Valerie Burns has cooked up a delicious novel that blends marriage and mystery. Maddy and Michael are preparing to walk down the isle. But as any bride knows, there are so many decisions to make. Maddy hopes to win a contest for the services of a celebrity wedding planner, and is thrilled to be one of the finalists. But she learns that details can be real murder. Burns always gets the details right.

One of the charms of the Baker Street Mystery series is the large cast of characters. Maddie is surrounded by friends and family. When she inherited her great aunts home, dog and bakery, she inherited her group of friends as well. The characters are quirky, interesting and loveable and reading one of these novels feels like coming home. The best character of all is the dog. He may be named Baby, but he is anything but small. The 250 lb. mastiff who is a lovable crazy mutt. In true cozy mystery style, Maddie always gets mixed up in a murder and feels compelled to solve the crime. Her best friend is the sheriff, but April welcomes the extra help. Their large group of friends, affectionally referred to as the "Baker Street Irregulars" help gather the clues and Maddie pieces them together. This novel also has a victim who is hateful enough to make a large number of people consider murder. Some of the suspects are just as despicable and others are so sweet that Maddie would never consider them suspects. and this murder mystery has enough well placed clues to keep a mystery lover reading.

I loved this novel and devoured it in one day. Grab this series, you will eat it up!

What a fun and delicious read!!

We meet great characters in this cozy mystery that has us enjoying the smells and tastes of a bakery along with a murder.

Maddy is getting married and enters a contest with a famous wedding planner who is a pretty bizarre planner.

Maddy does everything to win, but first she has to go to the baking expo being held.

What happens there? Will her wedding get organized or will she have to wait until the murder is solved.

And who and how did the murder happen?

I chuckled when I found out the wedding planner was murdered by a skewer used to hold tiers of cakes together.

We follow the characters and a huge, loveable dog as they try to find the murderer.

This is a delightful, fun read. Add it to your TBR. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Despite having made her late great-aunt’s Baby Cakes Bakery a complete success, Madison Montgomery finds herself spiraling and completely indecisive when attempting to make any decision regarding her upcoming wedding. Her first engagement to the wrong man became an epic disaster when he failed to show up for a live-streamed ceremony, so Maddy is determined to have her wedding to veterinarian Dr. Michael Portman be perfect. That explains why – without telling Michael – she has entered a reality show competition to win a bridal expo’s Serafina Dream Wedding. The prize of an all-expense paid ceremony designed the celebrity wedding planner Serafina would eliminate Maddy’s fears of choosing the “wrong” linens or chairs, not to mention any arguments with Michael over her Navy Admiral father paying for her wedding dress. It unfortunately doesn’t take long for Maddy and the rest of the contestants to realize that Serafina’s plans include humiliating the brides to gain followers and ratings, as well as abusing her own staff. Serafina being murdered by a Baby Cakes cake skewer would normally make Maddy a primary suspect, but it turns out that there’s no shortage of those with reason to want the wedding diva dead.

Maddy’s experience with solving murders in the small town of New Bison, Michigan has her as determined to solve the murder as she is to attain her ideal wedding. Unexpected complications arise when one of the main suspects happens to be Dr. Alliyah Howard, Michael’s ex-girlfriend who also happens to be dating Serafina’s husband. Baby Cakes Bakery’s participation in the bridal expo not only allows them to promote their delicious specialty creations, it gives Maddy access to disgruntled assistants, angry exes, and the contestants who saw their dreams and relationships go up in smoke due to Seraphina’s manipulations. Maddy is often accompanied by her 250-pound adorable mastiff Baby, whose untimely interaction with Seraphina made him one of the first to feel her wrath.

This fourth in the series has Maddy adjusting her dreams to meet a reality that is much different than the younger version of her envisioned. Maddy still hashtags and posts about her bakery and her life, but she no longer needs to be a (medical) Doctor’s Wife and Daddy’s Girl. Maddy has even upped her game in the bakery kitchen, and while she can’t rival the apple-themed cakes baked by her pastry chef, the recipes included at the end will have readers tempted to try them out in the kitchens too. The bridal expo makes for a fun setting, as does the competition that is geared more towards creating drama than it is a happy marriage. Michael continues to be a supportive, very patient fiancé, especially when the investigating Trooper repeatedly warns Maddy away from the murder and his witnesses. The well-written characters are why readers will return to this series, as the author excels at crafting relatable heroines who grow even stronger and wittier with every new entry.

Sweet, cozy, and to the point. These short cozy mystery novels are lovely. The mysteries are always fun, but I come back again and again for the amazing characters, town, baking, and found family.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I'm featuring this book in an upcoming reading vlog and my reading wrap-up video this month. Love it!!!!

This was an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery that delivered exactly what I was hoping for—lighthearted fun with a solid whodunit at its core. A bridal expo brings together a group of characters competing to win the services of a renowned wedding planner. The drama comes together to create an enjoyable read. The mystery itself was well-paced and kept me guessing without getting too dark or heavy. Maddy is a charming protagonist, and the dynamic between her, her friends, and her loyal pup added warmth and humor to the story. If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with a bit of flair, a dash of cake-themed drama, and a dog that steals the show, this one is worth a look. Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

(note: I am no longer a bookseller! I talk about books on my Instagram and YouTube channel).

I have so much to say about this book!

Icing on the Murder is a light-hearted, tongue in cheek cozy mystery where a local bakery owner ends up on the hook to solve a locked room murder at a wedding expo after a famous wedding planner is found skewered with a cake stake.

I must admit: I jumped in on this book cold turkey, despite it being the fourth in the series. I enjoyed it, but some things caught me off guard.

Let's do cons first. One, this is the kind of book that will remind you the American military industrial complex scores really high on the cult scale. Two, the main character's habit of documenting her entire life on social media with tons of hashtags feels very 2008- and the way people in her life instantly feed attention back to her for it feels equally weird and antiquated. Three, this book has a realistic amount of doggy slobber from the mastiff, so on the one hand, props to the author for not holding back. However for me personally, seeing dog spit every other chapter - especially in areas where food is prepared and served - was a massive ick. Four - for a cozy mystery, I'm used to someone dying within the first 2 chapters. In this case the murder doesn't even happen until 40% through this book. I actually had to double check that this was, in fact, a cozy mystery. Twice.

Now, pros. I love seeing a depiction of a cop who actually fits the ACAB description. The cake skewer murder was so over the top ridiculous - honestly this book was so over the top on literally everything. I loved seeing actual character development in the main character, I think that's something you don't typically see in cozies. At the start of the book our narrator is so shallow, and she's still got learning to do at the end, but she's waaay better. I also loved the sense of community, the debate over law enforcement jurisdiction, and the way the clues were presented. At the risk of giving away spoilers, there's a character at one point who speaks Spanish and I liked that the text printed what was actually said and it was actual adult Spanish and not some mix of Spanglish or limited high school Spanish class Spanish. That was a really nice touch.

All in all I really enjoyed this book. I found it entertaining and a super quick read.

While I loved the first three books in the series this one wasn’t the same. I liked the short time frame and wedding show. I didn’t like that it felt rushed and had so many coincidences. I do still love Baby.

This is just such a fun series. The plots are usually a bit twistier and take a bit more investigation, but my favorite thing about this particular entry in the series is the way some of the characters, especially main character, Maddy seemed to grow and mature. The gang sets off to the Bridal Expo as Maddy and Michael are planning their wedding. Maddy is determined to win a contest to have the premiere wedding planner around help her make the decisions she feels she needs made to have her dream wedding. Of course there is a murder and everyone of the Baker Street Irregulars, along with a couple of others, jump into action. A slew of suspects are identified, including our bride-to-be, a previously wanna be bride, a chef, the husband, Michael's partner, the assistants, the wedding photographer and more! There are lots of motives and much dislike for the victim, but before the day is out we see the case solved and Maddy come to realize that she can make decisions. I love it when characters develop before my eyes and learn about and accept their strengths and that definitely happens here.
Hoping our next trip to Bison Creek includes a wedding and happens soon!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review.

One of my favourite books in the series so far. It was so fun to visit Maddie, Baby and all the gang. Even more exciting that Maddie is planning her wedding. A great new novel that moved the series along and had all the same cozy feels. The mystery was interesting and not easy to solve, which was a bonus for me. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advanced copy.

This book was so fun to read!
Perfect for the weekend or as a beach read.
I enjoy Valerie Burns' books, they read like crime romcoms.

the next in the Baker Street mystery series finds Maddy trying to win a competition for the services of renowned wedding planner, Serafina. However, at the convention, Serafina is found murdered with a wooden stake from Maddy's store.

Another good entry in this series! It did take a while to get to the murder in this one. It felt like it was almost 40% through when it happened. I did like the kind of contained setting - every suspect is at the convention, and no one can leave.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The protagonist of Valerie Burns' Icing on the Murder has plenty to celebrate with her wedding day drawing near. But on top of baking her own cake and one for a bridal expo, Madison is soon drawn into the mystery of a diva of a wedding planner's demise. This is the fourth in the Baker Street Mystery series, which I've been meaning to check out for awhile.

Madison is a great and unique mystery protagonist, a young black woman who previously was a social media influencer, but is now running a bakery she had inherited along with a giant bull mastiff named Baby. There is a little something for everyone in this novel, a sweet romance between Madison and her fiancé, a curious crime with plenty of potential culprits, strong family and found family bonds, and even at the end some tempting apple recipes based on dishes mentioned in the book. You can enjoy reading this book without having read the previous in the series, but you are likely to want to also check them out.

Ms. Hannah and Baby are always my favorite characters. Maddy and her obsession with Serphina nearly got her killed. Also her persistence. Maddy has sooo many people around her who love her. Dickson being the murderer was not surprising, also, he was a massive player. Alia and Maddy getting close was interesting, and I am sure Michael was skeptical about that. Love the narrator. She did an amazing job with the different voices and accents. Very versatile and dynamic.

As a fan of the Baker Street Mysteries series, I eagerly preordered Icing on the Murder months before its release on Audible and was then fortunate enough to receive an ARC of the ebook. This is the newest installment in a series that consistently blends small town charm with gripping whodunnits. Once again, the beloved Baker Street Irregulars, food-loving sleuths with a knack for uncovering secrets, set out to solve a mystery brimming with twists, multiple suspects, and the excitement that fans have come to adore.
This time, the main question is: Who killed Serafina? With suspects around every corner and motives more layered than Leroy’s croissants, the Irregulars leap into action. Their teamwork and unshakeable bond infuse the investigation with warmth and wit, while Maddy leads the charge.
However, while the plot satisfies, I remain disappointed by the pace of Maddy’s character development. She’s come a long way from the self-centered influencer introduced in book one, but her journey toward self-trust feels stalled. I’m eager to see her truly own her strengths, stand confidently in her decisions, and recognize her success as more than a byproduct of circumstance. She has the potential to be a bold and self-assured protagonist—I hope future installments allow her to fully embrace that.
Despite this, Icing on the Murder, is a delightful and suspenseful ride, worthy of any cozy mystery shelf.

Icing on the Murder was a solid Sunday afternoon listen while I unpacked some boxes and put my kitchen together. Light, easy to follow as expected from a cozy mystery. That said, it took a while to get going. There’s no dead body until Chapter 11, and until then, it felt more like small-town fiction and check-ins with characters. Once the mystery finally kicked in, it picked up, but the setup dragged. I am too used to thriller/suspense where you see action right away instead of a slow build.

As someone who writes romance for a living, it's weird to say that I don’t come to mysteries for the love story. I guess I could have predicted it but this one was very sweet, wedding focused, heavy on Maddy & Michael's upcoming nuptials and the innerworkings of their relationship. I usually read mystery/thriller to get a break from romance tropes, so when the subplot started leaning sappy, I skipped ahead a touch until something murdery happened. Baby is ADORABLE and I started reading the series because of the dog on the cover.... but I’ve reached my limit on Mastiff drool.

I’m not sure I’ll keep going with the series—it’s cute, but it’s starting to feel one-note and predictable. Which.... given it's a cozy, I should expect that.

ICING ON THE MURDER is the fourth book in the Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns. Wedding plans are in the making, and protagonist Maddy Montgomery is, well, freaking out. Not only has her Baby Cakes bakery secured a spot at the biggest bridal expo, but she’s competing for a chance to win an all-expenses paid wedding designed by the famous wedding planner, Serafina. The author does an admirable job in setting the scene for what is supposed to be the happiest day of Maddy’s life, while including all the components that can derail a bride. Despite the reassurances of her groom-to-be, dreamy veterinarian Michael, and all her close friends, Maddy still feels like she can’t make decisions and must have Serafina plan her wedding. I love the close friendships Maddy has made since moving to New Bison, Michigan, and inheriting her aunt’s bakery and English Mastiff, Baby (who steals each scene he inhabits!). The banter is charming, and the care and support they give to each other is heartwarming. Humor is intertwined in the serious business of wedding planning and murder, making the story a delight to read.

Maddy is in for a shock when her dream wedding planner turns out to be a mean-spirited woman, intent on creating tabloid-worthy drama between the engaged couples competing for her services. It doesn’t come as a surprise when Serafina is murdered during the expo…unfortunately with one of Maddy’s wedding cake skewers. Will Maddy’s wedding march turn into a frog-march straight to jail? She’s determined to clear her name, and the Baker Street Irregulars—all of Maddy’s dear friends, including Sheriff April, Maddy’s Maid of Honor—join together to hunt down clues and find the killer. Given that the murder happened in such a public place with scads of people around, there are a lot of suspects, especially given how vile the victim was. The plot moved at a quick pace and kept me engaged throughout. With a hair-raising reveal—I’m team Baby!—the threads of the story came together in a cohesive manner and has me waiting impatiently for the next book in this entertaining series!

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

Maddy and Michael are at an impasse trying to figure out their wedding budget. Maddy's dad is, of course, fabulously wealthy so she could have the wedding of her dreams if she wants. But Michael doesn't want to take that much money from her dad and besides, she already had the wedding of her dreams. It just happens that she was left at the altar. The two figure everything out except that Maddy leaves out one thing, she's entered a contest to have event planner Serafina plan their wedding. If they win, it will be filmed for a possible new reality show.
It's fabulous when Maddy and Michael are picked as one of the three finalist couples. It's just too bad that Serafina doesn't seemt to be a pleasant sort of person. She's seen/overheard arguing with any number of people including Michael’s ex-fiancée, her assistants Lucy and Luke, and one of the other vendors at the wedding expo that all of this is happening at. It makes her the prime character that needs to be murdered. And, she is. Trooper Bob is called in and, of course, believes Maddy did it. April was there during the murder and could claim jurisdiction but really, it turns out they need to call in the feds so it's not like Trooper Bob is going to be in charge anyway. Besides, he's got some health issues to concentrate on.
This was an okay story but there is so much focus on the characters that the mystery becomes a sub-sub plot in a series that is mainly about mysteries.

Three stars
This book comes out
Baker Street #4
Follows A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death
ARC kindly provided by Kensington Publishing and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This is such a fun series! This is the fourth book in the Baker Street Mystery series and to enjoy the series to the fullest, I’d recommend starting at the beginning! The characters are great, and Baby (Maddy’s English Mastiff) is one of the best canine sidekicks! This mystery offers plenty of suspects, particularly when the victim was such an awful human being! I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves cozy mysteries! It’s just pure, fun entertainment!

Another fun, cozy mystery from Valerie Burns! In this fourth installment of The Baker Street Mystery series, Maddy is back at it again, trying to solve another mystery after the highly unlikable Serafina is murdered. Maddy is in the middle of planning her wedding, and this only adds more stress, but luckily, she has the support of her Baker Street community.
Valerie Burn's books, particularly this series, are always a good time. It was refreshing reconnecting with familiar characters and joining Maddy on her exciting journey.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Valerie Burns for this ARC!

This is definitely one of my favorite series! Maddy is social influencer turned bakery owner after inheriting her aunts baker and big English Mastin Baby! This time around she’s planning her wedding and in true baker street mystery fashion a murder takes place. Maddy and friends with Baby by her side try to find the killer. I cannot wait to buy this book and add it to my collection !