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Cupcake Bakery Mystery #11
Dying for Devil's Food
As the New York Times bestselling series continues, it's going to take every recipe the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew has to whip up a quick defense for Mel Cooper when her high school reunion goes from a cake walk to a car wreck...Melanie Cooper has zero interest in catering her fifteen-year high school reunion, but Angie insists it's only right that they bask in the success of Fairy Tale Cupcakes--and Mel's engagement to the delicious Joe DeLaura is the cherry on top!Everything is going better than expected until Cassidy Havers, resident mean girl and Mel's high school nemesis, picks a fight. No longer willing to put up with Cassidy's bullying, Mel is ready to tell the former homecoming queen to shut her piehole and call it a night. But as Mel and Joe prepare to depart, Cassidy is found dead in the girl's bathroom, next to a note written in lipstick that points right to Mel--making her the prime suspect.Now, Mel must follow the clues to find the real killer and keep her reputation from being frosted for a crime she didn't commit.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2019
368 people are currently reading
1695 people want to read
About the author
Jenn McKinlay
74 books5,199 followersJenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house that is overrun with books, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
May 13, 2024
Dying for Devil's Food is the 11th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mysteries written by Jenn McKinlay. For all those high school kids who were bulled, or all those who dealt with the cruel in-crowd, revenge is so sweet. It's all make-believe, but I loved seeing the Queen Bee taken down! Mel and Angie are innocent but who could've blamed them if they were the dark poisoners? Ah, a great installment in the series. McKinlay always brings it together in the end. One of the top cozy writers!
December 23, 2019
I love this book. I think it's one of the best novels in the Cupcake Bakery series. I love the addition of new "friends" and hope to see more of Dwight, Danny and Megan in future novels. I also hope to see Mel's and Joe's wedding and Angie get pregnant.
June 16, 2019
Melanie doesn’t want to attend her class reunion and certainly doesn’t want to cater it with her cupcakes. She was unhappy in high school and the head mean girl, Cassidy, will be at the reunion. Angie insists they cater the reunion and attend to show off their successful business and Melanie’s engagement to Joe. Melanie is ready to tell Cassidy to shut up, when walking into the bathroom she finds her dead. Written in red lipstick on the wall are the letters MEL so Melanie is the first suspect. Lots of high school drama is going on even 15 years after they graduated.
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May 18, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Class reunions can be murder! In this case, Melanie Cooper, cupcake baker extraordinaire finds the girl who bullied her all through high school dead in the bathroom. With their past and Mel’s name scrawled in lipstick on the wall, she becomes the prime suspect. She didn’t want to go to the reunion in the first place, but Angie convinced her they could attend and show off the success to all their classmates. Plus with the hunky Joe DeLaura by her side, all the women would be green with envy. Well, that didn’t happen. Now, to save her business and herself she has to find who sent the *itch from her past to the great beyond.
It is always good to catch up with Mel, Angie and the gang. The Fairy Tale Cupcake crew is baking up 500 cupcakes for the girl’s reunion and when the party ends with murder everyone is there to support Mel.
Cassidy Havers was just downright nasty and to think even 15 years past high school the woman has gotten even worse. The author really takes on the issue of bullying and it doesn’t just affect kids, bullies can carry their abusive behavior into their adult life. I enjoyed the awakening Mel had. As an adult, with Joe and her friends by her side, she was able to take a step back and see the whole picture. These characters have all grown over the series but Mel’s growth just over the pages of this book was heartwarming and inspiring. Now if she could find the real killer.
Ms. McKinley’s story was fast paced with plenty of twists. The reunion brings together a room full of suspects. It was no surprise that Cassidy had made many enemies over the years. It was so much fun to tag along as she followed each clue, eliminating people and circling back around as new information came to light I was kept guessing right up to the very end.
This is such a fun series. One thing I have learned is that “Cupcakes always make everything better”.
These books are a real treat! Not only do we get a wonderful mystery, but we also get the recipes for the cupcakes that had our mouths while reading the book. The ingredients for Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes have been added to my grocery list. I can’t wait to try them.
I have a reunion coming up this summer. I know it won’t be as eventful as Mel and Angie’s. 🙂
Class reunions can be murder! In this case, Melanie Cooper, cupcake baker extraordinaire finds the girl who bullied her all through high school dead in the bathroom. With their past and Mel’s name scrawled in lipstick on the wall, she becomes the prime suspect. She didn’t want to go to the reunion in the first place, but Angie convinced her they could attend and show off the success to all their classmates. Plus with the hunky Joe DeLaura by her side, all the women would be green with envy. Well, that didn’t happen. Now, to save her business and herself she has to find who sent the *itch from her past to the great beyond.
It is always good to catch up with Mel, Angie and the gang. The Fairy Tale Cupcake crew is baking up 500 cupcakes for the girl’s reunion and when the party ends with murder everyone is there to support Mel.
Cassidy Havers was just downright nasty and to think even 15 years past high school the woman has gotten even worse. The author really takes on the issue of bullying and it doesn’t just affect kids, bullies can carry their abusive behavior into their adult life. I enjoyed the awakening Mel had. As an adult, with Joe and her friends by her side, she was able to take a step back and see the whole picture. These characters have all grown over the series but Mel’s growth just over the pages of this book was heartwarming and inspiring. Now if she could find the real killer.
Ms. McKinley’s story was fast paced with plenty of twists. The reunion brings together a room full of suspects. It was no surprise that Cassidy had made many enemies over the years. It was so much fun to tag along as she followed each clue, eliminating people and circling back around as new information came to light I was kept guessing right up to the very end.
This is such a fun series. One thing I have learned is that “Cupcakes always make everything better”.
These books are a real treat! Not only do we get a wonderful mystery, but we also get the recipes for the cupcakes that had our mouths while reading the book. The ingredients for Pineapple Upside-Down Cupcakes have been added to my grocery list. I can’t wait to try them.
I have a reunion coming up this summer. I know it won’t be as eventful as Mel and Angie’s. 🙂
May 7, 2019
3.5 stars
I read quite a lot of Cozy Mysteries and have found that this series remains special because of its lighthearted nature and almost Contemporary Romance feel to it. The Cupcake Bakery series is more fun and free-flowing than some of the more tightly written mysteries you’ll encounter in the genre so I do think that’s something to note that makes this series special.
DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE explores the struggle of a reunion. While there are some like Angie who are excited to revisit past friends, Melanie is much more reserved. Since he was bullied during high school, the last thing she wants is to revisit those painful memories and people.
Disaster strikes when a death occurs, and this is were I think the mystery aspect really comes alive. Since a lot of the book has banter and dialogue, it can feel more light. But then McKinlay jumps into the stuff that really matters in a way that makes the book much more enjoyable.
I enjoy this series because I think it’s a great one for readers who might be interested in trying out the Cozy Mystery genre but aren’t really sure if it’s a good match for them. If you are into Contemporaries, I think this could be a good introduction for a new obsession.
I read quite a lot of Cozy Mysteries and have found that this series remains special because of its lighthearted nature and almost Contemporary Romance feel to it. The Cupcake Bakery series is more fun and free-flowing than some of the more tightly written mysteries you’ll encounter in the genre so I do think that’s something to note that makes this series special.
DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE explores the struggle of a reunion. While there are some like Angie who are excited to revisit past friends, Melanie is much more reserved. Since he was bullied during high school, the last thing she wants is to revisit those painful memories and people.
Disaster strikes when a death occurs, and this is were I think the mystery aspect really comes alive. Since a lot of the book has banter and dialogue, it can feel more light. But then McKinlay jumps into the stuff that really matters in a way that makes the book much more enjoyable.
I enjoy this series because I think it’s a great one for readers who might be interested in trying out the Cozy Mystery genre but aren’t really sure if it’s a good match for them. If you are into Contemporaries, I think this could be a good introduction for a new obsession.
April 21, 2019
Possibly Jumping into Dying for Devil's Food (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #11) by Jenn McKinlay , book 11 and reading it as a standalone gave me a disadvantage in not knowing the characters back stories. The story was ok but lacked any bite, edge, tension or excitement in my opinion. The story was excellent in reminding me of the pettiness of high school days, the cliques, the mean girls and the romantic scene.
Sadly I found the book repetitive and shallow on character development. It was hard for me to like any of the characters. I did think the book would make a good Hallmark movie where seeing the characters and how they interface with each other could be expanded with literary license. The pace of the book was slow and probably could have been reduced by about 100 pages. With the exception of the murder, the story seemed like a typical high school reunion.
I need to add that I enjoy cozy mysteries, especially food related, and am a Hallmark channel junkie, but this story just didn’t excite me in any way. I wished that there had been a bit more edge, suspense, and unpredictability in the story.
I wish to thank the Author and the Penguin First to Read Program for an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
The expected publication date is May 7, 2019.
For me this was a two star read out of 5 possible stars.
Sadly I found the book repetitive and shallow on character development. It was hard for me to like any of the characters. I did think the book would make a good Hallmark movie where seeing the characters and how they interface with each other could be expanded with literary license. The pace of the book was slow and probably could have been reduced by about 100 pages. With the exception of the murder, the story seemed like a typical high school reunion.
I need to add that I enjoy cozy mysteries, especially food related, and am a Hallmark channel junkie, but this story just didn’t excite me in any way. I wished that there had been a bit more edge, suspense, and unpredictability in the story.
I wish to thank the Author and the Penguin First to Read Program for an advanced readers copy for an honest review.
The expected publication date is May 7, 2019.
For me this was a two star read out of 5 possible stars.
May 7, 2019
Mel Cooper is less than excited about her high school reunion because of all the bad memories she has from those years, yet she gets talked into going by her best friend, Angie, mainly because of the gig Angie gets them providing cupcakes for the event. Once there, Mel finds herself beginning to make peace with her past, that is until she finds the dead body of Cassidy in the bathroom. Cassidy was the worst bully in school, and just a couple hours with her has proved that things haven’t changed. With her classmates looking at her as the killer, Mel knows she has to clear her name. Can she do it?
Fortunately, most high school reunions aren’t nearly as bad as this one is. But all the horrible people from Mel’s past make for wonderful suspects as she attempts to figure out what really happened to Cassidy. What impressed me was that this book allowed for some growth in Mel and it showed us deeper suspects than I was expecting from the first few chapters. This allowed the plot to move along at a quick pace with plenty of twists to keep me engaged. Trust me, I didn’t want to put this book down until I reached the great climax. There is a dose of humor mixed in that kept me smiling and laughing as I read. Cupcake fans will be pleased with the three new cupcake recipes included at the back of the book. It’s hard to read just one book in this series, and I’m already hungry for my next visit with Mel, Angie, and the rest of the gang.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Fortunately, most high school reunions aren’t nearly as bad as this one is. But all the horrible people from Mel’s past make for wonderful suspects as she attempts to figure out what really happened to Cassidy. What impressed me was that this book allowed for some growth in Mel and it showed us deeper suspects than I was expecting from the first few chapters. This allowed the plot to move along at a quick pace with plenty of twists to keep me engaged. Trust me, I didn’t want to put this book down until I reached the great climax. There is a dose of humor mixed in that kept me smiling and laughing as I read. Cupcake fans will be pleased with the three new cupcake recipes included at the back of the book. It’s hard to read just one book in this series, and I’m already hungry for my next visit with Mel, Angie, and the rest of the gang.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
July 24, 2020
This is one of my favorite cozy series. I've read them all and enjoyed them all.
Here comes the but: I seriously wanted to reach into the book and deck Angie at the beginning. Mel was bullied relentlessly in high school, but Angie has her sights set on the three of them going to their 15th high school reunion (and baking 500 cupcakes for the event). Despite the fact that Mel vociferously objects, Angie manipulates her into saying yes. That's the only way to state it - straight out manipulation. I couldn't figure out why they couldn't just bake cupcakes for the event, and stay home. But Angie orders it, so tough luck Mel. She was such a bitch at the beginning. No other way to put it.
In addition, as Angie and Tate have been married for six minutes, it's time to start a family. And Tate won't let Angie do anything to hurt the maybe, possibly pregnant Angie. Multiple times he told her she needed to be careful when she wasn't doing a damn thing. I can't believe her character would be okay with being ordered around by her husband, especially when she fights her brothers so hard when they attempt to protect her. I found myself rolling my eyes way to much at the two of them.
Regardless, the mystery was hard to anticipate and despite the fact that the victim was an absolutely horrible human being, I still cared who killed her. I'll read the next one, but this one left me a bit annoyed.
Here comes the but: I seriously wanted to reach into the book and deck Angie at the beginning. Mel was bullied relentlessly in high school, but Angie has her sights set on the three of them going to their 15th high school reunion (and baking 500 cupcakes for the event). Despite the fact that Mel vociferously objects, Angie manipulates her into saying yes. That's the only way to state it - straight out manipulation. I couldn't figure out why they couldn't just bake cupcakes for the event, and stay home. But Angie orders it, so tough luck Mel. She was such a bitch at the beginning. No other way to put it.
In addition, as Angie and Tate have been married for six minutes, it's time to start a family. And Tate won't let Angie do anything to hurt the maybe, possibly pregnant Angie. Multiple times he told her she needed to be careful when she wasn't doing a damn thing. I can't believe her character would be okay with being ordered around by her husband, especially when she fights her brothers so hard when they attempt to protect her. I found myself rolling my eyes way to much at the two of them.
Regardless, the mystery was hard to anticipate and despite the fact that the victim was an absolutely horrible human being, I still cared who killed her. I'll read the next one, but this one left me a bit annoyed.
May 18, 2020
This was a tough book for me [mean girls, chubby girls, bulling, taunting are themes I am VERY familiar with]. Class reunions are a tough thing [having been to three of them now]. And bullying is also a tough thing and something I have experience with [though thankfully, our class bully {and she was a REAL corker} has never shown her face at any of our reunions as she left town after graduation and wouldn't DEIGN to come back and grace us with her presence, but I digress] and I find that the bullying I experienced in high school isn't much different than the bullying I experience now - it just gets more devious when adults are doing it. And I think that is what Mel and Angie find out when they go to their reunion.
I really enjoyed the interaction between Mel and Joe in this one - as Mel says to him at one point, this was their FIRST "case" together [he was not amused. LOL], and they work really well together. And I like that both Tate and Angie kind of take a backseat in this one as they are still "honeymooning" and it made it all seem really realistic in that sense. Add Oz and Marty [O M G people, I love this character so much. I could do without his "love affair" with Olivia, but even that is cuteish because everyone deserves to have love in their life, no matter their age] and you have a fairly well-rounded book.
I unfortunately guess who the killer was [and the why], but only because I *KNEW* people like the killer [not that they were killers. They were not. They just were like the killer was in HS. Minus the revenge killing] when I was in high school [and some in adult life as well] and it made sense to me. But this one definitely had me sitting at the edge of my seat! This was a very good read [even if it DID give me some flashbacks that I'd rather have left in the past].
I really enjoyed the interaction between Mel and Joe in this one - as Mel says to him at one point, this was their FIRST "case" together [he was not amused. LOL], and they work really well together. And I like that both Tate and Angie kind of take a backseat in this one as they are still "honeymooning" and it made it all seem really realistic in that sense. Add Oz and Marty [O M G people, I love this character so much. I could do without his "love affair" with Olivia, but even that is cuteish because everyone deserves to have love in their life, no matter their age] and you have a fairly well-rounded book.
I unfortunately guess who the killer was [and the why], but only because I *KNEW* people like the killer [not that they were killers. They were not. They just were like the killer was in HS. Minus the revenge killing] when I was in high school [and some in adult life as well] and it made sense to me. But this one definitely had me sitting at the edge of my seat! This was a very good read [even if it DID give me some flashbacks that I'd rather have left in the past].
June 1, 2019
I binged this series earlier this year because it had been on my TBR pile for too long. Once I started I just couldn't help but read the entire series. When book 11 was released earlier this month, I couldn't wait to finish other reading commitments so I could sit down and devour this latest installment. I love these characters. The friendship between Mel, Angie and Tate continues to evolve and grow as they do both personally and professionally. The dialogue has the witty banter that we have come to expect from this series along with the movie line game that I find fun. The plot was fast past and the author provides plenty of clues, suspects and twists that kept me engaged and turning pages. There were some good secondary characters in the story this time and I wouldn't mind see a future guest appearance by some of them.
This was a terrific addition to the series and I am hooked. The author has created some wonderful characters who continue to grow and evolve with the series along with engaging mysteries. I am looking forward to more books in the series.
This was a terrific addition to the series and I am hooked. The author has created some wonderful characters who continue to grow and evolve with the series along with engaging mysteries. I am looking forward to more books in the series.
May 27, 2019
I cleared a few hours of my day because I knew I’d be reading this book in one setting. The Cupcake Bakery Mysteries have long topped my list of favorite cozy mystery series. Containing one of my all-time favorite cast of characters ever, this wonderful group of unlikely friends/co-workers/family always make me smile. I love their fierce loyalty toward one another. Anytime I’m back with the crew at Fairy Tale Cupcakes, I’m a happy person. DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD is no exception.
I will come right out and say it. The school reunion theme of this story did not thrill me. Like lead character Mel, school was a living nightmare for me. Unlike Mel, I didn’t have friends to help me through. I was the overweight, quiet kid that no one wanted anything to do with unless it was to pick on me. So, I was having some ugly memories pop up during certain scenes.
Now, with the above being said, and my flashbacks aside, I still loved DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD. I’m always good with a bad person being killed off in a book. And, in this tale a school bully gets hers. But solving the mystery wasn’t easy. There were plenty of suspects, all with really good reasons for wanting her dead. I kept flip-flopping back and forth in my choice of the killer. But, as author Jenn McKinlay is sure to do, she had me fooled right up until the reveal.
You’ll also find a nod to author McKinlay’s Hat Shop Mysteries in the story. Fun! And of course, yummy recipes!
I’m dying for you to read DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD, so I can read your review!
I will come right out and say it. The school reunion theme of this story did not thrill me. Like lead character Mel, school was a living nightmare for me. Unlike Mel, I didn’t have friends to help me through. I was the overweight, quiet kid that no one wanted anything to do with unless it was to pick on me. So, I was having some ugly memories pop up during certain scenes.
Now, with the above being said, and my flashbacks aside, I still loved DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD. I’m always good with a bad person being killed off in a book. And, in this tale a school bully gets hers. But solving the mystery wasn’t easy. There were plenty of suspects, all with really good reasons for wanting her dead. I kept flip-flopping back and forth in my choice of the killer. But, as author Jenn McKinlay is sure to do, she had me fooled right up until the reveal.
You’ll also find a nod to author McKinlay’s Hat Shop Mysteries in the story. Fun! And of course, yummy recipes!
I’m dying for you to read DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD, so I can read your review!
March 2, 2021
I love this series! I love the characters and want to be part of Mel and Angie’s group. I enjoy the writing style and these books are laugh out loud funny! The mystery was good and kept me guessing right up to the exciting ending. I also find the movie quotes fun. Be warned the cupcake recipes at the end will have you reaching for your mixing bowl. #readforkimberly
March 26, 2025
A delicious read!
This series keeps growing and growing on me. It has humor, love of family and friends, and trouble. Mel and Angie just can’t stay out of trouble and Uncle Stan always comes in clutch.
In Dying for Devil’s Food Mel, Angie, and Tate attend their 15th high school reunion. A simple trip to the restroom proves anything but simple. Mel finds her high school bully no longer able to bully. All fingers point to Mel but she knows it wasn’t her. Join the wild ride as the trio try to figure out the who and why.
This is the 11th book in the series and while you can read each as a standalone and jump right in with no problems why would you? Start from the beginning and learn all the fun quirks of the trio.
I thought I heard there were only going to be 16 books but recently Jenn mentioned she had an idea for a new one. Can we only hope for it to be true and not an early April Fools joke…
This series keeps growing and growing on me. It has humor, love of family and friends, and trouble. Mel and Angie just can’t stay out of trouble and Uncle Stan always comes in clutch.
In Dying for Devil’s Food Mel, Angie, and Tate attend their 15th high school reunion. A simple trip to the restroom proves anything but simple. Mel finds her high school bully no longer able to bully. All fingers point to Mel but she knows it wasn’t her. Join the wild ride as the trio try to figure out the who and why.
This is the 11th book in the series and while you can read each as a standalone and jump right in with no problems why would you? Start from the beginning and learn all the fun quirks of the trio.
I thought I heard there were only going to be 16 books but recently Jenn mentioned she had an idea for a new one. Can we only hope for it to be true and not an early April Fools joke…
June 3, 2019
It’s that dreaded time in everyone’s life: the high school class reunion. Melanie sees no point in going. Her classmates, with the exception of her two best friends, were mostly indifferent to her or downright mean. Bur Angie talks, really tricks, her into going. It was mostly what Mel expected, some of her classmates still bullied her, and yet, she stood up for herself and got some closure. Right up until her worst enemy was found dead in the ladies room. Now to clear her name and remove herself from suspicion in her classmates eyes, Mel must find the killer. This series just keeps getting and better and better. The mysteries are alway intriguing, but the real pleasure is the interaction between the characters. If you haven’t read the previous books, you’ll want to start at the beginning of the series. You undoubtedly will binge read your way through them - they are that good.
October 6, 2019
Way too much fat Mel and too much of an attempt to make high school bullies sympathetic to the reader and Mel--look, I fully understand that everyone has shit going on in their lives, but that doesn't make the actions of those who choose to express it through bullying okay. I'm not here for making the victim understand and then basically adopt one of them by the end of the book.
All I want from these books is a murder and Joe and Mel. That's it. Why can't we just get that???
All I want from these books is a murder and Joe and Mel. That's it. Why can't we just get that???
May 5, 2020
Another wonderful installment at Fairytale Cupcakes (though I do wish we spent more time at the cupcake shop. I love that Oz and Marty have kind of taken over running the shop, but I do miss the days when more of the story took place there, or maybe I just miss hearing about all the yummy cupcake flavors). High school is a hard time for many, and it really pained me for Mel to reminisce on how mean people were to her. It was unbelievable that people AS ADULTS would stick to their teenage prejudices for no good reasons! Poor Mel having to confront that and then be mixed up with another murder! I was truly stumped by this and shocked by the ending! I can't wait to continue this series (and hope to see more of Angie and Tate!)
July 12, 2019
I love this series!💖 Class reunions can be murder. The class bully has been murdered and the suspects are piling up, including Mel. This was one of my favorite books in this series.🧁
June 2, 2019
Mel, Angie and Tate head to their 15th high school reunion, but things go wrong when the "mean girl" of the class is murdered.
What I enjoyed:
* Great seeing the gang again.
* Mel getting her moment when she realizes she doesn't care what these people think of her anymore
* good mystery
*
What could have been better:
* The killer
What I enjoyed:
* Great seeing the gang again.
* Mel getting her moment when she realizes she doesn't care what these people think of her anymore
* good mystery
*
What could have been better:
* The killer
May 26, 2019
Excellent addition to the Cupcake Bakery Series! Going to your class reunion when you would rather not deal with any of the bullies, jerks and mean girls is not ideal, but when you go to said reunion and discover a dead body it just makes things all that much worse. I completely related to this book as I wouldn't go back to high school for any amount of money and I have avoided my class reunions as well. This story is not only a witty cozy mystery, but a lesson in being secure in who you are and not letting those who don't matter define you. Kudos, to a well plotted story line and excellent characters who are more than originally meets the eye.
May 31, 2019
I could ignore all the previous whining from Melanie about how she used to be fat, but I can't even finish this book. It's extremely obvious that Jenn McKinlay believes that Fat is the worst thing you can be, because it's written all over her main character. She tries to say she's past being the girl she used to be, but she's brought it up in just about every book multiple times, bemoaning how her fiance couldn't possibly have loved her when she was Fat. I'm disappointed in this series now and also disappointed in the author
June 17, 2019
I love this series! One of my favorite cozy mystery series. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
August 28, 2019
"Squeee!"
Mel, Angie and Tate are invited to their fifteen year class reunion. The bakery has been asked to make the cupcakes. Mel doesn't want to have anything to do with the event. She was bullied in school and has no interest in revisiting the past. Cassidy Havers-Griffin, the classic mean girl, attacks Mel almost as soon as she steps foot into the venue. Mel becomes the prime suspect when she discovers Cassidy dead in the ladies room.
I love the relationship that Mel, Angie and Tate share. I love that they always have each others back no matter what. Then throw Joe into the mix and I am a happy camper.
I felt so terrible for the abuse that Mel lived through in school. To have it shoved in her face at the reunion was enough to make anyone go ballistic. We learn quite a bit about the mean girl's hold over her set of friends. it's just sad that such cliques exist.
I missed seeing the DeLaura brothers and Joyce in this book. They always add a bit of fun to the storyline.
The bakery is heaven. I could spend my days there playing movie trivia with the gang. Oz and Marty have grown as characters and I look forward to seeing them manning the cupcakes.
The recipes always get my attention. I think I might even come to like fondant if is was made like Mel's recipe.
A fun series that keeps me coming back for more. I highly recommend it.
Mel, Angie and Tate are invited to their fifteen year class reunion. The bakery has been asked to make the cupcakes. Mel doesn't want to have anything to do with the event. She was bullied in school and has no interest in revisiting the past. Cassidy Havers-Griffin, the classic mean girl, attacks Mel almost as soon as she steps foot into the venue. Mel becomes the prime suspect when she discovers Cassidy dead in the ladies room.
I love the relationship that Mel, Angie and Tate share. I love that they always have each others back no matter what. Then throw Joe into the mix and I am a happy camper.
I felt so terrible for the abuse that Mel lived through in school. To have it shoved in her face at the reunion was enough to make anyone go ballistic. We learn quite a bit about the mean girl's hold over her set of friends. it's just sad that such cliques exist.
I missed seeing the DeLaura brothers and Joyce in this book. They always add a bit of fun to the storyline.
The bakery is heaven. I could spend my days there playing movie trivia with the gang. Oz and Marty have grown as characters and I look forward to seeing them manning the cupcakes.
The recipes always get my attention. I think I might even come to like fondant if is was made like Mel's recipe.
A fun series that keeps me coming back for more. I highly recommend it.
March 5, 2023
One of my favorite books from this series! I love the class reunion setting. It was so much fun to learn what Mel was like in high school and how much she has grown as a person. I really enjoyed the mystery - definitely didn't see the ending coming!
June 14, 2019
Another winner from Jen! Great mystery with a lot of humor which makes it a pretty perfect read for me. Can’t wait for my next visit with Mel, Angie and the rest of the gang!
May 21, 2019
Mel Cooper thought she’d moved beyond the bullying she suffered in high school. Her life is going great - she’s engaged to the love of her life, Joe DeLaura; her two bbfs, Angie DeLaura and Tate Harper, are freshly married, and the trio’s cupcake bakery business is thriving; and her mom has a boyfriend … But an invitation to her 15-year high school reunion puts her right back in that place of torment and misery. She doesn’t want to go, but Angie convinces her it would be good for their business, and good for her to stand up to the mean girl. When that chief tormentor winds up dead, clutching a Fairy Tale Cupcake in her hand, Mel becomes Suspect No. 1. Mel usually uses her sleuthing skills to help others, but this time she has to help herself.
The last entry in this series was just ok for me, and I was worried the author was getting tired of writing about Mel, Joe, Angie, and Tate. This one, however, had all the things I liked – the banter between the characters, especially the use of movie quotes; cupcake descriptions that made me hungry; a mystery that held my interest; and some surprising turns in relationships between the characters. I really liked how Mel was able to stand up to her bully, and see the value in herself. By now, Mel and the rest seem like friends to me, and I want the best for them. This story held my interest all the way through. It felt like the author was re-energized about these characters, and there was a high degree of fun and entertainment.
I heartily recommend this series. I think they are best read in order, because one builds on the next (although you could read them out of order, as the author provides enough backstory in a smooth way to not make people feel left out). And, each book comes with cupcake recipes at the end. I know what I’ll be doing this weekend, making Cinnamon Sinners Cupcakes.
The last entry in this series was just ok for me, and I was worried the author was getting tired of writing about Mel, Joe, Angie, and Tate. This one, however, had all the things I liked – the banter between the characters, especially the use of movie quotes; cupcake descriptions that made me hungry; a mystery that held my interest; and some surprising turns in relationships between the characters. I really liked how Mel was able to stand up to her bully, and see the value in herself. By now, Mel and the rest seem like friends to me, and I want the best for them. This story held my interest all the way through. It felt like the author was re-energized about these characters, and there was a high degree of fun and entertainment.
I heartily recommend this series. I think they are best read in order, because one builds on the next (although you could read them out of order, as the author provides enough backstory in a smooth way to not make people feel left out). And, each book comes with cupcake recipes at the end. I know what I’ll be doing this weekend, making Cinnamon Sinners Cupcakes.
June 14, 2019
DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD, the eleventh book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, by Jenn McKinlay, is another fun addition to an entertaining series! The three long-term friends, who banded together during the tumultuous years during high school, have created a successful chain of cupcake bakeries called Fairy Tale Cupcakes. I greatly admire the strong bond between Mel (Melanie), Angie, and Tate and how they have strengthened their friendship throughout the years. It’s been fun watching them evolve throughout the series while the author inserts lots of laugh out loud humorous moments. In DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD, Ms. McKinlay recreates the angst of bullying in high school when the committee planning their fifteen class reunion asks Mel and Angie to design and provide a huge order of cupcakes for the party. Mel, a victim of bullying, is adamant that they aren’t going to do it and she will not attend their reunion. Angie, on the other hand, has her own plans and she creatively changes Mel’s mind through joining forces with their bakery’s nemesis.
While murder is never good, it’s a little more palatable when a truly awful person is the victim. Such was the case in this newest release. A bully that tormented Mel all through high school and hasn’t grown out of that bullying, is found murdered in the ladies’ room. Unfortunately it’s Mel that finds the victim. Ms. McKinley weaves clues into a tightly plotted tale of angst, ambition, and acceptance. There are many suspects (because there’s almost no one who didn’t hate the victim) but still the author manages to bring some twists and turns to surprise the reader. With a heartwarming ending, this reader is looking forward to the next book in this series.
Fairy Tale Cupcakes serves an amazing assortment of delectable cupcakes! Ms. McKinlay offers several delicious recipes at the back of the book and they all sound mouthwatering.
While murder is never good, it’s a little more palatable when a truly awful person is the victim. Such was the case in this newest release. A bully that tormented Mel all through high school and hasn’t grown out of that bullying, is found murdered in the ladies’ room. Unfortunately it’s Mel that finds the victim. Ms. McKinley weaves clues into a tightly plotted tale of angst, ambition, and acceptance. There are many suspects (because there’s almost no one who didn’t hate the victim) but still the author manages to bring some twists and turns to surprise the reader. With a heartwarming ending, this reader is looking forward to the next book in this series.
Fairy Tale Cupcakes serves an amazing assortment of delectable cupcakes! Ms. McKinlay offers several delicious recipes at the back of the book and they all sound mouthwatering.
April 30, 2020
My fave in this cozy cupcake bakery series. It takes us back to high school drama days, because the girls are baking cupcakes to their own high school reunion. The girl who bullied Mel is found murdered in the restroom. Old high school traumas are back on the table, and many secrets are revealed. I love Jenn McKinlay!
December 17, 2021
To be honest, when I started this series I was lukewarm about it. It's still not one of my fave's but this many books into the series, I'm knee-deep in my enjoyment of them.
I like the characters.
Mel & Angie had their high school reunion. That event can suck at the best of times, but of course, Mel's teen arch enemy was murdered and she's the prime suspect.
A good mystery as there were plenty of suspects b/c of course, the victim wasn't nice.
Mel & the gang investigate as per usual.
Lots of humor!!
And as someone who was also bullied in school, good for her for coming to terms w/her teen years & realizing the truth of her self-worth.
I like the characters.
Mel & Angie had their high school reunion. That event can suck at the best of times, but of course, Mel's teen arch enemy was murdered and she's the prime suspect.
A good mystery as there were plenty of suspects b/c of course, the victim wasn't nice.
Mel & the gang investigate as per usual.
Lots of humor!!
And as someone who was also bullied in school, good for her for coming to terms w/her teen years & realizing the truth of her self-worth.
October 6, 2024
Seeing both Tate & Joe get to go on a sleuthy excursion with Mel was soo fun! 🥹
August 14, 2023
I do like reading cozy mysteries and Dying for Devil’s Food had a nice little whodunit that was not entirely predictable with plenty of twists and turns. I did find the relationships between the characters, both of friendship and romantic in nature, to be sweet and there were many humorous moments that had me laughing out loud. Unfortunately, I wasn’t really the biggest fan of the amount of drama that was packed into this story, especially because it felt a lot like high school drama. For some readers this would be quite entertaining, especially because the story itself was written very well, but for me it was just too much. Overall though, Dying for Devil’s Food was a quirky mystery that had a fast pace and some surprising reveals. It is also book that I would recommend to lovers of cozy mysteries.
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from Berkley Prime Crime. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from Berkley Prime Crime. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
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