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Bakery Detectives #4
Rest, Relaxation and Murder
A vacation ruined by a suspicious death. A mystery no one seems willing to solve. Rachael and Pippa are the only ones who can save the resort…in more ways than one. Another fun cozy mystery from USA Today Bestselling Author Stacey Alabaster Rachael is a distinguished pastry chef with a knack for solving murders. When she goes on vacation to escape both, things go awry when the body of the resort’s executive chef washes up on shore. If she can’t solve this murder quickly, her best friend Pippa may pay the price. Rest, Relaxation and Murder is part of the Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery series. If you like fast paced mysteries full of quirky characters and unexpected twists, you’re gonna love Rest, Relaxation and Murder. Buy Rest, Relaxation and Murder and start solving your next mystery today!
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2016
113 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Alabaster
76 books127 followersI have always loved a good mystery. From my early years watching Murder She Wrote to more recent shows like Monk, Psych, and my absolute favorite BBC show ever, Sherlock, I have studied what it takes to make an entertaining mystery. I am truly blessed to be able to write and share my own mysteries with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them :)
If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter
If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 12, 2016
Can a few days away on a “girls only” retreat be good for Rachael Robinson and her newly married best friend, Pippa McDonald? Not when you have to deal with your town flooding as you are trying to leave.
After arriving at the resort and finding out that the chef is missing and possibly dead, Rachael has to prepare food for all the other guests and solve the disappearance. So much for relaxation. Rachael was able to mentor the sous chef, Vicki and Aaron. Neither of which really have had any training, so the food being served is a mystery.
Will Rachael and Pippa get any sleep and real food on this vacation? Will they solve the disappearance of Chef Ann?
This series improves with each book!
After arriving at the resort and finding out that the chef is missing and possibly dead, Rachael has to prepare food for all the other guests and solve the disappearance. So much for relaxation. Rachael was able to mentor the sous chef, Vicki and Aaron. Neither of which really have had any training, so the food being served is a mystery.
Will Rachael and Pippa get any sleep and real food on this vacation? Will they solve the disappearance of Chef Ann?
This series improves with each book!
March 28, 2017
Kindle Unlimited, the Craft Circle Mystery books were a bit better than the Bakery Detective ones, but that's not saying much. Would be nice if there were actually some crafts going on more than just a mention here and there, and oh yeah real plot with real believable characters.
Steps from Death (Craft Circle Mystery #1) Arts, Crafts and Murder (Craft Circle Mystery #2) A Finely Crafted Murder: A Craft Circle Cozy Mystery (Craft Circle Cozy Mysteries Book 3)
Naked Eye {not sure where exactly this one fits in}
A Pie to Die for (Bakery Detectives #1) Donuts, Antiques and Murder (Bakery Detectives #2) Death by Chocolate Cake (Bakery Detectives #3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #1-3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #4-6) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-6 (Bakery Detectives #1-6) The Mud Pie Murderess (Bakery Detectives #6)
Catering and Kidnapping (Bakery Detectives #7 The Pumpkin Killer: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Wined, Dined and Dead (Bakery Detectives, #9
Read the 3 box set that included A Pie to Die For, Donuts, Antiques and Murder, and Death by Chocolate Cake was a nice cozy collection, each a bit different, but pretty much a little of this that and the other mixed in with some crime so basically what I look for in a book of this type.I wrote this for the first 3 set. The second 3 set did not live up to things; sure there were here and there typo issues but since my computer is set up to 'read' to me that was not the issue.
The main character walks in to the kitchen of the resort where 2 people are talking about the actual chef/cook being missing, who is later found dead, and which the main character never gets to meet, yet knows that is who the dead body is, immediately.... They are supposed to be getting grand meals at the resort but because of the death of the chef, they aren't getting anything but toast in that one part, not even coffee, which they mention specifically, yet the main character is drinking coffee or else keeps picking up an empty cup, maybe, but who knows. And if the retreat just started that day and the one guy had come early he would have met the victim. Also someone can not 'drag' someone with that person being over their shoulder. A bowl full of salad will not knock itself off a table with the slamming of a door. If you're going to push a glass away in one sentence then go sit outside in the next, you should mention grabbing the drink when you next sentence is talking about sipping it again somehow.
Then in the second it continues on with one sentence mentioning they are on tiny seats then after she finds the body and returns and sits back down she is in a pew seat. Also what would be the big deal with helping the cop with the case, she was on payroll doing that in earlier books. And once you log out of facebook without having saved the log in details, you can't just log back in. Really, someone answers the door and you're right close by and you don't hear a female voice that's been the main topic of conversations or otherwise it took that long to walk like a couple or so feet to a door and then open it. and if they are in the kitchen leading to the back door there is no way you can push someone back in to the living room from there unless you are in an action movie.
The third one starts off just 'great'; no one in the food industry puts someone's scalded and unclean hand in a tub of ice cream, and then after it's over puts the tub back with only the thought of maybe it was melted too much. If something is painted a certain shade, use that and not change the word used for the shade color every other sentence. Who by the way doesn't notice 3 foot tall signs in the window of a small town small type street that you drive by every day on the way and back to where you work on that street.It also never explains why the main character felt nauseated, quesy, etcetera.
If I hadn't already borrowed the next couple of books wouldn't bother at this rate, but will, and those books better be better than this rather muddled attempt, which on the 3rd book I had the poisoner figured out way too close to the start. I had actually started to buy this set to go with the other 3 set, now am very glad I didn't.
for 7 I put These books are getting as bad as 'the cat who' books did, when I stopped reading them and gave them all away; the father is the dude who went back to italy because of his mother's health or something about well 3 books back but he's not even mentioned in the story this time, the writer has gotten worse and worse about putting characters in for like a book or 2 and then they just sorta disappear for a while or totally, like the assistant baker who is and isn't there and the friend/asst mgr but because of the pregnancy there is another asst mgr who is and isn't there, it's getting a bit ridiculous with those things not being in the story yet other unnecessary stuff is being put in to the story
This was by far the stupidest of them all; if one has a newborn in their arms how are they eating cake with a fork by themself, and then yet another 'love interest' for the main character when the other one is still around and nothing was ever said after his non-marriage and supposedly those 2 starting up again. Just another character to pop in and out of a story here and there with no real explanation. This series has definitely put me off cozies for a while, it's been more and more a waste of time, and wish could have given it a 0 star because even the 'twists' made no sense.
For 8 put Somebody give the writer some painting tips; in the last book she kept talking about paint fumes, so assuming whatever kind she is supposed to be using gives off fumes, which means that going back late at night to the house then up the next morning to paint...there is cleaning surfaces, probably primer, and at least 2 coats of paint, plus probably more if one is going from well each time she mentions a color it's a different shade and there is differences but basically going over to purple which in one place was described almost neon yet in another was a mid purple and in yet another more a pastel possibly is still going to take more than overnight to paint and dry plus it was an event the next day or else it was only mentioned way after it happened which wouldn't make sense because an eating place can't be open during that type of thing and the story is talking about all those birthday parties. What does conscious not but still pale even mean, which wouldn't have caught possibly with it being read to me, but the books are starting to be almost gibberish that am having to sight read because it's skipping around and not making any sense but even reading it is still that way because of the errors is now confusing as well. This was, by far, the stupidest most unnecessarily convoluted mess of a story.
9 had me banging my head for my stupidity of well maybe they got better
Thought liked the Craft Circle Cozy Mystery books a bit better, but after 3 out so far they went to just as bad as the bakery ones..
Steps from Death (Craft Circle Mystery #1) Arts, Crafts and Murder (Craft Circle Mystery #2) A Finely Crafted Murder: A Craft Circle Cozy Mystery (Craft Circle Cozy Mysteries Book 3)
Naked Eye {not sure where exactly this one fits in}
A Pie to Die for (Bakery Detectives #1) Donuts, Antiques and Murder (Bakery Detectives #2) Death by Chocolate Cake (Bakery Detectives #3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #1-3) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set (Bakery Detectives #4-6) Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1-6 (Bakery Detectives #1-6) The Mud Pie Murderess (Bakery Detectives #6)
Catering and Kidnapping (Bakery Detectives #7 The Pumpkin Killer: A Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery Wined, Dined and Dead (Bakery Detectives, #9
Read the 3 box set that included A Pie to Die For, Donuts, Antiques and Murder, and Death by Chocolate Cake was a nice cozy collection, each a bit different, but pretty much a little of this that and the other mixed in with some crime so basically what I look for in a book of this type.I wrote this for the first 3 set. The second 3 set did not live up to things; sure there were here and there typo issues but since my computer is set up to 'read' to me that was not the issue.
The main character walks in to the kitchen of the resort where 2 people are talking about the actual chef/cook being missing, who is later found dead, and which the main character never gets to meet, yet knows that is who the dead body is, immediately.... They are supposed to be getting grand meals at the resort but because of the death of the chef, they aren't getting anything but toast in that one part, not even coffee, which they mention specifically, yet the main character is drinking coffee or else keeps picking up an empty cup, maybe, but who knows. And if the retreat just started that day and the one guy had come early he would have met the victim. Also someone can not 'drag' someone with that person being over their shoulder. A bowl full of salad will not knock itself off a table with the slamming of a door. If you're going to push a glass away in one sentence then go sit outside in the next, you should mention grabbing the drink when you next sentence is talking about sipping it again somehow.
Then in the second it continues on with one sentence mentioning they are on tiny seats then after she finds the body and returns and sits back down she is in a pew seat. Also what would be the big deal with helping the cop with the case, she was on payroll doing that in earlier books. And once you log out of facebook without having saved the log in details, you can't just log back in. Really, someone answers the door and you're right close by and you don't hear a female voice that's been the main topic of conversations or otherwise it took that long to walk like a couple or so feet to a door and then open it. and if they are in the kitchen leading to the back door there is no way you can push someone back in to the living room from there unless you are in an action movie.
The third one starts off just 'great'; no one in the food industry puts someone's scalded and unclean hand in a tub of ice cream, and then after it's over puts the tub back with only the thought of maybe it was melted too much. If something is painted a certain shade, use that and not change the word used for the shade color every other sentence. Who by the way doesn't notice 3 foot tall signs in the window of a small town small type street that you drive by every day on the way and back to where you work on that street.It also never explains why the main character felt nauseated, quesy, etcetera.
If I hadn't already borrowed the next couple of books wouldn't bother at this rate, but will, and those books better be better than this rather muddled attempt, which on the 3rd book I had the poisoner figured out way too close to the start. I had actually started to buy this set to go with the other 3 set, now am very glad I didn't.
for 7 I put These books are getting as bad as 'the cat who' books did, when I stopped reading them and gave them all away; the father is the dude who went back to italy because of his mother's health or something about well 3 books back but he's not even mentioned in the story this time, the writer has gotten worse and worse about putting characters in for like a book or 2 and then they just sorta disappear for a while or totally, like the assistant baker who is and isn't there and the friend/asst mgr but because of the pregnancy there is another asst mgr who is and isn't there, it's getting a bit ridiculous with those things not being in the story yet other unnecessary stuff is being put in to the story
This was by far the stupidest of them all; if one has a newborn in their arms how are they eating cake with a fork by themself, and then yet another 'love interest' for the main character when the other one is still around and nothing was ever said after his non-marriage and supposedly those 2 starting up again. Just another character to pop in and out of a story here and there with no real explanation. This series has definitely put me off cozies for a while, it's been more and more a waste of time, and wish could have given it a 0 star because even the 'twists' made no sense.
For 8 put Somebody give the writer some painting tips; in the last book she kept talking about paint fumes, so assuming whatever kind she is supposed to be using gives off fumes, which means that going back late at night to the house then up the next morning to paint...there is cleaning surfaces, probably primer, and at least 2 coats of paint, plus probably more if one is going from well each time she mentions a color it's a different shade and there is differences but basically going over to purple which in one place was described almost neon yet in another was a mid purple and in yet another more a pastel possibly is still going to take more than overnight to paint and dry plus it was an event the next day or else it was only mentioned way after it happened which wouldn't make sense because an eating place can't be open during that type of thing and the story is talking about all those birthday parties. What does conscious not but still pale even mean, which wouldn't have caught possibly with it being read to me, but the books are starting to be almost gibberish that am having to sight read because it's skipping around and not making any sense but even reading it is still that way because of the errors is now confusing as well. This was, by far, the stupidest most unnecessarily convoluted mess of a story.
9 had me banging my head for my stupidity of well maybe they got better
Thought liked the Craft Circle Cozy Mystery books a bit better, but after 3 out so far they went to just as bad as the bakery ones..
October 20, 2017
Out of all the books so far I would say that this was the best one by far. We get some character development for Pippa and Rachel which was nice. Though 4 books into the series is a little late for my liking. Rachel feels a little more fleshed out thanks to their "girls only" vacation. They expanded past their romantic affiliations which was nice.
The mystery this time was interesting and could have gone many different ways at any point in the story. I don't know if the actual murderer makes much sense, but it wasn't terrible. I'm also not sure if the murderer at the end of the book was the intended murderer, but it worked.
I enjoyed how the world was expanded as Rachel and Pippa were in another town, and we got to hear about another town in the area. We also got to learn a lot more about the secondary characters in this book, this allows the reader to become more invested in the story as they can relate to the characters.
This was actually a fairly enjoyable book. I'm really happy that I'm still sticking with this series.
The mystery this time was interesting and could have gone many different ways at any point in the story. I don't know if the actual murderer makes much sense, but it wasn't terrible. I'm also not sure if the murderer at the end of the book was the intended murderer, but it worked.
I enjoyed how the world was expanded as Rachel and Pippa were in another town, and we got to hear about another town in the area. We also got to learn a lot more about the secondary characters in this book, this allows the reader to become more invested in the story as they can relate to the characters.
This was actually a fairly enjoyable book. I'm really happy that I'm still sticking with this series.
June 16, 2022
This is the fourth book in this series,
and the first one I have read from this author.
Rachael is a bakery owner, and a part time sleuth
who has helped solve some local murders where she lives.
She is thinking about taking a course to be a PI full time.
She and her best friend Pippa are going on a retreat
just to get away for a bit.
On their first day there they are in a kayak when
everyone is ordered back to the shore as a body
has been found in the water.
Pro's:
A nice story line with mostly developed characters and
a few red herrings.
Con's:
It would have been nice to give Rachael and Pippa's last
names for those of us who hadn't read any of this series before.
It mentioned that Pippa was going back to her job at the end of
the story, but it didn't say where she works?
I didn't count this against the story on the ratings.
But, having released several books prior,
the publishers did not do an admirable
job in the proofreading department.
and the first one I have read from this author.
Rachael is a bakery owner, and a part time sleuth
who has helped solve some local murders where she lives.
She is thinking about taking a course to be a PI full time.
She and her best friend Pippa are going on a retreat
just to get away for a bit.
On their first day there they are in a kayak when
everyone is ordered back to the shore as a body
has been found in the water.
Pro's:
A nice story line with mostly developed characters and
a few red herrings.
Con's:
It would have been nice to give Rachael and Pippa's last
names for those of us who hadn't read any of this series before.
It mentioned that Pippa was going back to her job at the end of
the story, but it didn't say where she works?
I didn't count this against the story on the ratings.
But, having released several books prior,
the publishers did not do an admirable
job in the proofreading department.
November 21, 2017
Rachael and Pippa decide to go on vacation to a resort .When they arrive they find out the Chef is missing and might be dead. So Rachael cooks for the other guests staying at the resort . When the Chef's body turns up floating in the lake Rachael and Pippa realize they need to find the killer or end up dead themselves!!!!
November 7, 2016
This story started a bit slow for me, but had a good finish. Easy reading snuggled up in my easy chair.
June 1, 2017
IT WAS FANTASTIC. NOW I AM ON BOOK #4
January 17, 2018
Holiday murder
When you go on a retreat to get over someone you care about to discover a murder. Will Rachael find love?
When you go on a retreat to get over someone you care about to discover a murder. Will Rachael find love?
September 26, 2023
3.5 stars rounded down.
July 9, 2016
Racheal and Pippa are together again. This time they find themselves wanting to take a vacation from their daily lives. However, will her vacation really be a vacation? When the body of the resorts chef is found floating in the lake, Racheal and Pippa realize that they need to find the killer or risk one of their lives.
I love this series of cozy mysteries. Racheal and Pippa are very easy to relate. You find yourself wanting to go and help them solve the mystery and have fun. For some reason problems seem to find them. Stacey Alabaster has written a fun, relaxing but suspenseful cozy with twists and turns that you are not ready prepared for. Just when you think you have it figured out, another twist. I love following these two amateur detectives. I was given a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
I love this series of cozy mysteries. Racheal and Pippa are very easy to relate. You find yourself wanting to go and help them solve the mystery and have fun. For some reason problems seem to find them. Stacey Alabaster has written a fun, relaxing but suspenseful cozy with twists and turns that you are not ready prepared for. Just when you think you have it figured out, another twist. I love following these two amateur detectives. I was given a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
July 23, 2016
I enjoyed this Bakery Detectives Cozy Mystery.
Rachael, the baker of Belldale, and her friend Pippa are looking forward to a vacation at the Paradise Retreat to rest and relax. Well... nothing is going right. Hail and flooding are just the beginning of one of "those" vacations. Not only did they miss the bus, but they had a long 8 hour drive to the resort. It just keeps getting worse as the day goes on. You won't want to miss all of the "oh no" moments and how Rachael and Pippa get through their vacation of "Rest, Relaxation and Murder".
I received this ebook edition from the publisher for an honest review.
Rachael, the baker of Belldale, and her friend Pippa are looking forward to a vacation at the Paradise Retreat to rest and relax. Well... nothing is going right. Hail and flooding are just the beginning of one of "those" vacations. Not only did they miss the bus, but they had a long 8 hour drive to the resort. It just keeps getting worse as the day goes on. You won't want to miss all of the "oh no" moments and how Rachael and Pippa get through their vacation of "Rest, Relaxation and Murder".
I received this ebook edition from the publisher for an honest review.
September 15, 2016
Rachel and Poppa solve another mystery
Rachel is a chef working as a baker who really wants to be a P. I. . Pippa works with Rachel in the bakery. Zany adventure await these two whether at home or on vacation. Taking a retreat they encounter a death the first day. Rachel identifies several suspects. But first she has to start cooking the meals, some vacation. A cute short story. For those who like lighthearted mystery. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
Rachel is a chef working as a baker who really wants to be a P. I. . Pippa works with Rachel in the bakery. Zany adventure await these two whether at home or on vacation. Taking a retreat they encounter a death the first day. Rachel identifies several suspects. But first she has to start cooking the meals, some vacation. A cute short story. For those who like lighthearted mystery. I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2016
'Rest' is a fun story with Rachel & Pippa doing what they do best. Their antics never get old & trouble finds them wherever they roam. In this installment, they are reminiscent of Laverne & Shirley as they scope the scene. It has a lot of humor & a pretty decent mystery, too.
I remain a solid fan of the series and this installment reminds me of why I keep reading
I remain a solid fan of the series and this installment reminds me of why I keep reading
November 20, 2016
No rest or relaxation for Rachael it seems
This was quite the vacation for Rachael and Pippa. With the murder leaving a severe lack of food and there was Rachael almost a victim and some kind of ritual and then Pippa almost a victim. This was a very exciting and never a dull moment kind of story. I found it very entertaining and now I'm on to the next book in the series.
This was quite the vacation for Rachael and Pippa. With the murder leaving a severe lack of food and there was Rachael almost a victim and some kind of ritual and then Pippa almost a victim. This was a very exciting and never a dull moment kind of story. I found it very entertaining and now I'm on to the next book in the series.
August 26, 2016
Vacation and murder... why not? Rachel and Pippa go on vacation to get away from the dreary weather and murder only to find another dead body. With a couple mix ups and a lot of thought they have to find the killer and catch them in time.
August 22, 2016
Another great read !!
I love this series !!! Another great book to add to this collection !!! I do find it funny that the resort they go to is having a who done it dinner ...
I love this series !!! Another great book to add to this collection !!! I do find it funny that the resort they go to is having a who done it dinner ...
September 7, 2016
Armature sloth's
A very interesting story! How life can throw what your running from right in your path and you realize you were better off with what you had to begin with.
A very interesting story! How life can throw what your running from right in your path and you realize you were better off with what you had to begin with.
November 5, 2016
Another fun book in the Bakery series. Rachel and Pippa go on a retreat that is the total opposite of relaxing.
December 25, 2016
Good book
This was a fun little mystery book I can't wait to read the next one in the series :-) :-)
This was a fun little mystery book I can't wait to read the next one in the series :-) :-)
April 14, 2017
Pastry Chef, Rachel and her best friend, Pippa are off to vacation and get away from the bakery, working, and finding bodies!
The girls miss their bus due to a freak hail storm, but, driving eight hours arrive just behind the others on the 'retreat,' and learn quickly that they do not truly 'fit' in.
Soon, it is dinner time and...well, there is no dinner! Rachel finally tires of this situation and heads into the Kitchen area to find out what is going on...a missing chef is what is happening. Ann...the chef of the resort is nowhere to be found.
The next day, Ann is found, but not the way Pippa and Nicole want. Ann is dead and the resort is starving, except for toast.
This book is a short tale of murder, humor, and interesting characters. A couple that refuse to eat any one else's cooking makes you curious. Give this series a read.
The girls miss their bus due to a freak hail storm, but, driving eight hours arrive just behind the others on the 'retreat,' and learn quickly that they do not truly 'fit' in.
Soon, it is dinner time and...well, there is no dinner! Rachel finally tires of this situation and heads into the Kitchen area to find out what is going on...a missing chef is what is happening. Ann...the chef of the resort is nowhere to be found.
The next day, Ann is found, but not the way Pippa and Nicole want. Ann is dead and the resort is starving, except for toast.
This book is a short tale of murder, humor, and interesting characters. A couple that refuse to eat any one else's cooking makes you curious. Give this series a read.
August 9, 2017
I love the book, great cozy mystery, I like the writer Stacey Alabaster, her books are great, this one being no different, kept me guessing until the end.I tried to leave a review on Amazon, but their stupid guidelines would not allow me to leave it. Keep up the good work Stacey, love the series
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews