Kristan "Stan" Connor lives in Frog Ledge, Connecticut with her boyfriend Jake McGee, owns a gourmet pet food business, and is busy planning the opening of her new pet patisserie. She's also dealing with the fact that her mother Patricia is engaged to the town's mayor, Tony Falco (not Stan's favorite person), and expects her to attend the engagement party. But before she can even leave her home her sister Caitlyn arrives on her doorstep along with her daughter Eva, and expects to stay with Stan 'temporarily'. Stan and her sister have never been close - being polar opposites - yet she decides now isn't the time to deal with it and they head out to the party.

Stan has more surprises waiting for her: when she arrives she finds Eleanor Chung, an old co-worker who now has Stan's job and aiming to gloat; and when Stan escapes her she comes face-to-face with other ex-coworkers, including her ex-boyfriend Richard Ruse. But the surprises don't end there: After a confrontation with Richard he storms out of the house in a drunken stupor and Caitlyn finds Eleanor upstairs - dead in the master bedroom with Patricia's engagement ring in her mouth. To top it off, Richard is arrested for the crime.

Stan knows he's innocent, but needs help to prove it. Unfortunately, that help won't come from Jake's sister, Jessie Pasquale, since she's been removed from the case. It also isn't coming from Tony, who arrived at the party shortly after the murder and isn't telling anyone where he was or why. Yet she's determined to help clear Richard, even if she has to do it alone.

While Stan thought the move to Frog Ledge would allow her to live a nice, quiet existence she's finding that's not so in this book. With her business taking off she's busier than ever; along with Brenna's help she's had to hire a new employee to help out occasionally. And with Jessie temporarily out of commission, she's doing a little investigating on her own, keeping Jessie in the loop and trying to fly under the radar because she's sure the Major Crimes unit knows more than they're saying, and that it all has something to do with Tony.

When she discovers that almost everyone had a motive to kill Eleanor - including her own daughter - it makes it even harder to sift through the suspects. With the evidence pointing toward Tony, Stan wonders just how well anyone knows him, and if her mother might be marrying a murderer...

I found this book to be delightful. What a whirlwind of activity, with poor Stan trying to open her business, find a killer, and deal with both her mother's interference in the planning of her new store (since her mother is an investor she decides it gives her the right) and Caitlyn, who is going through a divorce and being courted by an ex-beau who just won't give up, even though she swears she wants nothing more to do with him (or his misguided attempts to win her back).

As the story progresses, we get to know Caitlyn better as a person, which results in surprises for both Stan and the reader. Stan also discovers some facts about Tony, which makes him more human somehow; and we're drawn into these things as much as we're drawn into Frog Ledge and the rest of its inhabitants. The characters are real, fleshed out people, not cardboard; and it's easy to want the best for this little town, Stan and her friends.

When we do discover the identity of the killer (for we know there is one, after all) I can truthfully say I wasn't too surprised; I had an inkling (but then, I read a lot of mysteries and can pretty much decipher clues along the way), and it was rather sad yet understandable all the same. In all, it was done nicely and believable, and that's what mysteries are all about. Ms. Mugavero has once again given us a mystery we can sink into and enjoy, characters that are lively and quick, and a town I would like to visit. Nicely done and highly recommended. ( )

What a great cozy mystery this was. I started to read the book thinking I would read a few chapters and come back later to read more. To my surprise I really tried to put the book down but it was so good I had to keep reading. I loved the name of the town called Frog Ledge, Connecticut. What a cute little town it is with shops that are welcoming and people who are like family. Well maybe not everyone seemed like family but you will see who I'm talking about as you devour this incredible book.

Kristan or "Stan" as she goes by is getting ready for her big store opening. She has been busy perfecting recipes and desiging the store with help from her mother. That is another story all on its own but we must focus on this mystery for now. Her store will have specialty treats for animals and I love how the author incorporated the need for K9 bullet proof vests and animal shelters in the story. I love animals and I feel in love with the dogs and cats right away. I must say there are some personalities going on with these pets. They make for some fun moments.

I absolutely adored Jake as soon as I read how compassionate and caring he is. Stan has definitely found a good guy and I hope their relationship continues to develop. He runs a pub but always makes sure he has time to be with Stan. Do I hear wedding bells in the future?

Speaking of wedding bells there is a big shindig happening with Stan's mom and Stan's presence has been requested at the party. Stan's mother is marrying the mayor and they are having a grand gala to have the engagement ring blessed. I thought Patricia, the mom was kinda distant and a bit snotty but perhaps she is just wondering why her fiancé hasn't shown up for their party. Did I mention that Stan's sister Caitlyn is staying with Stan? Well off to the party everyone goes. There are quite a few people at the party that Stan would rather not be around and wonders why her ex co-workers are there.

When there is a scream from upstairs the action takes off in this quirky mystery. A woman who really didn't have a friendly disposition is killed. I did have to laugh at all the suspects there were because they could easily fill a living room . When there is an arrest Stan is convinced the person is innocent. Why is she so determined to clear this person's name? The killer for me was easy to figure out but I did enjoy reading about how Stan and her friends join together to help prove someone innocent. There are hints throughout the book who the killer is but I thought the author brilliantly showed them in a discreet way . Overall you are in for a treat with this wonderful story that is funny and has a way to keep readers entertained till the end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Great Escapes Book Tour. The review is my own opinion. ( )

Custom Baked Murder by Liz Mugavero is the fifth book in A Pawsitively Organic Mystery series. Kristan “Stan” Connor is working hard on getting everything ready for the opening of her shop, Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and Café, in three months (in December before Christmas) in Frog Ledge, Connecticut. Stan is running late for her mother’s engagement party when her sister, Christine shows up at her home with her daughter, Evangeline in tow. Christine has left her husband, Michael and wishes to stay with Stan (like she has a choice in the matter). Stan is really running late now and quickly changes for the party. Stan is going with her boyfriend, Jake McGee (who owns McSwigg’s). The four of them end up arriving an hour late to the party (Stan was hoping they could skip it altogether). Patricia Connor, Stan and Christine’s mother, greets them (with a comment about their tardiness), but her fiancé, Tony Falco is not present. Patricia failed to tell Stan about some of guests she invited (people she would like to avoid). Richard Ruse, Stan’s ex-boyfriend, along with some of her old co-workers including Eleanor Chang. Tony, the town’s newly elected mayor, hired Eleanor to be his “executive coach”. Eleanor has an abrasive personality, and she seems to make enemies wherever she goes (she is particularly hard on her daughter, Monica). Stan is upstairs with her sister, Caitlyn. Caitlyn stops to freshen up in the ladies room and lets out a scream upon entering the room. There is Eleanor Chang strangled with a scarf with Patricia’s diamond ring between her teeth. Richard Ruse ends up being the main suspect when he stumbles out of the woods in a disheveled and drunken state. Stan will not let Richard be railroaded for a crime he did not commit (just because Tony wants everything wrapped up quickly and quietly). Stan sets out to find Eleanor’s killer and clear Richard’s name. Things are made a little complicated by Christine’s ex-lover, Kyle McLeod arriving in town. He is determined to woo Christine and win her back. Then there is the matter of Patricia and her meddling in Stan’s shop design. Stan knew it was a bad idea to let her invest. Life is never dull in Frog Ledge. Join Stan on her latest adventure in Custom Baked Murder.

Custom Baked Murder is full of quirky, fun characters (even the animals have great personalities). I found Custom Baked Murder to be an easy and enjoyable book to read. I like the small-town setting and various townspeople. There are some definite laugh out loud moments as well as some “oh my” areas. It was nice to catch up with Stan’s family and friends in Frog Ledge. I am happy to see Stan’s relationships with Jake, Patricia, and Caitlyn developing over the course of the series (and especially in Custom Baked Murder). I give Custom Baked Murder 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). I found the murder to be one that could be quickly solved by the reader (or an avid mystery reader who loves to solve the puzzles presented in the books). One clue is the key to solving the murder (it’s like there is a big, neon arrow pointing to the killer). There are other small clues in the book that will help the reader discover the culprit’s identity. I wish the mystery had been a little more complicated (more difficult to figure out the killer’s identity). I found the two words “long story” repeated frequently throughout the book. I am also curious about Stan’s trust fund that was mentioned again in Custom Baked Murder. I did not understand why Stan did not tap into this money to finance Pawsitively Organic Pet Patisserie and Café. Why did Stan need investors (Jake and Patricia)? It is mentioned that Stan wanted to live on her own (working) and not rely on her trust fund (I am curious). If you enjoy reading well-written, humorous cozy mysteries with entertaining characters, then read Custom Baked Murder. ( )

Custom Baked Murder (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery) is the fifth in a cozy series by LizMugvero. I didn't read the other four. That may have been my downfall. I didn't feel lost in the book but I had a difficult time to bonding with the characters. I loved all the animals, dogs and cats in this story and the little girl who fell in love with them, her niece.

It just seems to take to long for the mystery to be solved and since, I didn't hit it off with the characters, I got anxious for movement towards the resolution.

I loved the part about baking the doggie treats and would like to try some of the easy recipes i I had a dog. I was totally turned off by her chilly mother. Not a person that you could easily warm up to. The basic writing was OK, I was just disappointed. The main character Stan Connor considered several suspects but and tried ferret out which ones could have done it but I soon lost interest. Sorry, I would try another mystery by this author, just never the 5th in the series again.

I received this book as a win from FirstReads but that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review. ( )