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A Bread Shop Mystery #8
Bread Over Troubled Water
National bestselling author Winnie Archer brings the heat with her latest installment in her Bread Shop Mystery series, as photographer Ivy Culpepper is forced to put the next chapter of her life on hold when one of Yeast of Eden’s best customers is found dead…
Photographer Ivy Culpepper is soon to make a home with her husband-to-be in the California beach town of Santa Sofia—but the Yeast of Eden bakery remains her second home. It’s not just a place to work, but a community. And now one member of the community has been murdered . . .
A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can’t help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party—with plenty of baked goods on the menu—her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies…scone cold dead.
There’s no reason for Ivy to get involved. She’s busy enough holding down the fort as the shop’s owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya’s sourdough roll is what killed Josh—and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn’t think there’s a grain of truth to the seedy rumors—but to prove it, she’ll have to start sleuthing . . .
Photographer Ivy Culpepper is soon to make a home with her husband-to-be in the California beach town of Santa Sofia—but the Yeast of Eden bakery remains her second home. It’s not just a place to work, but a community. And now one member of the community has been murdered . . .
A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can’t help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party—with plenty of baked goods on the menu—her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies…scone cold dead.
There’s no reason for Ivy to get involved. She’s busy enough holding down the fort as the shop’s owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya’s sourdough roll is what killed Josh—and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn’t think there’s a grain of truth to the seedy rumors—but to prove it, she’ll have to start sleuthing . . .
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 29, 2022
33 people are currently reading
306 people want to read
About the author
Winnie Archer
9 books374 followersWinnie Archer is the pseudonym of Melissa Bourbon.
Melissa Bourbon Ramirez is the national bestselling author of seventeen mystery books, including the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.
Melissa Bourbon Ramirez is the national bestselling author of seventeen mystery books, including the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 3, 2022
I know starting a series at book eight is not the best idea but I nearly drowned in the flood of characters introduced in the first few pages. Maybe if I already knew them from earlier books it would have been better. In the end it did not matter anyway because most of them were not important.
Ivy Culpepper is the main character, a photographer who works in Yeast of Eden, a very exotic bread shop. She is busy planning her own engagement party when her dog discovers the dead body of one of the shop's regular customers. Ivy feels obliged to find out who killed him and why.
The story is good and there are plenty of red herrings to confuse the reader. I had no idea who it might be. Altogether a pretty good book although it tried too hard, introduced too many things and I have no interest in fancy bread shops. I would try another book from this author but not this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book
Ivy Culpepper is the main character, a photographer who works in Yeast of Eden, a very exotic bread shop. She is busy planning her own engagement party when her dog discovers the dead body of one of the shop's regular customers. Ivy feels obliged to find out who killed him and why.
The story is good and there are plenty of red herrings to confuse the reader. I had no idea who it might be. Altogether a pretty good book although it tried too hard, introduced too many things and I have no interest in fancy bread shops. I would try another book from this author but not this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book
November 24, 2022
I arrived late to the party in Winnie Archer's series set in a bread Shop in Santa Sofia, Northern California, starting with book four, Flour in the Attic. I jumped at the opportunity to read this one, Bread Over Troubled Water as I enjoy a well written cosy and this looked like it fitted the bill perfectly.
Known for its mouthwatering traditional bread, the Yeast Of Eden owned by Olaya Solis employs baking assistant Ivy Culpepper. Ivy is home in Santa Sofia with her fiancé, Miguel and they will be marrying soon, but she will still be working at the bread shop. Ivy is also a freelance photographer. Things go pear-shaped for Ivy when, covering for Olaya because of a family emergency, the death of a regular, handsome Josh Prentiss is deemed as murder after eating Olaya's sourdough rolls.
Bread Over Troubled Water was a compelling, charming, and fun cosy read. Winnie Archer does a fantastic job providing some backstory, making this a great standalone novel though you'll want to read the other instalments. Sold from the very beginning, it contains solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provides a good sprinkling of clues. The cast is quirky, and busy protagonist Ivy is spirited, peppy, curious and amusing, and she has a lot going on in this story. Ivy's trusty sidekicks make a welcome return; Ivy's adorable pug, named Agatha, Miguel helps when he can, and Ivy's wonderful octogenarian next door neighbour, Penelope Branford deserves a mention. The mystery itself is well done and there are enough red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. The food throughout the book is deliciously described. Overall, a marvellous cosy and a very worthwhile read. I can't wait to see what Winnie Archer has in store for Ivy next, in book #9.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Known for its mouthwatering traditional bread, the Yeast Of Eden owned by Olaya Solis employs baking assistant Ivy Culpepper. Ivy is home in Santa Sofia with her fiancé, Miguel and they will be marrying soon, but she will still be working at the bread shop. Ivy is also a freelance photographer. Things go pear-shaped for Ivy when, covering for Olaya because of a family emergency, the death of a regular, handsome Josh Prentiss is deemed as murder after eating Olaya's sourdough rolls.
Bread Over Troubled Water was a compelling, charming, and fun cosy read. Winnie Archer does a fantastic job providing some backstory, making this a great standalone novel though you'll want to read the other instalments. Sold from the very beginning, it contains solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provides a good sprinkling of clues. The cast is quirky, and busy protagonist Ivy is spirited, peppy, curious and amusing, and she has a lot going on in this story. Ivy's trusty sidekicks make a welcome return; Ivy's adorable pug, named Agatha, Miguel helps when he can, and Ivy's wonderful octogenarian next door neighbour, Penelope Branford deserves a mention. The mystery itself is well done and there are enough red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. The food throughout the book is deliciously described. Overall, a marvellous cosy and a very worthwhile read. I can't wait to see what Winnie Archer has in store for Ivy next, in book #9.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 29, 2022
Another great installment in Winnie Archer's Bread Shop Mysteries! For me, it's the characters who keep me coming back to a series, and this one is no exception. I love getting to revisit the diverse cast of this series with each book. It's like reconnecting with friends. Ivy is a great lead, Miguel is a supportive guy who makes a great romantic partner, and Olaya is the perfect mentor/role model. The plot develops very naturally and holds your attention. I was curious to see where it would go next. And it doesn't hurt that the series is centered around a bread shop - I love me some delicious carbs! Can't wait to try making the recipes.
August 11, 2022
Wow, the first chapter wore me out. So much activity. So many people coming and going. So much drama. Maybe it's just me not being familiar with the series but I had a hard time not just sorting out who was who but how they were all connected. Once I sorted it all out it was fine but that did initially slow me down. The whole scene with Mae and her mother was, well, weird. As the book progressed, I came to understand Mae's concerns but had no clue when the story began.
That said, it was an interesting story. Josh, a seemingly well liked customer of Olaya's bread shop is murdered. Early info that he was poisoned leads many to turn on her. As the one who found the body (or her dog Agatha did), Ivy is even accused, in front of news cameras, no less. As more info about Josh is discovered, however, attention moves elsewhere. Josh not only wasn't universally liked, he wasn't trusted by some. Why? What about that bunch of women who seemed to be following him at one point? Why? How will Olaya handle the pressure of the investigation while taking on the caretaker role for Pilar, her orphaned niece? Who was that man who followed Josh out of the bread shop the morning he was killed? Why are there poisonous plants growing openly in town?
And, that's just the tip of the twists and turns that Ivy encounters. Some are real clues, some are red herrings, and some are, well, just confusing her. She needs to get this solved, however, as she has a wedding engagement party to plan. As a photography buff myself, I chuckled at Ivy's plan to take pictures of everything at the park where it'd be held. Visuals are important. As is a last minute light-bulb going off in one's head rather than on the camera.
Bottom line, despite my initial confusion over the number of characters and, to me, odd events going on in the bread shop, the mystery itself was a good one and, nope, didn't figure it out. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me over to try Olaya's delectable breads, not to mention the recipes!
That said, it was an interesting story. Josh, a seemingly well liked customer of Olaya's bread shop is murdered. Early info that he was poisoned leads many to turn on her. As the one who found the body (or her dog Agatha did), Ivy is even accused, in front of news cameras, no less. As more info about Josh is discovered, however, attention moves elsewhere. Josh not only wasn't universally liked, he wasn't trusted by some. Why? What about that bunch of women who seemed to be following him at one point? Why? How will Olaya handle the pressure of the investigation while taking on the caretaker role for Pilar, her orphaned niece? Who was that man who followed Josh out of the bread shop the morning he was killed? Why are there poisonous plants growing openly in town?
And, that's just the tip of the twists and turns that Ivy encounters. Some are real clues, some are red herrings, and some are, well, just confusing her. She needs to get this solved, however, as she has a wedding engagement party to plan. As a photography buff myself, I chuckled at Ivy's plan to take pictures of everything at the park where it'd be held. Visuals are important. As is a last minute light-bulb going off in one's head rather than on the camera.
Bottom line, despite my initial confusion over the number of characters and, to me, odd events going on in the bread shop, the mystery itself was a good one and, nope, didn't figure it out. Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me over to try Olaya's delectable breads, not to mention the recipes!
November 28, 2022
A delightful cozy mystery that has relatable characters with real life events to live through, mouthwatering restaurants and food offerings and an entertaining murder plot entwined throughout to really flex your puzzle solving brain cells! Ivy and Miguel are getting ready for their engagement party with the help of their friends and family, but everything goes awry before the party when a regular customer at the bread shop shows up murdered and the shop gets blamed! Not everything is as it seems when the customer turns out to be a bad apple and a lesson in not jumping to conclusions is definitely on the docket for this book! I love how there are underlying themes in cozy mysteries to remind us to do better in real life. I also have to give this author a shout out for remembering those of us who can't have gluten when posting delicious recipes in her book as cozy authors often do! I am thrilled to report that the recipes are either naturally gluten free or suggestions for adapting them to gluten free are written in! From those of us that are celiac or gluten intolerant really appreciate not being left out! I can't wait for the next book to come out so we can see where things go in the lives of these characters next!
August 2, 2022
This may be the eighth book in Ms. Archer's Bread Shop mysteries but this series has not grown "stale". I loved being back in Santa Sofia and catching up with Ivy, Miguel, Mrs. Branford and Olaya.
A well-crafted plot that moved quickly, well-developed characters that continue to grow within each book, so many suspects for the murder who had an excellent reason to commit a murder (the man was just bad news), plenty of twists, clues that were sprinkled throughout the story that I missed entirely, and a dramatic reveal kept me totally riveted throughout the book. It was great seeing Harlow and Will, from another one of her cozy mystery series, visiting Santa Sofia. The engagement party at the end with Ivy and Miguel and their family and friends was a perfect ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
A well-crafted plot that moved quickly, well-developed characters that continue to grow within each book, so many suspects for the murder who had an excellent reason to commit a murder (the man was just bad news), plenty of twists, clues that were sprinkled throughout the story that I missed entirely, and a dramatic reveal kept me totally riveted throughout the book. It was great seeing Harlow and Will, from another one of her cozy mystery series, visiting Santa Sofia. The engagement party at the end with Ivy and Miguel and their family and friends was a perfect ending.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
December 2, 2022
This is my favorite of the series so far, mainly because the multiple girlfriend thing is afternoon talk show guilty pleasure kind of thing. There were so many characters to keep up with that it was difficult at times but I just kept going, knowing it would all work out in the end. The mystery was well-paced and kept me guessing until the end. I also like the little snippets of information about other cultures. Ivy is growing on me a little more, too, so looking forward to the next.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
January 6, 2023
Bread Over Troubled Water is the 8th book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop Mystery series. This is the first book I’ve read in this series; it was easily read as a standalone. The seaside setting of Santa Sofia is delightful, a place I would absolutely like to visit if it was a real town. A lot of characters are introduced in the beginning; it seems overwhelming at first, but they are easily sorted as the story progresses. The mystery is expertly plotted, keeping me engaged to the end. I was completely surprised by the reveal, that person wasn’t on my list of suspects. I particularly liked that Ivy’s fiancé is not a police officer, that the Sheriff is a woman, and that there are not constant battles between Ivy and the police over her investigation of the murder. I enjoyed every one of the characters, but Mrs. Branford is my favorite. I will be reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend this book to all cozy mystery readers.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2022
Bread Over Troubled Water is #8 in the Bread Shop Mysteries. It is the first time I have read a book in this series so it took me quite awhile to settle into the shop and its characters. Ivy works there in part time on a kind of voluntary basis. She is very loyal to the owner Olaya who also happens to be in a relationship with Ivy's father.
When Josh Prentiss is found murdered, by Ivy, and because he has just eaten at the bakery, the immediate public blame falls on the bakery. So Ivy is very motivated to prove they had nothing to do with it. Or did they? And with the elderly pink loving Penelope Branford Ivy is on a mission. She has friends in high places in the local police - her best friend and well... sister in law. However in the past Captain York has been a bit of a thorn in Ivy's side. In her favour Ivy is someone who shares most of what she finds out with the police.
They mystery was full of red herrings so I never really worked out who the murderer was until Ivy works it out at the very end.
Starting into this book at #8 was workable, however it would have been a lot easier to follow if I had come to know the characters via the previous books.
When Josh Prentiss is found murdered, by Ivy, and because he has just eaten at the bakery, the immediate public blame falls on the bakery. So Ivy is very motivated to prove they had nothing to do with it. Or did they? And with the elderly pink loving Penelope Branford Ivy is on a mission. She has friends in high places in the local police - her best friend and well... sister in law. However in the past Captain York has been a bit of a thorn in Ivy's side. In her favour Ivy is someone who shares most of what she finds out with the police.
They mystery was full of red herrings so I never really worked out who the murderer was until Ivy works it out at the very end.
Starting into this book at #8 was workable, however it would have been a lot easier to follow if I had come to know the characters via the previous books.
December 6, 2022
An exceptional cozy series where the intricate mystery is counterbalanced by the fully developed cast of unique engaging characters. And always with the underlying themes of the strength and beauty of friendships and family. Ivy Culpepper has been working at the Yeast of Eden, a truly magical bread shop, since she returned to Sants Sofia after the death of her mother. Now the bread shopi's reputation is threatened after a regular customer dies. Working to protect her friends, Ivy investigates learning the victim was not the affable man he appeared to be, but rather a dark and abhorrent chiseler and cheat.Enjoy the mystery and celebrate the community. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2023
3.75 stars rounded up
Ivy Culpepper is planning her engagement party to Miguel Baptista. Everyone is excited to see what Olaya Solis has planned for the event. Since the success of her Van Dough project, she's challenged to create even more elaborate bread art. For starters, she plans a bread wall and she also has a top secret project planned just for Ivy. The shop is busy and bustling in the back with bakers arriving at 4:30 to bake up the breads and breakfast treats and the breakfast crowd following soon after. Unfortunately Olaya's work is interrupted first by a new employee with a bad attitude causing problems and then with the shocking news her estranged brother and sister-in-law have died in a car accident and Olaya has been named guardian of her teenaged niece, Pilar. Then, chaos reins in the shop as Mae discovers her mother, Kristin, has been eating carbs against the advice of her doctor. The mother and daughter pair chase each other around the shop, bumping into regular Josh Prentiss who drops his sourdough roll and breaks a dish. Josh seemed distracted and not himself. Later, when Ivy is exploring the park for her engagement party and walking her dog Agatha, the little Pug follows in the footsteps of her namesake and discovers the dead body of Josh lying in the flower garden. The police determined Josh was poisoned, murdered by a common plant that grows around town. Ivy plans to let Detective York handle the case but when her new adopted family and York seems to be building a case, Ivy knows she has to do some sleuthing to clear the Solis sisters' names.
This series keeps getting better. This book doesn't feature as much bread baking as I would like. I loved the idea of Olaya's bread wall and that made me drool. The only major baked good mentioned frequently was breakfast cookies, which turned out to be more of a granola bar than cookie. That was disappointing, until the end anyway when Ivy's party had me drooling. Most of the plot is taken up by sleuthing. I had a theory as to whodunit and then changed my mind when a major clue was dropped halfway through. Another clue towards the end made it obvious. Ivy wasn't paying enough attention. She had other stuff on her mind. However, I've read books with similar dénouements and this one was ridiculous and unrealistic.
Ivy is a good person and tries hard to help everyone. She doesn't want to get involved in things that don't concern her, like employee drama and murder mysteries. She's rattled by finding Josh's body and only sleuths because her new family is involved. Ivy truly cares about her community and wants to see justice done. She is ably assisted by her family and friends. Olaya asks Ivy to seek justice for this man. Adorable Agatha discovers the body and is ready for walkies and naps whenever necessary. Miguel is supportive and trusts Ivy which is important after their previous problems. Even Ivy's dad has a clue to share! Penelope Bradford doesn't get up to her usual tricks as often as she does in previous books but she is along for the ride. I think Olaya's niece, Pilar, is going to hero worship Ivy after this and want to be Nancy Drew. She assists with insights even though she's new in town. She's a high schooler and spots things involving her new school compared to her old one that don't look quite right. She's a smart and astute girl. I think she will learn to adjust to life without her parents quickly even if she will always miss them. Olaya is worried about raising a child because she's never had children of her own but I think she does a fine job with the Bread for Life women, Ivy and planting her skull cookies for the youngest customers to spot. She has centuries of women behind her, her sisters and now Ivy's dad, who HAS actually raised two children and gone through the grief of losing someone close to him.
The murder victim was Josh Prentiss, a charming, flirtatious middle-aged man who comes into Yeast of Eden almost every morning for a different baked good and coffee. He works from the same table and everyone seems to know him. The women are all swooning over his good looks which I find bizarre. How is anyone THAT good looking and that charming? It turns out Josh is hiding more secrets than anyone ever knew. Nina, another regular, who works at the antiques mall across the street, knows Josh through the high school football boosters. She thinks he's finally found the money they need.
Taylor, a new baker at Yeast of Eden has a bad attitude and a poor work ethic. She doesn't share everyone else's passion and dedication to baking. I do agree that 4:30 is an insanely early hour to be up let alone working but then you just adjust your life accordingly. It's not a 12 hour job. Why does Taylor keep popping into the shop when she's supposed to be in the back of the house? She seems fixated on Josh, probably one of his conquests. He seems like he's afraid of her, as if he crossed a line and knows it and she's become obsessed. Did Taylor kill Josh? In contrast to Taylor, Mae Spelling, who also works in the back of the house, is delightful and cheerful. Except that she is determined to prevent her mom from eating carbs. Kristen is a lovely older lady who enjoys her bread. Nothing wrong with that, unless you are diabetic. That's on Kristen to take care of her own self and not for her young adult daughter to police especially not to the point of a bizarre chase around the shop.
Olaya's sister Martina is the primary suspect. She had the motive, means and opportunity. It doesn't look good for her. Captain Craig York manages not to be so much of a jerk this time. He may be fixated on Martina but to be fair, it does seem as if she's the most likely murderer in terms of evidence. Emmaline knows Martina didn't do it but she has to follow the evidence. It's not her job or York's job to determine her innocence or guilt. Who is the Jeanne woman Ivy's dad overheard on the phone? She sounds too old to be romantically involved with Josh. Is she his stepmother? I think she must be and Ivy's dad has the wrong end of the stick. Josh's wife Tracy is obviously upset. They were separated and on the verge of getting back together. Their two children have lost a dad and her son has also lost his biggest football fan. It's devastating. Tracy also seems angry and like she knows something about her husband she wants to share but doesn't get the chance to.
Julia is the only woman to reject Josh's flirtations. He seems crushed and confused by her rejection. Go Julia! I like her a lot. An independent woman, child free but good with children and immune to a womanizer's charm. Unlike Sharon, Linda, Darlene, Betsy, Jeanne and who knows how many others. They were badly burned when they were old enough to know better. I wonder if Kristin is one of them? Sharon is the angry leader of the group of women. She is fierce and furious. She must be out for blood or revenge but I don't see what killing Josh will accomplish. Perhaps it was an accident in the heat of the moment? Peggy and Betsy seem too timid and lacking the self-esteem to confront Josh about what he did.
Josie, a high school teacher and Anna Culpepper's best friend, is kind of an odd character. She's lively and kind of selfish at times. She's a good teacher but maybe not as dedicated as Anna was. Josie likes to gossip and is quick to help Ivy with her investigation. Josie introduces Ivy to a number of people in the athletics department. Many Trainer, the athletics director, thinks she saw something in Josh no one else saw but can she prove it? She's not much help and seems wary of outsiders. Cheryl, the treasurer of the football boosters, knows more than she's saying. It's what she doesn't say that helps Ivy with her investigation. I still find all these women very strange and not very smart. Cheryl's husband, Sean, is a typical jock gone to seed in middle age. He's very focused on football and his son's career. He's the type to live vicariously through his son whether his son has the same dreams or not. What does he know about the booster books? He must know something because he was at Yeast of Eden that morning and chased after Josh. Why? What did he want? Coach Bruno is an average jock who takes football seriously. He doesn't smile much and seems like an unusual match for his new significant other. Ivy notes he must have a softer side because he looks smitten. Hopefully he is and it will work out. Hopefully he's not a murderer!
If the most amazing breads were made for an engagement party, I can't wait to see what Olaya makes for the wedding! I also want to see adorable Agatha as a bridesmaid or ring bearer. She's just so sweet! Or maybe Ivy is done and moving on to new adventures with Miguel!
Ivy Culpepper is planning her engagement party to Miguel Baptista. Everyone is excited to see what Olaya Solis has planned for the event. Since the success of her Van Dough project, she's challenged to create even more elaborate bread art. For starters, she plans a bread wall and she also has a top secret project planned just for Ivy. The shop is busy and bustling in the back with bakers arriving at 4:30 to bake up the breads and breakfast treats and the breakfast crowd following soon after. Unfortunately Olaya's work is interrupted first by a new employee with a bad attitude causing problems and then with the shocking news her estranged brother and sister-in-law have died in a car accident and Olaya has been named guardian of her teenaged niece, Pilar. Then, chaos reins in the shop as Mae discovers her mother, Kristin, has been eating carbs against the advice of her doctor. The mother and daughter pair chase each other around the shop, bumping into regular Josh Prentiss who drops his sourdough roll and breaks a dish. Josh seemed distracted and not himself. Later, when Ivy is exploring the park for her engagement party and walking her dog Agatha, the little Pug follows in the footsteps of her namesake and discovers the dead body of Josh lying in the flower garden. The police determined Josh was poisoned, murdered by a common plant that grows around town. Ivy plans to let Detective York handle the case but when her new adopted family and York seems to be building a case, Ivy knows she has to do some sleuthing to clear the Solis sisters' names.
This series keeps getting better. This book doesn't feature as much bread baking as I would like. I loved the idea of Olaya's bread wall and that made me drool. The only major baked good mentioned frequently was breakfast cookies, which turned out to be more of a granola bar than cookie. That was disappointing, until the end anyway when Ivy's party had me drooling. Most of the plot is taken up by sleuthing. I had a theory as to whodunit and then changed my mind when a major clue was dropped halfway through. Another clue towards the end made it obvious. Ivy wasn't paying enough attention. She had other stuff on her mind. However, I've read books with similar dénouements and this one was ridiculous and unrealistic.
Ivy is a good person and tries hard to help everyone. She doesn't want to get involved in things that don't concern her, like employee drama and murder mysteries. She's rattled by finding Josh's body and only sleuths because her new family is involved. Ivy truly cares about her community and wants to see justice done. She is ably assisted by her family and friends. Olaya asks Ivy to seek justice for this man. Adorable Agatha discovers the body and is ready for walkies and naps whenever necessary. Miguel is supportive and trusts Ivy which is important after their previous problems. Even Ivy's dad has a clue to share! Penelope Bradford doesn't get up to her usual tricks as often as she does in previous books but she is along for the ride. I think Olaya's niece, Pilar, is going to hero worship Ivy after this and want to be Nancy Drew. She assists with insights even though she's new in town. She's a high schooler and spots things involving her new school compared to her old one that don't look quite right. She's a smart and astute girl. I think she will learn to adjust to life without her parents quickly even if she will always miss them. Olaya is worried about raising a child because she's never had children of her own but I think she does a fine job with the Bread for Life women, Ivy and planting her skull cookies for the youngest customers to spot. She has centuries of women behind her, her sisters and now Ivy's dad, who HAS actually raised two children and gone through the grief of losing someone close to him.
The murder victim was Josh Prentiss, a charming, flirtatious middle-aged man who comes into Yeast of Eden almost every morning for a different baked good and coffee. He works from the same table and everyone seems to know him. The women are all swooning over his good looks which I find bizarre. How is anyone THAT good looking and that charming? It turns out Josh is hiding more secrets than anyone ever knew. Nina, another regular, who works at the antiques mall across the street, knows Josh through the high school football boosters. She thinks he's finally found the money they need.
Taylor, a new baker at Yeast of Eden has a bad attitude and a poor work ethic. She doesn't share everyone else's passion and dedication to baking. I do agree that 4:30 is an insanely early hour to be up let alone working but then you just adjust your life accordingly. It's not a 12 hour job. Why does Taylor keep popping into the shop when she's supposed to be in the back of the house? She seems fixated on Josh, probably one of his conquests. He seems like he's afraid of her, as if he crossed a line and knows it and she's become obsessed. Did Taylor kill Josh? In contrast to Taylor, Mae Spelling, who also works in the back of the house, is delightful and cheerful. Except that she is determined to prevent her mom from eating carbs. Kristen is a lovely older lady who enjoys her bread. Nothing wrong with that, unless you are diabetic. That's on Kristen to take care of her own self and not for her young adult daughter to police especially not to the point of a bizarre chase around the shop.
Olaya's sister Martina is the primary suspect. She had the motive, means and opportunity. It doesn't look good for her. Captain Craig York manages not to be so much of a jerk this time. He may be fixated on Martina but to be fair, it does seem as if she's the most likely murderer in terms of evidence. Emmaline knows Martina didn't do it but she has to follow the evidence. It's not her job or York's job to determine her innocence or guilt. Who is the Jeanne woman Ivy's dad overheard on the phone? She sounds too old to be romantically involved with Josh. Is she his stepmother? I think she must be and Ivy's dad has the wrong end of the stick. Josh's wife Tracy is obviously upset. They were separated and on the verge of getting back together. Their two children have lost a dad and her son has also lost his biggest football fan. It's devastating. Tracy also seems angry and like she knows something about her husband she wants to share but doesn't get the chance to.
Julia is the only woman to reject Josh's flirtations. He seems crushed and confused by her rejection. Go Julia! I like her a lot. An independent woman, child free but good with children and immune to a womanizer's charm. Unlike Sharon, Linda, Darlene, Betsy, Jeanne and who knows how many others. They were badly burned when they were old enough to know better. I wonder if Kristin is one of them? Sharon is the angry leader of the group of women. She is fierce and furious. She must be out for blood or revenge but I don't see what killing Josh will accomplish. Perhaps it was an accident in the heat of the moment? Peggy and Betsy seem too timid and lacking the self-esteem to confront Josh about what he did.
Josie, a high school teacher and Anna Culpepper's best friend, is kind of an odd character. She's lively and kind of selfish at times. She's a good teacher but maybe not as dedicated as Anna was. Josie likes to gossip and is quick to help Ivy with her investigation. Josie introduces Ivy to a number of people in the athletics department. Many Trainer, the athletics director, thinks she saw something in Josh no one else saw but can she prove it? She's not much help and seems wary of outsiders. Cheryl, the treasurer of the football boosters, knows more than she's saying. It's what she doesn't say that helps Ivy with her investigation. I still find all these women very strange and not very smart. Cheryl's husband, Sean, is a typical jock gone to seed in middle age. He's very focused on football and his son's career. He's the type to live vicariously through his son whether his son has the same dreams or not. What does he know about the booster books? He must know something because he was at Yeast of Eden that morning and chased after Josh. Why? What did he want? Coach Bruno is an average jock who takes football seriously. He doesn't smile much and seems like an unusual match for his new significant other. Ivy notes he must have a softer side because he looks smitten. Hopefully he is and it will work out. Hopefully he's not a murderer!
If the most amazing breads were made for an engagement party, I can't wait to see what Olaya makes for the wedding! I also want to see adorable Agatha as a bridesmaid or ring bearer. She's just so sweet! Or maybe Ivy is done and moving on to new adventures with Miguel!
July 23, 2022
Ivy mixes up more than bread in this exciting installment in this series by Winnie Archer.
Things are tense at the bakery as the three Solis sisters try to keep themselves out of jail.
I've enjoyed watching the characters grow over time, and I always know I'm in for a treat whenever a new nook becomes available.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Things are tense at the bakery as the three Solis sisters try to keep themselves out of jail.
I've enjoyed watching the characters grow over time, and I always know I'm in for a treat whenever a new nook becomes available.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
December 17, 2022
Bread Over Troubled Water is a bit on the convoluted side. There are too many characters to track, and some scenarios are not logical. Yeast of Eden, the prime location, sounds delightful if you are really into bread. It is also a place rampant with rumors and the gossip mill. The suspects almost outnumber the main characters, and the evidence is practically non-existent. However, all of that said, it is still a good mystery.
Ivy has long been a character the reader either loves or hates. The bread shop she works at, Yeast of Eden, is always the focal point of this series. I’m not sure why her profession is stated to be a photographer when she rarely seems to have a paying client. The need for her to work at the bread shop might be financial, but it’s doubtful the shop pays much other than in bread, or maybe it’s so she can hear the latest rumor about who is sleeping with whom. For whatever reason, Ivy works there; the best characters in this story are the employees and the customers.
This time around, a customer is poisoned, and all fingers point at the sister of Yeast of Eden’s owner. The rumor mill is circulating one crazy idea after another, and Ivy decides to find the killer to save Olaya’s reputation and possibly her business. As she begins her investigation, she discovers that the victim, Josh, is not the sweet, generous, handsome lady’s man everyone thought he was. Josh is a cold, calculating fraud. The suspects are all women and businesses that trusted the victim, some with their life savings, and all were swindled and have a motive for murder. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story. The evidence is slim, and many readers cannot figure out who the killer is. No amount of bread or rumor will help you figure it out.
Overall, Bread Over Troubled Water has good chapters and a few that would have been better left out. Ivy’s engagement party with Yeast of Eden taking center stage will happen, and everyone will be happy, but something about the concussion of this story will linger in readers’ minds. The rumor mill misses quite a few opportunities where Olaya and her sister are concerned. Ivy’s lovely husband-to-be plays a minor part in this story, which is a shame as he is one of the best characters in the series. I had hoped for better from this installment and definitely hope the next book has fewer characters and more intrigue.
Ivy has long been a character the reader either loves or hates. The bread shop she works at, Yeast of Eden, is always the focal point of this series. I’m not sure why her profession is stated to be a photographer when she rarely seems to have a paying client. The need for her to work at the bread shop might be financial, but it’s doubtful the shop pays much other than in bread, or maybe it’s so she can hear the latest rumor about who is sleeping with whom. For whatever reason, Ivy works there; the best characters in this story are the employees and the customers.
This time around, a customer is poisoned, and all fingers point at the sister of Yeast of Eden’s owner. The rumor mill is circulating one crazy idea after another, and Ivy decides to find the killer to save Olaya’s reputation and possibly her business. As she begins her investigation, she discovers that the victim, Josh, is not the sweet, generous, handsome lady’s man everyone thought he was. Josh is a cold, calculating fraud. The suspects are all women and businesses that trusted the victim, some with their life savings, and all were swindled and have a motive for murder. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the story. The evidence is slim, and many readers cannot figure out who the killer is. No amount of bread or rumor will help you figure it out.
Overall, Bread Over Troubled Water has good chapters and a few that would have been better left out. Ivy’s engagement party with Yeast of Eden taking center stage will happen, and everyone will be happy, but something about the concussion of this story will linger in readers’ minds. The rumor mill misses quite a few opportunities where Olaya and her sister are concerned. Ivy’s lovely husband-to-be plays a minor part in this story, which is a shame as he is one of the best characters in the series. I had hoped for better from this installment and definitely hope the next book has fewer characters and more intrigue.
December 2, 2022
Bread Over Troubled Water is the 8th book in "A Bread Shop Mystery" series. This can be read as a standalone, as the mystery is fully solved in this book, but you will miss out on relationship building as well as character development. I also want to warn you not to read this book or any in the series when you are hungry. The descriptions of the delicious breads, rolls, croissants etc. will have your mouth watering.
In this outing, a patron of Yeast of Eden is poisoned and the shop becomes a target of picketers and media. When owner, Olaya Solis' sister Martina becomes a suspect, she asks Ivy to find out who really killed the man. Of course, Ivy is also invested, as it is her dog, Agatha, who sniffed out the body at the park where Ivy was taking pictures to set up for her engagement party. As Ivy investigates, it turns out that Josh has been defrauding older women and possibly the football booster club. That means there are several suspects, lots of red herrings and twists. Will Ivy find out who killed him?
There is a lot happening in Bread Over Troubled Water. Ivy and Miguel are now engaged and their engagement party is coming up within a week. While trying to plan the party, Miguel is running his restaurant, Ivy is working at Yeast of Eden and investigating Josh's death. The relationships in the book are well developed with Ivy being both the sister-in-law and best friend of the Sheriff. One thing I like about this cozy series is that Ivy shares all information she finds with the police. She also doesn't take a lot of chances. With feisty, octogenarian and retired English teacher, Penelope Branford at her side, they gather information and put two and two together. This is a well written mystery, with great clues sprinkled throughout the story, excellent and well developed characters and an ending that I had not figured out, but fit perfectly. If you are looking for an interesting cozy mystery, with a great story and characters, I recommend you pick up Bread Over Troubled Water, or better yet, start with Kneaded With Death, the first book in this great series.
In this outing, a patron of Yeast of Eden is poisoned and the shop becomes a target of picketers and media. When owner, Olaya Solis' sister Martina becomes a suspect, she asks Ivy to find out who really killed the man. Of course, Ivy is also invested, as it is her dog, Agatha, who sniffed out the body at the park where Ivy was taking pictures to set up for her engagement party. As Ivy investigates, it turns out that Josh has been defrauding older women and possibly the football booster club. That means there are several suspects, lots of red herrings and twists. Will Ivy find out who killed him?
There is a lot happening in Bread Over Troubled Water. Ivy and Miguel are now engaged and their engagement party is coming up within a week. While trying to plan the party, Miguel is running his restaurant, Ivy is working at Yeast of Eden and investigating Josh's death. The relationships in the book are well developed with Ivy being both the sister-in-law and best friend of the Sheriff. One thing I like about this cozy series is that Ivy shares all information she finds with the police. She also doesn't take a lot of chances. With feisty, octogenarian and retired English teacher, Penelope Branford at her side, they gather information and put two and two together. This is a well written mystery, with great clues sprinkled throughout the story, excellent and well developed characters and an ending that I had not figured out, but fit perfectly. If you are looking for an interesting cozy mystery, with a great story and characters, I recommend you pick up Bread Over Troubled Water, or better yet, start with Kneaded With Death, the first book in this great series.
January 6, 2023
I started this series mid-stream with the sixth book ("Death Gone A-Rye"), and was hooked. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review this latest installment in the series! As someone who jumped in to the series with Book 6, I can report that these books work fine as stand-alones.
The characters, especially main sleuth Ivy, were all well-written and detailed. I enjoyed learning more about her (as well as other major characters) this time around, and gained a better appreciation of the depth of the various relationships. I liked learning more about Ivy's mother, and seeing more of her strong friendships with both Olaya and Penelope. The addition of Pilar was a stroke of genius, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in the future.
And speaking of the murder investigation...it was excellent! This time around, Ivy gets involved because the victim was a regular customer of the bakery with ties to Olaya's sister Martina. Rumor has it that poisoned bread may have played a role, so of course Ivy had no choice but to investigate.
The mystery was enhanced by the fairly large suspect pool. It seems the dearly departed was perhaps not as wonderful as everyone seemed to think. He'd done plenty of bad things in his time, and as a result plenty of folks had reason to do him harm. I enjoyed meeting so many suspects, and learning more about the victim's past. Luckily, everything made perfect sense at the final reveal. I will admit I was quite surprised by the guilty party!
Another note: I appreciated that Ivy is best friends with the main police presence it town, instead of being either a love interest or an enemy. I liked the way the two of them worked together, with Emmeline being no-nonsense and professional about her job, while still appreciating Ivy's help and suggestions. As an added bonus, Ivy got to work with Detective York a bit more this time around. I liked seeing their mutual appreciation grow a bit, and would LOVE to see it continue (and maybe even evolve into an actual friendship).
All in all, I very much enjoyed this mystery. Five out of five slices of perfect provolone!
The characters, especially main sleuth Ivy, were all well-written and detailed. I enjoyed learning more about her (as well as other major characters) this time around, and gained a better appreciation of the depth of the various relationships. I liked learning more about Ivy's mother, and seeing more of her strong friendships with both Olaya and Penelope. The addition of Pilar was a stroke of genius, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in the future.
And speaking of the murder investigation...it was excellent! This time around, Ivy gets involved because the victim was a regular customer of the bakery with ties to Olaya's sister Martina. Rumor has it that poisoned bread may have played a role, so of course Ivy had no choice but to investigate.
The mystery was enhanced by the fairly large suspect pool. It seems the dearly departed was perhaps not as wonderful as everyone seemed to think. He'd done plenty of bad things in his time, and as a result plenty of folks had reason to do him harm. I enjoyed meeting so many suspects, and learning more about the victim's past. Luckily, everything made perfect sense at the final reveal. I will admit I was quite surprised by the guilty party!
Another note: I appreciated that Ivy is best friends with the main police presence it town, instead of being either a love interest or an enemy. I liked the way the two of them worked together, with Emmeline being no-nonsense and professional about her job, while still appreciating Ivy's help and suggestions. As an added bonus, Ivy got to work with Detective York a bit more this time around. I liked seeing their mutual appreciation grow a bit, and would LOVE to see it continue (and maybe even evolve into an actual friendship).
All in all, I very much enjoyed this mystery. Five out of five slices of perfect provolone!
December 30, 2022
I was excited to return to this series after (shame on me!) skipping a few books, and was excited to find I could dive right in without too much confusion. The first couple of chapters were more about catching up with the characters and recapping who's who-- and there were a LOT of characters right off the bat-- but once all that was out of the way, I really enjoyed the story.
Archer did a fantastic job sprinkling just enough clues and red herrings throughout that I actively tried to figure out whodunnit from the moment Agatha (man, I LOVE that pug!) sniffed out the body. Every time I was *sure* I knew who our culprit was, another twist would come along, or I'd remember something else and change my mind. It finally hit me right about the time Ivy herself solved the case, so I loved that it kept me guessing through the entire book.
I especially enjoyed the little moments between Ivy and her dad, and any scene involving Mrs. Branford -- hands down, my favorite character. I love watching the relationship between Ivy and Miguel grow (and watching York soften up a smidge), and enjoyed seeing how far everyone has come since the last time I visited them. I was hesitant about the introduction of Olaya's niece, just because it almost seemed like a completely unrelated storyline, but I'm going on good faith that her story will be explored in the next installment in the series.
If this is your introduction to the Bread Shop Mysteries, you may feel a little lost when you first start reading, but I promise it all settles down and becomes super easy to read as the book progresses. I do recommend, as always, you start with book 1 (Kneaded to Death) to really get connected with the characters, but I believe you'll fall in love with them regardless of when or where you start reading.
Archer did a fantastic job sprinkling just enough clues and red herrings throughout that I actively tried to figure out whodunnit from the moment Agatha (man, I LOVE that pug!) sniffed out the body. Every time I was *sure* I knew who our culprit was, another twist would come along, or I'd remember something else and change my mind. It finally hit me right about the time Ivy herself solved the case, so I loved that it kept me guessing through the entire book.
I especially enjoyed the little moments between Ivy and her dad, and any scene involving Mrs. Branford -- hands down, my favorite character. I love watching the relationship between Ivy and Miguel grow (and watching York soften up a smidge), and enjoyed seeing how far everyone has come since the last time I visited them. I was hesitant about the introduction of Olaya's niece, just because it almost seemed like a completely unrelated storyline, but I'm going on good faith that her story will be explored in the next installment in the series.
If this is your introduction to the Bread Shop Mysteries, you may feel a little lost when you first start reading, but I promise it all settles down and becomes super easy to read as the book progresses. I do recommend, as always, you start with book 1 (Kneaded to Death) to really get connected with the characters, but I believe you'll fall in love with them regardless of when or where you start reading.
November 10, 2022
This is the eighth release in the "Bread Ship Mystery Series" by cozy author Winnie Archer. I have enjoyed this charming series from the beginning. The charcters are richly drawn and we readers love the bread shop descriptions. Thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher. My review opinions are my own,
Ivy and her soon to be husband are getting ready to hold their engagement party in a local park. During a walk through they find a body of one of the customers that was liked by everyone and a regular. While the murder is tragic Ivy is busy running the bakery for the owner who has a family emergency , fending off protesters who believe their products killed the customers, doing her photography business and getting ready for her party and wedding plans. Nevertheless Ivy feels compelled to investigate as only she can . Soon the clues abound and suspects are plenty. Red Herrings are many as Ivy finds this murder may be her most exciting yet to solve.
This release has a lot of activity and the sleuth was very in depth and surprising to conclusion. I loved the way Ivy cares for her community of friends including the sweet bakery owner Olaya and her elderly neighbor Penelope. Along with her adorable pug Ivy has her plate full in this next mystery with lots of action to keep every reader turning pages into the night. Well done to the author ! .
Ivy and her soon to be husband are getting ready to hold their engagement party in a local park. During a walk through they find a body of one of the customers that was liked by everyone and a regular. While the murder is tragic Ivy is busy running the bakery for the owner who has a family emergency , fending off protesters who believe their products killed the customers, doing her photography business and getting ready for her party and wedding plans. Nevertheless Ivy feels compelled to investigate as only she can . Soon the clues abound and suspects are plenty. Red Herrings are many as Ivy finds this murder may be her most exciting yet to solve.
This release has a lot of activity and the sleuth was very in depth and surprising to conclusion. I loved the way Ivy cares for her community of friends including the sweet bakery owner Olaya and her elderly neighbor Penelope. Along with her adorable pug Ivy has her plate full in this next mystery with lots of action to keep every reader turning pages into the night. Well done to the author ! .
November 28, 2022
This is a cozy series that, with eight books so far, never disappoints me. As soon as I got my hands on the advance copy I knew that I would be carving out a chunk of time to spend time with "old friends". Ivy is a wonderful character, a person one would like to have as a friend. She works part time a Yeast of eden in the California coastal town of Santa Sofia. She is also what some would call at murder magnet. She has a knack of stumbling across bodies and this time it hits close to home when the accused killer is a possible connection to the bakery.
The list of suspects is lengthy as it seems that the dead man, a regular bakery customer, had, shall we say, a dishonest side, hidden by good looks and a load of charm. Ivy would be happy leaving the investigating to the police. She is juggling a lot - planning her pre-wedding party in the park, helping run Yeast of Eden while Olaya is out of town and doing her photography. Unmasking a killer isn't a welcome addition.
This is a very well crafted mystery with loads of twists and turns that can be read as a stand alone. There are many characters to keep straight but there is enough backstory to make it clear to the reader new to the series. If you like cozies set in small towns, food themed mysteries and want to fall in love with a cute Pug named Agatha, this series is for you.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The list of suspects is lengthy as it seems that the dead man, a regular bakery customer, had, shall we say, a dishonest side, hidden by good looks and a load of charm. Ivy would be happy leaving the investigating to the police. She is juggling a lot - planning her pre-wedding party in the park, helping run Yeast of Eden while Olaya is out of town and doing her photography. Unmasking a killer isn't a welcome addition.
This is a very well crafted mystery with loads of twists and turns that can be read as a stand alone. There are many characters to keep straight but there is enough backstory to make it clear to the reader new to the series. If you like cozies set in small towns, food themed mysteries and want to fall in love with a cute Pug named Agatha, this series is for you.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
January 6, 2023
After I started this book I realized that I had missed a couple of previous books in the series; fortunately, I was still able to follow along with this story quite easily. I thought the author did a great job setting the scene of Santa Sofia, California where the Yeast of Eden bread shop is located. It sounds like a picturesque beach town that I would absolutely love to visit.
I also loved the author’s descriptions of the bread and the other foods that were baked in the bread shop. It made me continuously hungry while I was reading the story. I also thought that the mystery was well thought out, with a compelled plot that kept me wanting to read more to find out what exactly happened to the murder victim. I also love Ivy as a main character. I think she has a very compelling story and it’s very easy to cheer for her. I really enjoyed this book and definitely plan to go back and catch up on the books I have missed in this series.
I also loved the author’s descriptions of the bread and the other foods that were baked in the bread shop. It made me continuously hungry while I was reading the story. I also thought that the mystery was well thought out, with a compelled plot that kept me wanting to read more to find out what exactly happened to the murder victim. I also love Ivy as a main character. I think she has a very compelling story and it’s very easy to cheer for her. I really enjoyed this book and definitely plan to go back and catch up on the books I have missed in this series.
March 18, 2024
Ivy Culpepper is getting married and all is happy as the part-time photographer and part-time employee of the Yeast of Eden bread shop prepares for her special day. However, when a handsome regular is murdered, her new agenda is proving her friend and boss is not a killer.
Ivy is one of my favorite characters. She is relatable, smart and kind. The Yeast of Eden bread shop would be a perfect place to work. The characters "jump off the page" and reading any of Winnie Archer/Melissa Bourbon books feels like talking to an old friend. The mystery has "twists and turns" and I wasn't able to put it down okay maybe a couple of times, but it's that good. For all you Harlow Cassidy fans, you'll love the......no spoilers here! I'm ready for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Ivy is one of my favorite characters. She is relatable, smart and kind. The Yeast of Eden bread shop would be a perfect place to work. The characters "jump off the page" and reading any of Winnie Archer/Melissa Bourbon books feels like talking to an old friend. The mystery has "twists and turns" and I wasn't able to put it down okay maybe a couple of times, but it's that good. For all you Harlow Cassidy fans, you'll love the......no spoilers here! I'm ready for the next book!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 3, 2023
Bread Over Troubled Water by Winnie Archer is a great mystery. The author has well developed characters and keeps you thinking all the way to the last two chapters. Ivy is a great sleuth and main character. I enjoyed the recipes at the end that were, from the bread shop featured in the book. I would highly recommend anyone to pick up one of these bread shop mysteries.
December 10, 2022
I love the Bread Shop mystery series! Each time
A new one comes out, I am eagerly awaiting the chance to read it. This one did not disappoint! Ivy is someone I think I’d be good friends with, and I always enjoy the chance to visit with her again. The mystery is always fun to try to solve, and while sometimes I don’t figure it out, then time I did (yay!!). Definitely pick this up - if you haven’t read the others in the series I do recommend reading them first, just because that will prolong your visit with Ivy and all the others at Yeast of Eden!
A new one comes out, I am eagerly awaiting the chance to read it. This one did not disappoint! Ivy is someone I think I’d be good friends with, and I always enjoy the chance to visit with her again. The mystery is always fun to try to solve, and while sometimes I don’t figure it out, then time I did (yay!!). Definitely pick this up - if you haven’t read the others in the series I do recommend reading them first, just because that will prolong your visit with Ivy and all the others at Yeast of Eden!
December 24, 2022
The latest edition in the Bread Shop Mystery series is Bread Over Troubled Water by Winnie Archer. I loved how this story really evolved in the bread shop, making it a main character this time instead of a supporting character. The mystery and it’s ultimate conclusion was satisfying. I loved the nod to Harlow Cassidy, the lead in the Magical Dressmaking Mysteries, which is another series by the author.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.
June 7, 2024
Similar plot at barebones level to The Witless Protection Program. Ivy, though, with her head and heart more focused on her upcoming nuptials misses some obvious clues. This was a mystery where I called it before the murder had even happened. At that point I didn't know who the victim would be, despite being able to spot the murderer at their introduction.
Regardless of the easy to sort out details, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I like the setting, the diversity of characters, and the consistency to the location. Santa Sofia doesn't change much across books, meaning it feels like a fully realized, albeit fictional, location.
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
Regardless of the easy to sort out details, I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I like the setting, the diversity of characters, and the consistency to the location. Santa Sofia doesn't change much across books, meaning it feels like a fully realized, albeit fictional, location.
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2022
Winnie Archer has another winner in the Bread Shop mysteries series; I was so excited to receive an early copy to read and review. This is a long running series, eight books, but this could be read as a standalone---I like the character development one gets when starting at the beginning.
BLURB :
A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can't help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party--with plenty of baked goods on the menu--her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies...scone cold dead.
There's no reason for Ivy to get involved. She's busy enough holding down the fort as the shop's owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya's sourdough roll is what killed Josh--and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn't think there's a grain of truth to the seedy rumors--but to prove it, she'll have to start sleuthing . . .
REVIEW:
Oh my gosh! The story hits the ground running and hardly slows down--a pace that I enjoy. The characters are well fleshed out and and feel like friends, so it was great to catch up with them. The small town and the bread shop are places I would love to visit --- so warm and inviting. I think the blurb gives nothing away, I will try not to either. The red herrings are well planned---so much so, I did not correctly guess the culprit. Plus there is a bonus in the book that I won't give away , but was excited to see. The recipe for gluten-free breakfast cookies is a winner!
Thank you to Winnie Archer, NetGalley, and Kensington Cozies for granting me the ARC I requested. My opinions are my own. I love to recommend great reads to friends and followers!
#BreadOverTroubledWater #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #WinnieArcher
#YeastOfEden #SantaSofia
BLURB :
A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can't help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party--with plenty of baked goods on the menu--her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies...scone cold dead.
There's no reason for Ivy to get involved. She's busy enough holding down the fort as the shop's owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya's sourdough roll is what killed Josh--and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn't think there's a grain of truth to the seedy rumors--but to prove it, she'll have to start sleuthing . . .
REVIEW:
Oh my gosh! The story hits the ground running and hardly slows down--a pace that I enjoy. The characters are well fleshed out and and feel like friends, so it was great to catch up with them. The small town and the bread shop are places I would love to visit --- so warm and inviting. I think the blurb gives nothing away, I will try not to either. The red herrings are well planned---so much so, I did not correctly guess the culprit. Plus there is a bonus in the book that I won't give away , but was excited to see. The recipe for gluten-free breakfast cookies is a winner!
Thank you to Winnie Archer, NetGalley, and Kensington Cozies for granting me the ARC I requested. My opinions are my own. I love to recommend great reads to friends and followers!
#BreadOverTroubledWater #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #WinnieArcher
#YeastOfEden #SantaSofia
October 13, 2022
Bread Over Troubled Water is the eighty installment of Winnie Archer's Bread Shop Mysteries. I enjoy the world that Archer creates in Santa Sofia and her almost paranormal bakery. People always say there's magic in those baked goods, but it's just good, old fashioned know-how and love.
In this book, Ivy and her trusted sidekick-pug, Agatha, are once again embroiled in a murder. While out scoping out where Ivy and Miguel will be hosting their upcoming engagement party, Agatha finds a dead body. Not just any dead body, the dead body of a womanizing regular to Yeast of Eden. Before we know it, Ivy is on the search finding the culprit while trying to get the police to consider suspects beyond just someone she knows (not giving away any secrets here).
Of course, when Ivy decides to open a can of worms, wow does that can get opened. This book is filled with a TON of drama and more suspects than Ivy can shake a stick at. In fact, one of the biggest problems Ivy faces when trying to hunt down the murderer is there are a lot of people who wanted the deceased dead.
Overall, I enjoy Archer's writing style and how easy it is to get through one of her books. I think she is consistently one of the best in this genre. She weaves a good mystery into the cozy world she creates while giving the reader a clear wink-wink, Ivy's found herself wrapped up in another murder. But lovers of cozy mysteries know they have to suspend belief because most of us will never find a dead body let enough dead bodies in one small town to fill an entire series with.
I want to thank the author/publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book. The above comments are 100% mine and not driven by their generosity.
In this book, Ivy and her trusted sidekick-pug, Agatha, are once again embroiled in a murder. While out scoping out where Ivy and Miguel will be hosting their upcoming engagement party, Agatha finds a dead body. Not just any dead body, the dead body of a womanizing regular to Yeast of Eden. Before we know it, Ivy is on the search finding the culprit while trying to get the police to consider suspects beyond just someone she knows (not giving away any secrets here).
Of course, when Ivy decides to open a can of worms, wow does that can get opened. This book is filled with a TON of drama and more suspects than Ivy can shake a stick at. In fact, one of the biggest problems Ivy faces when trying to hunt down the murderer is there are a lot of people who wanted the deceased dead.
Overall, I enjoy Archer's writing style and how easy it is to get through one of her books. I think she is consistently one of the best in this genre. She weaves a good mystery into the cozy world she creates while giving the reader a clear wink-wink, Ivy's found herself wrapped up in another murder. But lovers of cozy mysteries know they have to suspend belief because most of us will never find a dead body let enough dead bodies in one small town to fill an entire series with.
I want to thank the author/publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book. The above comments are 100% mine and not driven by their generosity.
December 21, 2022
"Bread Over Troubled Water" Is the 8th book in the Bread Shop Mystery series by Winnie Archer that features photographer and part time bake shop employee Ivy Culpepper.
"A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can't help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party--with plenty of baked goods on the menu--her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies...scone cold dead.
There's no reason for Ivy to get involved. She's busy enough holding down the fort as the shop's owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya's sourdough roll is what killed Josh--and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn't think there's a grain of truth to the seedy rumors--but to prove it, she'll have to start sleuthing . . ."
My thoughts:
Ivy can't help but ask questions and do a bit of sleuthing - especially since the bread shop and Olaya are suspected. With help from the incomparable Mrs. Branford and some well placed questions, Ivy slowly sorts out the clues that lead to the truth. Turns out the truth is far more complicated than she or anyone else imagined when a whole web of lies and betrayal are exposed. The suspect list seems quite long and several well placed misdirection will keep you wondering who really did kill Josh - and why!
"A regular who used Yeast of Eden as a workspace, Josh Prentiss always turned heads with his startlingly good looks and thousand-watt smile. But Ivy can't help noticing one morning that he seems distracted and off his game. Later, during a visit to the park where she and Miguel plan to hold their engagement party--with plenty of baked goods on the menu--her rescue pug, Agatha, sniffs out Josh lying in a bed of poppies...scone cold dead.
There's no reason for Ivy to get involved. She's busy enough holding down the fort as the shop's owner, Olaya, cares for her recently orphaned niece, not to mention the stress when a new employee is fired and storms out in a rage. Then a band of rabble-rousers starts picketing the bakery, claiming that Olaya's sourdough roll is what killed Josh--and Ivy hears some salacious gossip about her beloved boss. She doesn't think there's a grain of truth to the seedy rumors--but to prove it, she'll have to start sleuthing . . ."
My thoughts:
Ivy can't help but ask questions and do a bit of sleuthing - especially since the bread shop and Olaya are suspected. With help from the incomparable Mrs. Branford and some well placed questions, Ivy slowly sorts out the clues that lead to the truth. Turns out the truth is far more complicated than she or anyone else imagined when a whole web of lies and betrayal are exposed. The suspect list seems quite long and several well placed misdirection will keep you wondering who really did kill Josh - and why!
August 12, 2022
When Ivy Culpepper isn’t busy planning her wedding or building a career as a photographer, she is working part-time at Yeast of Eden, a bakery which feels like home to her. While working there, she has come to know some of the regular customers like Josh Prentiss who uses Yeast of Eden as a workspace. Ivy is shocked one morning when she stumbles across Josh’s body in the park and even more shocked when a member of her boss Olaya’s family, is considered one of the chief suspects. Ivy promises Olaya that she will help try to find out who the killer is but quickly discovers that there are plenty of people who wanted Josh dead.
“Bread Over Troubled Water” is the enjoyable eighth book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop Mystery cozy mystery series. I love the bakery setting – even if I do feel hungry while reading the book! The characters are all nicely done – I especially like Ivy who, while still missing her mother, has managed to create a new family with friends, especially Olaya and her wonderful octogenarian next door neighbor Penelope Branford – those close relationships play an important part in this book. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns and red herrings with plenty of suspects – unfortunately, while I loved the scene where the killer was revealed, I was a bit disappointed with the identity of the killer. The clues were certainly there, I just…well I don’t want to spoil the book so I won’t say anything else.
“Bread Over Troubled Water” is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
“Bread Over Troubled Water” is the enjoyable eighth book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop Mystery cozy mystery series. I love the bakery setting – even if I do feel hungry while reading the book! The characters are all nicely done – I especially like Ivy who, while still missing her mother, has managed to create a new family with friends, especially Olaya and her wonderful octogenarian next door neighbor Penelope Branford – those close relationships play an important part in this book. The mystery has plenty of twists and turns and red herrings with plenty of suspects – unfortunately, while I loved the scene where the killer was revealed, I was a bit disappointed with the identity of the killer. The clues were certainly there, I just…well I don’t want to spoil the book so I won’t say anything else.
“Bread Over Troubled Water” is an enjoyable cozy mystery.
September 11, 2022
WARNING: Profanity and swearing. Body shaming.
A bakery with the punny name Yeast of Eden, has one bad apple. Or is it only one? When the girl (employee) blows her cool, she's fired. "You'll get what you deserve!" she yells. Then a person that was present, dies.
Curse? Poison? Bludgeoning? Did the person deserve it? As evidence accumulates, the resounding answer is, if anybody deserved to die, that one did.
There are three opinions of the dead man. 1) So wonderful, I'll miss him! 2) I have some unanswered questions..., and 3) My money is gone, isn't it? The people in group three are very similar; they're all single, older, wealthy women, and they thought he loved them. So, who killed him, and which group was that person from?
Despite the barrage of names shot at the reader at the beginning, we finally meet Ivy Culpepper, a part-time employee of the bakery, affianced to Miguel, and the amateur sleuth. She needs to tread carefully, because saying the wrong thing could mean she's toast.
3/5 Tried to cover too many subjects at once, and I couldn't get past the "warning" items above.
Thanks to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for the temporary ebook preview. Any review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.
#BreadOverTroubledWater #NetGalley
#ABreadShopMysteryBook8
#WinnieArcher #WinnieArcherAuth
#KensingtonBooks #KensingtonCozies
#AmateurSleuthMysteries
#AmateurSleuths
#CozyCulinaryMystery
#CozyCulinaryMysteries
#CozyAnimalMystery
#WarningProfanitySwearing
#WarningBodyShaming
A bakery with the punny name Yeast of Eden, has one bad apple. Or is it only one? When the girl (employee) blows her cool, she's fired. "You'll get what you deserve!" she yells. Then a person that was present, dies.
Curse? Poison? Bludgeoning? Did the person deserve it? As evidence accumulates, the resounding answer is, if anybody deserved to die, that one did.
There are three opinions of the dead man. 1) So wonderful, I'll miss him! 2) I have some unanswered questions..., and 3) My money is gone, isn't it? The people in group three are very similar; they're all single, older, wealthy women, and they thought he loved them. So, who killed him, and which group was that person from?
Despite the barrage of names shot at the reader at the beginning, we finally meet Ivy Culpepper, a part-time employee of the bakery, affianced to Miguel, and the amateur sleuth. She needs to tread carefully, because saying the wrong thing could mean she's toast.
3/5 Tried to cover too many subjects at once, and I couldn't get past the "warning" items above.
Thanks to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for the temporary ebook preview. Any review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.
#BreadOverTroubledWater #NetGalley
#ABreadShopMysteryBook8
#WinnieArcher #WinnieArcherAuth
#KensingtonBooks #KensingtonCozies
#AmateurSleuthMysteries
#AmateurSleuths
#CozyCulinaryMystery
#CozyCulinaryMysteries
#CozyAnimalMystery
#WarningProfanitySwearing
#WarningBodyShaming
November 27, 2022
This is your typical quaint cozy mystery. Checks off all the boxes and has 3 (yes I said 3!) recipes at the end. The recipes seem straight forward and easy.
The biggest issue that detracted from the book for me was the beginning 3% on my kindle. 9 characters introduced at 3%, 5 additional by 5%; for total of 14 characters
AND then we find out the main characters name
This messes up the ability of a person to pick up the series in the middle. The hallmark of a cozy is that you can find a new series and start mid series. This is really important to the series success- especially when you get farther along than book 5. Most stores are not going to stock older books or people are going to pick up mid series....and not realize they are doing that. The first 5% of this book has too much description. There is no way you can keep track of all these characters and their appearances. They do not all need to be here; bring them in when they come INTO the story with a INTERACTION with the main character.
Of first 9 characters introduced ONLY 3 really needed to be described. Only 2 others were relevant to the story. There are plenty of further characters introduced to make the mystery good. Please get rid of the excess. This story has everything a great cozy needs, but this issue makes it less accessible to a greater audience.
If insistent on having every character listed and described...it would be better to just do a glossary of series regulars at the beginnning with short description.
The biggest issue that detracted from the book for me was the beginning 3% on my kindle. 9 characters introduced at 3%, 5 additional by 5%; for total of 14 characters
AND then we find out the main characters name
This messes up the ability of a person to pick up the series in the middle. The hallmark of a cozy is that you can find a new series and start mid series. This is really important to the series success- especially when you get farther along than book 5. Most stores are not going to stock older books or people are going to pick up mid series....and not realize they are doing that. The first 5% of this book has too much description. There is no way you can keep track of all these characters and their appearances. They do not all need to be here; bring them in when they come INTO the story with a INTERACTION with the main character.
Of first 9 characters introduced ONLY 3 really needed to be described. Only 2 others were relevant to the story. There are plenty of further characters introduced to make the mystery good. Please get rid of the excess. This story has everything a great cozy needs, but this issue makes it less accessible to a greater audience.
If insistent on having every character listed and described...it would be better to just do a glossary of series regulars at the beginnning with short description.
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