We need more baking thrillers! I absolutely loved this book. The characters, the mystery, the setting, the details.. 5 stars!!!

Knives Out meets “The Great British Bake Off” in Jessa Maxwell’s stylish, suspenseful and methodically plotted THE GOLDEN SPOON.

Six amateur bakers have arrived on the grounds of Grafton Manor in the green hills of Vermont to take part in “Bake Week,” a reality show that has become television's most-watched baking competition. Hosted by “America’s Grandmother,” Betsy Martin, an esteemed baker and Grafton's owner, the program has set itself apart from the competition by being gentle, with a focus on craft rather than embarrassing contestants or pitting them against one another in ugly, combative ways. Although she is sweet on camera, it is no secret that Betsy has worked hard for her empire, churning out bestselling cookbooks, breaking the mold with her unusual reality show, and even going so far as to film in her beloved family home.

What is a secret, however, is just how desperately Betsy needs “Bake Week” to keep her sprawling manor afloat…and that its ratings have been dropping, forcing producers to call in backup in the form of a new co-host. A Gordon Ramsey/Anthony Bourdain type, Archie Morris hosted his own show, “Cutting Board.” In this macho, cutthroat competition, viewers rooted not for the panicked, backstabbing chefs, but for Archie, who is known for unleashing torrents of abuse upon disappointing dishes and their chefs. Needless to say, season 10 of Betsy’s beloved show will be a difficult one.

As always, the bakers this year are from all walks of life, backgrounds and experience levels. First, we have Stella Velasquez, a former journalist who challenged herself to master the art of baking in just one year and, by all accounts, succeeded. Still reeling from a difficult termination of her job, she has found a nearly obsessive comfort in all things Betsy Martin, and she knows this is her chance to meet and befriend her idol.

Up next is Hannah Severson, a perky baker from Eden Lake, Minnesota, who happens to be the second youngest contestant in “Bake Week” history. The pride and joy of her local diner, Hannah is ready to shed her girl-next-door persona and become the next big star. She is the polar opposite of Gerald Baptiste, a high school teacher whose love of baking stems not from a sweet tooth but from an appreciation of figures, facts and formulas. Pradyumna Das, a millionaire entrepreneur, is an unlikely competitor, but his free-spirited approach to flavor combinations and genuine love of the art makes him a worthy opponent.

Rounding out the group are Lottie Byrne, a retired mother who specializes in classic recipes with a contemporary edge, and Peter Gellar, a construction worker whose methodical approach to restoring old buildings applies perfectly to his love of baking and creating love-filled dishes for his husband and adopted daughter.

Switching off between each of the competitors and Betsy, Maxwell invites readers into the high-stakes world of reality television, but with a coziness typically missing from these sorts of locked-room suspense novels. The tension is there, cresting in the persistent presence of cameramen, the countdown of the clock during each bake-off, and the characters’ realizations that while they are all friendly, they are also each other’s competition. But Maxwell takes the time to properly introduce readers to each character, giving us a reason to root for them and revealing that most of them are hiding something.

No one seems to be out to harm anyone directly, yet strange happenings occur from the very first day of filming. Peter’s sugar is switched with salt, Gerald’s homemade orange essence is replaced with gasoline, Stella’s range is turned up so high that it burns her peaches, and so on. It doesn’t seem like something Betsy would do to her guests, and even Archie appears to be too full of himself to stoop to such petty games. So who is sabotaging “Bake Week,” and why?

As tensions rise and competitors are eliminated, the gang dwindles down to only four bakers. With the decadent scents of their confections wafting over the dazzlingly green grounds of Grafton Manor, it becomes clear that something sinister is afoot. This fact is made undeniable when a body turns up on the roof of the filming tent, dripping blood onto the otherwise spotless bakers’ stations. But in this mystery, everyone is a suspect, and anyone could be the next to be sent home.

Led by a truly fantastic and eccentric cast, this locked-room whodunit is a stylish, addictive and deeply satisfying puzzle. Maxwell somehow manages to infuse a tense, somewhat dangerous plot with the air of a cozy mystery without sacrificing any of the intrigue or suspense. The result is deliciously entertaining. I read the book in one sitting, only putting it down to debate whether or not I could squeeze in an episode of “The Great British Bake Off” before deciding that I simply couldn’t turn to anything else until I figured out who was killed, who committed the murder, and, of course, who ultimately wins the Golden Spoon.

THE GOLDEN SPOON is written with the complexity and taut plotting of Lucy Foley and Sandie Jones. With its atmospheric setting, reality TV cast and a captivating mystery, it’s a recipe for deliciously fun fiction that you’ll find as addicting as your favorite sweet treat.

"The Golden Spoon" by Jessa Maxwell is a charming and heartwarming romance that serves up a delightful blend of humor, wit, and swoon-worthy moments. Maxwell's engaging storytelling and lovable characters make this book a joy to read from start to finish. With its irresistible blend of sweet romance and culinary delights, "The Golden Spoon" is sure to leave readers hungry for more.

I realized today I never wrote a review when I read this book, which is a shame because I really liked it! The Golden Spoon is the perfect thriller for fans of Great British Bake Off. It's a very cozy thriller, with lots of character development for each of the contestants. Overall a very enjoyable read and I've added it to my list of thrillers I recommend to people needing suggestions.

This is a book that would be great for a book club. It is a "safe" choice because most readers would enjoy this and appreciate it for what it is. This book is a warm and cozy locked room mystery with a baking show. I didn' love it... didn't hate it. I do not regret reading it.

Fans of shows like the Great Britain Baking Show will like this.

This was a fun mystery. It was cute and cozy, but a little confusing. There are a lot of characters that we follow- seven in total! Often I found myself forgetting the characters.

BAsically, there are Six bakers that arrive at Grafton Manor to compete for the title of America's best baker. This is a 5 day long competition with five full day comeptions which weeds the competitors down for the finally.

Overall, it was well written I just wasn't too invested mostly because it was pretty predicable.

Thank You to Jessa Maxwell and Atria Books, for the digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I am just getting into the baking competition craze, so I’d delayed reading this for a bit. But I am soooo thankful for Jessa Maxwell, Atria books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. The twists you wouldn’t expect in a baking competition made this book exceptional. I give it 4.5 stars. Everyone should read it.

The Golden Spoon is one of my favorite reads of 2023. Part cooking competition, part murder myster is exactly what I want from a book.
6 bakers are competing to win the Golden Spoon on Bake Week at Grafton Manor. When things quickly go awry, there is a question of sabotage. However, when a body is discovered, the contestants realize there is something more ___ going on.
I adored this book. It was pitched as Knives Out meets Great British Baking Show and that is so accurate.

Fun. Reminded me of the great British baking show. Love the concept. 3.5 stars. Would recommend this to others who wants a fun a mysterious read.

I wanted to love this story as I am a huge fan of The Great British Bake-Off; but it fell a little flat for me. It was a good plot but I don’t think the characters were as good as I wanted them to be.

thriller and a baking show, two of my favorite things!!! i loved the twist and how i was still surprised despite thinking i had it figured out

If you love your baking with a side of murder, then “The Golden Spoon” is for you! A delightfully creative & unique mystery from Jess’s Maxwell, which follows the taping of a world-renowned baking show competition. Set at the historic manor of the host, this TV show is cut-throat competitive & not all of the contestants will make it to the finish alive.

A very fun, easy read that kept me entertained from beginning to end. Perfect for baking fans & murder mystery aficionados alike!

I loved the intrigue in The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell! The author cleverly combines a bit of Top Chef/ British Bake-off with a solid mystery. Characters are lively and quirky. Just what you would expect of a locked room mystery.

I am a fan of BBC/Netflix Great British Bake Off and mysteries, so I was very excited to receive a copy of The Golden Spoon!
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, the characters, and how the multiple POVs. However, what I found most challenging personally was that this took place in the US, when the dialogue and the atmosphere very much resembled the UK. This may be because I have watched the aforementioned show, but I just decided to give the characters British accents in my head just to make things easier for me.

A fun little cozy mystery with the perfect setting- a baking show competition! The characters were interesting and I loved how the author breaks up the book with different viewpoints.

First of all, I was quite surprised when I read that this is a debut novel by this author. I never would have guessed. Secondly, I'll follow that up by saying I also ready that she has another book coming out this year that sounds wonderful, and I'm dying to read it... but I'll stick to this book, for now. I thought early in that I wasn't going to be a fan or the multiple narratives, but it ended up working put divinely. There was a twist I saw coming, yet was still managed to be surprised by another plot twist at the very end. I truly enjoyed the writing style and pacing- there was never a boring moment, but enough information about each character and their individual personalities and quirks to let you know what direction the story was heading... Oh, as someone who DESPISES baking and cooking (as well as shows on the topics), I was worried I'd be put off by the subject matter at times, and was thrilled to discover that never happened. I'll leave it here, but will say that this book was definitely worth picking up, and judging by what I've read regarding Maxwell's next novel, that one will be just as wonderful- if not even better.

The Golden Spoon is a tasty read that draws you into a murder mystery in the middle of Downton Abbey-like setting. It has all of the drama and colorful characters of a reality show that keep you guessing who can you trust and who has questionable motives. Jessa Maxwell keeps you guessing on who is driving the sabotage, sinister actions, and murder with an ending that you won’t expect. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my thoughts.

So, I don't think I'm a cozy mystery girlie. The setting of a Great British Baking Show type show turning into a crime scene was quite fun to read about but ultimately, I forgot this book as soon as a I read it. I found the multiple POVs fun to read from although, I will say a few of the voices, particularly Stella and Hannah, kind of blended together. But it was a quick read so I can't complain. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

3.5 stars!

When I saw this was a murder set in a Great British Baking Show format, I became immediately excited. I love reality TV and cooking shows and so bringing that to a thriller made me so excited. Although I do think it really delivered on that aspect, I was a little let down by the murder portions. There were many POVs that you were following and for a while none of the bakers really felt different from each other. Additionally, everything that happened felt very obvious so I found myself only truly getting excited for when they would make their baked goods as opposed to the many threads of mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited by the prospect of this book after reading the description — a murder on a Great British Bake-Off type show, where all the characters are stuck at a mansion together. While the concept was great, I found essentially all of the characters to be unlikable, so I wasn’t really rooting for anyone. The “twists” were predictable, and the pacing was off. The ending and reveals felt rushed, with a “one year later” epilogue where all of the characters essentially explain how far they’ve come and how their lives have changed for the better since the horrific events. I wanted to shout, “Show don't tell!” Really wanted to like this one, but unfortunately, it fell flat.