Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars rounded up!

This book reads like you’re actually watching a bake off show, and I loved that about it! I love the mysterious old house vibe too- made me want to go explore an old mansion!

Right away we know someone has died, but we don’t know who, why, or who the murderer is until the end. Great job on Maxwell’s part for keeping me guessing until almost the very end (I say almost because I did find the end a tad predictable once we got there, about the last 20% of the book).

I will say that I felt a little let down by the ending, I just felt like it could’ve had a bit more detail added to it. Instead it felt a bit rushed- half baked? Pun intended. 😉

All in all, good murder mystery that I would recommend to those who enjoy the genre.

Murder plus Bake Off is a combo tailor-made for me! Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me and I'm so sad to admit that. I'm not sure exactly what happened or where it went wrong, but I couldn't get into this one and I had such high hopes for it.

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. This quick read is a Food Network show combined with an Agatha Christie type plot. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this advanced reader copy. I want to say I loved it, however it didn’t really thrill me. Bake Week is America’s hottest show. Six amateur bakers are selected to compete at Grafton Manor, the hostess’ family estate in New England. Betsy, the host, is dubbed “America’s Grandmother”. Of course, we quickly learn that all is not warm and fuzzy at Grafton. The competitions suffer from small acts of sabotage & each contestant has a dark side. There’s a storm and then there’s a body! It sounds great, but I was disappointed. The high point for me was reading the baked goods’ descriptions. Cinnamon twist bread with a chai vanilla glaze?? Yum. Wish recipes were included!

If you enjoy classic murder mysteries and the Great British Bake Off, this book will be a fun delight to pick up. I really enjoyed that combination of elements, both of which I love so much; it started off alternating between feeling like I was watching a season of the show but then immersed in a creepy old manor setting in the evenings post-filming.

Things did fizzle out a bit by the end and I wouldn’t say it was anything but predictable. But i enjoyed it overall and thought it was a really fun read. It’s also not winning any awards for the actual writing, but this isn’t meant to be a serious literary novel.

All-in-all, pick it up if it strikes your interest and you want some baking mystery fun, but don’t expect to have your mind blown.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the opportunity to read and review this book!!

It's Knives Out meets Agatha Christie meets the Great British Baking Show. Yes, you read that correctly. Six contestants are chosen to compete in the wildly popular baking show, Bake Week, hosted by the famous America's Grandmother, Betsy Martin. The bakers head to Betsy's Vermont mansion to compete in various baking challenges. One of them will win the coveted Golden Spoon at the end of the week.

This season of the show begins as any other might... but then, things start to get strange. At first, it's just minor mishaps - a fridge is left open. A burner is set too high. But then, a body turns up, and everyone becomes a suspect.

I am a massive fan of mystery novels and The Great British Baking Show. This novel is the best of both worlds. The multiple POVs added a ton of dimension to this quicker read, and I loved each character's unique personality and voice from chapter to chapter. Each character's backstory was dynamic and interesting and made this novel feel like more than just a "cozy murder mystery." I loved Lottie, Stella, and Gerald (Maxwell scared me for a second with Gerald.... no spoilers... we good). This was a unique story and a truly enjoyable read with bits of murder mystery thrown in. Great for cozy mystery lovers, cooks, bakers, and chefs alike.

Cozy Baking Show, a la Great British Baking Show, meets a light mystery in The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. A large cast of characters descends on Betsy …’s family estate for Bake Week, a weeklong reality baking show where each day focuses on a different type of baking (breads, pies, cakes, etc.) and contestants are eliminated until the winner of the golden spoon trophy is the last baker standing. But with bakes mysteriously going awry and an unexplained death, this season of Bake Week quickly proves to be anything but cozy.

Jessa Maxwell’s debut it not your typical mystery and you do not need to be a mystery reader to enjoy this title. It wasn’t until about halfway through the novel that we got to the real mystery. Everything leading up to that point is set up, character exploration, and a lot of delectable descriptions of baked goods.

Okay, I DEFINITELY waited too long to check this one out. This was a really great murder mystery! I was surprised by how easy it was to follow all the different POV's. Sometimes I feel like multiple POV's can make for a jumbled and confusing plotline, but this was done really well!

Overall, this was a pretty standard mystery, but I think the writing was done so well that it kept me engaged regardless. I also just loved the idea of the baking contest thrown in. It felt like such a unique aspect for a mystery lol. But definitely a fun, engaging, and eerie mystery!!

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell is a delightful and enchanting culinary adventure that had me hooked from the start. Maxwell's writing style effortlessly transported me into a world full of delicious treats, heartwarming moments and magic.
The story centers around our protagonist, a young and passionate chef who dreams of making it big in the culinary world. The way Maxwell describes the main character's journey with its highs and lows makes the character relatable and lovable. Throughout the book, I found myself rejoicing in their success and growth, eagerly turning the pages to see their culinary talents and dreams unfold. The setting of the story, a charming small town with a charming atmosphere, is presented so vividly that it felt like the character himself. From bustling streets full of bustling market stalls to cozy cafes, I was transported into this delightful world and couldn't help but wish I could just get inside.
One of the most exciting elements of The Golden Spoon is the inclusion of magical realism. Adding strange and mysterious elements to the culinary journey adds further intrigue and wonder to the story. The way magic is seamlessly woven into culinary experiences is both clever and imaginative, making this a truly unique aspect of the story. The descriptions of Maxwell's dishes in the book are delicious and memorable, and I feel like I could taste each dish as if it were right in front of me. It's obvious that the author has a deep appreciation for food, and that passion shines through the writing, adding extra enjoyment to any foodie.
The pacing of the story is well balanced, a good mix of character, culinary escapades and magical encounters. It kept me engaged and invested throughout and I never felt rushed or exhausted.
While The Golden Spoon is definitely an enjoyable read, I found myself wanting a little more depth to some of the secondary characters. They brought charm and humor to the story, but I felt that exploring their backgrounds and motivations would have improved the overall story.
In conclusion, The Golden Spoon is a delightful and charming novel that perfectly combines culinary delights with a touch of magic. Jessa Maxwell's writing captivated me and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys heartwarming stories, magical realism and of course a love of good food. With a few minor tweaks to the character development, this book would easily earn a perfect five stars. Regardless, it's still a four-star gem that will leave readers with a satisfied smile and maybe an appetite for some delicious food.

If you like The Great British Bake-Off, then you might like this book since it is a behind the scenes cozy mystery. The author did a great job with the characters. I really felt I had a clear picture of all of them.

This shouldn't work so well, given multiple POVs and a murder that doesn't happen until very late in the book (except a mention on the prologue), but I really enjoyed getting to know most of the characters, and of course, I loved all the baking. A fun read, despite the murder!

Mediocre mystery. I liked the vibes of the great British baking show but I didn't connect to characters just as well.

A big thank you to @simonschusterca for sending my highest anticipated read of the Spring, The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. Billed as a cross between Great British Baking Show and Only Murders In The Building, this fun mystery is available in stores tomorrow, March 7th.

I liked this one. My only complaint with it might be that there were too many points of view. Especially in the beginning, it was hard to keep everyone and their backstories straight! Once the book progressed and people were sent home from the show, it became a lot easier and the storyline got much more interesting so stick with this one for a bit and you won’t regret it.
I love a good baking storyline especially those set on a fictional baking show, definitely a new favourite trope of mine. I think it was used extremely well here, especially adding in the history of the manor the show is filmed in. A great locked door mystery with a unique twist.

If you love The Great British bake off and the cozy mysteries that are on your Brit Box then get this book ASAP! It is a fantastic mix of both worlds. I absolutely adored this whodunit and it absolutely kept me guessing. The writing is done splendidly especially with the way that Miss Maxwell incorporates all the characters into the story with such ease that you are not at all confused as to who is who. She is a author too keep an eye out on for a lot of more exciting things! 5 stars!

Cozy and cute, this was a nice book to read while visiting colleges with my daughter. The reality TV backdrop was fun and the characters were easy to keep track of. My thriller-loving heart would have loved it if it went a little darker, but the lightness of the mystery made it the perfect book to unwind with after long days of travel or to read between stops on college tours.

This was very very fun! Loved the behind the scenes of a show similar to GBBO but with a murder mystery. Definitely pick this up if either of those things interest or if you love the movie Clue

Part cozy mystery, part feel good baking novel, and part quirky contemporary fiction, The Golden Spoon is the sort of easy read that is a perfect palate cleanser.

If you’re looking for something fast-paced and thriller-y, this isn’t it. I almost forgot I was reading a mystery at first until what starts as minor incidents escalate towards secrets, lies, and murder.

About the Book

The story is narrated in alternating chapters from the perspective of each of the six contestants and the host of the show Betsy Martin. The book is broken up into parts that primarily correspond with each day of Bake Week, which each cover a round of the competition and feature the challenge for that day, the baking and filming, and then the judging and elimination.

The book begins in the 10th season of Bake Week, which became a smash success as it charmed viewers across the world. The reality baking competition show is filmed at the Vermont Estate owned by host Betsy Martin, whose reputation as “America’s grandmother” is in publicity alone. Behind the scenes Betsy is a smart, savvy, and at times cutthroat business woman.

In its 10th season, the show has brought on a co-host Archie Morris, much to Betsy’s dismay. The producers are hoping this attractive celebrity chef will bring in the younger viewers to the franchise. As the six bakers and contestants arrive at the estate, ready to crush the competition. But each of the contestants have secrets and different motivations for why they joined the competition, and one of them may be willing to do anything to win.

As the competition heats up, mysterious “accidents” begin to happen. While these may be adding drama to the show, some of the contestants and production crew begin to suspect that someone is sabotaging the competition. Things ramp up when it becomes clear that someone isn’t just there to compete, they are there for murder…

Overall Thoughts

This is a light and easy read, though some readers may find that the mystery takes a bit too long to get going. I didn’t mind that, because I went into it just enjoying it as more of a light contemporary fiction with a mystery element. I’m also a fairly frequent dabbler into the cozy mystery genre and I find that this pacing is much more consistent in that genre than with other thrillers, police procedurals, and darker mysteries. This is perhaps the problem with so many books being lumped into a broad genre! But I digress…

In terms of character development, many of the characters feel a bit more like caricatures or type-casting, which worked with the reality TV theme. If you need to like all of the characters, this isn’t the book for you! As readers, we are getting lots of different perspectives that all drop clues and context to what may be going on. With so many narrators and contestants being eliminated from the competition throughout, some characters end up being better-developed than others.

I found Betsy to be so compelling—I loved the dichotomy between her sweet on-air persona and her cutthroat off-stage personality. Afterall, someone doesn’t become as successful as Betsy is by being sweet as pie and naïve!

As with many cozy mysteries, there is a bit of humor to this that I enjoyed. I am enjoying this new brand of cozy mystery that I think I’d describe as contemporary cozy mysteries, because they have a bit more bite and message to them than the typical cozy, and work easily as standalones rather than series.

This may not work for all readers, but know what to expect and you’ll find this a refreshing mystery with a fun-filled baking competition spin.

This was a very fun read with some unexpected twists. I felt it was very clever take on all the shows we see on TV. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley!

The Golden Spoon merges two worlds I never considered combining before, murder mysteries and baking competitions. Think, clue, but with kitchenaid stand mixers and a cutthroat baking competition. I will keep this review spoiler free. Jessa Maxwell's debut novel weaves an intricate tale where everyone seems like a suspect, at first. I thoroughly enjoyed the premise, and multi-pov structure. Since each chapter was clearly labeled with the character whose point of view was featured in that chapter, I was never confused. I figured out the main twist about halfway through, but there were a couple of twists that I did not predict.

Each character had a full and interesting backstory, and the main character was more dubious than expected. I thoroughly enjoyed wandering the old manor and discovering its secrets, as well as those of the contestants. A solid 4 and I am excited to read whatever future novel Maxwell pens.

Thank you to Atria for the e-galley.

this was... for lack of a better word... delicious. i read this in one sitting on a train and was so invested in what was going happen. the perfect mix of cooking show and murder mystery. 10/10 would read again.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. all thoughts are my own.

As soon as I heard the pitch for The Golden Spoon I was sold. A murder mystery set during filming of fake (and American) Great British Bake-Off? How could a book be more targeted towards me? I love mystery, Bake-Off is one of the few shows I watch, and reality tv books in general are very much my thing. This story starts with the Mary Berry esque host discovering a body then jumps backwards in time to the night before filming for the show begins, we hop from contestant to contestant experiencing the filming of the show, watching the different tensions build, uncovering each other's secrets, and baking.

The strength of this story is the characters, I was pretty engaged with every person I was introduced to, although I was so sad that my favorite character was the first to leave so we barely spent any time with them. I had a bit of trouble remembering everyone's names for the first part of the novel, but their is a handy little character press sheet and even though I couldn't remember names the characters are so distinct from each other that I wasn't mixing up character details. In some ways this book reminded me of Lucy Foley but with less of a strong use of character archetypes. Her characters are a pretty good time though!

I am not normally a cozy mystery reader and I think this might be one so feel free to laugh at me if I am just commenting on genre conventions. This is a murder mystery so it isn't like a feel good story but the ending and the character interactions do sort of have the wholesome comradery of an Bake-Off cast. The ending also does the murder mystery thing of some endings being just and some being differently just. That is the least spoilery was I can think to say it. I sometimes find this genre convention frustrating but wasn't frustrated by it in this case. Though I do think the author was wishy-washy with her ending, kind of undermining a big authorial choice by leaving a possibility open. Which was fine.

This story does wrap everything up neatly. If you don't like open endings feel free to read this, all your questions will be answered, every crime is answered for, from whodunnit to who left the fridge open.

Where this story feel flat for me was the murder itself. The story is structured so that most of it takes place before the murder and a lot of the tension just story of dissolves after who is murdered is revealed. There also really isn't much time to care that much about discovering who the murderer is because we are busy with another plot point so when you finally get the murderer reveal it is lack luster as well. The other plot point is also interesting but the way the author wrote it also lacked tension, there was just no fear for anyone's current safety which I think is pretty vital in the end of a murder mystery. I think the last two sections of the book just needed a little bit more page time and needed more tension integrated into the revels sequences.

Maxwell also does a thing I deeply dislike where a character basically lies to the audience so that the author can reveal information at a later point. It did not really make sense for the author to use this in this case, I actually think it would have been a really good and bold choice to just show the reader the murder and not try to, rather poorly, obfuscate it from the reader.

This is going to be a Hulu series apparently, I think that the story might work better on screen than it does on paper? Although I did also listen to parts of the book as an audiobook and I will say the cast are great! I don't think the story is bad, I liked it fine overall, I just wish the tension and heart racing had been there in the end.