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The Mysteries of Cozy Cove #1

Much Ado about Muffin

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SOLVING A MURDER REQUIRES A REAL WHISK-TAKER.

Running a business in the picturesque town of Cozy Cove, Maine, hasn’t always been a piece of cake, but bakery-owner Mackenzie and her venerable assistant, Arthur, are a batch made in heaven.

When Mackenzie stumbles across the body of a well-known local chef vying for the title Griller of the Year, she is compelled to help local law enforcement find the murderer. Does she have what it bakes or will her cookie crumble?

Mackenzie needs to use her problem-solving skills to bring the killer to justice... with a little help from Ret. Lt. General Arthur Johnson.

Things are heating up in Cozy Cove.

104 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2023

75 people are currently reading
211 people want to read

About the author

Virginia K. Bennett

45 books58 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,097 reviews3,023 followers
November 7, 2025
When Mackenzie and a friend discovered a body during a walk along the beach front, she knew who it was. Bobby Porter had just won the title of Griller of the Year at the awards, leaving 3 other chefs as runners up. They were not happy, but would they murder the winner?

Mackenzie owned and ran the town's bakery, with the help of Arthur, and knew all the contestants. She was confident she could ask the right questions to come up with the right answers to pass onto the Troopers. But was she putting herself in danger, doing so?

Much Ado about Muffin is the 1st in The Mysteries of Cozy Cove by Virginia K. Bennett and I found it a little too twee and sickly sweet. It was a nice quick read, and very light and entertaining. Perfect to pass an hour or two in a relaxed fashion :)
6,726 reviews5 followers
November 1, 2024
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book one of six

She is on a dinner date that is not going well. They go for a walk on the beach and find a dead body. It is the body of the restaurant owner who won the cook off. She gets involved in the investigation leading to the arrest of the killer.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒😤
Profile Image for W.A. Edwards.
Author 1 book64 followers
January 29, 2023
This is a fun quirky little story.
Arthur is a hoot and is full of jokes and puns.
I will be watching for more books in the Cosy Cove series.
Profile Image for Tess Ailshire.
779 reviews4 followers
August 7, 2024
Awful.
The only good part is the camaraderie and easy friendship between Mackenzie and Arthur.

Mackenzie is on a loser of a date when she (*and* her date) find a body. The other half of the date is not mentioned again. He conveniently fades away.
Mackenzie decides for some unknown reason she must investigate.
Mackenzie has all kinds of amazing ideas for promoting businesses, but only rolls them out to get answers to her pseudo investigation.
Mackenzie solves the case, but we never do see exactly how.
Oh, yeah - let's *prove* it's a small tourist town (with FOUR steakhouses open year-round????) by giving all the businesses cheesy names.

The dialog is awkward and stilted. I've highlighted many of the egregious issues, but didn't take the time to note every awkward sentence, misplaced modifier, or plain idiotic dialog. The photographer, Brian, is incidental to the story, and something of an afterthought, as is friend Amy. Mackenzie tells Brian that friends call her "Mack" - but the author refers to her solely as Mackenzie. I didn't go back to find instances of her friends calling her "Mack" but they're few and far between if there. Further, the author uses "Mackenzie" over and over and over when a simple shift in sentence structure might allow pronouns.

In all, if this won a freshman writing contest, I'd be surprised.
Profile Image for Meg.
229 reviews1 follower
January 29, 2023
Mackenzie “Mac” Walsh, the owner of Top O’ The Muffin to Ya bakery, and Arthur, her 70+ employee, decide to investigate the murder of a local chef, Bobby Porter, after Mac finds his body the night before. Bobby had just won the coveted “Best Griller of The Year” award going up against three other chefs from Cozy Cove. Each runner up had a motive to kill him. Would Mac and Arthur be able to sift through the clues as they grill the other chefs with questions? Or will the killer get away with murder?

Mac is a smart cookie as she goes about questioning the subjects. Arthur is a hoot. The two of them keep things lighthearted as they sling punny jokes back and forth. As Mac goes forth in questioning the other contestants, she also presents a way that would promote her business while promoting theirs. The killer was not on my radar and was a surprise to me.

Virginia K. Bennett is a new author and has chosen the cozy mystery genre, and a great start to her brand, new series. She has checked off several boxes related to a cozy mystery; likable protagonist, a supportive sidekick, small town, a profession that draws people in with an opportunity for gossip, and a recipe for muffin tops. I enjoy reading recipes at the back of a book! This was a fun short read and I look forward to the next.
Congratulations Virginia on a great first book in your new series!

I received this book as a gift, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Ben.
215 reviews33 followers
September 24, 2023
I definitely enjoyed my time in Cozy Cove and look forward to reading the next book in the series. This might be a cozy novella but it has everything that cozy readers look for in a good book. Thank you Virginia K Bennett for sending me a free copy of the book!
Profile Image for Ashleigh.
Author 2 books3 followers
February 2, 2023
Loved the mystery.

I thought I had it figured out. I was wrong. Lol loved the twists. And can't wait to try the recipe.
Profile Image for Kat Mary.
472 reviews
February 24, 2023
I have been missing out having not read a Cozy Mystery yet! Much Ado About Muffin was a fun quick read with a great whodunit and super likeable characters. Virginia K Bennett obviously loves to cook and I loved those parts of the story. I will definitely be reading more of her books!
Profile Image for Tari.
3,655 reviews103 followers
February 9, 2023
I'm so glad I randomly found this in KU and borrowed it! All I can say is I'd definitely like more in this sweet series! I absolutely loved the friendship between Mackenzie and her older employee, a retired military general named Arthur. He's such a sweetheart and so good to her. I think he's even trying his hand at matchmaking Mackenzie and a shop owner named Brian lol. He's like the world's best dad and grandpa all in one...and he's a good sleuthing buddy too!

I loved how Mac and Arthur planned out the showdown after they figured out whodunit. This book had all the cozy elements I love and I'm eager to borrow the next book in KU when it's out!
Profile Image for Tambi Smith.
206 reviews12 followers
September 24, 2025
Review:
I recently had the opportunity to read "Much Ado About Muffin" by Virginia K. Bennett. The clever wordplay in the book title and also the chapter titles intrigued me right from the start. I was giggling before I even started to read the first chapter. Set in the charming town of Cozy Cove, Maine, the story introduces us to Mackenzie, a bakery owner, and her assistant Arthur, a retired lieutenant general, who fit together perfectly with a family-feel dynamic. As Mackenzie finds herself knee-deep in a murder mystery, I was eager to see how this story was going to play out.
Mackenzie is a fantastic and entertaining amateur sleuth. Her likability and determination make her the perfect person for this cozy mystery. The book features a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, every one of them with their own unique voice and personality. It was as if I could hear them speak directly from the page, with their varied tones and accents, as if I could hear the characters speaking right off the page. Arthur, in particular, stole my heart and stood out with his rich backstory and charming presence, even though I feel his gentle nudging played a crucial role in encouraging Mackenzie to charge ahead with the investigation.
The author’s use of punny business names and bakery-themed humor adds to the charm of this story. I couldn’t help but giggle at the witty muffin puns sprinkled throughout the story, which kept the story fun and engaging. Additionally, I enjoyed the nostalgic nods to famous popular icons like Marty McFly and Luke Skywalker. The clever references, combined with the music used in the dialogue, added another layer of humor and relatability to the story.
"Much Ado About Muffin" is a fast-paced read that had me eagerly turning. The balance of suspects, red herrings, and twists was just right for a short read, ensuring that the story remained engaging without becoming overwhelming. Just when I thought I had solved the mystery, Virginia K. Bennett incredibly pulled the rug out from under me, leaving me both surprised and satisfied. The inclusion of tasty recipes at the end only added to the delight, sparking my curiosity to try them out.
Overall, I highly recommend "Much Ado About Muffin" to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery with a sprinkle of humor and cleverness. This delightful tale is sure to be a treat for mystery lovers and culinary enthusiasts alike. The story concludes with an eagerness to dive into the next installment of the series, "It’s All or Muffin," promising more delightful mysteries in Cozy Cove.
Don’t just take my word for it. Grab a copy and dive into this delicious cozy mystery, where suspense is baked to perfection and humor is sprinkled throughout, creating a recipe for fun that will leave you craving more! With clues to sift through and a storyline that's nothing short of intriguing, you truly have muffin to lose.

Opinionated Book Rating:
Originality: 5.0/5.0
Plot Structure: 5.0/5.0
Pacing: 5.0/5.0
Dialogue and Narrative: 5.0/5.0
Personal Enjoyment: 5.0/5.0
Overall Rating: 5.0/5.0

Profile Image for Kristen.
605 reviews1 follower
April 6, 2023
How to begin??? Let's start with how quickly I was able to gobble this up! It's short, it's sweet, there's a lot going on and all of it is cozy. Well, I guess the murder isn't cozy, but like, everything else definitely is!!! I could not put this down. I was trying to solve along with Mac and Arthur, and I HAD to know whodunit.

Speaking of Mackenzie and Arthur. They are the cutest of the cutest. Mackenzie owns the world's punniest bakery in a cute coastal town in Maine. Arthur is the retired veteran grandfather of everyone's dreams, who helps her out around the bakery practically for free. He's essentially her adopted grandfather, but it would not take too much to convince me that they deserve a sweet, age gap romance!!! (I know, I know. Not every book needs a romance, but like......don't they?!) I also think we got set up for a bit of romance in book 2, but I'm going to wait to find out. I'm not going to read the blurb!!!

Seriously, this thing has so many puns. I giggled out loud at some of them. Most of them because I LOVE a good pun. It also made me really hungry, so the bonus recipe at the end of the book was a huge plus! I'm going to have to go to the store so that I can try them ASAP!

This is a solid mystery. It unravels quickly, there's plenty of good clues and red herrings. I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the next one!
Profile Image for Annie Flanders.
284 reviews4 followers
January 19, 2024
This is my First Read for 2024.

In a book group that I am a member of I found the delightful writer Virginia K Bennett. I adore books about food - so decided to get one of her books to read. I actually got the 6th book in the series then decided to get the first one and read the books in order.

The protagonist of the book is a wonderful baker - Mackenzie Walsh - who owns Top O' The Muffin To Ya in the quaint community of Cozy Cove, Maine. The person who helps her is a delightful retired man in his 70s named Arthur.

Mackenzie was actually the person who found the individual who was murdered - floating in the water - on a beach. She and Arthur work together to find leads and interview the other suspects. The clever way they do this is awesome.

I don't want to spoil the book for anyone so I shall stop here. Enjoy. Make the muffin recipe that comes with each book. Oh! I guess I forgot to mention that. :) Each book comes with an amazing muffin recipe.

Bon Appetit!!
Profile Image for Sookies Reads.
62 reviews2 followers
January 11, 2024
A fun cozy culinary read

A very enjoyable cozy culinary mystery featuring amateur detectives MacKenzie and Arthur. mackenzie is the owner of a small town bakery who hires retired veteran and widower, Arthur to help her during the bakery busy times. I absolutely adored the relationship between Mac and Arthur. Not only are they boss and employee but Arthur is almost a pseudo grandfather to Mack. Arthur also has the best food related puns. After a grilling challenge champion has been crowned, Mac stumbles upon a dead body. with Arthur's help, Mac whittles down the suspects all the while eating and baking some delicious food. This story was well written, fast paced and a lot of fun to read.
499 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2024
I enjoyed reading this fun cozy murder mystery. The author did a good job developing the great location of Cozy Cove, Maine. The main character Mackenzie (Mac) owns the Top O’ The Muffin To Ya bakery. Her assistant Arthur is a retired Lt.General and enjoys bantering with Mac. He is helpful and a grandfatherly figure to her.
When Mac finds the body of Bobby Porter, the local grill master first place winner she puts her sleuthing skills to work to find the true killer.
The three other grill master contestants each need their motives and alibis checked out and Mac visits each restaurant to gather information. Lots of food talked about and consumed.
She shares her information with the state troopers. A satisfying ending when the culprit is caught. I didn’t guess who it was till the very end!
Profile Image for Cozy Reader Lady.
1,161 reviews123 followers
March 24, 2023
Quick Cute Cozy

"Much Ado About Muffin" by Virginia K. Bennett is the first book in the "The Mysteries of Cozy Cove." It is a quicker read but still just as cozy of a mystery as any other cozy mystery. The punny Veteran retiree is a nice change of spunky sidekick. I look forward to reading more with him and the other characters that we're just starting to know in this first installment.

Thank you Virginia Bennette for reaching out to me about your books. You were correct I would enjoy them.
113 reviews4 followers
July 8, 2025
I was a little worried when I saw how short the book was, but it was a complete story. It was short and sweet, with a lot packed into a quick read. Mackenzie is the main character and she owns a bakery. Her employee, Arthur, is a sweet, elderly man who seems to have a fatherly role. There are many puns and every chapter has a title, which I love. It used to be so common, but I haven't seen it in a while so it was a simple, yet nice detail for me. I really like the characters and the town. I really enjoyed the book and will be reading the next one.
Profile Image for Kathleen R. Cuyler.
Author 2 books28 followers
June 2, 2023
How would you like to Cozy Cove?

How would you like to visit Cozy Cove? Reading Much Ado About Muffin took me right into Cozy Cove and in the mind of amateur sleuth and bakery owner MacKenzie Walsh. Virginia K. Bennett has a writing style that makes you feel like grabbing a cup of coffee or tea, snuggling up under a blanket, and reading her whole series! MacKenzie is a relatable protagonist, making you feel like you've known her all your life. It's so much fun getting in her head and following along as she gathers clues. This story has you guessing up to the end, but one thing is for certain: you'll want to read more!
Profile Image for Jerrilynne Evitts.
153 reviews4 followers
June 29, 2023
Much Ado About Muffin

I received this book as an Arc from the author and I’m writing a review because I want to. It’s such a great read! A bakery owner who hired a veteran as her assistant, solves a murder. After a contest one of the contestants is discovered on the beach. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Theresa Materazzi.
246 reviews6 followers
December 13, 2023
muffin like a good book! Lol!

I know corny, but that is part of the atmosphere of this book and I loved it!!

Nothing like a cozy mystery and food together to make a fabulous story.
Virginia, I would love the cats to be more in the books and I hope as I continue on that this will be so!
Off to start book 2 and I highly recommend this to any cozy mystery fan!!
Awesome!!
Profile Image for booksy.tx.ana.
775 reviews8 followers
December 27, 2023
This cozy mystery had such a great introduction and first chapter. The story was really captivating. I really liked the dynamic between Arthur and Mackenzie. It’s a bit different because the side kick tends to be a woman. This is a good read, especially for someone who would like to give cozy mysteries a try. It’s not a miss steak to give this a shot.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,189 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2024
Cozy Cove mystery

A mystery of who killed the winner of the Grill Master winner. Was it the other chefs who were less than thrilled. Mackenzie the owner of Muffin bakery investigates after finding the victim. Several suspects are featured. Investigation begins and I found the ending perfect.
Profile Image for Patricia Rhodes.
80 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2025
Muffin Tops

In this delightful first book in The Mysteries of Cozy Cove, we are introduced to Makenzie and Author. Makenzie is a 40+ owner of a bakery. Author is a 70+ widowed veteran with lots of time on his retired hands.

Makenzie comes across a murder victim and off they both go trying to find out who the murderer is.

I’ll “steak” a bet you will enjoy this book.
Profile Image for Emily C..
328 reviews11 followers
December 27, 2025
I’ve really enjoyed Virginia K. Bennett’s Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery series, and Much Ado About Muffin — the first book in her new Cozy Cove Mystery series — is just as delightful. It serves up plenty of charm and small‑town warmth, even as a murder puts the entire community on edge.

I’ll definitely be picking up more of Bennett’s books, and I highly recommend you do the same.
Profile Image for Bethany Quesnell.
1 review
February 6, 2023
Quick, cozy read

This was a cute read with a fun, cozy mystery, lots of food puns, and clever characters. Don't read it on an empty stomach,or you'll be primed to make sugary decisions!
19 reviews
February 12, 2023
A little mystery for a sweet read

I enjoyed meeting the characters who I hope will return in more Cozy Cove Mysteries.
It was a quick but fun read. I figured out the how of the story, but the who was a surprise.
Good job!!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
19 reviews
May 1, 2023
What a fun start to a new series. Bakery owner ‘Mac’ Mackenzie and her employee/sleuthing partner Arthur are wonderful characters. This cozy mystery had me guessing until the end and looking forward to the next book in the series. This book also contains an easy, delicious muffin top recipe.
Profile Image for Jayna Morrow.
Author 30 books25 followers
January 5, 2024
Funny and Punny

I really enjoyed this quick read. Sometimes the shorter mysteries are lacking in the investigation department but this one felt like a full-length novel. Very satisfying. Great writing and I loved all the puns.
68 reviews
April 27, 2025
Young Agatha Christy who is also a Baker

Arthur and MacKenzie work together making Muffins and solving mysteries. Arthur was just what Mac needed to bring her Bakery to the next level .
Profile Image for Toni.
1,571 reviews64 followers
June 27, 2025
Definitely gets your attention

It was much to do about a winning contest, then a dead body but I didn't find it was as much to do about the main characters. Hard to know them in a book so short. Might need to read more to get a better idea of who the cast is.
Profile Image for Sarah Lewin.
Author 30 books54 followers
September 29, 2025
I love cozy mysteries, set in small quirky towns, with great, larger than life characters. The author nailed it; this book was exactly as a cozy mystery should be. Great world building and character development. I’ll be reading more from this author.
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