The Golden Spoon - Jessa Maxwell

Mystery

Rating: 9/10

Firstly, can we talk about the cover?  Brilliant. 

Secondly, can we talk about the premise? Murder mystery set during a baking competition.  Also, brilliant.

Honestly, I’m surprised it took so long to have a fictional tale of murder and mayhem surrounding the cutthroat world of culinary competitions, but I’m just glad it’s finally arrived! Its clue meets British Bakeoff with a dash of Hell’s Kitchen thrown in. 

Every summer for the past ten years, six awe struck bakers have descended on the manor owned by the host of Bake Week, Betsy.  Author of numerous bestselling cookbooks and America’s Grandma, Betsy saves her warmth for the cameras.  And this year even that is proving difficult as the producers felt the need to add a bombastic guest host.  When little things start to go wrong in the early rounds, it’s beginning to look like sabotage.

If only that were all it was, there is a killer on the loose!

In addition to the cantankerous host, all the of contestants take turns at narrating and soon the reader will be trying to puzzle out all the twists and turns the story takes.

Warning: this delightful romp of a mystery will cause hunger pains.

Our cast, in brief…

Betsy – tightly wound pinched faced host.

Stella – a camera friendly failed journalist with barely any baking experience under her belt.

Hannah – a small town pie making prodigy with an embarrassing amount of naiveté.

Gerald – a man who likes his baking on the scientific side who does NOT handle the unexpected well.  Not well at all.

Pradyumna – an easily bored millionaire with far too much time on his hands.

Lottie – a seemingly harmless retiree who loves to bake treats for her loved ones. 

Peter – a bit of a stud muffin is Peter.  What more could a girl want then a rugged construction worker who can bake!

Thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and the author for the advanced readers copy.

Book Pairing(s): A Trace Of Poison by Collen Cambridge, The Dinner Guest by B.P. Walter, Woman In The Library by Sulari Gentill