Teddy is brash, brave, she is like the fearless one and gungho for the truth. Being framed for two murders was no easy feat and one she didn't intend to take lightly. I love her keen sense of deduction, and honesty. Together she and the other two musketeers aim to find the true murderer and clear her name. She didn't expect to find romance along the way, nor did she let the fact that she had lost her two breasts to cancer be an obstacle. She just didn't bargain to becoming the next target of the murderer's deranged focus.

A bit of cooking, a bit of romance and a couple of murders what could be better. A nice cozy mystery set in Wisconsin complete with smattering of regional dialect.. This book is witty, charming and has crazy capers that keep the reader smiling and guessing until the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy. Teddie lives with her beloved dog Gracie. She writes murder mystery books and enjoys baking. Teddie goes to a book signing for fellow murder author Tavish Bentley when she suffers with a hot flush. Teddie takes off her scarf and tries to cool down but ends up going home to have a shower and get changed. Then a body is discovered having been strangled with Teddie's scarf. A beautifully written story as Teddie turns sleuth to clear her name and love blossoms with Tavish.

Teddie St John is the famous local author, but she’s not even in the same league as visiting author Tavish Bentley. Attending his book signing at her BFF’s bookstore, fireworks seems to go off when Tavish seems to be smitten with Teddie and things get even hotter when Teddie has to deal with hot flashes that send her home before she can participate in the event. But when she returns with her dog and finds Tavish’s fiancé dead, with Teddie’s scarf wrapped around her neck, it looks like Teddie is the murderer.

A cancer survivor who lost lost her breasts to a mastectomy, Teddie is a fighter and won’t go down without a fight. Luckily her two BFFs are on board with some sleuthing to clear her name. Balancing her book deadline, sleuthing and a budding relationship, Teddie has her hands full. But when a second woman is found murdered with another of Teddie’s scarves, things get even more strenuous. There’s a lot of second guessing every suspect, finding some new ones and even questioning whether Tavish has had a hand in it all. A mystery writer has to solve it or end up dead, just like her own characters. Will Teddie survive or be another victim?

A great start to a new series with a cute Eskie dog, a hottie with a Brittish accent and fabulous recipes. I’m going to enjoy this series for a long time to come!

I am always up for a cozy mystery, so I was happy to dive into this series set in the midwest. This series was unique in that its main character is a cancer survivor and the repurcussions of her treatments play a fairly large role in the plot. The book has so many hallmarks of a cozy, a main character with close friends who are up for anything and a small town in which everybody knows everybody, It will be interesting how the series progresses.

Teddie St. John is a superb baker and a mystery writer. One day while walking her dog she comes upon the body of a beautiful blond woman, the fiancée of a touring British author. Apparently the murder weapon is Teddy's missing silk scarf. One murder turns into two, and the second victim is strangled with another of Teddy's scarves.

Lots of interesting characters and an unusual plot makes this a great read.

Teddie is a quirky character that’s easy to instantly love. She is a breast cancer survivor and writer living in Lake Potawatomi, Wisconsin with her American Eskimo dog, Gracie. When the local bookstore held a signing for a famous author things get tricky. Teddy having decided after a double mastectomy not to get fake breast wears scarves to shield her chest or lack there of to everyone. It was great until two women turned up dead by her scarves.
This debut series is a hit! Well developed characters and a beautiful setting. It’s full of twist and turns to find the killer. I can’t wait for the next one.

First in series. Teddie is a baker by day and a mystery writer by night.
She attends an author reading and has to retreat to the ladies due to hot flashes. The hot flashes were brought on by breast cancer.
Really good read likeable characters both primary and secondary.

This was a fun cozy mystery! The story is exactly as presented.
I really enjoyed all of the characters. Teddie is strong and fun. The plot is entertaining

Hopefully someone else will enjoy this book. I will try to read it in the future. Enjoy this boon for yourself

Theodora "Teddie" St. John is a breast cancer survivor and author of a cozy mystery series. While attending a book signing for a best selling thriller writer, Tavish Bently, her scarf is stolen. Soon after when walking her American Eskimo, Gracie, Teddie finds Bently's fiancé strangled with her stolen scarf. When Bently's stalker is found strangled with another of Teddie's scarves, the police are wondering has Teddie snapped?
Though you may be able to guess "whodunnit" the humor and engaging characters will keep you reading. With a hint of romance, a bit of snark, and lots of baking I hope this book becomes the first in a very long series! #netgalley #murdermostsweet

Teddie is a baker and an author. She has a beutiful companion she walks everyday. She an american eskimo dog.Teddie attended a book signing and got hot flashes so she needed to cool off. She threw her beautiful turqoise scarf on the counter and started splashing water on herself and soon got carried away. She hears two women arguing over the author tavish. After the ladies leave Teddy came out to collect her scarf and leave but theres no scarf. One of the ladies stole her scarf. After Teddie left in a hurry because her dress was soaken wet, her and her dog find her scarf. Its around Tavishs fiancees neck. This book was a beautiful and fun read. I felt like I was along on Teddys adventures and I had a great time. The story was humorous and clever. I really enjoyed myself while reading this book. I definitely recommend this book.

An interesting start to a new cosy series.

The main character is a cosy mystery writer which is a first for me. I like the relationship between her and her friends, although her difficult Mother is a bit of a cliche. There's romance and murder. There are plenty of suspects and red herrings.

I look forward to seeing how the series develops.

Murder Most Sweet is the debut of the A Bookish Baker Mystery series set in the small town of Lake Potawatomi, Michigan and featuring cozy author, baker and breast cancer survivor Theodora "Teddie" St. John and her American Eskimo dog, Gracie. Teddie has been asked by bookstore owner and best friend Char Jorgensen to provide the treats for the upcoming author appearance of Tavish Bentley, the British author known for his best selling suspense novels.

Things are going well at the event, Teddie has had an opportunity to meet Tavish and engage in conversation, when she is suddenly struck by one of the hot flashes resulting from her chemo treatment and early menopause. Dashing into the bathroom to cool down, Teddie hides in a stall when she hears someone coming and overhears a threatening conversation between Kristi, the fiancee of Tavish and an unidentified woman. Finally slipping out of the bathroom and out the back door Teddie is shocked to find Kristi lying dead in the alley - strangled by one of Teddie's trademark scarves.

As things heat up between Tavish and Teddie, and the internet swirls with rumors that they are guilty of murder, Teddie is determined to track down the real killer. When an obsessed stalker fan of Tavish is also found strangled by one of Teddie's scarves, she knows she has to act quickly before the publishing house cancels her contract and her career is over.

A good mystery with several suspects, the story does bog down a little in the middle. It's also a little distracting that the author continually mentions Teddie's cancer and lack of breasts, while totally sympathetic I didn't need to be reminded that she was a survivor in every chapter. I also enjoyed the interaction Teddie has with Gracie and was glad that the dog played a pivotal part in the reveal, but again did not need to know every time the dog did her business.

The book ends on a positive and upbeat note and I will be looking forward to more adventures with Teddie, Gracie, Tavish, Teddie's friends and her mother. I received an advanced copy of Murder Most Sweet from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Murder Most Sweet is the perfect start to a brand new cozy mystery series! I loved the characters in this book and the way the author wrote the mystery within the story. I was interested, intrigued, and downright obsessed with this one while I was reading! I am so excited for more!

What a great start to a new series. I did have the murderer figured out fairly early on but it was still a great story. Fun characters and secondary characters as well. Great recipes included at the end of the book. Can't wait for the next book. Highly recommend!

"Murder Most Sweet" is the first in the new Bookish Baker Mystery series, and it's off to a good start with this book! Theodora St. John (Teddie) is a breast cancer survivor who decides after her recovery to do what she has always wanted to do, and write a novel, becoming a well-known mystery writer in her small hometown of Lake Potowatami, Wisconsin. Teddie is also an avid baker, especially of treats that showcase her Scandinavian heritage. In this first book, murder strikes at the town's local bookstore during a book signing by famous British mystery writer Tavish Bentley. When Tavish's ex-fiancée is found murdered behind the bookshop, strangled with one of Teddie's scarves, she must clear her name as the prime suspect. Things get even dicier for Teddie when a second murder occurs, a woman named Annabelle who is a stalker of Tavish and who threatens, and later attacks Teddie after Annabelle sees Teddie and Tavish having dinner together. Teddie and Tavish, among a few others, become suspects, and Teddie knows that she must do what she can to clear her name and save her reputation as a writer. Thrown in with the mystery is a little romance between Teddie and Tavish.

The series premier was enjoyable, and I loved the close relationships between Teddie and her bet friends, Cher and Char (affectionately known as The Three Amigos), as well as that between Teddie and Char's boyfriend, Sheriff Brady Wells, who is also a childhood friends of Teddie's . Throw in Teddie's mom, who couldn't be more different from Teddie, and who is worried about her being able to get a man (especially given Teddie's double mastectomy and her bohemian fashion style). And I loved the relationship between Teddie and her dog Gracie.

And if you like to bake, there are numerous recipes included after the story that were referenced throughout, including a few Scandinavian treats!

Thanks to NeTGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. "Murder Most Sweet" is set to be released on August 11, 2020.

I really enjoyed this mystery a lot. There are tons of suspects and they all seem a little too obvious. My mind went in a different direction but I was wrong. The plot is fast paced enough to have kept me reading up to the 40% mark but I didn't feel an overwhelming desire to wake up really early and read. I happily finished the book the next night. My only real complaints is that all the suspects plus a romantic subplot make the story feel a little too long. That and there's too much of the dog has to go out each morning. It's the same thing-over and over. We know. Dogs do usually have to go out. While Gracie is adorable, it's a little too repetitive. I got a little tiny bit confused because everyone keeps referring to Tavish as a big New York author yet he lives in LA. I don't understand why he has dogs in Britain and New York if he lives somewhere else. There was one other little inconsistency that stood out to me. When Ted comes home to find a dramatic scene and Brady arrives to help, Char seems to be there. I'm not sure how she got there. Then later Char has been filled in so it sounds like she wasn't there. These are just minor quibbles. I award bonus points for frequent Harry Potter Series Box Set references and also Jane Austen references and quote from Sense and Sensibility.

Lake Potowatomi, Wisconsin is the town where the story is set. It seems to be closer to Indiana and Illinois than the rest of Wisconsin. Chicago is a day trip away. This town doesn't have a lot of charm yet. There is one super nosy old lady who loves to spread nasty gossip. This town seems to be populated by elderly people and when Tavish Bentley comes to town, he brings the LA stereotypes trailing after him. I hope there are future books so the town can be developed better. I have news for Wisconsinites-you aren't the only ones to say "yous guys." It's spelled "youse guys" and is similar to "De boatayuz" meaning more than one person. We also use the word bubblah the way Ted uses bubbler for a public drinking fountain.

I really like Ted. We have a lot in common so I'm glad I picked this book to read. I don't usually read about 40-something heroines because they're usually married, divorced and/or have children. I'm not in that space right now in spite of my age so I prefer reading about younger heroines starting out in adulthood. I'm happy to have made an exception for Ted. The one big thing you need to know about her is that she is a breast cancer survivor. This is not incidental to the story. It's a huge part of who Ted is. She chose to have a double mastectomy and no reconstruction. She is happy being flat if it means being alive. This causes tension with her mother who is not happy with her daughter's choice because "men like breasts." Ted is cheerful, optimistic and a great mom to Gracie, the American Eskimo dog. She even puts up with her mother. Ted's sleuthing has a purpose and isn't completely stupid. I was surprised she didn't figure out what I did that finally led me to a conclusion about who did it. I think Ted sounds like she's the author's alter ego so it's a little funny to read a cozy mystery about a cozy mystery writer. (Not ALL cozy mystery lovers are little old ladies).

Secondary characters abound in this novel. Most importantly is Gracie, Ted's dog daughter. Ted is a real dog lover and Gracie is her child. While I do think Gracie's morning ritual is repetitive, she plays an important role in the story because of it. I appreciate the love and care Ted gives Gracie and really felt her love in one particular scene. I don't know what I'd do in that situation! Ted's mother is yet another "high class" disapproving, you need a man mother. Why do all these cozy mystery heroines have the same mother? LOL! I warmed up to her by the end when Ted revealed a private conversation between her parents she overheard. Ted has three best pals. Her gal pals, Char and Sharon, are basically alike. They've been friends forever and encourage Ted in her adventures. Sharon is happily married and Char, a librarian turned bookstore owner, is in an on-again, off-again relationship with Sheriff Brady Wells. Brady is a good guy. He's in over his head with his first murder AND his best friend is involved (don't question why he's investigating when he's close to the suspect) but he knows how to play by the book. He isn't incompetent or stupid. He's also a good friend who worries about Ted because she's a friend. Tavish, a Colin Firth lookalike British mystery author who can quote Jane Austen at the drop of a hat! I don't blame Teddie for being attracted. They actually do have a lot in common. I was surprised and actually pleased by the way their relationship developed. He seems kind and funny. He loves dogs an Gracie likes him so I don't think he's a murderer. Tavish brings along his assistant, Melody, an intense, black clad young woman who takes her job a little too seriously. I think she has a crush on Tavish.

The locals include Augie Jorgensen (my cousin?), the deputy. He is Sharon's "little" brother. He comes across as young and eager but not too intelligent. Bea Andersson at the bakery has a crush on Tavish. She behaves very unprofessionally asking him to sign her book. Fred Matson, an elderly man who frequents the local bakery and enjoys the drama of the mystery unfolding before him. The elderly population of the town doesn't seem to have anything to do. Wilma Sorensen is a horrid old woman, going out of her way to spy on people and spread nasty gossip. Her walking friend Barbara Christensen is a little nicer to Ted but puts up with Wilma.

Tavish's fiance, or ex-fiance, as it turns out, Kristi was a stereotypical blond, fake boobed, bimbo (Ted is an expert at spotting silicone implants since her own encounter with them after cancer surgery). Kristi sounds like a gold digger and after Tavish because he's handsome, clever and RICH. What on earth does he see in her? Kristi's pal aka Boobsey Twin, is a Kristi clone. She's quick to accuse Ted of murder and is just not a nice person at all. I think she could be the killer. There are tons of suspects. Tom, Kristi's abusive ex, claims he loves her and is distraught at her death. He's clearly a no-good, alcoholic bum. He belongs in jail. Then there's Annabelle, Tavish's crazy stalker fan who is in love with him. She's totally crazy and delusional but once we meet her family, I began to feel super sorry for her. The Grubbs shoot to the top of the weird possible suspects list. Darlene is clinging to lost youth and puts up with a slob of a husband and a cretin son-in-law. Harley Cooke is a disgusting pig. He's a lazy slob, a womanizer and completely heartless. Ted and I would both like him to be the killer. Tavish had a type and his ex-wife Lucinda seems to look the part but is actually a cutthroat realtor. She's vindictive and selfish. Jewel, a young woman who works in a coffee shop could be another crazy Tavish Bentley fan who may have killed a rival. She certainly isn't very pleasant. Finally, Ronald Simms, a disgruntled writer who holds a grudge against Tavish for supposedly stealing Ronald's ideas even though the court ruled otherwise. Ronald is super weird and creepy. His books sound terrible and nothing like Tavish's. This guy sounds like a whiny loser who blames everyone else for his problems. He makes my skin crawl.

There are recipes! OMG I love Scandinavian pastry and I have Scandinavian pastry cookbooks so why have I never heard of fattigaman bakkles or Danish Butter Cake? (I have seen recipes of the cookies and the cake seems to be a midwestern thing). I want to try the cake with a slight adaptation and remove the almond flavor. It sounds like Victoria Sponge with a custard layer. No wonder Tavish loves it so much.

I highly recommend this mystery to cozy mystery fans

Murder Most Sweet is only my second Cozy Mystery and I'm really liking this genre. This book is actually better that my first since I didn't have to contend with a library ghost.

Set in a small town called Lake Potawatomi, WI, it is the perfect warm and comfortable setting for the story to take place. The protagonist is not only an accomplished writer, she is also an accomplished baker (hence the bookish baker mystery.) The protagonist has an Eskie (American Eskimo dog) and what a delight that is. You dog lovers will really enjoy the relational aspect between dog and human. It just adds to the storyline.

Murder Most Sweet has a great combination of light mystery and light romance. However, I thought there was an abruptness to uncovering the perpetrator. Maybe that was just me.

Overall, a good read. An added bonus -- real recipes you can use at the end of the book. I'll need to try some -- especially the Oatmeal Raisin cookie recipe.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bookish Bakery
Author Teddie St. John not only deals with editors and deadlines, she's still dealing with the aftershocks of her breast cancer diagnosis, and the fact her mother is not dealing with it as well as she is. When she feels off balance, much to her friends' delight she deals with it by baking.
A member of a close trio, their own version of the 'Three Musketeers,' her friends Sharon and Char are her support system, along with her American eskimo pup, Gracie. Shaoron runs a B&B while char runs a book store.
When a favorite author is having a book signing at the store, his ex-girlfriend is strangled..with Teddie's scarf, and Teddie is the one to find the body, while returning to the book store after leaving to deal with a hot flash, making her look suspicious.
Shady things happen and another body makes her look guiltier still while she's running around trying hard to solve it and the author Tavish Bently is enamored with her, which doesn't get either on off the suspect list.
This tale is spun with intrigue, humor, family interaction, good friends and deals practically with the after effects of Teddie's big life change.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc to peruse and offer my opinion freely.