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Sweet Baked Mysteries #4
Pumpkin Spice and Poisoning
A bid for real estate turns as bitter as almonds. When Holly Waterston makes inquiries to move the family bakery to a busier part of town, it ends in disaster. A poisoner strikes down her sister Crystal and five others at the neighboring restaurant. While Crystal fights for her life, the sergeant in charge of the case points the finger of blame squarely at her cupcakes.
With her sister's life and reputation on the line, Holly must involve herself in the case if she's to save either one of them. With an angry chef, two German tourists, and a landlady from hell complicating the mix, it'll be a challenge to ensure that the true culprit gets their just desserts!
This Sweet Baked Mystery is certified poison-free of the following
No Swearing
No Gore
No Graphic Scenes
and absolutely No Cliffhangers!
Scroll up and one-click to solve the mystery today!
With her sister's life and reputation on the line, Holly must involve herself in the case if she's to save either one of them. With an angry chef, two German tourists, and a landlady from hell complicating the mix, it'll be a challenge to ensure that the true culprit gets their just desserts!
This Sweet Baked Mystery is certified poison-free of the following
No Swearing
No Gore
No Graphic Scenes
and absolutely No Cliffhangers!
Scroll up and one-click to solve the mystery today!
150 pages, ebook
Published April 30, 2018
207 people are currently reading
175 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 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 2, 2020
Well the mysteries are getting boring, every time someone is poisoned and they think that one of the sisters did it. We are getting a bit more background of the characters and the relationships are forming. I'm surprised with the amount of times they have been accused of murder that they can still run a bakery.
November 18, 2019
3.5 Stars
This is the fourth book in the Sweet Baked Mystery Series by Katherine Hayton.
Holly and her sister, Crystal are looking to expand their business in a new location with better foot traffic. They ask to have some time to try out the space and while they are at a neighbor restaurant a bunch of people get poisoned and no one knows why.
I can’t really give more of a synopsis than that otherwise I’d ruin the entire story. This is a pretty short read and I thought really deserved a longer book. These characters are fun and I enjoyed the glimpse I got into their world. I thought the writing was nice too and it really kept my attention the entire way though. I was a bit confused about the love interest and whether Holly really thought Aiden to be her boyfriend. Felt like there was a lot of tension there. Since this was my first book in the series, I am sure there is some backstory I am missing.
Looking forward to reading more books in this series to be a better gist of what is going on in the lives of the Sweet Baked Mystery series regulars!
If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out!
This is the fourth book in the Sweet Baked Mystery Series by Katherine Hayton.
Holly and her sister, Crystal are looking to expand their business in a new location with better foot traffic. They ask to have some time to try out the space and while they are at a neighbor restaurant a bunch of people get poisoned and no one knows why.
I can’t really give more of a synopsis than that otherwise I’d ruin the entire story. This is a pretty short read and I thought really deserved a longer book. These characters are fun and I enjoyed the glimpse I got into their world. I thought the writing was nice too and it really kept my attention the entire way though. I was a bit confused about the love interest and whether Holly really thought Aiden to be her boyfriend. Felt like there was a lot of tension there. Since this was my first book in the series, I am sure there is some backstory I am missing.
Looking forward to reading more books in this series to be a better gist of what is going on in the lives of the Sweet Baked Mystery series regulars!
If you love cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out!
March 23, 2024
Winter
This story has pumpkin soup, poison, stalking, theft, and murder. There is family drama involving adoption. The mystery was interesting. I didn't like that the sisters are still the first people blamed for anything that goes wrong. The only thing I liked less was what happened with the cookbook. That ruined the book for me.
This story has pumpkin soup, poison, stalking, theft, and murder. There is family drama involving adoption. The mystery was interesting. I didn't like that the sisters are still the first people blamed for anything that goes wrong. The only thing I liked less was what happened with the cookbook. That ruined the book for me.
December 21, 2022
It was fine?
December 21, 2022
Much to my happiness, the editing was greatly improved in this book compared to book #3. There were still a few mistakes here and there but not to the extent that they were ruining the book for me.
It's been a couple of months since the last book ended with Crystal challenging Holly to find a way to bring in more delivery business for their bakery. As part of this plan, the sisters are eyeing a recently vacated shop not far from their current location but with more foot traffic from the tourists. But just as they are about to make their final decision, Crystal, the surly owner of the restaurant next door (Zach), the realtor (Susan) and a couple visiting from Germany are all poisoned - was it from the soup Zach was making; or was it the cupcakes Crystal served for dessert? As the victims fight for their lives, Holly fights to once again clear their bakery's name - and in the process learns from Zach that perhaps renting the other shop isn't quite as ideal as Susan makes it sound.
I love the relationship between Holly and Sergeant Matthewson - her trying to be helpful within boundaries - and his openly admitting he would love to go to a crime scene she's not standing in the middle of but at the same time wanting her insight - and to give her a hard time about it. They are so much more enjoyable on the page than she and Aidan.
Ah, Aidan. Hot off the heels of red flag #1 in the last book comes red flag #2. After an altercation between Holly, Aidan's cousin Elvira and his aunt Esmeralda over a long standing fight pertaining to the bakery's recipe book, Aidan tells Holly he thinks they should break up. Why? Well, the obvious answer is the tension between the families over the recipes. But, no. With Elvira's mom getting worse, Aidan and Elvira are going to need more support. So the obvious solution to Aidan is to kick the one person Elvira has bonded with - who is helping to keep her out of trouble by giving her a sense of purpose working at the bakery - out of the picture. Grr. And even bigger Grr. to Holly for talking him out of breaking up.
I have two books left in the box set. I like that they seem to be one continuous story and so far, there's a lot of attempted murders but a very low death toll. It's a bit refreshing for mystery books, to be honest. But I can't help but hope that Holly sees the light and ditches Aidan for Matthewson!
It's been a couple of months since the last book ended with Crystal challenging Holly to find a way to bring in more delivery business for their bakery. As part of this plan, the sisters are eyeing a recently vacated shop not far from their current location but with more foot traffic from the tourists. But just as they are about to make their final decision, Crystal, the surly owner of the restaurant next door (Zach), the realtor (Susan) and a couple visiting from Germany are all poisoned - was it from the soup Zach was making; or was it the cupcakes Crystal served for dessert? As the victims fight for their lives, Holly fights to once again clear their bakery's name - and in the process learns from Zach that perhaps renting the other shop isn't quite as ideal as Susan makes it sound.
I love the relationship between Holly and Sergeant Matthewson - her trying to be helpful within boundaries - and his openly admitting he would love to go to a crime scene she's not standing in the middle of but at the same time wanting her insight - and to give her a hard time about it. They are so much more enjoyable on the page than she and Aidan.
Ah, Aidan. Hot off the heels of red flag #1 in the last book comes red flag #2. After an altercation between Holly, Aidan's cousin Elvira and his aunt Esmeralda over a long standing fight pertaining to the bakery's recipe book, Aidan tells Holly he thinks they should break up. Why? Well, the obvious answer is the tension between the families over the recipes. But, no. With Elvira's mom getting worse, Aidan and Elvira are going to need more support. So the obvious solution to Aidan is to kick the one person Elvira has bonded with - who is helping to keep her out of trouble by giving her a sense of purpose working at the bakery - out of the picture. Grr. And even bigger Grr. to Holly for talking him out of breaking up.
I have two books left in the box set. I like that they seem to be one continuous story and so far, there's a lot of attempted murders but a very low death toll. It's a bit refreshing for mystery books, to be honest. But I can't help but hope that Holly sees the light and ditches Aidan for Matthewson!
November 3, 2023
This was a cute, cozy mystery to read following a very intense true crime book I had read just before this one. Pumpkin Spice and Poisoning is the 4th book in the Sweet Baked Mystery series.
The Waterston sisters own a bakery in the small tourist town of Hamner Springs. Holly is looking into moving the bakery to a busier part of town. She wants to talk to the man next door to the new place (Chef Zack), but he is less than friendly. In fact, he is seen arguing with tourists shortly before the incident happens. She also wants to know why the previous tenant skipped out on his lease in the middle of the night.
Before she can speak to Zack, her sister Crystal is sampling a new soup at his restaurant and is one of several people who are poisoned. The police blame it on Holly's cupcakes so she finds herself in the crosshairs of a police investigation. Was it Crystal and Holly who provided the poison, or angry chef Zack? Maybe it's the crazy landlady who keeps raising the rent, the German tourists seen arguing with Zack, or the mysterious figure who is frequently seen lurking the restaurant? You'll find out!
And you'll find out with no swearing, no gore, no graphic scenes, and no cliffhangers!
The Waterston sisters own a bakery in the small tourist town of Hamner Springs. Holly is looking into moving the bakery to a busier part of town. She wants to talk to the man next door to the new place (Chef Zack), but he is less than friendly. In fact, he is seen arguing with tourists shortly before the incident happens. She also wants to know why the previous tenant skipped out on his lease in the middle of the night.
Before she can speak to Zack, her sister Crystal is sampling a new soup at his restaurant and is one of several people who are poisoned. The police blame it on Holly's cupcakes so she finds herself in the crosshairs of a police investigation. Was it Crystal and Holly who provided the poison, or angry chef Zack? Maybe it's the crazy landlady who keeps raising the rent, the German tourists seen arguing with Zack, or the mysterious figure who is frequently seen lurking the restaurant? You'll find out!
And you'll find out with no swearing, no gore, no graphic scenes, and no cliffhangers!
January 8, 2021
The food is to die for!
Holly Waterston and her sister Crystal have had to work hard, but they have finally reached the point that their bake shop can be considered a success. The opportunity to rent space in the complex surrounding the Hot Springs is tempting because the many visitors to the springs could really grow their business. The restaurant next door to the new shop has delicious pumpkin spice food and the owner’s offensive attitude improves when Crystal brings him cupcakes the next day. When everyone eating at the restaurant suddenly becomes sick, suspicion falls on the soup and the cupcakes. The police are looking for someone to blame and Holly must find the truth before an innocent person is charged with a crime.
This is a fun cozy mystery. I finished the book in one day. The characters are likable and the story had some good intrigue and plot twists. It kept me guessing until the end.
Holly Waterston and her sister Crystal have had to work hard, but they have finally reached the point that their bake shop can be considered a success. The opportunity to rent space in the complex surrounding the Hot Springs is tempting because the many visitors to the springs could really grow their business. The restaurant next door to the new shop has delicious pumpkin spice food and the owner’s offensive attitude improves when Crystal brings him cupcakes the next day. When everyone eating at the restaurant suddenly becomes sick, suspicion falls on the soup and the cupcakes. The police are looking for someone to blame and Holly must find the truth before an innocent person is charged with a crime.
This is a fun cozy mystery. I finished the book in one day. The characters are likable and the story had some good intrigue and plot twists. It kept me guessing until the end.
January 22, 2019
Well, this is the fourth book in the series and the main character, Holly, has gone from likeable, to a crazy woman. Her interaction with Aidan, when he was under so much stress, was just unrealistic and self-centered. Total b%&ch! Bipolar, at the very least. Couldn't read on after that. I'm done with the series. Very unfortunate.
May 3, 2018
Status quo for the series
Not great, but exactly the kind of fluff I needed after that last book. I'm just not finding these characters worth investing myself in, even though the stories are alright.
Not great, but exactly the kind of fluff I needed after that last book. I'm just not finding these characters worth investing myself in, even though the stories are alright.
May 16, 2018
Great read
If your like me and love a great cozy with characters you will want to know and a story that will keep you turning the page then this one by Katherine Hayton is a series you need to put on your TBR list A S A P
If your like me and love a great cozy with characters you will want to know and a story that will keep you turning the page then this one by Katherine Hayton is a series you need to put on your TBR list A S A P
January 27, 2019
A good cozy
Holly is once again on the case. This time it’s her sister and friends in trouble and the suspect is hard to find. Holly juggles it all, along with her boyfriend we see sometimes but rarely. It was a good cozy mystery but definitely light on any romance.
Holly is once again on the case. This time it’s her sister and friends in trouble and the suspect is hard to find. Holly juggles it all, along with her boyfriend we see sometimes but rarely. It was a good cozy mystery but definitely light on any romance.
August 13, 2020
Don't bother
Holly seems a bit desperate, Aiden may be verging on mental issues, the characters are generally pallid, and the mystery is lackluster. I do not recommend this series.
Holly seems a bit desperate, Aiden may be verging on mental issues, the characters are generally pallid, and the mystery is lackluster. I do not recommend this series.
November 22, 2020
Crystal and Holly are thinking of moving the bakery to the hot springs. It is a big consideration. As they tour the place they see the man that runs the restaurant next door, Zack. He is rude and bristly.
And then, the story unfolds ...
And then, the story unfolds ...
May 19, 2018
Loved it. As with all the Cosy Mysteries involving food, was food the cause of murder and mayhem or just the vessel to cause the problems????
August 15, 2018
Great series.......
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense, the author has done it great job of telling her tale of mystery though her characters.
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense, the author has done it great job of telling her tale of mystery though her characters.
December 31, 2020
Loved it!! Loving this series! Enjoyable cozy mystery series.
Read
January 21, 2022Another book in the series that keeps your interest.
October 6, 2023
Gosh every week Holly's life just gets worse!! Another wonderful story I am really enjoying this series.
September 3, 2024
Yet again, the cupcakes are being blamed for a poisonings event. Can Holly help the Sargant to uncover the mystery and murder?
March 22, 2024
This was an okay read. In this mystery a bunch of people are poisoned. Holly tries to figure out who is behind it. Of course, she is accused of the crime. Thankfully, the truth comes out and everything is well. My big issue with this was the family recipe book. I hated how that all went down.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews