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. ( )

Another great book in the series. ( )

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. ( )

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. ( )

I really enjoyed the The Bread for Life program that takes place at the Yeast of Eden. I love how supportive it is of women from other cultures, bringing them together to share their recipes and help them to make better lives for themselves. And I really liked that Winnie Archer incorporated a Women’s Shelter into Dough or Die. It’s unfortunate that shelters are so needed, but for Archer to highlight them, it might encourage some readers to volunteer however they can at one of them.

In this one it felt like Ivy did all of the detecting and just handed the case over to her best friend and sheriff, Emmeline. I thought this was a bit far fetched, even for a cozy mystery. And it felt like Ivy was just accusing everyone and the sheriff just took her word, but this wouldn’t stop me from reading future books in the Bread Shop Mysteries.

As far as the mystery, it was interesting how it all tied together. There were so many suspects and different things happening to get the mystery to make sense that I actually had to read slower and stop and think a bit to see how it all combined. I don’t remember having to do this before when I’ve read a cozy, so I’m not sure if this is good or bad?!

The support that the characters have for each other and the wonderful descriptions of Yeast of Eden and all the yummy breads will have me returning to Santa Sofia. ( )