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Great Witches Baking Show #4
A Bundt Instrument
A cozy English village, a baking contest...and Murder!
I can remember a time when I baked for fun. I loved dreaming up new recipes, trying different combinations of flavors. Sharing my creations with friends and family.
Now? I have nightmares where the TV cameras are on me and I’m baking naked. Or I open my oven and my cake pans are empty. You don’t need to be Freud to figure out I’m freaking out. This week on The Great British Baking Contest could be my last. I am one bad bake away from being waved good-bye.
Sure, I’d get my weekends back, but I’d lose the excitement of being part of a popular reality show, of spending time with the other bakers who’ve become my friends, and, most important, of having time to snoop around Broomewode Hall for secrets about my origins.
When a heated argument breaks out in Broomewode village pub, I put it down to nerves. Until someone winds up dead.
How am I supposed to concentrate on European Bakes when I’m in the middle of a murder investigation?
With witches, ghosts, an energy vortex, a black cat and an ancient manor house that holds its secrets tight, this isn't your typical English village.
Taste this culinary cozy mystery series from USA Today Bestselling author Nancy Warren. Each book is a stand-alone mystery, though the books are linked. They offer good, clean fun, and, naturally, recipes.
"Fantastic series full of loveable characters."
I can remember a time when I baked for fun. I loved dreaming up new recipes, trying different combinations of flavors. Sharing my creations with friends and family.
Now? I have nightmares where the TV cameras are on me and I’m baking naked. Or I open my oven and my cake pans are empty. You don’t need to be Freud to figure out I’m freaking out. This week on The Great British Baking Contest could be my last. I am one bad bake away from being waved good-bye.
Sure, I’d get my weekends back, but I’d lose the excitement of being part of a popular reality show, of spending time with the other bakers who’ve become my friends, and, most important, of having time to snoop around Broomewode Hall for secrets about my origins.
When a heated argument breaks out in Broomewode village pub, I put it down to nerves. Until someone winds up dead.
How am I supposed to concentrate on European Bakes when I’m in the middle of a murder investigation?
With witches, ghosts, an energy vortex, a black cat and an ancient manor house that holds its secrets tight, this isn't your typical English village.
Taste this culinary cozy mystery series from USA Today Bestselling author Nancy Warren. Each book is a stand-alone mystery, though the books are linked. They offer good, clean fun, and, naturally, recipes.
"Fantastic series full of loveable characters."
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 12, 2020
338 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
358 books1,882 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 18, 2020
Outstanding addition to the Great Witches Baking Show series! The characters just keep getting better and better as each week of the competition gets tougher on them! The core character's personalities are becoming very pronounced and hints of some surprises there in the future to come! In this book, Poppy is once again on the hunt for a murderer and the puzzle pieces just aren't fitting together quite right. She needs to hurry her hunt along or she may end up getting chopped from the show by not having her focus in the right spot! If you like the Great British Bake Show then you'll love this series, so get started and start enjoying!
November 26, 2024
I love how each book coincides with an episode of the baking show competition. It was fun watching Poppy juggle competing in the competition, her commitment to make a wedding cake (that week), and then help solve a murder. Gerry's antics are always a delight and I'm looking forward to the next book.
August 14, 2021
Everything Is heating up in this series, the baking contest, poppy's witchy powers, the murder mysteries and the biggest mystery of all, who is poppy's family.
I absolutely love the characters in these books .
I absolutely love the characters in these books .
February 27, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up
This was delightfully delicious fun.
I liked the wedding theme added to the baking competition.
What a fun book.
This was delightfully delicious fun.
I liked the wedding theme added to the baking competition.
What a fun book.
March 28, 2021
A BUNDT INSTRUMENT by Nancy Warren
The Fourth Great Witches Baking Show Mystery
Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson knows that she has to keep her nose to the grindstone if she wants to remain in the Great British Baking Contest after last week's lackluster performance. But when she's asked to make the cake for a wedding the day before the competition resumes, she can't say no. One reason is that the maid of honor simply won't take no for an answer, the other is that the wedding is at Broomewode Hall. Hoping to increase her business as well as delve into her heritage, Poppy is taken aback when once more murder descends on the Hall. Could the murderer be a member of the wedding party? Or could Poppy's newfound powers be somehow to blame? Will Poppy be able to focus on her bakes with a murderer on the loose? She'd better, or this week might be her last!
I'm delighted to be back under the tent with Poppy, although this time out a lot of the action happens before the words "ready, set, bake" are heard. I enjoyed having a whole set of new characters for the murder to revolve around. We meet a seemingly lovely wedding party. Seemingly is the appropriate word, however, as one of them is surely the murderer. The maid of honor is a bit of a maidzilla, if you will, and the brother of the bride seems a surly sot, but in general everyone seems delightful. I enjoyed following Poppy as she tried to figure out who wanted to ruin what was looking to be a perfect wedding day.
I love how Poppy and her baking contestant friends combine a bit of sleuthing along with their bakes and how Elspeth is there to remind them of their primary responsibility-a perfect bake. I especially enjoy ghostly Gerry getting in on the sleuthing action as well. The book does an exemplary job of properly combining all of its ingredients: the murder, the baking competition, Poppy's search for her heritage, and the budding of Poppy's magicakal abilities. They meld together in a perfect marriage, unlike the book's unlucky couple.
A BUNDT INSTRUMENT is a scrumptious mystery filled with good friends and great bakes. There's also a glimmer of a possible romance on the horizon. So grab a cuppa along with a slice of bundt cake and sit back for a wonderful read.
Recipe Included
The Fourth Great Witches Baking Show Mystery
Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson knows that she has to keep her nose to the grindstone if she wants to remain in the Great British Baking Contest after last week's lackluster performance. But when she's asked to make the cake for a wedding the day before the competition resumes, she can't say no. One reason is that the maid of honor simply won't take no for an answer, the other is that the wedding is at Broomewode Hall. Hoping to increase her business as well as delve into her heritage, Poppy is taken aback when once more murder descends on the Hall. Could the murderer be a member of the wedding party? Or could Poppy's newfound powers be somehow to blame? Will Poppy be able to focus on her bakes with a murderer on the loose? She'd better, or this week might be her last!
I'm delighted to be back under the tent with Poppy, although this time out a lot of the action happens before the words "ready, set, bake" are heard. I enjoyed having a whole set of new characters for the murder to revolve around. We meet a seemingly lovely wedding party. Seemingly is the appropriate word, however, as one of them is surely the murderer. The maid of honor is a bit of a maidzilla, if you will, and the brother of the bride seems a surly sot, but in general everyone seems delightful. I enjoyed following Poppy as she tried to figure out who wanted to ruin what was looking to be a perfect wedding day.
I love how Poppy and her baking contestant friends combine a bit of sleuthing along with their bakes and how Elspeth is there to remind them of their primary responsibility-a perfect bake. I especially enjoy ghostly Gerry getting in on the sleuthing action as well. The book does an exemplary job of properly combining all of its ingredients: the murder, the baking competition, Poppy's search for her heritage, and the budding of Poppy's magicakal abilities. They meld together in a perfect marriage, unlike the book's unlucky couple.
A BUNDT INSTRUMENT is a scrumptious mystery filled with good friends and great bakes. There's also a glimmer of a possible romance on the horizon. So grab a cuppa along with a slice of bundt cake and sit back for a wonderful read.
Recipe Included
August 9, 2020
"No man should come between friends, the bond was too precious"
With each week, Poppy Wilkinson is gaining confidence as she continues her run on "The Great British Baking Contest", as well as her amatuer sleuthing skills. Then she gets a call to make a wedding cake from a fan of the show, and since the wedding is scheduled at Broomewode Hall , a place not only the site for the show's taping, but one that might hold the key to her own mystery, she agrees to take on the extra challenge, only to have the wedding never happen!
Was it something she did? Will she get farther in the Contest? Will Poppy's "bakers street irregulars" help solve this case? And who will go home this week on the show? Along with a lovely recipe, author Nancy Warren brings us along on another installment of this delightful series, and includes Poppy's recipe in the back! Highly Recommended. 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
With each week, Poppy Wilkinson is gaining confidence as she continues her run on "The Great British Baking Contest", as well as her amatuer sleuthing skills. Then she gets a call to make a wedding cake from a fan of the show, and since the wedding is scheduled at Broomewode Hall , a place not only the site for the show's taping, but one that might hold the key to her own mystery, she agrees to take on the extra challenge, only to have the wedding never happen!
Was it something she did? Will she get farther in the Contest? Will Poppy's "bakers street irregulars" help solve this case? And who will go home this week on the show? Along with a lovely recipe, author Nancy Warren brings us along on another installment of this delightful series, and includes Poppy's recipe in the back! Highly Recommended. 5/5
[disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
August 26, 2020
This series is so awesome, I love the regular characters and how they interact with each other, as each new book comes out we learn more and more about the main character. I can’t wait for the next book in the series .
July 15, 2022
An interesting addition to the series! More on the characters in this book and less on the mysterious background of the main character. I'm looking forward to diving into book 5.
August 4, 2022
Ehhh it was kinda boring
November 5, 2024
Poppy copes with the stress of the Bake Off, solves a murder, and comes one step closer to finding out who her birth parents are. Read this series as close to "in order" as possible.
The audio version of this series is nicely performed by Hollis McCarthy.
The audio version of this series is nicely performed by Hollis McCarthy.
February 20, 2022
4.5 stars - Poppy solves another murder & is named baker of the round. This is another great series by a fantastic author
August 14, 2020
This series has kept me wanting more and more of the story as one by one, the contestants stand or fall by their bakes. And I can't even cook, let alone bake! Nancy Warren does a sterling job of building mystery into an already dramatic theme of a baking show with murder as the icing on the cake. We care about the characters and what happens to them.
Poppy has made it to the next round of competition on The Great British Baking Contest but just barely. After involvement in a murder and just scraping by the last round, she really needs to buckle down and pull out a win. The European Bakes round sees Poppy deciding on a German Bundt cake. However, a call from the pushy Maid of Honour of a Broomwode girl, Lauren, hooks Poppy into her first commercial order, a lavender and lemon wedding cake. The money is just too good to be true. Once back in Broomwode, everything seems to be just about perfect at The Orangery venue. Except it isn't. With a murder by a Cupid statue the day of the wedding & the baking competition set to start the following day, Poppy wonders if a new-found witch power she has may have contributed to the groom's demise. Between needing a good bake showing and easing her conscience, will Poppy move forward on the show or into a jail cell? Can she add to her knowledge of the enigmatic Valerie, her possible mum? With her competitor friends helping suss out clues, it's all or nothing for Poppy
Poppy has made it to the next round of competition on The Great British Baking Contest but just barely. After involvement in a murder and just scraping by the last round, she really needs to buckle down and pull out a win. The European Bakes round sees Poppy deciding on a German Bundt cake. However, a call from the pushy Maid of Honour of a Broomwode girl, Lauren, hooks Poppy into her first commercial order, a lavender and lemon wedding cake. The money is just too good to be true. Once back in Broomwode, everything seems to be just about perfect at The Orangery venue. Except it isn't. With a murder by a Cupid statue the day of the wedding & the baking competition set to start the following day, Poppy wonders if a new-found witch power she has may have contributed to the groom's demise. Between needing a good bake showing and easing her conscience, will Poppy move forward on the show or into a jail cell? Can she add to her knowledge of the enigmatic Valerie, her possible mum? With her competitor friends helping suss out clues, it's all or nothing for Poppy
August 18, 2020
Wedding Cakes and Blessed Be the Bakes
It's the fourth week of the Great British Baking Competition, and Poppy, amateur sleuth, novice water witch and talented baker, has been tasked by a matron of honour to bake an emergency wedding cake for an upcoming wedding at Broomwode Hall.
Frightened of the task but conscious it's a great opportunity, she makes a wonderful concoction, you can almost taste on the page, and delivers it to the expectant bridal party.
Amidst the wedding and numerous guests, the baking competition itself, plus her ulterior motive of finding her birth parents, Poppy is a busy bee, never mind she has to contend with ghost Gerry and another dead body turning up at the venue.
This one was very good fun, and I particularly like the Cupid ritual, the amazing baked goods we learn about through the competition, and the growing friendship between all of the bakers and the residents of the village.
The mystery surrounding Broomwode Hall is starting to be uncovered and I actually quite like The Lord of Broomwode as a potential suitor for Poppy. I just hope he's not her long lost brother!
At the same time, the young police officer is a great match too, so it keeps the reader guessing.
Gateau, the small kitten familiar is cute, and superior as you'd expect with a cat, and the whole thing is a perfect blend of soft, sweet yet strong ingredients to make a cute, cosy paranormal mystery novel.
It's the fourth week of the Great British Baking Competition, and Poppy, amateur sleuth, novice water witch and talented baker, has been tasked by a matron of honour to bake an emergency wedding cake for an upcoming wedding at Broomwode Hall.
Frightened of the task but conscious it's a great opportunity, she makes a wonderful concoction, you can almost taste on the page, and delivers it to the expectant bridal party.
Amidst the wedding and numerous guests, the baking competition itself, plus her ulterior motive of finding her birth parents, Poppy is a busy bee, never mind she has to contend with ghost Gerry and another dead body turning up at the venue.
This one was very good fun, and I particularly like the Cupid ritual, the amazing baked goods we learn about through the competition, and the growing friendship between all of the bakers and the residents of the village.
The mystery surrounding Broomwode Hall is starting to be uncovered and I actually quite like The Lord of Broomwode as a potential suitor for Poppy. I just hope he's not her long lost brother!
At the same time, the young police officer is a great match too, so it keeps the reader guessing.
Gateau, the small kitten familiar is cute, and superior as you'd expect with a cat, and the whole thing is a perfect blend of soft, sweet yet strong ingredients to make a cute, cosy paranormal mystery novel.
December 30, 2021
If you read my highlights and notes, you’ll think I didn’t like the book, and wonder why I gave it 4 stars. The book has its issues, but the baking contest aspect of it has me completely hooked! It’s giving me my Bake-off fix in between seasons.
November 20, 2024
This is my second time listening to the audiobooks of this series and it is such a cosy yet engaging mystery series. Combining the best parts of Bake Off tv, with magic and characters meeting unfortunate circumstances, this is a perfect comfort read.
January 11, 2022
The pacing of this installment in the series was paced a little differently and I really enjoyed it. This series is just a warm blanket on a cold day for me.
February 8, 2021
This is another greatly entertaining book in the series. The main character, Poppy Wilkinson, is a contestant on The Great British Baking Show. In addition to her expertise as a baker, she is also a great amateur sleuth, which she discovered after finding a corpse during the first week of filming.
Now, she is afraid that she might be reaching the end of her time on the show after a disastrous week of baking, mostly due to finding yet another dead body. She is determined to stay on the show so that she can have more time to try to discover anything about her birth mother who seems to have connections to the venue of the show.
When Poppy is approached by a woman to bake a wedding cake for her best friend, Poppy knows that she needs to concentrate on the Show. However, she takes on the job, both to earn some extra money and gain more access to Broomwolde Hall and clues to her past.
Of course, our amateur detective becomes involved in yet another murder, but this time her fellow contestants pitch in to help solve the mystery. Add in the fact that Poppy has just discovered that she is a witch and she sees and talks to ghosts and you have the makings of a fun story.
If you enjoy watching baking shows, cozy mysteries involving likeable characters, a little magic and a few ghosts, you will enjoy this entertaining book. The narrator does a fantastic job and her pacing and character voices add a lot to an already great read. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author and chose to review it.
Now, she is afraid that she might be reaching the end of her time on the show after a disastrous week of baking, mostly due to finding yet another dead body. She is determined to stay on the show so that she can have more time to try to discover anything about her birth mother who seems to have connections to the venue of the show.
When Poppy is approached by a woman to bake a wedding cake for her best friend, Poppy knows that she needs to concentrate on the Show. However, she takes on the job, both to earn some extra money and gain more access to Broomwolde Hall and clues to her past.
Of course, our amateur detective becomes involved in yet another murder, but this time her fellow contestants pitch in to help solve the mystery. Add in the fact that Poppy has just discovered that she is a witch and she sees and talks to ghosts and you have the makings of a fun story.
If you enjoy watching baking shows, cozy mysteries involving likeable characters, a little magic and a few ghosts, you will enjoy this entertaining book. The narrator does a fantastic job and her pacing and character voices add a lot to an already great read. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author and chose to review it.
May 23, 2021
Wedding woes
When Poppy receives a phone call from a desperate matron of honour requesting she bake a wedding cake for her best friends wedding on Friday Poppy isn't keen but Jessica won't take no for an answer and when she sweetens the deal with an offer of £700 Poppy finally agrees even though it will take up much of her practice time.
Returning early with the beautiful cake all she needs to do to finish it off is decorate it with fresh flowers so now she's free to catch up with her reading preparation for the baking show. But the inn is overrun with guests from both sides and the night before she's drawn into the groom's last night of freedom celebration.. there's plenty of tension gathering, the bride's brother seems to be angry with the groom, the groom is having very serious conversation with one of the ushers, his father is busily trying to get everyone drunk, and the best man and his wife seem to be at odds with one another.
Poppy heads up to do her finishing touches and watches as her cake is carried into the orangery only to hear a simultaneous scream and crash.. the groom is lying in a puddle of his own blood and nothing can be done to save him.. it's too late. So Poppy is once again trying to balance baking under pressure while puzzling over the murder case.
Will she once again manage to see through the lies and deceit to find a killer with the help of the other bakers and Gerry?
When Poppy receives a phone call from a desperate matron of honour requesting she bake a wedding cake for her best friends wedding on Friday Poppy isn't keen but Jessica won't take no for an answer and when she sweetens the deal with an offer of £700 Poppy finally agrees even though it will take up much of her practice time.
Returning early with the beautiful cake all she needs to do to finish it off is decorate it with fresh flowers so now she's free to catch up with her reading preparation for the baking show. But the inn is overrun with guests from both sides and the night before she's drawn into the groom's last night of freedom celebration.. there's plenty of tension gathering, the bride's brother seems to be angry with the groom, the groom is having very serious conversation with one of the ushers, his father is busily trying to get everyone drunk, and the best man and his wife seem to be at odds with one another.
Poppy heads up to do her finishing touches and watches as her cake is carried into the orangery only to hear a simultaneous scream and crash.. the groom is lying in a puddle of his own blood and nothing can be done to save him.. it's too late. So Poppy is once again trying to balance baking under pressure while puzzling over the murder case.
Will she once again manage to see through the lies and deceit to find a killer with the help of the other bakers and Gerry?
August 12, 2020
Poppy is growing as a baker and a sleuth in A Bundt Instrument (Great Witches Baking Show #4) by Nancy Warren. Though she would like to make more headway into the background of her family origins that is going much slower. Also I could feel her anxieties over the weekend -bake-offs hitting her in full force. It is such pressure being part of this bake-off. I’m sure that this is how the contestants feel in reality. Also for Poppy staying in the competition is tied to her being able to search for the family information. So in a way the mysteries are a helpful distraction for Poppy. Plus she is getting rather good at solving them with her new acquaintances.
The above sounds more like a pep talk for Poppy then a review. Perhaps it is because I just love this young woman who loves to bake while also needing to find the missing part of her identity. The characters feel completely real with me wanting to help Poppy along. Then the Broomewode Hall setting is so vivid written. In this wonderful addition to the series there are others who face disappointment far bigger then losing the baking competition. All of this is told with a bit of grace, a bit of mystery and a strong plot.
4.5 Stars
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The above sounds more like a pep talk for Poppy then a review. Perhaps it is because I just love this young woman who loves to bake while also needing to find the missing part of her identity. The characters feel completely real with me wanting to help Poppy along. Then the Broomewode Hall setting is so vivid written. In this wonderful addition to the series there are others who face disappointment far bigger then losing the baking competition. All of this is told with a bit of grace, a bit of mystery and a strong plot.
4.5 Stars
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 11, 2020
5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
Another lovely, enjoyable cozy mystery
I think this cozy witch mystery series is completely enjoyable, and each new novel adds a new enriching layer to the story. It is so fun to get lost in another week in Poppy's life as she completes in the fourth round of a famous British TV baking competition, searches for clues to her birth mother's identity, learns a little bit more about her own witchy talents, and solves a new murder. Poppy’s busy life, her scrumptious baking, and her cozy friends take me away from my life and put a smile on my face. The murder mystery in this one was really good, and it stumped me. There was a marvelous climax and fantastic tension.
As always, the narrator Hollis McCarthy gave an absolutely perfect performance. I love her alto voice and her wizardry with so many accents. She is marvelous at both male and female voices.
I heartily recommend this series in audiobook to everyone who likes cozy paranormal mysteries. Nancy Warren is such a talented writer and has the perfect narrator to perform her work. It is best to read the series in order.
I requested and received a free copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Another lovely, enjoyable cozy mystery
I think this cozy witch mystery series is completely enjoyable, and each new novel adds a new enriching layer to the story. It is so fun to get lost in another week in Poppy's life as she completes in the fourth round of a famous British TV baking competition, searches for clues to her birth mother's identity, learns a little bit more about her own witchy talents, and solves a new murder. Poppy’s busy life, her scrumptious baking, and her cozy friends take me away from my life and put a smile on my face. The murder mystery in this one was really good, and it stumped me. There was a marvelous climax and fantastic tension.
As always, the narrator Hollis McCarthy gave an absolutely perfect performance. I love her alto voice and her wizardry with so many accents. She is marvelous at both male and female voices.
I heartily recommend this series in audiobook to everyone who likes cozy paranormal mysteries. Nancy Warren is such a talented writer and has the perfect narrator to perform her work. It is best to read the series in order.
I requested and received a free copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
January 23, 2023
I would very much like it if Lucy and Poppy would meet and become very good friends. I know they would get along just right, almost sister like even.
The fourth book in the series brings traditional European cakes, a murder by Cupid and the ever present ghost sidekick. It is so nice to watch Poppy grow, both as a witch and as a baker. She is a delightful character, growing before the reader's eyes. It is refreshing to see that, even if she is a natural witch, these things to not come easy to her. Poppy has to learn how to handle her powers just as a baker learns to master a recipe. The cast of characters is interesting as well, but there are moments when they seem to blend into each other, or become defined by their jobs or heritage. Fortunately, these moments are so small that you get over them quite fast.
I also very much appreciate how each book title is a quite murder + baking pun. It gives this series the extra flare it needs. It was also what attracted me firstly to The Vampire Knitting Club and now to Great Witches Baking Show.
The fourth book in the series brings traditional European cakes, a murder by Cupid and the ever present ghost sidekick. It is so nice to watch Poppy grow, both as a witch and as a baker. She is a delightful character, growing before the reader's eyes. It is refreshing to see that, even if she is a natural witch, these things to not come easy to her. Poppy has to learn how to handle her powers just as a baker learns to master a recipe. The cast of characters is interesting as well, but there are moments when they seem to blend into each other, or become defined by their jobs or heritage. Fortunately, these moments are so small that you get over them quite fast.
I also very much appreciate how each book title is a quite murder + baking pun. It gives this series the extra flare it needs. It was also what attracted me firstly to The Vampire Knitting Club and now to Great Witches Baking Show.
August 13, 2020
Nancy Warren has fast become one of my favorite authors and this new book is no exception.
The Bake Off series is fresh and entertaining.
The characters are like-able and not overly complicated. I enjoy that fact that Ms. Warren doesn't repeat herself too much. There is an actual story to fill the pages and not just old stuff rehashed from previous books like so many other authors do.
The main character Poppy is not forced into situations that do not make any sense. Her being a part of the investigation is organic and flows easily within the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys supernatural cozies and to those who don't usually read them.
I enjoy this series and Ms. Warrens others so much that I put reminders of release dates on my calendar .
So i say read this book and get hooked like so many others including myself.
I received and copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
The Bake Off series is fresh and entertaining.
The characters are like-able and not overly complicated. I enjoy that fact that Ms. Warren doesn't repeat herself too much. There is an actual story to fill the pages and not just old stuff rehashed from previous books like so many other authors do.
The main character Poppy is not forced into situations that do not make any sense. Her being a part of the investigation is organic and flows easily within the story.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys supernatural cozies and to those who don't usually read them.
I enjoy this series and Ms. Warrens others so much that I put reminders of release dates on my calendar .
So i say read this book and get hooked like so many others including myself.
I received and copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.
August 25, 2020
A Bundt Instrument by Nancy Warren
The Great Witches Baking Show Series Book Four
Poppy Wilkinson is preparing for another taping of the baking show when she gets a call asking her to bake a wedding cake. She really didn't have the time but managed to say yes. When all was done and said, it was a beautiful cake, and her pride had her anxious for the wedding guests to enjoy it.
As with each previous week since she started in the show here in Broomwolde...there was a death. Poppy wasn't the one to find the body...she was the second person. What haunted her most was, could she be the murderer? After all, she'd been using her magic in a new way, and maybe it got away on her.
A cozy mystery of a witch who sees ghosts...including Gerry, the first person who died, during the first show. And every week...there he is waiting for her. After all, no one else can see him.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
The Great Witches Baking Show Series Book Four
Poppy Wilkinson is preparing for another taping of the baking show when she gets a call asking her to bake a wedding cake. She really didn't have the time but managed to say yes. When all was done and said, it was a beautiful cake, and her pride had her anxious for the wedding guests to enjoy it.
As with each previous week since she started in the show here in Broomwolde...there was a death. Poppy wasn't the one to find the body...she was the second person. What haunted her most was, could she be the murderer? After all, she'd been using her magic in a new way, and maybe it got away on her.
A cozy mystery of a witch who sees ghosts...including Gerry, the first person who died, during the first show. And every week...there he is waiting for her. After all, no one else can see him.
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April 9, 2021
Another enjoyable book in the series. A wedding is taking place at Broomwode Hall and Poppy is asked to make the wedding cake. When one of the wedding party is murdered Poppy is once again involved in solving the crime. Most of the remaining baking contestants are involved in helping her find the culprit. There were several likely suspects but I figured out whodunit before it was revealed. I just hadn't figured out the motive. The timeline was off. Everyone kept referring to the murder as occurring "last night'(Saturday) when it actually happened the night before. This made finding the evidence proving the murder problematic as it would have already been destroyed. Poppy is no closer to finding her birth mother. The portrait is missing from Broomewode Hall and everyone who might know anything is warning her to quit looking. Even her visions are telling her to stop. I read this through KU.
August 10, 2020
I love this series. I relate to it even more after seeing the actual show on PBS. Everything that Ms. Warren writes is fantastic. I always thoroughly enjoy what I read. I especially get excited when I get a new one to read. Keep up the phenomenal work!!!!
Poppy still trying to do too much. Her baking for the show, now baking a wedding cake, and then having to help solve the murder. She is still learning what she can do as a witch, although Gerry teaches her a new trick.
Is that trick responsible for the death? How much can she learn about her parents? Is the cupid statue going to help her find love? All answers are in the reading. Now go read it four yourself!
Fun, easy to read, thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Could be read by itself but catch up with previous books to further enjoy.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book
Poppy still trying to do too much. Her baking for the show, now baking a wedding cake, and then having to help solve the murder. She is still learning what she can do as a witch, although Gerry teaches her a new trick.
Is that trick responsible for the death? How much can she learn about her parents? Is the cupid statue going to help her find love? All answers are in the reading. Now go read it four yourself!
Fun, easy to read, thoroughly enjoyable mystery. Could be read by itself but catch up with previous books to further enjoy.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book
August 12, 2020
This series almost makes me want to try baking, lol! This is book 4 in the Great Witches Baking Show series by Nancy Warren, the series is most fun if read from the beginning, watching Poppy and the other characters develop. Each book in the series contains its own cozy murder mystery (along with a great recipe for one of Poppy’s baking creations!) and there is an overarching mystery of who Poppy’s parents are and how they relate to Broomewode Hall. Each book sees Poppy developing her witchy powers a bit more.
A Bundt Instrument is a fourth fun addition to the series, with old characters and new. The murder mystery revolves around a wedding at Broomewode for which Poppy has been hired to bake the wedding cake.
I highly recommend this series, along with the Vampire Knitting Club and Vampire Reading Club series also written by Nancy, all are well written, fun and enjoyable!
A Bundt Instrument is a fourth fun addition to the series, with old characters and new. The murder mystery revolves around a wedding at Broomewode for which Poppy has been hired to bake the wedding cake.
I highly recommend this series, along with the Vampire Knitting Club and Vampire Reading Club series also written by Nancy, all are well written, fun and enjoyable!
December 23, 2024
another "episode of the great british bake off" the murder this week happens off set. She's been asked to make a cake for a wedding happening nearby. She agrees even though she is close to being eliminated from the show with under performing week. She is also still on the hunt for her birth parents
.
You need to read the books in order because the over arching mystery of "who are her birth parents" and "who wins the competition" will not matter to you if you don't and those are enjoyable aspects of this series
The spoiler, who did it:
.
You need to read the books in order because the over arching mystery of "who are her birth parents" and "who wins the competition" will not matter to you if you don't and those are enjoyable aspects of this series
The spoiler, who did it:
January 11, 2021
Gerry (or is it Jerry? hard to tell when you use the audio), is becoming a stronger poltergeist. It surprises me that no one, at least in the book, has complained about him yet... Will Poppy and her witch cadre have to perform an exorcism? Why don't they talk about him?
Will Poppy ever find her natural father? Is Poppys' mom dead? It is difficult to have to wait so long for each book, when they usually only take place over a weekend or at least a week at a time. I realize it takes longer than that to write each book, but hey! I can dream.
Poppys' ability to solve crimes, albeit with the help of a poltergeist, with intuition and luck, doesn't go unnoted. How can so many murders occur (weekly!) in such a small community!?
Still await, with bated breath, for the next one...
Will Poppy ever find her natural father? Is Poppys' mom dead? It is difficult to have to wait so long for each book, when they usually only take place over a weekend or at least a week at a time. I realize it takes longer than that to write each book, but hey! I can dream.
Poppys' ability to solve crimes, albeit with the help of a poltergeist, with intuition and luck, doesn't go unnoted. How can so many murders occur (weekly!) in such a small community!?
Still await, with bated breath, for the next one...
September 15, 2021
Well, it is time for another round of baking and Poppy has been at the bottom and needs to up her game. So she works on a bundt cake for most of the week, in hopes she can keep in the competition and keep searching for her mother.
But out of the blue, she gets a call and is persuaded to make a wedding cake. To which she agrees as it means she will have to mingle with the cooking staff from Broomewoode and hopes to find more clues about her mother. But on the day of the wedding, the groom is found dead, killed by a cupid statue. Did Poppy's new telekinesis powers moved the cupid in her sleep and kill the groom? Or was it someone from the wedding party?
Love this book and can't wait to start the next one.
But out of the blue, she gets a call and is persuaded to make a wedding cake. To which she agrees as it means she will have to mingle with the cooking staff from Broomewoode and hopes to find more clues about her mother. But on the day of the wedding, the groom is found dead, killed by a cupid statue. Did Poppy's new telekinesis powers moved the cupid in her sleep and kill the groom? Or was it someone from the wedding party?
Love this book and can't wait to start the next one.
September 15, 2022
Two mysteries to solve while baking.
💖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery / paranormal
💻 KU: Yes
💕 Positives:
* I loved the scene where Poppy and another baker helps out Priscilla. That was so sweet and wholesome.
* Loved Florence's line at the end of the book: "And let that be a lesson to all of us. If you've got murder on your mind, wear the proper clothing". Pg 178
🚫 Negatives: None.
⚡Trigger Warning: None.
🌟 Overall, this book had a larger focus on the mystery of her birth rather than the murder mystery but I enjoyed it. The baking contest was fun to read about and the book gave a few more snippets on her birth parents. While the murder did take a back seat to things, it was pretty quickly solved. Definitely going on to book # 5 next.
💖 Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
📚 Genre: Cozy mystery / paranormal
💻 KU: Yes
💕 Positives:
* I loved the scene where Poppy and another baker helps out Priscilla. That was so sweet and wholesome.
* Loved Florence's line at the end of the book: "And let that be a lesson to all of us. If you've got murder on your mind, wear the proper clothing". Pg 178
🚫 Negatives: None.
⚡Trigger Warning: None.
🌟 Overall, this book had a larger focus on the mystery of her birth rather than the murder mystery but I enjoyed it. The baking contest was fun to read about and the book gave a few more snippets on her birth parents. While the murder did take a back seat to things, it was pretty quickly solved. Definitely going on to book # 5 next.
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