Deadly Delights by Laura Jensen Walker is the second in the Bookish Baker Mystery series. I have not read book one but was able to get current quickly.
Let me start by saying, I love this book. It has everything a great Cozy needs! The protagonist, Teddie, is likeable and relatable as are the other main characters. Teddie is also a breast cancer survivor. There are plenty of plot
twists leading to the jaw dropping end. There is also humor, romance, family, friendship, and a loveable pet.
This is book is hard to put down and will have you wanting to bake a cobbler or a batch of cookies!
I was given an ARC by Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

This book, Deadly Delights continues Laura Jensen Walker's A Bookish Baker Mystery series and it was everything I hoped it would be!

The reader soon meets the star of the show, Teddie St. John, who is a baker and a culinary cozy mystery writer in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin. She’s a contestant in the town's annual pie-making contest an event that attracts many Wisconsin pastry aficionados. However, the event turns sour when Teddie goes to check the baking tent during a storm and finds the competition's judge, Lester Morris, face down in a coconut cream pie, dead, his silver hairpiece stained red with blood. Beside the table, Teddie’s embossed rolling is lying on the ground and Teddie needs to clear her name.

I thought this was a magnificent, really solid second instalment in the series. Again, I found Teddie to be a charming sleuth and one of my favourite newbies this year. She's wickedly funny, smart and her upbeat attitude is refreshingly straightforward. Laura Jensen Walker's other characters are an eclectic cast of friends and various individuals who offer their help, adding positive energy along with a touch of banter, fun and comedy. The author's habitual detailed descriptions of Teddie’s delicacies all sounded scrumptious.

This book was such a great read and I enjoyed puzzling over the mystery which was a hubbub of clues and misdirection. Teddie and her mother did not see eye-to-eye on everything in a subplot that caused some tension and added dimension. The writing was comfortably and smoothly paced, the mystery was very well executed, and I really relished my time in Lake Potawatomi.

All in all, Deadly Delights is a great, humorous read and an outstanding instalment. I will certainly be returning to see what Teddie is getting herself into next in the third Bookish Baker Mystery. Very highly recommended.

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

This was definitely an enjoyable cozy mystery. I liked the characters, for the most part, and I liked the ending and the recipes. My only complaint is that it rambled at parts and took a long time to get places. But I did enjoy it and am glad I read it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this copy.

Deadly Delights is the 2nd book in A Bookish Baker Mystery series. Theodora (Teddie) St. John is an author who likes to bake. There is a baking competition in town that Teddie is participating in but when one of the judges is found dead, Teddie becomes a suspect. The judge is a philandering jerk and very unpopular. Teddie needs to clear her name. Teddie's boyfriend Tavish is in England but her best friends Char and Sharon, her mom and Brady all help to get to the bottom of this mystery. The characters are what makes this book and series. Teddie had breast cancer which plays into the story. She is a strong character but is down to earth and is far from perfect. I liked her mom better in this book. This book dragged a little in the middle but the ending was good and unexpected. This was an enjoyable cozy mystery. #NetGalley DeadlyDelight

Dollycas’s Thoughts – Note there are SPOILERS below.

It’s time for the annual baking contest in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin, and illustrious baker Teddie St. John is one of the contestants. Sadly Lester Morris is one of the judges. He’s a man who can’t keep his hands to himself and he preys on young woman and even pinched Teddy’s butt while judging her baked goods. She gets him back with a whack from her rolling pin but that doesn’t even slow him down. He just makes a crude comment and moves along.

Day 2 means it’s time for pies but it looks like Lester has gotten a head start on his judging with his face buried deep in a coconut cream pie when Teddy arrives. She quickly realizes something is amiss because as she moves closes she sees Lester, “the molester” is dead and her rolling pin appears to be the murder weapon. The man has more than a few enemies and Teddy knows she didn’t kill him, she just needs to find who did.

I have been excited to read this book since I turned the last page of Murder Most Sweet. I love Teddie St. John. She is a confident strong woman who is also a breast cancer survivor. She made a huge decision I am not sure I could have made. I admired her immediately. The characters the author surrounds her with were just icing on the cake.

I also enjoy that the story is set in my home state. The author loves the kringles Wisconsin named the official state pastry in 2013. They are a big thing in Racine near where the story is set. They weren’t a family tradition for me like they are for the author and Teddie but they are delicious and I would never walk away from a slice of apple or strawberry kringle.

So I was reading along, dead guy, Teddy’s long-distance relationship, twists, clues, turns, then SPOILER ALERT – there was a suicide, I paused, took a couple of deep breaths, and kept reading. Then SPOILER ALERT – there was another suicide and this time it was way too similar to the way my son took his life. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I closed my Kindle and had a good cry. After more than six years I still can’t read about a death like that. It was hard to move on.

I wasn’t sure I would be able to go back and finish the book but I had committed myself to review this book. So several days later I went back to the story and skipped ahead a bit and let’s just say there was another twist that changed some things from their original appearance. It was still hard to read but I pressed on and I am glad I did because there is a very special event that takes place on the final page. I loved it and it allowed me to close the book with a smile on my face.

Had I known about the subject matter of the book I would have passed on this book even though I loved the characters because I need to protect my heart and I apologize for the spoilers in my review but I needed to explain myself. I am not sure how to rate the book so I didn't on my blog. A person without my history will love this book and while this book didn’t work for me I am looking forward to the next one which I think will be taking Teddy across the pond.

Teddie St. John, the main character of this book, is a writer, baker, dog lover, and cancer survivor. This story takes place in the small Wisconsin town of Lake Potowatomi where it really does seem that 'everyone knows your name'. The town was gearing up for the annual baking contest, which was called off when the main judge for the contest was found murdered. There were quite a number of people who had cause to wish ill will towards the dead man, who was a very unpleasant person.

Teddie and her friends set out to try to discover who the killer could possibly be, mostly by talking to people and comparing notes with each other. There is also a little mystery with Teddie's mother sneaking in at dawn and being seen with a handsome, younger man. Teddie has both the murder and her mother on her mind.

I liked Teddie's attitude as a cancer survivor and the small-town setting. I didn't like the baby talk with the dog but it didn't happen too frequently. As for the mystery, it was a little flat. The best parts to me were when Teddie was baking - I learned some new things and was very happy that the recipes were included in the back of the book. I think I gained a few pounds from just reading the descriptions of the desserts.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this book, and drool over the descriptions of those baked goods.

This is a fun cozy mystery and especially of interest to those who love to bake as well as read. I liked the heroine, Teddy. She's an author who writes mysteries so we get some insights into the writing process. There are also some interesting discussions about literature and writers and why they do what they do. Teddy is also a breast cancer survivor and there are some discussions about mastectomies and life afterward.

Teddy has a couple of female sidekicks and they get into some interesting adventures, like going to a pole dancing place to interview one of the women. What a riot.

And then there is the food. Teddy enters the annual dessert contest, foiled by the murder of one of the judges. Nonetheless, we are tantalized with descriptions of luscious sounding recipes for desserts. Fortunately, Walker has included a number of them at the end of the book. I can't wait to try the cookies that have just about everything in them except the kitchen sink.

This is a fun cozy mystery with a good twist at the end and yummy recipes to try. The characters are fun and the plot was good. This is the second book in the series but read well on its own.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

4.5 stars

This is the second book in the A Bookish Baker mystery series by Laura Jensen Walker.

I really enjoy Walker’s writing and it is not just because we share the same last name. This was a great cozy and the new series is just coming into its own with the main POV character of Teddie. There is a bit of a talking dog in here that kind of threw me off since I couldn’t figure out why the dog’s thoughts were so important. Maybe Teddie could have had those insights on her own.

There were a lot of twists and turns in this book that really kept me guessing. I was racing to the end to figure out whodunit! It is quite a page turner. This is definitely a series I want to continue to follow since I enjoyed the whole culinary mystery feeling of it. Totally recommend this if you love cozy mysteries and want to try out something new.

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. Opinions are completely my own.

3.5★s

The annual baking contest in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin was due to begin the following day, so Teddie and her friend Sonia decided to decorate the tent the night before, to save time. But it was when the storm hit and Teddie raced to the site to make sure everything was safe, that the baking contest was cancelled. One of the judges, lecherous Lesley Morris, was dead, face buried in Sonia’s coconut cream pie and Teddie’s rolling pin was covered in blood.

Teddie was a cozy mystery writer as well as champion baker and had many friends. Her best friend, Charlotte, commonly known as Char, was the girlfriend of the local sheriff and when Brady questioned Teddie as to her guilt or innocence, it was obvious to Teddie and her friends that they would have to find the killer to prove she wasn't guilty. But could they? It seemed that a few people had secrets. And then there was Wilma, the town’s malicious gossip who already had Teddie convicted and jailed…

Deadly Delights is the 2nd in A Bookish Baker Mystery series by Laura Jensen Walker and it was filled with delicious recipes (as well as quite a number at the end of the book) The final twist at the finish was one I hadn’t seen coming and was well done – I was way off!! Quite a fun and enjoyable read, Deadly Delights is one I’m happy to recommend to cozy mystery fans.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars = Good+

Fun sequel to the terrific Murder Most Sweet. As with the first book, I loved the setting. There's a large cast in this one, and the mystery is pretty straightforward. Some twists to the resolution that kept me guessing. Includes recipes. (TW: sexual harassment)

Teddie lives in a sweet small town, where everyone knows everyone else's business. During the annual baking competition, when the town sleaze ends up murdered, the town is aware of the words passed between Teddie and the deceased the day before. Teddie promises to clear her name and find out who the real killer is.

Alright, this book took me a long time to finish. There was nothing about the story that really jumped out and grabbed me and I just felt like it went on forever. That being said, I loved the small town vibe and different characters created by the author. The town had such character and that was probably my favorite part of the story. I felt like the author gave a lot of attention to background stories of people and things and focused less on the actual mystery than I would have liked. There was a bit of a twist at the end which I wasn't expecting, but it still wasn't enough to really hold my interest.

**Please note that it is always hard for me to give a negative review and I know that authors put a lot of time and energy into providing for the reader, and for that I am forever grateful.

This was a fun read, and the ending was a riot! Love all of the relationships in the town and that Teddie and her mom are getting closer. Good story!

I'm enjoying this series enough that I'll likely continue reading it- I enjoy the bookish references and the Wisconsin setting. This series, to me, is lacking some of the humor and diversity that the "millennial cozies" have, but is slightly more quirky than you'll find in the more traditional cozies. I think there is some fun potential here.

Teddie St. John not only writes Cozy mysteries but she also seems to live in them. While participating in the town’s annual bake off, the head judge is killed with her grandmothers rolling pin. When the widow accuses Teddie of murder, she knows she needs to find the real murderer to clear her name and help the widow move forward.

Like in one of her cozies, Teddie can’t seem to come up with the whole plot, means, motive, and opportunity and has a cast of suspects she’s chasing down. Whether she’s getting close or chasing red herrings, Teddie can’t tell, but she’s not giving up until the case is closed.

I can’t get enough of this series! From the Three Musketeers to the mother-daughter relationship, I can really relate to the characters and writing. With well developed characters, cute pups, and a soli whodunit, I am always looking forward to the next entry before I close the cover once I am done. Add this to your TBR pile, you won’t regret it. Don’t miss the recipes at the end!

Deadly Delights is the second book of the Bookish Baker Mystery series by Laura Jensen Walker.

Teddie St. John is an amateur baker, mystery, and thankfully a breast cancer survivor.

Teddie has decided to enter this year’s Lake Potawatomi Baking contest. As she is getting ready for the first day’s judging, cookies, her rolling pin rolls off the table, and when she bends over to retrieve it, she feels her butt being pinched and instinctively swings around strikes the lecherous Les Morris with her rolling pin. Les, known as “Les the Letch,” has a reputation for sexual harassment. Particularly the younger ladies. Les is president of the Chamber of Commerce and one of three judges for the contest, and Teddie feels her chances have gone in the garbage.

But she makes it to the next round and goes home to bake a cherry pie for the next round. While making the pie, her neighbor, Sophia, comes over to ask they can over and set up their tables as she has to take her grandmother to an appointment and wouldn’t have time to set up the next day. When a storm comes up, Teddie goes to the tent where the contest is being held to see if the site has been damaged. When she enters, she finds Les face down in a coconut creme that would have been Sophia’s entry and her bloody rolling pin on the floor near the body. As the police begin investigating and collecting evidence, Les’s wife begins shouting to arrest Teddie.

Teddie, Char, and Sharon were known as the “Three Musketeers” in high school, as they always had each other’s back. Now is the time for them to learn who the killer was so that Teddie can clear her name. It will prove to be quite a job because of the number of women he has harassed or has his wife gotten tired of his behavior. Or possibly his son is looking to collect his inheritance now rather than later. Then there is the pole dancer in nearby Racine.

Teddie and her mother don’t see eye-to-eye on everything in a subplot, which causes, at times, tension. It seems that her mother frequently leaves her home, dressed to the nine and late at night. Teddie has found that her reasons are a complete fabrication. But they will start to put their differences aside.

I really like the character, Teddie. There is an old saying when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. And after a double mastectomy. Teddie could have turned into a recluse, but instead facing every day as a positive step forward. She makes light-hearted comments about her “new” body.

The story is well-written and plotted with enough twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end who the killer was.
I enjoyed all the characters, and they are well developed and believable.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

Teddie threatens the head judge of a local cooking contest that she has entered when he grabs her during an event. Not learning his lesson, he makes an indecent comment that's heard over the PA system to another contestant. Teddie finds him dead the next morning on the second contestant's table with Teddie's bloody rolling pin near the body. With suspicion on her and the other contestant, Teddie and her friends begin to investigate.

Let's get what I don't like about Deadly Delights out of the way. First Teddie is once again accused of murder. I think it would have worked just as well with the second contestant as the accused. I don't see the Three Musketeers letting another person being accused without investigating. Second I would have liked to have seen more of Teddie the author instead of Teddie the sleuth. After all, her livelihood is her writing. What I like about the book is Teddie is comfortable with her own body. If anyone doesn't like how she looks that is their problem not hers. Looking forward to the next. It will be interesting to see if the book is set in Lake Potawatomi or during Teddie's trip to England.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed visitng Lake Potawatomi again. The timeline of the story was the same summer as the first book. Teddie's a great main character and so open about having had breast cancer along with all the decisions she made with it. I love that she's got a sassy or funny comeback for pretty much everything and won't take lip from anyone. Her dog is a total sweetheart too. I really like her two besties, Char and Sharon. Char is such a hoot, and it doesn't hurt matters that she dates the chief of police. Sharon tends to take on the mom role of the trio, since she's the only one with kids. Another character Astrid, the older artist friend of Teddie's cracks me up too!

There were some good side stories going on, one which involved Teddie's mom. I think it might have helped bring them a bit closer. After the murder at the baking contest, Teddie and her friends set out to investigate, mainly to clear Teddie and Sophie's names and give blabbermouth Wilma something else to talk about. There was a twist I sure never saw coming, very clever though. The showdown was quick but awesome. A couple more sweet things happened once everything was cleared up. What a great ending!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This is the second in the series and it’s just not working for me. The mystery is ok but it is just missing the quality that will bring me back.

Teddie’s rolling pin is found next to the victim and she had a confrontation with him prior to his death which makes her the prime suspect.

I wish I could have liked it more.

I was given an ARC e-book copy from Netgalley. I am not required to leave a positive review.

I loved the first book in this series, so much so that I paid hardcover pricing for it (even though I got an ARC from Netgalley!). I was so very excited to read the second book in the series and I certainly was not disappointed.

Teddie St. John is competing in her small town's Wisconsin version of The Great British Baking Show. Unfortunately, the head judge turns up murdered face down in another contestant's pie and Teddie's distinctive rolling pin is the murder weapon. Now the widow in question is blaming Teddie for murdering her husband, except the deceased was such a lecherous jerk there is no shortage of people who would have done the deed. Teddie's natural curiosity and drive to clear her name starts her poking around to solve the crime.

Teddie is such a different protagonist from other mysteries. I appreciate that she is a cancer survivor and while most cozy heroine's lives have been upended in some way in the primary book, Teddie's plight seems more real and her attitude the more admirable, not to mention the sprinkling of delicious baked goods throughout the book (seriously, if you have never had a Kringle you are missing out - you should order one right away). I love the cast of characters in this book and Teddie's adorable Eskie, Gracie. I love getting lost in the story with Teddie and her Musketeers. I do hope there will be many more in this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for my ARC but I will probably buy this one too!

Deadly Delights was such a fun cozy mystery that I sped through in just one sitting. Reemerging back into her life after a bout of medical treatment, Teddy is back in action and ready to take on the world... or at least those in the world who think she committed murder! Deadly Delights is funny, heartwarming, and unlike many cozies it kept me guessing till the very end.

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.