A tasty cozy mystery designed to answer questions some are afraid to ask.
This mystery is the first in a new series and brings friends and family together during tragic times.
Ivy Culpepper returns home after her mother's death and has to learn about herself as well as remember what she loved about her home community.
The characters are wonderful with intriguing personalities yet I know more will be revealed as the series progresses. The settings are written quite descriptively, I could see and appreciate the detail of the historic homes and beautiful sunrises.

Ivy is a gutsy, reluctant heroine. Her purpose begins out of personal concern and curiosity but when her thought process makes connections, she can't be stopped. I like that many of the characters are of a mature age and still very alert and active. I can imagine this may lead to further complications in future books in this series.

This is a true cozy with all the requisite elements.

I always enjoy checking out a new cozy series, especially when there is food involved! This series revolves around a bakery called Yeast of Eden and the author does a great job of making my mouth water when she describes all the different breads. I especially enjoy the tips on baking bread because even though I don't bake bread often, the tips are very handy to keep in the back of my mind.

There are several mysteries that need to be solved in this book. Of course there is the main murder of Jackie, a local cooking school owner. Why was she killed? The reason will surprise you because it sure did surprise me. The author takes you down another path and while there is some merit it isn't all it seems to be. Then there is Ivy's mother that was killed 6 months prior. All seems to reflect a hit and run, but Ivy just can't accept that there isn't more. Could it have been murder? And if so, are the deaths tied together?

When it came time to revealing the killer I was quite surprised because this person was not even on my radar. I don't think there were any clues to tip us off that it was this character. In fact, I was starting to suspect one of the main characters (not going to tell you who, you'll have to read the book because this character might become a suspect in your mind too!) but was very relieve it was not her.

This book also focuses on grief - from Ivy and her father over losing her mother, to Miguel's loss of his father and even Jackie's daughter. I hope that in future books knowing the truth about Ivy's mother will help her family move on past the grief.

Lastly, there is a hint at a possible romance being rekindled between Ivy and Miguel. They dated in high school and then he left town. Ivy's heart was broken but will she get past that hurt? I think probably so.

Perfect mystery, perfect characters, perfect ending with just enough hints of the future to keep the reader (me) coming back for the next book.
I was fairly confident I was going to like Kneaded to Death because I have loved everything I've read by this author. She makes up the best characters and weaves them into relationships with characters that you wouldn't expect. Plus the upside is these characters can develop further in the upcoming books.
Set in Santa Sofia, California, six months after the hit and run death of her mother, Ivy Culpepper has moved home to help her father deal with his loss and because she needs family too. She visits a local bread bakery and is invited to join the group for classes. The first night of class, there is a disturbance in the parking lot and when the student bakers go out to investigate, they find one of the other students dead in her car. As Ivy starts to investigate, she finds there are many mysteries in her corner of Santa Sofia.
Very enjoyable cozy mystery. I can't wait to find out what happens in the next installment.

Kneaded To Death is the first book in the fantastic new bread shop mystery series by Winnie Archer. This is a delightfully delicious read and a great start to a successful series.
Our brilliant protagonist is Ivy Culpepper who is a talented professional photographer recently returned home to a small coastal village in California after her divorce and her Mothers death. She has returned to be with her father and begin to recover from her Mother's death In a suspicious hit and run accident. She has lost interest in her career and seeking inspiration. When she finds comfort in a local bakery she soon signs up for a class and meets fun new friends with a like interest in baking. She is drawn to the kind bakery owner and the comfort of baking bread as the bakery environment encourages her recovery.
As a baking class commenced a murder occurs and Ivy is compelled to investigate. At the same time she is investigating her Mothers death and soon finds she may solve both with help from her friends. A old love interest appears and may help her solve the murder.
This book has all the perfect element's for a perfect cozy mystery series. The characters are very well crafted and each adds to the story. I enjoyed the sleuth and found the clues challenged me with a great series of twists and turns. This is a protagonist to admire as she is intelligent and relatable. The location is charming and beauitfully described. All in all a great start to the series. I look forward to the next adventure of Ivy and friends.

Kneaded to Death is the first book in a cozy mystery series. The book is very well written, I could almost smell the bread cooking. The author gives us a great plot that pulled me into the story right away. The characters are believable. I recommend this to those who enjoy a good mystery.

This was a unique read, even though it had a few similarities to your general cozies, it held a sense of magic that made it stand out. I was really into the characters, they were charming complex and just fun! I hope we get to read more of this series!

Kneaded to Death is so much more than a cozy mystery. It’s also a story that reflects sincere grief and authentic friendship. And it will make you hungry for bread. Just sayin’.

Ivy is still grieving the tragic loss of her mother and has moved back home to Santa Sofia to be with her father and brother. The local bread shop and its unique owner Olaya Solis fill a void in Ivy’s life, and when she begins taking a bread making class from Olaya their friendship really blossoms. Despite their nearly 30 year age difference, I loved the warm affection these two have for one another. The same can be said for Penny and Ivy, though we’re looking at a 50 year age gap there. (Penny is a hoot, by the way! I want to be her when I get old.)

The mystery is exceptionally well-plotted and nicely paced, and the author has done a great job of weaving the murder investigation seamlessly throughout the rest of the plot. Since this is the first book in a new series, there is also some setting up of the backstory and the town but this never felt overdone or crammed in.

And then there’s Miguel. And bread. Both yummy. Both tempting. Both probably bad for you but so difficult to resist. Miguel is Ivy’s one that got away, her first love, and they reconnect just enough in this book to leave the door open to all kinds of deliciously romantic possibilities later in the series.

Bottom Line: If you are looking for a new cozy series to start, look no further! Mouthwatering food, a quaint setting, vivid characters, and a stunning mystery. The first person voice is engaging and perfectly styled, and there is a nice blend of humor and heart.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

Based on the book's description, I was hoping that Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer would help me learn more about the Mexican pastries our family has been enjoying so much lately. (I probably need to find myself a cookbook.) It's the background that motivates me to pick up a new cozy series. There is a lot of focus on the cooking classes, but it wasn't quite what I was expecting. The mystery is complicated, but it all manages to tie together. I'm hoping that a couple of characters who really intrigued me will make an appearance in future books.

Kneaded to Death: A Bread Shop Mystery
By Winnie Archer
Kensington
March 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Ivy Culpepper has returned to the Central California’s town of Santa Sofia after the tragic death of her mother just six months ago. A promising photographer, Ivy has since lost her way and become overwhelmed with loss and depression. The one place of comfort has been her daily visits to Yeast of Eden, Santa Sofia’s local bread shop. It is also where Ivy has just signed up for bread-making classes in the hope of finding some kind of inspiration in her life. In Yeast of Eden she finds Olaya Solis, the owner of the Mexican-styled bakery, and her sisters Consuelo and Martina. The women believe in the healing power of baking, and while Ivy may have her doubts, she does not question the feeling of peace she finds there.

That tranquility is shattered when one of the students, Olaya’s friend Jackie Makers, is murdered in her car while parked just outside of Yeast of Eden. Nearly as upsetting is the discovery that Miguel Baptista, the high school boyfriend who broke Ivy’s heart, is back in Santa Sofia as well after the death of his owner father. At least her good friend Emmaline Davis is the investigating deputy sheriff, even if she refuses to admit to her race-crossing attraction to Ivy’s brother. Not for nothing is Santa Sofia a real-life soap opera, where everyone knows everyone else’s business and is more than happy to lend an opinion.

The somber reason for Ivy’s return is alleviated by Olaya’s dedication and appreciation of the art of baking. Ivy herself is as devoted to discovering the truth as was her late mother, and while Ivy may not know the details behind that accident, she is determined to resolve this new death. Shenanigans involving the local historical society and an imperious neighbor have Ivy combining forces to set up a surveillance ring, which has her discovering just how boring a stake-out can be. Although there is no small amount of humor and levity to be found in this debut series, the real attraction is Ivy and seeing her find her purpose in life again as she pulls herself out of stagnation. Heartstrings will be tugged by the time the final page is turned, promising for future deeply satisfying installments featuring this charming and inspiring new mystery heroine.

Kneaded to Death by Winne Archer is the first book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has returned home to Santa Sofia, California after the unexpected death of her mother, Anna. She was killed in a hit-and-run accident in the high school parking lot, and the killer has yet to be apprehended. Ivy’s grief has only been soothed by the bread from Olaya Solis’ bakery, Yeast of Eden. When Olaya offers a breadmaking class, Ivy is quick to sign up. Ivy is hoping it will help provide her with inspiration for her photographs and photography blog. She has not been able to get inspired since the death of her mother. Ivy and six other students are in the class. Just before the break, Jackie Makers, a fellow student, must take a call. They are getting ready to start up again, but Jackie has yet to return. The group hears raised voices outside, and they head outside to find out what is happening. Ivy sees her old high school beau, Miguel Baptista arguing with Randy Russell, co-owner of the local antique mall. Miguel is attempting to calm the man down. When Randy is finally subdued, the group notices Jackie sitting in her car. It looks like Jackie will not be finishing the class. When it is discovered that Jackie was poisoned, Olaya ends up at the top of the suspect list. Ivy knows that Olaya would not harm a soul, and starts asking questions around town. Ivy gets pulled into a controversy on historic Maple Avenue where Jackie owned a beautiful house (that Ivy would love to own). Santa Sofia is not the quiet town Ivy left when she went off to college. Will Ivy be able to capture the killer or will she end up getting burned?

I found Kneaded to Death to be nicely written and easy to read. I liked the characters (especially Mrs. Branford) and the hint of magic. The description of Maple Avenue was delightful. There are some beautiful historic homes on the street (especially Mrs. Branford’s Victorian). I thought the mystery was well crafted, and it kept my interest (hooray). The author provided some nice clues that will help the reader identify the killer (you must pay very careful attention). I give Kneaded to Death 4 out of 5 stars (are you shocked)! My one complaint is Ivy’s obsession with Miguel Baptista. They dated in high school, but Ivy has never gotten over him (in eighteen years and now we understand why she is divorced). I thought her ogling of Miguel to be a little over-the-top (once would have been fine). I hope that Ivy’s grief is lessened in the next book. It is quite prevalent in Kneaded to Death which is understandable. There is another subplot in Kneaded to Death that is equally intriguing. There is not, though, too much going on in the book. I could keep track of the storylines and the characters. I thought Kneaded to Death was a good first cozy mystery. The series has potential, and I am looking forward to the next book in A Bread Shop Mystery series.

Classic cozy with a good twist- it's set in a bakery! I liked Ivy, who deals with her sadness and problems by taking action in the form of a class but then finds herself wrapped into a murder case. Sometimes I want to yell at the women in cozies to let the police do their work but Ivy and Olaya were so engaging I let that go. I'm curious where Archer intends to take this series; I'm looking forward to the next installment. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This is a fast, easy read with lots of positive energy. Try it!

This is a great book; this is the first book in the Bread Shop Mystery series written by Winnie Archer. Struggling photographer Ivy Culpepper has lots of soul-searching to do since returning to seaside Santa Linda, California. That is, until the thirty-one-year-old enters a bread making class at Yeast of Eden. But Ivy’s spirits crumble when a missing classmate is suddenly discovered dead in her car, riddled with stab wounds. Even more devastating, the prime suspects are the Dias sisters themselves. Doubting the women could commit such a crime, Ivy embarks on a murder investigation of her own to prove their innocence and seize the real killer. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

When I first saw the cover and the title I knew I had to read KNEADED TO DEATH by Winnie Archer. After all, learning to bake bread was the very first thing my grandmother taught me to make (along with several cousins) when I was about seven-years-old. In addition to having a theme that I’m endeared to, KNEADED TO DEATH has an emotional connection that pulled me in. The protagonist, Ivy Culpepper, returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia, located on California’s central coast after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. The culprit was never caught. Even after six months Ivy is still floundering amidst her grief. The author includes a poignant line which I found touching for any daughter who has lost their mother, especially at a young age. “Grief has to run its course. I knew this, but the reality was that I’d never not feel the emptiness inside.”

Ivy signs up for bread baking classes at Yeast of Eden, and connects with the elderly owner, Olaya Solis, who becomes a friend and mentor. When one of the class participants is found murdered in the parking lot of the bakery, Ivy decides she needs to help clear her new friend’s name and find the real killer. As she starts asking questions, she finds many suspects. The author does a nice job of kneading the characters into subplots and then rolling them together in the end for a tasty, tempting read. Ms. Archer also sets the stage for subsequent books with the introduction of elderly Penny Branford, who is a wonderful sidekick in Ivy’s sleuthing efforts. I look forward to the next installment in this series!

As you read through this delightful cozy, you are going to be drooling over the delectable descriptions of the breads being made at Yeast of Eden. Fortunately Ms. Archer includes recipes at the back of the book and tried her recipe for Conchas. Conchas are a well-known Mexican pastry, named for the shell patterned topping adorning each sweet bun. I’ve eaten Conchas purchased at small markets several times growing up but they always seemed a bit dry and not that tasty. There truly is a difference between fresh bread vs. mass market bread and this recipe showcases what is appealing about this traditional Mexican treat. The rolls are soft and rich tasting with a hint of sweetness. I especially loved the cinnamon-flavored topping for the added flavor.

Our lovely protagonist returns to a small beach town in California after the death of her mother. Many Spanish words add to the reality. Bread baking lessons prove to me that I will stick to my bread maker or the bakery. Do love the aroma of baking bread though. Interesting new and old friendships.

Ivy Culpepper has come back to her home town of Santa Sofia and is trying to put her life back together after her mother was killed in a hit-and-run accident. When a murder occurs outside the local bakery where Ivy is taking a baking lesson, the three sisters who own the bakery are suspected of the crime. Sure that they wouldn’t kill anyone, Ivy starts investigating on her own.

The author did such a great job with the descriptions that I could almost feel the warmth from the ovens and smell the bread baking in Yeast of Eden. The characters were true-to-life, and the mystery well thought out. This book will leave you hungry – for more of Ivy Culpepper, and for fresh baked bread!

Kneaded to Death is the first book in Winnie Archer’s new Bread Shop Mysteries series.

Kneaded To Death is the first book in the A Bread Shop Mystery series.

I enjoy reading most all cozies with a culinary or themed storyline. Many of these series I am able to learn something new, but I felt that this series spent too much time discussing the process of making bread for my taste. Other than that I really enjoyed the story and one that kept me guessing to the end.

Ivy Culpepper, an aspiring photographer, has returned to her hometown of Santa Lucia after her mother was killed by a hit and run driver. She hopes that coming back, she, and her brother and father will be able to obtain closure for this terrible accident.

Ivy has been a frequent shopper at Yeast Of Eden, a local bakery, and when she notices a sign for a bread baking class she decides to enroll hoping it will help her deal with her mother’s death. The first class is about five minutes from the beginning when the last attendee, Jackie, finally shows up. Everyone gets settled into their workstations and they begin to assemble the ingredients this evening bread, when Jackie says she has to take a call from her daughter, Jasmine. A short time later, Ivy and the rest of the class hear a disturbance from outside. What they find are Randy Russell and Miguel Baptista in a heated argument. Soon after Baptista and Russell are calmed down the lifeless body of Jackie is found in her car, just a few feet away from where the argument had taken place.

One day, as Ivy and her father are driving through the neighborhood they come Penny Branford’s home and Ivy is reintroduced to Mrs. Branford. Soon after Penny learns that Ivy is a photographer, she asks Ivy to help her spy on a Buck Masterson, a neighbor. Masterson and his wife act as the guardians of the neighborhood and reporting people who they feel are irresponsible and changing the historic appearance of the neighborhood. Ivy soon learns that Penny is most interested in watching Jackie’s house to find out just why the Masterson’s have been mysteriously trespassing on her property.

A wonderfully told mystery with an interesting cast of character. I particularly enjoyed the character of Penny Branigan, despite the problems that come with old age, she still remains alert and feisty. Hopefully, in future books, we will be able to learn more about Ivy’s dad and brother.

Will be watching for book #2.

Love, love, love... one of my favorite authors, and I didn't even know it! Great read... highly recommmended!!

**my review of this book will publish to my blog at www.myinterdimensionalchaos.blogspot.com on March 6th. I will post a link to the blog post once it goes live. It has already been posted to Goodreads. I am providing those links at this time.**

Ivy Culpepper moves back home to California after her mother dies in a hit-and-run accident. Ivy is grieving and trying to learn to live life without her mother. She finds a local bread bakery, Yeast of Eden, and decides to take a bread making class. The shop owner, Olaya Dias, and her sisters are very special people. Ivy feels an instant connection to them. But, during the first baking class, one student goes outside to take a phone call and never comes back. Ivy, Olaya and a couple baking class students go outside to the parking lot looking for the missing class member, Jackie. Not only do they discover two men about to fight in the parking lot, but they find Jackie's body in her car. She has been murdered. Suddenly, Ivy finds herself involved in a very complex murder case and implications that it might have connections much closer to home.

Kneaded to Death is the first book in the new Bread Shop Mystery series. I am a big fan of culinary cozy mysteries, so when I noticed this was the start of a new series, I just had to read this book! I'm glad I did! The mystery portion of the plot is well-paced, more complex than most cozies, and filled with possible suspects and unexpected twists. The sub-plots of Ivy's family grieving the death of her mother, the almost magical bakery and details about bread and baking really made this a rich, interesting culinary cozy. There was more substance to this story than most cozies. It wasn't overly cute and cuddly, but a real, serious mystery. There is mention of the supernatural in that Olaya admits to being a Bruja, but it's a minor portion of the story. And, there is a dog....a cute rescue pug.....but the dog is not magical or an integral part of the plot. Too many cozy mysteries use the tropes of magical supernatural pets, ghosts, witches, etc. This book mentioned magic and witches, but only to the extent that Olaya is a healer and uses her hands and talents to bake wonderful bread. Kudos to Winnie Archer for writing a great debut cozy with just the right amount of color and culinary subplot.....without falling prey to the tendency for cozies to go too far towards the cute and cuddly leaving the mystery portion of the plot to languish and falter.

I am definitely going to read future books in this series! This book is well-written and an intriguing read. Plus, there are recipes in the back as well! I'm learning to bake bread so that part of the plot was fun for me! At one point a student in the cooking class forgot to add the yeast to her dough so she had to have help to fix her mistake -- I smiled at that point. That would be me, if I was in Olaya's class. I am not a natural baker.....I'm learning, but have had several loaves that just didn't work. My dogs love it when that happens as they get to eat the mistakes! I loved the theme for this debut in a new series, and I'm definitely on board for the next book!!

**I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.**

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1901395058?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

The author's descriptions of the bread shop were what initially drew me into this book. She painted such a vivid picture of the bread shop, the houses on Maple Street, the beaches of Santa Sofia, and the downtown area. I could almost taste the fresh baked bread and hear the surf.

The protagonist of this story is Ivy Culpepper, a photographer who has recently moved from Austin, Texas back to her hometown the beachside Santa Sofia. Ivy is still reeling from the death of her mother who's life was recently taken in a tragic accident. Only Ivy can't quite shake the feeling that it was no accident at all. Six months after her mother's death the only thing helping distract her from the empty hole in her heart is Yeast of Eden, bread shop. The first night of a bread making class doesn't go exactly as planned when one of her fellow classmates turns up dead. Though Ivy's best friend Emmaline is on the case curiosity gets the best of Ivy and she decides to launch a little investigation of her own. Could the death of her one time classmate be connected to the death of her mother?

Like many cozy mysteries this book has a large cast of characters to keep straight. But in the end each character served their purpose and I enjoyed getting to know Ivy, her classmates, friends, and family. I definitely look forward to the next story in the series as the author has setup many gems to be developed in book 2.

Winnie Archer's Kneaded to Death is the first book in the Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy returns to her seaside California home following the death of her mother. Grief is at the center point of her life until she begins a bread making class at Yeast of Eden. Ivy finds two new friends and begins to find hope again. Unfortunately a classmate's death casts a dark shadow over this new chapter of Ivy's life. With the help of her friends, she sets out to unravel the mystery. This book's subject matter was heavier than the usual cozy mystery plot. That is not a bad thing; just do not read it expect nothing but fluff. The mystery portion was excellent and had me guessing to the end. I hope there will be more books in this series.