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Beachfront Bakery #5
A Treacherous Tart
Allison Sweet, 34, a sous chef in Los Angeles, has had it up to here with demeaning customers, her demanding boss, and her failed love life. After a shocking incident, she realizes the time has come to start life fresh and follow her lifelong dream of moving to a small town and opening a bakery of her own.
A hot-dog eating contest draws massive crowds and is the perfect boost for Allison’s business—until the hot-dog eating champion ends up dead in her bakery.
Worse: the cops determine he was poisoned.
Allison, guilty by association, has no choice but to solve the murder. And the timing couldn’t be worse: the shop next door is closing and, finally, Allison has her one shot to expand into the bakery of her dreams.
But only if she can clear her name, and solve this murder.
Will Allison and her beloved dog prevail?
A hilarious cozy mystery series, packed with twists, turns, romance, travel, food and unexpected adventure, the BEACHFRONT BAKERY series will keep you laughing and turning pages late into the night as you fall in love with an endearing new character who will capture your heart.
A hot-dog eating contest draws massive crowds and is the perfect boost for Allison’s business—until the hot-dog eating champion ends up dead in her bakery.
Worse: the cops determine he was poisoned.
Allison, guilty by association, has no choice but to solve the murder. And the timing couldn’t be worse: the shop next door is closing and, finally, Allison has her one shot to expand into the bakery of her dreams.
But only if she can clear her name, and solve this murder.
Will Allison and her beloved dog prevail?
A hilarious cozy mystery series, packed with twists, turns, romance, travel, food and unexpected adventure, the BEACHFRONT BAKERY series will keep you laughing and turning pages late into the night as you fall in love with an endearing new character who will capture your heart.
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2021
73 people are currently reading
492 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Grace
489 books725 followersDebut author Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series which includes MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book #1), DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2) and CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3). Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
January 10, 2022
Fiona Grace needs to really THINK about her titles! What do tarts have to do with ANYTHING in this book? Absolutely NOTHING! Other than that, I'm simply finishing the series to find out what happens with Allie and her father. The mystery is simply filler.
December 10, 2021
This is part of one of three series I am reading by the same author. They all have a a woman who is starting over in a new place with a new business. The woman is also trying to find her father who left her family when she was young. And there is usually a pet involved. And then there's a murder and the heroine is under suspicion so she investigates on her own. There are also multiple love interests she is trying to decide between. This one is set in a beachfront community in California. They're all pretty much of a piece, and yet I keep reading them to see what happens to the heroine and if she ever finds her father.
March 18, 2022
Not sure where the tarts come in since the feature of this story is a hot dog eating contest for which Ally bakes the buns. At any rate, a competitor does not make it through the competition, becoming ill and then dying in the backstage area. With a very high level of security, it must be an inside job.
Of course Ally and her friends are the objects of suspicion for Detective Elton, but she is building a closer relationship with Detective Callahan, and so is given a little more room to do some investigation on her own.
Ends with a special visitor...
Of course Ally and her friends are the objects of suspicion for Detective Elton, but she is building a closer relationship with Detective Callahan, and so is given a little more room to do some investigation on her own.
Ends with a special visitor...
March 31, 2023
Love reading this series b/c I can read/not eat calories. This one REALLY tackle the world of eating w/the whole food eating competition. I enjoyed learning more about THAT world. Excited to see where Ali & Det Calihan end of and BIG plot twist at the end sets up #6!
May 23, 2022
Another great mystery with an ending that makes you want the next book!
March 27, 2024
3.5 Stars
The Beachfront Bakery Series by Fiona Grace is another fun cozy mystery series with crime & investigation, suspense, drama, humour, and a whodunnit element.
Allison Sweet (34) is a pastry chef who is fed up with the LA scene, rude customers, her stressful job that comes with a difficult boss, and her bad luck with love. A shocking incident became the catalyst she needed to change her life, and head in a new direction. So, she changes course, moving to the seaside and opening her own bakery. Things take a dramatic turn when a body is discovered close by. Soon, Allison is implicated in it all, and has no choice but to get to the bottom of things and clear her name. Her whole future is riding on the outcome.
Each instalment sees Allison pulled into various mysteries and we get a front row seat to her ‘investigations’.
The series follows a predictable ‘recipe’- especially after reading the ‘Lacey Doyle’ series- as it follows pretty much that exact recipe, right down to her furry sidekick. I thought things could have been changed up a little more, but the six books still made for an entertaining read.
The Series contains:
-A Killer Cupcake (Book #1)
-A Murderous Macaron (Book #2)
-A Perilous Cake Pop (Book #3)
-A Deadly Danish (Book #4)
-A Treacherous Tart (Book #5)
-A Calamitous Cookie (Book #6)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
The Beachfront Bakery Series by Fiona Grace is another fun cozy mystery series with crime & investigation, suspense, drama, humour, and a whodunnit element.
Allison Sweet (34) is a pastry chef who is fed up with the LA scene, rude customers, her stressful job that comes with a difficult boss, and her bad luck with love. A shocking incident became the catalyst she needed to change her life, and head in a new direction. So, she changes course, moving to the seaside and opening her own bakery. Things take a dramatic turn when a body is discovered close by. Soon, Allison is implicated in it all, and has no choice but to get to the bottom of things and clear her name. Her whole future is riding on the outcome.
Each instalment sees Allison pulled into various mysteries and we get a front row seat to her ‘investigations’.
The series follows a predictable ‘recipe’- especially after reading the ‘Lacey Doyle’ series- as it follows pretty much that exact recipe, right down to her furry sidekick. I thought things could have been changed up a little more, but the six books still made for an entertaining read.
The Series contains:
-A Killer Cupcake (Book #1)
-A Murderous Macaron (Book #2)
-A Perilous Cake Pop (Book #3)
-A Deadly Danish (Book #4)
-A Treacherous Tart (Book #5)
-A Calamitous Cookie (Book #6)
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Fiona Grace!
November 9, 2021
Funniest paragraph in this book was when Ali confronts the mafioso Salvador, she tells him, “Rumor has it you’ve been working on his [Fat Tony] turf as a loan shark… Pretty sure it’s against the mafia code to do that. And to kill? With poison of all things?” She tutted and shook her head. “Or am I mistaken?”
It was in a previous book that someone was murdered with poison and when Ali confronted Fat Tony saying she thought he killed a person this way, Fat Tony and his cronies cracked up because they don’t kill that way. He told Ali that poison is a woman’s choice of vessel to kill.
I loved this town and the bakery and all of Ali’s friends, but I didn’t care much for the murder part added in just because it was like the same murder five times. I read all of the books for what I mentioned first.
Cute stories, but I’m done.
My next series begins with “Brownies and Betrayal (Sweet Bites Mysteries, Book 1)” by Heather Justesen
It was in a previous book that someone was murdered with poison and when Ali confronted Fat Tony saying she thought he killed a person this way, Fat Tony and his cronies cracked up because they don’t kill that way. He told Ali that poison is a woman’s choice of vessel to kill.
I loved this town and the bakery and all of Ali’s friends, but I didn’t care much for the murder part added in just because it was like the same murder five times. I read all of the books for what I mentioned first.
Cute stories, but I’m done.
My next series begins with “Brownies and Betrayal (Sweet Bites Mysteries, Book 1)” by Heather Justesen
February 23, 2023
The Beachfront Bakery series is definitely one of my favourite feel good, cozy mystery series. Ali has found some new leads to find her father! She is determined to finally find him and reconnect. While she is looking for him, there is an eating contest coming into town. Ali decides to sign up as one of the cooks, but during the contest, one of the favourites tragically dies... poisoned. Because of her involvement with the competition, Ali becomes one of the suspects... again. It's time to clear her name and find the real culprit.
The fact that Ali still goes looking for the killer, makes me laugh so much. She knows that it makes her seem more sus, but she just doesn't care. Loved the return of the gang of Fat Tony, missed them in the last one. And loved the introduction of Eunbi, she's so lovely!
The fact that Ali still goes looking for the killer, makes me laugh so much. She knows that it makes her seem more sus, but she just doesn't care. Loved the return of the gang of Fat Tony, missed them in the last one. And loved the introduction of Eunbi, she's so lovely!
February 11, 2022
3 stars.
The author isn't even trying to have the story based on Ali's baked goods anymore. There's no mention of any tart at all but a hot-dog eating competition! It's also getting very formulaic with someone getting murdered after eating something she baked, this time it's the hot-dog bun, and she becomes the prime suspect. Then there's the wrong person getting arrested and a last minute light-bulb moment to pinpoint the right one.
Her love life seems to be going in a different direction with the first two forerunners now seemingly out of the race. But I think it's that last scene that has compelled me to see how it's going to turn out with her father. So, on to the next book....
The author isn't even trying to have the story based on Ali's baked goods anymore. There's no mention of any tart at all but a hot-dog eating competition! It's also getting very formulaic with someone getting murdered after eating something she baked, this time it's the hot-dog bun, and she becomes the prime suspect. Then there's the wrong person getting arrested and a last minute light-bulb moment to pinpoint the right one.
Her love life seems to be going in a different direction with the first two forerunners now seemingly out of the race. But I think it's that last scene that has compelled me to see how it's going to turn out with her father. So, on to the next book....
February 26, 2025
Though I am still enjoying this series read; I think this 5th chapter wasn't her best. Ali was very aggressive with interacting with her suspects in their seedy motel room. Still the read is a fun adventure. I guess the main character Ali was the treacherous tart.
March 16, 2025
This is the second Fiona Grace book of the week. I love this series set in a beach front community. A food eating competition comes to town and the police still don't trust Allie when one of the contestants dies while eating one of her rolls. This book is funny and cozy. Recommend. #goodreads
July 12, 2025
loved the story must read for summertime pleasure
I continue to enjoy this series. The storyline was fun and kept me engaged and eager to see what happens next. Great summertime reading!
I continue to enjoy this series. The storyline was fun and kept me engaged and eager to see what happens next. Great summertime reading!
April 18, 2021
Great cozy mystery. Won Kindle edition through Goodreads giveaway. a "Sweet" little treat.
June 5, 2021
This book was a fun read . Like it a lot
June 9, 2021
A TYPICAL COZY MYSTERY - entertaining enough - a little smarmy
October 5, 2021
Cute. Fun premise with the hot dog eating contest.
October 5, 2021
Lots of twists and turns to discover who was the murderer. Ali manages to get into all sorts of scrapes in this one!
November 21, 2021
Have been reading this series since the pandemic. It's a wonderful way to spend some time.
January 19, 2022
Fast and enjoyable, kind or a lull in the story lines but enjoyed the continuation of the story line about her father.
Read
March 1, 2022Goid reading
It was well written. I never knew who the killer was moving at all. I really like her stories. Always surprising!
It was well written. I never knew who the killer was moving at all. I really like her stories. Always surprising!
July 16, 2022
Another good one from Fiona Grace.
I have not listen to a book of hers I have not liked.
I have not listen to a book of hers I have not liked.
July 27, 2022
An entertaining diversion.
The reader is good, and I love the British accent, but it just doesn't fit the American story. Took me a while to realize it was in the States and not the UK.
The reader is good, and I love the British accent, but it just doesn't fit the American story. Took me a while to realize it was in the States and not the UK.
September 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this series and would love to have more.
September 25, 2022
This series is getting stronger.
February 24, 2023
Love these books!
March 30, 2023
Yes indeed!
I really enjoyed this book, but of course, I enjoy all of the books within the series! This one is one of my favorites! I already have the next one read to go.
I really enjoyed this book, but of course, I enjoy all of the books within the series! This one is one of my favorites! I already have the next one read to go.
June 13, 2024
I love this series with its quirky characters and humor. The plots are interesting including the back story of Allie and her father Richard Sweet.
November 30, 2024
Easy Read
It’s a lighthearted book that keeps you guessing. You keep reading to find out what happens next & there are lots of twists & turns.
It’s a lighthearted book that keeps you guessing. You keep reading to find out what happens next & there are lots of twists & turns.
December 30, 2024
Audiobook. Loved the whole series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews