Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Icing on the Murder by Valerie Burns was a fantastic audiobook! I usually don't find narrators memorable, but Jasmin Walker read this book amazingly with the emotion and personality of Maddy. Even reading the Harrah's and talk with Baby worked well with Walker's narration. I'll be looking for more books read by this narrator soon.
As for the plot, I enjoyed that it was short and succinct, all taking placing in one location with clear characters. I have read the previous three books, so Maddy's squad was easy to follow. However, I do wish the book had been longer with more detail as they solved the murders. Maybe it was because the audiobook was only six hours, but I felt like it flew by and could have used more bakery and Baby content. This book seemed to have significantly less bakery, Baby, and Aunt Octavia content than the first three books. I hope the next one returns to those elements.
Thank you to RBmedia and Valerie Burns for this ALC!
4.5 stars
As for the plot, I enjoyed that it was short and succinct, all taking placing in one location with clear characters. I have read the previous three books, so Maddy's squad was easy to follow. However, I do wish the book had been longer with more detail as they solved the murders. Maybe it was because the audiobook was only six hours, but I felt like it flew by and could have used more bakery and Baby content. This book seemed to have significantly less bakery, Baby, and Aunt Octavia content than the first three books. I hope the next one returns to those elements.
Thank you to RBmedia and Valerie Burns for this ALC!
4.5 stars
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a fan of the Baker Street Mysteries series, I eagerly preordered Icing on the Murder months before its release. This is the newest installment in a series that consistently blends small town charm with gripping whodunnits. Once again, the beloved Baker Street Irregulars, food-loving sleuths with a knack for uncovering secrets, set out to solve a mystery brimming with twists, multiple suspects, and the excitement that fans have come to adore.
This time, the main question is: Who killed Serafina? With suspects around every corner and motives more layered than Leroy’s croissants, the Irregulars leap into action. Their teamwork and unshakeable bond infuse the investigation with warmth and wit, while Maddy leads the charge.
However, while the plot satisfies, I remain disappointed by the pace of Maddy’s character development. She’s come a long way from the self-centered influencer introduced in book one, but her journey toward self-trust feels stalled. I’m eager to see her truly own her strengths, stand confidently in her decisions, and recognize her success as more than a byproduct of circumstance. She has the potential to be a bold and self-assured protagonist—I hope future installments allow her to fully embrace that.
Despite this, Icing on the Murder, is a delightful and suspenseful ride, worthy of any cozy mystery shelf.
This time, the main question is: Who killed Serafina? With suspects around every corner and motives more layered than Leroy’s croissants, the Irregulars leap into action. Their teamwork and unshakeable bond infuse the investigation with warmth and wit, while Maddy leads the charge.
However, while the plot satisfies, I remain disappointed by the pace of Maddy’s character development. She’s come a long way from the self-centered influencer introduced in book one, but her journey toward self-trust feels stalled. I’m eager to see her truly own her strengths, stand confidently in her decisions, and recognize her success as more than a byproduct of circumstance. She has the potential to be a bold and self-assured protagonist—I hope future installments allow her to fully embrace that.
Despite this, Icing on the Murder, is a delightful and suspenseful ride, worthy of any cozy mystery shelf.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I nicely written cozy comfort read! Love this series🫶🏾
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maddy and Michael are at an impasse trying to figure out their wedding budget. Maddy's dad is, of course, fabulously wealthy so she could have the wedding of her dreams if she wants. But Michael doesn't want to take that much money from her dad and besides, she already had the wedding of her dreams. It just happens that she was left at the altar. The two figure everything out except that Maddy leaves out one thing, she's entered a contest to have event planner Serafina plan their wedding. If they win, it will be filmed for a possible new reality show.
It's fabulous when Maddy and Michael are picked as one of the three finalist couples. It's just too bad that Serafina doesn't seemt to be a pleasant sort of person. She's seen/overheard arguing with any number of people including Michael’s ex-fiancée, her assistants Lucy and Luke, and one of the other vendors at the wedding expo that all of this is happening at. It makes her the prime character that needs to be murdered. And, she is. Trooper Bob is called in and, of course, believes Maddy did it. April was there during the murder and could claim jurisdiction but really, it turns out they need to call in the feds so it's not like Trooper Bob is going to be in charge anyway. Besides, he's got some health issues to concentrate on.
This was an okay story but there is so much focus on the characters that the mystery becomes a sub-sub plot in a series that is mainly about mysteries.
It's fabulous when Maddy and Michael are picked as one of the three finalist couples. It's just too bad that Serafina doesn't seemt to be a pleasant sort of person. She's seen/overheard arguing with any number of people including Michael’s ex-fiancée, her assistants Lucy and Luke, and one of the other vendors at the wedding expo that all of this is happening at. It makes her the prime character that needs to be murdered. And, she is. Trooper Bob is called in and, of course, believes Maddy did it. April was there during the murder and could claim jurisdiction but really, it turns out they need to call in the feds so it's not like Trooper Bob is going to be in charge anyway. Besides, he's got some health issues to concentrate on.
This was an okay story but there is so much focus on the characters that the mystery becomes a sub-sub plot in a series that is mainly about mysteries.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not my favorite in the series, but fun and enter nonetheless. Would recommend if you like lighthearted 'who done it' mystery books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship
funny
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:
No
This is literally my favorite cozy mystery series, and the narrator is perfection.
mysterious
fast-paced
⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5 stars, rounded up)
Our favorite #influencer-turned-baker Maddy is back! Along with her fiercely loyal pup, Baby, and once again, murder is on the menu. This time, Maddy heads to a local bridal convention to compete for a chance to have her dream wedding planned by none other than the famous Serafina. But when Serafina turns up dead, it’s up to Maddy and her usual crew to crack the case.
I typically read this series more for the cozy vibes than the mystery itself, but unfortunately, this installment felt rushed and lacked the charm I love. Once the murder happened, the pacing became too rapid. We barely had time to dig into the suspects before the (very obvious) killer was revealed. While the motive was eventually explained, the unraveling of the mystery felt abrupt, and I missed spending more time with Maddy and her quirky circle as they stumbled through solving the mystery.
A few side plots had potential but weren’t developed enough to add real depth. The story could have benefited from more breathing room to showcase the cozy elements and character dynamics fully.
That said, the audiobook narration was solid, even if the repeated #hashtag references started to get a little annoying.
What still works in this series are the heartfelt themes of family and community, and the added recipes continue to be a delightful bonus.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
Our favorite #influencer-turned-baker Maddy is back! Along with her fiercely loyal pup, Baby, and once again, murder is on the menu. This time, Maddy heads to a local bridal convention to compete for a chance to have her dream wedding planned by none other than the famous Serafina. But when Serafina turns up dead, it’s up to Maddy and her usual crew to crack the case.
I typically read this series more for the cozy vibes than the mystery itself, but unfortunately, this installment felt rushed and lacked the charm I love. Once the murder happened, the pacing became too rapid. We barely had time to dig into the suspects before the (very obvious) killer was revealed. While the motive was eventually explained, the unraveling of the mystery felt abrupt, and I missed spending more time with Maddy and her quirky circle as they stumbled through solving the mystery.
A few side plots had potential but weren’t developed enough to add real depth. The story could have benefited from more breathing room to showcase the cozy elements and character dynamics fully.
That said, the audiobook narration was solid, even if the repeated #hashtag references started to get a little annoying.
What still works in this series are the heartfelt themes of family and community, and the added recipes continue to be a delightful bonus.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for the advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.