Dying for Devil's Food

Life takes an unexpected turn for bakery owner Melanie Cooper when her high school nemesis arrives in town to plan their upcoming reunion. The reappearance of mean girl Cassidy Havers brings back painful memories of bullying and social torment from their teenage years. As Mel reluctantly gets involved with reunion planning, Cassidy is found dead at the event. With suspicion falling on those who had conflicts with her in high school, Mel must investigate her old classmates while managing her successful cupcake business, Fairy Tale Cupcakes. The search for answers leads Mel through a web of past grudges, current rivalries, and hidden connections among her former classmates. Her investigative work is complicated by the presence of her protective business partner Angie and the handsome local restaurateur Joe DeCateri. This cozy mystery explores how the past can resurface to affect the present, while examining themes of redemption and the ways people change - or don't - after high school. The story balances lighthearted moments of friendship and baking with the darker elements of revenge and long-held resentments.

Readers found this to be a solid entry in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, though not a standout. Likes: - Strong character development between Mel and Joe - Balance of romance and mystery elements - Small-town atmosphere and bakery details - Resolution of long-running story threads Dislikes: - Slow pacing in first third of book - Several reviewers felt the high school reunion subplot was cliché - Some found the murder motive unconvincing - Multiple readers noted the recipes were less appealing than previous books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) Notable Reader Comments: "The series stays fresh without losing what made it work" - Goodreads review "Mystery felt forced and obvious" - Amazon reviewer "Mel's character growth over the series really shows" - Barnes & Noble review "Expected more after the buildup from previous book" - Cozy Mystery Blog

Death by Chocolate Frosted Doughnut by Sarah Graves A bakery owner investigates a murder at a food festival while managing her shop in a coastal Maine town.

Caramel Crush by Jenn McKinlay A cupcake baker becomes entangled in a murder investigation when her client's ex-fiancé is found dead after eating a poisoned cupcake.

On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young The owner of a mystery-themed bookshop turns amateur sleuth when a murder occurs during her book club meeting.

Death of a Blueberry Tart by Lee Hollis A food columnist must solve a murder at a baking competition where the victim was killed by a poisoned pie.

Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits by A.L. Herbert The owner of a soul food restaurant becomes involved in solving a murder during a local food festival competition.

🍰 Jenn McKinlay wrote this book while running a library, drawing from her real-life experience as a librarian to enrich her storytelling. 🧁 "Dying for Devil's Food" is the eleventh book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series, following the adventures of baker-turned-sleuth Melanie Cooper. 🔍 Devil's food cake historically got its name from its deep, rich color and taste, which were considered "sinfully" delicious compared to traditional chocolate cake. 📚 McKinlay has written over 40 novels across multiple genres, including cozy mysteries, romance, and children's books under various pen names. 🎂 The book combines two popular cozy mystery themes—baking and high school reunions—both of which have proven particularly successful in the genre's market.