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ebknits's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
abaranes's review against another edition
3.0
2.5.
I'm actually quite disappointed in this one, especially with how much I enjoyed the first one. It felt like a lot of the characterization that was built up well in the first book turned into a bit of flanderization. The mystery element, too, was fairly straightforward and fairly easy to solve - unless there's a major twist that is being held for a later book. The way the book concludes almost feels like Burns got bored writing this one and wanted to wrap it up so she could get to the next book in the series.
I think there's a larger issue I'm having with this series, which is the author seems to be trying to build a much larger mystery - one that is solved over the course of several novels, rather than just one. It's leaving me feel kind of incomplete when I finish the individual books in the series. For example, the first book solved one murder, but left quite a few questions that went unanswered. However, rather than answer some those questions in this book, Burns ignores quite a few of them and instead introduces new questions - questions that also remain unanswered at the end. It feels like Burns is trying to write this series like a serial TV show in which there is a case of the week (that gets solved), but also a longer, more complicated mystery at hand. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that blend works quite as well with books that are released several months apart, compared to weekly episodes. It might work if the larger mystery were less important or if the "case of the week" were smaller, but right now it feels like the mix isn't quite right.
I'm actually quite disappointed in this one, especially with how much I enjoyed the first one. It felt like a lot of the characterization that was built up well in the first book turned into a bit of flanderization. The mystery element, too, was fairly straightforward and fairly easy to solve - unless there's a major twist that is being held for a later book. The way the book concludes almost feels like Burns got bored writing this one and wanted to wrap it up so she could get to the next book in the series.
I think there's a larger issue I'm having with this series, which is the author seems to be trying to build a much larger mystery - one that is solved over the course of several novels, rather than just one. It's leaving me feel kind of incomplete when I finish the individual books in the series. For example, the first book solved one murder, but left quite a few questions that went unanswered. However, rather than answer some those questions in this book, Burns ignores quite a few of them and instead introduces new questions - questions that also remain unanswered at the end. It feels like Burns is trying to write this series like a serial TV show in which there is a case of the week (that gets solved), but also a longer, more complicated mystery at hand. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that blend works quite as well with books that are released several months apart, compared to weekly episodes. It might work if the larger mystery were less important or if the "case of the week" were smaller, but right now it feels like the mix isn't quite right.
lobrien12's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I absolutely love reading Valerie’s books in this series, but the first books ending felt rushed and this felt like the exact opposite. It just felt so unfinished I was so disappointed when it ended.
seighboo's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jmbq_reads's review against another edition
4.0
In this second Baker Street mystery, Maddy is almost ready to reopen her Baby Cakes Bakery after a fire, though she has kept the business running from her home with help from her friends. Unfortunately, she faces a challenge from an outsider who wants to open up a French bakery across the street from her -- wealthy businessman Clayton Jefferson Davenport, who also happens to be the estranged husband of her friend and tenant April Johnson (the sheriff). When Davenport turns up dead soon after his arrival in town, and both Maddy and April appear to be suspects, Maddy rallies her so-called Baker Street Irregulars to help her solve the murder.
This entertaining cozy mystery gives the reader more insight into some of the regular characters, especially April and head baker Leroy. Some of the plot threads from the first book carry through here (and appear to have enough momentum for a third book in future), so it feels like Maddy has more than one mystery to solve. (And given the abrupt ending, I don't think she has completely solved either of them.)
Fast paced and fun. 3.5 stars rounded up (especially for Baby the mastiff).
Thank you, Kensington and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.
This entertaining cozy mystery gives the reader more insight into some of the regular characters, especially April and head baker Leroy. Some of the plot threads from the first book carry through here (and appear to have enough momentum for a third book in future), so it feels like Maddy has more than one mystery to solve. (And given the abrupt ending, I don't think she has completely solved either of them.)
Fast paced and fun. 3.5 stars rounded up (especially for Baby the mastiff).
Thank you, Kensington and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.