I love this series and this one is not different. It wasn't my favorite, yet I've enjoyed watching the growth if each character throughout this series even with this being the 11th book. High school reunions and facing those bullies form so long ago was the topic of these one and it was covered well and Mel faced her fears. The mystery is always thought out and craved with care by McKinlay . I thought she would drop the ball with this being book eleven but I was wrong and glad to see that I was; our cozy book group hasn't enjoyed this series so far so we will continue to purchase all her work

Class reunions can be murder! Another great installment in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series. Highly recommended

Melanie and the staff at Fairy Tale Cupcake are back with book 11 in the Cupcake Bakery mystery. It's Melanie and Angie's 15th high school reunion and they want the deserts to be from Mel's bakery. Mel fights to say no but soon the bakery is baking and Mel is looking for a dress to wear. When Mel's high school nemesis is found dead all clues are pointing to Mel. An interesting array of characters and good review of them from previous books. The plot is something many can relate to. Can be read as a stand alone. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Another hilarious pick from Jenn McKinlay. But this one also has some very serious issues about bullying and self esteem, and I liked how vulnerable we got to see Mel.

This is a nice, relaxing summer reading sort of book, although the ending did get me a little tensed up. I knew everything would turn out okay because it's that sort of book, but I still spent a few places worried for the characters. I love that in a book. I also love the recipes.

I’ve never read a book in this series before so I thought I would give it a try. I really enjoyed it. The characters were lovable, the mystery was solid and it has cupcake recipes to boot. I will definitely recommend this to my cozy mystery readers and I will read other books in the series.

I usually don't read mysteries. I decided to read this one because of the title and I needed something different to read. It was a quick and entertaining book. I am glad I picked it because it spiked my interest to read more in that genre.

Fairytale Cupcakes and their crew has a request for a new customer, and Mel is not sure they need to take it. As Mel, Tate, and Angie are relieving their high school days and setting some things to rest, someone else has decided to settle old grudges. This series just keeps getting better with each book!

The eleventh book in the cupcake bakery mystery series has Mel, Angie, and Tate heading off to their high school reunion. Though reluctant at first, Mel soon changes her tune when the organizers order 500 cupcakes for the reunion, an enticing offer that will go to a rival baker if turned down. Mel is confronted with bullies from her past who she soon learns have not mellowed with age. Things take a decidedly sinister turn however when one of the bullies is found dead in the lady's room by Mel herself. Of course suspicion immediately falls on Mel, her name is written in lipstick above the body after all. With some help from some unlikely sources, Mel sets out to clear her name and find out who really murdered Cassidy and why.
I have been a longtime fan of this series that has improved with age (unlike the hateful Cassidy). The characters are still as engaging and quirky as ever, even with both of the leads being in serious relationships. The dynamic between the gang is still fresh and the mysteries continue to be well plotted and filled with interesting backstories. The topic of bullying, which can become very controversial, was handled with the same careful consideration the author gives to all of her writing. High school bullying really resonated with me, as I'm sure it did for many readers, and I appreciated that the author made a point of emphasizing that sometimes adults do not "grow out of it." This was another strong addition to the cupcake series and I cannot wait to try out some of the mouthwatering recipes listed in the back.

You can never go wrong with a Jenn McKinlay book. Her Cupcake Bakery mysteries are always great reads!

Our main character, Melanie, and her best friend Angie have been asked to bake the cupcakes for their upcoming 15-year high school reunion. Mel, who was heavily bullied, is extremely resistant, and Angie basically forces her to do it (which was a part I was a bit uncomfortable with. Sure, Mel achieved a bit of catharsis at the reunion, but No Means No, Angie!) At the reunion, Mel dances with her old high school crush, who naturally is married to the class Mean Girl, whose glory days are 15 years behind her, so she's going to keep reliving them. She and Mel have words, and shortly after, Meanie is found dead in the bathroom. Of course, you don't get to be the Mean Girl without stepping on some toes, so Mel is far from the only suspect. Along the way, Mel and her fiance Joe wonder (as does the reader) if they're ever going to manage to get married. Spoiler alert: not in this book either. Maybe they'll get around to it eventually, or just live in sin forever.

I read quite a lot of Cozy Mysteries and have found that this series remains special because of its lighthearted nature and almost Contemporary Romance feel to it. The Cupcake Bakery series is more fun and free-flowing than some of the more tightly written mysteries you’ll encounter in the genre so I do think that’s something to note that makes this series special.

DYING FOR DEVIL’S FOOD CAKE explores the struggle of a reunion. While there are some like Angie who are excited to revisit past friends, Melanie is much more reserved. Since he was bullied during high school, the last thing she wants is to revisit those painful memories and people.

Disaster strikes when a death occurs, and this is were I think the mystery aspect really comes alive. Since a lot of the book has banter and dialogue, it can feel more light. But then McKinlay jumps into the stuff that really matters in a way that makes the book much more enjoyable.

I enjoy this series because I think it’s a great one for readers who might be interested in trying out the Cozy Mystery genre but aren’t really sure if it’s a good match for them. If you are into Contemporaries, I think this could be a good introduction for a new obsession.

Melanie Cooper faces the high school bullies of her nightmares, making her character stronger and a beacon for victims everywhere. Angie, best friend and co-owner is a cheerleader type. Joe DeLaura, fiance and brother of Angie who is also the DA. He escorts Mel to the reunion and makes a point of letting everyone know how lucky he is to be marrying her. I loved him for that! Tate Harper, Mel's other best friend and business partner who is married to Angie now stands by Mel as a fierce friend. Uncle Stan is a police detective and provides the police connection to get information rather than the usual cop boyfriend. I liked Stan and how it worked. Marty Zelaznik, the spunky octogenarian counter-help, and Oz, the young tattooed pastry student that is her kitchen backup are gems for additional characters.

The plot was a basic cozy who-dunnit with a cast of suspects around the cupcake business theme. The pacing had a little bit of a rough start for me with the drama filled reunion, but it picked up quickly. The investigation moved along smoothly and before I knew it we were at the end, so the pacing sped along.

The killer reveal wasn't necessarily a surprise, since many characters had solid motives to kill the mean girl. But, I will say the killer wasn't obvious. The reveal was suspenseful and seemed natural-to a point. The wrap-up provided some character depth to the mean-girl victim and to another bully.

I had not read any of the previous books in the series and had no problem picking up the book and enjoying it. Dying for Devil's Food is a lite read and addresses the bullying topic from Mel's tortured memories which keeps it both at arm's length while putting a face to it. It shows how vicious just words can be and how it devastates the spirit while keeping the story overall still breezy. I liked the boyfriend being a DA rather than a cop, nice twist on that cliche.

Rating: Good - A fun lite read.

Remembering the taunting she got from many of her classmates back in the day, Mel has no interest in attending the upcoming high school reunion. When she learns that the catering job might go to her rival, though, Angie talks her into not only taking the job, but attending the reunion as well. When the class 'mean girl,' who is still an expert at bullying, picks a public fight with her, Mel realizes that Cassidy is who she is and no longer has any kind of hold over Mel. When Cassidy is found dead shortly after the confrontation, Mel is at the top of everyone's suspect list.

This is one of my favorite series, and I wait eagerly for each new book's release. I have enjoyed watching the relationships between the established characters grow and change as the series progresses, and I'm glad to see new characters introduced as well. I can't wait to see how the new friendship formed in this book develops as the series continues, although I expect a bit of a rocky road at the start.

The mystery in this book almost seemed to take a back seat to some of the other issues addressed, which might be why I was able to figure out the killer's identity rather easily. There were plenty of suspects to choose from, but this one jumped out at me as the most likely suspect, and I was almost disappointed to learn that I was right. That won't stop me, though, from continuing the series when the next book comes out.

Dying for Devil’s Food: A Cupcake Bakery Mystery
By Jenn McKinlay
Berkley
May 2019

Review by Cynthia Chow

For Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery owner Melanie Cooper, high school was a torturous era of being bullied by Mean Girls, taunted with the name “Melephant,” and mooning over her crush Danny Griffin. It’s why the baker has no intention whatsoever in attending her 15th high school reunion, despite her BFF Angie Harper’s declaration that this is the perfect opportunity to show off all that they have achieved and how far they have come. Sure, Melanie is engaged to Angie’s hot brother Joe DeLaura and would love to parade him around, but it’s not until Melanie is manipulated into catering the event at a hefty profit that she reluctantly agrees to attend. The reunion is initially as horrific as Melanie could ever have imagined, with the taunting beginning just as it ended 15 years ago and led by the viciously cruel Cassidy Havers-Griffin. A dance with Danny and triumphant standoff against Cassidy makes it all worthwhile for Melanie though, at least until she stumbles across her bully’s body in the women’s restroom. A cupcake and lipstick message have Mel immediately targeted by a jealous detective, but a passed lie detection test gives Mel a moment to breathe.

Mel knows that suspicion will linger until the real culprit is discovered, so she and her friends begin to do a little discreet surveillance at Cassidy’s wake and funeral service. Mel, Angie, and their third Musketeer Tate Harper soon learn that Cassidy was more feared than liked, and that her manipulative ways had even those closest to her unwilling to cross her. That doesn’t mean that Cassidy still didn’t have the power to lure suitors, and Mel worries that one of her friendlier classmates may now be arrested for murder.

I have to admit, scenes of Melanie being bullied by her former classmates ignited a visceral reaction, with the verbal abuse and taunts making me squirm. These moments are thankfully brief as it’s not long before Mel comes to the realization that to take away all of the bully’s power she only has to proclaim, “You simply don’t matter to me.” Many readers will sympathize with those adolescent memories of being made to feel small and ugly, and it takes a great deal of maturity of wisdom to realize that everyone was simply doing their best to survive. It’s truly rewarding for readers to see the happiness Mel has found in her bakery and in her relationship with her fiancé Joe. The love Mel feels when creating her delicious cupcakes comes through the pages, and recipes will lure readers into giving them a try themselves. The friendly banter and affection shared between Mel, Joe, Angie, and Tate continues to be a highlight of the series, especially when it is shared with their family and coworkers. Readers can never have enough of these good friends, delicious baking, and great adventures.