This is the first book in the long running Cupcake Bakery series by Jenn McKinlay. Jenn also writes the Book Lovers series and the Hat Shop series. The latest Cupcake Bakery book just came out but I wanted to start at the beginning. I was glad when a Facebook book club I’m in decided to read this book for April 2018 because I’d been wanting to get started reading it. Book clubs are great for that!
My Goodreads review:
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Melanie, Angie and Tate have been best friends for years and now Tate was getting married to fashion designer, Christie Stevens. The 3 friends co-own Fairy Tale Cupcakes who of course got the order for the reception. Christie was such a bridezilla though that she wanted to own the flavors. When Mel took over the samples, she found Christie dead in her studio and soon became the prime suspect. Of course with half the town thinking she did it as well as the police and the press, Mel was determined to clear her name and Tate’s, who somehow got dragged in and depicted as Mel’s old boyfriend by the press. Mel’s arch nemesis Olivia, who owns a rival bakery in another part of town would probably be thrilled if Fairy Tale Cupcakes went poof! Mel had to get answers fast before she ended up in jail.
This was such an awesome group of main characters! I loved the idea of three childhood friends meeting every week and watching old movies like these three did. Uncle Stan who was a detective seemed like a teddy bear and just the best person to have around. I could really relate to what Mel said about seeing her father’s face every time she looked at Stan. I have two uncles left that make me think of my sweet dad every time I see them. I loved how protective of Angie all her brothers were. I never had a big brother so even though to her it was a pain, I thought it was kind of sweet how they looked out for her, well maybe a little extreme at times! 😉
The only character I didn’t like one little bit was the rival baker, Olivia. She was just plain mean spirited and awful! Am I bad person for wishing she was out of the way or becomes out of the way in a future book?
I sure thought I had the killer picked out but what a cool twist at the end. The take down was exciting and actually kind of funny because I could picture it happening in a movie. Things got wrapped up and the killer was hauled off to jail. The story ending after the killer was dealt with was very sweet but I won’t give any of it away. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Cuddle Up With a Cozy Mystery 