Winnie ArcherCritiques

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer is the first book in the new Bread Shop Mystery series and it's a wonderful beginning to the series!

I really enjoyed this first installment of this brand-new Bread Shop Mystery series.

The characters in this series are unique, complex, and delightful. It's always hard to come back to where you were raised and even harder after a tragedy has struck, but I thought Ivy handled seeing old friends/boyfriends and dealing with her grief very well. I like the fact that it's Ivy's friend who is part of the police force and not her romantic interest. It makes for a nice change.

The setting descriptions were okay, but not quite as detailed as I would have liked. Other than the bakery itself, I had a hard time imagining the various places in the book.

The story line was clever and interesting. It moved along at a decent pace. There were plenty of suspects to choose from and I didn't figure out the culprit before it was revealed (yay!).

I didn't give this 5 stars partially because while I enjoyed it, I doubt this will be a book I read more than once. The other reason was my thought that there should be more description if the settings. However, I did enjoy the book and would definitely recommend it! I look forward to the next book in the series.

** I was given an ARC of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not compensated for my review. All opinions and conclusions are my own. **

Winnie Archer did a great job of misleading you into thinking you had it all figured out. When the killer is revealed, it made perfect sense as the clues had been there all along, I just didn't see them. I am glad that Captain York seems to be easing up on his dislike for Ivy. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Decent, but not enough to read more in the series.

A great start for the series. Will definitely be reading all.

Photographer Ivy Culpepper also works part-time at the bread shop Yeast of Eden. Lately she has noticed that Josh Prentiss, who has been working regularly at a table in the bread shop for several months, is acting a bit strange. Not thinking much of it, she does however notice that several women are apparently not too pleased with Josh. So is it that surprising when Ivy discovers Josh dead tin he park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party? Maybe not surprising but the suspects maybe so.

Again, Ivy is front and center when the body is found and she can't stay out of trying to solve the murder because of those she cares about.

Fun mystery, love seeing the characters moving forward.

It’s Christmas time, and a festive holiday party requires everyone, even the waitstaff, to wear costumes related to Dickens’ famous Christmas tale. Ivy is working as a photographer at the request of the famous movie star, Eliza Fox. Costumes are great idea, until a body is discovered and too many of the guests are dressed in a similar manner. Ivy’s photos are now aiding the police in their investigations. To complicate matters, another party, thrown by a different person, also results in another murder! Again, Ivy is taking pictures, but this time there is a complication. Whew! There seems to be no easy solution to these murders . . . or maybe there is. It’s an intricate mystery and quite entertaining. Well written and a great addition to the series, the tale ends on a happy note, perfect for a Christmas read.

It’s hard to narrow down the suspects when the murder victim is disliked by so many people. But Ivy is determined to do so when her boyfriend Miguel becomes the number one suspect. It’s not until Ivy figures out Nessa’s secret that the clues begin to fall in place. It’s a well-written and intricate mystery with an unexpected ending. This series just keeps getting better, with characters that are starting to feel like friends who just happen live in another town.

Yeast of Eden is being filmed as a feature on a cable food channel. One of the cameramen was badly injured in a hit and run accident, and then something even worse happens to one of the stars of the show. Ivy digs deep to find out the truth behind the attacks, before more people are hurt, but sometimes the truth hurts even more. This is a well written mystery and peopled with great characters. The mystery is intriguing and entertaining, and the ending was a surprise.

The discovery of a body, washed up on shore, disrupts the anticipated engagement of Billy to Ivy’s best friend. The deceased, long time friend of Miguel and his family, was a strong swimmer, and was training for a competition - not a person to succumb to drowning. As Ivy and Miguel try to find answers for the family, they uncover even more questions. Eventually, a discarded draft of a letter puts them on a dangerous path, one that could lead to more deaths. It’s a well constructed mystery, with great characters in an intricate plot.

Ivy’s brother Billy has come in second to Max in the art car competition more times than he cares to remember. He can’t seem to beat him. Then Ivy, photographing the art cars, finds Max dead, posed in his creation. Billy is the prime suspect, so Ivy goes sleuthing to save her brother. As she digs deep, she discovers that Max was into more than just art. It’s a clever mystery, and characters are becoming more developed and defined. There’s also the possibility of romance for Billy, if he can clear his name.

Ivy gets drawn into a missing person mystery at the request of Miguel, her former boyfriend. She definitely still has feelings for him, but is unclear about his intentions towards her. They do work well together, talking to people about the missing man, and trying to trace his recent activity. It’s a well written mystery, intriguing and entertaining. The characters are becoming more defined, and the plot is definitely well thought out. Astute readers may figure out who the guilty party is, but the real enjoyment is watching Ivy puzzle it out. The promise of a future romance just adds to the fun.

Ivy has returned home following the accidental death of her mother. Six months later, she is still trying figure out why her mother died. Another suspicious death of an acquaintance leads her to believe that maybe her mom’s death wasn’t so accidental. This well written and intriguing mystery will take readers on a couple of different paths as Ivy puts together the clues. The characters are delightful, the diversity is well handled, and the hint of future romance was a nice touch. The first of a series, it is a promising beginning of what will undoubtedly be an entertaining series.

chef, photographer, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, small-business, small-town, relationships, family-drama, family, friction, friendship, cozy-mystery, cultural-diversity, recipes*****

Ivy the photographer is a character I can relate to as she is pointedly curious, not perfect, and has a sense of humor. Olaya and her bakery Yeast of Eden are the other side of the Pacific and Equator of Corinna Chapman and her shop Earthly Delights. Olaya's other mission is to empower marginalized women through making and promoting the breads of their home peoples. But now someone murdered a regular customer and some unruly elements have targeted Olaya as a poisoner. Let the sleuthing begin! Solid mystery with more than enough motives and suspects, plot twists, red herrings, and suspense. Loved it and the series, too!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

While the bakery gets a last-minute job to cater a holiday costume party, Ivy gets the chance to bolster her photography business, by being the official photographer. When a particularly nasty reporter is found dead, it is up to Ivy to piece together the snippets of conversation and gossip she overheard with her pictures to find out whodunnit.

As always, a mystery by Winnie Archer is a happy indulgence. It is a smartly written mystery with plenty of clues, too many suspects, and misleading red herrings. Add to that mouthwatering food and fantastically written characters and you have a winner. The holiday theme makes this installment in the series extra fun in a series that is always better than the last book. I suggest reading the series from the beginning, just to get the whole story because you will really want to know the whole story. However, if this series is new to you, this book reads well as a standalone.

Another great book in the series.

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 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.

Celebrity Eliza Box is having a costume Christmas party and has hired the Yeast of Eden Bread shop for some of the catering. She also hired Ivy Culpepper to photograph the event. Everyone seems to be enjoying the festivities until a scream rings out and everyone becomes aware that there is a body lying at the bottom of the cliff. The victim turns out to be a sleezy reporter who apparently snuck in to get some dirt on the guests. Did he fall accidently or was he pushed? Who would have a reason?

Murder has been determined and Ivy's photos may hold a clue but will she and the police be able to figure it before the photos disappear?

I enjoy this series mainly because of the characters and their generous spirits that shine through. The mysteries are entertaining too.½

chef, photographer, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, murder, murder-investigation, small-business, small-town, relationships, family, friendship, friction, Hollywood, paparazzi, cozy-mystery*****

Ivy is a photographer with a day job at the Bread Shop with her friends. Then Hollywood comes to town and hosts a costumed Christmas event complete with a slimy paparazzo. Who gets himself murdered at the event. Let the sleuthing begin! The publisher's blurb is a decent hook, but there's so much more. 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!

Death Gone A-Rye by Winnie Archer has Ivy Culpepper enjoying the wedding of her best friend and her brother in Santa Sofia, California. She notices Capt. Craig York looking at his phone and then consult with the bride, Sheriff Emmaline Davis. It turns out that Santa Sofia school board president, Nessa Renchrik has been murdered. Unfortunately, Capt. York narrows his sights in on Miguel Baptiste, Ivy’s boyfriend. It turns out that Miguel dated Nessa over ten years ago and saw her the week before her death. Ivy knows that Miguel did not harm Nessa. Thankfully, there are plenty of suspects. Ivy with help from Penelope Branford, retired schoolteacher, and Olaya Solia, owner of Yeast of Eden, set out to sift through the clues and uncover the killers’ identity. Death Gone A-Rye is the 6th tale in A Bread Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or if you have missed a book or two. The story is well-written with developed, likeable characters. There is a diverse cast of characters. I especially love Mrs. Penelope Branford. I hope I am like Mrs. Branford when I am in my 80s. It is always pleasant to visit Santa Sofia. The pacing is a slow for my taste. A little action would have helped. It was wonderful to see Billy and Emmaline get their happily ever after. I enjoyed the descriptions of the bread offered at the reception. The Vincent Van Dough focaccia sounded beautiful (you should look them up online). The mystery was multifaceted. There are several good suspects in the death of Nessa. I am surprised the list was not longer after learning more about the victim. Ivy questions a number of people in her quest for the truth. There are good clues (if you pay close attention to the details) to help you identify the killer. I like everything tied together and the complete resolution. The ending will leave a smile on your face. I do feel that the story needs more humor. That is the one thing lacking for me. There are recipes at the end for Van Dough Focaccia Bread Art along with helpful bread making tips. Death Gone A-Rye is an appetizing cozy mystery with fancy focaccia, a bothered bride, a surplus of suspects, a framed fella, curious clues, and a cantankerous captain.½

Ivy Culpepper is busy helping bake for the upcoming Spring Fling but when School Board President Nessa Renchrik is murdered, Ivy, who has investigated murder cases in the past, quickly gets involved. She has to reasons to do so – Emmaline Davis, who runs the Sheriff’s department is on her honeymoon with Ivy’s brother and Captain Craig York, who is in charge of the investigation thinks Ivy’s boyfriend Miguel may be the killer. Ivy, along with her friends Olaya Soles and Penelope Branford, sets out to clear Miguel’s name and fond the real killer.

“Death Gone A-Rye” is the very nicely done sixth book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop cozy mystery series. I love the characters in this book – Ivy, Miguel, Olaya, and especially Penelope who uses her age (86) to full advantage. I also love the description of food in the book – I swear I gained ten pounds just reading the book! The mystery itself is a bit of a different set up – the victim is murdered at the very beginning of the book and readers never meet the character while she is alive but neither did Ivy know her. It is an interesting concept as both Ivy and readers learn together what Nessa was like and Archer does a wonderful job with the setup. There are plenty of suspects and surprises in the book with lots of twists and turns and ultimately the truth behind the murder made me sad. Very well done by Archer.

“Death Gone A-Rye” is a nicely done cozy mystery.

Santa Sofia is abuzz with the news that Nessa Renchrik, the School Board President was murdered. Ivy Culpepper listens to the chatter at Yeast of Eden but when she finds that her boyfriend Miguel Baptista may be a suspect because he had an affair with her 11 years ago. The new town detective is trying to solve the murder before the Sheriff, his boss and Ivy's BFF/SIL, returns from her honeymoon. Ivy knows Miguel had nothing to do with it and sets her mind to clear him from police suspicion ASAP.

Love the main characters as well as the background. Recipes sound yummy!½

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 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!

Ivy Culpepper moves back home to California after her mother dies in a hit-and-run accident. Ivy is grieving and trying to learn to live life without her mother. She finds a local bread bakery, Yeast of Eden, and decides to take a bread making class. The shop owner, Olaya Dias, and her sisters are very special people. Ivy feels an instant connection to them. But, during the first baking class, one student goes outside to take a phone call and never comes back. Ivy, Olaya and a couple baking class students go outside to the parking lot looking for the missing class member, Jackie. Not only do they discover two men about to fight in the parking lot, but they find Jackie's body in her car. She has been murdered. Suddenly, Ivy finds herself involved in a very complex murder case and implications that it might have connections much closer to home.

Kneaded to Death is the first book in the new Bread Shop Mystery series. I am a big fan of culinary cozy mysteries, so when I noticed this was the start of a new series, I just had to read this book! I'm glad I did! The mystery portion of the plot is well-paced, more complex than most cozies, and filled with possible suspects and unexpected twists. The sub-plots of Ivy's family grieving the death of her mother, the almost magical bakery and details about bread and baking really made this a rich, interesting culinary cozy. There was more substance to this story than most cozies. It wasn't overly cute and cuddly, but a real, serious mystery. There is mention of the supernatural in that Olaya admits to being a Bruja, but it's a minor portion of the story. And, there is a dog....a cute rescue pug.....but the dog is not magical or an integral part of the plot. Too many cozy mysteries use the tropes of magical supernatural pets, ghosts, witches, etc. This book mentioned magic and witches, but only to the extent that Olaya is a healer and uses her hands and talents to bake wonderful bread. Kudos to Winnie Archer for writing a great debut cozy with just the right amount of color and culinary subplot.....without falling prey to the tendency for cozies to go too far towards the cute and cuddly leaving the mystery portion of the plot to languish and falter.

I am definitely going to read future books in this series! This book is well-written and an intriguing read. Plus, there are recipes in the back as well! I'm learning to bake bread so that part of the plot was fun for me! At one point a student in the cooking class forgot to add the yeast to her dough so she had to have help to fix her mistake -- I smiled at that point. That would be me, if I was in Olaya's class. I am not a natural baker.....I'm learning, but have had several loaves that just didn't work. My dogs love it when that happens as they get to eat the mistakes! I loved the theme for this debut in a new series, and I'm definitely on board for the next book!!

**I voluntarily read an Advance Readers Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

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 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.½

A reality show crew arrives in the small town of Santa Sofia to film the pilot program for a series about bakeries, bringing with it mayhem and murder! The featured bakery, Yeast of Eden, is the brainchild of Olaya Solis, working with her partner and friend Ivy Culpepper. Yeast of Eden specializes in artisan breads, but also equips women with skills so they can enter the workplace.

When cameraman Ben Nader is the victim of a hit and run accident, Ivy gets involved in helping to track down the driver of the vehicle. The arrogant co-star of the show, Sandra, then ends up dead, and a stalker who follows Ivy adds a sidebar to the plot. Ivy decides to volunteer at a local women's shelter where Ben helped out, and discovers increasingly complicated connections among characters.

I found the characters to be delightful and well-developed. The plot seemed very confusing at times, with too much going on and too many loose ends to keep up with, although all becomes clear by the end of the story. I did not care for the minute details in some sections of the book, especially the cooking descriptions, and skimmed past them, although some readers might enjoy knowing these details. Readers should note that while this is a clean novel without graphic violence or sex, one scene involves some cursing, which seems pointless, as it adds nothing to the story. I also would have liked to know more about the "magic" baked into the bread, an idea that was mentioned but never developed.

Although "Dough or Die" is part of a series, it works as a standalone novel. Enough information is given to bring readers up to speed on the characters and setting.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.