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De gouden lepel
Alles lijkt normaal wanneer de productie van het tiende seizoen van de populaire bakwedstrijd Bake Week begint op het gotische landgoed van de presentator en oprichter van de show, de beroemde chef-kok Betsy Martin. De zes deelnemers staan te popelen om hun culinaire talenten in de loop van vijf dagen te bewijzen, terwijl Betsy vecht om controle over de show met haar nieuwe co-presentator, de onbezonnen en onvoorspelbare Archie Morris. Maar als de wedstrijd van start gaat, gaat het mis. Eerst is het slechts sabotage – suiker vervangen door zout, een brander op de hoogste stand – maar dan is er iemand dood en is plotseling iedereen een verdachte…
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2023
2142 people are currently reading
67016 people want to read
About the author
Jessa Maxwell
3 books814 followersJessa Maxwell lives In Jamestown, RI with her husband, cats and a three-legged dog. Follow her on Instagram @jessamaxwellauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,912 reviews
August 5, 2025
I'll admit to being a little bemused by The Golden Spoon in the beginning of the book. I went into this expecting a Cozy Mystery set against the backdrop of a baking competition, and while I got the baking competition and I got the cozy vibes, where was the mystery?
Where was the murder?
We get introduced to the contestants and the hosts. We learn a bit about the beautiful property hosting the competition. Over time, a bit of a historical mystery is revealed, a possible murder. I thought, is this it?
Nevertheless, even without me noticing it at first, Maxwell did something great here. She pulled me in with her character work and setting alone. It didn't even take long. By 20% in, I was hooked with these characters. I was intrigued.
The cooking competition itself is quite reminiscent of The Great British Bake Off. If you're a fan of that show, as I am, there is no way you are going to read this and not picture everything about that show in your head.
In fact, the two judges of the competition in this book are basically Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
The biggest difference is the setting is a stately property, Grafton Manor, in Vermont versus the UK. The competition itself does take place in a tent though, so hurrah!
I loved the competition aspect and getting all the perspectives of the contestants was so much fun. Learning their motivations and insecurities as they set about their bakes each day made it easy to get to know them.
I also really enjoyed some of the relationships that developed among the contestants. Being thrown into the competition, it would make sense for them to bond a bit over their shared circumstances.
Of course there will always be some drama too, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It's a competition after all, but I did appreciate some of the special friendships that were formed.
Particularly lovely to me was the odd couple of Lottie and Pradyumna. Lottie, the oldest contestant, and Pradyumna, a younger tech millionaire, a real playboy, the two of them together, oh my word, they made me so happy.
As far as the show went, everything that could possibly go wrong pretty much did. The competition itself is only 5-days, but man, they packed a lot in. Early into the competition, it's clear there may be a saboteur in their midst, but who and why?
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. It doesn't follow your standard Cozy Mystery format, but in spite of that, the vibes are there and the cast of characters is fantastic.
I loved that this slow burn paid off with building intensity and a satisfying conclusion in the end. I'm not sure if we will ever see these characters again, but I certainly hope so. Maybe we'll even get a fresh season of competition.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I'm really looking forward to reading more from Jessa Maxwell in the future!
Where was the murder?
We get introduced to the contestants and the hosts. We learn a bit about the beautiful property hosting the competition. Over time, a bit of a historical mystery is revealed, a possible murder. I thought, is this it?
Nevertheless, even without me noticing it at first, Maxwell did something great here. She pulled me in with her character work and setting alone. It didn't even take long. By 20% in, I was hooked with these characters. I was intrigued.
The cooking competition itself is quite reminiscent of The Great British Bake Off. If you're a fan of that show, as I am, there is no way you are going to read this and not picture everything about that show in your head.
In fact, the two judges of the competition in this book are basically Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.
The biggest difference is the setting is a stately property, Grafton Manor, in Vermont versus the UK. The competition itself does take place in a tent though, so hurrah!
I loved the competition aspect and getting all the perspectives of the contestants was so much fun. Learning their motivations and insecurities as they set about their bakes each day made it easy to get to know them.
I also really enjoyed some of the relationships that developed among the contestants. Being thrown into the competition, it would make sense for them to bond a bit over their shared circumstances.
Of course there will always be some drama too, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. It's a competition after all, but I did appreciate some of the special friendships that were formed.
Particularly lovely to me was the odd couple of Lottie and Pradyumna. Lottie, the oldest contestant, and Pradyumna, a younger tech millionaire, a real playboy, the two of them together, oh my word, they made me so happy.
As far as the show went, everything that could possibly go wrong pretty much did. The competition itself is only 5-days, but man, they packed a lot in. Early into the competition, it's clear there may be a saboteur in their midst, but who and why?
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. It doesn't follow your standard Cozy Mystery format, but in spite of that, the vibes are there and the cast of characters is fantastic.
I loved that this slow burn paid off with building intensity and a satisfying conclusion in the end. I'm not sure if we will ever see these characters again, but I certainly hope so. Maybe we'll even get a fresh season of competition.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I'm really looking forward to reading more from Jessa Maxwell in the future!
August 28, 2024
All right, here’s another interesting and alluring concept: a highly-rated baking show takes place at a historical mansion that has its own skeletons in the closet. And the best part? The book has already been adapted into a series set to release on Hulu!
The story opens with a bang—literally—as the show’s creator and lead host, Betsy Martin, lets out a scream after discovering a body lying in a pool of blood, brutally murdered. Right then, I thought, “This book is definitely for me!”
There are seven POVs in this book, belonging to six contestants and Betsy Martin, the creator, host, and owner of the mansion where the show is being filmed. I found some characters more interesting than others, with their common thread being that they all have secrets. Aside from Peter, the other contestants are restless, disturbed, and wrestling with their inner demons.
The plot hooked me instantly: Six home bakers arrive at Grafton Manor on June 5 to compete for the title of America’s best baker. From Monday to Friday, they face five intense, daylong competitions, culminating in a final showdown between the last two bakers on Friday.
Betsy Martin, a Julia Child-like icon in the baking world, dubbed “America’s Grandmother” by the press, is one of the judges. For generations, her family has owned Grafton Manor, and she desperately needs the show to succeed to cover the mansion’s rising expenses—selling the estate is not an option. Award-winning baker and host of Cutting Board, Archie Morris, joins her as a judge to help decide which contestant deserves the title.
Now, let’s meet the main contestants:
• Gerard, a math teacher obsessed with formulas, is an extreme perfectionist.
• Lottie, the oldest participant, finally lands a spot on the show after several attempts. She’s secretly snooping around the mansion’s forbidden east wing, hoping to uncover a family secret.
• Stella, a former journalist and inexperienced cook, is the weakest contestant, grappling with panic attacks and blackouts.
• Pradyumna, a stylish entrepreneur and millionaire from Boston, is bored, depressed, and sees the show as a distraction—he doesn’t care whether he wins or gets sent home.
• Hannah, a 22-year-old pie maker from rural Minnesota, dreams of escaping her old life and becoming famous. She’s willing to play dirty to win.
• Peter, from nearby New Haven, lives happily with his husband and adopted child. Working in construction, he’s a charming, Paul Bunyan-like figure who may just be the sweetest of the bunch.
All eyes are on the Golden Spoon, but one of them is willing to go too far to win it. Who committed the murder? And what dark secrets does Grafton Manor hold?
Overall, this was an intriguing, claustrophobic, multi-POV debut that’s easy to read! While the plot was somewhat predictable and lacked the excitement I’d hoped for, it’s still a solid start for a debut author.
Lottie and Pradyumna were my favorite characters, and their Only Murders in the Building-style investigative chapters were the best parts of the book.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
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The story opens with a bang—literally—as the show’s creator and lead host, Betsy Martin, lets out a scream after discovering a body lying in a pool of blood, brutally murdered. Right then, I thought, “This book is definitely for me!”
There are seven POVs in this book, belonging to six contestants and Betsy Martin, the creator, host, and owner of the mansion where the show is being filmed. I found some characters more interesting than others, with their common thread being that they all have secrets. Aside from Peter, the other contestants are restless, disturbed, and wrestling with their inner demons.
The plot hooked me instantly: Six home bakers arrive at Grafton Manor on June 5 to compete for the title of America’s best baker. From Monday to Friday, they face five intense, daylong competitions, culminating in a final showdown between the last two bakers on Friday.
Betsy Martin, a Julia Child-like icon in the baking world, dubbed “America’s Grandmother” by the press, is one of the judges. For generations, her family has owned Grafton Manor, and she desperately needs the show to succeed to cover the mansion’s rising expenses—selling the estate is not an option. Award-winning baker and host of Cutting Board, Archie Morris, joins her as a judge to help decide which contestant deserves the title.
Now, let’s meet the main contestants:
• Gerard, a math teacher obsessed with formulas, is an extreme perfectionist.
• Lottie, the oldest participant, finally lands a spot on the show after several attempts. She’s secretly snooping around the mansion’s forbidden east wing, hoping to uncover a family secret.
• Stella, a former journalist and inexperienced cook, is the weakest contestant, grappling with panic attacks and blackouts.
• Pradyumna, a stylish entrepreneur and millionaire from Boston, is bored, depressed, and sees the show as a distraction—he doesn’t care whether he wins or gets sent home.
• Hannah, a 22-year-old pie maker from rural Minnesota, dreams of escaping her old life and becoming famous. She’s willing to play dirty to win.
• Peter, from nearby New Haven, lives happily with his husband and adopted child. Working in construction, he’s a charming, Paul Bunyan-like figure who may just be the sweetest of the bunch.
All eyes are on the Golden Spoon, but one of them is willing to go too far to win it. Who committed the murder? And what dark secrets does Grafton Manor hold?
Overall, this was an intriguing, claustrophobic, multi-POV debut that’s easy to read! While the plot was somewhat predictable and lacked the excitement I’d hoped for, it’s still a solid start for a debut author.
Lottie and Pradyumna were my favorite characters, and their Only Murders in the Building-style investigative chapters were the best parts of the book.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this amazing digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
medium blog
May 3, 2025
I quite enjoyed this murder mystery!!!!
Filled with intriguing multi-person perspectives, a puzzle is intricately woven together and we follow the secrets, lies and discoveries the whole book through.
This started out with an intro to the characters as part of the book - I’m grateful. I had to revert back to those first couple pages at first just to remember what perspective I was reading from. Once I settled in, the story was a breeze to switch to each character.
The author did an excellent job of making each character unique and full of their own personality. I was able to really immerse myself in this read and although this isn’t what I’d call a nail biter, it was fun! At times, it was quite a page turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a little more than a whodunnit - it doesn’t quite have that feel but it is reminiscent of it. Not a super suspenseful thriller, kinda hits that sweet spot right in between.
Pretty good for a debut novel. I’d absolutely read more from this author without hesitation.
ARC was provided by Atria publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Filled with intriguing multi-person perspectives, a puzzle is intricately woven together and we follow the secrets, lies and discoveries the whole book through.
This started out with an intro to the characters as part of the book - I’m grateful. I had to revert back to those first couple pages at first just to remember what perspective I was reading from. Once I settled in, the story was a breeze to switch to each character.
The author did an excellent job of making each character unique and full of their own personality. I was able to really immerse myself in this read and although this isn’t what I’d call a nail biter, it was fun! At times, it was quite a page turner. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a little more than a whodunnit - it doesn’t quite have that feel but it is reminiscent of it. Not a super suspenseful thriller, kinda hits that sweet spot right in between.
Pretty good for a debut novel. I’d absolutely read more from this author without hesitation.
ARC was provided by Atria publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2023
I loved the baking competition part of the book. Watching shows like that always makes me happy (and hungry) so it was nice to have the plot reminding me of that. However, even if I liked the build-up, the story fell apart after a while and there were some plot holes. The author can write however, so I would try more books later.
February 25, 2023
The Golden Spoon is getting lots of buzz as a highly anticipated book of 2023, but I found it a pretty standard cozy mystery. It’s a light and easy read, fine for when you just want some easy entertainment.
Bake Week is a popular contest oriented show. Betsy Martin is the famous baker with a wonderful old Victorian estate where she hosts the show. But this year, her producers decided they needed to shake things up and have brought on Archie Morris as a co-host. The six contestants run the spectrum in age and backgrounds. The story starts with the discovery of a dead body but quickly flips back to five days before. The story bounces between the different characters which helps to keep the pace moving at a steady pace.
My problem is that the story was filled with cliches. As you would expect, things go wrong. Is it nerves getting to the contestants or is someone sabotaging their work? The reader knows from the beginning that a dead body has been found but we go through most of the story before finding out who it is.
It’s got the elements of a locked room mystery. But the comparison to Anthony Horowitz is off as the writing and story is much more basic. It’s really a cozy mystery with a snazzier cover.
According to the blurb, this is being made into a mini-series for Hulu. It’s elementary enough that it will work better as a show than as a book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
Bake Week is a popular contest oriented show. Betsy Martin is the famous baker with a wonderful old Victorian estate where she hosts the show. But this year, her producers decided they needed to shake things up and have brought on Archie Morris as a co-host. The six contestants run the spectrum in age and backgrounds. The story starts with the discovery of a dead body but quickly flips back to five days before. The story bounces between the different characters which helps to keep the pace moving at a steady pace.
My problem is that the story was filled with cliches. As you would expect, things go wrong. Is it nerves getting to the contestants or is someone sabotaging their work? The reader knows from the beginning that a dead body has been found but we go through most of the story before finding out who it is.
It’s got the elements of a locked room mystery. But the comparison to Anthony Horowitz is off as the writing and story is much more basic. It’s really a cozy mystery with a snazzier cover.
According to the blurb, this is being made into a mini-series for Hulu. It’s elementary enough that it will work better as a show than as a book.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
March 8, 2023
Locked-room mystery at a secluded historical mansion!
It is season ten of the hit show Bake Week and 6 bakers will compete at Grafton Manor. The winner will be awarded America's Best Baker.
The mansion is in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and holds many secrets that are tucked away in the hidden staircase and two wings.
We get to meet all the contestants and learn about how they really feel about things going on, which is much more than baking!
You'll hear a few screams, get hungry hearing about all the delicious ingredients in the recipes, crave something sweet and question the motives of some. I had a good time piecing together the clues. Read for a lighter, cozy mystery with a foodie theme. 🍰
A great debut and would love to read more from the author. Per the blurb, this will soon be a series on Hulu. Yes please!
Thanks EW for my advanced arc. OUT March 7, 2023
It is season ten of the hit show Bake Week and 6 bakers will compete at Grafton Manor. The winner will be awarded America's Best Baker.
The mansion is in a tiny village in the middle of nowhere, and holds many secrets that are tucked away in the hidden staircase and two wings.
We get to meet all the contestants and learn about how they really feel about things going on, which is much more than baking!
You'll hear a few screams, get hungry hearing about all the delicious ingredients in the recipes, crave something sweet and question the motives of some. I had a good time piecing together the clues. Read for a lighter, cozy mystery with a foodie theme. 🍰
A great debut and would love to read more from the author. Per the blurb, this will soon be a series on Hulu. Yes please!
Thanks EW for my advanced arc. OUT March 7, 2023
May 25, 2023
Baking contest & murder combo!🧁🔪
"Bake Week" is filming in Vermont at Grafton Manor owned by none other than celebrity chef, Betsy Martin. Six contestants and the production crew are on location during the filming. It appears someone isn't playing nice then....a body is found!
The Golden Spoon is a fun cozy with interesting characters. I love that it has a locked room feel to it and a surprising twist that came up later. I had fun with this one and the audiobook was excellent with a full cast.
"Bake Week" is filming in Vermont at Grafton Manor owned by none other than celebrity chef, Betsy Martin. Six contestants and the production crew are on location during the filming. It appears someone isn't playing nice then....a body is found!
The Golden Spoon is a fun cozy with interesting characters. I love that it has a locked room feel to it and a surprising twist that came up later. I had fun with this one and the audiobook was excellent with a full cast.
March 7, 2023
3.5 Rounded Up
As a huge fan of The Great British Bake Off and mysteries, I had been looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. I found this to be overall an entertaining tale.
Six contestants are vying for the coveted Golden Spoon, the trophy awarded at the end of the Bake Week contest run by Betsy Martin at her estate for many years. In order to give the show a fresh appeal, the producers have included a co-host this season with Archie Morris. Once the contest is underway, mysterious things start occurring. Is it sabotage? And who is the identity of the dead body discovered in the prologue?
Could we have been given more time with each character? Certainly, they could have been better developed. Most of the characters were not fully fleshed-out or developed, and so they ended up being more caricatures of people rather than real people. I did love the character bios at the beginning, I laughed out loud at how accurately they capture the types of contestants featured on these cooking shows.
Could the mystery have been a bit more mysterious? Of course, but it was overall satisfying and I was intrigued enough to keep reading. There were some surprises and twists that I didn't see coming.
The other thing I wanted was recipes. You can't write a book that describes so many amazingly described baked goods and then not give me at least one recipe!
If you like cozy-type mystery books featuring food and baking, then The Golden Spoon will satisfy your cravings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
As a huge fan of The Great British Bake Off and mysteries, I had been looking forward to reading this book and I was not disappointed. I found this to be overall an entertaining tale.
Six contestants are vying for the coveted Golden Spoon, the trophy awarded at the end of the Bake Week contest run by Betsy Martin at her estate for many years. In order to give the show a fresh appeal, the producers have included a co-host this season with Archie Morris. Once the contest is underway, mysterious things start occurring. Is it sabotage? And who is the identity of the dead body discovered in the prologue?
Could we have been given more time with each character? Certainly, they could have been better developed. Most of the characters were not fully fleshed-out or developed, and so they ended up being more caricatures of people rather than real people. I did love the character bios at the beginning, I laughed out loud at how accurately they capture the types of contestants featured on these cooking shows.
Could the mystery have been a bit more mysterious? Of course, but it was overall satisfying and I was intrigued enough to keep reading. There were some surprises and twists that I didn't see coming.
The other thing I wanted was recipes. You can't write a book that describes so many amazingly described baked goods and then not give me at least one recipe!
If you like cozy-type mystery books featuring food and baking, then The Golden Spoon will satisfy your cravings.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
arc
March 22, 2024I think this book suffers from incorrect advertising - it's billed as a mystery/thriller, but is more of a cozy mystery: light and breezy, which is not how I like my mysteries/thrillers to be. If this book were a movie, it would be a Hallmark one (in case you're unsure, that's not a compliment).
The pacing was off - slow beginning and rushed ending - and it took forever for someone to die (well into the third act). Aspects of the premise weren't quite there, and the 'mystery' was quite obvious early on. I don't see the advertised comparisons to Nita Prose and Anthony Horowitz, though I'm sure it will find an audience as a limited series on Hulu (probably among those who also watch Hallmark movies).
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
The pacing was off - slow beginning and rushed ending - and it took forever for someone to die (well into the third act). Aspects of the premise weren't quite there, and the 'mystery' was quite obvious early on. I don't see the advertised comparisons to Nita Prose and Anthony Horowitz, though I'm sure it will find an audience as a limited series on Hulu (probably among those who also watch Hallmark movies).
Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.
July 2, 2023
3.5 stars
Yum. The Golden Spoon made me hungry.
But it didn’t do much else for me. I listened to the full-cast audio, and while all the narrators do a fine job, the vibrant performances do nothing to disguise the fact that the book is simply a standard cozy mystery on the set of a televised baking competition.
There's a good number of characters to get to know, which I find even more difficult to do when I’m listening rather than reading, and the plot is nothing spectacular. It has your basic murder and sabotage on the set ... baking contestants are wrongly sent home ... there's an interesting side mystery added in ... and that’s about it. The story isn’t boring, by any means, but it never really had me on the edge of my seat, either.
Still, I had a pleasant enough time listening to it. I’m just not feeling all gushy and like I need everyone to read it.
Hmm. I think I’ll ask my husband to bake me something sweet, preferably with chocolate. How lucky I am to have married both a cook and a baker.
Yum. The Golden Spoon made me hungry.
But it didn’t do much else for me. I listened to the full-cast audio, and while all the narrators do a fine job, the vibrant performances do nothing to disguise the fact that the book is simply a standard cozy mystery on the set of a televised baking competition.
There's a good number of characters to get to know, which I find even more difficult to do when I’m listening rather than reading, and the plot is nothing spectacular. It has your basic murder and sabotage on the set ... baking contestants are wrongly sent home ... there's an interesting side mystery added in ... and that’s about it. The story isn’t boring, by any means, but it never really had me on the edge of my seat, either.
Still, I had a pleasant enough time listening to it. I’m just not feeling all gushy and like I need everyone to read it.
Hmm. I think I’ll ask my husband to bake me something sweet, preferably with chocolate. How lucky I am to have married both a cook and a baker.
August 9, 2024
I wanted to read this book because I have a secret passion for The Great British Baking Show, better known in Britian as The Great British Bake Off.
How can you not appreciate famous bakers Mary Berry (original), or Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood judging these passionate amateur bakers?
And we as viewers get to salivate over the amazing dishes they are baking. For those who are also fans, have you ever tried to bake any of them? And if you did, have you come close to succeeding? (Sorry, I couldn’t help but ask!) Of course, it is the ultimate baking battle for the crown of Best Amateur Baker – given as a glass plate.
Now, with this story (yes, finally the review of the book), we have an Americanized version.
We are introduced to six amateur bakers who will compete in a tent (sound familiar – to those who may also be fans of the show), vying for the coveted Golden Spoon. (Hence the title of the book!)
While competing they will be staying at a beautiful manor in Vermont owned by the famous baker, cookbook author and hostess of Bake Week, Betsy Martin.
She has been doing this show solo for 12 years, but now this year she is having to co-host with someone she resents, award winning baker Archie Morris.
Archie Morris’ character when described sounds very similar to popular Hell’s Kitchen host, Gordon Ramsay.
So, you can imagine how keen Betsy is about having Archie as her co-host. In her mind, he’s just not the right person for her cerebral cooking competition show.
Now that we have the basics out of the way…let’s begin at the prologue.
It’s a rainy, thundering dark and stormy night.
When Betsy ventures out to check if everything is okay out in the tent, she sees red. And it probably isn’t frosting.
Did someone conveniently leave something off of their resume when they applied to be an amateur baker for this show?
The ultimate exciting beginning to a cozy mystery. Or not.
Sound cliché?
Do we now get a chance to know what this red is all about? Has a murder occurred – and if it has, can we know who the victim is?
Of course not!
On we go to meet all the contestants!
And this is how the story goes.
Each chapter is told in different narrative voices – the competing bakers, and Betsy, over the course of the competition – bread, pie and cake.
And it’s not until approximately page 217 that we hear a blood curdling scream (oh sorry, maybe that was me!), and finally we as readers are faced with the body! The victim.
By this point, do we care?
What will happen now?
Who did it?
Why?
But things aren’t as it seems. There are some twists and turns in this silly who-dun-it. If you are willing to stick with it.
Is there justice in the end?
Some readers might salivate over the culinary sections, but non-foodies may be bored by all the relentless details.
For the record, I really wanted to like this book, but when the characters aren’t even likable, it makes it very difficult to care what happened next.
I hear that this book is in development as a limited series for Hulu. Maybe, that might be a better medium to convey the novel’s intent?
And usually, I am one who likes the book better than the movie. Oh my.
How can you not appreciate famous bakers Mary Berry (original), or Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood judging these passionate amateur bakers?
And we as viewers get to salivate over the amazing dishes they are baking. For those who are also fans, have you ever tried to bake any of them? And if you did, have you come close to succeeding? (Sorry, I couldn’t help but ask!) Of course, it is the ultimate baking battle for the crown of Best Amateur Baker – given as a glass plate.
Now, with this story (yes, finally the review of the book), we have an Americanized version.
We are introduced to six amateur bakers who will compete in a tent (sound familiar – to those who may also be fans of the show), vying for the coveted Golden Spoon. (Hence the title of the book!)
While competing they will be staying at a beautiful manor in Vermont owned by the famous baker, cookbook author and hostess of Bake Week, Betsy Martin.
She has been doing this show solo for 12 years, but now this year she is having to co-host with someone she resents, award winning baker Archie Morris.
Archie Morris’ character when described sounds very similar to popular Hell’s Kitchen host, Gordon Ramsay.
So, you can imagine how keen Betsy is about having Archie as her co-host. In her mind, he’s just not the right person for her cerebral cooking competition show.
Now that we have the basics out of the way…let’s begin at the prologue.
It’s a rainy, thundering dark and stormy night.
When Betsy ventures out to check if everything is okay out in the tent, she sees red. And it probably isn’t frosting.
Did someone conveniently leave something off of their resume when they applied to be an amateur baker for this show?
The ultimate exciting beginning to a cozy mystery. Or not.
Sound cliché?
Do we now get a chance to know what this red is all about? Has a murder occurred – and if it has, can we know who the victim is?
Of course not!
On we go to meet all the contestants!
And this is how the story goes.
Each chapter is told in different narrative voices – the competing bakers, and Betsy, over the course of the competition – bread, pie and cake.
And it’s not until approximately page 217 that we hear a blood curdling scream (oh sorry, maybe that was me!), and finally we as readers are faced with the body! The victim.
By this point, do we care?
What will happen now?
Who did it?
Why?
But things aren’t as it seems. There are some twists and turns in this silly who-dun-it. If you are willing to stick with it.
Is there justice in the end?
Some readers might salivate over the culinary sections, but non-foodies may be bored by all the relentless details.
For the record, I really wanted to like this book, but when the characters aren’t even likable, it makes it very difficult to care what happened next.
I hear that this book is in development as a limited series for Hulu. Maybe, that might be a better medium to convey the novel’s intent?
And usually, I am one who likes the book better than the movie. Oh my.
March 7, 2023
Only Murders in the Building meets The Great British Bake Off!
Betsy Martin, celebrity chef and America’s Grandmother, hosts and judges a baking show called Bake Week at her large secluded mansion, Grafton Manor. The show is a hit on Flixer and she is hoping the tenth season is successful with its new format. The network has decided to add a new co-host, Archie Morris, whose brash style of judging is off-putting. However, Betsy must agree to the new terms of the show in order to fund the restoration of her ancestral home.
Six new contestants compete in season ten of the bake-off for the coveted prize of The Golden Spoon. Gerald, a math teacher, Stella, a former journalist, Pradyumna, a former CEO of a million dollar company, Lottie, a nurse and grandmother, Peter, a construction worker, and Hannah, a waitress and the second youngest contestant in the show’s history.
As the baking begins, strange things begin to happen. Sugar is replaced with salt and a burner is turned too high. Is someone purposely sabotaging the contestants?
Then, a body is found impaled on the baking tent. Who is capable of murder?
This debut thriller includes several of my favorite ingredients, a gothic mansion, locked-room murder mystery, and a baking competition. As a huge fan of Food Network’s baking championships, I couldn’t wait to dive into this book! At less than 300 pages, it is a short, quick read.
However, I did not realize that this book is technically a Cozy Mystery. The chapters alternate characters, and no one actually interacts for the first half of the book. With such a short amount of time left for them to get to know each other, the second half seemed very rushed.
Additionally, I felt more could have been written to enhance each of the characters’ distinct personalities. Specifically, I had a difficult time distinguishing Stella and Hannah’s voices. Maybe Betsy could have had a catch phrase? It was also peppered with basic writing and the overused comment, “She finds herself exhaling a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.” This left me shaking my head.
However, Jessa Maxwell’s concept for this book is stellar, as Hulu seems to have picked it up for a limited series. She successfully includes themes such as #Metoo, ageism, alcoholism, lack of mothering, and anxiety disorders.
While The Golden Spoon is very predictable, as most Cozy Mysteries tend to be, I did enjoy this murder mystery. The comparison to Nita Prose’s The Maid is spot on. If you enjoyed The Maid, you will likely enjoy this book too!
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 3/7/23
Thank you to Edelweiss and Atria Books for the ARC of The Golden Spoon in exchange for an honest review.
Betsy Martin, celebrity chef and America’s Grandmother, hosts and judges a baking show called Bake Week at her large secluded mansion, Grafton Manor. The show is a hit on Flixer and she is hoping the tenth season is successful with its new format. The network has decided to add a new co-host, Archie Morris, whose brash style of judging is off-putting. However, Betsy must agree to the new terms of the show in order to fund the restoration of her ancestral home.
Six new contestants compete in season ten of the bake-off for the coveted prize of The Golden Spoon. Gerald, a math teacher, Stella, a former journalist, Pradyumna, a former CEO of a million dollar company, Lottie, a nurse and grandmother, Peter, a construction worker, and Hannah, a waitress and the second youngest contestant in the show’s history.
As the baking begins, strange things begin to happen. Sugar is replaced with salt and a burner is turned too high. Is someone purposely sabotaging the contestants?
Then, a body is found impaled on the baking tent. Who is capable of murder?
This debut thriller includes several of my favorite ingredients, a gothic mansion, locked-room murder mystery, and a baking competition. As a huge fan of Food Network’s baking championships, I couldn’t wait to dive into this book! At less than 300 pages, it is a short, quick read.
However, I did not realize that this book is technically a Cozy Mystery. The chapters alternate characters, and no one actually interacts for the first half of the book. With such a short amount of time left for them to get to know each other, the second half seemed very rushed.
Additionally, I felt more could have been written to enhance each of the characters’ distinct personalities. Specifically, I had a difficult time distinguishing Stella and Hannah’s voices. Maybe Betsy could have had a catch phrase? It was also peppered with basic writing and the overused comment, “She finds herself exhaling a breath she didn’t know she’d been holding.” This left me shaking my head.
However, Jessa Maxwell’s concept for this book is stellar, as Hulu seems to have picked it up for a limited series. She successfully includes themes such as #Metoo, ageism, alcoholism, lack of mothering, and anxiety disorders.
While The Golden Spoon is very predictable, as most Cozy Mysteries tend to be, I did enjoy this murder mystery. The comparison to Nita Prose’s The Maid is spot on. If you enjoyed The Maid, you will likely enjoy this book too!
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Expected publication date: 3/7/23
Thank you to Edelweiss and Atria Books for the ARC of The Golden Spoon in exchange for an honest review.
June 17, 2023
3.5🌟
It’s Bake Week…the 10th season! Contestants ready, set...bake!
Do you enjoy TV cooking competitions? Well then, this book will light your stove!
As the six hopefuls settle in for the competition at Grafton Manor, each hope to walk away with the coveted Golden Spoon. All six competitors are distinctly different, each with their own reason for being in the competition.
A fun cozy mystery!
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the large cast of narrators!
‼️ warning: don’t listen to this book if you have a sweet tooth!
It’s Bake Week…the 10th season! Contestants ready, set...bake!
Do you enjoy TV cooking competitions? Well then, this book will light your stove!
As the six hopefuls settle in for the competition at Grafton Manor, each hope to walk away with the coveted Golden Spoon. All six competitors are distinctly different, each with their own reason for being in the competition.
A fun cozy mystery!
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the large cast of narrators!
‼️ warning: don’t listen to this book if you have a sweet tooth!
May 4, 2023
The Golden Spoon is a cozy murder mystery set at a remote estate.
Over five days, six baking contestants will compete to win the Golden Spoon trophy and a coveted cookbook publishing deal. Betsy Martin has hosted the competition at her family estate for the last ten years. However, Betsy’s producers want to freshen things up, so they’ve arranged for a new cohost to join her. But there’s a storm coming, and not everyone will survive the week.
This cozy mystery has multiple perspectives, including all the contestants and Betsy herself. The contestants had distinct personalities and backgrounds, but most of them still felt a bit bland and archetypal.
Also, there was some repetitiveness, and the ending was spoon-fed to the reader.
The writing reminded me of The Woman in the Library. So if you liked that one, you may have success with this book.
But all in all, this is a fun mystery to read in a sitting or two. I love watching or reading about competitions, and this book brought that element to life.
I will definitely watch the adaptation whenever it releases.
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
Over five days, six baking contestants will compete to win the Golden Spoon trophy and a coveted cookbook publishing deal. Betsy Martin has hosted the competition at her family estate for the last ten years. However, Betsy’s producers want to freshen things up, so they’ve arranged for a new cohost to join her. But there’s a storm coming, and not everyone will survive the week.
This cozy mystery has multiple perspectives, including all the contestants and Betsy herself. The contestants had distinct personalities and backgrounds, but most of them still felt a bit bland and archetypal.
Also, there was some repetitiveness, and the ending was spoon-fed to the reader.
The writing reminded me of The Woman in the Library. So if you liked that one, you may have success with this book.
But all in all, this is a fun mystery to read in a sitting or two. I love watching or reading about competitions, and this book brought that element to life.
I will definitely watch the adaptation whenever it releases.
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
https://booksandwheels.com
November 2, 2022
the comfort of a baking show + the comfort of a cozy mystery show = almost enough comfort to make me feel like my old, normal, pre-covid self.
read while eating way too much halloween candy for a wednesday morning.
read while eating way too much halloween candy for a wednesday morning.
October 27, 2023
3.5 - This book is literally The Great British Bake Off with an addition of drama and murder mystery. I really liked how it was told from each persons point of view! Really quick read, like well under 300 pages and short chapters if you’re like me and prefer that. I really enjoyed it - one of those books that you’ll enjoy if you read it, but like you’re not missing anything if you choose to skip it
May 23, 2023
Every summer for just one week, six bakers travel to the esteemed estate, Grafton Manor, to film a much loved TV show. Owned by the country’s beloved celebrity baker, Betsy Martin, the home is where she grew up and now lives full-time. While in its heyday the property once hosted many a function, but now this is the one time of the year where the grounds are swamped with people. For Betsy, it is something to be tolerated as they get down to business filming the much adored show.
This year’s contestants run the gamut from a twenty-one year old from Minnesota who works as a baker in a small town diner to a kindly seventy-two year old who has had a lifelong lover affair with sweets. But for Betsy, this year will be anything but the same as the production company has hired on a cohost for the first time in the show’s ten years. Normally, it is just her, aka “America’s Grandmother,” judging the quality of the bakes but, for the first time, she must share the limelight with the brash and hard-to-tolerate Archie Morris.
But as the baking commences, things start to go awry. From possibly sabotaged spices to unethical extra attention between a judge and a contestant, things seem to be anything but normal in the tent this year. Just as things are really getting underway, though, things go from bad to worse when somebody dies. As they all try to grapple with this terrifying turn of events, each of them are left wondering who could be behind the terrible deed. Was it someone from outside? Or was it, unthinkably, one of their own?
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from The Golden Spoon. An ingenious cross between The Great British Baking Show and a good, old-fashioned, heartwarming mystery, I found myself completely caught up between the various characters. A quick, easy read that unraveled at a consistent pace, the multitude of red herrings kept me guessing on where the plot was headed. And not once did I have an inkling about what the big twist was going to reveal.
Told via the seven main POVs of Betsy and the contestants, what could have been overly involved and supremely confusing was anything but. In fact, I was delighted by how much of an individualized identity each of them had. Even better, I connected so completely with each of them that I battled within myself about which of the bakers I was rooting for the most. But I do have to admit that I specifically fell head over heels for Lottie with her seemingly dotty behavior.
By the end, this locked room mystery turned endearing cozy mystery was a home run for me in nearly all respects. Even its conclusion left me smiling and completely satisfied with where each of the characters wound up. Better yet, I found this one to be the perfect palate cleanser (like my food pun?) between harder hitting thrillers which are my go-to genre. Don’t get me wrong, there is a smattering of more serious topics, but they are handled delicately to be sure. So if you’re looking for the ideal read to reset your brain, this is just the book for you. Ready, set, bake! Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: being roofied, rape, sexual misconduct
This year’s contestants run the gamut from a twenty-one year old from Minnesota who works as a baker in a small town diner to a kindly seventy-two year old who has had a lifelong lover affair with sweets. But for Betsy, this year will be anything but the same as the production company has hired on a cohost for the first time in the show’s ten years. Normally, it is just her, aka “America’s Grandmother,” judging the quality of the bakes but, for the first time, she must share the limelight with the brash and hard-to-tolerate Archie Morris.
But as the baking commences, things start to go awry. From possibly sabotaged spices to unethical extra attention between a judge and a contestant, things seem to be anything but normal in the tent this year. Just as things are really getting underway, though, things go from bad to worse when somebody dies. As they all try to grapple with this terrifying turn of events, each of them are left wondering who could be behind the terrible deed. Was it someone from outside? Or was it, unthinkably, one of their own?
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from The Golden Spoon. An ingenious cross between The Great British Baking Show and a good, old-fashioned, heartwarming mystery, I found myself completely caught up between the various characters. A quick, easy read that unraveled at a consistent pace, the multitude of red herrings kept me guessing on where the plot was headed. And not once did I have an inkling about what the big twist was going to reveal.
Told via the seven main POVs of Betsy and the contestants, what could have been overly involved and supremely confusing was anything but. In fact, I was delighted by how much of an individualized identity each of them had. Even better, I connected so completely with each of them that I battled within myself about which of the bakers I was rooting for the most. But I do have to admit that I specifically fell head over heels for Lottie with her seemingly dotty behavior.
By the end, this locked room mystery turned endearing cozy mystery was a home run for me in nearly all respects. Even its conclusion left me smiling and completely satisfied with where each of the characters wound up. Better yet, I found this one to be the perfect palate cleanser (like my food pun?) between harder hitting thrillers which are my go-to genre. Don’t get me wrong, there is a smattering of more serious topics, but they are handled delicately to be sure. So if you’re looking for the ideal read to reset your brain, this is just the book for you. Ready, set, bake! Rating of 4.5 stars.
Trigger warning: being roofied, rape, sexual misconduct
June 5, 2023
Competition baked full of secrets
This book is an absolute delight to read, offering a quick and enjoyable experience. Who can resist the allure of a thrilling bake-off competition? As the story unfolds, the characters gradually come to the realization that things are not quite what they seem in the charming Manor where they are staying.
Through multiple points of view, I had the opportunity to intimately understand each character, appreciating their unique contributions to both the story and the culinary battle. And let's not forget the delectable surprise concerning Betsy. Finding out who the actual murderer is —a plot twist that was delightfully sweet and left me craving more.
This book is an absolute delight to read, offering a quick and enjoyable experience. Who can resist the allure of a thrilling bake-off competition? As the story unfolds, the characters gradually come to the realization that things are not quite what they seem in the charming Manor where they are staying.
Through multiple points of view, I had the opportunity to intimately understand each character, appreciating their unique contributions to both the story and the culinary battle. And let's not forget the delectable surprise concerning Betsy. Finding out who the actual murderer is —a plot twist that was delightfully sweet and left me craving more.
February 16, 2023
The Golden Spoon is a debut novel written by Jessa Maxwell that celebrates the classic locked room mystery set on a remote estate and a tv show where bakers compete to win an award but end up dying. Sort of... it's somewhere between a cozy and a traditional mystery but smartly uses the best of both worlds to create a fun reader experience. Switching POVs from the five contestants to the judge and a few other random folks involved in the story, readers learn what each baker wants to get out being a top baker. Some are truly in it for the fame and published cook book (at least we think) and some have a grudge they can't give up (for reasons we may not yet understand). As the truth comes out, so do each of the bakers treats... and behind the scenes, someone is playing tricks. Salt instead of sugar. Refrigerator doors left open. Wacky oven temperatures. Distractions. All gets very dramatic in a fun way, and through it all, I kept bouncing back and forth on who should win. The murder happens fairly late in the book, which was a tad frustrating but at the same time, the book would have ended if the murder happened early on. The contest would've been stopped, and the entire showing takes place over 4 days. Writing quality was strong; I enjoyed the personalities and the dialog between everyone. I see promise in the author's future and I would definitely read another books of hers. Thanks NetGalley!
September 14, 2023
3.5 rounded down
It’s Bake Week and the large fully equipped marquee located at Grafton Manor, Vermont, is awaiting the six amateur bakers competing for the kudos of winning the Golden Spoon and a cookery book contract. For host Betsy Martin, the well known cook and owner of Grafton Manor, much hinges on the success of the latest show though she isn’t happy to share the spotlight with Archie Morris, the abrasive star of The Cutting Board. However, things go awry right from the start and then take a deadly turn.
I start reading this with high hopes as I’m a huge fan of ‘Bake Off’ and let’s face it there’s plenty of scope to create a decent cozy mystery beyond the drama of a soggy bottom, an over bake, a show stopper and a hot tent or the eager anticipation of a Paul Hollywood handshake. The action starts pretty quickly, my interest is definitely piqued but then the pace slows and never gets much faster than a country stroll with two nonagenarians and an asthmatic dog, which is ok as it’s a cozy after all!!!! You probably wouldn’t expect a plot based around baking to be told at warp speed.
The setting is fantastic and is so well described. The Victorian gothic manor gives oodles of possibilities and is utilised well, adding the appropriate atmosphere to enhance a cozy mystery. The vibes, especially between Betsy and Archie ( who you really do want to stab with a cake tester) are good as are the shenanigans and dastardly deeds with the bakers though perhaps somewhat predictable. The bakes are the best parts of the book and I really enjoy those sections. The interviews between the candidates and the hosts feel authentic and I can imagine similar with Mary/Prue and Ol’ Blue Eyes. I do think this book will translate very well to the screen, possibly way better than in book form.
I have a number of issues with the book , the biggest, literally, is the number of points of view it’s told from, which is seven - the contestants and Betsy. It means the storyline doesn’t flow as it should, there’s repetition and it gets particularly messy in the second half. Some characters are better fleshed out than others or are simply more interesting, a couple feel rather similar or are stereotypical. My favourite is millionaire Pradyumna who it’s hard not to like. There’s very little suspense though there is plenty of tension flying about throughout the book. As for the ending, one part comes out of left field but also feels melodramatic and the other part is very rushed and is therefore an anticlimax. I realise this is a debut and it’s clear the author has a lot of potential so hopefully in her next book she’s tell us less and show us more.
Overall, despite some issues it is entertaining, it’s fun and easy to read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
It’s Bake Week and the large fully equipped marquee located at Grafton Manor, Vermont, is awaiting the six amateur bakers competing for the kudos of winning the Golden Spoon and a cookery book contract. For host Betsy Martin, the well known cook and owner of Grafton Manor, much hinges on the success of the latest show though she isn’t happy to share the spotlight with Archie Morris, the abrasive star of The Cutting Board. However, things go awry right from the start and then take a deadly turn.
I start reading this with high hopes as I’m a huge fan of ‘Bake Off’ and let’s face it there’s plenty of scope to create a decent cozy mystery beyond the drama of a soggy bottom, an over bake, a show stopper and a hot tent or the eager anticipation of a Paul Hollywood handshake. The action starts pretty quickly, my interest is definitely piqued but then the pace slows and never gets much faster than a country stroll with two nonagenarians and an asthmatic dog, which is ok as it’s a cozy after all!!!! You probably wouldn’t expect a plot based around baking to be told at warp speed.
The setting is fantastic and is so well described. The Victorian gothic manor gives oodles of possibilities and is utilised well, adding the appropriate atmosphere to enhance a cozy mystery. The vibes, especially between Betsy and Archie ( who you really do want to stab with a cake tester) are good as are the shenanigans and dastardly deeds with the bakers though perhaps somewhat predictable. The bakes are the best parts of the book and I really enjoy those sections. The interviews between the candidates and the hosts feel authentic and I can imagine similar with Mary/Prue and Ol’ Blue Eyes. I do think this book will translate very well to the screen, possibly way better than in book form.
I have a number of issues with the book , the biggest, literally, is the number of points of view it’s told from, which is seven - the contestants and Betsy. It means the storyline doesn’t flow as it should, there’s repetition and it gets particularly messy in the second half. Some characters are better fleshed out than others or are simply more interesting, a couple feel rather similar or are stereotypical. My favourite is millionaire Pradyumna who it’s hard not to like. There’s very little suspense though there is plenty of tension flying about throughout the book. As for the ending, one part comes out of left field but also feels melodramatic and the other part is very rushed and is therefore an anticlimax. I realise this is a debut and it’s clear the author has a lot of potential so hopefully in her next book she’s tell us less and show us more.
Overall, despite some issues it is entertaining, it’s fun and easy to read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
March 23, 2023
3.5 stars
I know I have eagerly watched The British Baking Show with amazement. Baking has never been my forte and seeing the competitors create such lovely things to eat makes me envious.
The Golden Spoon is based on a baking competition held by a famous baker, Betsy Martin. Her home is gorgeous and the contestants are invited in to shoe their skills with Betsy and Archie Morris, new to the show to the consternation of Betsy host six people for the grand prize of a golden spoon. The five day competition draws quite an audience, but things start to go south as ingredients are sabotaged and a stove's setting is altered. Horror of horrors happens when a body is discovered that sets the whole team into a tizzy.
It seems that some of the contestants have secrets, and it's not their recipes!
This was a fairly good story that makes the reader wonder not only what goes on in the book, but also behind those cooking shows we see on TV.
Thank you to Jessa Maxwell, Atria Books, ad NetGalley for a copy of this story that already published in March.
I know I have eagerly watched The British Baking Show with amazement. Baking has never been my forte and seeing the competitors create such lovely things to eat makes me envious.
The Golden Spoon is based on a baking competition held by a famous baker, Betsy Martin. Her home is gorgeous and the contestants are invited in to shoe their skills with Betsy and Archie Morris, new to the show to the consternation of Betsy host six people for the grand prize of a golden spoon. The five day competition draws quite an audience, but things start to go south as ingredients are sabotaged and a stove's setting is altered. Horror of horrors happens when a body is discovered that sets the whole team into a tizzy.
It seems that some of the contestants have secrets, and it's not their recipes!
This was a fairly good story that makes the reader wonder not only what goes on in the book, but also behind those cooking shows we see on TV.
Thank you to Jessa Maxwell, Atria Books, ad NetGalley for a copy of this story that already published in March.
May 17, 2023
Warning!!!Ranting ahead!
This could have been a nice novella. Why? Because half of the book was about the recipes and ingredients each contestant used to bake their tarts and pies with.
The book is neither a murder/mystery nor a thriller. Yes, in the first chapter we are told that a body is found, but that’s it. Nothing happens. We go back in time, bake some disastrous pies, the characters talk non-stop about nothing, another completely out of the blue mystery is miraculously solved because conveniently the evidence/motive of a decades old crime has been lying there for someone to find, and then we arrive to the finding of the aforementioned bloody body (this is almost at the end of the book), and since nobody knew a crime had been committed (only the gullible/impatient/eye rolling reader) no one investigated it. And the ending?
This could have been a nice novella. Why? Because half of the book was about the recipes and ingredients each contestant used to bake their tarts and pies with.
The book is neither a murder/mystery nor a thriller. Yes, in the first chapter we are told that a body is found, but that’s it. Nothing happens. We go back in time, bake some disastrous pies, the characters talk non-stop about nothing, another completely out of the blue mystery is miraculously solved because conveniently the evidence/motive of a decades old crime has been lying there for someone to find, and then we arrive to the finding of the aforementioned bloody body (this is almost at the end of the book), and since nobody knew a crime had been committed (only the gullible/impatient/eye rolling reader) no one investigated it. And the ending?
January 22, 2023
This was a very fun read that I didn't want to put down. I have to admit I've never watched a baking show but I am aware of the Great British Bake Off. But I love a good mystery and by some weird quirk of mine, while I am not a viewer of reality television, I do enjoy books with them as a circumstance of setting. So I felt like I would enjoy this and I totally did!
The tale is told in many POVs. Betsy: host of the show known as "America's Grandmother". Stella: a former journalist who has taken up baking after some sort of trauma. Hannah Severson: a young baker from Eden Lake, Minnesota and if that's not a Hannah Swenson shout-out, I don't know what is. Gerald: a maths teacher and meticulous baker with a penchant for schedules and order that Hercule Poirot would find kindred. Pradyumna: a bored and unmoored techpreneur (sold his startup for piles of cash) who is looking for something to pass some time & bakes as a hobby. Peter: a restoration construction specialist who found he has a talent for baking and loves doing so for his family. Lottie: a homestyle baker who has applied to be a contestant for each of the ten years the show has aired. The remaining characters who don't have POVs but are consequential are Archie Morris, new co-host of the show and Melanie, Betsy's assistant.
I won't give away spoilers but the story setup informs the reader right off that a death has taken place, the story then goes back in time to lead up to and beyond that initial moment. Who is the victim? Is it murder? If it is whodunnit and why? I had fun vacillating between who I thought fit in the slots and their motives. The baking portions were interesting and the food sounded lovely. I was sad for various bakers when their creations didn't work out by circumstance or sabotage. I admit that there was one instance of this that I didn't buy because there was no reaction by the showrunners or checking and as it could have caused actual harm: . I disbelieved the situation based on its irresponsibility. I admit my inexperience with reality shows may be the problem in this instance and not a flaw of the plot. The situation did propel one character off in an interesting trajectory that kept me on the edge of my seat so it wasn't all bad.
The estate, owned by Betsy and where the show is staged has a thread here as well which I enjoyed following. A bit of it was obvious but it was still enjoyable. My favourite character was Pradyumna though all of them were very well done and interesting to follow. I laughed and highlighted lines and that's always a good sign. The way this ended made me think a sequel is possible and I would be very happy to read it. And a word about the cover... I love it!
Many thanks to Edelweiss & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this via ARC.
The tale is told in many POVs. Betsy: host of the show known as "America's Grandmother". Stella: a former journalist who has taken up baking after some sort of trauma. Hannah Severson: a young baker from Eden Lake, Minnesota and if that's not a Hannah Swenson shout-out, I don't know what is. Gerald: a maths teacher and meticulous baker with a penchant for schedules and order that Hercule Poirot would find kindred. Pradyumna: a bored and unmoored techpreneur (sold his startup for piles of cash) who is looking for something to pass some time & bakes as a hobby. Peter: a restoration construction specialist who found he has a talent for baking and loves doing so for his family. Lottie: a homestyle baker who has applied to be a contestant for each of the ten years the show has aired. The remaining characters who don't have POVs but are consequential are Archie Morris, new co-host of the show and Melanie, Betsy's assistant.
I won't give away spoilers but the story setup informs the reader right off that a death has taken place, the story then goes back in time to lead up to and beyond that initial moment. Who is the victim? Is it murder? If it is whodunnit and why? I had fun vacillating between who I thought fit in the slots and their motives. The baking portions were interesting and the food sounded lovely. I was sad for various bakers when their creations didn't work out by circumstance or sabotage. I admit that there was one instance of this that I didn't buy because there was no reaction by the showrunners or checking and as it could have caused actual harm: . I disbelieved the situation based on its irresponsibility. I admit my inexperience with reality shows may be the problem in this instance and not a flaw of the plot. The situation did propel one character off in an interesting trajectory that kept me on the edge of my seat so it wasn't all bad.
The estate, owned by Betsy and where the show is staged has a thread here as well which I enjoyed following. A bit of it was obvious but it was still enjoyable. My favourite character was Pradyumna though all of them were very well done and interesting to follow. I laughed and highlighted lines and that's always a good sign. The way this ended made me think a sequel is possible and I would be very happy to read it. And a word about the cover... I love it!
Many thanks to Edelweiss & Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this via ARC.
April 27, 2023
Seriously a delight to read!! Loved it. Review to come 🧁
February 11, 2023
This hit Baking Competition Show has a secret ingredient..murder!
I absolutely loved this whodunit. I couldn’t put it down and loved everything minute of it! Thank you to whoever recommended this to me. It is my top pick for 2023 so far.
Bake Week is beginning filming its tenth season at the gothic mansion owned by host and celebrity chef Betsy Martin. Six contestants will compete showcasing their skills over the course of five days. Betsy can’t stand sharing the spotlight with the arrogant, entitled Archie Morris. As the competition begins, things keep going wrong. Contestants ingredients are being sabotaged, a burner is left on too long. However, when a body is found everyone is a suspect.
The Golden Spoon is available March 7, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and atria books for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I absolutely loved this whodunit. I couldn’t put it down and loved everything minute of it! Thank you to whoever recommended this to me. It is my top pick for 2023 so far.
Bake Week is beginning filming its tenth season at the gothic mansion owned by host and celebrity chef Betsy Martin. Six contestants will compete showcasing their skills over the course of five days. Betsy can’t stand sharing the spotlight with the arrogant, entitled Archie Morris. As the competition begins, things keep going wrong. Contestants ingredients are being sabotaged, a burner is left on too long. However, when a body is found everyone is a suspect.
The Golden Spoon is available March 7, 2023.
Thank you netgalley and atria books for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
January 22, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Mystery Thriller
“Bake Week” is a popular baking competition show that airs on television every summer. The event takes place in the Grafton Manor, where six contestants compete for the Golden Spoon award, which is presented by Betsy Grafton, often known as the Julia Child of baking. Betsy, who is quite wealthy and well-known, has been the creator and host of this show for the previous ten years. However, the producers decided that this time around the program would benefit from having a co-host, and they chose Archie to fill that role.
The events of the tale unfold over the course of four days, and each day the participants are tasked with making a different type of baked good. The narrative is told from seven different points of view. There are six points of view that belong to the participants, and each of them is told in the contestant's own voice. The other viewpoint is a third-person narrative from Betsy's point of view. During that time span, a number of occurrences take place, and much like a snowball, things continue to gain momentum until they finally come to a climax.
Take into consideration that this is more along the lines of a cozy mystery. Whoever said that this would be perfect for people who like Nita Prose was totally right. I chose the book because I thought the summary sounded interesting. When I first started reading it, though, I was worried that I wouldn't like it because it had a lot of different points of view. When you have a lot of different points of view, you will most likely become confused. In any case, this was not at all the situation in the book. I believe that the author did an outstanding job developing the characters in the story. It didn't take me very long at all to become familiar with them and their behavior. There is something very unique about her writing and the way she introduces the characters to the reader.
I couldn't help but think of Agatha Christie's novels while reading this because they both have the same air of intrigue, mystery, and coziness. I thought that the atmosphere and the setting were both of the highest caliber. The mystery and suspense that the mansion offered gave the impression that it had its own character. The baking competition was such a joy, and it gave me a serious feeling of hunger! This is the type of suspense novel you want to curl up with on a rainy day with a slice of chocolate cake and a cup of hot cocoa.
Even if I want to pick holes in the tale, I could have had one of the characters (I won't say which one since it would be a spoiler) behave differently towards the conclusion. However, this would not have affected the amount of enjoyment I received from reading the story in any way.
I absolutely LOVED it! Even though this is her first novel, it doesn't read or sound like one at all! I am really excited to read more novels written by Jessa Maxwell in the future. In my opinion, the mystery-thriller genre has a new rising star this year.
Many thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
“Bake Week” is a popular baking competition show that airs on television every summer. The event takes place in the Grafton Manor, where six contestants compete for the Golden Spoon award, which is presented by Betsy Grafton, often known as the Julia Child of baking. Betsy, who is quite wealthy and well-known, has been the creator and host of this show for the previous ten years. However, the producers decided that this time around the program would benefit from having a co-host, and they chose Archie to fill that role.
The events of the tale unfold over the course of four days, and each day the participants are tasked with making a different type of baked good. The narrative is told from seven different points of view. There are six points of view that belong to the participants, and each of them is told in the contestant's own voice. The other viewpoint is a third-person narrative from Betsy's point of view. During that time span, a number of occurrences take place, and much like a snowball, things continue to gain momentum until they finally come to a climax.
Take into consideration that this is more along the lines of a cozy mystery. Whoever said that this would be perfect for people who like Nita Prose was totally right. I chose the book because I thought the summary sounded interesting. When I first started reading it, though, I was worried that I wouldn't like it because it had a lot of different points of view. When you have a lot of different points of view, you will most likely become confused. In any case, this was not at all the situation in the book. I believe that the author did an outstanding job developing the characters in the story. It didn't take me very long at all to become familiar with them and their behavior. There is something very unique about her writing and the way she introduces the characters to the reader.
I couldn't help but think of Agatha Christie's novels while reading this because they both have the same air of intrigue, mystery, and coziness. I thought that the atmosphere and the setting were both of the highest caliber. The mystery and suspense that the mansion offered gave the impression that it had its own character. The baking competition was such a joy, and it gave me a serious feeling of hunger! This is the type of suspense novel you want to curl up with on a rainy day with a slice of chocolate cake and a cup of hot cocoa.
Even if I want to pick holes in the tale, I could have had one of the characters (I won't say which one since it would be a spoiler) behave differently towards the conclusion. However, this would not have affected the amount of enjoyment I received from reading the story in any way.
I absolutely LOVED it! Even though this is her first novel, it doesn't read or sound like one at all! I am really excited to read more novels written by Jessa Maxwell in the future. In my opinion, the mystery-thriller genre has a new rising star this year.
Many thanks to the publisher, Atria Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
April 1, 2023
A television baking competition is being filmed on the estate of the show’s longtime host and judge Betsy Martin. Now in her 70s, Betsy needs the show in order to fund the upkeep of her estate. This season, she has been forced to welcome a cohost who might be after her job. She also has to deal with questionable assistants, apparent sabotage of the competition and 6 new contestants with varying degrees of skill and ambition.
This book is based on a tired mystery trope. A group of people with secrets are in a closed setting when one or more of them turns up dead. I was a little iffy about reading this, but I wound up enjoying it. That probably had something to do with all of the baked goods that were described in delicious detail. Also, the characters were not a group of back-biting idiots hiding secret indiscretions and animosities (which is usually the case in this sort of book). They were actually pretty sensible and likable people. My favorite character was the oldest contestant, Lottie. She had the most interesting backstory. Although there were a lot of characters to keep track of, I did manage to keep them straight. And the book wasn’t so cozy that it turned my stomach. I would read this author again.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is based on a tired mystery trope. A group of people with secrets are in a closed setting when one or more of them turns up dead. I was a little iffy about reading this, but I wound up enjoying it. That probably had something to do with all of the baked goods that were described in delicious detail. Also, the characters were not a group of back-biting idiots hiding secret indiscretions and animosities (which is usually the case in this sort of book). They were actually pretty sensible and likable people. My favorite character was the oldest contestant, Lottie. She had the most interesting backstory. Although there were a lot of characters to keep track of, I did manage to keep them straight. And the book wasn’t so cozy that it turned my stomach. I would read this author again.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
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April 28, 2025I could not go on I listened to the audio version the narrators bored me & nothing going on, didn’t like any of the characters the prose was too slow not rating am on outlier island 🏝️ yet again.
June 28, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up. OK, so I’m guilty of having watched the "Great British Baking show" & a few others on the Cooking channel, so I found that concept to be a different & clever setting for this cozy mystery set in the showrunner Betsy’s family estate, Grafton Hall. This one too started off a bit slow & then also really took off - maybe it’s me, but whatever happened to “pacing”??? I did appreciate the diverse cast. Overall, I enjoyed it & recommend if you too are tired of some other popular tropes like influencers & the like…
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