Author: Darci Hannah
Genre: Mystery
Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book; (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9781496747402
Kensington Cozies
306 Pages
$8.99; $7.99 Amazon
November 26, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lindsey's patrons have a new outdoor patio where they can eat their treats in the glorious summer weather. But even more exciting is that the Beacon Bakeshop is going to host British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry -- and what could be a more appropriate event than a tea party?
What Lindsey didn't realize is that Vivi is here to put some distance between herself and her recent professional and personal scandals. Despite assurances that Vivi is as sweet as a chocolate-dipped strawberry, Lindsey is cooling rapidly toward the culinary icon...especially after she banishes Lindsey's beloved dog, Wellington, from the bakeshop and then flirts outrageously with Lindsey's boyfriend.
She's not the only one feeling hostile, though. While Vivi's in the middle of making a tart in front of the cameras, a woman runs up and slaps her. Soon, Vivi's nowhere to be found, and folks are speculating on whether she's run off with her secret lover or just laying low due to embarrassment. That is, until Lindsey finds a body bobbing near the surface of Lake Michigan. It's a our ending for the diva, but Lindsey is determined to squeeze the truth out of every clue until she finds the killer...
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Lindsey Bakewell owns the Beacon Bakeshop, a bakery inside a delightful lighthouse that sits on the edge of Lake Michigan. She's excited because a British celebrity baker, Vivi Lemonberry, is coming to her shop to bake Vivi's famous Bakewell Tart as part of a promo for her new cookbook. She's had her share of scandals, but is now ready to start anew with a new attitude as well...but it doesn't last long. Lindsey soon finds out that Vivi is a diva of the first water and expects Lindsey to change everything to her own specifications. This includes banning Welly, Lindsey's beloved Newfoundland, from his home until she leaves.
On top of this, Rory, Lindsey's love, also moves out because Lindsey's best friend, Kennedy's family, is coming to stay at the lighthouse -- her grandmother, mother, and sister Pippa. This is almost as complicated as it gets, until while filming, a woman comes up and slaps Vivi, sending her off in hysterics, not to return.
Now everyone wants to know where Vivi is, and when -- or if -- the show will continue. Unfortunately, while learning to scuba dive with Rory, Lindsey is thrown into a terror by finding a body just below the surface of the water. Now there's a search for a killer, and even the police are so stumped that Sergeant Murdock has asked for Lindsey's help. What else could go wrong?...
This is the sixth book in the series and I have read them all. I have also loved them all. This one has just as much appeal as all the others. While the search is on for a killer, it's obvious that the murderer has intended to frame someone else, and that doesn't sit well with Lindsey or her friends. Unfortunately, Kennedy's sister "wants in on the action", which doesn't sit well with Kennedy, but what can she do?
Once they start investigating, they discover that everyone has secrets. But which ones led to the murder? And with so many people with motives, how to sift through the suspects to find out who had the nerve -- and anger -- to kill in such a fashion?
The book is filled with enough intrigue, secrets, and lies to keep anyone interested, but there are not so many people that you can't keep the suspects straight. I pretty much had most of it figured out before Lindsey did; but in the end even I was surprised by the whole truth.
At the last, we are given a wonderful ending that leaves us wanting to read the next book in the series right now. I am not-so-patiently waiting for that! There are also some yummy recipes in the back on the book that I can't wait to try. Highly recommended.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Darci Hannah's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/darci-hannah/
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