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Sweet Baked Mysteries #1-6

The Sweet Baked Mystery #1-6

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Welcome to Hanmer Springs. Small Town. Big Secrets.

With a divorce pending and her career hanging in the balance, Holly Waterston returns to her hometown of Hanmer Springs to lick her wounds. The last thing she expects is for a series of murders to occur in the township.

As each crime unfolds, Holly and her sister Crystal must roll up their sleeves and get to work if they're to track down the culprits while keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.

Not to mention, they need to keep the township of Hanmer Springs well-stocked with their delicious array of freshly-baked cupcakes.

This boxed set contains the following titles to keep you guessing and keep the murderers on their toes!

1: Cupcakes and Conspiracies
2: Strawberries and Suffering
3: Blueberries and Bereavement
4: Pumpkin Spice and Poisoning
5: Raspberries and Retaliation
6: Cinnamon and Sinfulness

These Sweet Baked Mysteries are certified allergy-free of the following ingredients:
No Swearing
No Gore
No Graphic Scenes
and absolutely No Cliffhangers.

941 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 20, 2018

1201 people are currently reading
448 people want to read

About the author

Katherine Hayton

64 books496 followers
I'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.

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5 stars
412 (52%)
4 stars
246 (31%)
3 stars
97 (12%)
2 stars
20 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
438 reviews5 followers
February 26, 2022
predictable

There’s a special event along with a murder. Weddings, funerals, and reunions come with their own killer. The main characters—two sisters, the florist, the hairdresser, the grumpy police sergeant—all become familiar friends as they investigate the most recent killing. There are a few places where spelling and word choice need correction, but it doesn’t occur frequently enough to be a distraction. All in all, I found these books to be enjoyable, although quite predictable. I wish for another book, however, to see Holly find the love of her life and envision it being the sergeant. Happy reading
2,417 reviews42 followers
January 15, 2019
Six really good cozy mysteries and all back to back. Bliss. I enjoyed the mysteries, loved the characters and appreciated that the details of one story often blended into another. While I didn't always approved of Holly's judgement, she did a much better job of using her brain than so many cozy characters do. Life isn't all hearts and flowers but her strength of character shines throughout. I will be following the Sweet Baked Mystery series in the future if it continues and will check out other books by the Katherine Hayton.
Profile Image for Cinta.
Author 101 books101 followers
February 12, 2021
This series of cozy mysteries includes six books. They are not masterpieces, but they are short, cute, entertaining, and you can read them quite quickly. Perfect for spending the weekend reading, or for reading during a break at work.

All of the stories focus on Hollie and the bakery she owns together with her sister Crystal. Think of "Murder, She Wrote", but in a small town from New Zealand.

Cute stories, but nothing remarkable to point out here. They are so short that I would be giving spoilers if I try to comment on the individual stories.
Author 3 books6 followers
September 19, 2022
This was an enjoyable read - but the author really does require to have the books proof-read! As an author myself - although non-fiction rather than novels - I know the importance of having a MS proofread at least three times (by three different people!) before publishing.

Unusually, in my reading experience, the series is set in New Zealand.

However, what I loved most about the six volumes was that there was neither coarse, nor rude, nor blasphemous language throughout the whole series. A number of other authors should take note!
2,001 reviews
Read
April 15, 2024
Didn't care for it. see note.

Amazon synopsis:
With a divorce pending and her career hanging in the balance, Holly Waterston returns to her hometown of Hanmer Springs to lick her wounds. The last thing she expects is for a series of murders to occur in the township.

As each crime unfolds, Holly and her sister Crystal must roll up their sleeves and get to work if they're to track down the culprits while keeping themselves and their neighbors safe.

Not to mention, they need to keep the township of Hanmer Springs well-stocked with their delicious array of freshly-baked cupcakes.
1,769 reviews23 followers
February 22, 2022
Sweet Baked Mysteries-Books 1-6

Katherine Hayton a lovely cozey mystery murder writer bringing colorful characters to life and death with a dramatic flavor,a woman scorned ,returns to her small hometown for a short respite finding mayhem and murder in many situations while becoming reacquainted with her sister and her hometown. Acquire " Sweet Baked Mysteries " today for hours of entertainment .Kat
Profile Image for Terri Nelson.
123 reviews4 followers
August 14, 2020
Sweet baked mysteries series

This is a new to me author and she captured my attention and hooked me. This series is action packed with romance, mysteries and murder and mayhem. The character are well developed and the plot line very believable. I have already downloaded the next series by this author and will be digging into it right away. Thank you for a great read!
152 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2022
Great Cozy Mysteries.

Holly moved back to her hometown when her marriage fell apart. She joined her sister in trying to keep the family bakery going. She didn't expect to make lots of new friends. She also didn't expect to wind up in the middle of each murder investigation. Wonderful characters and lots of clues.
56 reviews2 followers
December 20, 2022
Cozies in New Zealand!

A nifty set of mysteries set in New Zealand. The author did a great job incorporating a bit of cultural education into the series; how they speak, a little bit about their legal and govt systems, and how people are the same the world over! Looking forward to more!
423 reviews
August 20, 2023
Just Right

There are days when all that is needed is a simple uncomplicated read to fill in a couple of pleasant hours of peace and quiet. This collection is a perfect example of what is necessary. Like all cozy literature this is a simple,not too complicated, series of believable events and adventures it’s a perfect example of the genre.
175 reviews
October 23, 2024
I enjoyed the chaos & mayhem...

Overall I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I took offense at the MS side story. As a real live person with RRMS, the most common type, I felt that Tully's MS was exaggerated to fit the storyline.
Other than that one critique, the characters were well developed.
Profile Image for Diana Castro.
42 reviews
November 9, 2018
Great read! Cozy mystery in a small tourist town with Cupcakes what is not to like. Well written, engaging characters and a quick read. I still think Holly and the Sergeant should get together it’d be a hoot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
519 reviews2 followers
August 30, 2019
Great read

I enjoyed each book in this series and the growth and development of relationships and friendships,as well as the well developed mysteries. I didn't guess the bad guy once, I think. 😁
Profile Image for Bonnie Dale Keck.
4,677 reviews58 followers
March 26, 2021
Kindle unlimited

Had this can collection pulled up with 2 other ones, the first one had all this set but at front had the Marjorie one set in hammer hills. I liked those, these were ridiculous for so many reasons.
18 reviews
March 3, 2022
Twisted clues leading up to the murderer

I enjoyed Holly's way of getting involved in the mysteries. The mix of characters in a little town and their way of evolving throughout the story is intriguing.
33 reviews
October 3, 2022
Sweet baked mysteries

So enjoyable! The writer has a wonderful skill of building the lives of the characters that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next development.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,548 reviews9 followers
October 5, 2022
on KU if you have that service? i got it on my parents' anniversary. cute!! out on July 20, 2018. cozy culinary mysteries. women sleuths. great book cover. enjoyable read. love a cozy mystery, don't you??!
136 reviews1 follower
March 10, 2023
nice read

I enjoyed reading the cozy mystery collection. Nice, clean, mystery. The characters were likable. I didn’t know what country the books took place in, is my only complaint.
17 reviews
October 31, 2023
Never over baked!

Each book was full if twists in the plot to keep you guessing. Suspenseful, charming , and filled with humour. Excellent books, I'll certainly recommend the series to others
797 reviews
September 7, 2024
Six books of Cupcakes and murder....Holly returns home with unexpected news for her sister regarding the house and bakery, but instead happens upon one mystery murder after another. Great writing and keep me wanting more, even up to the last book.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Reid.
105 reviews
May 11, 2025
love love love it

This is a really fun series of books, I thought uplifting and I really cared about the characters and would honestly love to know more about Holly and christals lives
5 reviews
June 20, 2019
Sweet and Cozy


Great mysteries to keep you guessing and involved. Each book in the series was captivating and entertaining without being overtly graphic.
80 reviews
September 19, 2019
Fabulous

Fabulous read. I enjoy all of Katherine Hayton's books. They hold your attention throughout each and every chapter. I read all six books in 5 nights!
6 reviews
February 14, 2020
Wrapped up well.

It lacked a little umph. The characters needed a bit more depth but all and all a good entertaining series.
2 reviews
March 2, 2020
Wordy

It was a little boring that Holly was always in the middle of something never have a pleasant experience or any down time. It needs a little less drama
588 reviews2 followers
July 19, 2020
Enjoyed this series

Great series. Loved the characters. Great story lines with lots of twists and turns. Easy to read. Will check out her other series.
65 reviews
July 27, 2020
Enjoyable reads

Very easy summer reading. Time to chill out and just read for fun. I will take a look at more books by Katherine Hatton soon.
349 reviews2 followers
August 5, 2020
Wonderful

The books are filled with terrific Characters who are very caring and unique. The mysteries are challenging but not impossible.
Profile Image for Robin Resch.
651 reviews5 followers
September 14, 2020
Family is what you make it

A clean read series. The characters were okay. I liked the storylines. I did not like how the series ended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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