackluster. Also, a small detail annoyed me, the lack of police work. There is a hint of romance/friendship, but I dint feel like there was chemistry. I did enjoy seeing the rivalry in the cooking world. Maybe it would be a different experience if you read it vs. listening to it.
It could be a great book for someone who wants to feel the Christmas ambiance and the coziness of cooking/baking with a slow-paced story. Other people seem to really enjoy it.
Thank you NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Didn't think I could call a murder mystery cozy, but here we are. This was lighthearted, holiday-themed, and just a fun time.
Our main characters were easy to root for and just all-around likeable. The extended cast, on the other hand, was a tad bit hard to keep up with. I would sometimes forget who was who and would have to rewind to remind myself, which I will admit affected my understanding and figuring out the killer. I would sometimes forget the alibis or the relationships between the extended cast and the victim, or among the main characters in general. Some chapters did drag on longer than they needed, but didn't really bother me that much.
As for the narrator, Ozzie Jacobs did a great job. She was so easy to listen to for a ten-hour audio. No complaints there one bit.
It's all around a fast, cute, and lighthearted Christmas read if you enjoy cozy mysteries. Highly recommend you pick this up on a cold day with hot cocoa by your side.
Thank you to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Our main characters were easy to root for and just all-around likeable. The extended cast, on the other hand, was a tad bit hard to keep up with. I would sometimes forget who was who and would have to rewind to remind myself, which I will admit affected my understanding and figuring out the killer. I would sometimes forget the alibis or the relationships between the extended cast and the victim, or among the main characters in general. Some chapters did drag on longer than they needed, but didn't really bother me that much.
As for the narrator, Ozzie Jacobs did a great job. She was so easy to listen to for a ten-hour audio. No complaints there one bit.
It's all around a fast, cute, and lighthearted Christmas read if you enjoy cozy mysteries. Highly recommend you pick this up on a cold day with hot cocoa by your side.
Thank you to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute, lighthearted holiday murder mystery
Thank you to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
⭐️ 3.5/5
This is a cute, lighthearted, holiday cozy mystery. The story dragged a bit in places, but I enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out who the killer was. I also enjoyed the food and baking theme, and the budding romance between Keisha and Virgil.
The extended cast is quite robust, and I had a hard time keeping track of everyone. It was also a struggle at times to remember how they were connected, any potential motives, and their alibi for the murder.
Ozzie Jacobs did a good job bringing Keisha and the story to life. I had a hard time differentiating her character voices at times, but I enjoyed her energy.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy lighthearted, holiday murder mysteries, amateur sleuths, friendship, and lots of cooking and baking delights.
Thank you to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
⭐️ 3.5/5
This is a cute, lighthearted, holiday cozy mystery. The story dragged a bit in places, but I enjoyed the mystery and trying to figure out who the killer was. I also enjoyed the food and baking theme, and the budding romance between Keisha and Virgil.
The extended cast is quite robust, and I had a hard time keeping track of everyone. It was also a struggle at times to remember how they were connected, any potential motives, and their alibi for the murder.
Ozzie Jacobs did a good job bringing Keisha and the story to life. I had a hard time differentiating her character voices at times, but I enjoyed her energy.
I would recommend this book for readers who enjoy lighthearted, holiday murder mysteries, amateur sleuths, friendship, and lots of cooking and baking delights.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s the time of year when the evenings are drawing in and there seems to be more nighttime than daytime. So listening to a cosy mystery that has the added joy of baking seemed perfect.
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t grip me. In baking books, I’m hoping for details of the making, ideally including some recipes. In mystery novels I’m looking for some level of tension and pace, even in the cosy and of the genre.
This didn’t really deliver for me on either aspect and as much weight was given to utterly extraneous character characters as some of the key elements of the plot. I found this distracting and confusing and presumably was just thrown in to help along the romantic aspect of the Book.
I think I’m probably in the minority here looking at some of the other reviews, but I personally wouldn’t be reaching for other books by this author.
With thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately, this one really didn’t grip me. In baking books, I’m hoping for details of the making, ideally including some recipes. In mystery novels I’m looking for some level of tension and pace, even in the cosy and of the genre.
This didn’t really deliver for me on either aspect and as much weight was given to utterly extraneous character characters as some of the key elements of the plot. I found this distracting and confusing and presumably was just thrown in to help along the romantic aspect of the Book.
I think I’m probably in the minority here looking at some of the other reviews, but I personally wouldn’t be reaching for other books by this author.
With thanks to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an ALC of this book from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
I enjoyed the mystery, it was fun but not overly complicated. As someone who loves the Great British Bakeoff, I loved that everything evolved around baking.
But I will also be honest, I failed to write my review immediately upon finishing this book, so now, just over a week later, I can't for the life of me remember who the murderer was. The story, while decent and well written, was for me, unfortunately, also rather forgettable. There was a few times when unnecessary information was provided- like I don't need to know the names of all the FMC's friends and if they're attending a dinner party she's hosting, especially if they're going to be mentioned only once.
This book was inclusive. The MC's and many of the support characters were POC. There's also food allergy/intolerance representation.
No (?) language, no spice.
I enjoyed the mystery, it was fun but not overly complicated. As someone who loves the Great British Bakeoff, I loved that everything evolved around baking.
But I will also be honest, I failed to write my review immediately upon finishing this book, so now, just over a week later, I can't for the life of me remember who the murderer was. The story, while decent and well written, was for me, unfortunately, also rather forgettable. There was a few times when unnecessary information was provided- like I don't need to know the names of all the FMC's friends and if they're attending a dinner party she's hosting, especially if they're going to be mentioned only once.
This book was inclusive. The MC's and many of the support characters were POC. There's also food allergy/intolerance representation.
No (?) language, no spice.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for my copy.
This was a fast paced, fun, murder mystery with a style that would translate well to a TV show. It was fascinating to dive into the American cookery world and find out just how many different sorts of Christmas cake there can be. I loved the plethora of references to food in general which made it so central to the plot and characters. In particular Keisha, how she was able to understand a person by their food preferences and the detail she put into making her food enjoyable for all.
I enjoyed the rapport between the two main investigators and the way they were able to use the podcast to help open doors and get suspects to talk in a way that they didn't realise they were giving up secrets.
Overall this was enjoyable and a different kind of Christmas murder mystery story which made it a breath of fresh air.
This was a fast paced, fun, murder mystery with a style that would translate well to a TV show. It was fascinating to dive into the American cookery world and find out just how many different sorts of Christmas cake there can be. I loved the plethora of references to food in general which made it so central to the plot and characters. In particular Keisha, how she was able to understand a person by their food preferences and the detail she put into making her food enjoyable for all.
I enjoyed the rapport between the two main investigators and the way they were able to use the podcast to help open doors and get suspects to talk in a way that they didn't realise they were giving up secrets.
Overall this was enjoyable and a different kind of Christmas murder mystery story which made it a breath of fresh air.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Death by Christmas Cake was a cute holiday mystery. The only thing missing was a few slices of delicious cake and a glass of milk to accompany it!
A fun cast of characters, this book is a dessert lover’s delight with its decadent descriptions of the different cakes. Podcasts, amateur sleuthing, a mix matched pair on the hunt for the truth, this book is witty and entertaining. A nice, relaxing read after some of the more intense stories I have been reading lately, I was able to enjoy this one in one sitting.
Thank you to Highbridge Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook. Narrator Ozzie Jacobs was a delight to listen to.
A fun cast of characters, this book is a dessert lover’s delight with its decadent descriptions of the different cakes. Podcasts, amateur sleuthing, a mix matched pair on the hunt for the truth, this book is witty and entertaining. A nice, relaxing read after some of the more intense stories I have been reading lately, I was able to enjoy this one in one sitting.
Thank you to Highbridge Audio for the gifted copy of this audiobook. Narrator Ozzie Jacobs was a delight to listen to.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The cover of the book grabbed me and made me eager to read it. Once I started, I was not too sure it was what I needed in a cozy mystery. This was the first I have read by this author.
Give me a book with a murder, food, great characters and I am looking forward to reading but this one was missing a lot of what I wanted.
I am always on the lookout for a new author but sadly this book left me putting it down and forgetting within minutes asking myself why I read it.
Thank you NetGalley, Nicole Glover and Datura Books for the copy of the book Death by Christmas Cake. This is my personal review.
Give me a book with a murder, food, great characters and I am looking forward to reading but this one was missing a lot of what I wanted.
I am always on the lookout for a new author but sadly this book left me putting it down and forgetting within minutes asking myself why I read it.
Thank you NetGalley, Nicole Glover and Datura Books for the copy of the book Death by Christmas Cake. This is my personal review.
November 3, 2026
Keisha Scott has her dream job working for Shirleen Foster .
She is helping to update one of Shirleen’s cookbooks .
Keisha is assisting at party to highlight the twelve cakes of Christmas from the Season by Season cook book and it’s all Keisha could have dreamed of .
That is until someone dies and it looks very much like murder .
What follows is a cozy mystery which held my interest but I did feel that the ending fell a little flat .
The narrator did a great job , although it took a couple of chapters until I was fully accustomed to the narrator’s style .
A great read for the Christmas season.
Thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio.
She is helping to update one of Shirleen’s cookbooks .
Keisha is assisting at party to highlight the twelve cakes of Christmas from the Season by Season cook book and it’s all Keisha could have dreamed of .
That is until someone dies and it looks very much like murder .
What follows is a cozy mystery which held my interest but I did feel that the ending fell a little flat .
The narrator did a great job , although it took a couple of chapters until I was fully accustomed to the narrator’s style .
A great read for the Christmas season.
Thanks to NetGalley and Highbridge Audio.
November 3, 2026
Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover
Narrator, Ozzie Jacobs
I had to DNF at just over 70% due to losing interest. The title was cute, the cover was cute, and the narrator was very good but the story just couldn’t hold my interest. Too much food talk and not enough character development. My favorite character was the nephew but as to the woman who was killed and the woman who was accused, I just didn’t care. I still don’t know who did it and I can’t work up enough enthusiasm to finish it to find out.
I give it three stars because it held my interest long enough to get more than 2/3 of the way finished.
Thanks to NetGalley
Narrator, Ozzie Jacobs
I had to DNF at just over 70% due to losing interest. The title was cute, the cover was cute, and the narrator was very good but the story just couldn’t hold my interest. Too much food talk and not enough character development. My favorite character was the nephew but as to the woman who was killed and the woman who was accused, I just didn’t care. I still don’t know who did it and I can’t work up enough enthusiasm to finish it to find out.
I give it three stars because it held my interest long enough to get more than 2/3 of the way finished.
Thanks to NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a cute and cosy Christmas murder mystery with memorable characters. Keisha was a very likeable protagonist and was easy to root for. The romance subplot did not feel shoehorned in and evolved very naturally. I would definitely be open to the author revisiting this world and these characters in another book but the ending was a satisfying resolution.
I thought the set up and premise were very strong, although there are some side-plots that could've been trimmed a little.
I'll definitely be recommending this to my friend who loves cosy mysteries.
I thought the set up and premise were very strong, although there are some side-plots that could've been trimmed a little.
I'll definitely be recommending this to my friend who loves cosy mysteries.
November 5, 2026
🎄 Death by Christmas Cake by Nicole Glover
Christmas, cake, and murder make for such a fun cozy mystery! I enjoyed Keisha and Virgil’s adventure, the twists, and the festive atmosphere. A quick, entertaining read with just the right amount of holiday cheer!
A fun Christmas mystery!
Irated it 3.5/5. I had difficulty staying interested.
Ozzie Jacob's provided an enjoyable audible performance.
Thank you Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
Christmas, cake, and murder make for such a fun cozy mystery! I enjoyed Keisha and Virgil’s adventure, the twists, and the festive atmosphere. A quick, entertaining read with just the right amount of holiday cheer!
A fun Christmas mystery!
Irated it 3.5/5. I had difficulty staying interested.
Ozzie Jacob's provided an enjoyable audible performance.
Thank you Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Unfortunately this book isn’t for me and I got 53% in but DNF. It’s got a cute atmosphere due to the constant mention of food, and I love a cute mystery, but I think the stakes were too low for me personally as a reader (I would’ve let the police handle the investigation). The fmc is a totally fine character, but she felt a little flat and nothing about her seemed to jump out at me. Readers who like slice of life and a slow pace may enjoy this one.
November 3, 2026
Death by Christmas Cake is a wonderful culinary cozy mystery with likeable characters, an engaging storyline and enough suspense to keep you turning the pages. It's a fun, enjoyable read that I thoroughly loved! Nicole Glover is a new-to-me author but after enjoying this book so much, I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work in the future.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Datura Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy via NetGalley/Datura Books and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
Did Not Finish
October 29, 2026
ALC provided by NetGalley
DNF @30%
Death by Christmas Cake wasn’t for me. Although I only made it a little over a quarter of the way through the book, there was so much going on that I struggled to focus on the central issue, the murder…yet somehow, I was still board? I do believe this will be a very enjoyable book for the vast majority of people, just not for me.
DNF @30%
Death by Christmas Cake wasn’t for me. Although I only made it a little over a quarter of the way through the book, there was so much going on that I struggled to focus on the central issue, the murder…yet somehow, I was still board? I do believe this will be a very enjoyable book for the vast majority of people, just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews