An enjoyable cupcake cozy featuring Mel and Angie, owners of a bakery known for delicious cupcakes. They have been scheduled to provide cupcakes for a local glass artist who is scheduled to have an major exhibition. Unfortunately, the artist is murdered and the last thing she had was a cupcake. Great characters and easy reading.

Another great one from Jenn McKinlay. Mel and Angie's dear friend passes away. She was poisoned. I love all the characters in this series.

Oh be still my cozy heart!! It's time for another Cupcake Bakery Mystery....

Let's take a short trip back to 2010 when I read the first Cupcake Bakery Mystery, Sprinkle with Murder. I was just getting into cozies and I was delighted at the combination of my favourite dessert and a tantalizing mystery. Since then I have eagerly awaited (and devoured) each mystery, equally enjoying the mystery, the cozy setting and characters, and of course the mouth-watering cupcake recipes!! Each trip back to Scottsdale is like a visit home to see family. I love catching up with Mel, Angie, Tate and Joe. And, of course, all the De Laura brothers!

Just like a delicious bakers dozen of cupcakes, I tell myself I will pace myself. Before I know it the cupcakes are gone, I've finished the mystery, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next mystery! Yes, this has been happening for 12 mysteries, and I hope it never ends!!

This time the mystery involves one of Mel's friends, Rene, an artist, who has been behaving very strangely. When Rene dies unexpectedly, all signs point to unnatural causes. It's up to Mel to put aside everything she thought she knew about her friend, and uncover the truth.

Jenn McKinlay delivers a top-notch mystery, not just in detection, but in emotion. As I'm reading through Mel's adventure, she uncovers things she didn't know about her friend, Rene, and her husband, Peter. There is so much emotion leaping off the page, and I really enjoy how easy it is to get caught up in the story and not want to put it down.

Beyond the mystery, the Cupcake Bakery mysteries is one of the best examples of character development from book-to-book. They are the reason I love reading series. Each book has built on the last, and I've enjoyed watching these characters grow and develop. The ending of Pumpkin Spice Peril feels very bittersweet for me. There are changes afoot for our favourite characters, but I have faith in Jenn McKinlay and her ability to leave readers feeling not just satisfied, but wanting more! Exactly like a good cupcake!

If you haven't read the Cupcake Mysteries yet, put everything else aside and pick them up. Start with Sprinkle with Murder, and read and read, until you've finished them all!!! You won't be disappointed!

I love this series! The characters are a lot of fun and feel like family after twelve books. The mystery was good and kept me guessing until the end. I am looking forward to Meg's wedding, Angie's baby, and can't wait to see what they are up to next.

Once again Mel and Angie find themselves in the middle of a murder investigation, although at least this time Mel didn't find the body. When an artist friend is found dead right before her big show, everyone is devastated, but Mel takes is especially hard as she felt she should have done something more to help. Once again the Fairytale Bakery crew is on the case, and in between the murder mayhem they find time for a little family fun as well, as change is coming from every direction.

Mel is scheduled to provide cupcakes for a friend's art installation opening. When she shows up to finalize the cupcake flavors she discovers Rene is not a well person. When Rene's husband doesn't show up to pick up her regularly scheduled order, Mel decides to deliver the cupcakes and discover what's going on. Sadly she finds her friend has died. And thanks to a suspicious Chief of Police, she's the main suspect! Changes are afoot for the gang at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery and that's a good thing. I like that McKinlay's characters are well developed and keep growing. Her plots are entertaining and her recipes are to die for. #PumpkinSpicePeril #NetGalley

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and Jenn McKinlay doesn't fail to keep you involved with the characters in this latest edition of the cupcake murder mysteries. I love all the characters in this series and especially love the recipes in this latest one.

Another great installment from my favorite cupcake bakers. As always Mel has somehow found in her way into a murder investigation. This time it is a long time friend whom she finds that she did not know all that well. This book has a lot of twists and turns and emotional upheaval not only in the changes in Mel's life but with the realization, how well do we really know people. Also I don't want to spoil anything but Oz. It just won't be the same. A must read book.


I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

McKinlay (one of my favorite cozy writers) manages to keep this long-running series fresh with her endearing cast of characters, who are facing big life changes in the midst of yet another mystery. And delicious cupcakes, of course.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

Standard run-of-the-mill kitchen cozy mystery with nothing particularly to distinguish it from any other cozy-with-recipes title. Not bad, but neither is it particularly memorable.

Jenn McKinlay's cozy mystery novels are one of my favorites for when I need a light and enjoyable read. I did enjoy revisiting the silly characters, but I solved the murder very early in the book.

Another edition to the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. I had difficulty getting into this story. There seemed to be a lot of repetition and going over the same information any number of times. Having said that, this book is designed to be a light read. The cupcakes are still being cranked out, there is a love story, there is a murder to be solved.

Mel and Angie have been commissioned to provide the cupcakes for the opening of a huge art installation by one of their friends. When Mel goes to meet with her, she is stunned at the change in her friend's appearance, and her behavior. When the friend is found dead a few days later, she has to figure out what happened. Any number of people could have been responsible for the murder, and it is up to Mel and Angie to sort out the perpetrator.