The Wedding Cake Conundrum

An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 15

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798340155962; 9798340154934

Clean Tales Publishing

193 Pages

$18.99; $9.99; $2.99 Amazon

September 27, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

As wedding bells chime in Ivy Creek, amateur sleuth and baker extraordinaire, Lucy Hale, should be reveling in marital bliss.  She's looking forward to changes in her life and the political landscape in her small town.

However, when a charismatic politician turns up dead, the town's tranquility crumbles faster than a poorly baked souffle.

With her fiance, the deputy sheriff, under the spotlight as a prime suspect, Lucy takes it upon herself to sift through the floury mess of clues.  But as she follows the trail of breadcrumbs, she discovers a rival far closer to home -- her soon-to-be sister-in-law, vying for the title of wedding cake baker, despite a dearth of baking prowess.

Caught between solving a murder and thwarting her sister-in-law's meddling, Lucy must tread carefully.

Will she untangle the twisted threads of deception in time to salvage her happily ever after, or will she become the killer's next target, her dreams of wedded bliss crumbling like a poorly constructed cake.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale owns her late parents' bakery in the small town of Ivy Creek.  After some years away, she's finally found what she's been looking for, and is finally happy.  Especially since she's marrying her high school boyfriend, Taylor, who's a police deputy running for sheriff.  Only two things stand in her way of true happiness:  Taylor's sister Kayla, who took some cooking classes and thinks the perfect gift would be to cater their wedding.  Although Lucy is horror stricken, she can't let on and hopes that maybe her Aunt Tricia and herself can steer the woman away.

The second is that Taylor has a rival, an out-of-towner who is also running for sheriff, and isn't above pulling dirty tricks to get the job.  While Taylor doesn't seem too concerned, an incident occurs that angers him and is, unfortunately, causing a problem.

When Lucy stumbles across a dead body, it suddenly amplifies their problems, and Taylor must step away from it, confined to desk duty.  But Lucy, being who she is, decides to try and figure out who the killer is, because she's determined that her wedding will occur on time.  If she can stay alive long enough to be part of it...

This is the fifteenth book in the series, and I have read them all.  The reason I gave four stars instead of five is because of a scene where the news shows a story that has obviously been edited.  No news outlet would do this unless they wanted to get sued.  Details are important.

Other than that, I really enjoyed this tale, finally seeing that Lucy is going to tie the knot with Taylor.  There is enough going on in the backstory to keep you interested.  But just like Lucy, I don't really care for Kayla.  I love cats, and cats know!...

The mystery is woven well into the story, and the plot was very well done.  I enjoyed this one more than the others, and that's saying a lot, since I enjoyed the others as well.  I would definitely recommend this tale to anyone.

https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Cake-Conundrum-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CXF5TWRJ/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6885606634

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

A Spicy Side of Homicide (An Ivy Creek Mystery Book 14)

Author:     Ruth Baker

Genre:      Mystery

Digital Book 

ASIN #:    B0CPVY5PKY

Clean Tales Publishing

138 Pages

$2.99 Amazon

May 31, 2024

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy Hale is excited about helping a young lady, Selina Gomez, open her restaurant.  She remembers the challenges she faced reopening her parents' bakery and wants to relay all she knows to help Selina become a success from day one.

On the day of the highly anticipated restaurant launch, disaster strikes.  A rival restaurateur and Selina's fierce rival takes a fatal bite, his face turning a shade that's anything but appetizing.

The spicy suspect?  One of Selina's delicious but spicy yummy eidbles, rumored to be the last thing the deceased tasted.

Amidst whipsers of revenge and a recipe for disaster, Selina finds herself in hot water, accused of sering up more than just culinary delights.  With the town buzzing and Selina's reputation on the line, Lucy steps in to prove the young restaurateur's innocence.

As Lucy sifts through a myriad of motives, from culinary feuds to ancient family recipes, she uncovers a web of spicy secrets that someomne would kill to keep hidden.  But as she gets closer to the truth, it becomes clear that the killer's appetite for revenge is far from satisfied -- and Lucy might just be the next dish on the menu.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale is loving her life running the bakery her parents began, and enjoying her friends and deputy boyfriend, Taylor.  When she's asked to mentor a young woman who is opening her own restaurant, she jumps at the chance.  But when Selina Gomez runs into trouble, Lucy wants to help her.  Selina finally opens the restaurant, but things go from bad to worse when a rival restauranteur is murdered right in front of everyone.  Now the restaurant is closed, and Selina doesn't know if she'll ever recover.  That is, until Lucy steps in trying to find out who killed the man...

This is the fourteenth book in the series and I have read them all.  I have also enjoyed them all.  This time Lucy is helping a young woman open her own restaurant, but when there are problems with the bank, Selina wonders if she'll lose her building, and a mysterious man offers her a large amount of money to move elsewhere, which she turns down.

Then, a rival restauranteur claims she stole his recipes, which Selina denies; and the man shows up on opening night and it looks like an accidental death.  When it's not, Lucy steps in to help the young woman find out who killed the man and wanted to frame her.

There's a lot going on regarding the restaurant, and a lot going on behind the scenes.  Lucy is wondering what her future holds, and her Aunt Tricia has a new job making Easter bonnets for local ladies, which actually ties into everything well.  You can look for the clues and find them; I figured out the murderer pretty quickly, but then again, as I state regularly, I read a lot of mysteries, so I'm an old hand at figuring things out.

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it all comes together nicely, and the climax is done well.  There is an epilogue that pulls it all in a nice pile, giving us something to look forward to in the next book.  Recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Spicy-Side-Homicide-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CPVY5PKY/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6370939373

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Tasty Edibles, Nasty Rumblings (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 13)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book (Hardcover Also Available)

ISBN #:    9798856516790

Clean Tales Publishing

198 Pages

$9.99; $2.99 Amazon

August 13, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Excitement courses through Lucy as she receives an exclusive invitation to a televised bake-off competition, set on a secluded private island off the enchanting coast of Georgia.  A charismatic celebrity will play host to this culinary showdown, where Lucy's unwavering confidence in her culinary skills fuels her ambition to claim the coveted grand prize.

Stepping onto the island, Lucy finds herself amidst an intriguing cast of characters, each concealing ulterior motives beneath their smiles, all vying for victory to further their personal agendas.

Surrounded by the lush island backdrop, a sudden tragedy strikes as one of the enigmatic characters meets an untimely death.  Whispers of their demise echo through the island, intertwining with tales of a mythical beast lurking within the dense woods.

In this unsettling atmosphere, Lucy battles confusion and fear as tensions surge among the contestants.  Isolated from her familiar surroundings, she observes the ruthless lengths to which people will go for their selfish gains.

Despite being cautioned to stay uninvolved, Lucy's curiosity propels her to delve into the intricate connections between the deceased and the remaining competitors.

As she pieces together the puzzle, she grapples with a choice: should she maintain her focus on winning the tantalizing cash prize, or should she follow the breadcrumbs of clues, risking her safety to unveil a malevolent scheme?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale returned to Ivy Creek after her parents were unceremoniously killed in an accident, to run her family's bakery.  She's made it a success, and even expanded, which has made her content.  But unfortunately, her oven has finally died, being there since her parents opened.  Now she needs a new one, but doesn't know where the money will come from.

That is until she receives information asking if she wants to join a televised culinary show where the winning baker will receive $10,000.  So Lucy and her friend and fellow baker Hannah venture to an isolated island in Georgia, where they are surprised to find that they will be staying at an old mansion that has been reserved for the project.

Also unfortunately, Lucy finds that a couple of rival bakers aren't as nice as she is, and will do anything to win.  But when the body of someone involved with the competition is found on the grounds by Lucy, she also wonders how far will someone go?  Will they kill?  Now with everyone on the island as suspects, Lucy and Hannah set their own investigation in place-- but will it get her killed as well?...

This is the thirteenth book in the series and I have read them all, but I do think that I liked this one the best.  We have Lucy in unfamiliar territory as she attempts to solve a murder at a mansion that is occupied only by the owners and people involved with the cooking competition.  She wonders if one of her fellow contestants is to blame, but if so, which one?

With few clues and needing to stay under the radar, she and Hannah try their best to work stealthily while still managing to try and come out on top in the investigation.  It's an interesting combination, and it works.  (The recipes are very good, too).

But it seems that someone else is interested in what Lucy is doing -- the killer -- and they're not about to let her get away with finding them out.  In the climax, we see that Lucy is capable and even though she didn't figure it out as soon as she should have, everything comes together nicely and the ending is satisfying all around.  I look forward to the next in the series.  Recommended.  

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Tasty-Edibles-Nasty-Rumblings-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0C7CRJKGP/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6178619186

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Poisoned Freebies at Phoebe's (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 12)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0BZ8FVXGL

Clean Tales Publishing

124 Pages

$2.99 Amazon

June 30, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy Hale is excited about a new bridal shop in town, like the rest of the citizens in Ivy Creek.  Perhaps the buzz about this new entity on the high street has to do more with the appearance of a famous person at its launch.

When the day of the grand opening of the bridal shop arrives, the invited guests are looking forward to gazing at stunning bridal dresses, basking in the presence of a celebrity and enjoying free food!  Everything seems to be going as planned until a sudden commotion leads to the death of the celebrity's assistant.

In time, it's revealed that there were diabolical forces at play in the murder of this person.  But who would have wanted them dead?

Lucy has a feeling of deja vu as this latest murder in her small-town casts a dark shadow over it.  As she delves deeper into solving this murder mystery, she realizes a few people stood to gain from the deceased's demise.

Will Lucy help to find a cunning killer who appears to have covered all their tracks?

Or will her sleuthing lead her directly into the killer's web of deception and become their next victim?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale, an ex-food blogger, returned to town to run her late parents' bakery.  Sweet Treats has taken off, and summer is just around the corner.  While she and her employees are always looking for new sweets to offer, they're also happy to be part of the town.

When a woman named Phoebe visits, she informs them that she's opening a new bridal shop, which is exciting for one of Lucy's employees, who is engaged to be married.  Even more, the grand opening will have an ex-hometown girl who went to Hollywood and made good.  But Vanna Verity isn't what they expected; she won't even make eye contact with anyone.  In fact, Lucy is completely unimpressed by her.

But when Vanna sends her assistant to her car to retrieve something, the woman never returns.  When Lucy goes to find her, the woman is dead -- after eating a sweet that was made specifically for Vanna.  Now Lucy wonders who wanted to kill the celebrity, and if they might try again...

I have read all of the books in this series and enjoyed each one more than the last.  While Vanna is completely unlikable, you almost wish she were the victim!  But Lucy does what she does best, and that's unveiling a killer.  Unfortunately, in this case, the killer might not be done, and someone else is on their list.

The plot is well written, and the characters are down to earth.  While I guessed the antagonist early on in the book, it was still interesting to see how everything played out.  Of course, the climax was intriguing, and the book is a lot of fun to read.  Recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher but it in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZ8FVXGL?tag=amberstone81-20

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5611593662

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Southern Fried and Grief Stricken (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 11)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798388064974

Clean Tales Publishing

184 Pages

$14.99; $2.99 Amazon

March 23, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a former classmate, known for their bad manners and outsized ego, walks into Lucy's bakery and asks for a job days before their high school reunion, Lucy is a bit wary.  Against her better judgment, she decides to hire this person.

The good vibes from the reunion spread to the whole town, and all is well until Lucy finds a local business owner, who was heavily involved in the reunion event, stone cold in their pawn shop.

Lucy is terrified and puzzled by this latest murder in her small town.  It seems a dark cloud has settled over her town as rumors abound about why the killer did it and when they did it.

Eventually, the prime suspect is identified as the former classmate Lucy hired at her bakery.  Many people witnessed an altercation this person had with the deceased and they've been judged guilty in the court of public opinion.

But Lucy knows there's more to this murder mystery than meets the eye.

Will she piece together all the clues that seem to lead to the unlikeliest suspect and solve this case?  Or will she allow her heart to overrule her head and become the killer's next victim?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale owns Sweet Delights Bakery ever since her parents passed away in a car accident.  Now she, along with help from her Aunt Tricia and two employees, Hannah and Betsy, have made it the place to go for sweets and bread.  Lucy and Hannah's high school reunion is coming up, and they've been tasked with making desserts for the reunion which will keep them busy.  But with Betsy being on vacation for two weeks, it's going to be nothing but work.

When an old high school acquaintance shows up -- Luann Pell -- she acts as if she and Lucy were best friends, but they didn't even run in the same circles.  After some backhanded compliments, Lucy can't wait to see the end of her.  But when Luann starts crying and tells her a sob story, Lucy's good heart melts and she offers her a temporary two-week job to take over for Betsy, much to the dismay of Tricia and Hannah.  But the deed's been done, and all they can do is make the best of it.

When someone turns up dead, Luann is the main suspect as she was seen yelling at the person shortly before.  She begs Lucy to believe she didn't do it, and Lucy thinks she just might be innocent.  Against the wishes of her Deputy boyfriend, Taylor, she sets about trying to find a killer.  The only problem is that she might not find them or time, or they just might find her first...

I have read all of the books in this series and enjoyed them one after the other.  Lucy is extremely likeable, although I do wish she'd develop a bit more of a backbone.  Saying no doesn't make you mean, any more than saying yes makes you nice.  It's a matter of circumstance.  However, I do enjoy her kindness toward others, and the fact that she wants the best for everyone and always makes time for her family and friends.  Now if Taylor would just get off his duff...(read the book and you'll know what I mean).

There is plenty of action going on, and Lucy has her work cut out for her, as it seems there isn't anyone who really likes Luann.  But does that alone make her guilty?   Lucy isn't sure.  Still, she continues searching for clues.  When she has her 'aha' moment, we are right there with her as she figures everything out.  The climaxes are always the best of these books, as we wonder how Lucy is going to put everything together and get out of trouble.  It makes the book worth reading, and this one is no different.  Recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Fried-Grief-Stricken-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BV5C6PNW/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5444301760

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

A Juicy Steak Tragedy (An Ivy Creek Mystery Book 10)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798376643938

Clean Tales Publishing

178 Pages

$9.99; $2.99 Amazon

February 8, 2023

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy has many reasons to be happy about Valentines' that's just around the corner.  One of them includes visiting a new restaurant in town that claims to serve the best steak.

When she visits this restaurant with her friends, they're impressed by the interior décor and blown away by the yummy food.  It seems not everyone is excited about this new establishment, as the chef from a rival restaurant causes a scene as he claims the new restaurant has stolen his recipe.  Lucy's boyfriend, a local detective, is on hand to calm frayed nerves and usher this unruly chef out of the restaurant.

Moments later, all hell breaks loose when someone bursts into the restaurant and announces that the boisterous chef from the rival restaurant has been found dead on the sidewalk.

At first, everyone thinks he died of natural causes.  However, as Lucy begins to uncover the deceased's past, she discovers he stepped on many toes and a few people had plausible motives to see him dead.

Will Lucy help to find the killer and restore the reputation of the new restaurant?  Or will her amateur sleuthing draw the attention of a killer who has nothing to lose and a lot to gain?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale owns Ivy Creek's bakery Sweet Delights.  When she hears of a new steakhouse in town, she wants to eat there, just as all her employees do.  But one of her employees has disturbing news: it seems at the opening night of the local theater's rendition of Romeo and Juliet, the actor playing Romeo proposed to his girlfriend...who promptly left the theater and then broke up with him.  Now they need a new Romeo, and everyone hopes that the man will be okay.

But Lucy is not about to allow it to spoil her fun, and when she visits with her boyfriend Taylor, and employee Hannah and her new beau Miles, the evening starts off well.  At least until the chef of a rival restaurant starts screaming that the establishment stole his prized marinade recipe.  Taylor manages to get the man out of the restaurant without too much of a scuffle.  But before everyone can enjoy the remainder of their night, someone enters the restaurant yelling that someone has collapsed outside.

When Taylor (and the rest) go to see who it is, they discover that it's the rival chef, and he's soon pronounced dead.  When it's discovered that he's been poisoned, the restaurant is temporarily closed, and Lucy is suspicious.  Was it accidental?  Did someone want the chef dead, and if so, who?  While Taylor follows the leads, Lucy follows her gut, and what she discovers isn't going to go down easily for anyone...

This is the tenth book in the series and I have read them all.  I have also enjoyed them all.  We are seeing the slow progression of Lucy and Taylor's getting to know each other again, and insecurities come forth that need to be dealt with.  But the main story is the murder, and she's determined to see if the chef was the intended target or not.

We watch Lucy as she questions people -- including the chef's widow -- to see who had the most motive to want him dead.  His past isn't pleasant, and it could have been one of many people.  But it's when Lucy discovers a couple of other things that she begins to put the truth together, which once again could get her killed.  But in the end, all comes out well (as we know it must) and it's a pleasant ending, one that makes the book worth reading.  Recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher but it in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Juicy-Steak-Tragedy-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BNZNRPBP/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5348723648

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Deadly Bites On Winter Nights (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 9)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback. Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798367089240; 9798637087109

Clean Tales Publishing

169 Pages

$15.99. $9.99; $3.99 Amazon

December 9, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐

With Christmas just around the corner, Lucy can't wait to indulge in all the festive traditions with her family and friends.  One of those traditions includes picking a Christmas tree at a local farm.  She's delighted to be sharing this activity with the handsome detective in town wo she's recently begun a relationship with.

When she discovers a dead body among the fir trees while looking for the perfect Christmas tree, she's left shocked and shaken at witnessing such a horrific sight at this most wonderful time of the year.

Things only take an almighty turn for the worse when the remainder of some fruitcake from Lucy's bakery is found in the deceased's home...and is laced with poison!

Lucy knows someone has intentionally used her dessert to cover their tracks and draw all the negative attention to her.

But she knows her desserts were created with love and made to add to the seasonal joy of everyone who walked into her bakery.  It seems what was designed to bring joy has been used to take it away from the deceased's family and Lucy's small town.

Will she help to solve another mystery in Ivy Creek or settle for a blue, blue, blue Christmas?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale, owner of Sweet Delights bakery, is getting ready for the holiday season, turning out Christmas delights with her baker, Hannan, employee Betsy and her Aunt Tricia.  She's also looking forward to celebrating Christmas with her beau Taylor, and they've planned an outing to find the perfect tree.  But while looking through the local tree lot, they come across the body of the owner, and now Taylor has another murder that needs to be looked into.  Suddenly, Lucy's perfect Christmas has taken a very dark turn...

But with the man being killed, there's the question of who did it?  Was it the ex-husband of his fiancée?  A disgruntled ex-associate?  Another local businessman?  Or someone else?  With so many suspects, and so little time, Lucy is determined to help Taylor figure out who they're looking for, even as he warns her to stay away.  But will Lucy listen?  Or will her kindness only turn into trouble itself?

This is the ninth book in the series and I have read them all.  While the mystery itself is very good, this book makes one realize that family and friends are the things that bind us together, especially during the holidays.  Lucy's kindness and love shows through as she tries to find a gift for her aunt, and even as she tries to help Taylor.  There are also other scenarios that show this, and they are just as vital to the story line.

In the case of the mystery, the suspects abound, and we watch as each one is removed from the list.  One must watch for the clues that are there in order to find out the truth, and it's an interesting tale that keeps us reading in order to discover it.  When Lucy figures it out, we watch as she must extricate herself.  It is a worthy read, and I enjoyed it highly.  A lovely cozy for the holiday season.  Merry Christmas!

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Bites-Winter-Nights-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BHT46H3V/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5160694501

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Dough Shall Not Murder (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 8)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0BB8Q8GG1

Clean Tales Publishing

114 Pages

$2.99 Amazon

October 31, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As Halloween draws close, Lucy is excited about some yummy treats she'll be sharing with the customers at Sweet Delights Bakery.  She's always been a fan of this time of year as she loves being scared out of her wits and expecting the unexpected.

She is therefore thrilled when she's invited to visit a popular Halloween attraction in town with some close friends.

They're left petrified and speechless by what they encounter at the Haunted Forest attraction that includes real life monsters, a foreboding forest, spooked animals, and a dead body!

Lucy and her friends are horrified when one of the gang is identified as a prime suspect due to the strained relationship they had with the deceased.  Things only take a turn for the worse when Lucy's name is disparaged in the local press because of her involvement with previous murders in Ivy Creek and a conspiracy that she might be involved with the present one.

Lucy is left frustrated and appalled as she sees the killer making the police department chase their tails and go down several rabbit holes.

Will she outwit the killer and bring them to justice or is it time to be afraid....very afraid as the killer begins to hunt her?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale is living a happy life: she's taken over her parents' bakery after their death, has loyal employees, is living with her Aunt Tricia and her Persian cat Gigi in her family home, and has recently reconnected with her former boyfriend, Taylor, who's a chief deputy in the police department.  As they say, life is good...

...or at least it was, for a little while.  One of her employees, Betsy, is dating the local theater manager, Joseph Hiller.  His younger brother Derek, a theater major at college, is visiting, and hoping to get the lead in The Sword and the Stone.  But when the part goes to a rival, Tony Newton, he's not so much crushed as merely disappointed; at least until Tony starts spreading it all over social media what a loser Derek is.  But Derek does manage to get a part as a monster in the new Haunted Hayride exhibition, which everyone plans to visit.

But on the night they do, there's a murder, and Derek is a likely suspect.  To make things worse, there's a freelance reporter in town who specializes in salacious stories, and Lucy wants no part of him.  He turns up everywhere, and is hounding townspeople.  But she tries to stay positive, since she's sure Derek is innocentt

Meanwhile, her other employee Hannah is looking to care for a stray cat who doesn't seem to want to be found.  She's sure the kitten needs a home, and she wants to be the one to provide it.  Right now, that seems the easiest thing to focus on, as Derek's problems are much bigger.  Will Lucy be able to stay away from this latest murder?  Or will she find that she inadvertently puts herself in the line of fire once again?...

This is the eighth book in the series and I have read them all.  I find them quick, easy, cozy reads that make you feel good when they are finished.  The characters are becoming endearing to me, and their personalities grow with each book.  I love the fact that Lucy's finding her life becoming stable and just what she wants it to be.  I enjoy these so much that I wish I could visit her bakery; if for nothing else than to sit on the veranda and drink coffee!

The mystery is done very well, with enough red herrings thrown in to keep us busy throughout the story.  While we are led in one direction, is it the correct one?  Or are there others that we are not seeing?  I guarantee that when you read this book you will find it a lovely book to read, and with just enough going on to keep you interested.

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it's not so much as a surprise as the reason for the murder is.  Try as I might, one can never see into the mind of a killer.  In the end, this was just as delightful as the others in the series, and I cannot wait to read the next.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Dough-Shall-Murder-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BB8Q8GG1/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5037564562

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

A Sticky Toffee Catastrophe (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 7)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B0B675BPQ9

Clean Tales Publishing

119 Pages

$2.99 Amazon

September 30, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a new developer in town sways the community to support his plans of building new complexes that would involve knocking down Lucy's bakery, she's not much pleased.  She's determined to fight tooth and nail to uphold her parents' legacy and retain Sweet Delight's presence in Ivy Creek's landscape.

When this developer drops dead in questionable circumstances at a local fair, it doesn't take long for tongues to stop wagging in her direction.  Negative public opinion towards Lucy is strengthened when pieces of evidence begin to point to someone she cares for as a prime suspect.

But Lucy knows they didn't do it.

So if they didn't do it, then who did?

Lucy is at her wit's end as it seems the investment she's plowed into her business will count for nothing and lead to huge financial hole if the citizens of Ivy Creek continue avoiding her bakery.

Will she sever her relationship with the prime suspect to stem the tide of dwindling customers to her bakery?

Will she watch in despair as a cunning killer tries to outwit the local law enforcement agency and send an innocent person to the slammer?

Lucy is determined to find out who did it but will she be able to solve this murder mystery in the nick of time? 

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale lives in Ivy Creek and owns Sweet Delights bakery which once belonged to her late parents.  She returned home after their deaths and has since rekindled friendships, made new ones, and lives with her Aunt Tricia and her Persian cat, Gigi.  She and Tricia run the bakery, along with the help of two employees, Hannah, a high school friend, and Betsy, a new hire. 

One morning a man enters the bakery and tells Lucy that he wants to buy it.  When Rex Landon is turned down, he tells her he's buying the land around her for an office park. But Lucy wants to save the land, and save the townspeople from having an upscale office park right in the center of town.  Most of the townspeople are unhappy, but no one knows what to do about it.

Lucy also has other things on her mind -- the upcoming Fairy Tale Fair, where vendors and guests dress in fairy tale attire and enjoy themselves.  Hannah decides to go as Robin Hood, complete with all the accoutrements.  While Hannah and Lucy are watching the band, Rex gets up to speak.  But suddenly everything goes dark, and when the lights come on, Rex is dead.  Now Hannah is a suspect in his murder, and with her business and her employee's life on the line, Lucy knows she must act to help her prove her innocence.

But to confuse matters, a woman named Charlene moves to town and starts to make advances toward Lucy's ex-boyfriend, Deputy Taylor Baker.  Lucy doesn't know if she wants to date him again, but she doesn't like this idea.  Between the two situations occupying her mind, will she be able to discover the truth, or will she fail in her pursuit of both?

This is the seventh book in the series, and I have read them all.  Each one is better than the last, since we learn about the characters and their pasts (and present) and the story line is always interesting.  In this latest, not only is Lucy concerned about the upcoming Fairytale fair, but the fact that there's a new woman in town, and she has her eyes on Taylor Baker, Lucy's ex-boyfriend.  But what can Lucy do?  She's made it clear she's not ready to start dating again, and Taylor has to take that at face value.

Then she's worried about her employee Hannah, who's also a good friend, being suspected in a murder investigation.  So Lucy once again sets out to discover who's trying to get her friend in trouble, and who the real killer is.  Someone must have hated this man enough to murder him, and Lucy wants to know who it is.  

When we get to the end of the story, and the killer is discovered, not only is Lucy in trouble, but Hannah also.  And it will take all of Lucy's wits to keep them both safe.  When the murderer is discovered, and justice is served (as we know it will be), the ending left me feeling warm and satisfied, which is what a cozy mystery should do.  I eagerly await the next in the series.  Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher but it in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B675PBQ9?tag=amberstone81-20

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4934789584

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Cookie Dough and Bruised Egos (Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 6)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Paperback; Digital Book (Hardcover Also Available)

ISBN #:    9798840246047 

Clean Tales Publishing

168 Pages

$9.99; $2.99 ($14.99) Amazon

July 12, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐

When Lucy's asked to provide the treats at the book launch for a popular author, she's excited about the opportunity to be in the presence of this author who might just give her tips on becoming an author herself.

Things take a drastic turn for the worse when this popular author goes missing at her book launch...and is eventually found stone-cold dead.  It seems this tragedy was caused by an allergic reaction...or was it?

As Lucy begins to under the relationships this author had with several people in her life, she realizes that many people had a lot to gain by her demise.  Lucy feels her life is in danger as she pokes further into the affairs of the people closest to this author.

Will she discover a sinister plot motivated by greed, revenge and jealousy?  Or become the next victim of a killer who's not afraid to remove every stumbling block in their path?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

I have to first say that part of the blurb is wrong.  Lucy has no interest in becoming a writer, but she does stay for Paula Perk's book signing because she wants her bakery items to be tasted, which perhaps will bring her more business.

When Lucy Hale is asked by Clara Davidson to provide the treats for the speaking engagement, she's happy because it will bring in a large amount of money, as well as business for her bakery.  But while she is at the event, Paula goes to the bathroom and doesn't emerge.  After deputy sheriff Taylor Baker breaks the door down, Paula is found on the floor, and it's apparent a bee sting killed her.  But there was more than one bee in the bathroom, and how did it get there?  

Even with Taylor admonishing her not to investigate, Lucy is determined to find out who killed the woman and why.  Was it her apparently grieving husband?  Her anxious manager?  Or someone else in the crowd of people?  She wasn't well-liked in Ivy Creek, and Lucy is going to find her killer...if the killer doesn't find Lucy first...

This is the sixth book in the series, and I have to say that they are getting better with each book.  The characters are getting fleshed out, and we're seeing Lucy grow her business, along with her Aunt Tricia and her loyal employee Hannah.  It's nice to see that she's not struggling, as many protagonists do in cozies.

I like her character, as she doesn't overtly accuse people of murder; but studies clues and tries to come to the best conclusions.  In this book, she finds her clues in an unexpected place, and she never would have if it weren't for the inadvertent help of a new friend in town.  The ending is done nicely, with the antagonist explaining the reasons why and full of rage, and it also gives us something to look forward to in the next book.  Recommended.

I received a copy of this book from Clean Tales Publishing but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Cookie-Dough-Bruised-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0B29LNDPH/ref

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4851692184

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/  

Waffles and Scuffles (An Ivy Creek Mystery Book #5)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798442064711; 9798441596145

Clean Tales Publishing

188 Pages

$15.99; $9.99; $2.99 Amazon

April 1, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy's excited about the new year and all the dreams she hopes will be fulfilled over the coming months.  She's glad when her customers make the right noises when they taste her latest treat.

She's happy to offer this treat as her main item when she's invited to serve her pastries at the local theater.

She knows her treats are delicious and to die for but when a fight breaks out over them, she's left wondering if she's witnessing fact or fiction.  Things take a turn for the worse when a prominent personality in town drops dead in the middle of a rehearsal at the theater.

The death of this prominent person attracts the attention of local and national media who descend upon the small town of Ivy Creek.  Lucy is left feeling despondent and lonely when all her customers desert her baker after a popular reporter twists her words, which paint her, her bakery and the town in a very bad light.

Lucy has also come to a crossroad in her relationship with one of the most eligible bachelors in town.  Have things turned sour beyond repair or is her relationship about to soar?

Will she set aside past hurts, and her pursuit of happiness to find a killer who seems to hold allthe aces in a murder investigation that appears unsolvable?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale returned home to Ivy Creek after her parents' death in a car accident, and she's determined to keep their bakery open and profitable.  So far, everyone in town loves her breads and sweets, and comes to her on a regular basis.  When she's asked to supply treats to the local theater, she has no hesitation, although others warn her that the director, Pete Jensen has a bad habit of not paying people, including his cast and crew.  To make it worse, he also takes advantage of people in other ways, which makes him quite unlikable, even if he has become famous.

Still, Lucy decides to give Pete a chance, and brings her treats to the theater to sell.  But while there, she also watches the action on stage -- and wishes she hadn't.  During a particularly frenzied scene, Pete is killed, and it's soon learned that he was murdered.  Who would have murdered the man?  Or the better question might be, who wouldn't have?...

This is the fifth book in the series and I have read them all, enjoying each one more than the last.  However, the big problem that I have noticed in this book is that the author must be British and writing about small-town America.  I say this because of some of the words that were used; two, for example were 'plaster' (bandage), and 'cooker' (stove).  There were others, but if you're writing about America, our words are a bit different.  Just sayin'...

The other thing that bothered me is the fact that the people of Ivy Creek sure are fickle.  This isn't the first book that they've stopped going to Lucy's because of some imagined slight.  Stand by your citizens, Creekers!  But these are minor, and did not disrupt my enjoyment of the book.

I found the story line to be well written and kept me reading in one sitting.  I did enjoy the way Lucy is gaining confidence in herself and enlarging her bakery, and I do feel that positive thinking helps.  I also like the fact that she is moving on with her life after her tragic loss.  It's also nice to see that she and Taylor are becoming friends again, and perhaps in a later book (please) we'll find out why they broke up in the first place.

The mystery kept me guessing as to whom the killer was until almost the same time as Lucy discovered it, and the reason why was just as one would expect, with the murderer finding their own reason in their disturbed mind.  In the end, I did like the conclusion of the book and hope to read the next in the series soon.  Recommended.

I was given an advance copy from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Waffles-Scuffles-Creek-Cozy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09Q97ZWRQ/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4647011073

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Silent Night, Unholy Bites (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 4)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798401224750; 9798401199607

Clean Tales Publishing

150 Pages

$14.99; $9.99; $2.99 Amazon

January 12, 2022

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy is looking forward to a holiday season that's filled with Christmas carols, remembering and making new holiday memories and yummy food.  She's also excited about all the new festive recipes she'll be introducing into the menu at Sweet Delights bakery.

When she finds out that an obnoxious woman at an event for the homeless has stolen some of her treats for her business, Lucy gives the lady a piece of her mind in no uncertain terms.

She's left bewildered and sad when this lady is found dead.  Did Lucy's harsh words, spoken in the heat of the moment, have an effect on the lady's life or is something more sinister at play?

It seems almost everyone wants to sweep this murder investigation under the carpet, but Lucy knows there's something seriously off.

With Christmas just around the corner, Lucy knows she has to find a killer on the loose or her small town will be having a blue, blue Christmas.

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy Hale's bakery Sweet Treats is finally taking off.  She's beginning to make money, but when the pastor asks Lucy to donate cupcakes for the homeless at a local fair, her employee Hannah thinks Lucy is going overboard, and they might fall behind in sales.  But Lucy's sure this will bring in more clients, and when a woman who runs a homeless shelter nags Lucy to give her plenty of the free cupcakes for her own clients, Lucy can't do anything but comply.

Yet the next day she discovers that her treats are being sold at a local hotel -- and that the woman who took them runs the hotel.  They have words; and Lucy leaves, fuming.  Not long after, the woman is found dead, and Lucy feels guilty for the way she treated her.  She vows to find out who killed her; suspecting even the woman's husband of the crime.  But it won't be easy -- it turns out the woman had a lot of enemies...and they all seem to be coming into the bakery...

This is the fourth book in the series and I have read them all.  I feel as if Ms. Baker is finally coming into her own as a writer.  While these books are short, easy reads, this one is better than the last three (but don't get me wrong; I enjoyed those as well).  The plot is nicely done, the conversations have a little more 'go' to them, and the characters are finding their way around the pages as well.

Lucy has little to go on: only that the woman stole her cupcakes and the fact that her husband and she owned the hotel where the cupcakes were sold in the restaurant.  But now the husband wants Lucy to sell her treats at his restaurant, and he's willing to give her a contract, which only muddies the waters for the time being.  Yet she wants the business, so is going to try and keep him from finding out -- which won't be easy as he's one of her suspects.

The only thing I disagree with is the fact that Lucy is a bit more timid than I would be.  I'd probably shout to everyone leaving the restaurant that those were from my bakery, and they were taken under false pretenses.  But ah, that's me; not a character in a book!

But when Lucy starts looking for a killer, everyone in the kitchen had a motive to want the woman dead.  Finding the person who had the most to gain is now her job, and it could bring her more than she wanted -- face to face with a cold-blooded murderer.

When the ending comes and the reasons for the murder are revealed, it's rather a sad story all around; even though, as I've stated many times over, there is no excuse for murder (but where would we, as readers, be in mysteries if there were none at all?)  I really loved reading this and hope others do, too.  Recommended.

I was given a copy of this book from CleanTales Publishing, but it in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Unholy-Bites-Baker/dp/B09Q8ZMGQL/ref

Goodreads:     https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4478140662

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Eat Once, Die Twice (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery Book 3)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9798780104148; 9798780095163

Clean Tales Publishing

127 Pages

$14.99; $9.99; $.99 Amazon

December 10, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐

It seems Lucy has finally gotten the hang of running a bakery and serving the good citizens of Ivy Creek.  She knows she has a lot to learn but she's up for the challenge.  She just never bargained for competition from a new couple in town.

When one half of this dubious couple is found dead, Lucy is torn between minding her own business or helping the grieving person find justice for their loss.

Matters aren't helped when it appears all circumstantial and testimonial evidence points to this person as the killer.

But Lucy knows what it's like to be falsely accused in the court of public opinion.

Will she unearth the secrets that surround a building in town that seems linked to the murder?

Will she find out why the accused has so much to hide even though they've professed their innocence?

Will she help to find a killer that doesn't want to be found and restore normalcy to her life and small town?

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy finally has her bakery making money and a stream of steady customers when she discovers a couple are going to open another bakery directly across the street from her.  Worried about their fancy decor and the size of the bakery, she wonders if they will put her out of business, so she and her employee Hannah decide to pay the bakery a visit and try a few of their treats.  After eating one, Lucy realizes that there is no competition, because her treats are much better, and she knows people will come to realize that soon.

But before she and Hannah can leave, there is an argument between the couple and one of them is found dead.  Later Lucy discovers that the person was murdered.  With the spouse professing innocence, Lucy has to wonder who wanted the person dead.  

But getting involved in this murder investigation is crazy -- or is it?  Or is Lucy going to become the next target?

This is the third book in the series and I have read them all.  They are light, easy cozy mysteries that can be read in a couple of hours.  The plot was done well, and the dialogue between characters is believable.  I do wish that there was more character development, however, (and, of course, a little more Gigi getting involved!). 

The only thing that bothered me was the conclusion seemed rushed, as if the author wanted to end the book quickly.  Everything was wrapped up nicely, but it still left me feeling a little lost.  However, the author is good, and I will continue to read the series in the hopes that it progresses.  Recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher but it in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Once-Twice-Creek-Cozy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09J435CKX/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4387362930

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/ruth-baker/

Twinkle Twinkle Deadly Sprinkles (An Ivy Creek Cozy Mystery #2)

Author:    Ruth Baker

Genre:     Mystery

Digital Book

ASIN #:    B08FHPKMLK

Clean Tales Publishing

75 Pages

$.99 Amazon

November 5, 2021

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lucy thought she had finally been accepted in the small town of Ivy Creek and gained some new clients...

If only she knew it'd lead to a new set of heartaches and nightmares...

Plus murder!

✽✽✽✽✽✽✽✽

Lucy's just starting to make a go of the bakery she's reopened after her parents' sudden death, and is finally making money when the wife of a wealthy businessman, Becky Anderson, approaches her about creating the desserts for a charity party she's giving.  While hesitant, it's pointed out to her that while everything she creates will be free of cost, it will mean more business for her, so she accepts.  During the party, she's given a business card from a Mr. Wilson, who wants her to cater his wife's seventy-fifth birthday.  But when the couple die the next day, apparently from food poisoning, her desserts are the first 'suspect' anyone thinks about.

So once again, Lucy's baking is suspected of killing someone, and she has to prove herself innocent, since the deputy sheriff, Taylor, isn't giving her information.  And if she doesn't figure it out soon, she might not just lose her business, but also her life...

While these are short (1-2 hour) mysteries, I do like most of the characters that enter into the book.  I would still like to know why Taylor dislikes Lucy so much, but you can't expect everything in a short book.  Still, there were several suspects, and little clues, so we had to figure it out along with Lucy.  

Her Aunt Tricia has her back and is helping her with questions, including the Wilsons' two sons, who are very different.  But unexpectedly, things take a turn and Lucy discovers that she might have her eyes on the wrong person all along.  The only thing that bothered me is the fickleness of the people in town.  You'd think after eating her baked goods, at least there would be enough people to have trust in her and continue to purchase her items, considering no one else from the party was made ill.

All in all, a quick mystery to solve and characters that I hope will evolve with future books; I will continue to read this series and look forward to the next book.  Recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Deadly-Sprinkles-Creek-Mystery-ebook/dp/B09FHPKMLK/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4284748607

More on Ruth Baker's Books:    https://www.amazon.com/Ruth-Baker/e/B09D8VVTN4?ref