Cookied

Little-Pinch-of-Murder #2

by Miranda Rose Barker

Towering Wedding Cakes, Cookies, & Delicious Tarts…And A Big Crime

Cookied: A Little-Pinch-of-Murder Series Cozy Mystery

Discover a sweet and savory novel from popular writer Miranda Rose Barker, where she masterfully combines intrigue and suspense into a light, fast-paced story perfect for fans of culinary cozy mysteries.

When Lydia Hewitt, a dedicated and confident baker, started her own baking business in the small tourist town of Park Perdsor, Rhode Island, she was pleased with her bakery.

But then, as she was making progress toward her grand opening, strange things started to happen.

On day 1 on the job, Callie, her newly hired assistant, discovers the dead body of a man in the bakery when they are just starting to open.

“I first saw Callie standing still, her face in shock. As I approached her, I followed her eyeline to see a man lying on the ground.

“Oh my God!” The sight of him caused me to jump a little. Of all the ways I expected my day to go, this was maybe the least expected.

“He’s dead!” Callie gasped. I wasn’t sure what to think or what to do at first. I just stared at this man, whom I did not know, lying dead in my kitchen. He didn’t look that much older than me.”

It soon becomes clear that the “Grand Opening Day”, will be one of the biggest challenges Lydia will ever face.

What was the man's motivation for breaking into the bakery? Who Killed Him - and Why There?

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in A-Little-Pinch-of'Murder Cozy Mysteries Series, COOKIED features a very independent and determined small business owner, Lydia, who already has a good baking business online and is about to open a bakery in a small Rhode Island town....until her amenable new baking assistant discovers a corpse on the premises. Nothing subsequently makes sense, but it's clear someone in town is harboring deadly secrets. Delightful and edgy, puzzling and heartwarming, with a strong heroine and some budding romantic tension, COOKIED is a quick and satisfying read. Best of all is the heroine's adorable rescue pup, a real heroine herself!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murderous Dad
When Lydia Hewitt, a dedicated and confident baker, started her own baking business in the small tourist town of Park Perdsor, Rhode Island, she was pleased with her bakery until she discovers a dead man.
It was a murderous father who had killed him. The culprit was the dad of the girl who had been hired by her.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in a really fun cozy murder mystery series that makes you keep wanting more. The Characters are fun and well described throughout. We have Lydia our main character finally able to open her bakery, a dream come true, and can finally pick a grand opening date. She with her very intelligent pup, Pyrus, she realizes that she will definitely need help. She has a growing mail order/delivery business that is also flourishing. When she gets an answer to her help ad, she is excited. It seems she has a real go-getter, Callie, who she seems to get along well with and Pyrus likes her too. While Lydia is getting Pyrus and some things out of the car, she gives Callie the key to open up. While getting the rest of her stuff from her car, Lydia hears a bloodcurdling scream. Rushing in she finds a dead body lying face down in her kitchen. Somebody she has never seen before. Who is this person, why was he murdered, and how did he get into her shop and why her shop? These are all questions, Lydia has and when the new gorgeous detective, Isaac Wells, comes to investigate, she still is left with uneasy feelings that he doesn't seem to be investigating the way she thought he should. So, Lydia, Pyrus and Callie decided to check into things themselves. Can they do that and remain safe? Chasing clue after clue, they find Detective Wells is there too, and knows he can't stop Lydia and Callie because they won't stop. It seems Pyrus has some insight or something because he is a big help too. We are treated to a very surprise ending! I love this series so far and can't wait to see what happens next! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a treat! Cookied is my very first cozy mystery, and I must say, it won’t be my last. This was also my first book by Miranda Rose Barker.

Cookied introduces you to Lydia Hewitt, a new owner of Pyrus’s Pastries, and her adorable fuzzy companion, Pyrus. After recently purchasing the building that now houses her bakery, Lydia interviews the young Callie to assist her in the day-to-day running of the shop. Lydia feels an instant connection with Callie, and everything falls into place with the grand opening right around the corner, that is, until a body is found early one morning inside the bakery.

Why would anyone want to break into Pyrus’s Pastries? The storefront hadn’t opened yet, and no money was coming in. Is there another reason? Lydia teams up with a local detective to try to solve the mystery of the dead body, and secrets start to unfold in unexpected places. Will solving this mystery cost Lydia everything?

I really enjoyed Miranda’s writing style and the vibe of the mystery. I now understand why they call it a cozy mystery. Even though there is a dead body, you aren’t burdened by a doom and gloom feeling; things always seem to be upbeat. I loved the addition of Pyrus and her part in the story. As a dog mom, this made me love the story that much more.

Thank you to Miranda Rose Barker, who gave me a digital copy of Cookied in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookied by Miranda Rose Barker is the 2nd book in her Little-Pinch-of-Murder series. Lydia Hewitt and her dog Pryus are set to open up her bakery Pryus's Pastries. She's saved for years and it's finally happening. She just needs to find the right assistant to help her bake. It isn't an easy task when you live in a small town like Park Perdsor. She interviews Callie Pierson and hires her right away. Lydia has such a good feeling about Callie and is excited she can finally put on the finishing touches and open up her bakery. She meets Callie the next morning at the bakery only to find a dead body in the kitchen. She's never seen him before and can't stop her observing mind from wanting to know more. She and Callie team up to see if they can uncover clues to mystery man's identity and why he was murdered. She might ruffle up a few feathers along the way with new detective Isaak Wells. Hopefully, they will be able to solve this whodunit before trouble comes knocking again at the bakery's door.
This was my first book by Miranda Rose Barker. It was a short cute novella and the perfect cozy to read in an afternoon. I hope we get other books set in Park Perdsor. I'd love to get to know more of this small town with a lighthouse and some of Lydia's friends who live there. I was given a copy, but all opinions are my very own!

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

COOKIED is the second installment in the A Little-Pinch-of-Murder Cozy Mystery series by Miranda Rose Barker. This is a quick and entertaining cozy mystery with great characters and a twisty plot. A great read for a rainy/ snowy day.

Lydia has been trying to open her dream bakery. Everything is fine even with all the little hurdles and problems along the way delaying her timelines. Then, finally opening day is here, but there first customer is a dead body inside the bakery. New to town Detective Wells is investigating the case and he's not happy with Lydia sticking her nose into the investigation.

Lydia's little dog Pyrus knows more than she lets on. She may also be the unexpected hero in this investigation.

The only bad, I really don't like holes in the plot, like what was the ultimate reason for all of Lydia's troubles and the murder? What was so important to the murderer that was worth a murder. Maybe I missed something.

If you like cute clean mysteries, give this one a try.

I received an ARC copy from the author and I am submitting my unbiased review.

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect cosy read. It has everything going for it , great characters ,comfort setting , cop / amateur sleuth pairings and mystery. Lydia has been frantic ,it being a week until her Bakery Pyrus’s Pastries is to open . This she’s scrimped , scraped and dreamed of for years .Having sold online from her home kitchen thus far, this is indeed an arduous task for one person ,so she resolves to hire an assistant to proper get her business evolving . Having found the perfect candidate, Callie is set on straight away to start the following day. This is when the events unfold. A dead body and a mystery envelops them and the bakery . Well written and descriptive piece of mastery penmanship . I couldn’t put this down .

I received an advance copy and my review is in my own words and voluntary

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous and well written cozey mystery with a drop of murder you will definitely want to pick up. The array of characters are vibrant and colorful drawing you into their dramatic lives while an intriguing mystery will entice you further with its unexpected clues and motives. This cozeys plot will carry you through from start to finish with small town politics and a slow burn romance behind the scene .Acquire " Cookied " A Little-Pinch-of-Murder today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. K

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, clean cozy mystery. Lydia is finally opening her dream bakery, that is until a man is found dead inside the bakery by her new employee. The author has created a cast of lovable characters (especially Pyrus, Lydia's dog). The author leaves the identification of the killer till nearly the end of the book. How does Pyrus save the day when Lydia, unexpectedly walks into harms way? Is there a hint of romance between Lydia the detective working on the case? Quick easy read, will leave you wanting more!!!

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cosy mystery has us guessing. Poor Lydia tried so hard to get her bakery open on time. She even employed a willing assistant, who seemed to want to please. Then there’s the dead body. Sleuth Lydia & her dog Pyrus try to get to the bottom of it, & upset the police officer who is investigating the murder. It’s difficult when people are not who they really are! And clues can be smells!
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author & I am writing an honest voluntary review.

[Mom2three · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful read that will keep you entertained from beginning to end. The characters are smart, likeable, and believable. The mystery is very well written - full of twists and surprises, and kept me guessing. It was also light-hearted. I really loved the characters, and their blossoming friendships, and the added bonus of a sweet dog as a sidekick. It was a lot of fun to read and I hope we get to return to these characters in the future.

[BJayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well-written and fun to read. The story had enough twists and turns that it kept me guessing. A fun whodunnit with a surprise ending. I received an advanced copy of the book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Yvonne Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! I couldn't stop reading until I reached the end! It has terrific characters and I felt like was part of their group while they solved the mystery! I received this book as an advanced reader and this is my honest review! I can't wait until the next book in the series.

[Felicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy (ARC) of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review. I really enjoyed this book. It was a light, easy read and I completed it in one sitting because I just had to solve the mystery! I loved the small town bakery setting, and the characters were loveable. This was my first book by Miranda Rose Barker but it won't be my last!

[LaRae Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this fun, entertaining read! Great plot and mystery was so fun with some danger lurking! Very exciting!

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cookied

A quick fun cozy mystery read Lydia is opening a bakery, but multiple obstacles keep occurring including finding a dead man in her bakery.

[Janna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this very much! Kept your interest, great plot! Even made a new friend in the end!

Thanks to the author for providing this book for my honest review!

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of the ARC team to give my honest review.

Lydia is beginning to open her new bakery and just needs to find an assistant to help run the business. When she meets Callie they click instantly. On Callie’s first day of work at the bakery they walk into a murder scene. The new detective in town starts jumping to conclusions about the murder and it isn’t sitting well with Lydia. She takes it upon herself to figure out what happened. This trio (Lydia, her pup and Callie) works together to investigate hat happened to the victim they found in the bakery. They find themselves in a few hairy situations but can they figure it out?

This book was a quick read and a page turner. This book forced me to read it in one sitting because I had to figure out what happened along with Detective Wells, Lydia, Callie and of course Pyrus! I really hope we get more books to not only see the relationship between Isaak and Lydia develop but to give us some more AMAZING page turners.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay.