Lindsey Bakewell owns the Beacon Bakeshop in Beacon Harbor, Michigan. Christmas is approaching and Lindsey has a vision for a perfect sugar plum holiday. She has not had luck in the past with achieving a merry holiday. The bakery is keeping Lindsey hopping especially with all the Christmas orders. She really needs an assistant baker. Then Felicity Stewart convinces the town to host a Christmas cookie bake-off with each shop offering samples of their signature cookie. Lindsey becomes inundated with calls for orders. The bake-off takes a turn when the flirtatious celebrity judge is found dead with crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie on him. The only way to clear herself from suspicion is to find the guilty party and hopefully before Santa comes riding into town. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off by Darci Hannah is the 2nd A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery. This new cozy can be read as a standalone. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a fun lighthearted story with delicious cookies. The cookie descriptions will have your mouth watering. The story contains good writing with developed, relatable characters. I just love Lindsey’s Newfoundland, Wellington. I loved the idea of Lindsey and Welly having matching coats (I wonder if I can get my dog to wear a coat). There is humor sprinkled throughout that had me chuckling. The author captured Michigan in the winter. Beacon Harbor sounds like a charming small town. I love Lindsey’s lighthouse with its resident ghost. I enjoy the paranormal element and would actually like more of it. The mystery was well plotted with several suspects, a red herring, and good clues. It depends on your sleuthing ability on when you will solve this whodunit. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a cute cozy that will put you in the mood for the holidays. There are cookie recipes at the end for several of the tasty treats featured in the book. Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a merry tale with cookie trickeries, dazzling lighthouse lighting, a bevy of baking, an affable assistant baker, delectable cookies, and a spectral captain.