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Bakery Detectives #15

A Fatal Finale: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery

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What happens in the bakery, stays in the bakery…even if that means murder A fast-paced cozy mystery from USA Today Bestselling Author Stacey Alabaster Rachael and Pippa have been through thick and thin. When a murder takes place in the bakery, it might be the end of their business, freedom, and even their friendship. Follow the bakery detectives on one last murder mystery that will change everything, and maybe not for the better. A Fatal Finale is part of the Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery series. If you like fast-paced mysteries full of quirky characters and unexpected twists, you're going to love the Bakery Detectives. Buy A Fatal Finale and start solving your next mystery today!

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2018

123 people are currently reading
114 people want to read

About the author

Stacey Alabaster

76 books131 followers
I have always loved a good mystery. From my early years watching Murder She Wrote to more recent shows like Monk, Psych, and my absolute favorite BBC show ever, Sherlock, I have studied what it takes to make an entertaining mystery. I am truly blessed to be able to write and share my own mysteries with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them :)

If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter

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5 stars
58 (46%)
4 stars
48 (38%)
3 stars
13 (10%)
2 stars
5 (3%)
1 star
2 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
1,512 reviews16 followers
February 28, 2018
We were warned that this is the last of the series - the end of the Bakery detectives, but it looks like it is the end of Pippa and Rachel as well, the pair of best friends who had been together practically since they were out of nappies, who had shared their s together, been partners in business together, through thick and thin. In fact, their friendship had probably stood more tests than most marriages and yet this was the final blow. Rachel organizes a party for the staff of the newly merged bakery and during that time, one of them gets murdered. It is a close groups consisting of friends and work colleagues, people who thought they knew each other well, so it becomes really awkward when it was obviously one of them who did it. Pippa becomes convinced that Rachel is the murderer and their friendship breaks under the strain of suspicion.

In many ways, it is sad to see a good series come to an end but the final book still delivers a good run for your money.
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,612 reviews24 followers
February 12, 2018
Sadly this is the last book in the series for Rachel and Pippa and the Bakery Detectives series by Stacey Alabaster. This series is well written with its share of quirky and fun characters complete with murder mysteries and humor. This last book in the series has even more twists, turns, red-herrings and pure delight. With the merger of Rachel's bakery and Blake's bakery there were bound to be conflicts among the employees that also were merged into the one bakery. Arguments and back-biting were bound to take place and business had gone down. When Rachel decides to have an in-house party to try and bring the sides together, one of the bakers is found dead on the floor of the kitchen at the bakery. Rachel and her best friend from childhood, Pippa set out to try to solve this mystery so the bakery can be reopened again. But which one of them did it? To Rachel and Pippa that is the scary part. One of the employees there had to be guilty, but why? Which one. Add to this mystery, Jackson, Rachel's ex-boyfriend returned to town. Are things heating up again? Add to all of the mystery there are two weddings, misplaced blame and loyalty questions. There are so many surprises that I won't give here because they become spoilers, but you won't be disappointed in this fast paced read! I received an ARC but the opinions here are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Cherry London.
Author 1 book83 followers
February 15, 2018
This has been the most dramatic of the series, imagine her best friend Pippa turn against her in a most treacherous and embarrassing way ever, along with the others who were supposed to be her friends, to think they believed she could murder someone over a petty thing as wanting to give up the bakery shop, what a load of bull.
Rachel didn’t know how to react when faced with such open deceit and anger, a new start is all she can think off through her tears, but first, the police were lagging with solving the murder of her employee, they seem to be focused on her while the real killer gets away scotch free. She knew she was innocent but who could do such a dastardly act and why?. She was stomped, until the day of her wedding when she was dressing to go to the church when Pippa arrive in time to help button her dress and seeking forgiveness for not believing her and to tell her who the real killer was.
It’s sad when the ones you trust and care about stab you in the back, by framing you for murder what a wedding day she was having, but Rachel refused to start a new life by letting them get away with it, giving up, was not acceptable, she was angry and adamant about solving the murder before going to the altar.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
Author 11 books5 followers
February 19, 2018
"A Fatal Finale" is the final book in the "Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery" series. nothing like coming in at the end of a series! LOL I really liked the book, and the characters. Rachael and Blake have merged their bakeries, and all is not going so well. No one agrees on anything, and there is more than a fair share of diva behavior going on. It gets so bad that Rachael decides to have a little dinner party after hours at the bakery, just for the staff (and Pippa's husband). The evening - well, the evening ends with the newest staff member being murdered in the kitchen!

The murder results in a very strained relationship between Rachael and Pippa. Pippa quits the bakery, believing that Rachael committed the murder. Business plummets, Blake gets even crankier, and Rachael opts for out, convincing Blake that the bakery should be put up for sale. Rachael's love interest, Jackson, returns to town. They are both unhappy in their work, soJackso leaves the force, and they move to a quieter place where he already has a home.

Two weddings and a business dissolution later, the murderer comes to light. And it is not at all who anyone might think that it is! Great writing, interesting characters, and lots of twists and turns!
Profile Image for Bev.
3,275 reviews98 followers
February 15, 2018
I couldn't believe how things were turning out for Rachel and Pippa! The more I read the more shocked I was! After all this time, they are no longer friends, not even speaking to one another! Having Blake and his crew move into Rachel's bakery and merging has not been working well. The staff are not getting along and it has been a month. Rachel decides maybe an nice dinner for the staff would help bring them together, instead, Rogan is found dead in the kitchen! Who could the killer be? Surely not one of the staff members! Then things get worse...no customers and the police suspect Rachel of murder. Jackson comes back to town and things are going well for him either. Rachel and Jackson move away but can they let this murder go unsolved? Will Pippa and Rachel ever become friends again? You will not believe who the murderer is and why. So sad to see this series end. I voluntarily reviewed ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Pete.
895 reviews7 followers
February 23, 2018
It is quite disappointing that this series is now ended, apart from a couple of the books it has generally been a very enjoyable, well written series of cosy mysteries with some excellent characters.
This book suffers a bit from several of the characters over-reacting in a fairly major way, and this rather spoilt the story for me. I also found the guilty party's motive for carrying out the killing to be very flimsy.
Having said that it was still a very enjoyable read and managed to tie up the overall story of the series in a convincing way.
It will be interesting to see if Rachael re-appears in a new series, the door for that to happen has definitely been left open.
I received an advance copy of the book and voluntarily reviewed it.
Profile Image for Linda.
463 reviews
February 15, 2018
It's hard to say goodbye. This story opens on Rachel and Jackson's wedding day, and Pippa isn't there.
Looking back to the night that Rachael and Pippa hold a dinner for all that work for the bakery, with plans to go party afterwards. We are confronted with a murder. Rachael finds Rogan dead on the bakery floor.
The whole town thinks Rachael did it including Pippa of all people.
Jackson returns to town just in time to sweep Rachael off her feet and away from all the pain.
As her wedding looks closer Rachael sends wedding invitations to all those she holds dear even Pippa.
I received an advance copy of the book in exchange for an honest review
1,024 reviews19 followers
February 18, 2018
How hard it is to say goodbye to Rachel and Pippa. This was a really fun and interesting series. The characters are great and feel like old friends. Although different from the rest of the series; because it wrapped up the stories with a neat little bow, it was captivating and brought many of the questions from the previous books to a conclusion. There were so many conflicts and clues in this story it made for a very entertaining reading experience. Although sorry to see this series end, looking forward to other books by Ms. Alabaster. I received an advance copy of this book and totally loved reading it.
250 reviews1 follower
March 9, 2018
This mystery was different from others. Will the real killer would get away? The local police were out of leads and Rachael had no clues. Rachael was under suspicion by everyone, including her best friend, Pippa. Under suspicion and feeling very uncomfortable around her friends and employees, Rachael takes the invitation to "run away" with Detective Whitaker. Read to discover what happens with Rachael and Jackson and finally with her "past" friends and employees. Ready to take the next step in her life!
Profile Image for Celest.
724 reviews9 followers
February 4, 2019
Jackson's back

Rachel and Pippa are at it again, no trust between best friends. There's a problem in this relationship. This is the last book in the series and I have to say that I'm relieved. I like to finish a series, since I paid for most of the books. I've always had a problem with Rachel's lies and she was true to form in this one. Maybe with Jackson's influence she will turn things around. No one knows better than Rachel, that Pippa is needed to solve the mysteries. She has a talent for it.
Profile Image for Kandy.
1,398 reviews13 followers
February 17, 2018
This is the final book featuring Rachael & Pippa. As one of their fellow workers is murdered, everyone is looking at the other to blame. Rachael & Pippa have a falling out that looks like they may never get back to being BFF's. This series has been very enjoyable with each book being better than the last. I will miss spending time with Rachael and Pippa, but am looking forward to seeing what Stacey Alabaster will come up with next. This was the perfect book for the end of this series.
Profile Image for Tara.
95 reviews4 followers
April 6, 2018
This was a case where I kept hoping the books to improve at the beginning, but they never did. By then, I was too stubborn to quit because I hate giving up on things. I just did not enjoy this series. I've learned to take cozy mysteries at face value - mindless entertainment and quick reads - but this series just felt.. .less than. I kept reporting back to my daughter how unbelievable and unlikable I found the main characters. The books just never turned the corner and brought me around.
1,063 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2018
Great but bittersweet read

I say that its bittersweet because its the last book in a great series with characters that I have loved from book one and will miss sooo much but I guess all good things must come to an end and Stacey Alabaster ended it well so now I wait to see what she writes next
Profile Image for Andrea.
1,810 reviews23 followers
March 2, 2018
Rachel was really annoying for a large portion of this book, but thankfully she got things together for an amazing ending to the book and to the series. I am glad that this isn't totally goodbye for me because I skipped from book 2 to book 15. This is a great ending to what seems to be a good series.
75 reviews8 followers
March 5, 2018
A great end

While it was sad for the series to end, the way this book ties up loose ends leaves me satisfied. It seemed a bit quick story wise, but it still had the usual twists, leaving the reader guessing whodunit. The only problem I had with is story was that Jackson was okay with leaving without clearing Rachael first.
4 reviews
February 19, 2024
I feel she forgave Pippa extremely quick and why did Pippa come before the ceremony couldn't she have waited till after. It seems that it's always her way or the highway and not being considerate that her supposed best friend that she accused of murder would rather walk down the aisle than catch a killer in that moment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kitten  Peters.
1,017 reviews5 followers
February 18, 2018
Excellent end to a great series

Lots of twists a d turns in this book. If you have been here from the beginning you already love Poppa and Rachel have some tissues ready. I love this author and she did a great job ending this see.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
March 3, 2018
I had hoped you weren't ending it.

I am sorry to see you are ending this series. I loved it. I am glad Rachael and Pippa made up. Stacey I am so upset that you are ending this series.
203 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2018
Very good

It was great to have the old group together again. Did not see Sue as murderer. Sorry to see the last of these two friends. Happy about the marriage. Really enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Marie.
376 reviews
December 2, 2018
Well I guess that it was tragic, having a murder right there in your own bakery. Even though being an amateur you still were unable to figure out killed.
But you did get the man in the detective so you go girl.
Profile Image for Phthon.
2,339 reviews8 followers
February 22, 2018
I loved this book! I enjoyed the twists and turns that the mystery took. I love the characters. I had fun reading it and was completely surprised by the quick twist at the end!
21 reviews
March 2, 2018
I will miss them

A fresh start led to an end to an enjoyable series. I will miss Rachel and Poppa and their adventures.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,916 reviews15 followers
March 6, 2018
Good mystery but the characters just somehow aren't my favorites.
Profile Image for Evelyne Fallows.
Author 19 books9 followers
March 12, 2018
This book was boring. Detectives? Mystery? Must have missed it...
12.7k reviews189 followers
March 16, 2018
Wow, will this be the end of Rachel and Pippa’s friendship. A murder occurs in the bakery and it has to get solved. Love these books. Impossible to put down.
Profile Image for gary c lehn.
1,724 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2018
Great story.....

I enjoyed the authors story of adventure and suspense, Ms Stacey has done a wonderful job of putting her characters together in a mystery of murder and mayhem.
Profile Image for Lisa Denn.
510 reviews2 followers
March 14, 2018
Author Stacey Alabaster's Bakery Detective Mystery Series was my introduction to the cozy mystery genre. I was a huge fan of Rachel, Pippa and Jackson from the start.

A Fatal Finale, the last book in The Bakery Detective Mystery Series, was given the perfect farewell by Ms. Alabaster. I wouldn't say there wasn't a dry eye in the house after reading the book but there were definitely some strings from my heart being tugged on.

Rachel and Pippa, bff's for 20+ years according to their story, have grown up right before the readers eyes as the author puts their story to bed. Whenever I write a review for a cozy mystery I ask myself did the author deliver an entertaining story that adheres to the cozy mystery genre's principles - no vulgar language, no graphic violence and/or no sexually explicit content - and is the story set in a small town location.

Overall Alabaster has consistently delivered a well written story and great characters with each of the books in this series. Highly reccommend this book but I would suggest it be read as part of the series.
29 reviews3 followers
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February 19, 2018
I have really enjoyed this series/ The adventures of Pippa and Rachel are great between the bakery and their sleuthing it keeps you guessing thru the entire book I'm really sorry to see this series end I have read and thoroughly enjoyed the entire series/
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

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