Baker's Deadly Dozen

Fresh-Baked Mystery #13

by Livia J. Washburn

Going back to school can be a killer!

Phyllis Newsom and Sam Fletcher come out of retirement to take substitute teacher jobs as a favor for some friends, but they soon realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. That means getting up early, dealing with students and other teachers, and helping out with extracurricular activities. The problem is, for Phyllis, stumbling over dead bodies is an extracurricular activity!

When murder strikes at the school’s Friday the Thirteenth dance, it’s unlucky not only for the victim but also for the student who’s the prime suspect. Sam’s granddaughter has a crush on the boy and can’t believe he’s a killer. Neither can Phyllis. The police are convinced, though, so the only way Phyllis can help him is to uncover the true identity of the killer stalking the halls of the high school before it’s too late!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

278 pages, Paperback

Published October 11, 2017

About the author

Under the names Livia J. Washburn and L.J. Washburn, Livia Reasoner has been writing award-winning, critically acclaimed mystery, western, romance, and historical novels for more than thirty years. She began to write in collaboration with her husband, author James Reasoner, and soon branched out into telling her own stories. She received the Private Eye Writers of America award and the American Mystery award for her first mystery, WILD NIGHT, and was nominated for a Spur by the Western Writers of America for a novel she wrote with her husband, James Reasoner. Livia won the Peacemaker Award from Western Fictioneers for her story “Charlie’s Pie”.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great entry in the series! I really like Phyllis, Sam and everyone else. It’s always fun and entertaining reading their adventures.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this story, Phyllis Newsom and Sam Fletcher come out of retirement to help some friends by becoming long term sub teachers at a new high school. It is also the school that Sam's newly arrived granddaughter is attending. At a school dance, a murder happens a boy the granddaughter likes is thought to be the killer. Phyllis of course asking questions. The book includes recipes.

[April Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and this book was just as good as the last! I can not wait to read the next book!

[Amy Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series … it’s a true “cozy” for me: I like the characters, the mysteries are lite and pretty easy to solve, and some of the recipes I’ve tried have been winners. 🍪 My only complaint is the “friendship” between Sam and Phyllis. I mean … this is the thirteenth book in the series and it was obvious from book one that they were attracted to each other - why do things have to be so chaste between them? (Although I will admit things got a little hot and heavy between them in this one … on page 75, they sat down on the couch together and “their shoulders and hips touched companionably”. 🔥)

[Kerry Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Phyllis Newsom and her her good friend Sam Fletcher are filling in as substitute teachers at the local school. They get caught up in a possible drug ring and then someone dies. Can Phyllis figure out who committed the crime?

This was a good read and I loved all the recipes at the end of the book. It's a nice easy read and lots of interesting characters. Phyllis is a great leading character and very down to earth.

A lovely cosy little mystery and a great ending.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phyllis and Sam come out of retirement to work as substitute teachers, long term, for some friends of theirs. They are also dealing with Sam’s teenage granddaughter who is living with them. She developed a crush on a boy who appears to be bad news. They agree to work at the school’s dance and Phyllis finds the cranky janitor dead. She doesn’t want to let the police do the work, since she wants the school cleared up.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, going back to high school stunk 😛 and I really hope we don't do that again but I still enjoyed this story. As soon as the murder happened I knew who did it and I announced it to my family (just so I could say I was right later 😉). I was definitely unhappy with Sam's "little girlfriend" but Phyllis seemed okay with it so I didn't dwell on it. 😐 I like how the author is moving the series in a different way but Sam's granddaughter needs to be sent home NOW! 😣 I really just don't like her.

[Deb Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The next book in this series better come out soon!

The setting of this book in a new high school and the many colourful people involved, really had me thinking who the murderer could be it could have been anyone. The drug storyline was a interesting twist especially in a high school setting.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Phyllis and Sam coming out of retirement because friends asked them to sub for their classes seems like a bit of a stretch. This story didn't hold any real surprises for me as I figured out who the killer was right around the time Phyllis did. I like the characters (a lot!) but not sure this was the best way to showcase them and their talent for figuring things out.

[Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was different from all the other books in this series. I personally didn't like it as well as her others but I think that was due to Phyllis and Sam going back to work instead of their normal retired life. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Not going to quit now. This book was still good. Don't get me wrong.

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment in the series. The story had some twists and turns and I have no idea how Phyllis made some of the deductions; they were out of left field. I'll definitely be reading more in this series

[Christine Kempton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyeIt's what I like to refer to as 'mystery lite'. Had a good plot, however the plot was somehwat slow to develop. But all in all I enjoyed this book.

[Cindi Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured it out way too easily for me.

[Toni Steger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seemed to be faster paced that her other novels.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was Good!! But...I feel it is time for Phyllis + Sam to marry-long over do actually. With a mix of the 2 families at their wedding, its a nice combination for a Murder!!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series and book. And good recipes!

[Wendy Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute murder mystery. I could relate to it a lot because the protagonists were retired teachers going back to substitute. A fast read.

[Michael Romick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially intrigued by the premise of this book, and it did have some good scenes, and I like some of the characters, but overall it was a bit flat.

[Ro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but predictable.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

best pun I've seen on these types of series for many reasons.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK, I admit that I really like my gentle whodunnits - I grew up watching Murder She Wrote, Matlock and the like. Love watching Death in Paradise now and the Ladies No. 1 Detective Agency books and mini-series. So this lovely book was right up my alley!

Such a quick read, I devoured it! Books and cake - my two favourite subjects... how could I go wrong? I've already recommended this and couple more of her books to my book club for our next read.

Looking forward to reading more of Washburn's work.

(NB: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; likeable characters, an easy to follow plot and a touch of romance too! An ideal read for a cold wet November day.