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What the Baker Kept
A Cozy Mystery with a Touch of Magic
Wren Calloway would rather be left alone with her ledgers, her crow, and her late grandmother's undertaking parlor. Unfortunately, the bones have other ideas.
When Emberlow Hollow's beloved baker turns up dead the morning before the Harvest Festival, the whole town chalks it up to a tired heart. Wren knows better — the dead always leave one true fact behind, and this one's a hidden ledger page that doesn't add up.
With her over-eager apprentice Bram in tow, the town's tea shop gossip working overtime, and a skeptical constable who'd very much like this to be an accident, Wren has three days to follow the thread before the truth goes into the ground for good.
Turns out the baker had more secrets than flour in her pantry — and not all of them are hers to keep.
What the Baker Kept kicks off a charming, small-town fantasy mystery series perfect for readers who love reluctant heroines, quiet magic, and a graveside secret with their afternoon tea.
Wren Calloway would rather be left alone with her ledgers, her crow, and her late grandmother's undertaking parlor. Unfortunately, the bones have other ideas.
When Emberlow Hollow's beloved baker turns up dead the morning before the Harvest Festival, the whole town chalks it up to a tired heart. Wren knows better — the dead always leave one true fact behind, and this one's a hidden ledger page that doesn't add up.
With her over-eager apprentice Bram in tow, the town's tea shop gossip working overtime, and a skeptical constable who'd very much like this to be an accident, Wren has three days to follow the thread before the truth goes into the ground for good.
Turns out the baker had more secrets than flour in her pantry — and not all of them are hers to keep.
What the Baker Kept kicks off a charming, small-town fantasy mystery series perfect for readers who love reluctant heroines, quiet magic, and a graveside secret with their afternoon tea.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 21, 2026
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. The story was cozy, most of the characters are likeable, and it's nice to see diversity in characters, too.
The only thing I wasn't too sure on was why Yvette felt like she needed to tell everyone that she was the one who saved the bakery business. Was it just for recognition? I hope that's not it and I just misunderstood. It felt kind of off that she wouldn't respect Perrin's wishes to not tell the town the secret of who paid the debt. That felt kinda disrespectful.
I felt like some of the sentences were just too long and could have been reworked to be broken up into two or three sentences.
Overall I'd give it 3.75 stars.
The only thing I wasn't too sure on was why Yvette felt like she needed to tell everyone that she was the one who saved the bakery business. Was it just for recognition? I hope that's not it and I just misunderstood. It felt kind of off that she wouldn't respect Perrin's wishes to not tell the town the secret of who paid the debt. That felt kinda disrespectful.
I felt like some of the sentences were just too long and could have been reworked to be broken up into two or three sentences.
Overall I'd give it 3.75 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2026
There’s a lovely, quiet strangeness to Wren Calloway’s world — the kind of magic that doesn’t sparkle, but hums under the floorboards and rustles in the rafters. She’d much rather be left alone with her ledgers, her crow, and the comforting stillness of her grandmother’s undertaking parlor, but Emberlow Hollow has other plans. And in this story, the dead have a way of nudging her toward truths the living would prefer to keep buried.
What I enjoyed most is how reluctant Wren is as a heroine. She’s not chasing mysteries; she’s trying to avoid them. Yet the town’s beloved baker leaves behind a single, stubborn fact that refuses to be ignored — a ledger page that doesn’t quite add up. It’s such a gentle hook, but it pulls you straight into the heart of the story. Wren’s magic isn’t flashy; it’s practical, grounded, and threaded through her work in a way that feels both eerie and oddly comforting.
The atmosphere of Emberlow Hollow is one of the book’s real delights. It’s a small town where gossip travels faster than the wind, where the tea shop is practically a community oracle, and where secrets settle into the soil like autumn leaves. There’s warmth here, but also a sense that everyone is holding something back — and that tension gives the story its quiet pulse.
Wren’s dynamic with Bram adds a lovely touch of humour. He’s over‑eager, earnest, and determined to help even when he’s clearly in over his head. Their partnership feels like a mismatched pair who somehow make perfect sense together, especially when the constable would very much prefer this to be a simple accident. The three‑day deadline gives the mystery a gentle urgency without ever tipping into chaos.
What lingers is the way the book blends magic with everyday life. Wren’s abilities aren’t treated as spectacle; they’re simply part of how she understands the world. The bones speak, the dead leave truths behind, and the living try their best to pretend everything is normal. It’s a cosy kind of magic — soft, subtle, and woven into the rhythm of the town.
By the end, the story feels like a warm autumn evening with a hint of chill in the air — comforting, but with shadows that make you look twice. The baker’s secrets aren’t melodramatic; they’re human, messy, and tied to the kind of small‑town loyalties that can protect or destroy.
A charming, quietly magical mystery with a reluctant heroine, a wonderfully nosy town, and just enough graveside intrigue to keep you leaning forward. It’s the sort of book you read with a cup of tea, letting the magic settle around you like falling leaves.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What I enjoyed most is how reluctant Wren is as a heroine. She’s not chasing mysteries; she’s trying to avoid them. Yet the town’s beloved baker leaves behind a single, stubborn fact that refuses to be ignored — a ledger page that doesn’t quite add up. It’s such a gentle hook, but it pulls you straight into the heart of the story. Wren’s magic isn’t flashy; it’s practical, grounded, and threaded through her work in a way that feels both eerie and oddly comforting.
The atmosphere of Emberlow Hollow is one of the book’s real delights. It’s a small town where gossip travels faster than the wind, where the tea shop is practically a community oracle, and where secrets settle into the soil like autumn leaves. There’s warmth here, but also a sense that everyone is holding something back — and that tension gives the story its quiet pulse.
Wren’s dynamic with Bram adds a lovely touch of humour. He’s over‑eager, earnest, and determined to help even when he’s clearly in over his head. Their partnership feels like a mismatched pair who somehow make perfect sense together, especially when the constable would very much prefer this to be a simple accident. The three‑day deadline gives the mystery a gentle urgency without ever tipping into chaos.
What lingers is the way the book blends magic with everyday life. Wren’s abilities aren’t treated as spectacle; they’re simply part of how she understands the world. The bones speak, the dead leave truths behind, and the living try their best to pretend everything is normal. It’s a cosy kind of magic — soft, subtle, and woven into the rhythm of the town.
By the end, the story feels like a warm autumn evening with a hint of chill in the air — comforting, but with shadows that make you look twice. The baker’s secrets aren’t melodramatic; they’re human, messy, and tied to the kind of small‑town loyalties that can protect or destroy.
A charming, quietly magical mystery with a reluctant heroine, a wonderfully nosy town, and just enough graveside intrigue to keep you leaning forward. It’s the sort of book you read with a cup of tea, letting the magic settle around you like falling leaves.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2026
This is the first entry in the The Bone-Truth Mysteries series. Amazon categorises it as "Mystery, Thriller & Suspense›Mystery›Cozy›Animals" I think it would be more accurate to say it is a Cozy Fantasy Mystery. The Fantasy is not the in your face Sword & Sorcery or Supernatural Creatures fantasy type but rather a quieter low key fantasy set in a world similar to our own but with a major difference. The story is set in the town of Emberlow Hollow and takes place in a timeline without electricity or other modern technologies. The town is preparing to hold it's annual festival when a body is discovered. The town's undertaker, Wren Calloway is called to attend to the body. And this is where the major fantasy aspect is revealed. In the Bone-Truth Mystery world, undertakers, in addition to cleaning and preparing the body for burial, can also "read the bones". Wren explains that she doesn't need to do this for all deaths, for those where the cause of death is obvious and not questionable, for instance death naturally from old age, she does not need to Read the Bones, but in this case she does. While the mechanics of the Reading are not fully explained, Reading results in, for lack of a better word, a vision concerning the dead person. Not a vision that shows the deceased last seconds or the method of the death, rather the vision Wren gets is a subtle suggestion of something that might be off in the decease's life. Wren describes it as a thread that when investigated might lead to a string and then a rope that can be pulled on to illuminate the meaning of the death. In this case it is merely and image of an accounts ledger with a misplaced page. This leads to a non-scientific investigation involving both reviews of written documents (the ledgers) but also observations of the various towns inhabitant's physical reactions and behaviors. upon questioning. Wren and the town's constable look at what is there and also what is missing in both aspects (like in the classic detective case of why the dog doesn't bark). Wren and her apprentice Bram along with constable Fenn gather important information from the typical gossip that will occur in any small town. In that aspect it is a typical cozy type mystery. The story clocks in at just 160 pages, and as such it is a fast and easy read, very enjoyable and highly satisfying - I enjoyed it so much that I plan to read the rest of the series - recommended.
October 27, 2026
ARC: Out now. I received a copy of this from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It's not often I find a book that I'm conflicted about but this was one of them. It's a cozy mystery which I always love and for the most part enjoyed. The premise is unique, and the lead Wren isn't your typical chase them down mystery solver, more like she actively tries to avoid them even with the gift she has. And although the magic she possesses is more of a quiet hum rather than being in your face, it works as she is the town's undertaker who reads bones to get answers.
I absolutely did love the diversity representation in the story from the character of Bram, who provided the humour with their over eagerness to help even if it meant they weren't sure how to handle things and sometimes get overwhelmed.
And although I did like the mystery, the fact that there was no real depth to the characters, time frames to when the events are occurring or any substantial descriptions of the town to make me feel like I wanted to be there, it did feel like there was something missing for me.
It's not often I find a book that I'm conflicted about but this was one of them. It's a cozy mystery which I always love and for the most part enjoyed. The premise is unique, and the lead Wren isn't your typical chase them down mystery solver, more like she actively tries to avoid them even with the gift she has. And although the magic she possesses is more of a quiet hum rather than being in your face, it works as she is the town's undertaker who reads bones to get answers.
I absolutely did love the diversity representation in the story from the character of Bram, who provided the humour with their over eagerness to help even if it meant they weren't sure how to handle things and sometimes get overwhelmed.
And although I did like the mystery, the fact that there was no real depth to the characters, time frames to when the events are occurring or any substantial descriptions of the town to make me feel like I wanted to be there, it did feel like there was something missing for me.
September 12, 2026
What the Baker Kept was such a sweet and comforting read! ✨ There’s something wonderfully cosy about a story with a baker at its heart, and this one gave me that warm, curl-up-with-a-book feeling I was looking for.
I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere and the gentle charm woven through the story. 🥐☕ It had plenty of heart, some lovely character moments, and that comforting quality that makes a book feel like a little escape from the real world.
The story kept me invested, and I especially enjoyed watching the characters and relationships unfold. There was a lovely balance of sweetness and emotion that made this an enjoyable read from beginning to end. 💕📖
Overall, What the Baker Kept was a delightful ARC read with plenty of warmth, charm, and cosy vibes. If you're looking for something sweet to settle into with a cup of tea or coffee, this one is worth adding to your TBR! 🥐✨
Thank you to Hazel Wilding for the opportunity to read this ARC. 💕
I really enjoyed the overall atmosphere and the gentle charm woven through the story. 🥐☕ It had plenty of heart, some lovely character moments, and that comforting quality that makes a book feel like a little escape from the real world.
The story kept me invested, and I especially enjoyed watching the characters and relationships unfold. There was a lovely balance of sweetness and emotion that made this an enjoyable read from beginning to end. 💕📖
Overall, What the Baker Kept was a delightful ARC read with plenty of warmth, charm, and cosy vibes. If you're looking for something sweet to settle into with a cup of tea or coffee, this one is worth adding to your TBR! 🥐✨
Thank you to Hazel Wilding for the opportunity to read this ARC. 💕
September 2, 2026
This is the first book in the series and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Wren is the undertaker for a small town, and she has a special gift. She uses that gift when needed to help ensure that the town's people know what happened to their deceased. Yvette was the baker everyone loved and knew but maybe they didn't really know all about her like they thought. In a town filled with secrets can Wren and her crew figure out what happened to the baker and which secrets are important or will they have to let it all go and allow the town to move forward. Great characters, intersting scenes from the town, unclear on the time (but it's fantasy so who cares) and several twists that even though they are foreshadowed, aren't super obvious right away. I enjoyed the story very much and look forward to seeing what mystery is next for Wren and Bram.
September 19, 2026
Although this was published in Aug, I received a copy an ARC review.
Unfortunately it’s not as good as I hoped.
Wren is an undertaker with an unusual talent, she reads the bones of the deceased and is able to tell if it was a natural death or if something happened.
When the local baker is found dead before the annual festival, Wren starts investigating, she has questions that need answers.
While an interesting concept, I actually found this book a bit dull.
It has an interesting mystery to be solved though.
The questions that needed answers were never really clear nor were the events that were being checked out.
There are no actual descriptions of the characters or the town other than a few words. Nothing really sticks out for me. And it was very serious and dry.
I did enjoy it to a certain extent but not enough to continue on in the series.
Unfortunately it’s not as good as I hoped.
Wren is an undertaker with an unusual talent, she reads the bones of the deceased and is able to tell if it was a natural death or if something happened.
When the local baker is found dead before the annual festival, Wren starts investigating, she has questions that need answers.
While an interesting concept, I actually found this book a bit dull.
It has an interesting mystery to be solved though.
The questions that needed answers were never really clear nor were the events that were being checked out.
There are no actual descriptions of the characters or the town other than a few words. Nothing really sticks out for me. And it was very serious and dry.
I did enjoy it to a certain extent but not enough to continue on in the series.
September 18, 2026
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a wonderfully dark twist, Hazel Wilding’s What The Baker Kept is definitely worth a read. I really enjoyed the unique setup—Wren Calloway running her late grandmother’s undertaking parlor with a pet crow by her side is just fantastic atmospheric world-building.
The pacing slows down a bit in the middle as the town gossip and tea shop scenes pile up, making the three-day race against the clock feel a little less urgent than it should. However, the mystery surrounding the baker's hidden ledger is genuinely clever, and the dynamic between Wren and her over-eager apprentice, Bram, brings a lot of heart and humor to the page.
It’s an entertaining, quirky small-town whodunit with great spooky charm. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars!
The pacing slows down a bit in the middle as the town gossip and tea shop scenes pile up, making the three-day race against the clock feel a little less urgent than it should. However, the mystery surrounding the baker's hidden ledger is genuinely clever, and the dynamic between Wren and her over-eager apprentice, Bram, brings a lot of heart and humor to the page.
It’s an entertaining, quirky small-town whodunit with great spooky charm. A solid 3.5 out of 5 stars!
August 26, 2026
I loved the touch of fantasy in this delightful mystery. Wren's readings are such a different concept in this story. I love how they give her a starting point, but hard work ties all the pieces of the puzzle together. The writing style includes the reader as a participant and give the reader hints along the way. I appreciated how the author stated how a comment didn't make sense until days later. It invited the reader more fully into the story which I greatly enjoyed. I look forward to reading more stories within this series!
September 21, 2026
What the Baker Kept is the first book in Hazel Wilding’s The Bone-Truth Mysteries series, and it has to be the very first cozy fantasy mystery I’ve read. Wren actively tries to avoid solving mysteries because there is a price to be paid for using her magic, and she has no control over what that cost will be. The magic is blended so seamlessly into ordinary life that you almost forget it's there sometimes. Overall, it is an enjoyable read, and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
I read ARCs.
I read ARCs.
October 10, 2026
I really did not care for this book at all. It was very wordy, without saying a whole lot. Wren is an undertaker who 'reads' bones. That was the totality of fantasy in this book. There were very few descriptions in the the book, which I found frustrating. You're given no idea when it even takes place, other than the lack of electricity. There are no descriptions of any of the characters other than a few personality traits. The mystery of the the death of the baker wasn't very compelling, and I didn't find the end very surprising. On the plus side, it was a short book.
September 8, 2026
Thank you to Entrada Publishing for an advanced reader's copy. This is a murder mystery story in smalltown Emberlow Hollow. A baker, Yvette, is found dead just before a Harvest Festival. Wren, the town coroner, uncovers something out of the ordinary when she performs a "reading." It's a simple story with a twist of "fantasy" when Wren and her assistant, Bram, identify concerns. Their persistence assists the Constable. It's a quick read that held my interest.
October 24, 2026
“they, them”
I am probably just old and not used to the pronoun changes used by some.
As an avid reader since the 5th grade I spent my summers, if my chores were finished by noon, at the school playground which included the public library, the size of a Barnes & Noble.
The point of my rambling is every time the pronoun for Bram was used it threw me out of the story. Similar to ending a sentence with a preposition!
I am probably just old and not used to the pronoun changes used by some.
As an avid reader since the 5th grade I spent my summers, if my chores were finished by noon, at the school playground which included the public library, the size of a Barnes & Noble.
The point of my rambling is every time the pronoun for Bram was used it threw me out of the story. Similar to ending a sentence with a preposition!
August 31, 2026
Wren working in her grandmother ‘s undertakes parlour has her work cut out for her when a well-known person's body comes to her. There is more than meets the eye to this mystery . An intriguing read which I enjoyed. I received this ARC copy via Booksirans and leave a voluntary review . I recommend this book to other readers.
October 29, 2026
This story had a lot of potential. As the first book in a series it should have built a better foundation and explained more of the characters, the towns and cultures. There was some repetition in telling the story but it had some interesting characters and interactions.
September 23, 2026
Good cozy mystery with a bit of fantasy thrown in. Wonderful characters. First book of the series.
September 25, 2026
An unusual way for the MFC to work but it definitely gives the story line a different arc to it. There is enough twists to the story to keep you guessing as to who and how the crime is committed.
September 29, 2026
Arc reviewed from booksirens
The plot of the book is good. The writing is very repetitive when explaining situations.
The plot of the book is good. The writing is very repetitive when explaining situations.
Want to Read
October 1, 2026Placeholder.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.
Did Not Finish
October 2, 2026I won this book unfortunately I did not realize the book contained magic. I don’t read books with magic in them.
September 28, 2026
If you're looking for a quick read that gives autumn and cozy vibes, with some mystery, this will give you that. I enjoyed the imagery throughout; I could really envision the surroundings and the village life. Definitely an easy read to enjoy with a hot beverage and a cool breeze, during this time of year. The main character's "side kick" is a non-binary individual, so it was nice to see inclusion within the story. I was really hoping for a little more of something, in regard to the crow, who is also included in the storyline. I did find the writing to be a bit wordy throughout. The way the author described the process of "reading the bones" really pulled me in and was rather interesting! I think I will read the next book in the series, as I'm curious on the characters' progressions.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
* I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews