3.5 stars

Dough or Die is an intriguing mystery with delightful main characters (Olaya!) to keep you entertained and delicious, mouthwatering bread to keep you hungry haha.

I really really like Olaya – she is just a little mysterious and a lot goodhearted, and her heart to empower women who have had a rough time is definitely something I can embrace. Her work ethic and compassion are inspiring, and she’s the kind of character you can easily picture as you read. Ivy is also engaging, and their respect & affection for each other easily adds warmth to the story. The supporting characters are equally likable (except for the ones we aren’t supposed to like, of course) and keep the story moving along.

The plot was intriguing, with multiple suspects, nods to popular culture, and a reveal I didn’t quite see coming as clearly as perhaps I should have. I did have a serious problem with the way Ivy conducted part of her amateur investigation in this book – it threw out all the understood rules of interacting with a typically-protected group of people, and her choices unnecessarily endangered them. I was disappointed with the precedent this set – as well as with the strong (though fortunately infrequent) language. On a personal note, I read cozy mysteries in part because it’s generally accepted that cursing and profanity will be mild, if any are used at all, and reading several profane uses of Jesus’ names was more than a bit jarring to say the least.

Bottom Line: Dough or Die is a bread lover’s delight, and you’ll find yourself drooling over the delicious recipes that are whipped up at Yeast of Eden & by Ivy’s chef boyfriend. The way the continuing characters interact with each other – their genuine friendships, etc – is definitely a highlight of the series, and Olaya in particular is the rock of the stories even though Ivy may be the protagonist. To be honest, I was disappointed in the direction this book went and in the strong profanity that usually is absent in this genre. Take those two issues away, though, and you’ve got an entertaining read that will keep you guessing!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Princess Fuzzypants here: Yeast of Eden has become a destination in town and when a reality tv series wants to film its pilot there, Ivy is excited for the exposure and the recognition for her friend. It’s decided to highlight a group called Healing Hands which teaches women whose lives have been upturned by crisis how to bake bread. In spite of the diva female host and some tension behind the camera, everything appears to be going well.

That is until there is a lunch break where the cameraman is run down by a speeding car. Then there is another tragic occurrence by which time Ivy is determined to keep any bad vibes away from Yeast of Eden. That means helping her best friend and future sister in law, the local sheriff, to solve the crimes.

Trying to sift through the clues is a lot harder than making bread. There are some very convoluted connections that, when the truth is revealed, make the reader have more than a little sympathy for the killer. One bad decision can ruin so many lives. It makes for an intriguing story.

Four purrs and two paws up.

Ivy is back and this time she is to be filmed on a reality tv show. Soon after her excitement turns to dismay after a camera man is a victim of a hit and run. Then the shows host is murdered. This is a wonderfully well written mystery. The characters are realistic. The twists and turns are fantastic. I had no idea who committed the murder. It really kept me guessing. I read this book in one sitting. This is truly a delightful book. I recommend this book.

While this was a fun book to read, I think there was so much more to it. Who would think a cozy could bring up so many important points and problems of women today. Bring it all up and even combine it with one culture learning about another. That’s what Winnie Archer does here.

This is the first book I have read by Winnie Archer. I can’t say there is any reason it could not be read as a stand-alone. Although I could tell a few points might have been more familiar, I can’t say anything took away from the story. This is Book 5 of a series titled “A Bread Shop Mystery”. Hope there is a book #6 coming.

This is the 5th release in this charming series set around a bread shop. I highly recommend this series. I like the unique charcters, the bakery and the well plotted sleuths. I love that the author has chosen coastal Northern California as the setting as there is no where more beautiful. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinions are my own.

Ivy is excited to welcome a film crew from a food channel who has chosen her bakery to film. The Yeast Of Eden bakery is popular and gained notoriety in Northern California. When they begin filming they capture a attempted murder and then a murder occurs. Now Ivy must solve the crime to save her business and her reputation.

I enjoyed this next in series with great charcters and a fun sleuth. The author incorporated many red herrings that kept this reader guessing. I love the witty repartee amid the characters. I look forward to the next in series.
This is a delightful cozy series that I hope will continue for many more books to come.

Even though I have only read one other book in Winnie Archer's series set in a bread Shop in Santa Sofia, Northern California, I still jumped at the opportunity to read this one, Dough or Die as I enjoy a well written cosy, and this looked like it fitted the bill perfectly.

Known for its mouthwatering traditional breads, the Yeast Of Eden has been chosen by a food channel to be featured in a new programme about culinary delights. Baking assistant Ivy Culpepper is looking forward to the event, expecting the crew to capture all the inner workings of the renowned bread shop, owned by Olaya Solis. But her enthusiasm wanes when the show starts filming, and Ivy, star-struck by the co-host and local celebrity, Sandra Mays, realises that filming a Reality TV show with two hosts is not a smooth process. Then she learns that the show's cameraman, Ben Nader is nearly killed in an apparent hit and run, whilst another member of the TV show is found murdered...

Dough or Die was a compelling, charming, and fun cosy read. Winnie Archer did a fantastic job providing some backstory, making this a great standalone novel. 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 cast was quirky, and busy photographer, artist, and protagonist Ivy was spirited, peppy, curious and amusing, and she had a lot going on in this story.

There was a large number of characters in Dough or Die but I think I just about managed to keep track of all of them without being overwhelmed! Ivy's trusty sidekicks, Penelope Branford, an eager, retired English teacher, and Miguel, Ivy's boyfriend, made a welcome return as did Ivy's adorable pug, named Agatha. In addition to the filming of the show, Olaya Solis was offering bread baking courses to women from a local shelter, which added an added an interesting dimension to the entertaining plot. The mystery itself was well done and there were enough red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity.

Overall, a marvellous cosy and a very worthwhile read. I can't wait to see what Winnie Archer has in store for Ivy next, in book #6, Death Gone A-Rye.

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

A reality show crew arrives in the small town of Santa Sofia to film the pilot program for a series about bakeries, bringing with it mayhem and murder! The featured bakery, Yeast of Eden, is the brainchild of Olaya Solis, working with her partner and friend Ivy Culpepper. Yeast of Eden specializes in artisan breads, but also equips women with skills so they can enter the workplace.

When cameraman Ben Nader is the victim of a hit and run accident, Ivy gets involved in helping to track down the driver of the vehicle. The arrogant co-star of the show, Sandra, then ends up dead, and a stalker who follows Ivy adds a sidebar to the plot. Ivy decides to volunteer at a local women's shelter where Ben helped out, and discovers increasingly complicated connections among characters.

I found the characters to be delightful and well-developed. The plot seemed very confusing at times, with too much going on and too many loose ends to keep up with, although all becomes clear by the end of the story. I did not care for the minute details in some sections of the book, especially the cooking descriptions, and skimmed past them, although some readers might enjoy knowing these details. There was some mention of "magic" baked into the bread, but that theme was never developed. Readers should note that while this is a clean novel without graphic violence or sex, one scene involves some cursing, which seems pointless, as it adds nothing to the story.

Although "Dough or Die" is part of a series, it works as a standalone novel. Enough information is given to bring readers up to speed on the characters and setting.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I volunteered to read this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. The pacing of this story is good. This is the fifth book in this series. I would recommend reading the first book in this series to get to know the characters better. This author makes you feel like you are the characters in the book. I did not expect that person to do it, you should get the book to figure out who did it. This book is in stores now for $7.99 (USD).

DOUGH OR DIE by Winnie Archer
The Fifth Bread Shop Mystery

Reality TV hits Santa Sofia when Yeast of Eden is chosen to be the first bakery showcased in the new series, America's Best Bakeries. Ivy Culpepper is thrilled that her mentor, Olaya Solis, will get recognition, not only for her special artisan breads, but her community involvement and her Bread for Life program. Although Ivy notices the diva behavior of one of the hosts creating some tension, everything seems to be running smoothly. Things come to a screeching halt, however, when the cameraman, on break outside the bakery is involved in a hit and run. Did he have an enemy or is someone out to destroy the show before it even begins?

In the fifth Bread Shop mystery there is an attempted murder, a stalking, and an actual murder. But are they related? They must be, but how? Before Ivy even thinks to look into the cameraman's "accident" she is pursued by an unknown SUV. Could she have seen something she didn't realize? I liked how Ivy slowly began looking into the accident, trying to make connections where there seem to be none. I also appreciate the subtle manner in which clues are discovered.

DOUGH OR DIE brings a love of baking and community involvement to the forefront. Societal issues such as domestic violence are brought to light in an open and honest manner and cultural diversity is embraced.

It may be a murder mystery, but DOUGH OR DIE is a feel good novel that intelligently looks at today's society. It's also a complex mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed, even though it left me craving a loaf of Olaya's rosemary bread.

This story is one that you could just sink your teeth into, and I strongly suggest you try making the recipes found at the back of the story to enjoy. Definetly an uplifting story with a unique social program for women that is seasoned with an international flavor. This is my first Breadshop Mystery, but I had no problem following along with the timeline or character developement. There was the perfect portion of past story items and character background to keep everyone straight while also introducing new people. Very good social message about women helping other women and a reminder that while we may not have the same backgrounds we can still come together to do something good. As with any cozy we also learn that greed has the potential of making you a goner.

Another excellent addition to this lovely series.
It's a highly enjoyable and engrossing read, I was happy to catch up with the characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4.5 stars

This is the fifth book in the A Bread Shop mystery series by Winnie Archer.

Ivy Culpepper is finally finding her niche inside the Yeast of Eden bakery and then a tv crew comes in to film calling it one of America’s Best Bakeries. Then one of the tv crew gets run down in the road putting him into the hospital. Ivy goes into sleuth mode to figure out what is going on. Then tv personality, Sandra Mays is found dead in the tv cameraman’s favorite place to think.

The mystery in this was pretty complex and Ivy had to dig deep to connect everything. I liked how so many of the suspects did have a connection to the area making them even more of a suspect. I also loved the whole concept of the Yeast of Eden bakery and how the bread could heal people’s emotions since it was baked with love.

Definitely a great series to dig into! Going to put this on my must read list in the future.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

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.

This is the next installment of A Bread Shop Mystery. The shop, Yeast of Eden allows a safe haven for recovery. The owner, Olaya, comes from a long line of women who can infuse their baked goods with healing elements from their mood while baking. The thought of a bakery shop that not only offers classes on baking but an atmosphere of community and wellbeing.

When Olya agrees to take part in a new bakery reality show two murders quickly follow. Ivy sets to investigating the crimes. She does not want to have a negative impact on business.

Complicating matters Ivy has am stalker. She believes she knows who it is. Then again perhaps it has to do with the double homicide. As the investigation continues Ivy becomes aware of a battered womens shelter and the issues of spousal abuse.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery and enjoyed learning about baking and the different breads of other countries that are introduced by the women who participate n the bread baking course offered at the bakery to help women become marketable in the workforce. It is a quick easy read and i recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

It’s taken some persuading, but Ivy Culpeper has convinced Olaya Solis, the owner-operator of beloved bread shop Yeast Of Eden, to participate in the inaugural episode of new reality show, America’s Best Bakeries. The producers want to showcase one of Yeast Of Eden’s outreach programs, Bread Of Life, a cooking class designed to empower low-income and immigrant women by teaching them how to bake different breads while sharing their own recipes with the community. The women in the latest session of the class are all pretty enthusiastic about the show, at least until they meet the dysfunctional crew putting it together.

While most of the people at Yeast Of Eden are some degree of starstruck by either local on-camera personality Sandra Mays or by celebrity chef Mack Hebron, the tension between the two co-hosts is hard to ignore. Lead cameraman Ben Nader does his best to defuse tensions, but Sandra and Mack’s squabbling is having an adverse effect on the class’ nurturing environment. Everyone is determined to grit their teeth and forge ahead though, until a hit and run driver mows Ben down right in front of Yeast Of Eden.

Ivy and friends are horrified, especially since it looks like Ben was specifically targeted by the car’s driver. But then Sandra goes missing, as well as one of the women from the Bread Of Life program. Ivy’s investigative skills are sorely tested as she tries to track down the missing women, only to discover that the roots of this tragedy stretch further into the past than she could ever have imagined.

The fifth book in the Bread Shop Mystery series brings back all our favorite characters, though I honestly could have used a little more of the irrepressible Mrs Branford in these pages. It was nice to see Ivy strike out independently in her investigations with the tacit approval of her best friend Sheriff Emmaline Davis, though I did find Ivy’s condescension towards the women’s shelter’s security systems curious considering her own refusal to respect the women’s boundaries there. I did, however, very much appreciate the diversity of all the women in this book. It was a delight to learn about the different breads and bread-making techniques they knew and were happy to share.

The recipe section for this book includes two of those, and while I was very curious about the Eritrean hembesha, I chickened out and went for the easier recipe instead:

QUOTE
Rosemary Bread

1 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
1 cup warm water
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
2 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 375°F. Proof the yeast by adding to warm water and sugar. Let it rest for five or ten minutes until it becomes bubbly.

Mix in the butter, salt, and 2 cups of the flour.

Add 1 Tbsp of the rosemary to the dough.

Knead for about 10 minutes by hand (or use the dough hook on a mixer) until smooth and elastic. Add more flour, as necessary.

Oil a metal or glass bowl, or proofing basket. Place dough into the bowl and cover with a towel. Leave in a warm, draft-free place until doubled, approximately one hour.

Punch down. Divide into two equal parts and let rise for an additional fifteen minutes. Shape each piece into 2 rounded oval loaves. Sprinkle additional tablespoon of rosemary on top of the loaves and lightly press it into the dough.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or oil. Place prepared loaves on the baking sheet. Let rise for an additional 45-50 minutes.

Place in hot oven and bake 20 minutes or until brown.

After removing from the oven, brush lightly with butter or olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt (optional).
END QUOTE

Given the baking craze that has swept the nation, I shouldn’t have been surprised that I wasn’t able to find regular yeast at the store. It was, however, a pleasant surprise to discover the joys of instant instead! I admit to not being the biggest fan of baking with yeast, so the ease of using instant really got me over a lot of my issues with regular. I did, however, accidentally add all the rosemary to the dough in my initial batch as pictured instead of just half before kneading it. Fortunately, this didn’t ruin the bread, though definitely gave it a much stronger rosemary taste than intended. The bread itself came out tasting light and delicious. Honestly, I enjoyed baking this so much, I’ve already made more, and can attest to how delightfully the prescribed amount of rosemary flavors the loaves. I also found that letting the bread rise for longer than the recipe says helps make for slightly larger loaves.

Next week, we head to the Midwest to bake up a different sort of treat while investigating a Halloween murder (yes, it’s definitely getting to be that time of year again!) Do join me!

Dough or Die by Winnie Archer is the 5th book in A Bread Shop Mystery series, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite. 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 received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

So wonderful to be back inside the bread shop. Terrific characters. Reality show and battered women home add to the intrigue. Kept me turning the pages. Love this series.

We are back in Santa Sofia, California and our favorite bakery, Yeast of Eden, is getting ready to take center stage with the arrival of a reality show. The show features various American bakeries and that's great for business. Soon, though, things turn deadly. A member of the film crew is hit by a car right in front of the bakery and later the show's co-host is murdered. Not exactly how reality was defined when the bakery agreed to be showcased. Ivy, with the help of her friends, shifts gears and goes into investigation mode.
I enjoy the fact that all of the main characters support each other so well and that the bakery is so much the heart of the community. Add a very well crafted puzzle that kept me guessing - and getting it wrong - to the last chapter and a charming setting, I really enjoyed my virtual visit to Santa Sofia and am looking forward to my next visit April 27, 2021.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the fifth book in the Bread Shop Mystery series set in Santa Sofia, California. Olaya's bakery is the subject of a reality TV series. The hit and run of the show's cameraman and the death of another cast member puts Ivy into sleuth mode.

This series touches my heart. I love Olaya, her bakery and the Bread for Life program she created. Olaya takes women from different cultures and allows them to bake breads that mean so much to their heritage. I would love to be a part of something like this even though I am not much of a baker.

Ivy always seems to get involved with murders in this small town. Her trusty sidekicks, Penelope Brandford and Miguel, always have her back. There was quite a bit of intrigue involved with the various women that we meet along the way. I changed my mind several times about who the murderer actually was.

I love the descriptions and the recipes for the breads. Every town needs a Yeast of Eden and Olaya to add a little magic to their lives.

I'm happy to see that Ivy and Miguel are involved in a mature relationship now. I'm interested to see where it may lead.

Penelope "Penny" Brandford is one of my favorite characters. I certainly hope that I have the spunk she does when I am that age. Of course, Ivy's pug, Agatha is a great little character as well.

I always enjoy my visits to Santa Sofia. This is a well thought out series with good characters and a great mystery. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yeast of Eden has the chance to be on a new reality TV bakery show. Olaya isn’t certain about doing it, but when Ivy and the women in the Bread for Life class are for it Olaya agrees.
There isn’t tension between the cohosts - Mack and Sylvia from the beginning. Then the cameraman, Ben is hit by a car. While he is in a coma, Sylvia is killed.
Ivy investigates. She has a feeling that the women’s shelter Ben volunteered at has something to do with the hit and run.
There is much in the book about every day life while the mystery percolates in the background.
The connections between Ben being hit by a car and Sylvia dying don’t come together easily.
I have every respect for the sheriff, Emmeline, but Ivy really has all the ideas in this one.
I like the mystery and I like the setting. There is something off with how it all proceeds that bugs me at the back of my mind, which leads to four stars.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this latest Bread Shop Mystery.

Dough or Die is the fifth book in the Bread Shop Mystery series! This series made it into my top-ten favorite cozy series’ of all-time. Every time I read a book in this series, it’s like I’m escaping my world and entering a new one. I love it!

This new addition to the series is just as amazing as the rest of the books in the series! Characters were still delightfully interesting and entertaining. The mystery was exciting, suspenseful, and twisty. The pacing was excellent, and the ending left me satisfied and happy.

Overall, grade A book to a grade SSS series! I can’t wait for the next one! :)