However, Lindsey Bakewell’s life (yes her friends give her a hard time about her name given her talent for baking), far exceeds anything in Agatha Christie’s characters or for that matter most characters in most books in the fantasy department. Lindsey is the daughter of a fashion model mom and a Wall Street hedge fund manager. Luckily for Lindsey, she inherited the best characteristics from both of her parents. Lindsey says of herself:
Thank goodness I’d gotten my light green eyes, high cheekbones, and ash-blond hair from Mom and Dad’s affinity for numbers.
Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is the first in the Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series by Darci Hannah, and this is the next in my continuing effort to write about the most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series.
Anyway and needless to say, Lindsey is a 30-something beauty who is wealthy and smart. At the beginning of the story, we learn that she just recently quit her Wall Street investment banking job where she had earned a boatload of money and had bought a run-down lighthouse on the coast of Lake Michigan which she proceeds to turn into a bakeshop and cafe. Baking is Lindsey’s true passion and she is very, very good at it. Lindsey’s baking skill, plus having her best friend who is a social media influencer with over 10 million followers, virtually guarantees that the bakeshop will be an instant hit.
She is also quite good at attracting handsome men. Having just dumped her fiancé (a celebrity chef in New York City) who she had caught cheating on her, Lindsey finds that her lighthouse, although no longer a working beacon for ships on the lake, is now a beacon for handsome and fit men. Nearly the first person she meets is her neighbor, Rory, a former Navy Seal who is her closest neighbor and who is working on writing a book.
Soon enough, a murder happens and Lindsey gets involved in the sleuthing. She is naturally involved because the murder was a poisoning that happened at the bakeshop on its opening day.
Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is a fun read. If you are looking for a Cozy that will put you in a truly enchanting setting (there is even a ghost involved), and want to follow a character who has lived what for most people would be considered a truly charmed life. this book should be one of your first choices.
I almost forgot to mention the delicious-looking recipes included at the end of the book!
If you’re interested in seeing other most recommended or popular Cozy Mystery authors/series, please visit the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my Cozy Mystery site.
thetarotman says
Danna, I could not help but read this post, in spite of the fact that I AM going away on a business trip.
Interestingly enough, I shall be in Beacon, New York, offering my Psychic Services at a store called Notions-N-Potions. So, when I saw the name of this brand new Cozy Mystery Series, I had to read the post right here and now.
Of course, I do not believe in coincidences (smile).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tarot, I hope you enjoy your trip – it certainly sounds interesting! And if you decide to pick this book up for some reading on the road, I hope you enjoy it as well.
thetarotman says
Interestingly enough, when I travel to the places where I offer my Psychic Services, I always bring at least two books with me; one is always a Metaphysical book, and the other is almost always a Cozy Mystery. Besides, in spite of the fact that two long-time clients gave me an Amazon Kindle Touch several years ago as a Birthday gift, I have only read a small number of books on it. It has to be physical books for me, otherwise I never read them. However, I shall add this Cozy Mystery Series to my “Want to Buy” Book List, which, given how many books I read, at the same time, pretty much remains the same.
Susy S says
I have been enjoying this series since I found it a year or so ago.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy, thanks for the recommendation! I’m glad to hear others have been enjoying this series.
Regina Williams says
I love this series! I’ve read each book quickly because I just couldn’t put them down.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, I’m glad to hear that others are enjoying this series!
D. Victor Hawkins says
Read the first two in this series and thoroughly enjoyed them both. I’ll get to #3 shortly…there are just a lotta books ahead of it right now!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Victor, I certainly understand how that sort of thing goes!
thetarotman says
I know that feeling @D. Victor Hawkins. And so does anyone who follows me on Goodreads.
Parker Brown-Nesbit says
I really enjoyed it! Found it as I was browsing the shelves of one of my local libraries. Looking forward to more from this author.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Parker, so am I!
Linda MH says
Hi Danna,
Let me start by saying I loved what you wrote. When I got to “Anyway and needless to say, Lindsey is a 30-something beauty who is wealthy and smart”, I started laughing out loud and continued laughing when I got to the part about attracting handsome men. We should all be so lucky. LOL! I soooo needed a laugh today–so thank you for that.
This is an enjoyable series filled with likable characters. I’ve read the first 2 books and the 3rd book is in my TBR pile. Thanks for shining a spotlight on it. Have a great day!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, you’re very welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed both the post and the books. You have a great day too!
Janice G says
Thanks for adding this author to the site. I have enjoyed all three books in the series thus far. One thing I liked in the first book was the fact that the main character was not dealing with a difficult landlord or scrounging for money to get a business started. That may be the reality for many businesses in the real world but as you said, this book is part fantasy. There is also a great dog character – Lindsey’s huge Newfoundland.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, yes, it’s definitely better to avoid certain aspects of reality sometimes – hearing about the character’s loan application certainly wouldn’t help move the plot forward.
Susy S says
LOVE Welly and the Captain.
I like her other series too.