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Sweet Baked Mysteries #2
Strawberries and Suffering
Well, at least they know the butler didn't do it.
When Holly and Crystal Waterston cater for a wedding with a gigantic guest list, they think the worst thing that could happen is putting the strawberry halves on the wrong cupcake. Instead, a series of unfortunate events leave them trapped in a manor house with no phone, closed roads, and a butler who's dropped down dead.
After their cupcakes are blamed for the sudden demise, Holly must unpick the tangled relationships of stranded wedding guests to clear the family bakery's good name.
But with an attentive man flirting, a goth teen sloping around the venue, and an old woman intent on stealing the family recipes, Holly might have bitten off more than she can chew. If she can't prove the identity of the true perpetrator, then the day might end with her sitting in the slammer rather than tucked up in a nice, warm bed.
This Sweet Baked Mystery does not contain any potentially toxic ingredients:
No Swearing
No Gore
No Graphic Scenes
and absolutely No Cliffhangers!
Scroll up and one-click to solve the mystery today!
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 22, 2018
264 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Hayton
64 books497 followersI'm a middle-aged woman who works in insurance, doesn't have children or pets, can't drive, has lived in Christchurch my entire life, and currently reside a two-minute walk from where I was born.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 28, 2023
Summer
This takes place a month after the previous book. The story involves murder, a storm, a wedding, flowers, and a cemetery. This wasn't as good as the previous book. I liked the mystery. I thought that some of it was over-the-top, and I thought it was going to go in a different direction, but the ending was still satisfying. There was also a bit of romance at the end.
This takes place a month after the previous book. The story involves murder, a storm, a wedding, flowers, and a cemetery. This wasn't as good as the previous book. I liked the mystery. I thought that some of it was over-the-top, and I thought it was going to go in a different direction, but the ending was still satisfying. There was also a bit of romance at the end.
November 23, 2019
Well this was a nice little mystery. I thought that Wendy confess too quickly to the murder then we find out why. I like the fact that for the second time Holly' cakes were blamed for the death. It seemed like a miserable wedding and one of those that you just think what else can go wrong. I also liked the graveyard at the end. That was sweet.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
cute,cozy mystery!
This is a quick read for a cozy mystery lover.
Somewhat rushed towards the end but a fun read none the less.
This is a quick read for a cozy mystery lover.
Somewhat rushed towards the end but a fun read none the less.
May 27, 2024
This book was a bit of a let down for me, after what I felt was a very promising first book in the series. Mostly, I didn't find a lot of things believable.
- The lack of common sense displayed by the main character and the trouble it led to in the first two chapters
- How the bride acted towards the main character
- How the groom acted towards the bride
- The actual solving of the case
I did buy a 6-book electronic boxed set of this series so will continue on, in hopes that I like the next ones a bit more.
- The lack of common sense displayed by the main character and the trouble it led to in the first two chapters
- How the bride acted towards the main character
- How the groom acted towards the bride
- The actual solving of the case
I did buy a 6-book electronic boxed set of this series so will continue on, in hopes that I like the next ones a bit more.
December 7, 2022
The book I was waiting for wasn't available from the library yet and while I don't generally like to read books in a series back to back, the first one was so fun, I decided to read this one as well. I think part of what I'm enjoying the most about these books so far is the differences between American English and that spoken in New Zealand, where this series takes place.
This one picks up shortly after the first one ended. Holly and Crystal are set to cater the wedding of Derek Masters (son of the first book's intended victim) and his fiancee, Sheila. But before the wedding can start, the storm of all storm traps some of the guests at the church and some of them at the reception hall. Realizing they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, the main butler at the reception hall is organizing the staff and guests on hand when he suddenly drops dead - causing Holly and Crystal once again to have to prove their cupcakes were not the murder weapon.
This book was another quick read and a fun whodunit as there were about 100 possible suspects, which eventually included the distraught bride and more levelheaded Derek - who also almost dies in the same manner as the butler.
The revelation of the murderer and the motive wasn't one that I guessed though it was pretty classic and with the first book, didn't leave any loose ends. I really liked that unlike some other cozy mystery series (I'm talking to you, Hannah Swenson), when the police were able to make it to the reception hall, Holly filled them in on what had been determined so far and then stepped aside and let them do their job. I also liked that the revelation wasn't the ending of the book; the story continued, nicely paving the way for the third book (which is off to a very mysterious start!)
This one picks up shortly after the first one ended. Holly and Crystal are set to cater the wedding of Derek Masters (son of the first book's intended victim) and his fiancee, Sheila. But before the wedding can start, the storm of all storm traps some of the guests at the church and some of them at the reception hall. Realizing they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, the main butler at the reception hall is organizing the staff and guests on hand when he suddenly drops dead - causing Holly and Crystal once again to have to prove their cupcakes were not the murder weapon.
This book was another quick read and a fun whodunit as there were about 100 possible suspects, which eventually included the distraught bride and more levelheaded Derek - who also almost dies in the same manner as the butler.
The revelation of the murderer and the motive wasn't one that I guessed though it was pretty classic and with the first book, didn't leave any loose ends. I really liked that unlike some other cozy mystery series (I'm talking to you, Hannah Swenson), when the police were able to make it to the reception hall, Holly filled them in on what had been determined so far and then stepped aside and let them do their job. I also liked that the revelation wasn't the ending of the book; the story continued, nicely paving the way for the third book (which is off to a very mysterious start!)
November 20, 2022
This was a very cute story. This is book 2 of Katherine Hayton's Sweet Bakes Mysteries. This is set in Hamner Springs, which I picture as a quaint English township. Crystal and Holly are headed to a wedding with cupcakes from their bakery. Holly, who is less familiar with the area, takes a wrong turn, so she is late getting to the reception location and concerned about getting the cupcakes ready, while Crystal is stranded at the church. A storm is brewing outside and the flooding threatens to put lives in jeopardy.
The storm knocks out the phones and many of the roads are closed to all but 4 wheel drive vehicles. All of a sudden, the butler of the manor house dies. They think, at first, that it is a heart attack, but soon enough, the fingers start to point at Holly and Crystal's cupcakes. Holly has to find a way to prove that the cupcakes are not the culprits while she juggles the flirting of an eligible bachelor and the admiration of his niece.
As stranded wedding guests and a spiteful bride-to-be show up, the plot, like batter, thickens. Although the series continues, you don't have to read the first one to understant most of the story (there is a little background), and if you stop at the end of this book, you will be content because there are no cliffhangers! There was one part (involving a sky light) that I couldn't make all the pieces fit, but in the end, it wasn't as important as I thought. And even though Holly now has a love interest, Katherine Haytan's books are fairly wholesome. Nothing uncomfortable here. Read it! It won't take long, and it's a fun read.
The storm knocks out the phones and many of the roads are closed to all but 4 wheel drive vehicles. All of a sudden, the butler of the manor house dies. They think, at first, that it is a heart attack, but soon enough, the fingers start to point at Holly and Crystal's cupcakes. Holly has to find a way to prove that the cupcakes are not the culprits while she juggles the flirting of an eligible bachelor and the admiration of his niece.
As stranded wedding guests and a spiteful bride-to-be show up, the plot, like batter, thickens. Although the series continues, you don't have to read the first one to understant most of the story (there is a little background), and if you stop at the end of this book, you will be content because there are no cliffhangers! There was one part (involving a sky light) that I couldn't make all the pieces fit, but in the end, it wasn't as important as I thought. And even though Holly now has a love interest, Katherine Haytan's books are fairly wholesome. Nothing uncomfortable here. Read it! It won't take long, and it's a fun read.
March 23, 2024
This book was good, except for the one sentence that left a sour taste in my mouth.
When the other characters gossip about the mentally unhinged bride, they said "that she was always a bit unhinged, and they wondered if perhaps she was autistic." Those weren't the exact words used, I'd have to look up the exact quote but I'm paraphrasing here.
That sentence really rubbed me the wrong way. To me it seemed the author was implying that autistic people are mentally unstable, and after the bride
that sentence bothered me even more. It's clear the author doesn't know jack shit about, nor have a good opinion of autistic people. It would've been a far better book if she had just left out that careless sentence altogether.
Aside from that tidbit, it was an enjoyable read, but it bothered me so much that I felt the need to mention it.
When the other characters gossip about the mentally unhinged bride, they said "that she was always a bit unhinged, and they wondered if perhaps she was autistic." Those weren't the exact words used, I'd have to look up the exact quote but I'm paraphrasing here.
That sentence really rubbed me the wrong way. To me it seemed the author was implying that autistic people are mentally unstable, and after the bride
that sentence bothered me even more. It's clear the author doesn't know jack shit about, nor have a good opinion of autistic people. It would've been a far better book if she had just left out that careless sentence altogether.
Aside from that tidbit, it was an enjoyable read, but it bothered me so much that I felt the need to mention it.
November 20, 2020
Oh, my, the day of the wedding arrived and the girls had their. Work cut out for them. They loaded up the company van and Holly’s car with the cup cakes (2,000+) and. The toppings that were to be added at the venue. With the vehicles loaded and Crystal in the lead and Holly following be hind it was all good till the light changed after Crystal went through.
Yes, who knew what was in store after that ...
Yes, who knew what was in store after that ...
February 24, 2018
A Bit Strange
This is not your usual murder mystery. The characters are different from bakers to goth teenagers. There is no language or compromising adult situation other than the murder. I did find the reading a bit difficult in that the wording was a bit unclear at times and the story a bit draggy with an abrupt ending. Overall, it was O K., not my favorite but still ok.
This is not your usual murder mystery. The characters are different from bakers to goth teenagers. There is no language or compromising adult situation other than the murder. I did find the reading a bit difficult in that the wording was a bit unclear at times and the story a bit draggy with an abrupt ending. Overall, it was O K., not my favorite but still ok.
May 11, 2018
Cozy fun
Great treat for keeping up the momentum of Holly and Crystal's adventures. This one is a good little stand alone story and also fits perfectly with the series of Katherine Hayton's cozy mysteries. Can hardly wait for the next one!
Great treat for keeping up the momentum of Holly and Crystal's adventures. This one is a good little stand alone story and also fits perfectly with the series of Katherine Hayton's cozy mysteries. Can hardly wait for the next one!
May 17, 2018
Great story
A wedding, a Bridezilla, a murder blamed on the cupcakes blamed again and a storm. Roll it all together and you have a page turning quick read. Great book. Read the series, you will love it. This one has New friends and a possible date. Awesome book.
A wedding, a Bridezilla, a murder blamed on the cupcakes blamed again and a storm. Roll it all together and you have a page turning quick read. Great book. Read the series, you will love it. This one has New friends and a possible date. Awesome book.
January 21, 2019
A delightful cozy
I really enjoy a good mystery with characters that I can relate to, with some humor and even romance as well. This series continues to have all of it and I find myself really enjoying each book. The words flow smoothly and it’s over before I know it!
I really enjoy a good mystery with characters that I can relate to, with some humor and even romance as well. This series continues to have all of it and I find myself really enjoying each book. The words flow smoothly and it’s over before I know it!
February 13, 2019
I like how the sisters are so comfortable with each other, since the first book showed some problems.
Don’t care for the constant “ticking clock” with Holly, though. Can’t remember how old she is supposed to be. That won’t keep me from the series, though.
Don’t care for the constant “ticking clock” with Holly, though. Can’t remember how old she is supposed to be. That won’t keep me from the series, though.
December 3, 2019
Didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed the first book. A lavish wedding that gets ruined by the weather and two deaths. I finished the book but even with the twists and turns I knew who the culprit was before it ended.
July 27, 2020
Bland
The mystery is fine, with an accidental death, an attempted murder, and a sociopath. Holly and Crystal, however, are bland and uninspired lead characters. This series is losing promise.
The mystery is fine, with an accidental death, an attempted murder, and a sociopath. Holly and Crystal, however, are bland and uninspired lead characters. This series is losing promise.
January 29, 2018
Overcomplicated
There were a lot of details that never went anywhere in this, soi ended up feeling like just bulk to extend the book. Good, not great.
There were a lot of details that never went anywhere in this, soi ended up feeling like just bulk to extend the book. Good, not great.
March 1, 2018
Fun easy read!
The second in the series did not disappoint. The characters continue to develop. One more episode to go. Keep reading!
The second in the series did not disappoint. The characters continue to develop. One more episode to go. Keep reading!
March 16, 2018
Sweet mystery
Love Holly. She is stubborn she is loyal and she is intelligent. Can't wait to read the next book. Thanks Katherine for making my e ending so enjoyable.
Love Holly. She is stubborn she is loyal and she is intelligent. Can't wait to read the next book. Thanks Katherine for making my e ending so enjoyable.
January 22, 2019
Shorter, more complicated and missing something for me. A dash of charm that makes these books work maybe? They are written very cleanly but it makes the characters feel watered down too.
March 27, 2019
It was a cute book and an easy read. But there wasn't a lot of depth to it. It's a good book to read it you don't have time to emerge yourself into a book.
December 31, 2020
Loved it!! Loving this series! Enjoyable cozy mystery series.
August 7, 2021
Pretty cute until you find out who dun it, then you wonder if you've ended up in a Shakespeare play lol.
November 23, 2021
Better than the first one in the series.
October 10, 2022
A super fun hell of a day but with Katherine's humour and lovely characters making this a great read.
December 12, 2022
Still generally fun but there were a few more comments that felt like they perpetuated some dated stereotypes. (Mostly the kind of things that made me want to “okay, boomer” some of the characters).
January 5, 2023
Enjoying this series
July 7, 2023
Very quick read and love characters and storyline.
Murder at the wedding reception venue. So many twists and new characters to love or hate.
Murder at the wedding reception venue. So many twists and new characters to love or hate.
September 2, 2024
Holly and Crystal prepare for a huge wedding, only to find themselves in the middle of a murder and an attempted murder. Can they solve the mystery and save the wedding?
November 29, 2023
This was another good mystery in the series. The women are making cupcakes for the big wedding. Everything is a mess, and their cupcakes are being blamed for a murder. Thankfully, they solve the murder, and all is well for now.
July 22, 2018
The wedding that never was leads to mayhem.
Great read. Catering the wedding of the decade in their community has the girls running ragged. However a storm throws everything into disarray. No guests, a missing bride and groom and a dead body leave everyone in a quandary. Was the catering to blame or was it something else. Good plot and an unexpected culprit. The characters are getting better and are more believable.
Great read. Catering the wedding of the decade in their community has the girls running ragged. However a storm throws everything into disarray. No guests, a missing bride and groom and a dead body leave everyone in a quandary. Was the catering to blame or was it something else. Good plot and an unexpected culprit. The characters are getting better and are more believable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews