Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Murder is a Piece of Cake

by Valerie Burns

Series: Baker Street Mystery #2
Series Rating:
Published by Kensington Books on June 27, 2023
Setting: Michigan
Genres: Cozy Crafts and Hobbies Culinary Mystery
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover, Kindle, Paperback
Source: NetGalley
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Books-A-Million
Also in this series: Two Parts Sugar, One Part Murder

With small town New Bison’s Spring Baking Festival just around the corner, the pressure is on Maddy to continue her late Great Aunt Octavia’s legacy. That means scoring the top prize and transforming Baby Cakes into Southwestern Michigan’s must-visit bakery, even though her inexperience in the kitchen brings nightmares of humiliating tagged photos and scathing one-star reviews.

There’s another reason for lost beauty sleep. A second bakery is opening in town under the ownership of CJ Davenport, a shrewd investor with a reputation for sabotaging anyone who gets in his way. And savvy, flashy Maddy tops his list. It’s a sticky spot to be in—more so when Davenport turns up dead with a Baby Cakes’s knife stuck in his back.

Maddy’s whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time . . .

Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns is set during the springtime in Michigan.

Will Maddy find out why someone would want CJ Davenport dead?

Maddy Montgomery

Madison “Maddy” Montgomery loves her life in New Bison, Michigan, and is excited about the Spring Festival. She is also getting things ready at Baby Cakes Bakery for the Grand Reopening during the Spring Festival. Well, that is until CJ Davenport steps into the limelight and says he is opening a rival bakery. Maddy being the way she is, makes a bad bet with him. Now, Maddy has to clear her name and two of her friends’ names.

Maddy is a fantastic character who has grown since the first book. She feels more confident in herself in New Bison and tries to live like an average person. Maddy also has great friends and a supportive boyfriend who all want to see Maddy become the person that her aunt Octavia thought that Maddy could be. Well, that is, if she didn’t have access to so much money.

The Victim

Clayton “CJ” Davenport was murdered in Baby Cakes Bakery with one of their knives. Of course, before that happens, we find out that Clayton and our own Sheriff, April Johnson, are married and that he isn’t happy that she isn’t on his arm anymore. Davenport pissed off many people within the short time he was in New Bison alive. I honestly had no clue who could have killed the man or why since a bunch of people had a motive to kill him. When the killer was found I couldn’t believe it. No one seems to be mourning the loss of one, Clayton Davenport.

Five Stars

Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns has Maddy trying to keep herself out of jail and two of her closest friends. One of them is married to the dead guy, even if they are separated. Ms. Burns has the perfect way of telling a story that sprinkles these clues all over the place that point to many different people, but only one is correct. I am giving Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns five stars and a recommendation to anyone that likes a phenomenal cozy culinary mystery.

There are recipes in the back of the book, so don’t forget to look at them. They are Great-Aunt Octavia’s Chocolate Soul Cake, Maddy’s Peanut Butter Dream, Leroy’s Easy Peanut Butter Cookies, Michael’s Easy Sugar Cookies, and Quick and Easy Lemon Meringue Pie. All of these sound so yummy, especially the chocolate cake. Most of these recipes are mentioned throughout the book as well.

Baker Street Mystery Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
• 2023 Cloak and Dagger
• 2023 CMRC Prompts
• 2023 Craving the Cozies
• 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
• 2023 Finishing the Series
• 2023 Goodreads RC
• 2023 Medical Examiner RC
• 2023 Six Shooter

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