I recently read an article in Library Journal about the mystery genre. It noted that there are a number of crossovers within the mystery field now; one of these new categories is the combination of mystery and romance. That is what readers find in The Crime Brulee Bake Off. They also find murder and BAKING!

Fans of shows like the Great British Baking Show will want to pick this one up immediately. It is fun to turn the pages and feel a party to insider knowledge of the workings of the show and the feelings of the contestants. However, one thing that fans of the TV series have not seen is murder and that is where a twist comes in. I also don’t know of any romances that began on the show as one does here.

Fans of traditional crime with a budding aristocrat and baker relationship will eat this one up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book more than I initally thought. I found the setting charming (GBBO fan), so was able to picture the setting easily.
The two main characters Claire and Jonny had a fun dynamic, and the secondary cast of characters were interesting.
The mystery isn’t too surprising if you’re already into mysteries as a genre, however I would argue that the plot was much more relationship driven.
My one criticism is the style of writing – it felt immature at times, so sometimes I struggled to get into it, as the characters can feel a little flat.
Knowing this is the first of the series, it will be interesting to see how different settings change the dynamics.

I'm not very big into cooking shows, and while I've heard that the Great British Bake-off show is hugely popular, I haven't been all that interested in watching it. That didn't stop me from thoroughly enjoying this story though. It was interesting to read about how things are done on competition baking shows - you know that what you see on TV is pretty carefully crafted, so it's interesting to get a "behind the scenes" look - even if this is a fictional show.
The main characters were fun to get to know, and I wasn't able to figure out who dunnit until the author wanted it to be discovered.
Fun story. I was happy to get a chance to read it.

I love this so much. It combined some of my favorite things - British baking shows, a rich male lead with a title, and a likeable main character. Plus throw in some murder. It is as perfect for fans of mysteries and the Great British Baking Show. I would love a follow up some how.

This book felt like a hallmark movie I’ve definitely seen. Sweet romance in a foreign place, a baking competition as a backdrop, and a mystery that doesn’t get too graphic or gorey. If you want a little mystery but in a light, not-very-scary-way, and you don’t mind a sweet romance without spice on the page, this could be a good option for you. I definitely saw the inspiration from British Bake Off. If you like cozy mystery and romance that is all sweet and no spice, this could be good for you.

What a yummy book! This was the perfect combination of a few of my favorite things: a cozy mystery and baking! I am obsessed with the Great British Baking show and this book was even better than watching an episode - it was a fun insight on what it could be like to look into the lives of bakers on reality tv and mixed in with lots of sweet and intense (from a murder mystery) emotions. I had a hard time putting this book down once I started.

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery set during a baking competition. The mystery was compelling. I felt it a bit unbelievable that they would continue with the baking show after one of the contestants was killed, but over the book itself was a treat.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

This was a fun cozy mystery. I loved the baking theme and that while there was a romance storyline, it wasn't over the top.

Spice level: 🌶️/5
Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to Netgally & Shadow Mountain Publishing | Shadow Mountain & Rebecca Connolly for the review copy.

If “Bake Off but make it a regency romance and also someone is murdered” is your vibe then this is the book for you. A cozy mystery set in the coziest setting of all time - the Bake Off tent. Also there’s a grumpy lord who’s learning up on Bake Off culture to impress a bubbly contestant who swears in pastry terms. All that’s missing is a cat! That said, while I enjoyed this book, it did feel like there were too many things going on which made it difficult to follow at times. You have the Bake Off storyline, the murder mystery, the romance, it was a lot to keep track of and I think some of the stories could have been cut a little shorter to make the pacing quicker. I will definitely still recommend this book to my friends who love mysteries and especially those that enjoy Bake Off. It was a delightfully light read and I’d give more of the author’s work a try.

This was an enjoyable mystery to read that gave me vibes of Golden Spoon and Knives Out. I so enjoyed the setting, the food elements and a great mystery to unravel.

Such a great read! Claire and Jonny are an endearing team, it was fun to watch their relationship grow. I enjoyed the setting with a cooking show, the historical estate and the mystery surrounding the estates history. Very well thought out. The added edition of a modern mystery, some sweet romance and a suspenseful plot created a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. A job well done!

Fun baking mystery with a side of romance!

Claire Walker is a middle school / junior high history teacher who, if she had to do it all over again, would become a baker. When she’s informed that she’s been selected as one of the contests on Britian’s Battle of the Baker’s, she’s thrilled. And even better: this series / season has a history theme (combining her two passions) and will be set at historic Blackfirth Park.

There are a few rules – only historic ingredients can be used, the same clothes must be worn for continuity, and, perhaps most important, don’t talk to the family that lives at Blackfirth Park, namely Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley. Claire quickly goes afoul of this third rule when she’s exploring the historic kitchens they are likely to be using and meets the Viscount. Things get even worse when she stumbles across the body of one of the contestants, killed in a way that echoes the mysterious death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn two hundred and fifty years earlier. The powers that be feel that it’s an unfortunate accident, but the local detective isn’t so sure, so asks Claire and the Viscount to keep their ears open, doing a little investigation on the side. So in addition to the stress of the competition, Claire’s worried about the late contestant, the romance developing between her and Jonathan, and if this is going to be the last season of one of her favorite shows.

So I like mysteries, a touch of romance, baking, and history, so this book was a perfect fit for me. Claire was an enjoyable character, and I liked how Jonathan’s character evolved to be more open to the surrounding village. Even though it’s a fictional show, it was still fun to see ‘behind the scenes’ of a baking competition.

Highly recommended. It’s listed as being Claire Walker Mystery #1, so I’m looking forward to future adventures with Claire. I received a copy of this from NetGallley.com that I voluntarily reviewed.

Someone please assure me that this is the first book in a series!
The story told in The Crime Brulee Bake Off is so deliciously good, there's no way it won't have a second (or third, or fourth) sequel!
Well-designed characters, great setting, beautiful cover, absorbing but not cloying plot. And those recipes at the end of the book, they seem so tempting to me... and I don't know anything about baking, other than enjoying the finished product!
Recommended for fans of a good locked room mystery, a good romance that makes you sigh, and baking. Although I also recommend not reading it on an empty stomach and having a snack on hand.
I look forward to the next book very impatiently!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

I love that cover so much! And the book was wonderful!!! I didn't want it to end but was so happy to find out that it's only the first book in a series!!! Woohooooo!!!

I'm a big fan of cooking shows, especially British ones. It was fun that the premise of this book was a spinoff of those and kind of seeing the behind the scenes of what it could be like for those shows was a treat! Add in the murder mystery and I was hooked! I was trying to guess who it could be the whole time and I did have the culprit in my sites! If you've read it, did you figure it out or were you completely surprised at the twists and turns? I loved all of them!

Claire Walker has her struggles but I loved seeing the whys behind her desire to bake. It was pretty sweet. I loved watching her push forward in something that she loved but the setting was something out of her comfort zone. Then to have her encounter the deaths of other characters was another added layer to watching her overcome hard. Add in the Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, and their attraction, it adds another layer to the whole story and mystery! And it's all very yummy!!! Pun intended! ;-)

Watch out for those ghost stories and the whodunnit it character. Best always be on your guard cause you never know what's going to hit ya!

Now I'll have to be patient for the next book to be announced, but it is totally worth it!!!

Content: Clean. No bad language, no questionable content. It is a cozy murder mystery so there are a couple murders but nothing that is overly graphic.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Claire Walker, a school teacher, was called to be a contestant in Britain’s Battle of the Bakers. “When I win the grand prize, goodbye to the teaching job and hello my own bakery shop!”, thought Claire. The competition show is being filmed on The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley's estate. But soon after the film begins, one of the contestants is found dead. Anyone could be the killer.
This book is a cozy mystery which uses pretty unique background themes, the baker's competition. The themes are unique and somehow relaxing at the same time, although it is about a murder case, and it makes the story more fun because there is a cake and bread involved.
The romantic moment between Claire and Jonny is very cute, but it didn’t reduce the mystery, the tension and not distract the reader from the story. In fact, it became one of the most important parts and scenes in the story. Otherwise, the murderer can’t be arrested.
Also, the story has a little bit Bridgerton vibes with the mystery murder as desserts. There is an unexpected “mission impossible” a.k.a. spying mission in the story and is properly presented, not exaggerated or being forced to be part of the story.
Unfortunately for me, the murder motive is pretty common and the story needed more thriller and suspense elements to light it up. To be honest, I’m a little bit disappointed with the competition result in the end because I didn’t feel there is more interaction in the story for the character who win it.
This story is very enjoyable, especially for you who want to take a break from the heavy serial killer story.

This spoke to me because I love watching the great British bake-off . How would you like to be a teacher who bakes , bakes , bakes on the side and get asked to be on a British cooking competition show ?
Then show up and there’s actually a lord , a manor , and all the best cooking ingredients . Who cares if you have to cook with only ingredients and tools from the early 1900s, there’s an awesome windmill , a dead body , did I mention a lord ?
So goes this culinary mystery . Loved the book and especially loved the recipes at the end .
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an unbiased review. Such a good book.

Greatly enjoyed this book. Huge fan of the Great British Bake Off so that made me want to read this right away. Throw in the mystery and it’s a great mash up.

The Crime Brulee Bake off was written by Rebecca Connolly.

This is my first time reading from this author. I will be looking for more of Rebecca's works. This book is a cozy mystery set in current day Britain. If you like to read cozy mysteries and love the Great British Bake off show then you will like this book by Rebecca Connolly.

Imagine if you can getting a call to be on the popular Britain's Battle of the Bakers show...well that's what happened to Claire it's a once in a lifetime shot for this teacher. This seasons show is set to take place at Blackfirth Park where the Viscount of Colburn Jonathan Ainsley lives with the family's haunted ghost and it's stories about the death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn. Blackfirth Park is steeped in history, with its historical kitchens, historical mill, a church, and other buildings all on the property. So you can see why the producers of Britain's Battle of the Bakers chose to film at Blackfirth Park. While filming of the show a murder happens that has all the marks of the tenth Viscountess's death. Claire, Jonathan and the local policeman DS Watson must figure out who's killing the contestants of the show. The show must go on!

I must say the British baking show is an area of topic that I love to read about. If you have read The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell then this book is a cozier version. But if I'm truly honest I loved both of these books... In Crime Brulee Rebecca did something different than what I have experienced in other books that I've read, that have a baking show element in them. She showed us some of the behind the scenes that we don't get to see normally. Rebecca makes you feel as if you are the person who's competing. We get the thoughts during the stressful times, the cameras and what happens when they are not filming, and the hosts interactions behind the scenes. I thought she did a very good job at showing us the details we all want to know.

This is the type of book that any cozy mystery lover would love to read. I also think those who love to read a cozy food mysteries loving this one as well. As I've said before this book reminds me of some other books with those being

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

The Great Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warren (a paranormal cozy mystery)

A batter of life and death by Ellie Alexander (book #2 in the bakeshop mystery series)

For those of you who like recipe's in a book that you can make along with reading or after well look no further. This lovely author has included some of those as well and these are the ones you read about in the book. Although It's missing one recipe that I'm curious about and I do hope we will find out more about the Mince pies, and the connect with DS Watson.

I gave this book 4 stars! I am looking forward to more in what looks like to be a new series from this author.

Thank you to Net Galley and the Authors team for allowing me to review this lovely book. I Can't wait for more.

What a cute mystery novel! I am a big huge scaredy cat baby who doesn’t like anything too suspenseful, and this one was great! It was enough to get me on edge, but not enough to make me close the book and walk away 🙈😂 it was a fun twist with the baking show on a historical lords property too. The ghost story was a perfect touch and really set the premise.
I really enjoyed Claire and Jonny. They were a great match. He was a light dose of grump and she was cheerful and fun.

Really fun! I would recommend it to anyone searching for a light mystery. If you like deep stuff that is going to make your heart pound, this isn’t it haha

Thanks to the author and publisher for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Cute and quick mystery lover book. I thought the theme of the British bake off was creative and cute. Loved the pacing of the book and the amount of effort the author put into the book.