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A review by kimdavishb
Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer
5.0
When I first saw the cover and the title I knew I had to read KNEADED TO DEATH by Winnie Archer. After all, learning to bake bread was the very first thing my grandmother taught me to make (along with several cousins) when I was about seven-years-old. In addition to having a theme that I’m endeared to, KNEADED TO DEATH has an emotional connection that pulled me in. The protagonist, Ivy Culpepper, returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia, located on California’s central coast after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. The culprit was never caught. Even after six months Ivy is still floundering amidst her grief. The author includes a poignant line which I found touching for any daughter who has lost their mother, especially at a young age. “Grief has to run its course. I knew this, but the reality was that I’d never not feel the emptiness inside.”
Ivy signs up for bread baking classes at Yeast of Eden, and connects with the elderly owner, Olaya Solis, who becomes a friend and mentor. When one of the class participants is found murdered in the parking lot of the bakery, Ivy decides she needs to help clear her new friend’s name and find the real killer. As she starts asking questions, she finds many suspects. The author does a nice job of kneading the characters into subplots and then rolling them together in the end for a tasty, tempting read. Ms. Archer also sets the stage for subsequent books with the introduction of elderly Penny Branford, who is a wonderful sidekick in Ivy’s sleuthing efforts. I look forward to the next installment in this series!
As you read through this delightful cozy, you are going to be drooling over the delectable descriptions of the breads being made at Yeast of Eden. Fortunately Ms. Archer includes recipes at the back of the book and tried her recipe for Conchas. Conchas are a well-known Mexican pastry, named for the shell patterned topping adorning each sweet bun. I’ve eaten Conchas purchased at small markets several times growing up but they always seemed a bit dry and not that tasty. There truly is a difference between fresh bread vs. mass market bread and this recipe showcases what is appealing about this traditional Mexican treat. The rolls are soft and rich tasting with a hint of sweetness. I especially loved the cinnamon-flavored topping for the added flavor.
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ivy signs up for bread baking classes at Yeast of Eden, and connects with the elderly owner, Olaya Solis, who becomes a friend and mentor. When one of the class participants is found murdered in the parking lot of the bakery, Ivy decides she needs to help clear her new friend’s name and find the real killer. As she starts asking questions, she finds many suspects. The author does a nice job of kneading the characters into subplots and then rolling them together in the end for a tasty, tempting read. Ms. Archer also sets the stage for subsequent books with the introduction of elderly Penny Branford, who is a wonderful sidekick in Ivy’s sleuthing efforts. I look forward to the next installment in this series!
As you read through this delightful cozy, you are going to be drooling over the delectable descriptions of the breads being made at Yeast of Eden. Fortunately Ms. Archer includes recipes at the back of the book and tried her recipe for Conchas. Conchas are a well-known Mexican pastry, named for the shell patterned topping adorning each sweet bun. I’ve eaten Conchas purchased at small markets several times growing up but they always seemed a bit dry and not that tasty. There truly is a difference between fresh bread vs. mass market bread and this recipe showcases what is appealing about this traditional Mexican treat. The rolls are soft and rich tasting with a hint of sweetness. I especially loved the cinnamon-flavored topping for the added flavor.
I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.