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Danishes and Death
The pastries are warm, the wedding plans are getting complicated, and Ginny Malone is about to discover that going home can be murder…
Ginny and Vince are headed to San Francisco for what should be a simple visit with Ginny’s parents. But between her mother’s pre-wedding opinions, an engagement party Ginny never wanted, and the lingering complications of her old life in the city, the trip is already more than she bargained for.
Then one of her father’s country club friends turns up dead—and Ginny’s father lands directly in the middle of the investigation.
Suddenly, Ginny and Vince are splitting their time between the foggy streets of San Francisco and the sunny boardwalk of Moonstone Bay, trying to untangle a case full of old secrets, polished smiles, and people who would rather keep the past buried. But murder waits for no one, especially when the suspect list includes country club regulars, old acquaintances, and people with plenty to lose.
Back home, life at Moonstone Bakery isn’t slowing down either. Between keeping the bakery running, juggling family expectations, and figuring out what her future with Vince will really look like, Ginny has never had more on her plate.
With wedding bells in the distance and danger a little too close to home, Ginny and Vince will have to follow the clues carefully before a killer serves up one final surprise.
Book 8 in the Moonstone Bakery Mysteries is a charming cozy mystery filled with seaside warmth, San Francisco secrets, family drama, bakery sweetness, and a twisty whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Grab a treat, settle in, and return to Moonstone Bay for another deliciously mysterious adventure!
Ginny and Vince are headed to San Francisco for what should be a simple visit with Ginny’s parents. But between her mother’s pre-wedding opinions, an engagement party Ginny never wanted, and the lingering complications of her old life in the city, the trip is already more than she bargained for.
Then one of her father’s country club friends turns up dead—and Ginny’s father lands directly in the middle of the investigation.
Suddenly, Ginny and Vince are splitting their time between the foggy streets of San Francisco and the sunny boardwalk of Moonstone Bay, trying to untangle a case full of old secrets, polished smiles, and people who would rather keep the past buried. But murder waits for no one, especially when the suspect list includes country club regulars, old acquaintances, and people with plenty to lose.
Back home, life at Moonstone Bakery isn’t slowing down either. Between keeping the bakery running, juggling family expectations, and figuring out what her future with Vince will really look like, Ginny has never had more on her plate.
With wedding bells in the distance and danger a little too close to home, Ginny and Vince will have to follow the clues carefully before a killer serves up one final surprise.
Book 8 in the Moonstone Bakery Mysteries is a charming cozy mystery filled with seaside warmth, San Francisco secrets, family drama, bakery sweetness, and a twisty whodunit that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Grab a treat, settle in, and return to Moonstone Bay for another deliciously mysterious adventure!
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2026
About the author
Nova Walsh
45 books82 followersAuthor Nova Walsh writes cozy mysteries full of humor, shenanigans, and friendships that last a lifetime. She mixes in a healthy dose of amateur sleuthing, some slow-burn romance, and a pinch of comedy in every book she writes.
Nova is a former chef/caterer who still loves to cook but loves to write even more. She’s an enthusiastic, if not totally successful gardener who loves travel, wine, and hanging out with friends.
Nova grew up in the southwest, and now lives in Galveston, Texas with her husband and son. When she isn’t writing, she’s often cooking, gardening, hiking, feeding stray animals, or trying to make her way through her endless TBR pile.
Nova is a former chef/caterer who still loves to cook but loves to write even more. She’s an enthusiastic, if not totally successful gardener who loves travel, wine, and hanging out with friends.
Nova grew up in the southwest, and now lives in Galveston, Texas with her husband and son. When she isn’t writing, she’s often cooking, gardening, hiking, feeding stray animals, or trying to make her way through her endless TBR pile.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 14, 2026
Danishes and death is Book 8 in the Moonstone Bakery by Nova Walsh. I enjoy a longer series because I get to know the main characters and see relationships grow. Book 8 has Ginny and Vince engaged and going to San Francisco to visit parents not to be pulled into a murder investigation. Ginny and Vince are great st following the clues. I found this story to be an excellent mystery. Jump into the Moonstone Series and put on your sleuthing cap. I received an arc for free am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 17, 2026
I have to say how much I enjoy Nova Walsh's writing. I can't help but find myself smiling as I read her stories. She makes her characters so real and I love their quick wit and banter. I am also somewhat of a foodie, so the antics in the bakery are right up my alley. I like that she writes clean and sweet cozy murder mysteries. Even if you haven't read all the books in the series, it is okay. They can be read as standalones, I think. I look forward to reading more from her. I received a complimentary copy of this book to review. This is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ve really come to love Virginia, Vince, Shortcake, and the wonderful cast of characters in this series, and Danishes and Death was such a fun addition to the Moonstone Bakery mysteries.
This time, Virginia’s engagement celebration at her parents’ country club takes an unexpected turn when a murder leaves everyone wondering who could have done it. What starts as a weekend of family gatherings, wedding planning, and delicious pastries quickly becomes another mystery for Virginia and Vince to unravel.
Virginia’s relationship with her mother had me relating more than once, and the interactions between Virginia and Vince continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Their relationship feels warm and genuine, and I enjoy watching them build a life together while navigating the occasional murder investigation.
The mystery kept me guessing, with plenty of suspects and questions to work through. I also appreciated the way the story brought in family history and those little connections to the past that make Moonstone Bay feel like more than just a backdrop for the mystery.
There’s a balance of intrigue, humor, romance, and found family. It’s the kind of cozy mystery that makes you want to settle in with a cup of coffee and something sweet while catching up with old friends.
This time, Virginia’s engagement celebration at her parents’ country club takes an unexpected turn when a murder leaves everyone wondering who could have done it. What starts as a weekend of family gatherings, wedding planning, and delicious pastries quickly becomes another mystery for Virginia and Vince to unravel.
Virginia’s relationship with her mother had me relating more than once, and the interactions between Virginia and Vince continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series. Their relationship feels warm and genuine, and I enjoy watching them build a life together while navigating the occasional murder investigation.
The mystery kept me guessing, with plenty of suspects and questions to work through. I also appreciated the way the story brought in family history and those little connections to the past that make Moonstone Bay feel like more than just a backdrop for the mystery.
There’s a balance of intrigue, humor, romance, and found family. It’s the kind of cozy mystery that makes you want to settle in with a cup of coffee and something sweet while catching up with old friends.
September 11, 2026
Her mother is driving her crazy! Ginny Malone and her fiancé, Vince, want to enjoy their engagement - they've not even set a date yet. So when they're press-ganged into a party at her parents' country club to celebrate the upcoming nuptials, Ginny is not pleased. And it gets worse - the country club president is murdered during the festivities. With Ginny's father on the hook as the prime suspect, she and Vince put everything on hold as they flush out a killer.
I seem to spend a lot of time saying that the setting in whatever story I'm reading is my favourite place. This is so true of Moonstone Bay, where the stories usually occur. With the shift to San Francisco, I was concerned my interest in the series might falter. Not the case! If anything, being close and personal with Ginny's parents enhanced the storytelling and made her mother a much more sympathetic character. So well done.
Thank you to Nova Walsh and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
I seem to spend a lot of time saying that the setting in whatever story I'm reading is my favourite place. This is so true of Moonstone Bay, where the stories usually occur. With the shift to San Francisco, I was concerned my interest in the series might falter. Not the case! If anything, being close and personal with Ginny's parents enhanced the storytelling and made her mother a much more sympathetic character. So well done.
Thank you to Nova Walsh and BookSirens for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. As always, my opinions are my own, honest and true.
September 17, 2026
I had a lot of fun diving right into this book after finishing Biscuits and Bodies! Danish and Death offers the same comfort as previous books in the series: a loveable cast, delicious-sounding food, and a mystery that can go down multiple paths. This installment was a little different in that the murder itself, and consequently multiple parts of the book that follow, take place in Ginny's hometown, San Francisco. I love Moonstone Bay but felt that Walsh did a great job balancing the two settings. While they work on cracking this case, Vince and Ginny progress further in their relationship, Ginny grows as a business owner, and we learn a bit more about her parents. I feel like this book did a great job delivering on the points that have made this series so enjoyable thus far. I really can't wait until the next book comes out (later this year, I think!).
*Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the free eARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
*Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the free eARC! I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Review of advance copy
This book makes complete sense, even if you haven't read any of the preceding books in the series. There is one full chapter and a few other sections that were clearly resolving things from other books but they made sense on their own. The characters were compelling and the story was enjoyable. I'll probably go back and read the first seven books or at least one.
My guess as to who did it was right but not because it was an easily solvable case. It didn't make sense that that person would have been able to do it from the beginning but they just kept eliminating suspects and there were only so many to start with. The mystery part wasn't great. It was the character interactions that I enjoyed.
The Danish recipe at the end is super easy and tastes good.
My guess as to who did it was right but not because it was an easily solvable case. It didn't make sense that that person would have been able to do it from the beginning but they just kept eliminating suspects and there were only so many to start with. The mystery part wasn't great. It was the character interactions that I enjoyed.
The Danish recipe at the end is super easy and tastes good.
Review of advance copy
What happens when a golf tournament turns deadly?? Vince and Ginny were visiting her parents when the golf tournament goes awry. One drunk member got his membership suspended for driving through a topiary, making him ineligible for the golf tournament!!!
How important is golf? Worth killing someone over??? Ginny and Vince start sleuthing. Can they find out how they had access to the kitchen and whodunit. They weren't on my radar at all. The reveal had me gobsmacked. An entertaining, humorous, page turner with a few twits.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
How important is golf? Worth killing someone over??? Ginny and Vince start sleuthing. Can they find out how they had access to the kitchen and whodunit. They weren't on my radar at all. The reveal had me gobsmacked. An entertaining, humorous, page turner with a few twits.
I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest review.
Review of advance copy
such fun, really enjoyed the story
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews