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Beacon Bakeshop #2
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off
Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewell is ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe...
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever--winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition...
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake-off, and she's not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone's stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead--and covered in crumbs from Lindsey's signature cookie!
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey's wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she'll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever--winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition...
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake-off, and she's not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone's stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead--and covered in crumbs from Lindsey's signature cookie!
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey's wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she'll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 5, 2021
413 people are currently reading
2315 people want to read
About the author
Darci Hannah
15 books769 followersCozy mystery author, Darci Hannah, is a native of the Midwest and currently lives in a small town in Michigan. Darci is a lifelong lover of the Great Lakes, a natural wonder that inspires many of her stories. When Darci isn't baking for family and friends, hiking with her furry pals, Ripley and Finn, or concocting her next cozy mystery, she can be found wandering around picturesque lakeside villages with her hubby, sampling baked goods, and breaking for coffee more often than she should.
In addition to cozy mysteries, Darci's other passion is writing historical fiction. She is the author of The Exile of Sara Stevenson
(Ballantine Books, 2010, 2nd edition by Piffle & Bombast 2016) and The Angel of Blythe Hall (Ballantine Books, 2011)
In addition to cozy mysteries, Darci's other passion is writing historical fiction. She is the author of The Exile of Sara Stevenson
(Ballantine Books, 2010, 2nd edition by Piffle & Bombast 2016) and The Angel of Blythe Hall (Ballantine Books, 2011)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 421 reviews
September 11, 2021
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah is the second book in the cozy Beacon Bakeshop series. As with most cozy series each book in the Beacon Bakeshop series will have it’s own fully solved mystery so readers can read each as a standalone or in any order. However, there is some character development that will carry over from book to book for those that read the series from the beginning.
Lindsey Bakeswell has that “safe” career that she thought she should have and a boyfriend that she thought may have been the one. When Lindsey’s relationship crumbles when she catches her celebrity chef boyfriend with another woman she decides to ditch the safe career and follow her dreams of owning her own bakeshop. Lindsey packed up and moved to her childhood vacation destination of Beacon Harbor, Michigan where she bought the old lighthouse intending to convert it into a bakery and home for herself and her dog, Wellington.
Now Lindsey is spending her first Christmas in her new home in Beacon Harbor and business is booming with the holiday orders coming in. Already swamped with orders and short on staff Lindsey gets a visit from Felicity Stewart who runs a Christmas shop year round in town and feels she knows it all when it comes to the holiday. Felicity has organized a Christmas cookie bake off that of course she thinks she’ll win so Lindsey plans to enter a perfect Christmas creation. However, just as the contest is in full swing a judge is found murdered so Lindsey of course does everything she can to catch another killer.
Darci Hannah is an author that I’m very familiar with now having read another series by her and the first two books of the Beacon Bakeshop series and I’ve enjoyed them all. Just the right mix of quirky humor and fun along with an interesting mystery this second book seemed even more fun that the first. I usually reserve my praise for a twisty story for thrillers but this cozy had a lot of twists that kept me on my toes until the very end. With such lovely characters and a charming setting thrown into the mix I’ll be sure to return to the Beacon Bakeshop series for book three!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Lindsey Bakeswell has that “safe” career that she thought she should have and a boyfriend that she thought may have been the one. When Lindsey’s relationship crumbles when she catches her celebrity chef boyfriend with another woman she decides to ditch the safe career and follow her dreams of owning her own bakeshop. Lindsey packed up and moved to her childhood vacation destination of Beacon Harbor, Michigan where she bought the old lighthouse intending to convert it into a bakery and home for herself and her dog, Wellington.
Now Lindsey is spending her first Christmas in her new home in Beacon Harbor and business is booming with the holiday orders coming in. Already swamped with orders and short on staff Lindsey gets a visit from Felicity Stewart who runs a Christmas shop year round in town and feels she knows it all when it comes to the holiday. Felicity has organized a Christmas cookie bake off that of course she thinks she’ll win so Lindsey plans to enter a perfect Christmas creation. However, just as the contest is in full swing a judge is found murdered so Lindsey of course does everything she can to catch another killer.
Darci Hannah is an author that I’m very familiar with now having read another series by her and the first two books of the Beacon Bakeshop series and I’ve enjoyed them all. Just the right mix of quirky humor and fun along with an interesting mystery this second book seemed even more fun that the first. I usually reserve my praise for a twisty story for thrillers but this cozy had a lot of twists that kept me on my toes until the very end. With such lovely characters and a charming setting thrown into the mix I’ll be sure to return to the Beacon Bakeshop series for book three!
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
September 2, 2021
Baking is Lindsey Bakewell’s joy. It’s Christmastime, and she has visions of sugarplums, candy canes, twinkling lights, and….so many cookie orders she can’t possibly complete them all without an assistant. Then, the vision of Mrs. Claus walks into the Beacon Bakeshop and turns out to be an extraordinary baker named Carol Nichols. Lindsey’s entered a cookie Bake-off that’s being judged by celebrity food critic, Chevy Chambers—a charmer, or a crook?
Humor and suspicious acttions set the stage for a holiday murder; some cookie shenanigans, and the unwrapping of a trail of clues leading to, and explaining the killer’s identity. The secondary cast of characters is invigorating and highly likeable unless they’re bad-guys! Of course, the lighthouse ghost, Captain Willy Riggs makes himself known to help Lindsey in her sleuthing. Author Darci Hannah delivers delicious recipes for readers in this special holiday cozy.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
Humor and suspicious acttions set the stage for a holiday murder; some cookie shenanigans, and the unwrapping of a trail of clues leading to, and explaining the killer’s identity. The secondary cast of characters is invigorating and highly likeable unless they’re bad-guys! Of course, the lighthouse ghost, Captain Willy Riggs makes himself known to help Lindsey in her sleuthing. Author Darci Hannah delivers delicious recipes for readers in this special holiday cozy.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
May 12, 2025
I don’t often read Christmas themed books this time of year, but I wanted to continue with the second in this series. Lindsey Bakewell is excited to be spending her first Christmas in Beacon Harbor, and she has big plans for baking delicious treats for her bake shop cafe, as well as decorating it and the lighthouse. When one of the townspeople proposes a Christmas cookie bake-off, she is excited but overwhelmed a bit. She’s delighted when a woman appears to apply for her baking assistant position, and they form a great pair.
Soon though, strange things start to happen. Three women come into the shop and steal Lindsay’s bake-off cookies! Lindsay’s boyfriend and friends start trying to figure out the theft… then the stakes increase when Lindsay and her boyfriend find the celebrity judge has been killed. Her parents are in town for the holidays, and it appears even they are sleuthing.
The more they dig, the more suspects they find. Can they discover the killer before they strike again? And will Christmas be ruined for Beacon Harbor? This is a fun and sweet cozy mystery. The characters are quirky and interesting. And Lindsay has a big sweetheart of a dog. Next up - Murder at the Blueberry Festival 😊
Soon though, strange things start to happen. Three women come into the shop and steal Lindsay’s bake-off cookies! Lindsay’s boyfriend and friends start trying to figure out the theft… then the stakes increase when Lindsay and her boyfriend find the celebrity judge has been killed. Her parents are in town for the holidays, and it appears even they are sleuthing.
The more they dig, the more suspects they find. Can they discover the killer before they strike again? And will Christmas be ruined for Beacon Harbor? This is a fun and sweet cozy mystery. The characters are quirky and interesting. And Lindsay has a big sweetheart of a dog. Next up - Murder at the Blueberry Festival 😊
September 15, 2021
It is Christmas time in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, home of the Beacon Bakeshop, owned by Lindsey Bakewell. Between hanging Christmas lights around the lighthouse and bakery where she lives and has her business, keeping the bakery cases filled, coffee made, and special orders filled, Lindsey is stressed. Then Felicity Stewart, year round Christmas shop owner, decides the town needs a cookie bake-off to drum up business. Each shop owner gives out cookies and customers vote and the top four winners go to a bake-off. Only trouble is, most don't have time to bake so they pay Lindsey to bake for them. Lindsey's stress is lightened when a baker walks in just in the nick of time...a tiny woman named Carol Nichols bearing a resemblance to Mrs. Claus. Another kink is the contest is to be judged by a celebrity chef brought in by Felicity. Chef Chevy Chambers is quite the character, a naughty character according to Mrs. Nichols. When a murder occurs, Lindsey, her boyfriend Rory, best friend Kennedy, who is in town for the holidays, work to unravel a complicated mystery. Lindsey's parents are in town and get involved as well. Fun Christmas themed cozy to read with likable characters and cool setting, this is a great addition. You might get hungry with all the cookies and other bakery goodies mentioned. The book cover is very festive. Recipes included at the end.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.
I received a complimentary ARC from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.
September 3, 2021
Murder at The Christmas Cookie Bake-off is the second book in the “A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery” series. The main character, Lindsey, has grown in leaps and bounds since the first book. She, along with the other cast members, is bright, imaginative, and filled with entertaining quirks and habits that are endearing. Add in some holiday cookies, a haunted lighthouse, and this story is yummy delicious.
This Christmas, Lindsey wants to be perfect, but that is never going to happen. Between a last-minute cookie bake-off, her family coming to town early, and not having an assistant baker, she is run off her feet, frustrated, and is beginning to look and sound more like the grinch than Santa. Then, just when she thought all hope was lost, a stranger appears to help her bakeshop fill orders and bring the Christmas spirit to her shop, the cookie bake-off ramps up, and Lindsey’s family lends a hand. All-in-all, Christmas is beginning to look and feel perfect until the cookie bake-off judge is murdered.
The judge was famous but more for his underhanded ways than any talent. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when he is murdered, while several of the contestants become the prime suspects. Even the lighthouse ghost doesn’t like the victim. But Lindsey isn’t as sure as everyone else is about the motive or the suspects. She starts digging into the man’s past and can’t come up with a reason why someone wouldn’t kill him. Christmas is on the way, and Lindsey is running out of time. A killer is on the loose. In order for her perfect Christmas to happen, the killer must be caught, before her cookie dreams crumble.
There is a good amount of action in Murder at The Christmas Cookie Bake-off, plenty of twists and red herrings, and just enough intrigue to make the mystery work. Characters new and old are fun to get to know, and you can never go wrong with adding in cookies. This story is filled with everything we enjoy about the holidays, good food, friends, family, a sense of community, and a delightful setting. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend any book written by Darci Hannah.
This Christmas, Lindsey wants to be perfect, but that is never going to happen. Between a last-minute cookie bake-off, her family coming to town early, and not having an assistant baker, she is run off her feet, frustrated, and is beginning to look and sound more like the grinch than Santa. Then, just when she thought all hope was lost, a stranger appears to help her bakeshop fill orders and bring the Christmas spirit to her shop, the cookie bake-off ramps up, and Lindsey’s family lends a hand. All-in-all, Christmas is beginning to look and feel perfect until the cookie bake-off judge is murdered.
The judge was famous but more for his underhanded ways than any talent. So it doesn’t come as a surprise when he is murdered, while several of the contestants become the prime suspects. Even the lighthouse ghost doesn’t like the victim. But Lindsey isn’t as sure as everyone else is about the motive or the suspects. She starts digging into the man’s past and can’t come up with a reason why someone wouldn’t kill him. Christmas is on the way, and Lindsey is running out of time. A killer is on the loose. In order for her perfect Christmas to happen, the killer must be caught, before her cookie dreams crumble.
There is a good amount of action in Murder at The Christmas Cookie Bake-off, plenty of twists and red herrings, and just enough intrigue to make the mystery work. Characters new and old are fun to get to know, and you can never go wrong with adding in cookies. This story is filled with everything we enjoy about the holidays, good food, friends, family, a sense of community, and a delightful setting. I look forward to the next book in the series and highly recommend any book written by Darci Hannah.
December 10, 2025
The cover of this book was so cute and please judge this book by it's cover as the story was just as good. If I wasn't already primed to bake Christmas cookies this weekend, this book would have put me in the mood. Lots of cookie baking going on and I loved it (recipes included at the end). I loved seeing how Lindsey has settled in at the Beacon Bakeshop. The mystery was done well as I was able to guess the victim but not the culprit. Looking forward to the next book.
September 12, 2021
Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is the second book in the A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series by Darci Hannah.
Lindsey Bakewell is pleased that her Beacon Bakeshop is off to a fast start and seems to be the place to go for a coffee and pastries. Christmas is just a couple of weeks away, and Lindsey is looking forward to putting up decorations in her shop and on the lighthouse. She’s also excited to have her best friend, Kennedy, arrival, and her parents will also be arriving with their Westies, Brinkley and Ireland. Lindsey is sure her Newfoundland, Wellington, will joy having a couple of playmates.
Felicia Stewart, owner of a Christmas items shop, and Betty Vanhoosen, local realtor, enter the bakeshop and inform Lindsey that the Chamber of Commerce has decided to have a cookie bake-off. The bake-off, The Beacon Harbor Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, will be held the week before Christmas. Those shop owners who wish to participate will bake their favorite cookies and display them in their stores. Customers will then vote on their favorite, and the top four will move on to the Bake-Off. The Bake-Off couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Lindsey was shorthanded in the kitchen. But out of the blue, an elderly lady, Mrs. Nichols. Mrs. Nichols turned out to be the answer to Lindsey’s prayers.
Most everyone is off to bake their cookies, but three shop owners ask Lindsey to bake their cookies, claiming a lack of baking skills. In voting, the top four are Lindsey, Felica Stewart, Ginny Brooks, an ice cream shop owner, and Bradley Argyle, a chef at a local hotel. The Bake-Off will be judged by Chevy Chambers, a celebrity food critic from Chicago. Chambers has offended many of those in attendance. He was seen sexually harassing the female contestants and completely ignoring Argyle. Chambers also got into a physical altercation with Felicity’s husband on the stage. About as the winners were going to be announced, Chambers could not be located on the stage.
Lindsey goes in pursuit of a woman who reportedly stolen her bake-off cookies from the bakeshop early in the competition. Lindsey gets locked in a storage room and has to be rescued by her beau, Rory. As they are heading back to the stage area, Rory says he wants to show her something. As they are approaching what Rory wishes to show her, some mistletoe hanging, they instead find the dead body of Chambers. An unsigned note in Chambers’s hand asking him to meet under the mistletoe and a cookie Lindsey has baked in the bakeoff.
Lindsey, Kennedy, and Rory will set all to find out who the killer of Chambers was. They will also get some help from Lindsey’s parents and Betty. They will soon find out that there are several suspects to be investigated.
This book is a wonderful follow-up to Murder At The Beacon Bakeshop, the first in the series. The book is well-written and plotted. The author provides the reader with a wonderful cast of well-developed, enjoyable, and believable characters. I particularly enjoyed the pups, Wellington, Brinkley, and Ireland.
Delicious recipes are also included in the book.
I will be watching for the next book in the series.
Lindsey Bakewell is pleased that her Beacon Bakeshop is off to a fast start and seems to be the place to go for a coffee and pastries. Christmas is just a couple of weeks away, and Lindsey is looking forward to putting up decorations in her shop and on the lighthouse. She’s also excited to have her best friend, Kennedy, arrival, and her parents will also be arriving with their Westies, Brinkley and Ireland. Lindsey is sure her Newfoundland, Wellington, will joy having a couple of playmates.
Felicia Stewart, owner of a Christmas items shop, and Betty Vanhoosen, local realtor, enter the bakeshop and inform Lindsey that the Chamber of Commerce has decided to have a cookie bake-off. The bake-off, The Beacon Harbor Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, will be held the week before Christmas. Those shop owners who wish to participate will bake their favorite cookies and display them in their stores. Customers will then vote on their favorite, and the top four will move on to the Bake-Off. The Bake-Off couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Lindsey was shorthanded in the kitchen. But out of the blue, an elderly lady, Mrs. Nichols. Mrs. Nichols turned out to be the answer to Lindsey’s prayers.
Most everyone is off to bake their cookies, but three shop owners ask Lindsey to bake their cookies, claiming a lack of baking skills. In voting, the top four are Lindsey, Felica Stewart, Ginny Brooks, an ice cream shop owner, and Bradley Argyle, a chef at a local hotel. The Bake-Off will be judged by Chevy Chambers, a celebrity food critic from Chicago. Chambers has offended many of those in attendance. He was seen sexually harassing the female contestants and completely ignoring Argyle. Chambers also got into a physical altercation with Felicity’s husband on the stage. About as the winners were going to be announced, Chambers could not be located on the stage.
Lindsey goes in pursuit of a woman who reportedly stolen her bake-off cookies from the bakeshop early in the competition. Lindsey gets locked in a storage room and has to be rescued by her beau, Rory. As they are heading back to the stage area, Rory says he wants to show her something. As they are approaching what Rory wishes to show her, some mistletoe hanging, they instead find the dead body of Chambers. An unsigned note in Chambers’s hand asking him to meet under the mistletoe and a cookie Lindsey has baked in the bakeoff.
Lindsey, Kennedy, and Rory will set all to find out who the killer of Chambers was. They will also get some help from Lindsey’s parents and Betty. They will soon find out that there are several suspects to be investigated.
This book is a wonderful follow-up to Murder At The Beacon Bakeshop, the first in the series. The book is well-written and plotted. The author provides the reader with a wonderful cast of well-developed, enjoyable, and believable characters. I particularly enjoyed the pups, Wellington, Brinkley, and Ireland.
Delicious recipes are also included in the book.
I will be watching for the next book in the series.
October 14, 2021
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is my first read by Darci Hannah and I didn’t yet read book 1 in this series … but I couldn’t resist Christmas cookies and a small town bakeshop in an old lighthouse! I’m happy to report that it reads perfectly well as a standalone, though I definitely want to go back and read how Lindsey went from New York jilted fiance to Michigan bakeshop-in-a-lighthouse-with-a-ghost owner with a swoony new boyfriend.
Lindsey and her loyal Newfoundland dog Wellington are instantly likable, as is the Beacon Bakeshop & its staff. Of particular interest in this book is her new assistant baker Mrs. Nichols, whom I loved! I hope we get to see more of her in future books, even if it’s only seasonal. I didn’t connect as much with Lindsey’s parents or her BFF Kennedy but I didn’t not like them either. I would just rather hang out with Lindsey, Wellington, and Rory.
The mystery was very well done, with plenty of layers that revealed themselves a bit at a time and drew me in with some surprising twists! I was invested in the various players, too, and realized how much when some of those twists left me disappointed in this character or that one. But the icing on the Christmas cookie for me was the magical realism that showed up in a couple of different ways in this story – y’all know how much I love magical realism and this was a delightful & unexpected surprise for me in reading Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off!
Bottom Line: Take a restored lighthouse bakeshop with a resident ghost, a bit of Christmas magic, and tons of yummy cookies… mix in some very likable characters and a whodunit that keeps you guessing… and you’ve got the recipe for a delightful cozy mystery! Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah has all of these ingredients, and I was invested in the story from start to finish. The mystery definitely had me in step with Lindsey & her crew of amateur sleuths (plus her swoony boyfriend who used to be Special Ops), rather than running ahead of them to the reveal. Not to mention all the times my mouth watered from the delicious-sounding Christmas cookies! A great read to kick off (or continue) your holiday reading!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is moderate cursing throughout this novel, as well as some implications of intimate activity outside of marriage (though nothing detailed).
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Lindsey and her loyal Newfoundland dog Wellington are instantly likable, as is the Beacon Bakeshop & its staff. Of particular interest in this book is her new assistant baker Mrs. Nichols, whom I loved! I hope we get to see more of her in future books, even if it’s only seasonal. I didn’t connect as much with Lindsey’s parents or her BFF Kennedy but I didn’t not like them either. I would just rather hang out with Lindsey, Wellington, and Rory.
The mystery was very well done, with plenty of layers that revealed themselves a bit at a time and drew me in with some surprising twists! I was invested in the various players, too, and realized how much when some of those twists left me disappointed in this character or that one. But the icing on the Christmas cookie for me was the magical realism that showed up in a couple of different ways in this story – y’all know how much I love magical realism and this was a delightful & unexpected surprise for me in reading Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off!
Bottom Line: Take a restored lighthouse bakeshop with a resident ghost, a bit of Christmas magic, and tons of yummy cookies… mix in some very likable characters and a whodunit that keeps you guessing… and you’ve got the recipe for a delightful cozy mystery! Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah has all of these ingredients, and I was invested in the story from start to finish. The mystery definitely had me in step with Lindsey & her crew of amateur sleuths (plus her swoony boyfriend who used to be Special Ops), rather than running ahead of them to the reveal. Not to mention all the times my mouth watered from the delicious-sounding Christmas cookies! A great read to kick off (or continue) your holiday reading!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that there is moderate cursing throughout this novel, as well as some implications of intimate activity outside of marriage (though nothing detailed).
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
January 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook 🎧
We all have that one friend or neighbor who is extremely obsessed with Christmas, and for Lindsey that’s fellow shop owner, Felicity Stewart.
Felicity has her eyes set on winning the Christmas Baking Competition, and she’s not against pulling some underhanded tricks to do that, but when a judge ends up dead it’s Lindsey who will look guilty.
A warm-hearted cozy mystery perfect for the holiday season.
We all have that one friend or neighbor who is extremely obsessed with Christmas, and for Lindsey that’s fellow shop owner, Felicity Stewart.
Felicity has her eyes set on winning the Christmas Baking Competition, and she’s not against pulling some underhanded tricks to do that, but when a judge ends up dead it’s Lindsey who will look guilty.
A warm-hearted cozy mystery perfect for the holiday season.
April 27, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Lindsey Bakewell is excited to bring her "sugarplum visions" to life at her Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. She has bought a ton of lights to make her lighthouse merry and bright. She has wonderful ideas to fill her shelves with holiday treats but she still needs to hire a new assistant. When she finds out about a town-wide cookie bake-off, and that every shop owner needed to create a signature cookie so shoppers could vote for their favorites, culminating in a live bake-off with a celebrity judge, she swoons at the amount of extra baking it will entail. And that was before orders for cookies from other shop owners started to flow in.
Felicity Stewart owner of The Tannenbaum Shoppe, where every day is Christmas, is willing to do anything to win The Great Beacon Harbor Christmas Cookie Bake-Off. She has even arranged for Chicago celebrity food critic Chevy Chambers to judge the live bake-off event. Sadly, before the winner can be announced her friend, Chevy, is found under the mistletoe, covered in cookie crumbs from Lindsay's signature cookie and dead as a doornail.
Lindsey is going to need all the help she can get to catch the Christmas Cookie Judge Killer. It's a good thing her parents and her BFF Kennedy are in Beacon Harbor for the holidays and her hunky boyfriend/neighbor Rory is home from his ice fishing trip. If the town has any hopes of having Happy Holidays they all have to work together before all the cookies crumble and killer gets away.
____
I was so happy to get back to Beacon Harbor and the Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. It being Christmastime was just icing on the cookies. With Ms. Hannah's descriptive writing style, I was transported right there to witness Lindsey's tumble into a snowbank. Her giant Newfoundland, Wellington, looking on. The town lit up for the holidays and all the humor, hijinx, and crazy things leading up to the bake-off. Along with all the aftermath as Lindsey tries to find a killer.
Ms. Hannah has created dynamic characters who feel genuine. Lindsey is a fun protagonist. I loved that she has "sugarplum visions" like me. Lindsey's best friend Kennedy always has her back, but sometimes goes off with her own ideas. Lindsey has a close relationship with her parents. Even her mom, ex-supermodel, Ellie Montague, came up with a plan and took part as they all worked to catch the killer. Rory too, was all in. I also enjoyed meeting Carol Nichols, Lindsey's new assistant. She is one special lady.
There are a few mysteries in this story. The question is - are they connected? I enjoyed that solving them was a team effort. Lindsey, Rory, and Kennedy meet to discuss theories and make plans while Lindsey's parents get together with their friends to do the same. It isn't long before they are all working together and Mrs. Nichols joins in too, even though she was on the suspect list for a bit of time. It was so much fun following the cookie crumbs along with them as clues started to fall into place. I was kept guessing right up until the end.
The story's ending was heartwarming and I highlighted these lines from Mrs. Nichols. "Christmas happens as it will. There is no right way to celebrate. It's about joy." She is right. It's all about JOY! that you feel and share with others.
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a very entertaining holiday mystery filled with Christmas spirit, cookies, and events to keep those pages turning. I have become invested in these characters including Captain Willy Riggs, the town of Beacon Harbor, and the Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. I escaped right into this book and I can't wait to escape into Murder at the Blueberry Festival and spend some summertime with the residents of Beacon Harbor.
Lindsey Bakewell is excited to bring her "sugarplum visions" to life at her Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. She has bought a ton of lights to make her lighthouse merry and bright. She has wonderful ideas to fill her shelves with holiday treats but she still needs to hire a new assistant. When she finds out about a town-wide cookie bake-off, and that every shop owner needed to create a signature cookie so shoppers could vote for their favorites, culminating in a live bake-off with a celebrity judge, she swoons at the amount of extra baking it will entail. And that was before orders for cookies from other shop owners started to flow in.
Felicity Stewart owner of The Tannenbaum Shoppe, where every day is Christmas, is willing to do anything to win The Great Beacon Harbor Christmas Cookie Bake-Off. She has even arranged for Chicago celebrity food critic Chevy Chambers to judge the live bake-off event. Sadly, before the winner can be announced her friend, Chevy, is found under the mistletoe, covered in cookie crumbs from Lindsay's signature cookie and dead as a doornail.
Lindsey is going to need all the help she can get to catch the Christmas Cookie Judge Killer. It's a good thing her parents and her BFF Kennedy are in Beacon Harbor for the holidays and her hunky boyfriend/neighbor Rory is home from his ice fishing trip. If the town has any hopes of having Happy Holidays they all have to work together before all the cookies crumble and killer gets away.
____
I was so happy to get back to Beacon Harbor and the Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. It being Christmastime was just icing on the cookies. With Ms. Hannah's descriptive writing style, I was transported right there to witness Lindsey's tumble into a snowbank. Her giant Newfoundland, Wellington, looking on. The town lit up for the holidays and all the humor, hijinx, and crazy things leading up to the bake-off. Along with all the aftermath as Lindsey tries to find a killer.
Ms. Hannah has created dynamic characters who feel genuine. Lindsey is a fun protagonist. I loved that she has "sugarplum visions" like me. Lindsey's best friend Kennedy always has her back, but sometimes goes off with her own ideas. Lindsey has a close relationship with her parents. Even her mom, ex-supermodel, Ellie Montague, came up with a plan and took part as they all worked to catch the killer. Rory too, was all in. I also enjoyed meeting Carol Nichols, Lindsey's new assistant. She is one special lady.
There are a few mysteries in this story. The question is - are they connected? I enjoyed that solving them was a team effort. Lindsey, Rory, and Kennedy meet to discuss theories and make plans while Lindsey's parents get together with their friends to do the same. It isn't long before they are all working together and Mrs. Nichols joins in too, even though she was on the suspect list for a bit of time. It was so much fun following the cookie crumbs along with them as clues started to fall into place. I was kept guessing right up until the end.
The story's ending was heartwarming and I highlighted these lines from Mrs. Nichols. "Christmas happens as it will. There is no right way to celebrate. It's about joy." She is right. It's all about JOY! that you feel and share with others.
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a very entertaining holiday mystery filled with Christmas spirit, cookies, and events to keep those pages turning. I have become invested in these characters including Captain Willy Riggs, the town of Beacon Harbor, and the Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe. I escaped right into this book and I can't wait to escape into Murder at the Blueberry Festival and spend some summertime with the residents of Beacon Harbor.
October 18, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Every time I thought I figured out the killer I was wrong. It kept me on my toes.
October 30, 2021
In the second book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery, Lindsey Bakeswell is getting ready to spend her first Christmas running her bakery and living in Beacon Harbor, Michigan. The town is trying to get more tourists in during the winter months with a cookie competition with a celebrity chef as judge. With all the local businesses wanting their own signature cookie for the celebrations, Lindsey finds herself swamped and without an assistant chef. Just when Lindsey finds an older, white haired, sweet lady to try in the role, Felicity Stewart who runs a Christmas shop in town and feels she knows it all when it comes to the holiday, shows up threatening to get Lindsey disqualified from the contest. As the contest continues, with Lindsey a finalist, the judge is found murdered with one of Lindsey's cookies in his hands. Of course does everything she can to catch another killer, and once again, clear her name.
I really enjoyed this story. With great characters, lots of suspects, Christmas cheer, a burgeoning romance and even a ghost, this book has a lot to enjoy. I enjoyed this book even more than the first. There was more to it, lots of twists and red herrings to keep me guessing. It wasn't until the reveal that I knew who the culprit was and it fit well with the clues dropped along the way. This series has a bit of humour, some quirky characters, a great small town setting, a bit of a developing romance and well crafted mysteries to have me ready for my next visit to Beacon Harbor. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
I really enjoyed this story. With great characters, lots of suspects, Christmas cheer, a burgeoning romance and even a ghost, this book has a lot to enjoy. I enjoyed this book even more than the first. There was more to it, lots of twists and red herrings to keep me guessing. It wasn't until the reveal that I knew who the culprit was and it fit well with the clues dropped along the way. This series has a bit of humour, some quirky characters, a great small town setting, a bit of a developing romance and well crafted mysteries to have me ready for my next visit to Beacon Harbor. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
September 27, 2021
Dreaming of sugarplums and Christmas cookies!
Lindsey Bakewell is hoping for a perfect Christmas this year in Beacon Harbor with her family, best friend Kennedy and new love Rory Campbell. But with large holiday orders, no assistant baker, the cookie bake-off and a dead judge, Christmas might not be so merry.
This is the second book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series and it does not disappoint. I love the setting, the characters and the recipes sound delicious.
Lindsey and her Newfie, Wellington, will have you summoning your inner Clark Griswold.
I received an advanced copy from Kensington and NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
Lindsey Bakewell is hoping for a perfect Christmas this year in Beacon Harbor with her family, best friend Kennedy and new love Rory Campbell. But with large holiday orders, no assistant baker, the cookie bake-off and a dead judge, Christmas might not be so merry.
This is the second book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series and it does not disappoint. I love the setting, the characters and the recipes sound delicious.
Lindsey and her Newfie, Wellington, will have you summoning your inner Clark Griswold.
I received an advanced copy from Kensington and NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
May 25, 2025
Christmas is coming to Beacon Harbor and Lindsey is determined to have the perfect family Christmas. Nothing will stop her from showing her parents and Kennedy the perfect Beacon Harbor Christmas. But first she has a million cookies and cakes and delectable holiday treats to bake and not enough help. For some reason her employees keep running away, scared off by the ghost of the Captain. The Captain makes amends by answering Lindsey's prayers and sends help in the form of the lively old Mrs. Nichols who bakes miracles. It seems like Lindsey's Christmas wish will come true after all. Then, Felicity Stewart, the self-professed Queen of Christmas, decides to hold a Christmas cookie bake off with celebrity foodie Chevy Chambers as judge. Everyone in Beacon Harbor is overwhelmed by Christmas shoppers and asks Lindsey to bake for them! She wants to enter on her own behalf and is certain she'll make the finals but it's not a done deal when some cookie thieves steal her signature cookies! Then, after the high stakes finale, someone locks Lindsey in a storage room. When she's rescued, Rory whisks her away to find the only nearby mistletoe but instead of Christmas cheer, they discover the dead body of Chevy Chambers! To make matters worse, Felicity's signature rolling pin is missing, making her the prime suspect in Lindsey's mind. How can she prove it and make sure the murderer is caught in time for Christmas?
This story started off strong. I loved all the Christmas baking and the little bit of Christmas magic. I did not love Lindsey's inner monologue mentioning her "Inner New Yorker" forty times a chapter! (I was just in NYC a few months ago and found people very friendly and helpful! Try "inner New Englander." We're WAY more rude here!) Other than that, the story was intriguing, even the murder. However, as it went on and clues were revealed, the story relies on outdated sexist stereotypes and is incredibly demeaning to women. MY inner New Englander came out to feel like bashing Chevy over the head with my rolling pin! Initially I guessed whodunit and why but got distracted by red herrings, confessions, non confessions and generally likable characters. I didn't expect the twist to influence the motive though.
In general I am not finding Lindsey very likable yet. She's rather Type A (another stereotype from New York) YET she doesn't unleash her inner New Yorker on people and tell them she's overwhelmed with her own baking for her business and if they want to serve cookies to their shoppers, that's great, but come in and buy them from existing stock and don't make extra work for her when she doesn't have the help to assist her. She's nosy and makes a lot of missteps in her investigation. Lindsey is also judgmental and her inner thoughts/memories of her mother are sizeist and ageist. Did you KNOW her mother is a former 80s fashion model? Did you KNOW her mother was incredibly beautiful and thin but NOW she's "old" (50s) and NO LONGER so beautiful or thin BUT she's decided to "embrace" "aging gracefully." No, there's just aging and then there's plastic surgery. Normal people age. Her mother has gained a bit of weight too GASP! It's the end of the world! Yes honey, that's called eating and menopause. It will happen to you too. Lindsey is rather self-conscious because she's not model thin or chic like her mom. She takes after her dad and is a financial wizard. The one thing I did like about Lindsey is that she is immune to sleazy men. Once bitten, twice shy. She knows her type and that's not it.
Lindsey's "type" is apparently lumberjack sexual. Rory is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing for sport and food. Oh yuck! I'd run screaming in the other direction. He's also ex military, another thing that would send me running for the hills, ESPECIALLY after the stunt he pulled in the first book. He's creepy. All Rory wants is to get Lindsey alone for some private time. She thinks they're taking their relationship slow but it's not moving at all because every time they DO try to kiss, they're interrupted. I don't understand why Betty screamed. She's canoodling Doc Riggles so she should be more sympathetic and just close the door and walk away. My favorite character is Wellie! Wellington, the Newfoundland, is adorable. He's friendly, loving and lovable. Yes he's very big and drooly but Newfies are sweeties. His buddies, Ireland and Brinkley, the Westies, would be my favorites but they sure don't act like Westies. No self-respecting terrier enjoys modeling clothes and they can intimidate Newfies (I've seen it) and cause a lot of destruction if their minds are not occupied. They need more exercise than Wellie! Wellie needs to stay with Rory and eat fish because his mom spoils him and everyone feeds him the most unhealthy foods. Also, please keep him out of the bakery even when customers are not there. As much as I love dogs, I don't want to eat dog fur thank you.
Lindsey has some help at the bakery but only three employees! Ryan is hard working and willing to help do whatever needs to be done. Tom, a barista, dreams up creative seasonal drinks. He's charming and handsome. Elizabeth is also a barista and works well with Tom. Wendy is an assistant baker. Alaina is in charge of the art department, meaning she draws the menu board. Alaina is shy but talented and creative. Mrs. Nichols is a dear. It's OBVIOUS to me she was sent by Captain Riggs and is actually Mrs. Claus! There's no other explanation other than magic for how she gets everything done! She's been a home bakery since the beginning of time, she says, obviously she means that literally. The characters are slow to catch on. They've lost sight of the magic of Christmas.
I can do without Lindsey's family and friends sleuthing for and with her. Ellie Montague-Bakewell, Lindsey's mom, a former fashion model, is rather what you would expect. She's kind but a little ditzy and fashion-focused. Dad is nice and doesn't intrude but they team up with real estate maven Betty Vanhoosen to investigate the murder. I don't much like Betty either. She enjoys stirring the pot and enjoys the drama of the bake off. She's also super nosy and the queen of gossip. I don't trust her. She's on my list of murder suspects even though she teams up with Ellie and Jim to investigate the murder. Kennedy, Lindsey's best friend, is still awful. She's CRAZY! She mainly cares about her influencing or whatever it's called but she claims to have an investigative podcast and knows what's going on. She uses this information to create an alter ego in order to investigate. She's also a bully and doesn't take no for an answer from anyone. I still think Lindsey needs new friends.
Felicity Stewart owns a year-round Christmas shop. That sounds awesome! I love Christmas, I love sticky sweet marshmallows in my hot chocolate- bring it on! I'll drink it! Just maybe not in July when it's hot and humid... Felicity is Type A when it comes to Christmas. She's a control freak and thinks because she owns a Christmas store, she has a lock on Christmas. Felicity is positive her regular old Christmas sugar cookies will win the bake off and brings in celebrity foodie Chevy Chambers as the judge. OK, first of all, there are usually more than one judge. Second of all, how exactly does she know him and why is he doing her this favor? Third of all, who is he exactly? He seems to be a food critic but no idea whether he's a chef or has any sort of credentials. That's never explained. He goes beyond Gordon Ramsay mean and is downright sleazy. He hits on Lindsey AND Kennedy (at the same time) and flirts with all the other women. This guy is disgusting and needs to be sent packing. How can Felicity have brought him to her idyllic small town? While he didn't deserve to be murdered, he did deserve to be sued for sexual harassment. C'mon Lindsey, unleash your "inner New Yorker" on this guy! Someone else did it for her...
The problem is, all the suspects are part of the bake off and therefore, locals and likable! Ginger Brooks, owner of an ice cream shop, is a single mother struggling to make ends meet in winter. She tries hard to give her daughter a normal life but it's hard when people don't buy ice cream in summer. I can think of a few ideas to help her but she doesn't seem to be creative or want to think outside the box. Unlike Lindsey, she doesn't seem to be financially savvy. Her cookie sounds like it would be a hit and her waffle cones sound divine. She can obviously bake. She loves her young daughter and I don't think she would murder someone because that would ruin her daughter's life. How could she do that knowing her daughter would be taken away from her and who knows what would happen? Plus Ginger is Lindsey's friend and seems nice. I don't want her to be the killer.
Felicity is the obvious choice. She brought Chevy to Beacon Harbor and expected he would give her the win. When she wasn't in the lead, she went postal and bashed the dude in the head. Simple, right? Maybe not. Her husband believes she was having an affair with Chevy! GASP! Felicity was willing to sleep with this dude for the win. Oh yuck! Her husband is devastated and furious. They raised two great kids, he has a successful business, she has her business and they're happy together. Why does she want to win so badly? Just because she owns a Christmas store doesn't mean she has the lock on Christmas. Did her husband go postal and murder her lover? He's near the top of my list. The final contestant is Bradley Argyle, the talented new chef at the Harbor Hotel Restaurant. He is apparently both savory and pastry? Bradley is the only dude in the competition and unfazed by anything Chevy says or does. Bradley seems nice and answers Lindsey's questions. He lets her in his kitchen and doesn't seem competitive. He wants to make the best cookies he can and win on his own merit and if not, so be it.
But wait! Who are the cookie nappers and what is their connection to the bake off? Mrs. Nichols spies them at the final but only she can identify them. The police are suspicious of... HER! Oh no! Sgt. Stacy Murdock is tough but she seems fair. She doesn't enjoy civilian investigations at all and doesn't want Lindsey snooping around. Officer Tucker is adorable and kind. Kennedy has the hots for him but uses him for information and legally investigating - some of the time. Yet none of them go to him with information they find that may help crack the case. Even if it seems trivial or irrelevant, let the police decide that! Don't go off on a harebrained scheme and nearly get killed.
The recipes sounded good right up until I read the ingredients. Most of them involve nuts. Yuck! The only recipe I want to copy down is the giant gingerbread muffins. This story gave me a craving for them and for Christmas cookies!
I'll see what Lindsey & co. get up to next before I decide if I like this series or not.
This story started off strong. I loved all the Christmas baking and the little bit of Christmas magic. I did not love Lindsey's inner monologue mentioning her "Inner New Yorker" forty times a chapter! (I was just in NYC a few months ago and found people very friendly and helpful! Try "inner New Englander." We're WAY more rude here!) Other than that, the story was intriguing, even the murder. However, as it went on and clues were revealed, the story relies on outdated sexist stereotypes and is incredibly demeaning to women. MY inner New Englander came out to feel like bashing Chevy over the head with my rolling pin! Initially I guessed whodunit and why but got distracted by red herrings, confessions, non confessions and generally likable characters. I didn't expect the twist to influence the motive though.
In general I am not finding Lindsey very likable yet. She's rather Type A (another stereotype from New York) YET she doesn't unleash her inner New Yorker on people and tell them she's overwhelmed with her own baking for her business and if they want to serve cookies to their shoppers, that's great, but come in and buy them from existing stock and don't make extra work for her when she doesn't have the help to assist her. She's nosy and makes a lot of missteps in her investigation. Lindsey is also judgmental and her inner thoughts/memories of her mother are sizeist and ageist. Did you KNOW her mother is a former 80s fashion model? Did you KNOW her mother was incredibly beautiful and thin but NOW she's "old" (50s) and NO LONGER so beautiful or thin BUT she's decided to "embrace" "aging gracefully." No, there's just aging and then there's plastic surgery. Normal people age. Her mother has gained a bit of weight too GASP! It's the end of the world! Yes honey, that's called eating and menopause. It will happen to you too. Lindsey is rather self-conscious because she's not model thin or chic like her mom. She takes after her dad and is a financial wizard. The one thing I did like about Lindsey is that she is immune to sleazy men. Once bitten, twice shy. She knows her type and that's not it.
Lindsey's "type" is apparently lumberjack sexual. Rory is an outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing for sport and food. Oh yuck! I'd run screaming in the other direction. He's also ex military, another thing that would send me running for the hills, ESPECIALLY after the stunt he pulled in the first book. He's creepy. All Rory wants is to get Lindsey alone for some private time. She thinks they're taking their relationship slow but it's not moving at all because every time they DO try to kiss, they're interrupted. I don't understand why Betty screamed. She's canoodling Doc Riggles so she should be more sympathetic and just close the door and walk away. My favorite character is Wellie! Wellington, the Newfoundland, is adorable. He's friendly, loving and lovable. Yes he's very big and drooly but Newfies are sweeties. His buddies, Ireland and Brinkley, the Westies, would be my favorites but they sure don't act like Westies. No self-respecting terrier enjoys modeling clothes and they can intimidate Newfies (I've seen it) and cause a lot of destruction if their minds are not occupied. They need more exercise than Wellie! Wellie needs to stay with Rory and eat fish because his mom spoils him and everyone feeds him the most unhealthy foods. Also, please keep him out of the bakery even when customers are not there. As much as I love dogs, I don't want to eat dog fur thank you.
Lindsey has some help at the bakery but only three employees! Ryan is hard working and willing to help do whatever needs to be done. Tom, a barista, dreams up creative seasonal drinks. He's charming and handsome. Elizabeth is also a barista and works well with Tom. Wendy is an assistant baker. Alaina is in charge of the art department, meaning she draws the menu board. Alaina is shy but talented and creative. Mrs. Nichols is a dear. It's OBVIOUS to me she was sent by Captain Riggs and is actually Mrs. Claus! There's no other explanation other than magic for how she gets everything done! She's been a home bakery since the beginning of time, she says, obviously she means that literally. The characters are slow to catch on. They've lost sight of the magic of Christmas.
I can do without Lindsey's family and friends sleuthing for and with her. Ellie Montague-Bakewell, Lindsey's mom, a former fashion model, is rather what you would expect. She's kind but a little ditzy and fashion-focused. Dad is nice and doesn't intrude but they team up with real estate maven Betty Vanhoosen to investigate the murder. I don't much like Betty either. She enjoys stirring the pot and enjoys the drama of the bake off. She's also super nosy and the queen of gossip. I don't trust her. She's on my list of murder suspects even though she teams up with Ellie and Jim to investigate the murder. Kennedy, Lindsey's best friend, is still awful. She's CRAZY! She mainly cares about her influencing or whatever it's called but she claims to have an investigative podcast and knows what's going on. She uses this information to create an alter ego in order to investigate. She's also a bully and doesn't take no for an answer from anyone. I still think Lindsey needs new friends.
Felicity Stewart owns a year-round Christmas shop. That sounds awesome! I love Christmas, I love sticky sweet marshmallows in my hot chocolate- bring it on! I'll drink it! Just maybe not in July when it's hot and humid... Felicity is Type A when it comes to Christmas. She's a control freak and thinks because she owns a Christmas store, she has a lock on Christmas. Felicity is positive her regular old Christmas sugar cookies will win the bake off and brings in celebrity foodie Chevy Chambers as the judge. OK, first of all, there are usually more than one judge. Second of all, how exactly does she know him and why is he doing her this favor? Third of all, who is he exactly? He seems to be a food critic but no idea whether he's a chef or has any sort of credentials. That's never explained. He goes beyond Gordon Ramsay mean and is downright sleazy. He hits on Lindsey AND Kennedy (at the same time) and flirts with all the other women. This guy is disgusting and needs to be sent packing. How can Felicity have brought him to her idyllic small town? While he didn't deserve to be murdered, he did deserve to be sued for sexual harassment. C'mon Lindsey, unleash your "inner New Yorker" on this guy! Someone else did it for her...
The problem is, all the suspects are part of the bake off and therefore, locals and likable! Ginger Brooks, owner of an ice cream shop, is a single mother struggling to make ends meet in winter. She tries hard to give her daughter a normal life but it's hard when people don't buy ice cream in summer. I can think of a few ideas to help her but she doesn't seem to be creative or want to think outside the box. Unlike Lindsey, she doesn't seem to be financially savvy. Her cookie sounds like it would be a hit and her waffle cones sound divine. She can obviously bake. She loves her young daughter and I don't think she would murder someone because that would ruin her daughter's life. How could she do that knowing her daughter would be taken away from her and who knows what would happen? Plus Ginger is Lindsey's friend and seems nice. I don't want her to be the killer.
Felicity is the obvious choice. She brought Chevy to Beacon Harbor and expected he would give her the win. When she wasn't in the lead, she went postal and bashed the dude in the head. Simple, right? Maybe not. Her husband believes she was having an affair with Chevy! GASP! Felicity was willing to sleep with this dude for the win. Oh yuck! Her husband is devastated and furious. They raised two great kids, he has a successful business, she has her business and they're happy together. Why does she want to win so badly? Just because she owns a Christmas store doesn't mean she has the lock on Christmas. Did her husband go postal and murder her lover? He's near the top of my list. The final contestant is Bradley Argyle, the talented new chef at the Harbor Hotel Restaurant. He is apparently both savory and pastry? Bradley is the only dude in the competition and unfazed by anything Chevy says or does. Bradley seems nice and answers Lindsey's questions. He lets her in his kitchen and doesn't seem competitive. He wants to make the best cookies he can and win on his own merit and if not, so be it.
But wait! Who are the cookie nappers and what is their connection to the bake off? Mrs. Nichols spies them at the final but only she can identify them. The police are suspicious of... HER! Oh no! Sgt. Stacy Murdock is tough but she seems fair. She doesn't enjoy civilian investigations at all and doesn't want Lindsey snooping around. Officer Tucker is adorable and kind. Kennedy has the hots for him but uses him for information and legally investigating - some of the time. Yet none of them go to him with information they find that may help crack the case. Even if it seems trivial or irrelevant, let the police decide that! Don't go off on a harebrained scheme and nearly get killed.
The recipes sounded good right up until I read the ingredients. Most of them involve nuts. Yuck! The only recipe I want to copy down is the giant gingerbread muffins. This story gave me a craving for them and for Christmas cookies!
I'll see what Lindsey & co. get up to next before I decide if I like this series or not.
September 14, 2021
If the beautiful cover does not put you in the holiday spirit then the story will certainly get you ready for Christmas and holiday baking. Lindsey owns Beacon Bakeshop, located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Handling the holiday rush was stressful enough but being short on help and then being entered in a bake-off pushes stress to the limit. Things start going smoother thanks to family and the sudden mysterious appearance of a baker's helper until the bake-off activities. Now Lindsey finds herself involved in an odd theft and murder.
This story does a good job of combining a nice Christmas story with mystery, baking and maybe even a bit of Christmas magic. The characters are interesting and Wellington the dog is a fun addition. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This story does a good job of combining a nice Christmas story with mystery, baking and maybe even a bit of Christmas magic. The characters are interesting and Wellington the dog is a fun addition. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 24, 2022
It's Christmas time, and the owner of the year-round Christmas store has persuaded the locality to hold a Christmas cookie bake off.judged by celebrity chef.
The celebrity chef is obnoxious, promising all the women a victory in exchange for their favors. Naturally, he is killed off forthwith.
The gang has to try to solve the murder, and keep the Christmas spirit. Easier said than done.
The celebrity chef is obnoxious, promising all the women a victory in exchange for their favors. Naturally, he is killed off forthwith.
The gang has to try to solve the murder, and keep the Christmas spirit. Easier said than done.
August 16, 2021
Lindsey Bakewell has problems - some good and some bad. The good problem - she has so much business in her Beacon Harbor Bakeshop, right before Christmas, that she needs to hire another employee but she can't find anyone. and she's entered in a cookie bake-off judged by a nationally known food critic. The bad problem - she's right in the middle of a murder mystery and this may be her last bake-off, if she doesn't uncover a killer!
This book was so much fun and had me in the Christmas spirit in August! The main character, Lindsey was such a "down to earth" person and was easy to relate to. The mystery was fast-paced and had the perfect amount of humor and sentimental moments. The addition of Lindsey's "holiday helper" was such a joy and I found myself smiling as I finished the book. The surprise Lindsey's parents and her best friend had for her was perfect!
I'm ready for more sleuthing in Beacon Harbor!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book was so much fun and had me in the Christmas spirit in August! The main character, Lindsey was such a "down to earth" person and was easy to relate to. The mystery was fast-paced and had the perfect amount of humor and sentimental moments. The addition of Lindsey's "holiday helper" was such a joy and I found myself smiling as I finished the book. The surprise Lindsey's parents and her best friend had for her was perfect!
I'm ready for more sleuthing in Beacon Harbor!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 6, 2021
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is the delightful second book in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series and is certain to put readers in the holiday spirit. One of the reasons I am drawn to this series is because it is set in my home state of Michigan and I feel like I know the town and the surrounding area when the author describes it. Lindsey Bakewell is a wonderful character. Like many people, she has visions of the perfect Christmas and is striving hard to make that vision a reality. I love the opening pages of the books where she describes decorating the lighthouse much like Clark W. Griswold. I love Christmas Vacation so I was laughing right from the start. In addition to the charming setting, Ms. Hannah has populated the town with plenty of likable residents that act like the cast of secondary characters.
Lindsey's "sugarplum" vision of Christmas starts off a bit rocky until she finds a part-time baker. Now, she just has to get through the last-minute Christmas Cookie Bake-off. Well, as you can expect, this is where her Christmas goes off the rails with the discovery of the cookie judge dead under the mistletoe. The author does a great job of providing the reader with a number of suspects and viable clues so determining the killer's identity is not too easy. There are plenty of twists and turns, including her parents who take a turn at amateur sleuthing, until the killer is revealed in a rather climactic fashion.
Everything about this book was a delight to read from the setting to the characters and finally the mystery. I can't wait to see what Ms. Hannah has in store for Lindsey's next adventure.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Lindsey's "sugarplum" vision of Christmas starts off a bit rocky until she finds a part-time baker. Now, she just has to get through the last-minute Christmas Cookie Bake-off. Well, as you can expect, this is where her Christmas goes off the rails with the discovery of the cookie judge dead under the mistletoe. The author does a great job of providing the reader with a number of suspects and viable clues so determining the killer's identity is not too easy. There are plenty of twists and turns, including her parents who take a turn at amateur sleuthing, until the killer is revealed in a rather climactic fashion.
Everything about this book was a delight to read from the setting to the characters and finally the mystery. I can't wait to see what Ms. Hannah has in store for Lindsey's next adventure.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington Books, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 1, 2021
Lindsey Bakewell owns the Beacon Bakeshop in Beacon Harbor, Michigan. Christmas is approaching and Lindsey has a vision for a perfect sugar plum holiday. She has not had luck in the past with achieving a merry holiday. The bakery is keeping Lindsey hopping especially with all the Christmas orders. She really needs an assistant baker. Then Felicity Stewart convinces the town to host a Christmas cookie bake-off with each shop offering samples of their signature cookie. Lindsey becomes inundated with calls for orders. The bake-off takes a turn when the flirtatious celebrity judge is found dead with crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie on him. The only way to clear herself from suspicion is to find the guilty party and hopefully before Santa comes riding into town. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah is the 2nd A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery. This new cozy can be read as a standalone. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a fun lighthearted story with delicious cookies. The cookie descriptions will have your mouth watering. The story contains good writing with developed, relatable characters. I just love Lindsey’s Newfoundland, Wellington. I loved the idea of Lindsey and Welly having matching coats (I wonder if I can get my dog to wear a coat). There is humor sprinkled throughout that had me chuckling. The author captured Michigan in the winter. Beacon Harbor sounds like a charming small town. I love Lindsey’s lighthouse with its resident ghost. I enjoy the paranormal element and would actually like more of it. The mystery was well plotted with several suspects, a red herring, and good clues. It depends on your sleuthing ability on when you will solve this whodunit. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a cute cozy that will put you in the mood for the holidays. There are cookie recipes at the end for several of the tasty treats featured in the book. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a merry tale with cookie trickeries, dazzling lighthouse lighting, a bevy of baking, an affable assistant baker, delectable cookies, and a spectral captain.
September 2, 2024
This book is bursting with Christmas atmosphere and cheer. It would make a great Hallmark movie. I enjoyed the mystery but it took a long time to get to it. There is a town Christmas cookie contest with the best cookies getting to compete in a bake off. There is a lot of discussion about who will make what cookie. Prepare to get cookie cravings. That part did get tedious to me which is why I gave 3 stars instead of 4. However, once the bake off happened, things really sped up and were more exciting. This is a perfect cozy to read during the Christmas season.
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December 18, 2021Book 2. This is a wonderful series. It is Christmas time in this book. Lindsey was reminiscing about Christmases long ago that were not very mememorable. She was going to have the best Christmas in her new home and Bake Shop Beacon Bake Shop in the lighthouse tower. First she told all her employees that she was going to make the decorations Christmas Cookie lights and all pazzaz like Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase. They did even know that movie or the actor. She felt old. Then her friends Betty and Felicity ( the Queen of Christmas with her year round Christmas store) came in the Bake Shop and told her that a celebrity reviewer Chevy was going to judge a Christmas Cookie bake off. Lindsey was beside herself. But low and behold some grandmother Mrs Clause lookalike came into her bakery and wanted a job for baker that She needed. Lindsey was thinking that the old ghost Captain Wiley Riggs was responsible for her showing up. She had to much to do. But Betty said Lindsey can do it. Then some store owners asked Lyndsey to make them some cookies ( including Betty) to enter in the contest. When the contest was starting Felicty found out that Lyndsay was doing and almost banned her and all the others that she helped. But they all decided not to run because She was a the baker. Bradley, Ginger and Felicity and Lyndsey were the top contestants. It went downhill from there. The judge Chevy was a despicable man. He was trying to lure all the woman to have a fling with him and said he would make them win. He was hit in t he head with a rolling pin. There are a whole lot of suspects too Mrs Nichols ,Ginger, Felicity and even a mother of one of the cotestants. This is a cool book series. I love these plots. There are a lot going on but Darci Hannah explains it just right in this book. I will read more of this series
November 28, 2021
(free review copy) This was a really fun VERY Christmas-focused cozy mystery. I didn’t read the first in the series and wasn’t lost at all, but I definitely plan to continue the series. It seemed to be a little long and some of the meandering sleuthing could have been cut but overall this story just made me HUNGRY for holiday baked goods!
December 25, 2025
4.5 For a cozy mystery this was wonderful. It really showed the spirit of Christmas throughout and was a perfect holiday read. The characters are fun and different, everyone is trying to work out who the killer is, and there’s no shortage of holiday baking in between. After a laugh out loud chase on ice and snow the book is brought to a close on Christmas Day.
June 14, 2023
Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is book two in the Beacon Bakeshop series by Darci Hannah. Christmas Time at Beacon Bakeshop, and Lindsey was run off her feet after the town decided on the Bacon Harbor Cookie bake-off. However, the competition fell apart when the judge of the competition died. Lindsey decided to investigate the murder. The readers of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off will continue to follow Lindsey to discover what happens.
Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a fantastic addition to this excellent cozy mystery series by Darci Hannah. I engaged with the story and the characters from the beginning. I love Darci Hannah's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other. Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is well-written and researched by Darci Hannah. I like Darci Hannah's description of the settings of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, which completed the book's plot.
The readers of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-off will learn about the mental illness called kleptomaniac and the consequences for people who suffer from this illness. Also, the readers of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-off will understand the importance of friendship and support in a small community.
I recommend this book.
Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a fantastic addition to this excellent cozy mystery series by Darci Hannah. I engaged with the story and the characters from the beginning. I love Darci Hannah's portrayal of her characters and their interaction with each other. Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is well-written and researched by Darci Hannah. I like Darci Hannah's description of the settings of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-Off, which completed the book's plot.
The readers of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-off will learn about the mental illness called kleptomaniac and the consequences for people who suffer from this illness. Also, the readers of Murder At The Christmas Cookie Bake-off will understand the importance of friendship and support in a small community.
I recommend this book.
November 24, 2022
Such a delight to read. The holidays aesthetic is so real in this one, I could just Feel Christmas all around.
December 20, 2024
A fun, delightfully charming Christmas cozy mystery! I did figure out the culprit, but the twist in the motive was a surprise. Super enjoyable read for this time of year. 🎄
December 27, 2021
This book was really good, I stayed up late to finish it! I have definitely added this series to my favorites list. Fun characters, great cozy story, && a good mystery. If you are a cozy fan (or if you have never tried the genre) you need to read this series.
September 1, 2021
Second in Darci Hannah's Beacon Bakeshop series, Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-off has Lindsey Bakewell is dreaming of a "perfect" Christmas. She is busy decorating and baking for the Christmas Festival when Felicity Stewart owner of the Tannenbaum Shoppe and self proclaimed Christmas aficionado and Betty Vanhoosen, Chamber of Commerce president, surprise Lindsey with the news that the festival will now have a Christmas Cookie Bake-off and all shop owners are expected to participate.. Bake-off judge is celebrity food critic, Chevy Chambers. When Lindsey overextends herself by baking cookies for non-baking shop owners, she is rescued by the timely arrival of Mrs. Nichols to be her assistant. In spite of being the baker of most of the cookies, Lindsey makes it into the final four, but before a winner is picked Chevy Chambers is murdered.
Decorating the lighthouse, family visit for the holidays, too much baking and too many suspects capture both the Christmas and suspense aspects of this well written story. The final chapters have a satisfying conclusion with loose ends tied up and some unexpected plot twists that should impact book three! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for a review copy given in exchange for honest review. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Decorating the lighthouse, family visit for the holidays, too much baking and too many suspects capture both the Christmas and suspense aspects of this well written story. The final chapters have a satisfying conclusion with loose ends tied up and some unexpected plot twists that should impact book three! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for a review copy given in exchange for honest review. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
August 24, 2022
Darci Hannah is brilliant! Definitely has become one of my top favorite authors. There were so many twist and turns. I had no clue how things were going to play out. Then when I thought I knew and still thought Darci was crafty another twist happens! I love the town of Beacon Harbor and the people so much. I would move there in a heartbeat if I could. And the cookies mentioned! Amazing!
August 9, 2021
Lindsay Bakewell is up to her elbows in cookie dough, and the last thing she needs is to become involved in a murder investigation. Lindsay is desperate for an assistant baker, and when her prayers are answered, she is determined to make the best of things.
When her wonderful assistant baker seems to good to be true, Lindsay is distraught to think she would be capable of murder.
This has all the elements of an excellent cozy mystery. A fun read, and a lighthouse bakery sounds interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Talking about this book? Use #MurderattheChristmasCookieBakeOff #NetGalley.
When her wonderful assistant baker seems to good to be true, Lindsay is distraught to think she would be capable of murder.
This has all the elements of an excellent cozy mystery. A fun read, and a lighthouse bakery sounds interesting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Talking about this book? Use #MurderattheChristmasCookieBakeOff #NetGalley.
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