What do you think?
Rate this book
Sweet Baked Mysteries #3
Blueberries and Bereavement
Three catastrophes and a funeral. When Holly Waterston is asked to cater for a wake, she believes the job will be straightforward although a little sad. Instead, the funeral service has been designed by the deceased to drop a bombshell on his grieving family.
With Holly embroiled in the family's dirty laundry, she finds herself pulled into the web of distrust and dark secrets. A situation that grows even murkier when one of the siblings is attacked and murder raises its ugly head.
As suspicions shines a spotlight in all directions, Holly must keep her wits about her if she's to unveil the truth and uncover a killer. Not to mention baking up a swathe of blueberry cupcakes!
This Sweet Baked Mystery contains none of these No Swearing No Gore No Graphic Scenes and absolutely No Cliffhangers!
Scroll up and one-click to solve the murder mystery today!
With Holly embroiled in the family's dirty laundry, she finds herself pulled into the web of distrust and dark secrets. A situation that grows even murkier when one of the siblings is attacked and murder raises its ugly head.
As suspicions shines a spotlight in all directions, Holly must keep her wits about her if she's to unveil the truth and uncover a killer. Not to mention baking up a swathe of blueberry cupcakes!
This Sweet Baked Mystery contains none of these No Swearing No Gore No Graphic Scenes and absolutely No Cliffhangers!
Scroll up and one-click to solve the murder mystery today!
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 26, 2018
174 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Hayton
64 books496 followersI'm a middle-aged woman who works in insurance, doesn't have children or pets, can't drive, has lived in Christchurch my entire life, and currently reside a two-minute walk from where I was born.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
For some reason, I've developed a rich fantasy life.
I like to write mysteries, some set in my hometown of Christchurch, others ninety minutes up the road in the beautiful township of Hanmer Springs, or in the quasi-fictional town of Pinetar. These mysteries range from hard-hitting psychological thrillers, through to police procedurals, or the lighter adventure of a cozy mystery.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 23, 2019
This is my favorite so far. I liked the mystery and I had no clue who did it. I like the way Holly was involved in this one that was a nice twist. Mattie seems like a good character but I don't think we'll see much from him now. The cop is good I like the way that it seems there is no romantic connection to him and he general is getting fed up with Holly being involved in everything.
February 25, 2024
Autumn
This story has blueberries, misunderstandings, family secrets, and murder. There is also a bit of romance, some old and some new. I was hoping that the misunderstandings would be funny, but they weren't. I don't think they were supposed to be. The mystery was interesting. I didn't like all of the ending. I was hoping it would go in a different direction.
This story has blueberries, misunderstandings, family secrets, and murder. There is also a bit of romance, some old and some new. I was hoping that the misunderstandings would be funny, but they weren't. I don't think they were supposed to be. The mystery was interesting. I didn't like all of the ending. I was hoping it would go in a different direction.
March 8, 2018
Solid, if predictable
This wasn't totally see through from the start, but it wasn't too difficult to pull things together either. Good arc progress, though the stuff with Amber might be too much too soon. Its only Boom 3 and we don't know Holly or Crystal well enough yet.
This wasn't totally see through from the start, but it wasn't too difficult to pull things together either. Good arc progress, though the stuff with Amber might be too much too soon. Its only Boom 3 and we don't know Holly or Crystal well enough yet.
December 17, 2022
2.5 stars. Picking up where the last book left off, Holly is now happily embarking on a relationship with Aidan, who she met at the beginning of book 2. Life is getting back to normal following the attempt to kill Derek Masters at his wedding by his fiancee, Sheila, when Holly is specifically invited to cater the funeral of a billionaire she never met, which both she and her sister find odd - Holly because she's never heard of this man and Crystal because the bakery has really been more her baby than Holly's.
The funeral itself turns out to be quite the spectacle in which the deceased has recorded the ceremony on a VHS tape (despite having access to newer technology), in which he reveals a dirty little family secret: one of his (adult) children isn't actually his, but the product of an affair between his beloved late wife and a longtime resident of Hamner Springs, and therefore does not stand to inherit a thing. And if that wasn't enough, following the funeral, one of the guests is found stabbed, leaving Holly right in the middle of another attempted murder.
This was an interesting plot and again, Holly was in the middle but tried to help the police rather than try to impede the investigation despite her certainty they arrested the wrong person. The ending had a bit of a twist to it that was a bit cliche but for the most part, it was another satisfying read in this series.
I say mostly, because the subplot involving Holly and Aidan was just...wow and I'm sorry but his reaction to her having not mentioned something she did not think was a big deal was a HUGE red flag. Even after they talked it over and she understood why he reacted the way he did, she still should have walked away. If he blows up and storms out that easily over what was typical teenage behavior regarding his cousin, Elvira, he needs help. Quite frankly, Aidan's family would probably benefit from family counseling to help them deal with Elvira's mom's medical condition rather than trying to keep Elvira in a bubble.
The other issue I had with this book is I wondered if the author had gone from having an editor and publisher to self-publishing. There were so many misuses of character names in this book that it really disrupted the flow of the book and after awhile just became glaring mistakes.
Overall, like the first two books in the series, this was a quick read and I enjoyed the plot. Had it not been for all the mixed up character names and Aidan's red flag behavior, I would have rated it higher.
The funeral itself turns out to be quite the spectacle in which the deceased has recorded the ceremony on a VHS tape (despite having access to newer technology), in which he reveals a dirty little family secret: one of his (adult) children isn't actually his, but the product of an affair between his beloved late wife and a longtime resident of Hamner Springs, and therefore does not stand to inherit a thing. And if that wasn't enough, following the funeral, one of the guests is found stabbed, leaving Holly right in the middle of another attempted murder.
This was an interesting plot and again, Holly was in the middle but tried to help the police rather than try to impede the investigation despite her certainty they arrested the wrong person. The ending had a bit of a twist to it that was a bit cliche but for the most part, it was another satisfying read in this series.
I say mostly, because the subplot involving Holly and Aidan was just...wow and I'm sorry but his reaction to her having not mentioned something she did not think was a big deal was a HUGE red flag. Even after they talked it over and she understood why he reacted the way he did, she still should have walked away. If he blows up and storms out that easily over what was typical teenage behavior regarding his cousin, Elvira, he needs help. Quite frankly, Aidan's family would probably benefit from family counseling to help them deal with Elvira's mom's medical condition rather than trying to keep Elvira in a bubble.
The other issue I had with this book is I wondered if the author had gone from having an editor and publisher to self-publishing. There were so many misuses of character names in this book that it really disrupted the flow of the book and after awhile just became glaring mistakes.
Overall, like the first two books in the series, this was a quick read and I enjoyed the plot. Had it not been for all the mixed up character names and Aidan's red flag behavior, I would have rated it higher.
April 22, 2023
While I didn't think this book was as good as the first two in the series, it was still good. It's a short, fun read. I'm not really sure why they included blueberries in the title as they didn't play a huge role in the plot.
The Waterston sisters run a bakery in a small town. One of them, Holly, is asked to provide catering services for a wake. It isn't until she is told to stay at the wake, rather than just bringing the food, that she realizes it's a set-up. The deceased has big news for Holly, his current wife and son, and his grown children. Before it ends, one character will attempt to murder another, and you may not be able to guess who the culprit is.
Crystal doesn't factor into this book very much at all, and Holly's beau is acting out-of-character in this story as well. Otherwise, it's an easy, fun read.
The Waterston sisters run a bakery in a small town. One of them, Holly, is asked to provide catering services for a wake. It isn't until she is told to stay at the wake, rather than just bringing the food, that she realizes it's a set-up. The deceased has big news for Holly, his current wife and son, and his grown children. Before it ends, one character will attempt to murder another, and you may not be able to guess who the culprit is.
Crystal doesn't factor into this book very much at all, and Holly's beau is acting out-of-character in this story as well. Otherwise, it's an easy, fun read.
January 21, 2019
I love this series
I always enjoy a good cozy and I have grown to love this series. Holly and her sister and friends are a delight to read and get to know. The writing is well done and the author does a great job of making you feel like you belong in that town and knew these people. The mystery was good and I always love any book with cupcakes in it!
I always enjoy a good cozy and I have grown to love this series. Holly and her sister and friends are a delight to read and get to know. The writing is well done and the author does a great job of making you feel like you belong in that town and knew these people. The mystery was good and I always love any book with cupcakes in it!
August 5, 2020
A bit of a waste
This mystery is oddly convoluted, and information is left dangling for the reader to make assumptions about. This, combined with what I surmise is British syntax and lackluster characters, makes the reading more effort than "Blueberries and Bereavement" is worth.
This mystery is oddly convoluted, and information is left dangling for the reader to make assumptions about. This, combined with what I surmise is British syntax and lackluster characters, makes the reading more effort than "Blueberries and Bereavement" is worth.
November 20, 2020
Holly was asked to make cupcakes for a funeral. It was an odd request that she excepted. She was also asked to stay for the whole service - odd but doable. Then she was asked if she knew a florist, and she did. She went to Trisha’s to ask her in person and came home with blueberries, Elvira, and a broken bike.
How does this all mesh together? Very intriguing indeed ...
How does this all mesh together? Very intriguing indeed ...
February 19, 2024
This was another good mystery in the series. Holly is asked to cater a funeral. She is asked for a certain reason. Things are truly crazy in this book. However, everything works out and all is well for now.
March 2, 2018
Best one yet!
I am hooked on the characters of this series. They are quick, easy reads with a twist. When is the next one out?!
I am hooked on the characters of this series. They are quick, easy reads with a twist. When is the next one out?!
February 13, 2019
Quick, entertaining read
February 21, 2019
Well, this one just stopped without telling us how some things turned out! Hopefully, there will be more in future books.
December 31, 2020
Loved it!! Loving this series! Enjoyable cozy mystery series.
November 27, 2021
A funeral full of unexpected surprises made this an exciting story.
January 20, 2022
Loved the book. The characters were all great and kept you wanting to read more.
December 18, 2022
The premise of this was the most fun of the ones I’ve read so far in the series, but I didn’t like the way it actually panned out. Especially Holly’s relationship.
May 5, 2023
cute but slow
It was a slow plot and ended abruptly. I like the series but this one left me wanting to know the rest of the story.
It was a slow plot and ended abruptly. I like the series but this one left me wanting to know the rest of the story.
October 5, 2023
Wow what a terrible week Holly is having!! So many twists and turns. I am really loving this series.
September 2, 2024
Holly is asked to service a funeral for family only to find herself in the middle of chaos. The corpse is not there, but murdered, the deceased has his own mystery for the family to solve.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews