Flour in the Attic was such a great read I want to read it again. Kudos to the author, Winnie Archer on a job well done.

Synopsis:
Just as Ivy’s brother Billy is about to get engaged to his beloved, a tragedy interrupts the happy moment. The body of longtime Santa Sofia resident Marisol Ruiz washes up on the beach—and it’s even more heartbreaking since Marisol’s father also recently died. But Marisol was a strong competitive swimmer. It seems unlikely there’s even a grain of truth to the theory that she accidentally drowned.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There’s a killer loose in Santa Sofia and sadly the victim was a beloved member of the community. Marisol Ruiz was a waitress at Miguel’s restaurant so the death strikes close for many members of the community including Ivy. Sadly Marisol has just recently lost her father and was having a hard time dealing with his death and at first, some people thought she took her own life but the evidence quickly proved otherwise.

Also happening around town, Sheriff Emmaline Davis is planning to propose to Ivy’s brother but now she has this murder to solve first. Ivy and Miquel are going to do everything they can do to help her do that. They hope that catering Marisol’s funeral will shed some light on who killed her and why.

This series is filled with a great cast of diverse characters that are allowed to shine within these pages. They are all well-crafted with plenty of room left for growth. It was hard to pick a favorite this time because they were all excellent. Miguel and his family always give me the good feels. Ivy is a fantastic protagonist and seems like so much fun to be around.

The mystery this time takes a real unexpected turn that twists the whole story up. After that turn, my stomach got this sick feeling as I knew where everything was headed. I was completely satisfied with the way the story played out. I may have been cheering just a little bit.

I know when I pick up a book by this author I am going to be entertained beginning to end. Flour in the Attic was no exception.

I have gotten behind on this series but the last line of the book was a real zinger. A cliffhanger that draws readers right into the next book in the series. I intend to jump right into Dough or Die soon and the rest of the series too.

I am continuing to enjoy Ivy's adventures with Olaya, Mrs. Brandford and Miguel as they set out to solve another crime in Santa Sofia. When Marisol Ruiz, an employee at Miguel's family restaurant, washes up on the beach, everyone figures it is suspicious. First Marisol was an amazing swimmer and secondly, she was wearing a bathing suit of the wrong colour (she was superstitious). Olaya and East of Eden is asked to cater her funeral and they talk about Marisol and decide to try and help figure out what actually happened. Once it is determined that she did not drown, but was strangled, Ivy and her team of amateur sleuths begin their own brand of investigating.

One of the strengths of this series is its characters. Ivy, Miguel, Penelope Brandford, Olaya and other regular characters are all well drawn and have great personalities and strengths. They are a very eclectic group, which I really enjoy. The second thing is the interesting motives. I am not going to give this one away, but I found it realistic, a bit stomach churning and one that I was appalled that it led to murder. There were several suspects and trails to follow that kept me guessing. I do like that Ivy does work with the police, in the sense that she shares information with and calls them when something needs to be checked out properly. I did figure out what was going on eventually, but just before the author also revealed it to the reader. Another great addition to this series and one I recommend.

In the 4th book in the Bread Shop Mystery series by Winnie Archer, main character Ivy Culpepper is thrilled about the pending engagement of her best friend Emmaline to her brother. But before one can pop the question, a dead body is found. As sheriff, Emmaline needs to respond when duty calls. She finds the body of a competitive swimmer washed up on the beach. How could Marisol Ruiz have drowned when she's such a strong swimmer?

An autopsy reveals a truth that surprises everyone except the dead woman's husband - she was killed. Now Ivy needs to step up and investigate because Marisol was an employee at her boyfriend's restaurant, Baptista's Cantina and Grill. Many people assume the death was caused by Marisol's ex-husband, but he seems genuinely heartbroken by her death. Could it be the new husband, or perhaps one of her children who was waiting for an inheritance? Another body will be found before there's a resolution to the case.

I thoroughly enjoy the setting of this series. Santa Sofia seems like it would be a great place to live, and I adore the bakery - Yeast of Eden - where Ivy works. Though I'm not personally a baker, because I can't cook much of anything, I find the old-fashioned slow-rise method of bread-making surprisingly interesting. For a reason I don't quite understand, I find it soothing to read about people making the dough, rolling it out, and setting it aside while it rises. I definitely want to read the other books in the series.

My one pet peeve is how Ivy's dog's eyes are described as "bulging" MANY times, and that creeped me out a bit. (Sorry, I don't think small dogs with bulging eyes that people carry around all day are cute.)

There is a market for cozy mysteries and I think readers of the genre will like this one too. I will be recommend it to readers of cozy mysteries and lighter fiction. And it has a fantastic title as any self respecting cozy mystery should!

I LIVE for the Bread Shop Mystery series! I get so tingly and excited every time I start a book in the series and get so sad when I turn that last page.

I don’t know whether it’s the characters or the author’s writing style, but every time I read a book in this series, it’s an experience. I just become so absorbed in the storytelling and the suspenseful mystery that I can’t put the book down. I must finish it in one sitting.

This book was no exception. It was fun, engaging and a real page-turner. The citizens of the seaside town of Santa Sofia will really have you smiling, laughing and feeling like you belong.

If you love cozy mysteries and well-developed characters, definitely pick this up.

Another great installment to the bread shop mysteries. Although reading it during a stay at home order is not good for the waist. I always love visiting Ivy and the Yeast of Eden bread shop. The story was fast paced and there was so many great twists and suspects that I could not wait to find out who the killer was. I highly recommend this book and the series

Flour in the Attic by Winnie Archer takes us back to Santa Sofia, California. Ivy Culpepper is thrilled for her friend, Sheriff Emmaline Davis who is planning to propose to Ivy’s brother, Billy that evening at the beach. Unfortunately, Emmaline’s plans are put on hold when the body of Marisol Ruiz is found floating offshore. Marisol’s husband, David suspects foul play since Marisol was a competitive swimmer who swam in the ocean daily and asks that Ivy don her investigator cap once again. Can Ivy find out what happened to Marisol? Flour in the Attic is the fourth A Bread Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy is setting up her photography business as well as spending time at Yeast of Eden. I like the diverse cast of characters in this series with Olaya Solis being my favorite. Miguel Baptista and his family are so friendly and accepting. The story is well-written, but I did find the pacing to be a little slow. I wish it had been peppier. The mystery was a little dark (for a cozy), but it was well-done. Ivy actively searches for answers. There are several suspects in Marisol’s death, and I liked the subtle clues. It will depend on your sleuthing level on whether you find this whodunit a challenge to solve. I admit that I had trouble reading Flour in the Attic. I never became engrossed in the book. It did not have the same spark that I enjoyed in Kneaded to Death. There is some foul language which is unusual for a cozy mystery. I like that Emmaline Davis, the town’s sheriff, is proposing to Billy, Ivy’s brother. I look forward to their nuptials. There is a cliffhanger at the end, and we will have to wait for the next A Bread Shop Mystery to see how it plays out. Flour in the Attic is curious cozy mystery with squabbling siblings, a postponed proposal, a marine murder, and an indomitable investigator.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

This is the first book I have read in this series and I was happy to dive straight in. Winnie Archer did a fantastic job providing any backstory, making this a great standalone read. I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues to satisfy even the most painstaking and diligent armchair detective.

The author, Winnie Archer, has drawn a lot of great characters in this fabulous cozy mystery. I particularly liked Ivy Culpepper, a photographer and artist who works part-time in a bread shop called The Yeast Of Eden. Set in the diverse coastal town of Santa Sofia, Northern California, Ivy has a lot going on in this book, having returned to her hometown following a divorce and the death of her mother. Ivy is now steadily building up her own dream business. The busy protagonist had the necessary attributes of any great sleuth: intelligence, curiosity and keenness.

There was a large number of characters in Flour in the Attic but I think I just about managed to keep track of all of them without being overwhelmed! Apart from Ivy herself, I was also rather fond of her friend and neighbour, Mrs Branford, an eager, retired English teacher. I also really liked Miguel, Ivy's boyfriend. Of course, I have to mention Ivy's adorable pug, named Agatha.

Another of my favourite aspects of this novel was the fluidity of the writing. The details of the plot were very well executed and every chapter left me with a compelling need to read on. The author did a brilliant job of balancing a few different story-lines and different events jumbled matters up somewhat, making figuring out the identity of the perpetrator more challenging. There was a sense of increasing menace as the story progressed, which definitely helped to keep my interest.

I am looking forward to returning to Santa Sofia with Ivy on a future occasion and reading the earlier books in the series, too! So entertaining and engaging, Flour in the Attic is definitely well worth the time invested.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the Kensington via NetGalley at my own request. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Flour in the Attic: A Bread Shop Mystery
By Winnie Archer
Kensington
September 2019

Review by Cynthia Chow

Baker Ivy Culpepper and her best friend Emmaline Davis are used to long hours that frequently intrude on their personal lives. But it is a double tragedy when the latter’s duties as Santa Sofia’s Sheriff not only interrupts her marriage proposal to boyfriend Billy Davis, it calls her to the body recovery scene of Marisol Ruiz. Marisol was a lifelong resident of the Northern California town and their favorite waitress at Baptista’s Cantina and Grill, which means that Ivy is unable to resist David Ruiz’s admittedly drunken order that she investigate his wife’s death. Ivy and Miguel Baptista have proved themselves to be adept at solving a murder or two, and David is adamant that that the triathlete could never have drowned. It’s an assertion that is soon backed up by forensic evidence, which has them questioning who could have wanted such a well-liked woman dead.

Through rather blunt questioning, Ivy learns that Marisol’s children are not in agreement over their stepfather David, especially in light of the unusual provisions in her will. There’s further dispute over Marisol’s final funeral arrangements, which should bring closure but instead only stir up memories not just for Marisol’s family but for Ivy herself. Luckily, Ivy is able to find comfort at Yeast of Eden, where Olaya Solis mentors her in the in the labor-intensive but always rewarding skill of breadmaking. Olaya and her enemy-turned-mostly friend Penelope Brandford are the gossip mavens who know all within Santa Sofia, and with their immense knowledge and connections Ivy will find her way to the truth, even if that means following the geriatric duo to an illegal gambling room at a bar conveniently named The Library.

This fourth in the series welcomes readers back into the diverse coastal town of Santa Sofia. Having returned to her hometown following a divorce and the death of her mother, Ivy is now steadily building up her dream business as a photographer and artist. The last thing Ivy needs is a visit from her past, but that’s exactly what she gets in the form of her cheating ex-husband, now regretful and determined to win her back. Miguel has a lot of opinion in the matter, but a bomb that Luke Holden drops will most definitely affect their immediate future. Despite the tantalizing descriptions of an infinite-seeming number of breads and pastries, the elaborate steps required to produce them will have readers thankful that recipes are not included. That doesn’t mean that foodies won’t be drooling throughout the novel, especially with meals served out of Baptista’s high-end Mexican seafood Cantina. The complicated relationships between Marisol’s adult children, their father, and their step-father ensure that the plot is compelling while the mystery increasingly complex. Few will see the horrific twist that motivates an all-too-possible crime, but they can rest assured that Ivy and her friends will see justice through and continue deliver comfort through their extraordinary bread and ethnic cuisine.

Ivy is so excited because her BFF, Emmaline, has finally decided that she's not waiting for Ivy's brother to pop the question, she's going to ask him! Plans are made for a romantic picnic on the beach, but plans go awry when a body washes ashore. Since Emmaline is also the chief of police, she needs to handle the situation. The body turns out to be the waitress, Marisol Ruiz, from the restaurant that Ivy's beau owns, making it a family affair to handle. Marisol was a strong swimmer, a triathlete, so how could she drown?

Ivy tries to help Emmaline and the family come to grips with the tragedy but was it an accident or is something more sinister afoot?

I love this series, I look forward to every new installment. This was the best, but then they just seem to keep getting better and better as the characters become more like friends.

A creative and unique murder mystery with a passion for baked goods. Has a certain flair to it that others don’t. Loved it. 5/5 stars

I love this series byWinnie Archer .
Brilliant storyline,fun characters and love 💕 is in the air ,also murder .
I couldn’t put it down.
May thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for advance copy for my honest review.
Roll on the next book in this great series.

This is a new to me cozy mystery series. Flour in the Attic is book #4 in the Bread Shop Mystery series. I like Ivy, a photographer who also works part-time in the bread shop. She also has an adorable pug named Agatha. I loved her neighbor and friend, Mrs. Branford. Mrs. Branford is a spunky, elderly woman who is a retired English teacher. I also really liked Miguel, Ivy's boyfriend. Ivy gets pulled into solving the case because David, the murder victim's husband, asks her to find out who killed his wife. I enjoyed the mystery. I did not guess the murderer beforehand. And I loved the set up for the next book. The ending ensured that I will continue reading the series! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Reunited with her high school love, Miguel, Ivy Culpepper life is finally on the upswing. Leaving a disastrous marriage, she has returned to her hometown and started working at Yeast of Eden, a long-rise bread baker which has given her a needed peace and time to work on her freelance photography business. Then a long-time employee of Miguel is found drowned, curious as she was a competitive swimmer. After the death was ruled a homicide, Ivy starts investigating and suspicions arise among a close set of friends. Excellent mystery, even better than the last one, with characters you enjoy reading about.

This is the 4th book in the "Bread Shop" cozy mystery series. I love returning to this series and highly recommend the entire series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the ARC. My opinion is my own. This is a charming series with likable fun charcters that always has a fun sleuth .

Ivy Culpepper runs the "Yeast of Eden" bread bakery in her Northern California town. of Santa Sofia with one of her good friends. They specialize in making traditional Mexican pastries and breads. She is also a photographer and enjoys both her endeavors. She is excited to find out her Brother has decided to get married.
While she and her Brother are happy about that news a drowning occurs that may be murder. A popular well liked woman died who was a excellent swimmer so suspicions arise surrounding her death., When the victims husband questions her death, he is also murdered. Ivy and friends begin to investigate and soon are involved in clues they never expected and suspicions that put everyone at odds.

I loved this well crafted multi layered sleuth ! This was such a excellent mystery that it captured me until conclusion. I was surprised by the ending and shocked ! I was unable to part with this book until the last page was turned. I love this series and hope it will continue. The charcters are all likable and add to the story. The sleuth is well crafted and I love the setting of the charming town and friendships.

Very well done to the author !

I love this series and I think this could be the best instalment so far.
It's an engrossing and entertaining book that kept me on the edge till the last page.
I liked the plot, full of twists and turns, was happy to meet again the cast of characters and to be back in such a lovely setting.
I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Flour in the Attic by Winnie Archer is the 4th book in A Bread Shop Mystery series, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite. Wow! This book had more twists and turns, and an excellent mystery that kept me reading. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, after reading the end of this book, it can't come soon enough. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. Thank you.

Flour in the Attic
(A Bread Shop Mystery #4)
by Winnie Archer

Paperback, 304 pages
Published August 27th 2019 by Kensington Publishing Corporation


Goodreads synopsis:
Ivy Culpepper keeps the ovens hot at Yeast of Eden, a Northern California bakery that specializes in traditional breads. But now she has to deal with a stone-cold killer . . .

Just as Ivy's brother Billy is about to get engaged to his beloved, a tragedy interrupts the happy moment. The body of longtime Santa Sofia resident Marisol Ruiz washes up on the beach--and it's even more heartbreaking since Marisol's father also recently died. But Marisol was a strong competitive swimmer. It seems unlikely there's even a grain of truth to the theory that she accidentally drowned.

As Ivy gets to work helping her mentor, Olaya Solis, with the catering for Marisol's funeral, she also teams up with her partners in detection--because if they want to prevent someone from getting away with murder, there's no time for loafing . . .

***

4 Stars

This is the fourth book in the A Bread Shop Mystery series by Winnie Archer. I am still curious as to why they titled this book the way they did. I know flour goes with the whole bread making aspect of the book but I didn’t think that totally resonated with the story within the pages of this book. I can see where concrete dust which is sort of like flour and the same basic color could by the why to it all, but I guess I just don’t get it.

This story is kind of depressing. I know murder generally is depressing but this entire story is centered around a funeral home. It is not a place I long to visit or stay for very long. I struggled through the beginning of the novel even though the murder happened pretty early on. Once the setting changed to the funeral home and they were gathering for the visitation, the story just flew. I couldn’t read it fast enough. I wish they would have shortened the first half of the book and expanded the back half. That second half made the entire book worth the read. I really enjoyed Ivy and Miguel working together. That was exciting stuff.

I didn’t understand why the ex-husband of Ivy showed up in the middle of the story. It felt like a big red herring making us wonder about him yet not having him really involved in anything. When I got to the end, I realized the author’s intent. His influence and his own ex-wife was going to figure prominently in the next Winnie Archer Bread Shop book.

If you get started on this book and find it a bit on the slow side, don’t give up on it! Keep reading. This book has a slow start, yes, but it builds up to great action and the characters really grow on you, even the crazy ones.

This book was a treat and my first foray into the world of Yeast of Eden. I will definitely be coming back to this Northern California town for a visit. Check it out.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.