Dollycas's Thoughts

Lindsey Bakewell had spent the summers of her childhood youth in Beacon Harbor, Michigan so when she finds her celebrity chef fiancé cheating on her she decides to leave her job on Wall Street and get a fresh start following her dream to open a bakery there. She couldn't believe the old lighthouse was for sale. It is the perfect location for The Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe and her home with her loveable Newfoundland dog, Wellington. 

Unfortunately, not everyone in Beacon Harbor is happy about Lindsey's plans. Fiona Dickel wants the lighthouse to be preserved as a historical landmark. She even shows up with the other 6 members of the Beacon Point Lighthouse Preservation Society to protest at the bakeshop's grand opening. As if that wasn't enough chaos, Lindsey's ex-fiancé Jeffrey Plank, his girlfriend Mia Long, and a bunch of her friends show up to cause havoc and have to be escorted out. Shortly thereafter, Mia chokes on a donut and dies.

Stunned Lindsey is the police's main suspect. She gets even more confused when cyanide is found in Mia's bloodstream. How would she poison just that one particular donut and serve it to someone she didn't even know was going to be there? She wastes no time in trying to find who the real killer is, why the woman was killed, and how in the heck did cyanide get into something at her cafe?

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This book was released while I was dealing with the aftermath of my breast cancer treatments and I am upset with myself for taking so long to jump into this book and this series. 

Lindsey Bakewell is a fabulous protagonist. She knows what she wants and has the money and spunk to get it. She could have wallowed about the implosion of her relationship but instead, she has moved on. She left her best friend, Kennedy Kapoor back in the city but the distance didn't stop Kennedy from using her talents to create a "buzz" about Lindsey's lighthouse bakery and also come to Michigan to help with the grand opening. There is never a dull moment when she is around.  We also meet Rory Campbell who lives near the lighthouse. He meets Lindsey's dog Wellington before he meets Lindsay though. All three become fast friends even though Lindsey knows there may be more to Rory than meets the eye. We also meet other residents of Beacon Harbor as Lindsey works to open her bakery and snoops around to catch a killer. All the characters were well-crafted and felt true to life.

The author wrapped her characters in a complex mystery that twisted off in surprising directions. There was a slow build as clues were cleverly dropped throughout the story. Lindsey does have a knack for sleuthing. I enjoyed following along as she tried to make sense of the crimes that caused the major upheaval in her life. Both of us missed some major clues though. When all was revealed we were both taken aback but then the clues rapidly made sense but there were still things to be explained. I was hanging onto every word. Then the coolest thing happened, an awesome takedown. Loved it, but I can't say more. No spoilers here.

I love the lighthouse theme. Like Eva Gates Lighthouse Library Mysteries, Darci Hannah's stories have given new life to an old run-down lighthouse. Both have great histories and may have some lingering guests.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop has set this series off to a marvelous start. With unique characters and a tantalizing mystery, I enjoyed my time in Beacon Harbor, Michigan very much and am eager to return to see what Christmas brings to The Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe, Lindsey, Welly, and their friends.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is the first book in a series by Daci Hannah.. It is a great cozy mystery. I highly recommend it

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This was a great start to a new mystery series. The characters are engaging and make me want to read more.

As a baker, I was looking forward to diving into this cozy and seeing what it was about knowing the lead is a pastry chef. The plot was great and the mixing with the field of influencers was an interesting twist. Some of it was "predictable" cozy fodder (running from the past, starting a new career, hunky neighbor, ex's girlfriend dead of poison) but the characters were well thought out and kept you guessing. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series. Now if I can just get time to try one of the recipes!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

I generally have quite a few cozy mysteries in my TBR pile. They are just the kind of book I want when I am feeling stressed. Despite a murder or two, these stories are comforting as justice is served. If only that were always the case in the real world.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is the first in a series. There are now three titles in all. This first novel introduces readers to Lindsey Bakewell (a name that is quite appropriate). She left Wall Street for Michigan after her relationship ended. This gives her the opportunity to pursue a passion for baking. No surprise to readers that she becomes involved in a murder investigation given the genre. It is a surprise to Lindsey though when her former fiance is involved. Some suspension of disbelief is required while reading but achieve that and this is a good story of its type.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

I love cozy mysteries and this book was one of my favorites!

Lindsey Bakewell buys an old lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan and turns it into a Cafe. While opening her Bakeshop Cafe a customer dies of cyanide poisoning after drinking one of Lindsey's cups of coffee. Lindsey quickly finds herself on an action-filled hunt to find the killer and clear her name.

This book is full of action, a hot guy next door, red herrings, tons of suspects to choose from, and a plot twist at the end. I had a hard time putting the book down! The end has lots of yummy recipes mentioned in the book. I can't wait to read more of the series!

Darci Hannah is a new author to me, and she is a keeper!!! I loved Murder at the beacon bakeshop! It was a great book, it did not disappoint!!

I have read several series with a heroine who has the same backstory. And it has gotten old fast. However, Hannah's writing was good enough I will let that slide. I really loved this book and cannot wait to read more of Lindsays adventures.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is a fantastic start to a promising new cozy mystery series. I really love the protagonist, Lindsey Bakewell, and her friend, Kennedy. Even though Kennedy lives in NYC, I hope we will see more of her in future books. I like how well paced the story was. Sometimes it feels like too much happens and then the conclusion is rushed. But with this book the action was paced out and steady throughout the entire book. I'll admit that I suspected several characters before the killer was revealed. Looking back now I can see all the clues that were there. That's just great writing in my opinion. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

This was a good first book for a series. I liked Lindsey. I enjoyed the writing style. It was a light, quick read and I would recommend it to others.

This was pretty fun for a first novel in a series. I liked the bit of history with the lighthouse. Lindsey returning home to her small town after her love life implodes leads to her following her heart and opening a bakery.

Lindsey Bakewell, fresh off of a breakup with her cheating ex-fiancé Jeffery, impulsively buys an old lighthouse and its attached carriage house in the place where she used to spend her summers with her beloved grandparents. She's an ex-investment banker, and begins renovating the place to open a bakeshop, which has always been her dream.

With new employees in place, and a temporary barista in the form of her hunky neighbor Rory Campbell, everything seems to be going smoothly -- until a bus load of people arrive, including her ex and his girlfriend Mia, who begins causing trouble by grabbing food and drink from paying customers, and throwing donuts against the display cases. Shortly after Rory unceremoniously escorts Mia outside, she collapses on the ground, and it's soon discovered that she was poisoned.

Now, with the bakeshop temporarily closed, Lindsey and her best friend Kennedy, an top-rated influencer, are tasked with finding out who poisoned the woman. Then when another tragedy occurs, the investigation ramps up, but not without the help of Rory, her dog Wellington, and maybe even a little ghostly influence in the form of Captain Willy, who haunts the lighthouse...

This is the first book in a new series, and I have to say that I am sorry that I waited so long to read it. I absolutely love the fact that while Lindsey runs from New York after a breakup, she isn't broke and moving back in with her parents. In fact, this new protagonist is quite wealthy and can stand on her own two feet. I also loved the fact that when she learned something, she turned it right over to the police, instead of keeping the information to herself. A clue that she was indeed an intelligent woman instead of someone who needed to 'prove herself just as good as the police.'

I did like the characters in the book quite a bit. Lindsey, of course, has proven herself to be smart, capable, and willing to take risks, while also turning information over to the authorities. Kennedy is a complete hoot, and I would love to see her in later books. Rory is the hero-anti-hero, who doesn't flaunt his past and just wants to live his life; while the others in the town are all worth getting to know. I love that there's no 'evil nemesis,' and that the police chief doesn't hate her.

These make for quite an interesting book, one I just couldn't put down once I started reading. The plot was done very well, and the writing is extremely good. There are no stereotypes in the mix, and the descriptions of everything surrounding Lindsey make it so nice that I would like to vacation in this little place (but not live there as I really don't care for snow!).

I love to cook and bake, so I don't even mind the descriptions of food or the recipes. Although I do realize not everyone enjoys this, it is a culinary mystery, so they are to be expected. And the recipes in the back sound completely yummy.

When Lindsey starts investigating, she can't pin down who would set out to sabotage her -- after Jeffery declares he didn't kill anyone -- and wonders if she, herself were the real target or if it were someone else. When she starts digging, she also begins to become interested in her resident ghost's past and his untimely demise, and wonders what happened to him, and why. But what she discovers is that there are more secrets in this town than she could ever imagine, and finding them out could get her killed...

When the ending comes and the murderer is revealed, it is both sad and unexpected, which is the way it should be in a mystery. The pieces fit together nicely in the puzzle, and there is a very good climax scene that I didn't see coming at all, and made everything before it worthwhile. This is a very good start to a new series and I will read the next. Highly recommended.

This is the first in a new series and I loved it!

Lindsey Bakeswell leaves her very successful Wall Street career and her cheating fiancé to pursue her dream - her own bakery cafe in small town Beacon Harbor, Michigan.

After refurbishing the old Lighthouse and hiring staff, Lindsey's finally ready for her grand opening. Local support is wonderful and all is going smoothly until local preservationists start protesting and her ex-fiancé shows up with his own protesters. As they're being escorted out, one collapses and dies and the Lighthouse Bakery Cafe is shut down by the police.

Lindsey needs to identify the murderer with the help of new and old friends, as well as her own Lighthouse ghost.

I really liked this book, Lindsey is starting over by moving to a new place and launching a new business. Throw in a haunted lighthouse, adorable puppy, and a murder and you have the makings of an enjoyable series. This first installment is worth the read as Lindsey is a suspect since she knows the victim. Her best friend and we new neighbors are ready to investigate and get her off the hook. I will definitely be adding this author and series to my TBR.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah is the first book in the new cozy Beacon Bakeshop series. As with most cozy series each book in the Beacon Bakeshop series will have it’s own fully solved mystery so readers can read each as a standalone or in any order. However, there is some character development that will carry over from book to book for those that read the series from the beginning.

Lindsey Bakeswell has that “safe” career that she thought she should have and a boyfriend that she thought may have been the one. When Lindsey’s relationship crumbles when she catches her celebrity chef boyfriend with another woman she decides to ditch the safe career and follow her dreams of owning her own bakeshop. Lindsey packed up and moved to her childhood vacation destination of Beacon Harbor, Michigan where she bought the old lighthouse intending to convert it into a bakery/home for herself and her dog, Wellington.

Lindsey’s dream isn’t without a lot of conflict though in her new home. Welly doesn’t exactly make a good impression with Lindsey’s new sexy neighbor, the town preservation society also isn’t happy with Lindsey “destroying” town history by converting the rundown lighthouse and turning it into a shop. And on top of it all Lindsey never expected to be sharing her lighthouse with a ghost! But though it all Lindsey manages to get her bakeshop up and running only to have a protest group come crashing in on her big opening. Amidst all the chaos Lindsey’s ex and his new gal pal, Mia, also crash the party only to end up with Mia murdered and Lindsey the prime suspect.

Darci Hannah was not a new cozy author to me, I had read her A Very Cherry Mystery series and had really enjoyed it so when I saw this new series I knew I had to give it a shot. Just as I had found before the Beacon Bakeshop series was full of laughs and plenty of fun which I absolutely adore. The setting in this one is wonderful, a small beachy town which is always my favorite and being set up in the lighthouse with a creepy mysterious past was just that extra bit of fun I liked. After getting to know Lindsey, Welly and all the new cast of characters I will definitely be interested in returning to this series in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series, that followed a well used plot device of the protagonist being accused of murder, and then having to become an amateur detective to clear their name,
I thought the characters were well set up and we also get quite a bit of backstory so we understand why our main character is in the position she is in currently.
One thing I will say about character, without trying to give any spoilers, I was really disappointed to find out who had done it. I thought that character had the potential for some really good story development in future books, which I presume will not happen now as that character was guilty of the crime.
Another thing which I didn’t quite get on board with was the phrase “her inner New Yorker”. I thought this phrase was very over used and it did start to grate on me a bit.
Overall though, an enjoyable start to a new series and I will be keeping my eye out for the second book in the series.

A fun first in series by Darci Hannah. From the picturesque setting, the interesting characters, and the mouthwatering recipes included at the end, this cozy mystery checks all the boxes! I thoroughly enjoyed this well-planned cozy and there were enough twists and turns that had me guessing until the very end. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

The first book in the new series A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery kept my attention the whole way through as I read it very quickly.
I wasn't too sure about the beginning as our main character leaves a successful Wall Street career to start over . She has converted an old run down lighthouse into a home for herself and her Newfoundland, Wellington.
Have I forgotten to mention she is also opening the lighthouse as a bakery cafe .
Not all in town see this as a sweet deal though. The preservation society doesn't want the history of the lighthouse lost among donuts and lattes .
They really mean business when a protest group crashes the holiday opening and when a death occurs during the ensuing chaos it's surely the bakery owners fault.
This book made me hungry for sweet treats especially with the delicious recipes included.
A sweet treat of a read you are sure to enjoy.

Published February 23rd 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I love cozy mysteries, but unfortunately I did not love this one. The cover was super cute, but the story didn't capture my attention.

I really enjoyed this book. The setting is everything… a Bakeshop in an old light house, yes please. This is definitely somewhere I’d love to visit. I really enjoyed the cast of characters and look forward to continuing the journey with them. My favorite character is definitely Wellington lol.
I was shocked by the reveal, The Who and The Why.
My only complaint, and probably the difference of giving this a 5 star rating, was the over use of the phrase “My inner New Yorker” by the protagonist.

I had the digital copy from NetGalley as well as the audio version.
I thoroughly enjoyed the narrator.

Looking forward to book two.