This is the third book in the series and I haven't read the first two. While the mystery is a standalone, I did feel lost in regards to the returning characters and the relationships they had with each other.

I never really connected with this book and didn't enjoy the repeated comments re one character's weight gain.

I'm definitely in the minority though as many people seem to really enjoy this book. So if you like Christmas baking specials and murder then give this book a try.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you ,Kensington Books.

Courtney Archer is a TV celebrity chef and is involved in a TV show called American Baking Battle’s Holiday special.

There are six contestants and a series of bakes they must complete including candy, cookies, and cakes. Each one also includes an element of Past, Present, and Future bakes.
Since my wife is a wonderful home baker, we watch a lot of those shows and this book gives a good insight into what goes on during the filming and the actual timelines.

Being a Courtney Archer book there is also a murder Kinzy Hummel the assistant director is found murdered with an apron from Courtney’s friend Shannon’s new line of aprons so Courtney gets involved in helping to figure out who killed Kinzy and why.
There is no shortage of suspects and the magnifying glass shifts from one to another in the course of the book. They all have motives and opportunities.
But who really did it? The answer will surprise you it’s not who you think.
The book is well written and engaging and the author obviously has insight into the workings of cooking shows.

This is the third Courtney Archer Mystery and my favorite of the series. The author truly captured Christmas holiday baking in this fun next in series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley. My review opinion is my own.

Courtney is attending a baking special for the holiday filming in the Poconos. It's a festive set but trouble is brewing between the assistant director and others. Courtney is right to suspect trouble when a murder occurs. As she gathers clues and investigates she finds nefarious facts about the victim and possible suspects that do not have the Christmas spirit but have motive and opportunity. Soon Courtney's friend is prime suspect and Courtney shifts into protective mode to find the true killer and save her friend.

I loved this Christmas theme mystery. The baking is divine and will make you want to start holiday baking. The author truly captures the Christmas spirit. This is a holiday mystery to read each year and a wonderful; gift for the holidays. Very well done to the author.

A fairy predictable Christmas Cozy mystery but I didn't mind. When it comes to Christmas themed reads I prefer cozy mysteries over Christmas romance as I find those to cheesy and predictable. Cozy mysteries like this give me to right balance, of sweet and cozy. But the mystery aspect keeps me on my toes and I'm a sucker for cozy mysteries with food.

Enjoyable seasonal read which easily puts the reader in the mood for the holidays. Easy recommendation for lovers of seasonal mysteries.

Normally I like cooking themed mysteries. I thought it would focus more on Courtney's show but the series is always focused on some special event. There seems to be a lot of drama which could be okay but some of it felt overblown and awkward. all in all this was not my favorite in the series.

television, cozy-mystery, cooking, series, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship, murder, murder-investigation, friction****

Come for the characters, stay for the sleuthing!
What a soap opera! Who knew a cooking show could get into this much trouble? The publisher's blurb is a pretty good hook, so no need to repeat that. Just put your nose into it and enjoy!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you.

Kindle Copy from Net Galley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Nothing says bake-off like murder.

Courtney finds herself in the middle of a murder as she tries to spread Christmas cheer among her less than happy competitor. It does not help the mood when the assistant director is found dead with one of the judge’s new apron line.

Will she be able yo find the killer or will it dampen Christmas forever? A charming Christmas read.

Rosemarie Ross' third Courtney Archer Mystery book, Christmas Candy Corpse is a fast-paced and fun cozy mystery. It is well-written and I really like all the characters. The storyline kept me turning the pages as amateur sleuth Courtney Archer worked to discover who murdered Assistant Producer Kinzy Hummel especially since her good friend and baking contest judge, Shannon Collins is a person of interest. I really like this author's voice and look forward to more stories in this series.

Christmas Candy Corpse is the third installment in the Courtney Archer series featuring chef Courtney Archer. The upcoming holidays have brought the cast and crew of American Baking Battle back to their home away from home in the Poconos for a Christmas themed challenge among six bakers, who will need to create candies, cookies and desserts.

Courtney is feeling guilty that she's not home helping her cousin organize the annual Hospital Toy Drive that her family has done for years. But, she's not the only one who isn't in the holiday spirit - contestants are on edge and Shannon Collins, the sweet tempered judge and Courtney's soon to be co-host on a new cooking show is acting very strange. Shannon is short tempered, gaining weight and sneaking off set at every chance she gets.

When Assistant Director Kinzey Hummel is found strangled by one of Shannon's aprons all fingers seem to point at Shannon but Courtney knows that her friend isn't a killer. Kinzey's grandfather just passed and she stands to inherit his estate so is the killer someone who wanted the family fortune to himself, or is it one of her co-workers who is trying to get ahead in show business?

A quick afternoon read with the return of series regulars, an interesting plot and premise, delicious recipes and just enough romance. It will be fun to see if Courtney is going to spend more time with her new series or keep going back to the American Baking Battle.

I received an advanced copy of Christmas Candy Corpse from NetGalley via Kensington. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Interesting premise in this third Courtney Archer mystery, namely, murder during a TV baking competition. This is the first book in the series which I've read and would be happy to go back and read the first two books.

Lots of great characters, starting with Courtney Archer celebrity chef and our sleuth, and a terrific plot. Plus, of course, I love Christmas-themed mystery.

This is a book I'd recommend to cozy mystery fans.

I really have enjoyed this series. The food contest angle is one of my favorites. There are a number of characters and the author does a good job of giving them all unique and individual personalities. This entry wasn't my favorite but I still look forward to reading more about the American Baking Battle gang.

Celebrity chef Courtney Archer is filming a Christmas special edition of a baking competition in the Poconos. A death interferes -- but the show must go on. In fact, her co-star's mysterious troubles and her worries about her boyfriend have already been making things difficult.

She does her best to help the police without putting herself in danger, but things don't work out the way she planned. There's plenty of holiday atmosphere and interesting characters. The plot is sloppy, but it's enjoyable read.

The descriptions of the dishes in the baking competition left me wishing the book included recipes, but it doesn't. Now that you know, you won't be disappointed.

This series is perfect for a Christmas themed book as it’s about a baking competition show & I find the holiday ones are usually the best. Our protagonist Courtney is back, rushed from her thanksgiving, to fill her hosting duties. This is probably my favourite of the three books in the series so far. I think the author has built a good cast of a characters involved in the baking show & Courtney is growing on me. There’s ample suspects between familiar faces & contestants. If you can’t get enough of the baking challenge shows than this is the right cozy series to get into.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Kensington Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.


This was truly delightful and enjoyable to read. The previous ones in the series as just as quaint but not necessary for this one to enjoy.

Loved this cozy mystery. Christmas Candy Corpse was very well written with great developed characters. A fun read. Highly recommend.

Synopsis: Christmas has come early to the beautiful Poconos resort that’s the setting for the American Baking Battle’s holiday special, where chef Courtney Archer is on hand to sample festive fare—and lift the lid off a killer...

Six ambitious bakers are competing for glory and a grand prize, showcasing their most delicious candies, cookies, and desserts. Courtney detects some on-set grinchiness from her coworkers, especially judge Shannon Collins, but she’s hoping the sweet treats will restore everyone’s festive spirits. That Christmas wish swiftly fizzles when assistant director Kinzy Hummel is found strangled—with an apron from Shannon’s new product line...

Excellent cozy! Vibrant characters all competing in a bake off. Lots of red herrings to keep the reader's interest. Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Courtney Archer is a chef who's still trying to get over finding a couple of dead bodies on her recent forays as a host on the show the American Baking Battle. In between co-hosting their new Christmas show, she's trying to put her own show together, along with her own co-host Shannon Collins. But with Shannon as one of the judges this season, something is definitely off about her. She has fits of rage and sadness, and seems to be gaining weight. When an assistant director all but tells her she's fat, she loses it and has an argument. Then, when a contestant tells her she's playing favorites, she gets into a fight with him. Things are definitely not going right on the set.

When assistant director Kinzy Hummel is found strangled -- with one of Shannon's new Christmas aprons around her neck -- all suspicions point to her. Now some of the staff is overwhelmed, others are reeling, and an unexpected source takes the reins to the show to keep it running smoothly. On top of that, Courtney is dealing with her new relationship with Eric, which seems to have its own groove to find. Can Courtney find her way with their new status, and more importantly, can she keep a killer from finding her?...

This is the third book in the series and I have read all of them. It's just as action-filled as the other two, and just as full of suspects. Not only do you have part of a cast as suspect, you have contestants, a disgruntled attorney, and maybe someone who isn't even on the radar, but is certainly at the resort. With Shannon taking long breaks, and not talking to anyone about what is bothering her, could she really have killed Kinzy in a fit of rage? The sheriff might think so, but he's not telling.

Courtney isn't taking chances. If they're focused on Shannon, they aren't looking at anyone else. But there's a few people on her radar, and she's determined to figure out the truth, even if Eric doesn't want her to. It makes for a very good mystery, and one that keeps you on your toes trying to ferret out a killer along with Courtney. But figuring out who hated Kinzy enough to kill her is a different story. She didn't seem to have a lot of enemies; sure, she could be abrasive, but that's no reason for murder -- or is it?

I do love this series, and while I think Courtney could roll it back a little on confronting people, she does get results, even if those results put her directly in the path of a killer. But it's watching how she gets out of it that's the best part. And when all is said and done and the murderer is revealed, things may not be what they seem, and what you think you know you might not. Food for thought. Highly recommended.

I really enjoy this series and was excited to see another adventure. I was shocked who was murdered, why and who did it. Courtney and Eric finally decide how to handle their romantic relationship. Overall a five star mystery.
ChristmasCandyCorpse #NetGalley

I received an advance copy of, Christmas Candy Corpse, by Rosemarie Ross. A baking competition in the Poconos, at Christmas, what could possible go wrong? Who is the murderer ? Everyone says their innocent, but someone is lying.