An enjoyable cozy debut with a hip vibe that’s centered around the somewhat controversial subject of cannabis/weed/marijuana. The lovely coastal town of Azalea Bay is an attractive, cozy setting for protagonist, Chloe Barnes to move back to when her beloved Grandma Rose is undergoing chemo treatments for breast cancer. When Chloe’s quirky Aunt Dawn encourages her to use her pastry making skills to open a bakery and use pot as an ingredient for medicinal and stress relief purposes, Chloe likes the idea, especially if it helps Rose’s suffering. With Dawn’s help, Chloe rents a cute space, applies for a bank loan and then a license, and Baked by Chloe will be opening soon!

Chloe then runs into Brendan Chalmers, a guy she greatly disliked in high school, and he’s just as mean and annoying as ever, and not happy when she rejects his advances. The police chief has to intervene, yet Chalmers still threatens Chloe. The next a.m., Brendan’s dead body is discovered in a park and the chase is on to find his killer.

The author explores the subject of cannabis in all seriousness and no one gets ‘stoned’ from eating or drinking the delicious sounding foods or drinks mentioned in the story. Most of the characters are friendly, likeable, and relatable; Sabrina is a great bestie; Grandma Rose and Aunt Dawn are lovable and huggable; the hunky guy living next door is a possible romantic interest; cute pets; and several variables concerning alleged suspects hold reader’s’ attention from the story’s beginning. This was an entertaining choice for a weekend read! Recipes follow at the end.

I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Chloe Barnes returns to her home town Azalea Bay with a broken heart and lost her pastry chef job in Paris. Mostly she returns home because her Grandma Rose is sick, she has breast cancer. Grandma Rose is going through chemo and it's making her sick. The doctor recommends cannabis. Chloe gets to making edibles for her grandma. Everyone who knowingly 😉 tries one says they are delicious. Aunt Dawn gets an idea to open a cannabis cafe. Chloe is hesitant at first but decides to jump in.

On her first night home an old classmate hits on Chloe and doesn't take no for an answer. Her Aunt Dawn comes to the rescue. Then later that night Brendan is found dead in the park. Aunt Dawn is a prime suspect. So Chloe must investigate.

I really loved this book. I enjoyed following the clues and I really liked the recipes in the back. 💚🌿 I wish the cafe really existed, I'd like to try it out next time I'm in California.

I liked this book. There's the whole cozy mystery element that I love reading in cozies. What made it different was the cannabis cafe angle of the story. While I'm not a person who partakes, this story was a refreshing break from the usual bookshops, bakeries, libraries, etc. other cozies have. I am looking forward to seeing more books in this series.

This is the first book in a new series and it was perfect! I love cozy mysteries and thought the cannabis bakery sounded interesting. I love the way the author writes, so descriptive and intriguing. I believe this is her first book unless this is a pseudonym for an established author. I can’t wait for the next books in the series, I hope there is a lot more dog dancing and bakery details. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was great!

I love cozies that push the boundaries of the genre; I think I’ve gotten tired of the overly cutesy books where everything is all sunshine and roses (well, except for the murder). I was a little hesitant to read this one with the cannabis theme, picturing Dazed and Confused characters investigating a crime (which would also be amusing) but I was pleasantly surprised by this one – I loved it! The writing drew me in from the very beginning and flowed so well. The characters were lovable and perfectly flawed, especially Chloe who is able to laugh at herself in just the right amount of self-deprecating humor. The bakery idea was fresh and it fills a niche that I wouldn’t have even thought of. The references to cannabis are well done, educating me on a topic I knew nothing about and dispelling any stereotypes I had built up in my head. I enjoyed this one so much and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

A Half Baked Murder by Emily George is a fast paced, quick & delightful cozy mystery full of new beginnings, family, home, mystery & of course, amateur detecting!

Chloe Barnes returns home from abroad to escape work & personal issues & aid her family only to find an intimidating & creepy old acquaintance that winds up dead. She then begins to explore new beginnings with her hopefully new cannabis filled foods for a new business venture as well as becoming an amateur sleuth. Chloe must work to solve this mystery in hopes of clearing her & her family’s name that is being blamed for this murder.

I found it fascinating learning about the aspects & intricacies of cooking with cannabis. I had no idea how complicated it was! Also, it took me entirely too long to understand the punny play on words of the title with its’ multiple meanings, which is hilarious!

I love a good cozy mystery, especially when they are in a close knit town, full of family, a little romance & twists & turns on the way. This had all of that & more & keep me guessing until the end. I adored her cute & endearing little family unit. I also really appreciated the uniqueness in activities & even her profession that made this book stand out while also providing humor along the way.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Kensington for the free arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains murder & violence.

A nice start to a new series! Chloe is back in Azalea Bay from Paris and she's putting her baking skills to good use making cannabis infused goodies to help chemo patients like her grandmother Rose. Alongside her Aunt Dawn, she's forging ahead with a new business until.....there's a murder and Dawn is a suspect. No spoilers from me on who and why but know that this family sticks together. While it's very much a trope-y cozy (complete with the bakery) it's also one that touches on serious subjects. It's a debut so the characters have room to grow. Tanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read and I'm looking forward to the next one.

When I heard about A Half-Baked Murder by Emily George, I wasn't sure about reading it. But something told me to give it a try, and I'm so glad that I did! I would have definitely missed out.

Emily George does a wonderful job with this book! It's a charming book with wonderful characters, story, and elements of a cozy mystery. The author also does a great job with introducing legal Cannabis and its medical benefits. The book also includes recipes for readers. I recommend that everyone should give this book a try for themselves.

My thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGallery for a copy of this book for my review. I'm looking forward to reading more of A Cannabis Cafe Mystery series!

This is a first book in a series there is a lot of potential for a wonderful cozy town. Azalea Bay sounds like a great setting for more mysteries. I enjoyed all the characters involved Chloe was the main character who was an amateur sleuth the book had me guessing and I look forward to seeing more of Granda Rose and the cafe.

A Half-Baked Murder by Emily George is the first book in the author's brand new Cannabis Cafe series. The book was just as much fun as I thought it would be.

Story Recap:
Chloe Barnes has returned home to the small town in California to care for her grandmother. She was living in Paris as a pastry chef, but her career was shattered after a bad review and a humiliating breakup with her fiancé. So, when her grandmother became sick, Chloe was ready to rush home and help. But, now that she’s in Azeala Bay, she needs something to keep her busy. With two bakeries already established, her aunt suggests that she open a Cannabis Cafe and use her culinary skills to make good-tasting infused pasties.

Before she can get her business up and running, an old acquaintance shows up murdered and Chloe’s Aunt Dawn is the prime suspect. Now, Chloe must get a business up and running as she works to help clear her Aunts name.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this unique and cute cozy mystery. The backdrop of a Cannabis Cafe makes for an interesting story. In this first book of the series, Chloe is just getting started on her cafe, and it’s more of a concept for most of the story. I think in future books when she gets the business up and running there will be more room for unique and interesting stories and murders. But, this was a great first book for the series as it introduces us to the characters and the town.

Chloe, her grandmother, and her Aunt Dawn are all terrific characters, and I enjoyed the beach setting of Azalea Bay, a small town on the California coast. The murder and mystery were well-developed with plenty of interesting suspects that kept me guessing until the very end.

Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Half-Baked Murder to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A Half-Baked Murder, first in the new Cannabis Cafe Mystery series, by Emily George. Chloe Barnes returns to her hometown a bit worse for the wear with both a failed career and a failed relationship. She sets about reinventing herself by opening a cannabis bakery that will utilize her Michelin-level pastry skills while offering a new and unique product. Everything seems on track, until she runs into an offensive, former classmate who ends up murdered with Chloe’s Aunt Dawn as the primary suspect. What’s a baker to do but identify the murderer?

A Half-Baked Murder introduces a fresh and unique theme to this genre while losing none of the classic cozy charm. I loved the quirky supporting case from the cannabis imbibing seniors to the gamer best friend. Chloe’s close bonds with her grandmother and aunt enhanced the story, as did her interactions with the hunky but somewhat mysterious neighbors. Not everything is as it appears to be and there are plenty of red herrings in this well-plotted mystery. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.) I am eagerly anticipating the next in this delightful series.

Pot has come to the world of cozies, I found this book to be entertaining; however, I do not think I have high enough interest to return to the series for the next installment.

A Half-Baked Murder: A Cannabis Café Mystery
By Emily George
Kensington
February 21, 2022

Review by Cynthia Chow

For a pastry chef, timing is everything. It’s two coincidental acts that will upend pastry chef Chloe Barnes’s life and cause her to entirely rethink her future. The devastating news that her chef boyfriend had just gotten one of their staff pregnant led to Chloe understandably having an off night in the kitchen, but it also happened on the very same night the restaurant is visited by a famous food critic. When the brutal review is published just as Chloe receives the news that her beloved grandmother is battling cancer, it makes it an easy decision for Chloe to return home to Azalea Bay where she can help her family. While Chloe may have intended to wallow in pity while caring for Grandma Rose, Aunt Dawn has a much different plan in store for them. Now that marijuana is legal in California and it proved to be so helpful to Grandma Rose during chemo treatments, Dawn wants to put Chloe’s trained pastry skills to use by creating a new Cannabis Café. Chloe barely has time to consider this pivot to a new career path before she’s confronted with a very unpleasant blast from her past. Brendan Chalmers hasn’t become any more appealing since the times he stalked her from elementary through high school, and he definitely still hasn’t learned to hear the word “no.” Just as his advances become a case of assault Chloe is rescued by her Aunt Dawn, a heroic act that has its downsides when Brendon is later found murdered and she becomes a possible suspect.

The murder weapon having Aunt Dawn’s initials on it definitely doesn’t look good, but she’s not about to allow a possible arrest to slow down their goal of opening a cannabis café. After getting a location they are soon on their way to getting bank loans and permits, steps would be halted by the murder investigation. When not planning a Dosed and Delighted Dinner party to introduce her neighbors to her planned menus, Chloe begins looking into the life of Brendon and who may have wanted him dead. A bullied sister, competitive gym rats, and a completely unlikable personality means that there are many options for Chloe to investigate, so it’s fortunate that she has her long-time Dungeons and Dragons-playing bestie Sabrina at her side. Just as helpful is Chloe’s new neighbor Jake, himself a former finance officer who downsized his life into becoming a mechanic. Now, in order to ensure that her life isn’t once again upended Chloe will have to figure out a way to protect her family without becoming the target of a murderer.

Living in a state where only medical marijuana is legal and availability for that still very limited, the processes Chloe and her aunt go through to license their café are fascinating. The descriptions on how to make edibles even more compelling, as readers are shown that it is the cannabis-infused butter, and not the buds themselves, that are baked into the tasty treats. Recipes are included in the end for adventurous readers; as long as it legal in their states, of course. The final chapter ensures that the next installment will feature even more of the Cannabis Café’s delights, along with Chloe and her new friends. Chloe is a refreshing amateur detective as she is drawn very reluctantly into the investigation, and even in the midst of it is all too aware of her lack of experience and interrogation skills. Losing her fiancé and her dream job cost her the ability to trust, and it will take Grandma Rose, Aunt Dawn, and her newly forged family in Azalea Bay to bring it back. Chloe and her maternal family members are genuinely likable, with Dawn participating in paired dog dancing competitions while her Grandma dates a famous mystery writer. Watching the introverted Chloe step into the spotlight and take chances on a risky future is a rewarding delight, with the cannabis baking adding a unique aspect to the traditional cozy mystery genre.

This book was better than I expected, not only do we have some mystery, female sleuth trying to solve a case to save her aunt from getting locked up, Chloe is a pastry chef, and she is opening up a weed café with the help of her very free-spirited aunt Dawn, (whew that was a lot in on sentence, am I right?) Anyway Chloe is back home after a nasty breakup, and also helping her grandmother with her chemo, when her aunt Dawn told her about opening a special café for her amazing pastries, these edibles help her grandma with the pains after her treatment so why not. Now, about the sleuthing that goes on in this book, someone gets killed in their small safe town and the crazy thing is that not a lot of people liked Brandon, and most had motive to kill him, he was the town bully for years. This was considered more of a cozy murder, so it was pretty obvious, but I loved Chloe’s determination.

3.75 stars

A promising cozy series debut featuring trained pastry chef Chloe who returns from Paris to her seaside home town in California after her fiance flames out and her beloved grandmother Rose starts cancer treatment.

Chloe starts baking cannabis treats to ease Rose's chemo side effects and soon her Aunt Dawn, a free spirit, suggests she is willing to back Chloe in a radical new venture: a specialized bakery featuring cannabis treats.

The book treads lightly around the marijuana issues. The licensing process and business issues aren't really examined closely and Chloe is always careful not to encourage overconsumption but dwells more on the therapeutic benefits.

Chloe and her family are nicely drawn characters with some flaws and nuances. The plotting is interesting -- Chloe and her hunky next door neighbor Jake rush to a neighboring park when they hear a scream, only to discover a dead body. Unfortunately, the murder victim had a somewhat public set-to with both Chloe and her aunt the day before. So naturally Chloe starts her own investigation despite repeated warnings from the police.

Chloe is still emotionally guarded after her Paris drama and focused on opening a new business and taking care of Rose, but there is definitely a spark with Jake. I look forward to the next adventure. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A HALF-BAKED MURDER, by Emily George, is the first book in the brand-new Cannabis Café Mysteries. A terrific start to what promises to be an entertaining cozy series, I was immediately swept up into the story of Paris-trained pastry chef Chloe Barnes. Reeling from a disastrous breakup and a career-breaking food review, Chloe returns to her California coast hometown, Azalea Bay. She settles in with her ill grandmother and tries to make the most of her shattered life. Enter her quirky boho Aunt Dawn, who has the brilliant idea to open a cannabis café featuring Chloe’s delectable treats with a twist. The relationship between the three women is precious and I admire their tender respect and love for each other. I also appreciate how Ms. George handles what can be a controversial subject of legal cannabis usage with great sensitivity. She weaves information into the storyline without detracting from the mystery. I was especially touched how she explains the usage for medicinal purposes, such as for the side effects her grandmother is experiencing from chemo.

The mystery was well-plotted and had all the necessary ingredients for the armchair detective to follow along. When Chloe is targeted by the town bully and her aunt has a run-in with him, her aunt is placed at the top of the suspect list by local police. The victim was unsympathetic and honestly, it was a wonder he hadn’t been killed earlier in his life. This provides a wide open field of suspects for Chloe to work through as she tries to clear her aunt’s name. It doesn’t help that Aunt Dawn seems to be hiding secrets that need to be brought to light to prove her innocence. The fast-paced read had me turning pages to find out what happens next, and the reveal answered all my questions. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series and am eager to try one of the tempting recipes included at the back of the book.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Half-Baked Murder by Emily George is a great book to start of a new series. It has all the ingredients for a cozy mystery, a central location – this time a cannabis café with Parisian pastries, an amateur that comes up with clues for the police, great characters, and of course great recipes. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I liked Emily’s fresh approach to her story line, one that I have never heard of before. Her characters are mostly) lovable and believable, and the few that are not bring out the chills. Excellent first book to what I hope is a long series.

Thank you NetGalley, Emily George and Kensington Books for the ARC of
A Half-Baked Murder. This is my personal review.
This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series.
Chloe Barnes has decided to open a unique new bakery. This is one where she uses cannabis to make the goodies. She had been in Paris until a not so nice review and then a break-up with her boyfriend to return to the US to help care for her ailing grandmother.
So along with her aunt they decided this new bakery is what is needed. These treats will help her grandmother deal with her pain so that is a bonus.
And then it happens there is a murder and her aunt is the prime suspect.
This is an excellent start to a new series, and I am looking forward to the next one in this series.

As readers know, I love cozy mysteries. New series A Cannabis Cafe Mystery stars Chloe Barnes, who has returned to her hometown to take care of her beloved grandmother. She’s fresh off a broken romance and a bad review of her work as a pastry chef in Paris. She’s trying to figure out her next steps when her aunt suggests taking her pastry skills to make tasty and luxurious cannabis-infused pastries. But things may go up in smoke when a bully from Chloe’s past turns up dead and the police think her aunt was involved. Chloe has to clear her aunt’s name and figure out if making cannabis baked goods is going to be her next step.

I'm a big fan of legalizing Marijuana, would love to see more bake shops too lol so this book title felt so right! and boy am I glad I requested it because this book was fantastic. Formally trained pastry chef Chloe Barnes is opening a cannabis bakery (my dream job LOL). That's not at all what the twenty eight year old envisioned while living the dream in Paris with a hot fiancé and a Michelin star restaurant gig around the corner. But the rising "it girl" of choux puffs rethinks everything after a scathing food review and humiliating breakup make her long for home in sunny California. When her beloved grandmother falls ill, Chloe returns to quaint Azalea Bay to start over in the most satisfying way possible concocting delicious edibles with her quirky Aunt Dawn.
Combining French luxury and THC, Baked by Chloe will take pot brownies to another level. That is, until a creepy past acquaintance rehashes old drama and shockingly turns up dead landing Aunt Dawn as the number one murder suspect. Now, alongside her closest confidants, a stunned Chloe must alternate between budding entrepreneur and amateur sleuth to clear her aunt's name, open the best bakery in town, and weed out the real culprit from a list of unsettling suspects!
Totally enjoyable read and totally recommend

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this ARC