Crust No One by Winnie Archer is the second installment in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has found solace at Yeast of Eden run by her friend and mentor Olaya Solis in Santa Sofia, California. The Blackbird Ladies (as Ivy as dubbed them) come into the shop to partake in the delicious goodies and chat (gossip). Miguel Baptista calls to hire Ivy (professional photographer) to do photographs for his menus, advertising, and web site for Baptista’s (the restaurant he is remodeling). Ivy had hoped that the spark between them would flare up again, but there is something holding Miguel back. The Blackbird Ladies are worried when Mustache Hank, the local produce man, disappears. He has missed his deliveries, and no one has seen him recently. Miguel is also concerned about Hank who provides produce for his restaurant and has never missed a delivery. Ivy (who only met the man once) and Miguel team up look for Hank Rivera. They get assistance from the loquacious Blackbird Ladies who know all the local gossip. Hank had recently gone through a divorce from his high school sweetheart and he was having financial difficulties. Ivy and Olaya are also preparing for the Winter Wonderland Festival where they will have a booth. What happened to Hank? Will romance bloom between Ivy and Miguel?

Crust No One is the second book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone since the author provides the needed background information and a summary of events from the first book are included. The cozy elements are the dominant part of the book. Ivy settling into her new home, making bread, chatting, enjoying Winter Wonderland Festival, the various Blackbird Ladies, walking, eating, etc. The mystery is different with a missing person (instead of Ivy stumbling over a dead body). It is a medium level mystery and readers might not figure out all the elements (I do not want to say too much and give anything away). The issues between Miguel and Ivy were not enjoyable (I wanted to lock them in a room and tell them to talk it out). They broke up after high school and have yet to discuss the why. At the end of the book, the topic is finally addressed (but you will have guessed what happened long before then). I found the pace to be a little slow for my liking and my attention was not held by this story. The investigation consists of talking to people. These talks can provide pertinent information and vital clues. The story could have used some action and a faster pace. Ivy’s thinking/speculation and repetition of details (how many times do I need to be told Mrs. Branford’s age) along with bread making fill the book. I thought it was odd that Ivy became so invested in looking for a man she only met (briefly) once. Something else that stood out to me was when Miguel contacted Ivy for her photography services, she did not contact him back immediately. She waits two days because she will only do things on her terms (with regard to Miguel). Did she forget this is a business transaction and not personal? I preferred Kneaded to Death to Crust No One. Crust No One could have used a few tweaks.

An entertaining addition to a delightful series. A enjoyable read.

This is a great book; this is the second book in the Bread Shop Mystery Series written by Winnie Archer. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. 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.

This is a wonderful read that I couldn't put down. Winnie Archer is an amazing storyteller and writes a intriguing mystery. I loved it so much I had to buy the first in the series as soon as I finished Crust No One. Santa Sofia is reminds me of the small coastal town I grew up in and I was hoping Ivy would give Miguel the chance to rekindle their relationship the entire book. I recommend this series to anyone who loves a great mystery

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and interesting, and the relationship between the main character Ivy and her friends in the Blackbird ladies was great. Ivy was especially close to Penny Branford. They had great respect for one another and their relationship grew as the book progressed and they worked to solve the murder of one of Penny's friends, Moustache Mike.

All in all a good cozy. A pet peeve of mine; to get ahold of someone is usually spelled "a hold". I recommend this book. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy and the Blackbird ladies found themselves involved in a curious disappearance that leads to a serial killer's home, to think there was a vulture hidden in the midst of the gang all along, how shocking. This tale had lots of twist and turns and lots of intrigues, making this book very captivating and entertaining. I especially like the mix of the second time's the charm romance between Ivy and Miguel but there was a monumental hurdle to get over first. This story had an entertaining storyline backed by wonderful characters, the build-up of this story was awesome and the villains were nicely done. An awesome read with the right blends making this an amazing read.

3.5 stars

Decent second entry in the Bread Shop Mystery series. Apprentice baker and former pro photographer Ivy Culpepper is happy to be back in her home town. But a local man goes missing, and Ivy gets pulled into the investigation of his disappearance.

The characters are interesting and have some depth to them and the setting is a plus -- a bakery in small coastal town. To me, the very odd romance -- a tension-filled throwback to a drama-laden high school relationship with Ivy's old boyfriend Miguel, is a distraction.

The ending to the mystery is a tad unbelievable, but then sometimes that's how it works out in cozies. But the second ending, dealing with the resolution of the romantic difficulties, felt like it belonged in a different book. Perhaps this will clear the air for the next book in the series and let the emphasis return to the mystery-solving.

Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for supplying me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book!

Although I had read a couple of pages the night before, sleep then work then life got in the way and I really wanted to finish this book! Monday is my break throughout my ten days on working, so I decided Sunday night to stay up a little later and finish this. I'm glad I did!

First off, I liked the way Ivy integrates herself into the mystery; she doesn't really know the victim, or even if there is a victim, but it worked in her justifying why she wanted to help. The other characters were a delight also, especially Penny, and I hope to see more of the input from the Blackbird ladies in future books.

My few dislikes about this book were small but in the end stopped this from being a perfect cozy. Firstly...cozies are meant to be a little gentle, not over the top gore/crime/serial killer stuff. Perhaps this is a spoiler, so <spoiler>but having the victim stuffed in a trash can, and having ten other victims kind of surprised me. This isn't the out of sight crime that most cozies endorse. </spoiler> Also, the romance and the 'reason' Miguel left as a teenager? I'd tell him to stuff off. He never even ASKED Ivy or told her his reasons, all because his younger sister said something was true? Yeah no, not a basis for a relationship IMO. He needs to go.

But I liked the investigating, the theme and the town and I think this series has real potential. I'll definitely be picking up more books in the future. Four stars.

Crust No One is the second book in the Bread Shop series by Winnie Archer.
Ivy Culpepper is a fun character and her roll (no pun intended) in this book is a sure fire hit.

Working as an apprentice at Yeast of Eden, the quaint seaside town of Santa Sofia, Ivy is happy with her life.
True, her relationship with Miguel Baptista may never be the same, but Ivy is still happy with her life.
It isn't until the mysterious disappearance of Hank Riviera, producer supplier for Miguel's restaurant becomes the local gossip that brings Ivy & Miguel back together.

With the help of The Blackbird Ladies, Ivy works hard to find answers and maybe restore her friendship with Miguel.
This story was written with such detail I could practicqally smell the breads as they came out of the oven.
The writer held my attention from beginning to end and added enough twists to keep me guessing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for providing me with an ARC of this exciting book.

#BreadShopMystery #NetGalley

I'll admit to being a sucker for this series (well, for the two books in the series.). Ivy, a photographer who gets her deepest gratification from baking bread with Olaya, finds herself investigating yet another murder with the aid of the Blackbird ladies, a group of mature women. She's got a great little dog, a good friend in Emmaline, and a nose for sniffing out clues. Sigh- Ivy gets into this because of her ex- Miguel, who in turn was approached by Hank's son when Hank went missing. Will Ivy and Miguel get back together? Not telling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. There are some twists, humor, and all in all, it's a good entertaining read.

Ivy Culpepper is still working with Olaya Solis at Yeast of Eden learning to bake breads when ex-boyfriend asks for help in finding a missing man. Hank's son has asked Miguel to help him and in turn Miguel asked Ivy because the pair had successfully solved a murder before.
They investigated even after being told he wasn't missing and chased down clues pointing at, then clearing suspects...but when Hank's body turns up...more friends as well as the police track down all the leads.
In the end, the murderer is someone no one suspected and they almost got away.
Plenty of clues and twists make this an engrossing read.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC.

Crust No One is the second book in Winnie Archer’s Bread Shop Mystery series. The characters are three dimensional and well developed and the plot is well paced and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. The reader is provided with a number of possible suspects and plenty of clues, twists and turns. This book can easily be read as a standalone as the author provides great background information.

Ivy Culpepper, a professional photographer, has returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia after the death of her mother and is working part-time at Yeast of Eden, a Mexican bread bakery run by her friend Olaya Solis. While visiting with the Blackbird Ladies (Penny, Janice, Mabel, and Alice), she’s introduced to Mustache Hank, who is a friend of the group of older women. Miguel Baptista, Ivy’s high school sweetheart, contacts her about preparing new menus and brochures for his family restaurant, when he mentions his reliable vegetable supplier, Hank Rivera, hasn’t made his deliveries lately and that Hank’s son, Jason, is worried about him. Ivy asks if Hank is the man she recently met and Miguel confirms he is. Ivy and Miguel decide to visit Hank’s ex-wife, Brenda, to ask a few questions. Penny has helped Ivy investigate before and when she learns Mustache Hank is missing, she wants to help Ivy and Miquel find him and figure out why he disappeared. Ivy, Penny, and Miguel provide clues to Deputy Sheriff Emmaline Davis, her best friend, who is dating her brother, Billy.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Crust No One is the second installment in the A Bread Shop Mystery series set in the small town of Santa Sofia, CA featuring photographer and part time baker Ivy Culpepper. Ivy has settled into her new house with her little pug Agatha, is overjoyed that her brother Billy is moving in with her best friend and deputy sheriff Emmaline Davis and is looking forward to the upcoming Winter Wonderland Festival where the treats prepared by Yeast of Eden owner Olaya Solis are sure to be a huge hit.

When her high school boyfriend Miguel Baptista comes to ask Ivy to help find missing produce man Hank "Moustache" Rivera she's a little apprehensive. Their chemistry is still there but having been spurned by Miguel and left with a broken heart years ago Ivy's not sure she's ready to get over her feelings.

With the help of the Blackbird Ladies - Penny Branford, Mabel Peabody, Alice Ryder and Janice Thompson, the group of women who frequent Yeast of Eden and who've known Hank forever, Ivy sets out to try and locate the man and unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sudden disappearance. Unfortunately, Hank is found stuffed in ex wife's Brenda's garbage can and now the ladies must find a killer.

A fast paced plot with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing as to the killer's identity. This addition to the series touches on the sensitive topic of elder abuse which the author handles beautifully. A wonderful cast of characters who continue to grow and bond and just the right hint of romance.

I received an advanced copy of Crust No One from NetGalley via Kensington Publishing. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

A very good mystery, a bit darker thant the usual cozy. It is not a matter of plot but of the development and discoveries that involves charachters in relation to themselves and the other.
Even if this is the second book in the serie there is no problem in understand the character and their relationship. Well written, good plot with no hole, some interesting consideration on grief and healing that gives the reader some food for thought.
I hope to read soon the next instalment. Many thanks to Kensington Book and Netgalley.

This is a wonderful mystery featuring a feisty, intrepid and intelligent protaganist in Ivy Culpepper. Ivy has returned to her hometown of Santa Sofia after her divorce and the death of her mother and as she starts up her career as a photographer she is working at Yeast of Eden, a bread bakery run by her friend and mother figure Olaya Solis. While working there she one day meets Hank Rivera, known as Moustache Hank, who is a friend of a group of older women Ivy calls The Blackbird Ladies, which includes Ivy's good friend Penny Branford. When Ivy is visiting with Miguel Baptista, her high school and perhaps future boyfriend, Hank's son comes to Miguel and tells him that Hank is missing. Having investigated together in the past, the two, along with Penny Branford, investigate and find all kinds of reason for him to have disappeared. This book captivated me from the first page to the last, with the descriptions of all the breads on offer at Yeast of Eden making me want to learn to make some of them myself, or at least make a trip to the local bakery.

#CrustNoOne #Netgalley
Great series, Ivy Culpepper is a wonderful character full of kick and a fiery spark. The second book in the Breadshop Mystery. The mystery keeps great paced and the story is a fun, cozy page turner.