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A Bread Shop Mystery #2
Crust No One
Business is booming at Yeast of Eden. But with a deadly mystery taking over the seaside town of Santa Sofia, the Mexican bread shop can't possibly leaven a killer's appetite . . .
For once, Ivy Culpepper feels fulfilled. An apprenticeship at Yeast of Eden has opened her world to time-honored baking techniques under owner Olaya Solis's guidance--as well as the freshest small-town gossip, courtesy of chatty regulars known as the Blackbird Ladies. Ivy even begins accepting that she and restaurateur Miguel Baptista may never again rekindle their romance--despite the undeniable tension between them . . .
But she's tied to Miguel again when his trusted produce supplier goes missing. Old Hank Riviera's financial troubles would make anyone consider running away forever. And with his relationship woes, there are plenty of people who might want to see Hank disappear. As Ivy, with the help of her octogenarian sidekick, turns to the loose-lipped Blackbird Ladies for leads, she soon finds herself caught in a web of lies stickier than a batch of Olaya's popular pastries . . .
For once, Ivy Culpepper feels fulfilled. An apprenticeship at Yeast of Eden has opened her world to time-honored baking techniques under owner Olaya Solis's guidance--as well as the freshest small-town gossip, courtesy of chatty regulars known as the Blackbird Ladies. Ivy even begins accepting that she and restaurateur Miguel Baptista may never again rekindle their romance--despite the undeniable tension between them . . .
But she's tied to Miguel again when his trusted produce supplier goes missing. Old Hank Riviera's financial troubles would make anyone consider running away forever. And with his relationship woes, there are plenty of people who might want to see Hank disappear. As Ivy, with the help of her octogenarian sidekick, turns to the loose-lipped Blackbird Ladies for leads, she soon finds herself caught in a web of lies stickier than a batch of Olaya's popular pastries . . .
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 26, 2017
132 people are currently reading
789 people want to read
About the author
Winnie Archer
9 books372 followersWinnie Archer is the pseudonym of Melissa Bourbon.
Melissa Bourbon Ramirez is the national bestselling author of seventeen mystery books, including the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.
Melissa Bourbon Ramirez is the national bestselling author of seventeen mystery books, including the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
January 20, 2018
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We return to Santa Sofia for the Winter Wonderland Festival. Ivy is getting set to help Olaya do all the baking but before she can she learns a man has gone missing. Hank Riviera delivers his produce to several local businesses including Miguel Baptista’s family restaurant. Ivy was there to talk about a photography opportunity but that is forgotten as soon as they get the news that Hank has missed deliveries and can’t be found. She and Miguel along with a group of customers from Yeast of Eden, who Ivy lovingly named the Blackbird Ladies, start an investigation to find the missing vendor. Where their investigation leads them surprises everyone.
Ms. Archer has written another fantastic mystery. Ivy grew so much in the first book in this series and she really seems very comfortable now in her life even though the tension between she and Miguel continues. The supporting characters are very well developed too. I felt like I was reconnecting with old friends. The new characters introduced were unique and interesting.
The mystery itself developed and at a nice pace throughout the book. Twists galore took the story in a very unexpected direction. The author does an excellent job of dropping clues like breadcrumbs until we have not one but two “aha” moments. Even Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis was surprised.
Winter in Santa Sofia, not quite winter in Wisconsin, but no matter where you live it is the perfect time to visit Yeast of Eden for a tasty treat. Doesn’t that cover just make you crave bread, rolls, and every other doughy product you can think of?
I enjoyed every minute of this story. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this mystery unfolds a little differently than most cozy mysteries. I was engaged from page 1. The real-life moments, Em moving in with Billy, Ivy trying to find more photography work, customers in the bread shop, the baking, all tied into the plot seamlessly. I loved it!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series! The Walking Bread comes out September 25, 2018.
We return to Santa Sofia for the Winter Wonderland Festival. Ivy is getting set to help Olaya do all the baking but before she can she learns a man has gone missing. Hank Riviera delivers his produce to several local businesses including Miguel Baptista’s family restaurant. Ivy was there to talk about a photography opportunity but that is forgotten as soon as they get the news that Hank has missed deliveries and can’t be found. She and Miguel along with a group of customers from Yeast of Eden, who Ivy lovingly named the Blackbird Ladies, start an investigation to find the missing vendor. Where their investigation leads them surprises everyone.
Ms. Archer has written another fantastic mystery. Ivy grew so much in the first book in this series and she really seems very comfortable now in her life even though the tension between she and Miguel continues. The supporting characters are very well developed too. I felt like I was reconnecting with old friends. The new characters introduced were unique and interesting.
The mystery itself developed and at a nice pace throughout the book. Twists galore took the story in a very unexpected direction. The author does an excellent job of dropping clues like breadcrumbs until we have not one but two “aha” moments. Even Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis was surprised.
Winter in Santa Sofia, not quite winter in Wisconsin, but no matter where you live it is the perfect time to visit Yeast of Eden for a tasty treat. Doesn’t that cover just make you crave bread, rolls, and every other doughy product you can think of?
I enjoyed every minute of this story. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this mystery unfolds a little differently than most cozy mysteries. I was engaged from page 1. The real-life moments, Em moving in with Billy, Ivy trying to find more photography work, customers in the bread shop, the baking, all tied into the plot seamlessly. I loved it!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series! The Walking Bread comes out September 25, 2018.
December 26, 2017
A new author for me and the second book in Bread Shop series. I found a well-written story and a lot of originality in the book. Also, I felt the characters were swallowed and I did not connect with them. I had difficulty staying with the book.
Ivy Culpepper is a working at the Yeast of Eden which is located in her hometown of Santa Sofia. The owner, Plays Solid is teaching her about baking bread. Ivy becomes aware of the Blackbird ladies and with Penny Branford to look for Hank "Mustache Man" Riviera who has disappeared. The twists that the tale takes will lead you around the area looking for Hank. You expect that the body will be found several times. Ivy reconnects with Michael Baptista, her high school boyfriend who is also looking for Hank. Ivy is looking for answers to whether Hank is dead? Will a romance develop between Ivy and Michael again?
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Ivy Culpepper is a working at the Yeast of Eden which is located in her hometown of Santa Sofia. The owner, Plays Solid is teaching her about baking bread. Ivy becomes aware of the Blackbird ladies and with Penny Branford to look for Hank "Mustache Man" Riviera who has disappeared. The twists that the tale takes will lead you around the area looking for Hank. You expect that the body will be found several times. Ivy reconnects with Michael Baptista, her high school boyfriend who is also looking for Hank. Ivy is looking for answers to whether Hank is dead? Will a romance develop between Ivy and Michael again?
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kennington Books through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 24, 2023
4 stelle e mezza
Altra serie che era finita nel dimenticatoio... In gran parte del libro la protagonista e altri personaggi cercano un uomo scomparso che alla fine viene ritrovato morto. La ricerca dell'assassino dura poco e devo dire che avevo sospettato il movente ancor prima che fosse trovato il cadavere, ma il colpevole è stato in parte una sorpresa.
Altra serie che era finita nel dimenticatoio... In gran parte del libro la protagonista e altri personaggi cercano un uomo scomparso che alla fine viene ritrovato morto. La ricerca dell'assassino dura poco e devo dire che avevo sospettato il movente ancor prima che fosse trovato il cadavere, ma il colpevole è stato in parte una sorpresa.
August 19, 2020
This series is really cranking up and going from good to better! A cozy mystery series where each book has a mystery with some meat on it's bones and excellent character development. The characters are very well fleshed out, flawed and intriguing as well as lovable with a hefty dose of curiosity running through their veins. Ivy really has her hands full with this one as the missing person she is looking for may not want to be found or may not be able to be found all while some personal issues from the past are bubbling to a froth as well. I loved this book and can't wait to listen to the next. This audio series is quite good!
February 28, 2020
Ivy Culpepper is drawn into an unofficial missing persons case by her ex-boyfriend, Miguel Rivera. Miguel, a restaurateur, is worried when his produce supplier fails to show up two days in a row. "Mustache Hank" has always been a conscientious person, never failing in his duties before. The elderly women who gather at the bread shop are also acquainted with Hank, some more than others, and are eager to find Hank as well. Emmaline, as Deputy Sheriff, is bound by the law to wait until someone official reports Frank as missing but Ivy feels connected to Hank's son Jason. She knows what it feels like to lose a parent and she wants to find Hank before Jason has to experience the grief Ivy felt when her mom was killed. With some help from Miguel and her elderly sidekick, Penny, she is determined to find out what happened to Hank.
This story is slllowwwww. There's no good reason for Ivy to investigate. She only laid eyes on Hank once. Ivy rushes ahead with her investigation, even getting in ahead of the official investigation. I really didn't like this at all. In the first book she was motivated to find out what happened to Jackie, someone she had met, someone who was friends with her friends. The plot picks up in the last few chapters but it is rather dark and creepy. I did wonder if and . The plot doesn't really make a lot of sense and I found it very sad. I was also disappointed that a lot of the backstory happens off page and is merely told. I wanted to experience the rush of Ivy buying her first house and see Billy and Emmaline kindle a relationship. Finally, this book lacks recipes. I can see why there aren't any because Olaya and Ivy bake literally everything for a winter festival and I wouldn't want to attempt croissants at home.
In this book Ivy reconnects with her high school boyfriend Miguel. He is a good guy and I like him. He has a vision to update his family's restaurant and make it more successful. Ivy is included in the plan as official promotional photographer. She avoids confronting him about her hurt feelings and that goes on way too long. The romantic subplot is hampered by Miguel's nasty little sister Laura, who, for some reason, loathes Ivy. I don't get that at all and the reason revealed doesn't make sense. Ivy and Miguel still seem to have feelings for each other but they delay talking about it for way too long.
"Mustache" Hank Rivera, so nicknamed for his handlebar mustache, is the kindest, biggest-hearted guy on the planet. He is too naive and trusting at times and it may have been his downfall. Certainly his faith in people has caused financial problems and his business is in trouble. It's good of Miguel to worry about him but Jason, Hank's son, should have filed an official missing persons report. Hank seems to have a past history with Alice, one of the so-called "Blackbird Ladies" who meet at the bread shop and gossip. Alice, a married woman, may have knowledge of Hank's whereabouts and his reasons for disappearing. She's rather snippy and rude. Her husband seems nice but he may have a motive for murder. Another "Blackbird Lady," Janice, is pushy. She is hot to trot to get Ivy to photograph her son's boarding house renovations. Who owns a boarding house in this day and age? Mrs. Branford is too spunky and fancies herself a detective, at 86 years young. I admire her energy and drive but I think she's a troublemaker. Mabel Peabody seems like the nicest of the ladies. She's the youngest and a former hippie. I LOLd when I read about what her kids learned in school and then realized, they're probably pretty wealthy now!
Hank's ex-wife Brenda claims to be unconcerned about him but her body language and actions say otherwise. She seems to still care for him a lot, yet she is hiding something from Ivy. Janice's son Richie runs a boarding house for the elderly and special needs. I like Bernard, who seems to have autism or brain damage. Bernard seems nervous and on the edge but the residents all know how to deal with him. Mason Caldwell, an elderly former teacher, resists Hank's efforts to move into a retirement community. I do not like Mason. He's from a different generation when men could be flirtations and give women vaguely sleazy compliments. Penny, being of a similar age, enjoys the flirtation. Ivy, closer to my own age, is amused by Penny's reaction but felt uneasy about Mason's compliments. Dixie, another resident, lives in the past where she is a pin-up girl/movie starlet of the Golden Age. I find her a little annoying but sad in a pathetic, tragic way. Do any of them know anything about Hank's disappearance? His brother Phil doesn't seem to know or claims he doesn't. Phil is rather a crusty sort of man who did not have a good relationship with his brother.
I was surprised by all the salty language in this book, especially coming from senior citizens!
This isn't the best entry in the series so far but I want to read more about bread baking so I will continue. I like how Olaya knows which herbs and spices to put into her bread to help people. She also seems to have a 6th sense about what people need and that makes it easy for her to help.
This story is slllowwwww. There's no good reason for Ivy to investigate. She only laid eyes on Hank once. Ivy rushes ahead with her investigation, even getting in ahead of the official investigation. I really didn't like this at all. In the first book she was motivated to find out what happened to Jackie, someone she had met, someone who was friends with her friends. The plot picks up in the last few chapters but it is rather dark and creepy. I did wonder if and . The plot doesn't really make a lot of sense and I found it very sad. I was also disappointed that a lot of the backstory happens off page and is merely told. I wanted to experience the rush of Ivy buying her first house and see Billy and Emmaline kindle a relationship. Finally, this book lacks recipes. I can see why there aren't any because Olaya and Ivy bake literally everything for a winter festival and I wouldn't want to attempt croissants at home.
In this book Ivy reconnects with her high school boyfriend Miguel. He is a good guy and I like him. He has a vision to update his family's restaurant and make it more successful. Ivy is included in the plan as official promotional photographer. She avoids confronting him about her hurt feelings and that goes on way too long. The romantic subplot is hampered by Miguel's nasty little sister Laura, who, for some reason, loathes Ivy. I don't get that at all and the reason revealed doesn't make sense. Ivy and Miguel still seem to have feelings for each other but they delay talking about it for way too long.
"Mustache" Hank Rivera, so nicknamed for his handlebar mustache, is the kindest, biggest-hearted guy on the planet. He is too naive and trusting at times and it may have been his downfall. Certainly his faith in people has caused financial problems and his business is in trouble. It's good of Miguel to worry about him but Jason, Hank's son, should have filed an official missing persons report. Hank seems to have a past history with Alice, one of the so-called "Blackbird Ladies" who meet at the bread shop and gossip. Alice, a married woman, may have knowledge of Hank's whereabouts and his reasons for disappearing. She's rather snippy and rude. Her husband seems nice but he may have a motive for murder. Another "Blackbird Lady," Janice, is pushy. She is hot to trot to get Ivy to photograph her son's boarding house renovations. Who owns a boarding house in this day and age? Mrs. Branford is too spunky and fancies herself a detective, at 86 years young. I admire her energy and drive but I think she's a troublemaker. Mabel Peabody seems like the nicest of the ladies. She's the youngest and a former hippie. I LOLd when I read about what her kids learned in school and then realized, they're probably pretty wealthy now!
Hank's ex-wife Brenda claims to be unconcerned about him but her body language and actions say otherwise. She seems to still care for him a lot, yet she is hiding something from Ivy. Janice's son Richie runs a boarding house for the elderly and special needs. I like Bernard, who seems to have autism or brain damage. Bernard seems nervous and on the edge but the residents all know how to deal with him. Mason Caldwell, an elderly former teacher, resists Hank's efforts to move into a retirement community. I do not like Mason. He's from a different generation when men could be flirtations and give women vaguely sleazy compliments. Penny, being of a similar age, enjoys the flirtation. Ivy, closer to my own age, is amused by Penny's reaction but felt uneasy about Mason's compliments. Dixie, another resident, lives in the past where she is a pin-up girl/movie starlet of the Golden Age. I find her a little annoying but sad in a pathetic, tragic way. Do any of them know anything about Hank's disappearance? His brother Phil doesn't seem to know or claims he doesn't. Phil is rather a crusty sort of man who did not have a good relationship with his brother.
I was surprised by all the salty language in this book, especially coming from senior citizens!
This isn't the best entry in the series so far but I want to read more about bread baking so I will continue. I like how Olaya knows which herbs and spices to put into her bread to help people. She also seems to have a 6th sense about what people need and that makes it easy for her to help.
June 22, 2019
Crust No One by Winnie Archer is the second book in this series and was a great addition to this series. I am really enjoying getting to know these characters. I absolutely love Penny Bransford! I want to be her when I'm her age. The plot moved quickly and there were so many twists that I couldn't stop reading. I was also glad to see that Ivy and Miguel finally got their past behind them. Thank goodness my library has the next book in the series.
November 21, 2017
This is the second book in this series and I found it to be as enjoyable as the first. The characters have a wonderfully familiar and comfortable feeling to them, which allowed me as a reader to become fully engaged in the story. The plot was well paced and kept me turning pages to see how the story would end. The author has crafted a terrific mystery dropping in clues like bread crumbs along the way. There are some twists and turns that had me surprised because I honestly didn't see them coming. This is shaping up to a be a terrific series and I look forward to more from this author.
A full review will be posted to my blog closer to release date.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
A full review will be posted to my blog closer to release date.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
December 2, 2017
Crust No One is the second book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop Mystery series. The characters are three dimensional and well developed and the plot is well paced and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. The reader is provided with a number of possible suspects and plenty of clues, twists and turns. This book can easily be read as a standalone as the author provides great background information.
Ivy Culpepper, a professional photographer, has returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia after the death of her mother and is working part-time at Yeast of Eden, a Mexican bread bakery run by her friend Olaya Solis. While visiting with the Blackbird Ladies (Penny, Janice, Mabel, and Alice), she’s introduced to Mustache Hank, who is a friend of the group of older women. Miguel Baptista, Ivy’s high school sweetheart, contacts her about preparing new menus and brochures for his family restaurant, when he mentions his reliable vegetable supplier, Hank Rivera, hasn’t made his deliveries lately and that Hank’s son, Jason, is worried about him. Ivy asks if Hank is the man she recently met and Miguel confirms he is. Ivy and Miguel decide to visit Hank’s ex-wife, Brenda, to ask a few questions. Penny has helped Ivy investigate before and when she learns Mustache Hank is missing, she wants to help Ivy and Miquel find him and figure out why he disappeared. Ivy, Penny, and Miguel provide clues to Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis, her best friend, who is dating her brother, Billy.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
Ivy Culpepper, a professional photographer, has returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia after the death of her mother and is working part-time at Yeast of Eden, a Mexican bread bakery run by her friend Olaya Solis. While visiting with the Blackbird Ladies (Penny, Janice, Mabel, and Alice), she’s introduced to Mustache Hank, who is a friend of the group of older women. Miguel Baptista, Ivy’s high school sweetheart, contacts her about preparing new menus and brochures for his family restaurant, when he mentions his reliable vegetable supplier, Hank Rivera, hasn’t made his deliveries lately and that Hank’s son, Jason, is worried about him. Ivy asks if Hank is the man she recently met and Miguel confirms he is. Ivy and Miguel decide to visit Hank’s ex-wife, Brenda, to ask a few questions. Penny has helped Ivy investigate before and when she learns Mustache Hank is missing, she wants to help Ivy and Miquel find him and figure out why he disappeared. Ivy, Penny, and Miguel provide clues to Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis, her best friend, who is dating her brother, Billy.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.
June 19, 2022
Enjoyed this second installment in the Bread Shop Mystery series. This was definitely a bit darker in terms of plot, but still very much a cozy mystery. I did find myself distracted wondering why the protagonist cared so deeply about a person she didn't know, but still found it an enjoyable read. Looking forward to book three in the series.
December 17, 2017
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book!
Although I had read a couple of pages the night before, sleep then work then life got in the way and I really wanted to finish this book! Monday is my break throughout my ten days on working, so I decided Sunday night to stay up a little later and finish this. I'm glad I did!
First off, I liked the way Ivy integrates herself into the mystery; she doesn't really know the victim, or even if there is a victim, but it worked in her justifying why she wanted to help. The other characters were a delight also, especially Penny, and I hope to see more of the input from the Blackbird ladies in future books.
My few dislikes about this book were small but in the end stopped this from being a perfect cozy. Firstly...cozies are meant to be a little gentle, not over the top gore/crime/serial killer stuff. Perhaps this is a spoiler, so Also, the romance and the 'reason' Miguel left as a teenager? I'd tell him to stuff off. He never even ASKED Ivy or told her his reasons, all because his younger sister said something was true? Yeah no, not a basis for a relationship IMO. He needs to go.
But I liked the investigating, the theme and the town and I think this series has real potential. I'll definitely be picking up more books in the future. Four stars.
Although I had read a couple of pages the night before, sleep then work then life got in the way and I really wanted to finish this book! Monday is my break throughout my ten days on working, so I decided Sunday night to stay up a little later and finish this. I'm glad I did!
First off, I liked the way Ivy integrates herself into the mystery; she doesn't really know the victim, or even if there is a victim, but it worked in her justifying why she wanted to help. The other characters were a delight also, especially Penny, and I hope to see more of the input from the Blackbird ladies in future books.
My few dislikes about this book were small but in the end stopped this from being a perfect cozy. Firstly...cozies are meant to be a little gentle, not over the top gore/crime/serial killer stuff. Perhaps this is a spoiler, so Also, the romance and the 'reason' Miguel left as a teenager? I'd tell him to stuff off. He never even ASKED Ivy or told her his reasons, all because his younger sister said something was true? Yeah no, not a basis for a relationship IMO. He needs to go.
But I liked the investigating, the theme and the town and I think this series has real potential. I'll definitely be picking up more books in the future. Four stars.
December 16, 2017
Crust No One is the second book in the Bread Shop series by Winnie Archer.
Ivy Culpepper is a fun character and her roll (no pun intended) in this book is a sure fire hit.
Working as an apprentice at Yeast of Eden, the quaint seaside town of Santa Sofia, Ivy is happy with her life.
True, her relationship with Miguel Baptista may never be the same, but Ivy is still happy with her life.
It isn't until the mysterious disappearance of Hank Riviera, producer supplier for Miguel's restaurant becomes the local gossip that brings Ivy & Miguel back together.
With the help of The Blackbird Ladies, Ivy works hard to find answers and maybe restore her friendship with Miguel.
This story was written with such detail I could practicqally smell the breads as they came out of the oven.
The writer held my attention from beginning to end and added enough twists to keep me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an ARC of this exciting book.
#BreadShopMystery #NetGalley
Ivy Culpepper is a fun character and her roll (no pun intended) in this book is a sure fire hit.
Working as an apprentice at Yeast of Eden, the quaint seaside town of Santa Sofia, Ivy is happy with her life.
True, her relationship with Miguel Baptista may never be the same, but Ivy is still happy with her life.
It isn't until the mysterious disappearance of Hank Riviera, producer supplier for Miguel's restaurant becomes the local gossip that brings Ivy & Miguel back together.
With the help of The Blackbird Ladies, Ivy works hard to find answers and maybe restore her friendship with Miguel.
This story was written with such detail I could practicqally smell the breads as they came out of the oven.
The writer held my attention from beginning to end and added enough twists to keep me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an ARC of this exciting book.
#BreadShopMystery #NetGalley
September 25, 2021
I love this series and this book kept me enthralled. I really love Ivy as a main character who has been through a bad marriage and death of her mother but has found her own niche in the town she grew up in. I love the bread shop and all the breads sound so great I wish I could try them all. I love the side characters and I am liking the love interest and loved the ending of the book. The mystery kept me turning the pages though I guessed part of the book one part I hadn't guessed at all. A really good read.
April 10, 2022
Fantastic mystery and great second book to the series! This was definitely darker than I anticipated based on the genre and first book in the series, but the mystery was well done. I love Ivy and Ms. Branford to absolute pieces! The blackbird ladies were a fun addition and added a lot of flair to the book.
June 22, 2018
This is really cute! I liked the Blackbird Ladies and their meddling ways. Ivy Culpepper makes a good amateur sleuth trying to find the missing Mustache Hank. Readers who enjoy light cozy mysteries and the imaginary smell of baked goods while reading, will love this series.
January 1, 2018
Crust No One by Winnie Archer is the 2nd book in A Bread Shop Mystery series, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite. Wow! This book had more twists and turns, and an excellent mystery that kept me reading. When the dependable mustache Hank Riviera goes missing, Ivy Culpepper is determined to find him and help her ex boyfriend Miguel. Hank is the produce supplier for Miguel's restaurant. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and it can't come soon enough. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for a fair and honest review.
January 11, 2018
Ivy is settling in nicely, she has her photography (run from home rather than a studio) and she is being trained up in the art of bread making by Olaya, there is almost something happening between Ivy and Miguel but he keeps holding back and then he asks her to come over .... to the restaurant to take photographs for a new menu and flyers! Whilst she is there though Miguel gets a phone call from the son of his produce guy, Mustache Hank has gone missing and Ivy and Miguel (along with the Blackbird Ladies) are looking into it before you can blink. Oh and the Winter Wonderland one day fair is also on the books!
Can Ivy find Hank and can she and Miguel sort out what is wrong between them?
Can Ivy find Hank and can she and Miguel sort out what is wrong between them?
May 23, 2023
This wasn’t bad. The resolution of the teen angst that led to break up was cringy but kids. I’m realizing this is a different type of Cozy so I’m giving it a chance. It’s not bad it’s very character driven and not as much action driven/detecting driven. Overall it was a slow but good listen while working.
January 27, 2020
I didn't read the first book in the series but that doesn't account for the rating. This book rehashes & reintroduces all the characters so you don't need to - complaint #1, waaaay too much telling the reader what the narrator discovered about the characters, the town & events that occurred in the first book.
Complaint #2 - Does the bakery door have a bell on it and does it work? or not? pg 10 - "the conversation was interrupted when the door opened, the bell chimed..." pg 14: "there was no bell on the door so I hadn't noticed them leave" pg 15: "the bell on the door tinkled and a customer came in"
pg 303 "I was glad the bell was broken". OMG. By pg 15 I was ready to quit on that point alone.
Complaint #3 - based on the front cover "Murder's on a roll...", and the back cover comments "a deadly mystery" and "a killer's appetite" ... I was expecting a murder mystery. The first 3/4 of the book painstakingly plods along to determine whether Hank is even MISSING much less dead. Painstakingly.
The bread shop and its owner are the best parts of this book ... for that reason alone, I may check out the first in the series.
Complaint #2 - Does the bakery door have a bell on it and does it work? or not? pg 10 - "the conversation was interrupted when the door opened, the bell chimed..." pg 14: "there was no bell on the door so I hadn't noticed them leave" pg 15: "the bell on the door tinkled and a customer came in"
pg 303 "I was glad the bell was broken". OMG. By pg 15 I was ready to quit on that point alone.
Complaint #3 - based on the front cover "Murder's on a roll...", and the back cover comments "a deadly mystery" and "a killer's appetite" ... I was expecting a murder mystery. The first 3/4 of the book painstakingly plods along to determine whether Hank is even MISSING much less dead. Painstakingly.
The bread shop and its owner are the best parts of this book ... for that reason alone, I may check out the first in the series.
April 4, 2022
3.5
Love the community and the bread shop especially -- I swear I could smell fresh baked bread all through my read! And there's a great cast of secondary characters to back up (and egg on) Ivy's sleuthing.
I loved the first book and only liked this one though I'll give the third book a try before deciding on whether to continue with the series. My issues were with a very slow start...the murder doesn't happen (or at least isn't discovered) until about 2/3rds way in. And, while I adore that there doesn't seem to be a love triangle in this cozy's future -- I found the road blocks to the reunion romance to be sophomoric -- though that part seems to be resolved by the end. I also didn't like the amount of coarse language in this book -- I don't remember that much in the first one. Anyway, it detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
Love the community and the bread shop especially -- I swear I could smell fresh baked bread all through my read! And there's a great cast of secondary characters to back up (and egg on) Ivy's sleuthing.
I loved the first book and only liked this one though I'll give the third book a try before deciding on whether to continue with the series. My issues were with a very slow start...the murder doesn't happen (or at least isn't discovered) until about 2/3rds way in. And, while I adore that there doesn't seem to be a love triangle in this cozy's future -- I found the road blocks to the reunion romance to be sophomoric -- though that part seems to be resolved by the end. I also didn't like the amount of coarse language in this book -- I don't remember that much in the first one. Anyway, it detracted from my enjoyment of the story.
October 24, 2018
The premise of this series still intrigues me, but I found myself frustrated with it more than not.
Ivy seems stuck at about age 12 in regards to Miguel. It makes anything in regards to their relationship annoying, but the revelation that his sister is responsible for their miscommunication seems even more dumb. Not only does it scapegoat a character but Ivy’s reaction to it continues to be immature. It doesn’t make me want to spend time with her.
I also didn’t love how mental illness and dementia were addressed here, not to mention the ridiculous confrontation with the murderer’s accomplice.
Not sure if I’ll be back to this series.
Ivy seems stuck at about age 12 in regards to Miguel. It makes anything in regards to their relationship annoying, but the revelation that his sister is responsible for their miscommunication seems even more dumb. Not only does it scapegoat a character but Ivy’s reaction to it continues to be immature. It doesn’t make me want to spend time with her.
I also didn’t love how mental illness and dementia were addressed here, not to mention the ridiculous confrontation with the murderer’s accomplice.
Not sure if I’ll be back to this series.
April 24, 2019
The second in the 'Bread Shop Mystery' series, this is just as good as the first. The suspense was good, and the plot development helped to build that suspense as the story unfolded. I like the characters and the setting, and will definitely read more of these as soon as they are published!
September 26, 2025
THIS IS JUST NO LONGER THE SERIES FOR ME. TOO MANY CHARACTERS, NOT ENOUGH OF THE COZY-THEME. HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR THOSE WHO PREFER MYSTERY LEANING COZIES.
SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Ivy Culpepper, an employee of Yeast of Eden's bread shop in Santa Sofia, California.
In this book: Mustache Hank, aka, Hank Rivera has all the ladies oogling him at Yeast of Eden. But when he suddenly goes missing the only person that seems to care is Ivy's ex Miguel. So the pair team up to solve the case.
THOUGHTS: I seriously loved book 1 as I much as I disliked book 2. I think for me absence of characters and additions of too many new ones is what plagued my experience. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies from the breadmaking class, but other than one late side appearance in the book from 1 of those characters, all the rest were gone in this book and that was very ungrounding for me. On top of that when you remove 5-6 characters that were prominent in book 1, you need to replace them. So, not only were those 5-6 characters I loved gone, now I'm needing to meet new ones who, if this follows on, will again be replaced in the next one. For a series this does not work for me as I find it to be extremely ungrounding.
My one pro: is the cozy-theme, but only when it came up (it lacked big time, compared to book 1). I love that we have breadmaking for the cozy-theme. It's so different for a cozy series. However, the breadmaking was hardly celebrated at all in this one, despite it being very much highlighted in the first book.
Olaya fortunately did survive books 1's culling to book 2 and I appreciated that, but without the other characters she didn't remain as the character I fell in love with - as people act differently around different people. I get that, I do, but it still annoyed me.
Finally, the mystery was intriguing to begin with as it seemed more like a 'missing person' mystery, but that changed at one stage which annoyed me.
Cozy-Theme deserves 2 stars.
The rest wasn't for me.
2 Stars
xoxo.
SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Ivy Culpepper, an employee of Yeast of Eden's bread shop in Santa Sofia, California.
In this book: Mustache Hank, aka, Hank Rivera has all the ladies oogling him at Yeast of Eden. But when he suddenly goes missing the only person that seems to care is Ivy's ex Miguel. So the pair team up to solve the case.
THOUGHTS: I seriously loved book 1 as I much as I disliked book 2. I think for me absence of characters and additions of too many new ones is what plagued my experience. I enjoyed getting to know the ladies from the breadmaking class, but other than one late side appearance in the book from 1 of those characters, all the rest were gone in this book and that was very ungrounding for me. On top of that when you remove 5-6 characters that were prominent in book 1, you need to replace them. So, not only were those 5-6 characters I loved gone, now I'm needing to meet new ones who, if this follows on, will again be replaced in the next one. For a series this does not work for me as I find it to be extremely ungrounding.
My one pro: is the cozy-theme, but only when it came up (it lacked big time, compared to book 1). I love that we have breadmaking for the cozy-theme. It's so different for a cozy series. However, the breadmaking was hardly celebrated at all in this one, despite it being very much highlighted in the first book.
Olaya fortunately did survive books 1's culling to book 2 and I appreciated that, but without the other characters she didn't remain as the character I fell in love with - as people act differently around different people. I get that, I do, but it still annoyed me.
Finally, the mystery was intriguing to begin with as it seemed more like a 'missing person' mystery, but that changed at one stage which annoyed me.
Cozy-Theme deserves 2 stars.
The rest wasn't for me.
2 Stars
xoxo.
May 31, 2021
This is the second book in the Breadshop Series where Ivy is still enjoying making Bread with Olaya and starting to make some progress. She is also enjoying her time with Penny Brandford. It appears that Hank is missing and neither his son, Jason, nor his ex-wife, Breanda know where he is. So they slowly investigate and when Ivy goes to the boarding house to snap pictures outside and in she finds something later after she downloads the pictures and starts to figure out what had happen to Hank. The very ending is really a good tease of what may come.
January 8, 2018
Ivy is doing an apprenticeship at a bakery and really enjoyed it. She also thinks that rekindling her romance with Miguel may never happen, then his supplier is missing and she wants to help find him. Ivy and her octogenarian sidekick use the ‘blackbird ladies’ gossiping to help them find out the truth. So many interesting side stories make this an enjoyable read.
July 24, 2024
I liked this. The mystery was quite interesting. It kept me guessing. I like the cast of characters, her neighbor, brother, cop, and Miguel. I liked that the drama with Miguel was resolved and not dragged on.
February 4, 2023
Love this series.
September 23, 2023
This is the best cozy mystery I’ve ever read.
October 17, 2025
Probably a 3.5 star review. I liked the book and I liked the characters. I was pretty sure I knew what was going on and what happened pretty early in the book. But that was OK because I enjoyed the process and the story.
October 23, 2018
Another great book by Ms. Archer
December 23, 2017
Ivy and the Blackbird ladies found themselves involved in a curious disappearance that leads to a serial killer's home, to think there was a vulture hidden in the midst of the gang all along, how shocking. This tale had lots of twist and turns and lots of intrigues, making this book very captivating and entertaining. I especially like the mix of the second time's the charm romance between Ivy and Miguel but there was a monumental hurdle to get over first. This story had an entertaining storyline backed by wonderful characters, the build-up of this story was awesome and the villains were nicely done. An awesome read with the right blends making this an amazing read.
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