Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series is the next in the posts I am writing about the most popular and recommended Cozy Mystery series. Sprinkle With Murder is the first in the series which introduces us to Melanie Cooper, Angie Delaura, Tate Harper and other characters closely associated with Mel, Angie and Tate. Mel and Angie have just opened a cupcake bakery in old town Scottsdale. Tate, an investment adviser, has invested in the bakery to support his two oldest friends, Mel and Angie.
Before you know it, Tate’s fiance is found murdered with a poisoned cupcake in her hand. Since Mel and Angie really disliked Christie (and there was much to dislike in the victim), it is only natural that they become prime suspects. After all, the cupcake in question was provided by Mel as a sample for the planned wedding.
Of course, there are several other suspects, including Tate himself. Given Christie’s personality, it seems that almost everyone in Scottsdale (or at least everyone who has met her) is a reasonable suspect.
Anyway, in order to clear her and her friends names, and to reverse the blot on the bakery’s reputation that a poisoned cupcake has caused, Mel, naturally, starts to investigate the murder.
This is a fun Cozy Mystery. I enjoyed the fast action and the distinctive (but not zany) characters. (Well, maybe the owner of the competing bakery in town is a bit zany — at least she is obsessed with the new competition.)
The book contains some potential romance for the two main female leads. This side of the story is not emphasized too much, so if you are like me and you are happy to focus on the mystery, the romance is fine.
Also, the book does contain recipes for cupcakes, but there is not excessive discussion of baking or running a bakery >> and that is fine by me! Don’t get me wrong, I like cupcakes (probably a bit too much) but, here as with most themed Cozy Mysteries, I like the characters and the mysteries to be the primary emphasis of the stories with the theme providing only an interesting background.
The Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series began in 2010 and will be up to nine books with the release of the next one planned in 2017. So, if you like series that don’t end after three or so books, this one might be for you. And, Sprinkle With Murder is 242 pages, so it does not hit the all too common 300 page length that I sometimes feel means the story is padded a bit. I enjoyed reading about Mel, Angie and Tate and look forward to the rest in the series.
To see all the series written by Jenn Mckinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence), click here for her page on the site.
You can see the other entries I have written about the most popular and recommended series here.
Melissa says
This is one of my favorite series. I have read several books in this series and plan to read all of them.
I like the adventures of Mel, Angie and Tate.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melissa, I’m glad to hear other people are enjoying this series.
LiterarySnob says
I have read this series, it fairs pretty well against the genre. My personal favorites are M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin Mysteries, Monica Ferris’ Needlepoint shop Mysteries(?) Crewel World and Laura Childs’ Charleston Tea Room Mysteries.
Who ever I have found to have an extensive amount of publications; those are the ones that I tend to gravitate to. That way I can just check out the whole series and begin my binge reading!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
LiterarySnob, those are all great choices as well.
Cee Pluse says
I just started reading this series last month, and I am hooked! I am on the third book now, and have not lost interest yet, which is a good sign. I like all three of the main characters, and love the ongoing minor theme where they are always trying to stump each other with quotes from movies. Since I have never visited Scottsdale, Arizona, where the series is set, I learn a little more about this city every time I read one of the novels. I have added this one to my list of must-read mysteries, and look forward to the rest of the novels I have yet to read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cee, I’m glad to hear that you’re liking this series.
Linda Cooper says
I haven’t tried reading the cupcake series by Jenn McKenley series yet. But, I do enjoy the librarian series. Right now there are so many Christmas holiday books out on the shelves to read that I am reading until the wee hours now!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, I definitely know what you mean – sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day!
Cindy says
One of my top two favorite cozy series. Read and loved all of them.
Read her Library Lovers series as well as her Josie Belle series, Good Buy Girls.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cindy, thanks for the recommendations.
MJ says
I enjoy this series, as I do all of McKinlay’s current series (she currently is writing four series – one as Josie Belle). I thought for sure she was ending the cupcake bakery series a couple of books ago, but was pleasantly surprised when another book was released. The characters are well developed with a lot of depth. The stories are well plotted and move along quickly, oftentimes with a surprising ending. I guess my favorite series, though, is her Hat Shop series. 🙂
I see this VERY PROLIFIC writer is starting another series, with the first book to be released next May. This time she is writing in the contemporary romance genre (a genre I’m not particularly interested in). But kudos to her for developing a very creative and imaginative mind with the ability to put it all down on paper!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I like it when series are unexpectedly continued.
AJ Blythe says
Jenn McKinlay is my all time favourite cozy author (her books are auto-buys for me). I’ve read all the cupcake books released so far and none disappoint… okay, I confess I’ve read all her books, and all her Josie Bell books.
I don’t have many auto-buy cozy authors, the others are:
-> Carola Dunn – Daisy Dalrymple series,
-> Jana de Leon – Ghost-in-law and Miss Fortune series (and Shaye Archer series)
-> Amanda M Lee – Winchester Witches series, and
-> Deanna Raybourn – Lady Julia Grey and her new Veronica Speedwell series)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
AJ, looks like a pretty good list of “auto-buys”. It is nice to have authors who are reliably good.
Sharon says
This series sounds like a good one, especially with the romance potential! Thanks, Danna.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sharon, I hope you like it >>> I think you will!
Luisa says
I’m already up to Sugar and Iced in the series. I always get a craving for cupcakes every time I read one of the books in the series. Delicious!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Luisa, I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the series as much as I am!