I really wanted and tried to like this book, but I struggled to make it through. It just wasn’t a smooth ‘n easy read, mainly because Marci kept either second-guessing herself or tossing in backstory items where they didn’t seem to belong. Literally, pages were spent on Marci speculating on what would happen if…(fill in the blank.) Aunt Barb wasn’t much better of a character than Marci and was slightly funny when she spouted little colloquialisms or Marci teased her about a guy who liked her.

It wasn’t hard to guess whodunit and the showdown was kinda annoying because all Marci did was egg the perp on instead of simply keeping them talking and buying time that way. Unless it was intentional, this book was everything I really don’t like in a cozy: an annoying main character, her bestie who doesn’t even join the sleuthing with her, an aunt who could be cool and fun but was kinda meh for the strong personality she was, cute pets that don’t really do anything except exist and a predictable perp. Not to mention the super annoying idea of a love triangle.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

This was such a cute read! Arriving in Paris, Kentucky, I absolutely fell in love with the cast of characters, the mouthwatering pastries, and Pepe, I felt like I was there myself. Marci was a fantastic FMC and I felt a connection to her right off the bat. I will definitely be reading the next book in the series!

3.5 stars rounded up

I think the premise of the book was a good idea. But sometimes with these cozy mysteries and the amateur sleuther butting their noses into a murder investigation seems far fetched. I noticed myself rolling my eyes a few times during this book. I didn't really connect with the characters. Overall an okay cozy mystery.

I read a lot of cozies and I was excited to see one with macarons. Unfortunately, the French trope was a bit too over the top for me. I found the main character scatter brained and without much substance that would keep me attracted to the series. I also really hate love triangles in cozies and starting a new series with one is not the way to my heart. Bummer

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for this ARC.

Unfortunately Macarons Can Be Murder couldn't even get off the ground for me, although I did read to the end. The main character, Marci Beaucoup, loved everything French, and her cafe in Paris, Kentucky, was named La Belle Patisserie. She also had a poodle named Fifi and Pepe Le Pew was her cat. Some way in, a new character was introduced - Angelina Foley! That was an eye-roll moment! But what killed it for me was the ongoing, continual internal dialogue! And the love triangle - this novel should have been labeled romance, not cozy! I'm disappointed I'm not a fan, as the cover drew me in, and it sounded like it'd be good. The author, Rose Betancourt, just couldn't pull it off.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

‘My mama said I had an aptitude for pandemonium.’ 3%

I’m always a huge fan of anything Rose writers but this time I was just satisfied with the story and not overly thrilled with it. The concept is intriguing, the cast of characters has potential but it was lacking, dare I say it, her usual je ne sais quoi.

"Macarons Can Be Murder” by Rose Betancourt the first in her new "A Paris Kentucky Mystery" series. It has been awhile since I read a book by Rose Betancourt and I usually love them, but this was a bit hard to get through. But since I loved her other series I will give book two a chance.

Living in Paris, Kentucky, and having a sidekick cat named Pepe le Pew gives Marci Beaucoup’s life a certain je ne sais quoi. Combining her love of baking and France, Marci opened La Belle Patisserie to bring her small Southern hometown a bit of French flair and lots of croissants. Everything is sunshine and macarons at the bakery until her landlord calls to tell her she’s selling the property. Marci’s relieved to hear that if the top bidder, an enchanting Frenchman named Antoine Dubois, gets the property, he’ll renew her bakery’s lease. Charmed by Antoine, Marci figures this development isn’t half bad and sees a handsome new landlord in her future—but then Antoine’s estranged ex-girlfriend Kelly turns up dead in front of her bakery. Sacrebleu!

I requested and received an Advanced Reader Copy from Crooked Land and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marci Beaucoup owns the French patisserie in Paris,Kentucky and is happy in her daily life until the day she finds a body in front of her bakery. The police suspect the Frenchman who argued with the victim in the bakery the day before, and Marci is compelled to investigate because her bakery is involved.

I was excited about this series when I started it. Now, not so much. The entire book is Marci's internal monologue, which is rambling, anxiety ridden, and illogical. This makes for some difficult reading. I love a good cozy and accept the heroine making some questionable decisions, but Marci makes one illogical, unsafe decision after another. The lovable relative character, Aunt Barbara, behaves inconsistently, and none of the other characters are remotely fleshed out. The killer is obvious, and efforts to establish other suspects are weak.

This was almost a DNF for me, which is rare for me, due to the writing style. I won't be reading any additional entries in this series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.

Macrons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt is a great start to a new cozy mystery series.

Marci Beaucoup is the owner of a bakery in Paris, Kentucky. The owner of the building wants to sell. She meets the new possible buyer. After his ex is found dead outside of the bakery, Marci joins with her friends to solve the mystery.

This is a cute cozy with a great setting and wonderful characters. Love Pepe. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.

The description of Macarons Can Be Murder was so promising that I think my expectations were too high. This book probably comes in at about 2.7.
Marci, the main character, has a cheesy name. She is indecisive and acts rather dumb. She falls firmly into the too stupid to live category of main character. Time after time she put herself into dangerous situations simply because she had issues with the town detective, Maverick, and didn’t want to talk to the police.
The narrator for the audiobook was good, if a little dramatic.
I read and listen to a great many cozy mysteries. I am often on the look out for a new series to get enthusiastic about; this won’t be one I recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley, Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the review copies.

This debut could have worked better and is hard to recommend to serious cozy readers. The writing is cliched and needs a stronger editor.

A really cute mystery and it keeps you turning pages. I recommend this book. I was provided a copy by Netgalley but the opinions are mine.

I love a good cozy and being from Kentucky, I was really looking forward to this one. I felt like it was a rough start, the characters (especially Marci) need to be a little stronger and lose the too dumb to live personality flaw. It has the potential to be a great series and I know it will improve with each book because the author has an entertaining writing style and throws in humor throughout. I will definitely read more in this series! The narrator was a perfect choice, her accent is nice and I love the different voices for each character.

Story line lacked depth and characters were hard to follow. Some parts I lost interest in and ended up not finishing the story

I'm always up for a new series and willing to give it time to grow but this one this one wasn't for me. Marci Beaucoup (seriously?) owns a pastry shop in Paris, Kentucky and she's worried about what will happen to the building where it's located. And then there's a murder. And a love triangle of sorts. This has all the elements of a classic cozy (including the pets) but it felt forced (I know, I know). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I read so many cosy mysteries that I suppose the law of averages means every now and then I have to come across one that is not a great read. This is one.

Macarons Can Be Murder was okay but just okay. I was unable to develop any attachment to the characters and then there was that awful set up that I hate of a love triangle. Mind you, the main character was so undecisive about everything it was not surprising she was the same with her men.

This one was not a winner for me and I doubt I will continue with the series.

Good start for a new series. I liked the setting and learning about her day-to-day operations in the bakery (and the fact that she does go to work!) but there are some overly cutesy elements that appear in cozies that just irk me - the name (Marcie Beaucoup), the matching pet names... etc. And there is a love triangle, my least favorite thing in the world! I have enjoyed other works by this author but she seems to have moved away from the paranormal and on to fluffier stuff, which is fine, but it's just not for me. There just wasn't much substance to this one. I will try the next one and hope that the characters and plot are more developed.

Macroons Can Be Murder
(Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery 1)
Rose Betancourt


Author Rose Betancourt is better known by many of her fans as Rose Pressey. Ms. Betancourt is a wonderful mystery writer with a large back catalog in paranormal, romance, and mystery. My top three favorite series are Ghostly Haunted Walk, Maggie PI, and Halloween LaVeau. She has 10 series out plus this soon to be 11th! All of which were exciting and enjoyable reads.


Marci Beaucoup has learned to live with her name. She is working on learning to live with people calling her desserts magical. Marci is the proud owner of La Belle Patisserie the only French bakery in Paris, Kentucky.

One day a Frenchman walks into her bakery looking for a taste of home. Sadly, she is out of madeleines. After making a second choice his ex-girlfriend walks in making a scene.

The next morning Kellie is found by Marci, dead in front of her bakery! Like any small southern town rumors spread faster than a wildfire ever dreamed. Now, not only does Marci need to clear Antoine to keep her bakery, but she has to do it while dealing with delicious detective Maverick.

Love may be in the air but will Marci be struggling to breathe or lost in love?!

This was a good series starter. It had some funny moments, I especially liked Pepe, Fifi, and Aunt Barb! I admit Aunt Barb can be overly opinionated, especially about Marci's love life, but I know a lot of older southern women who act this way. Honestly, many of the characterizations are ones I'm familiar with. The mystery is solid, but the pacing seemed to be a bit off in places to me. This also hit me with Mystic Cafe vibes at times. As a long time reader and lover of her many books, it’s just not her normal five-star material. 3 stars













Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.
#Netgalley #MacroonsCanBeMurder #RoseBetancourt #Bakery #Paris #cozy #Kentucky

This is the debut entry in Betancourt's Paris Kentucky Mystery series that takes place in fall and is set in the small southern town of Paris, Kentucky. Betancourt's has written some incredibly likable characters; I love Marci's relationship with her Aunt Barb, who is retired military and oh so hilarious. Additionally, Marci's interactions with Antoine and Maverick are fun and I look forward to seeing which man Marci eventually chooses. Plus there are two super adorable pet sidekicks... Fifi, the poodle, and Pepe le Pew, the cat. Betancourt's mystery blends the right balance of suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you guessing whodunit till the last page. And don't fret, there are some yummy French pastry recipes included, so good. Take care and check the CW's. Can't wait to read more!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This is the first book in the new "Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery
series by Rose Betancourt. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. This is a great start to a fun series that all cozy readeres will enjoy.

The protagnist is Marci who runs a Parsian Bakery with to die for Macarons and treats. She loves her business and is successful . Her landlord wants to sell the bakery building and Marci disagrees with him . When his girlfriend is murdered Marci is the primary suspect and she must investigate to both solve the crime and save her reputation. She does not hesitate to involve her friends and townspeople who all support her .

I enjoyed the descriptions of the bakery and the inner day to day workings. It was fun and fast paced to read. The supporting charcters are all likable and added to the fun. The protagnist is smart, savvy and has potential to grow as a investiagtor. The sleuth was well crafted to conclusion . I look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author.