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Book Review of Kneaded to Death (Bread Shop, Bk 1)

Kneaded to Death (Bread Shop, Bk 1)
BoysMom avatar reviewed on + 854 more book reviews


So many interesting story elements!

Grieving her mother's sudden death in a hit & run accident, Ivy Culpepper returns to her hometown to live with and care for her father and brother. While adjusting to her loss and relocation, Ivy discovers the local bread shop, Yeast of Eden, and at the urging of the shop owner, Olaya Dias, signs up to take a breadmaking class. When during the first class, one of the other women there is found murdered in her car parked behind the shop, Ivy gets involved in the search for her killer. Assisting her are a number of quirky and lovable characters: her loyal pug, Agatha; elderly classmates; new friends; old friends; and her former high school sweetheart for whom she still carries a torch.

I enjoyed this story, the first in The Bread Shop Mystery series, with its great, very individual characters. Up until the start of the story, Ivy has been building a life as a professional photographer in Austin since her high school boyfriend left her behind after graduation. Being from Texas myself I was partial to that part of her history and looked for relevant tidbits and mentions. Author Winnie Archer sprinkles the dialogue with Spanish phrases and delicious breads. Thankfully, recipes for a couple of these are included in the back of the book.

I recommend this book for readers that like the culinary mystery subgenre or just mysteries on the cozy side, in general.