For Batter or Worse
The Blurb
Life is sweet, and business is booming at the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery, and the fact that Mel and Joe are getting married is the icing on the cake. Their reception will be held at the swanky resort where Oz works as the pastry chef. The wedding planning is all fun-fetti and games until Mel and Joe meet the head chef at the resort, who has been making Oz’s life miserable. When the eccentric chef insults Mel’s bakery, Oz gets into a blowout argument with the culinary prima donna.
Things turn extra sour when the chef is murdered, and Oz is the police’s main suspect. As the countdown to the wedding day begins, Mel, Joe, and the rest of the Fairy Tale Cupcake crew must sift through clues to catch the real killer and clear Oz’s name before their wedding plans are totally battered and baked.
The Details
Series: Cupcake Bakery Mystery – Book #13
Author: Jenn McKinlay
Genre/Category: Cozy – Amateur Sleuth/Culinary
Publisher: Berkley
ISBN: 0593333373
Page Count: 288
Rating: 
The Review
At the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery, Mel and Angie have a lot going on. Mel and Joe’s wedding is just around the corner, and Angie is due to give birth around the same time. And in the latest addition to the series, For Batter or Worse, things are getting to be crazier and crazier. When a chef at a high-end resort is killed, Oz is the prime suspect, and if readers know anything about this series, they know that Mel is not going to stand by and do nothing.
Mel, Angie, and Oz are lovely characters. They have a way of making readers smile and worry at the same time. Uncle tan is a good cop, and he never lets you down. Other characters are charming, helpful, and loveable. The victim in this book is a heartless chef who thinks he is the end-all and be-all of the industry. The suspects, one of which is a killer, don’t agree with his characterization of his ego. The Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery location doesn’t play a significant role in this new addition, but it is still a place readers will want to spend time visiting and of course, eating the yummy creations.
There is plenty of evidence to keep readers guessing; some misdirection and red herrings will help keep them turning the page. There is enough action to hold the attention, and the suspense of finding our who-dun-it and whether or not Mel and Joe make it down the aisle at long last is thrilling. Unveiling the killer is done in a great scene and gives readers satisfaction. Oz is cleared, and everyone is happy. The ending was predictable, but that isn’t a bad thing. Even though The Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery didn’t cater Mel’s wedding, Oz made the delicious creations stand out and put smiles of delight on everyone’s faces. And, of course, Angie gives everyone another reason to celebrate. I am happy to recommend For Batter or Worse to readers looking for a delightfully interesting and fun read.
The Author
Jenn is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of several mystery and romance series. She is also the winner of the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for romantic comedy and the Fresh Fiction award for a best cozy mystery. A TEDx speaker, she is always happy to talk about books, writing, reading, and the creative process to anyone who cares to listen. She lives in sunny Arizona in a house overrun with kids, pets, and her husband’s guitars.
Other books or series by Jenn McKinley readers will enjoy include Buried To The Brim from the “A Hat Shop Mystery” series or from the “A Library Lover’s Mystery” series, Hitting the Books.
Represented by: Jane Rotrosen Agency
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