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Maple Lane #1
Apple Pie and Arsenic
Madeline Flynn thought that opening her bakery and winning the top prize for her apple pie at the Spring Festival would be the most excitement in her day.
She wasn’t expecting to find the dead body of her good friend beside her car or to be accused of murder.
Things like that just don’t happen in small towns like Maple Falls.
With nowhere else to turn, she enlists the help of her old flame Sheriff Ethan Tanner, as well as her irrepressible Gran, to find the murderer before Maddie’s put in jail or there’s another death on their hands.
Danger threatens at every turn, and when Maddie ends up on her own, scared and out of her depth, it seems that even an award-winning baker isn’t safe from Maple Falls’ first serial killer.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2018
1453 people are currently reading
1413 people want to read
About the author
C.A. Phipps
50 books887 followersC. A. Phipps is a USA Today best-selling author from beautiful New Zealand. Cheryl lives in a quiet suburb with her wonderful husband of more than four decades.
With a large family to keep her busy when she's not writing, there is just enough space for a crazy mixed breed dog who stole her heart!
She enjoys family times, baking, rambling walks, and her quest for the perfect latte.
You can find her at www.caphipps.com
C. A. Phipps also writes romance as Cheryl Phipps at www.cherylphipps.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 173 reviews
May 25, 2022
Maddie returns home because she believes her beloved Gran is sick and needs to sell the family home and downsize. Upon returning to Maple Falls she finds out Gran has different plans. Plans that involve Maddie moving back and opening her bakery in Maples Falls. Maddie does just but after she finds one of her best fiends dead she can’t help but believe someone has other plans for her.
I enjoyed the story.. Since this is book 1 the reading is just being introduced to the characters but they are likable and interesting. The mystery is well plotted and kept me guessing who the killer was and why.
I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator does a wonderful job with the characters and story telling. She has a pleasant voice that makes listening to the story enjoyable.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
I enjoyed the story.. Since this is book 1 the reading is just being introduced to the characters but they are likable and interesting. The mystery is well plotted and kept me guessing who the killer was and why.
I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator does a wonderful job with the characters and story telling. She has a pleasant voice that makes listening to the story enjoyable.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
September 27, 2021
When Maddy Flynn from Maple Falls, Oregon, won a business degree scholarship to college, she thought she would have a high powered career in business but she soon became burned out. Baking became her stress relief and it reminded her of home, with her Gran, in Maple Falls. Then Maggie caught her boyfriend in a compromising position with her roommate and decided to become a professional baker in New York with help from a business contact. So why is she on her way back to Maple Falls when she has a bakery to open? An urgent summons from Gran, who has been ill. Gran needs Maddy to help put her cottage up for sale and pack up her life's belongings, or so she says. Maddy soon realizes Gran has manipulated her into staying and buying the derelict old shop on the corner of their street and opening a bakery/tea room together. Shortly after Maddy opens for business, she enters the town's baking contest with Gran's apple pie. After the event, Maddy's friend, the mayor, invites Maddy and the Girlz out for celebratory drinks but before they can drive off, Maddy discovers Denise's lifeless body under her car. Sheriff Ethan is on the job but Maddy's feelings about him are complicated because of their past history. When she receives threatening notes, Maddy decides to take matters into her own hands! Can she solve the mystery before it's too late and her business takes a nose dive?
I liked this story well enough right up until the big reveal. The murderer comes out of nowhere and I was left with some big questions that didn't get answered. Did the author lose track of her plot? I went back and checked and it still doesn't add up. There was ONE clue mentioned that made me suspect something but that wasn't mentioned again. Since the murderer was popped in there, I never guessed who it was. I suspected someone else was behind the letters and someone was behind the murders. The motive was a little random too. I'm unsure why Maddy was involved. The baking and tea scenes were wonderful and I really wanted to visit the shop and enjoy a proper cup of tea in one of Gran's antique cups. No fancy coffee machine or mugs for me, thanks!
I only caught one typo- a capital letter is needed on page 8 (often. With) and that's excellent for a Kindle book.
Maddy is a complicated character. I'm not sure I really like her. I liked her for her devotion to her grandparents who raised her, although in the beginning she seems to have an unhealthy obsession with the memory of her grandfather. (Woman, you're a baker! Cut your hair!) She comes home with a giant Maine Coon cat everyone lets have his own way. I also liked how she was unsure of herself and didn't want to disappoint the townspeople, however, she dwelled on that WAY too much. She tried and found business wasn't for her and she's using the skills she learned to open a bakery. So I see nothing to worry about. Maddy is a little TOO stubborn. She's wary of trusting people because of her ex/roomie situation and ruins a good relationship with Ethan AND her "Girlz" because of her stubbornness! If someone sends you threatening notes, GO TO THE POLICE!
Maddy's Gran is also stubborn and super manipulative. I wouldn't be happy about the way she played me and planned my whole life. With loving family like that, Maddy doesn't need enemies. Why can't her Gran let her live her life? Sure it would take longer to open her own bakery and the bakery would be in New York but it's not like she doesn't come home. Maybe if she was successful she could open a second location or franchise. Sheesh. Gran is sweet and loving when she isn't being manipulative. She's a good friend to everyone but she could have spoken up and helped the police with the investigation a lot sooner. I figured out what was going on with Denise and if Gran is so smart and a great baker, she should have too. Big Red, Maddy's cat, is awful. He's mean and stubborn. He wanders around outside at large undoubtedly terrorizing the local wildlife, tries to wander in the professional kitchen where he's not allowed (Maddy would let him if she wasn't afraid the board of health would catch her) and is generally not a nice kitty. I could do without him.
Denise, the mayor of Maple Falls, is lovely. She's kind, generous and cares about the town and the people. She's in favor of preservation of open land and stands up to bullies. She knows bullies because she was a mean girl in school but matured (too quickly, in my opinion) and changed. She hasn't been feeling well when we first meet her and it's SOOO obvious what's going on. Really. She should have gone to the doctor. It was very sad when she died. The whole town, or nearly the whole town, mourns her loss, especially Maddy, Gran and Maddy's friends.
Maddy's friends, or "The Girlz" as Gran dubbed them, are annoying. Angel is too perfectly nice, especially given her horrible background. She's an optimist, always positive and always friendly to everyone no matter what. I hate her LOL! Laura, a newcomer to the Girlz, is suspicious. She's quiet, won't speak directly to Maddy and won't help with renovations to the shop. I have allergies too and I'm sure that's why people wear respirator masks when painting! She could help with other stuff too. I think Laura is up to no good but is being coerced by someone.
Ethan, the sheriff, and Maddy's ex from high school, is a great guy. He's caring, kind, helpful and MATURE! He actually TALKS about his feelings and what happened in the past. That's so unrealistic for a man but it makes him very attractive and shows he's more than good looks. I think he's smart and a good detective. I don't understand why Maddy can't trust him to solve the case without her interference.
Mickey Findlay is a descendant of one of the town forefathers. He seems like a shady character because he's eager to develop the town. That doesn't make a lot of sense for a founding family but there may be money in it for him that trumps family. He's a good candidate for murderer. The other most excellent candidate for villain is Maddy's nemesis, Virginia Bolton. She's awful! She was a mean girl in school and is a mean woman. She's rude to Maddy all the time for no reason at all and when the reason becomes clear, it's so minor and silly. Are these people ever going to grow up? Virginia is stuck in high school. Even learning her backstory doesn't make me like her. I think she's up to no good. Another nemesis is Maud Oliver, president of the Country Club association. She's snooty and likes to gossip with her blue haired brigade of mean old ladies. Deputy Jacobs is tough and not very nice to Maddy. Should she take it as personally as she does or is he just doing his job? Does he believe Maddy is a murderer or is he corrupt and knows she's NOT but determined to pin it on her for a bribe?
The recipes in the back of the book look good. I might read the second book in the series soon.
I liked this story well enough right up until the big reveal. The murderer comes out of nowhere and I was left with some big questions that didn't get answered. Did the author lose track of her plot? I went back and checked and it still doesn't add up. There was ONE clue mentioned that made me suspect something but that wasn't mentioned again. Since the murderer was popped in there, I never guessed who it was. I suspected someone else was behind the letters and someone was behind the murders. The motive was a little random too. I'm unsure why Maddy was involved. The baking and tea scenes were wonderful and I really wanted to visit the shop and enjoy a proper cup of tea in one of Gran's antique cups. No fancy coffee machine or mugs for me, thanks!
I only caught one typo- a capital letter is needed on page 8 (often. With) and that's excellent for a Kindle book.
Maddy is a complicated character. I'm not sure I really like her. I liked her for her devotion to her grandparents who raised her, although in the beginning she seems to have an unhealthy obsession with the memory of her grandfather. (Woman, you're a baker! Cut your hair!) She comes home with a giant Maine Coon cat everyone lets have his own way. I also liked how she was unsure of herself and didn't want to disappoint the townspeople, however, she dwelled on that WAY too much. She tried and found business wasn't for her and she's using the skills she learned to open a bakery. So I see nothing to worry about. Maddy is a little TOO stubborn. She's wary of trusting people because of her ex/roomie situation and ruins a good relationship with Ethan AND her "Girlz" because of her stubbornness! If someone sends you threatening notes, GO TO THE POLICE!
Maddy's Gran is also stubborn and super manipulative. I wouldn't be happy about the way she played me and planned my whole life. With loving family like that, Maddy doesn't need enemies. Why can't her Gran let her live her life? Sure it would take longer to open her own bakery and the bakery would be in New York but it's not like she doesn't come home. Maybe if she was successful she could open a second location or franchise. Sheesh. Gran is sweet and loving when she isn't being manipulative. She's a good friend to everyone but she could have spoken up and helped the police with the investigation a lot sooner. I figured out what was going on with Denise and if Gran is so smart and a great baker, she should have too. Big Red, Maddy's cat, is awful. He's mean and stubborn. He wanders around outside at large undoubtedly terrorizing the local wildlife, tries to wander in the professional kitchen where he's not allowed (Maddy would let him if she wasn't afraid the board of health would catch her) and is generally not a nice kitty. I could do without him.
Denise, the mayor of Maple Falls, is lovely. She's kind, generous and cares about the town and the people. She's in favor of preservation of open land and stands up to bullies. She knows bullies because she was a mean girl in school but matured (too quickly, in my opinion) and changed. She hasn't been feeling well when we first meet her and it's SOOO obvious what's going on. Really. She should have gone to the doctor. It was very sad when she died. The whole town, or nearly the whole town, mourns her loss, especially Maddy, Gran and Maddy's friends.
Maddy's friends, or "The Girlz" as Gran dubbed them, are annoying. Angel is too perfectly nice, especially given her horrible background. She's an optimist, always positive and always friendly to everyone no matter what. I hate her LOL! Laura, a newcomer to the Girlz, is suspicious. She's quiet, won't speak directly to Maddy and won't help with renovations to the shop. I have allergies too and I'm sure that's why people wear respirator masks when painting! She could help with other stuff too. I think Laura is up to no good but is being coerced by someone.
Ethan, the sheriff, and Maddy's ex from high school, is a great guy. He's caring, kind, helpful and MATURE! He actually TALKS about his feelings and what happened in the past. That's so unrealistic for a man but it makes him very attractive and shows he's more than good looks. I think he's smart and a good detective. I don't understand why Maddy can't trust him to solve the case without her interference.
Mickey Findlay is a descendant of one of the town forefathers. He seems like a shady character because he's eager to develop the town. That doesn't make a lot of sense for a founding family but there may be money in it for him that trumps family. He's a good candidate for murderer. The other most excellent candidate for villain is Maddy's nemesis, Virginia Bolton. She's awful! She was a mean girl in school and is a mean woman. She's rude to Maddy all the time for no reason at all and when the reason becomes clear, it's so minor and silly. Are these people ever going to grow up? Virginia is stuck in high school. Even learning her backstory doesn't make me like her. I think she's up to no good. Another nemesis is Maud Oliver, president of the Country Club association. She's snooty and likes to gossip with her blue haired brigade of mean old ladies. Deputy Jacobs is tough and not very nice to Maddy. Should she take it as personally as she does or is he just doing his job? Does he believe Maddy is a murderer or is he corrupt and knows she's NOT but determined to pin it on her for a bribe?
The recipes in the back of the book look good. I might read the second book in the series soon.
February 11, 2021
Maddie comes home as her Gran is sick. But Gran manages to coerce Maddie into buying a bakery and setting up a permanent home.
All Maddie’s best friends are here, the Girlz, and her ex boyfriend who is now sherif.
Things go to hell in a hand basket when one of the Girlz is murdered and Maddie is being made to look like the murderer.
She has to find the murderer to clear her name, with a little help from friends.
Funny and believable
All Maddie’s best friends are here, the Girlz, and her ex boyfriend who is now sherif.
Things go to hell in a hand basket when one of the Girlz is murdered and Maddie is being made to look like the murderer.
She has to find the murderer to clear her name, with a little help from friends.
Funny and believable
February 28, 2019
This is the first book I have read by C.A. Phipps.
Maddie comes back home for a week’s visit to help her Gran move into another place. She wants to sell her home. A week might not be long enough but Maddie will give it a go.
Gran has other things up her sleeve and convinces Maddie to stay in town and open her dream bakery here instead of NY. Working with Victoria, the realtor and old school chum are not well liked by either. Maddie cringes dealing with her but the bakery and the apartment above are acquired.
The Sheriff stops by to wish them well and Maddie is taken back when she sees Ethan standing there. She left him after high school.
Can these two learn to be friends and also solve the murder of the Mayor and Maddie’s friend Denise?
There are some fun characters in the book. Maddie and her friends plus Gran and Ethan. The story starts out a bit slow but picks up.
**While I thought the story was fun, I have to point out I kept wondering chapter after chapter if a murder was ever going to take place. I double checked to make sure it was a cozy mystery, the murder does take place in Chapter 12. A cozy- typical has a murder with the first 3 chapters so I was taken back by this. While the story is good and I will read a second one, the murder might take a while to happen in each book.**
Maddie comes back home for a week’s visit to help her Gran move into another place. She wants to sell her home. A week might not be long enough but Maddie will give it a go.
Gran has other things up her sleeve and convinces Maddie to stay in town and open her dream bakery here instead of NY. Working with Victoria, the realtor and old school chum are not well liked by either. Maddie cringes dealing with her but the bakery and the apartment above are acquired.
The Sheriff stops by to wish them well and Maddie is taken back when she sees Ethan standing there. She left him after high school.
Can these two learn to be friends and also solve the murder of the Mayor and Maddie’s friend Denise?
There are some fun characters in the book. Maddie and her friends plus Gran and Ethan. The story starts out a bit slow but picks up.
**While I thought the story was fun, I have to point out I kept wondering chapter after chapter if a murder was ever going to take place. I double checked to make sure it was a cozy mystery, the murder does take place in Chapter 12. A cozy- typical has a murder with the first 3 chapters so I was taken back by this. While the story is good and I will read a second one, the murder might take a while to happen in each book.**
February 5, 2021
Not for me.
“The Girlz”
Just found it general tone annoying
“The Girlz”
Just found it general tone annoying
October 26, 2024
Why does Maddie think she needs to protect the sheriff when that’s literally his job??? 🙄🙄🙄 authors, be realistic please.
August 1, 2020
Overall an okayish book with quite a few issues.
Setting: Maple Fall sounds cute/creepy, depending on your stance on small towns. The writing features many references to baking etc, and was overall quite nice.
The characters: In conjunction with her grandma or by herself, Maddie was okay. Paired with the one girl in the group she thought didn’t like her (Laura) she suddenly has the emotional bandwith of a toddler who doesn’t want to share her toy (aka her best friend Angel). At some point they resolve their issues with an adult conversation they could have had in the second chapter, but you need tension somewhere. Laura also ends up working in the bakery, as a barista, which is her true calling. Nothing wrong with being a barista or this being your dream, but that was tied up a little too neatly for my taste.
Same for her friend in New York: Maddie intended to open a business with her, which is then no longer happening, after she goes home for a few days. But the friend is fine, she has a great job offer waiting anyway. It’s not like planning a business etc takes time or resources. Said friend is even nice enough to pack up Maddie’s whole apartment! I can only speak for myself, but I would never ask somebody to pack up my whole house or flat for me unless I was completely unable to do so myself.
Pacing: It takes a long time for the body to drop. They spend significant time on opening the bakery, which would be fine if I started this book for slice of life or something, but I expected corpses with my cake.
The romance: Of course the fire between Maddie and her ex Ethan isn’t out yet. She left ten years ago to realise her dream of becoming a master baker and left him for it after plenty of arguments. Neither of them acted very mature in regards to this as far as I can tell. They are doing better when she returns, but the spark is there instantly. Of course Ethan is the one eligible bachelor in the whole town and almost every woman is drooling after him. Including the comical “rich girl/bitch” trope of an estate agent. Vivien pops up a few times and is a complete arse to Maddie, for no real reason.
At some point Ethan mentions that he had a fling with Denise, the murder victim and friend of Maddie’s, Maddie turns into a toddler again, acting as if people had to tell her or ask her before this happened, to which Ethan says something like “weren’t you in New York, being enganged to somebody else”. She lets go after that, but not because she wants to. I’m with him on this one. You left his life, nobody owed you a thing, grow up.
The villain: Surprise! The rich bitch worked with the murderer. A guy that you maybe encountered once in passing and whose reveal made me go “who?” Shoddy police work in that bit too. She follows a suspect, gets knocked out, wakes up tied to a chair. Hours later, after she freed herself and fled, the police turn up to arrest people. Ethan claims they followed the killer all along, why was she in there for hours then?
The “interrogation”: Instead of a decent interrogation, you know, with police and a lawyer etc, Ethan takes Vivien, Maddie and all her friends plus grandma into his office, so they can all insult her and yell at her. I’m no legal expert, but nothing she said in that room should be admissable in court. Does this police force have zero procedure to follow?
Towards the end Maddie admits that she still wants Ethan, but it cannot happen. … Why? Why exactly can this not happen? Outside of childish behaviour? Or the author needing a subplot for future books in the series?
Setting: Maple Fall sounds cute/creepy, depending on your stance on small towns. The writing features many references to baking etc, and was overall quite nice.
The characters: In conjunction with her grandma or by herself, Maddie was okay. Paired with the one girl in the group she thought didn’t like her (Laura) she suddenly has the emotional bandwith of a toddler who doesn’t want to share her toy (aka her best friend Angel). At some point they resolve their issues with an adult conversation they could have had in the second chapter, but you need tension somewhere. Laura also ends up working in the bakery, as a barista, which is her true calling. Nothing wrong with being a barista or this being your dream, but that was tied up a little too neatly for my taste.
Same for her friend in New York: Maddie intended to open a business with her, which is then no longer happening, after she goes home for a few days. But the friend is fine, she has a great job offer waiting anyway. It’s not like planning a business etc takes time or resources. Said friend is even nice enough to pack up Maddie’s whole apartment! I can only speak for myself, but I would never ask somebody to pack up my whole house or flat for me unless I was completely unable to do so myself.
Pacing: It takes a long time for the body to drop. They spend significant time on opening the bakery, which would be fine if I started this book for slice of life or something, but I expected corpses with my cake.
The romance: Of course the fire between Maddie and her ex Ethan isn’t out yet. She left ten years ago to realise her dream of becoming a master baker and left him for it after plenty of arguments. Neither of them acted very mature in regards to this as far as I can tell. They are doing better when she returns, but the spark is there instantly. Of course Ethan is the one eligible bachelor in the whole town and almost every woman is drooling after him. Including the comical “rich girl/bitch” trope of an estate agent. Vivien pops up a few times and is a complete arse to Maddie, for no real reason.
At some point Ethan mentions that he had a fling with Denise, the murder victim and friend of Maddie’s, Maddie turns into a toddler again, acting as if people had to tell her or ask her before this happened, to which Ethan says something like “weren’t you in New York, being enganged to somebody else”. She lets go after that, but not because she wants to. I’m with him on this one. You left his life, nobody owed you a thing, grow up.
The villain: Surprise! The rich bitch worked with the murderer. A guy that you maybe encountered once in passing and whose reveal made me go “who?” Shoddy police work in that bit too. She follows a suspect, gets knocked out, wakes up tied to a chair. Hours later, after she freed herself and fled, the police turn up to arrest people. Ethan claims they followed the killer all along, why was she in there for hours then?
The “interrogation”: Instead of a decent interrogation, you know, with police and a lawyer etc, Ethan takes Vivien, Maddie and all her friends plus grandma into his office, so they can all insult her and yell at her. I’m no legal expert, but nothing she said in that room should be admissable in court. Does this police force have zero procedure to follow?
Towards the end Maddie admits that she still wants Ethan, but it cannot happen. … Why? Why exactly can this not happen? Outside of childish behaviour? Or the author needing a subplot for future books in the series?
November 26, 2020
So as I was reading this book, I kind of felt like it was going to be a contemporary book. The moving back to the hometown vibes and then opening a bakery back at her home town with the cute cop as her ex-boyfriend trying to make amends for thier relationship breakup. I liked the book, I really did but the whole murder mystery didn't really start until like half the book was already done.
Maddie took a week off from work to come back home and to help her grandmother pack up her house. to sell, little did she know that she was going to be here for a lot longer than that! Her grandmother had plans to open a bakery with her and thats just what happened. Everything seemed to be going well, the business was doing well that was until a good friend was found dead in her car and Maddie is now a suspect in her murder!
The character's are great, they are well developed and the story was even great! My only issue is that the story started off really slow for my taste but i will definitely check out more by this author!
Maddie took a week off from work to come back home and to help her grandmother pack up her house. to sell, little did she know that she was going to be here for a lot longer than that! Her grandmother had plans to open a bakery with her and thats just what happened. Everything seemed to be going well, the business was doing well that was until a good friend was found dead in her car and Maddie is now a suspect in her murder!
The character's are great, they are well developed and the story was even great! My only issue is that the story started off really slow for my taste but i will definitely check out more by this author!
February 27, 2020
This was a nice start to a new series. Maddie returns to Maple Lane because her grandmother is not doing well and needs to sell her house. But when she gets there she not only gets a surprise from her grandmother but she also finds a dead body. Not a great way to start a two week vacation especially since she planned to help her grandmother getting settled in a retirement place and return to New York and her plans to open her own bakery. And to make matters worse the sheriff is her ex-flame. The one thing I liked about this book was the honesty of the characters with each other. There are several suspects which I like. I love guessing and I like it even more when the killer is revealed and I was way off. The writing had a nice flow to it and keeps your interest.
April 30, 2023
This story plods along. The author provides so much detail that it weighs the story down. Filled with run-on sentences - some a paragraph long! - the writing never flows. It's hard to care about the MC though it seems we are privy to every thought that comes into her head! The culprit is a surprise. The characters' actions don't make good sense, especially in a modern mystery when everyone has cell phones. Why does the MC believe that she has to protect everybody? First she's working with her Girlz; then on her own. Gran is manipulative and underhanded but beloved by all. And the high school grievances/baggage is silly. I am one and done with this series.
May 25, 2018
An extremely well written cosy with robust characters.
She headed home to take care of her Gran never suspecting to get involved with murder.
Fortunately her friends had her back!!!
This is a must read!
She headed home to take care of her Gran never suspecting to get involved with murder.
Fortunately her friends had her back!!!
This is a must read!
July 8, 2018
Maddie returns to her Oregon hometown to help her Grandmother out. However, when she and her Maine Coon Cat arrive, they find out Grandmother has plans and isn't as helpless as she had led Maddie to believe.
This is a strong cozy mystery. New series have a mountain to climb, that being of establishing the main characters, locations, and story lines. This may seem like it is a simple couple of paragraphs, however, truth is the success of this formatting may well be the reason a reader decides to return or not to a series.
In this book, we learned of Maddie's friendships, her passions (baking) and see the re-blossoming of possible romances, all while searching for a killer of another friend. I see the beginnings of a solid series and will read the second book to see if the characters get fleshed out more.
This is a strong cozy mystery. New series have a mountain to climb, that being of establishing the main characters, locations, and story lines. This may seem like it is a simple couple of paragraphs, however, truth is the success of this formatting may well be the reason a reader decides to return or not to a series.
In this book, we learned of Maddie's friendships, her passions (baking) and see the re-blossoming of possible romances, all while searching for a killer of another friend. I see the beginnings of a solid series and will read the second book to see if the characters get fleshed out more.
October 31, 2019
Slow burn, but good.
Maddie, Gran and Big Red the cat are delightful characters. The small town and bakery setting makes me oddly nostalgic for a life I've never lived. There's something comforting about their close relationships and I enjoyed following set-up of Maddie's bakery.
As some have mentioned, the murder occurs about 30% in, which is a long wait, however as the prose is very readable and the characters so charming, by the time the crime was committed, I was genuinely hooked to find out the identity of the killer.
My only complaint is a few more suspects would have made the mystery more complex and engaging, but overall this was a good start to a promising series
Maddie, Gran and Big Red the cat are delightful characters. The small town and bakery setting makes me oddly nostalgic for a life I've never lived. There's something comforting about their close relationships and I enjoyed following set-up of Maddie's bakery.
As some have mentioned, the murder occurs about 30% in, which is a long wait, however as the prose is very readable and the characters so charming, by the time the crime was committed, I was genuinely hooked to find out the identity of the killer.
My only complaint is a few more suspects would have made the mystery more complex and engaging, but overall this was a good start to a promising series
October 31, 2021
Maple Lane Bakery
has found itself a great baker who is also pretty tough. Mattie is no sweet push over. She definitely knows how to say what she means but there are some moments where she should have asked questions before putting her foot in it. I have to say Gran was a sneaky one too but I like her. Mattie's friends are fun as well. Though Mattie was in the middle of what has been going on and the death of Denise, she does try to keep everyone safe even the cute sheriff who happens to be an ex. This become clear but a bit of a twist and that's definitely why I'll continue this fun series.
has found itself a great baker who is also pretty tough. Mattie is no sweet push over. She definitely knows how to say what she means but there are some moments where she should have asked questions before putting her foot in it. I have to say Gran was a sneaky one too but I like her. Mattie's friends are fun as well. Though Mattie was in the middle of what has been going on and the death of Denise, she does try to keep everyone safe even the cute sheriff who happens to be an ex. This become clear but a bit of a twist and that's definitely why I'll continue this fun series.
Read
January 30, 2024DNF @ 21%
Part of the Yearly Book Exchange with Sie. I don’t even know what the plot was that I read. It felt like even you’re in AP Lit and they give you a book that draws out a scene for 18 chapters and it’s like describing the color of a blanket but it’s an allegory for some deep bs. Except it was a building and I still can’t figure out allegories apparently.
Part of the Yearly Book Exchange with Sie. I don’t even know what the plot was that I read. It felt like even you’re in AP Lit and they give you a book that draws out a scene for 18 chapters and it’s like describing the color of a blanket but it’s an allegory for some deep bs. Except it was a building and I still can’t figure out allegories apparently.
December 29, 2023
I was sorry to abandon the book, but by page seven of the ebook there was an average of one grammatical, spelling, clarity, or other error per page. It was too distracting and destroyed my interest in continuing with the book.
January 19, 2019
Ok for a sick day
A bit contrived and cloying. If you're a genuine fan of Hallmark movies you'll like this. Way too chick-lit for me.
A bit contrived and cloying. If you're a genuine fan of Hallmark movies you'll like this. Way too chick-lit for me.
January 19, 2021
I'm hooked
I like to cook and bake so I knew I'd like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series
I like to cook and bake so I knew I'd like this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series
May 28, 2018
3.5 Stars
This series is billed as books that are light cozy mysteries featuring a cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth. They contain “no cliffhangers, swearing, gore or graphic scenes”.
After reading that description, I was intrigued.
Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations.
Mystery? Yes. Amateur sleuth? Yes. Romance? Not really.
Maddie, the main character, is constantly pushing away (“friend zoning”) the other main character, Ethan. While it has been years since they dated, once Maddie returns to Maple Falls her interactions with Ethan are quite stilted, even though in her personal dialogue she clearly is attracted to him. He, on the other hand, tries several times to help Maddie understand that he would like to move on from their past history and get reacquainted with who they are now but she rebuffs his attempts.
Could we have watched them rediscover one another, albeit Ethan being the town sheriff and Maddie being an amateur sleuth (which would put them at odds to begin with) in a natural progression of a relationship which could still be accomplished without “graphic scenes”?
It was that thought that I kept wondering about as the story progressed. Where’s the romance?
If you’re looking for a quick, light “whodunit” type of story, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for romance, not so much.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.
This series is billed as books that are light cozy mysteries featuring a cat-loving bakery owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth. They contain “no cliffhangers, swearing, gore or graphic scenes”.
After reading that description, I was intrigued.
Unfortunately, this one did not live up to my expectations.
Mystery? Yes. Amateur sleuth? Yes. Romance? Not really.
Maddie, the main character, is constantly pushing away (“friend zoning”) the other main character, Ethan. While it has been years since they dated, once Maddie returns to Maple Falls her interactions with Ethan are quite stilted, even though in her personal dialogue she clearly is attracted to him. He, on the other hand, tries several times to help Maddie understand that he would like to move on from their past history and get reacquainted with who they are now but she rebuffs his attempts.
Could we have watched them rediscover one another, albeit Ethan being the town sheriff and Maddie being an amateur sleuth (which would put them at odds to begin with) in a natural progression of a relationship which could still be accomplished without “graphic scenes”?
It was that thought that I kept wondering about as the story progressed. Where’s the romance?
If you’re looking for a quick, light “whodunit” type of story, this fits the bill. If you’re looking for romance, not so much.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book, however, this is my honest opinion.
May 29, 2018
I loved Maddie. She had some sweet friends and a really cute former high school boyfriend - Ethan. When her good friend is murdered she has to find out who committed the crime. Ethan isn't too happy about that. Gran was a hoot and liked most of Maddie's friend except Angel. IMO she came across as self-righteous and never apologized for anything. Maddie apologized to everyone about everything - this made her weak to me. Hoping she will be stronger in the next book. I do like this series and looking forward to reading more about these characters. Some reviews have said this book ends on a cliffhanger. I disagree. It can be read as a stand alone. I got this book through kindle unlimited.
December 26, 2025
Apple Pie and Arsenic by C.A. Phipps is the first book in the Maple Lane Cozy Mystery series. Madelyn Flynn returns to Maple Falls to help her grandmother move into a retirement centre only to be talked into opening a bakery instead, but when her friend the mayor is poisoned at the Spring Fair, she finds she is being threatened. An excellent small time cozy mystery. I loved getting to know the town and it's residents and how the bakery develops. Maddie is an excellent baker but seemed to take on more risk than necessary with her sleuthing. Recipes are included. An enjoyable start to the series.
August 13, 2023
I enjoyed the characters and the setting. It took a bit too long for the murder to happen, and it was honestly feeling like there wouldn’t be a crime. The reveal of the murderer fell a little flat; it was pretty clear that this person would be the murderer earlier on, but I don’t think that the book gave the readers enough of a chance to investigate this character and it felt too random when it was revealed. I am undecided whether or not I will read the next in the series; the characters were good but I am hesitating because of how the crime played out in this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2018
ASSUMPTIONS SHOULDN’T BE MADE WHEN THE TRUTH
CAN BE FOUND
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ADVANCE READER COPY OF THIS BOOK
Loved the assumptions made by the main character and how she is denying her true feelings and letting her past color her future. The sheriff, Ethan Turner, is protective and is driving Maddie Flynn crazy. Will she ever admit that she still has deep feelings for Ethan? A cliffhanger book that leads to the next one.
CAN BE FOUND
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED AN ADVANCE READER COPY OF THIS BOOK
Loved the assumptions made by the main character and how she is denying her true feelings and letting her past color her future. The sheriff, Ethan Turner, is protective and is driving Maddie Flynn crazy. Will she ever admit that she still has deep feelings for Ethan? A cliffhanger book that leads to the next one.
March 1, 2024
Cute, cozy, but some plot inconsistencies/disconnect in story line. I didn’t find this as good as the prequel. I’ll more than likely keep reading the series periodically, I’m hooked on these easy reads.
June 9, 2022
Good read
A pretty decent mystery in a charming town, but like others, the main character is a little frustrating. She is a bit judgemental and definitely follows a double standard. One set of rules for her and another for her friends and family. Thinking she could do better than the sheriff and needs to protect him. Upset that her friends let her walk into danger but she had already planned to do that without telling them. Unhappy that Denise and Ethan dated when she chose to leave and had a boyfriend while in NY. Maddie was lucky to be raised by her Gran, but she needs to be more open to people and not be so judgemental. She doesn't always have the full story but has already formed an opinion.
A pretty decent mystery in a charming town, but like others, the main character is a little frustrating. She is a bit judgemental and definitely follows a double standard. One set of rules for her and another for her friends and family. Thinking she could do better than the sheriff and needs to protect him. Upset that her friends let her walk into danger but she had already planned to do that without telling them. Unhappy that Denise and Ethan dated when she chose to leave and had a boyfriend while in NY. Maddie was lucky to be raised by her Gran, but she needs to be more open to people and not be so judgemental. She doesn't always have the full story but has already formed an opinion.
May 8, 2022
I enjoyed this book. This is a fun, easy to listen to cozy mystery. This is the first book by this author that I have read or listened to but it won't be my last. The story is character driven and we learn a lot about past friendships, ex boyfriends, jealously and about getting the cafe up and running, which does mean it takes a while for the murder to happen. To be honest I spent most of that time changing my mind who the victim was going to be. I liked the characters, especially the grandmother who is a hoot and very sneaky. It was also a nice change that everybody was a suspect and made it to the suspect list, even friends once the death did occur. We were also introduced to the future boyfriend and like normal everybody can see they belong togethers except the main character, which if she keeps pushing him away could get annoying in the future but for now it worked. The murder was made interesting, trying to figure out how she was poisoned. All in all a good start to A new series.
Maddie rushes home when she learns her grandmother is struggling. She gives herself a week to help sell her big house and find somewhere else for her to live, instead she finds herself buying an old shop and turning it in to a bakery with the idea she and her grandmother would run the shop and live in the apartment above. It's all hands on deck as her old school friends pitch in to get it up and running for the brand opening. Which doesn't leave her any time to run a stall at the town festival but she does enter into the Apple pie contest. Then the judge and mayor of the town is found dead, she was also one of Maddie's friends. Who could have wanted such a sweet woman dead? Was it connected to her mean girl past? Or something a lot more recent? When poison is named as the cause of death Maddie fears of could mean the death of her dream, unless she and her friends can find the real killer.
I liked the narrator. She did sound a bit sickly sweet at times but on the whole it was enjoyable and I never had a problem telling the characters apart.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Maddie rushes home when she learns her grandmother is struggling. She gives herself a week to help sell her big house and find somewhere else for her to live, instead she finds herself buying an old shop and turning it in to a bakery with the idea she and her grandmother would run the shop and live in the apartment above. It's all hands on deck as her old school friends pitch in to get it up and running for the brand opening. Which doesn't leave her any time to run a stall at the town festival but she does enter into the Apple pie contest. Then the judge and mayor of the town is found dead, she was also one of Maddie's friends. Who could have wanted such a sweet woman dead? Was it connected to her mean girl past? Or something a lot more recent? When poison is named as the cause of death Maddie fears of could mean the death of her dream, unless she and her friends can find the real killer.
I liked the narrator. She did sound a bit sickly sweet at times but on the whole it was enjoyable and I never had a problem telling the characters apart.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 5, 2024
This book is so slow that I read the first 6 chapters and still had not gotten any real plot aside from actually buying the building that is going to be the bakery. My initial thoughts were that I did not care about a single character and Maddie is a terribly irresponsible pet owner letting her cat roam around outside without any kind of leash or harness.
And of course, the love interest is a cop with absolutely no personality aside from "I am cop, I protect".
The constant referring to a group of grown women as The Girlz, yes, with a "z", is beyond ridiculous and childish.
Everything about this is so ungodly childish that it took every ounce of willpower I had to keep reading. I wanted to DNF this so many times but I finished it out of pure spite.
We didn't even get to the murder until about a third of the way into the book and there's nothing to really make you upset by the death because there is no development of the character being killed.
Maddie's idea of "let's go play detective!" during A WAKE is also horrifically disrespectful and just plain stupid. She's getting vaguely threatening letters and her idea is to pull her friends into danger with her to snoop for clues like she's in an episode of Scooby Doo. And when the cop, Ethan, catches them discussing making a plan, Maddie's response is to lie...with her fingers crossed behind her back like she's 9.
This feels like something a church youth group book club would read. Especially since the closest any character seems to get to swearing is saying "darn".
The characters are all deeply one dimensional and it was almost impossible to differentiate them by tone alone. The killer isn't even anyone on the suspect list and the only reason Maddie finds out who they are is pure, stupid luck that almost gets her killed (which I would not have been upset by). And when you finally think you've reached the end of the book, there are about three more chapters to go that do not add anything important to the story at all.
Honestly, this book felt like it dragged on without adding anything significant to the plot or the characters.
And of course, the love interest is a cop with absolutely no personality aside from "I am cop, I protect".
The constant referring to a group of grown women as The Girlz, yes, with a "z", is beyond ridiculous and childish.
Everything about this is so ungodly childish that it took every ounce of willpower I had to keep reading. I wanted to DNF this so many times but I finished it out of pure spite.
We didn't even get to the murder until about a third of the way into the book and there's nothing to really make you upset by the death because there is no development of the character being killed.
Maddie's idea of "let's go play detective!" during A WAKE is also horrifically disrespectful and just plain stupid. She's getting vaguely threatening letters and her idea is to pull her friends into danger with her to snoop for clues like she's in an episode of Scooby Doo. And when the cop, Ethan, catches them discussing making a plan, Maddie's response is to lie...with her fingers crossed behind her back like she's 9.
This feels like something a church youth group book club would read. Especially since the closest any character seems to get to swearing is saying "darn".
The characters are all deeply one dimensional and it was almost impossible to differentiate them by tone alone. The killer isn't even anyone on the suspect list and the only reason Maddie finds out who they are is pure, stupid luck that almost gets her killed (which I would not have been upset by). And when you finally think you've reached the end of the book, there are about three more chapters to go that do not add anything important to the story at all.
Honestly, this book felt like it dragged on without adding anything significant to the plot or the characters.
May 29, 2018
🍰 Who ever thought the move back to Maddie's small🏡 hometown would be so dangerous?!😱
May 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
🍩 An enjoyable first effort by the author in the cozy mystery genre. I got the true small town vibe from the setting; the 🍪 baker heroine was backed up by her energetic, ☕tea-loving Gran and a group of friends with distinctive personalities; and the suspense of not knowing if, when, or how the killer would strike again kept me interested until the murderer's big reveal. I had pretty much figured out the motive for the murder early on, but the threats to Maddie kept the mystery alive as I could not connect the two.
The heroine even had an old boyfriend turned sheriff and the town's most sought after bachelor that added a tad of romantic tension to the story. And Big Red, the heroine sleuth's Maine Coon Cat, added a touch of tongue in cheek humor.
Maddie, the heroine, is in no way perfect, despite her stellar baking skills, her super work ethic and her loyalty to family and friends. She can be impulsive, jealous and a bit too caught up in her own drama to see the bigger picture, but she's got a lot of people that love and support her anyway.
I definitely would not mind coming back to Maple Falls for another helping of cake and crime. I also would not mind if it included a bit more romance!:-)
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
May 28, 2018
Format: Kindle Edition
🍩 An enjoyable first effort by the author in the cozy mystery genre. I got the true small town vibe from the setting; the 🍪 baker heroine was backed up by her energetic, ☕tea-loving Gran and a group of friends with distinctive personalities; and the suspense of not knowing if, when, or how the killer would strike again kept me interested until the murderer's big reveal. I had pretty much figured out the motive for the murder early on, but the threats to Maddie kept the mystery alive as I could not connect the two.
The heroine even had an old boyfriend turned sheriff and the town's most sought after bachelor that added a tad of romantic tension to the story. And Big Red, the heroine sleuth's Maine Coon Cat, added a touch of tongue in cheek humor.
Maddie, the heroine, is in no way perfect, despite her stellar baking skills, her super work ethic and her loyalty to family and friends. She can be impulsive, jealous and a bit too caught up in her own drama to see the bigger picture, but she's got a lot of people that love and support her anyway.
I definitely would not mind coming back to Maple Falls for another helping of cake and crime. I also would not mind if it included a bit more romance!:-)
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
March 31, 2021
**Apple Pie and Arsenic:
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the three novel collection Maple Lane Cozy Mysteries books 1-3 including the late Spring set Apple Pie and Arsenic by C.A. Phipps and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing, action and drama packed story with a good introduction to the people of Maple Falls, Oregon's relationships, jealousy, and friendships. Contains a conniving grandmother and the spark of a second chance at love romance.
On the cusp of opening up her dream bakery in New York with her best friend Camille, a cryptic call from her grandmother brings 28 year old Maddie Flynn home to small town Maple Falls, Oregon to help her 70 year old English born grandmother move from their family home. But, she soon finds herself the target of a stalker and one of her best friends, Mayor Denise, dead by her jeep thrusting Maddie into a dangerous plot to clear her name and to protect her friends including her ex-boyfriend Sheriff Ethan Tanner while trying to avoid becoming the next victim.
Each book can be read as a standalone but is best read in chronological order.
4 stars
I purchased a copy of the three novel collection Maple Lane Cozy Mysteries books 1-3 including the late Spring set Apple Pie and Arsenic by C.A. Phipps and this review was given freely.
An easy flowing, action and drama packed story with a good introduction to the people of Maple Falls, Oregon's relationships, jealousy, and friendships. Contains a conniving grandmother and the spark of a second chance at love romance.
On the cusp of opening up her dream bakery in New York with her best friend Camille, a cryptic call from her grandmother brings 28 year old Maddie Flynn home to small town Maple Falls, Oregon to help her 70 year old English born grandmother move from their family home. But, she soon finds herself the target of a stalker and one of her best friends, Mayor Denise, dead by her jeep thrusting Maddie into a dangerous plot to clear her name and to protect her friends including her ex-boyfriend Sheriff Ethan Tanner while trying to avoid becoming the next victim.
Each book can be read as a standalone but is best read in chronological order.
January 21, 2023
Apple Pie and Arsenic is the first book in the Maple Lane cozy series. This book was a nice start to a new series. Maddie returns to Maple Lane because her grandmother is not doing well and needs to sell her house. But when she gets there she not only gets a surprise from her grandmother but she also finds a dead body. Not a great way to start a two week vacation especially since she planned to help her grandmother getting settled in a retirement place and return to New York and her plans to open her own bakery. And to make matters worse the sheriff is her ex-boyfriend.
The main thing I liked about this book was the honesty of the characters with each other. I quite enjoyed the friendships that the “Girlz” made with each other. There are several suspects which I like. I love guessing and I like it even more when the killer is revealed and I was way off. The writing had a nice flow to it and keeps your interest. I’m looking forward to continuing the series and continuing to see the adventures of the friends and Gran.
The main thing I liked about this book was the honesty of the characters with each other. I quite enjoyed the friendships that the “Girlz” made with each other. There are several suspects which I like. I love guessing and I like it even more when the killer is revealed and I was way off. The writing had a nice flow to it and keeps your interest. I’m looking forward to continuing the series and continuing to see the adventures of the friends and Gran.
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