Winnie Archer

relationships, politics, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, cozy-mystery, small-business, small-town, murder, murder-investigation, family, friendship*****

The good news is that you won't seem to miss a thing if you haven't read earlier books in the series. On the other hand, it made me want to hunt up and read others in the series. Ivy is a character I can relate to as she is pointedly curious, not perfect, and has a sense of humor. The victim is a conniving political aspirant and the police show more detective has a decent track record but is new to town (the sheriff is on honeymoon with Ivy's brother). So guess who is more than motivated to (once again) do the kind of sleuthing that only she and her Senior Sleuth neighbor can. Solid mystery with more than enough motives and suspects, plot twists, red herrings, and suspense. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you! show less

I enjoyed returning to Santa Sofia, the site of a delicious sounding shop called Yeast of Eden. The bread making takes a bit of a back seat to the investigating this time. Ivy hopes to do more of her photography on the side, with both Miguel's restaurant and one of the Mrs. Branford's friends interested in her services. When many local folk become upset at the apparent disappearance of local produce supplier "mustache Hank", Ivy dives right into her new hometown's goings on and tries to help show more figure out where he is. I really liked the addition of the Blackbird ladies in this story, plus there is no shortage of other good, quirky secondary characters. I look forward to learning more about Miguel and Ivy's past. show less

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was a light, Christmas-time cozy mystery that was a fun read in between heavier novels. And it was easy to jump right in with book #7 even though I hadn't read any of the others in the series. Ivy Culpepper, amateur sleuth and part-time photographer, also helps out at the Yeast of Eden bread shop. Everyone knows everything about everyone in her small town on show more the California coast (modeled after Santa Barbara), even the movie star celebrities who come to Santa Sofia for privacy.

A few days before Christmas, Ivy is recruited as a photographer for a celebrity's Christmas party, where all the guests are dressed as Dickens' Christmas Carol characters. Soon after the celebrity makes her theatrical entrance, a dead body is discovered, which kills the party mood. *ha ha*

Ivy has taken hundreds of photos during the party, and thinks she might have a clue to share with the town's police chief, who also happens to be her lifelong best friend. I thought it was refreshing to have the sleuth's police connection be her girlfriend, instead of a romantic interest. As Ivy has become friendly with the celebrity, she is drawn to investigate some of her hunches, but tries not to intrude on the official police investigation. This leads to some independent deductions on Ivy's part as well as mine.

It took me a while to guess who the murderer was, as the story offers many suspects, clues, and red herrings throughout. In addition to the traditional cozy motifs (i.e. pet, supportive older women, food), the author skillfully added themes of reinvention, parenting, acting and pretense, and I was thankful the novel was written without the silliness that often infuses cozies.

This was fun to read during the holidays, and all the delicious food descriptions were rewarded with a few recipes added at the end of the novel. If you're looking for an easy-to-read cozy with likeable characters, a make-you-think mystery, and mouthwatering food descriptions, this is the book for you. show less

Ivy Culpepper works at Yeast of Eden with Olaya Solis making artisan breads and other bake goods. Yeast of Eden has been selected to be the first bakery spotlighted for a TV Bakery series. There are clashes at the start between the 2 co-hosts and when the cameraman, Ben, is a victim of a hit-and-run and the arrogant host is found murdered, Ivy feels she needs to find out more about these people who have invaded their peaceful bakery and turned it upside down.

Ivy starts her investigations by show more volunteering at a woman's shelter where Ben had also given his time to see what she can find there. How the women's shelter tied into the story was an interesting turn.

This series has some wonderful characters and recipes too, but I think that the sheriff needs to be a bit stronger in the story instead of Ivy taking the lead. show less