What a great start to a new cozy series. Lindsey has had enough of the New York financial world having made a lot of money but now with a broken heart when she catches her fiance doing the horizontal tango with his pastry chef, Mia. While drowning her sorrows, Lindsey happens upon a real estate ad for a charming Michigan light house. Perfect - chuck New York, move to Lake Michigan and open a bakery in the light house and also live on site. As they say, best laid plans and all that....let's just say that the lighthouse has great bones and potential and needs oodles of cash to bring it back to its glory. On the big day, the grand opening is marred by a group of local protestors who would rather the lighthouse remain as it was intended. Add to that? Her ex and the pastry chef, Mia, show up and soon pastry is being used as artillery and Mia meets a sticky end. By poisoned donut. Let the investigating begin. Might there be a real, honest to goodness ghost joining the team to uncover the killer?
I was hooked on this mystery from the first page and enjoyed every page. The characters, the setting, the ghost and a sweet, big goofy dog. And yummy donuts, too. What was there not to like?
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. I loved the characters, the setting and the best - Welly the Newfoundland.

Lindsey Bakewell catches her fiancé in a compromising position involving Himalayan sea salt, gets a little tipsy and buys a lighthouse in Michigan, sight unseen. She follows her dream to open her own bake shop, The Beacon Bakeshop in a small town in Michigan. Except an anti-development posse (7 people is not a group) and a murder spoil her opening day and now she is a murder suspect. Lindsey just wants to get back to baking and starts doing her own snooping.

No spoilers but the ending was a doozy. This was a good whodunit in terms of red herrings and worthy of Dame Agatha herself. I very much enjoyed reading this book and was very sad when it ended because I wanted more story. The treats in this book sound absolutely mouthwatering. The colorful cast of characters including a retired Navy SEAL, a British publicist (and Lindsey's best friend) and her pooch make this a wonderful, colorful story that will keep the pages turning.

Publisher if you read this review, I want many, many more of these! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

New to me author that took some getting used to. Lots of twists and turns and the bad guys shocked me. Fun ending, though! Excited to read more!

This is a lovely book that makes for a pleasant afternoon's reading. I am looking forward to reading more in the series.

This is a fun read with a great mystery and some mouthwatering recipes. The plot was well crafted and the cast of characters were quirky and fun. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. This is a great cozy mystery and a wonderful start to a new series. This is my first read by Darci Hannah and I can't wait to read more.

I received a free copy of this book via #Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

I absolutely loved this whole adventure from Lindsey's buying the dilapidated lighthouse to the awesome showdown with the killer. There were some fun and well-developed characters that I came to really like a lot, and sweet Welly the Newfoundland definitely helped save his mom's life at the end. A lot of people had secrets, some of which were good, and others weren't so good. It was so funny in some parts, and I got to the point where I could hear Fran Fine the Nanny speaking for Lindsey, lol.

The showdown ranks up there with some of the best I've read, and the ending was just as awesome. Just from the first book, I know I'm going to like this series a lot! I have to admit, I like it a lot better than the Very Cherry cozy series by the same author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

When Lindsey Bakewell left her perfectly happy life in New York after catching her boyfriend with another woman. She took her pup Wellington that ate a lot, chewed a lot and pooped a lot to Beacon Harbor Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan with a lighthouse that faced the public beach. She wants to open The Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe since her favorite thing to do was bake which she learned from her grandparents. On the opening day promoted by Betty Vanhoosen and Lindsey’s best friend influencer Kennedy Kapoor draws a crowd. Unfortunately the intended include Fiona Dickel who wants to preserve the lighthouse as a historical land mark. Also there were Jeffery her exboyfriend and Mia the gal he cheated with. A wild scene of flying pastries ensues. Things get worse when Mia dies on the lighthouse lawn presumably poisoned and Lindsey finds herself the prime suspect. Uncovering the killer strains Lindsey’s romance business and puts her in danger.this author wrote a very enjoyable story everyone will like. The characters are very active and make the story real.

A really good start to a new cozy series! I loved the introduction to the community as the main character, a transplant to town, gets to know them. Off the bat we're introduced to a solid love interest, and the baked goods sound delectable. With a really interesting mystery solved in the first one, this is a great kick off.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is the first in Darci Hannah's new Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series following Lindsey Bakeswell and her devoted Newfoundland dog, Wellington.

In this book, I was pleased to meet Lindsey who has always dreamed of owning her own bakery. After finding her fiancé in a compromising situation, covered in icing sugar along with his tarty pastry chef, Mia, she heads off to small-town Beacon Harbor, Michigan and sets up a bakery cafe in a former lighthouse, leaving New York City behind. There is a problem, though; the Beacon Point Lighthouse Preservation Society aren't keen on Lindsey's lattes, donuts and pastries. They wanted the lighthouse preserved for its historical importance, whilst others believed the local lore about ghosts and hauntings and would have liked it demolished. In spite of the obduracy of some of the locals, the opening event of 'The Beacon Bakeshop & Café' is a success, until her ex-fiancé shows up with Mia in tow and Rory Campbell, Lindsey's new neighbour discovers that one of the customers isn't breathing; it's Mia.

It is wonderful to start a cozy mystery series from the very beginning and I jumped into Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop with feverish excitement! This super new series has a fabulous, engaging main character. Darci Hannah's new sleuth, Lindsey, is smart, caring and determined. With a compelling plot, drama aplenty, a great bunch of characters, and oodles of mayhem added to the mix, this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. Darci Hannah's writing style was a good fit for me. Trying to unravel the mystery in the pockets of Lindsey, with the aid of her BFF, Kennedy Kapoor and her handsome neighbour, Rory was lots of fun and I welcomed the comfortable pace as well as the surprising, neatly packaged ending. I thoroughly enjoyed Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop and I'm game to see what adventures befall Lindsey and the Beacon Harbor crowd, next. The book includes recipes that pastry and donut lovers will salivate over, and I'm keen to try out the Carrot-Raisin Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Fabulous first in a new series!!! This book will get your mind off of whatever is bothering you. Darci Hannah has done a superb job writing this cozy mystery and her characters are everything to "write home about". This is a wonderfully entertaining and fun book which everyone must read. Enjoy!

I received an ARC from Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.

I want to visit Beacon Harbor! A vintage lighthouse renovated, a bakeshop and a ghost? Count me in!
Lindsey leaves behind a lucrative financial job after finding her chef fiancé and his pastry chef naked on his desk. She buys a lighthouse in desperate need of a renovation with the dream of opening her own bakeshop - using the internet.
Opening day - her bestie, Kennedy, a trendsetter with thousands of followers, has inspired not only New Yorkers to attend the grand opening, but also Jeffery with his tart, Mia. Protesters and Mia's squad wreck havoc - until Mia is found dead on the grass.
I did not guess the killer - complete surprise. Loved the friendship, town, budding romance and of course the dog.

4.5 Stars

There’s nothing better than reading a really good book for the very first time. A book that I can imagine the characters so vividly, that I can cast them perfectly in my imagination. Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop is the first book in A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery by Darci Hannah and it delivers the sweet to the mystery, in this lovestruck murder-plot.

Sometimes a girl has got to get out of the big city and follow her dreams. Lindsey Bakewell had a gift for investment banking and finance, but her true passion was baking. After finding her fiancé cheating on her with his pastry chef, Lindsey decides to give up her city-life in order to chase her dreams of owning her very own bake shop on the shores of Lake Michigan. Life for Lindsey is about to get a whole lot interesting and a lot more complicated, but all worthy, good dreams come with a bit of trouble and a whole lot of love.

If you’re a fan of movies like Sweet Home Alabama and Doc Hollywood, you’ll soon fall in love with this rom-com, murder mystery. The protagonist is just beyond good and her inner dialogue perfectly timed with the chaos surrounding her supportive characters. From big-city girl to small town baker, the differences in scenery are sure enough to make anyone short, but the protagonist pulls through with wit and merit. Excellently written, this character was made for a big-screen role.

And what is an excellent protagonist without the help of her supportive cast? This plot has some crazy and then some really crazy, endearing old, new and ghostly friends supporting the narrative. This story took me on a rollercoaster ride, as a newcomer, just as Lindsey is to this town, a town full of secrets and mysteries, and among the new friendships, love. And at any point, I wasn’t quite sure, where the mysteries started again or with whom, but there is so much charm to this book, that I loved every second of it.

The highs, lows and flow of this story were excellently delivered in this book. The comedic timing, the influx of charismatic characters and the setting, were infinitely entertaining. This book has all the makings of a great movie. I highly, recommend it!

~ Pat

Lindsey wants a new start after finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She decides to open a bakeshop in an old lighthouse. But on opening day a murder occurs and she becomes the prime suspect. Good story. well written.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah is first in the A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. This is a start to a great new series.
Lindsey Bakewell has moved to Beacon Harbor, Michigan from NYC to open a bakery and start her life over after a bad broken engagement. Opening day has finally arrived along with her ex, his girlfriend, Mia, and Mia's entourage. Set on causing a scene, Mia storms into the bakery grabbing doughnuts from customers and stuffing into her mouth. She chokings on one and dies. When it's discovered it was not an accident, Lindsey becomes the top suspect and she sets out to prove her innocence.
There are plenty of plot twists with a great cast of characters, along with a lovable dog, Wellington. There is also humor and romance with a jaw dropping end.
I was given an ARC by Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review. .

This is a fun charming cozy debut. Murder At The Beacon Bakeshop is the first book in the mystery series " Beacon Bakeshop Series". The series is set in picturesque town on the coast of Maine, Beacon Harbor. I love the description of the small coastal town and the culture of Maine.

Our protagnist is Lindsey Bakeswell ( love the name !) who is home from wall street to pursue a career baking which is her joy. She has converted a charming old lighthouse into her bakery cafe and her home. The description of the lighthouse and bakery is somewhere we all wish we could visit. Who would not want to live in a lighthouse and run their own bakery ! She has a beautiful Newfoundland dog Wellington that is her cherished companion and adorable. This is a unique very large breed that are gentle giants and the author writes Wellington perfectly .

Lindsey is up against preservationist who do not want the lighthouse used for a bakery. Protest ensue and Lindsey is finding it difficult to navigate the troubled waters of the protest. When her nefarious ex arrives with his new girlfriend she promptly chokes on a baked good of Lindsey's and dies. Now Lindsey is really in hot water with the local police as prime suspect in her murder. Between the protest and launching her business as well as being a suspect in murder will Lindsey be able to save herself and her bakery?

I loved this first in series. The author has created smart fun charcters and a beautiful setting for her series. I predict this will be a long running cozy series. Lindsey is smart, savvy and a fun protagnist. Very well done to the author . I look forward to the next in series.

In short: On the day of her Bakeshop grand opening, Lindsey’s ex fiancé’s girlfriend shows up to sabotage it but then chokes on a donut and dies.

Synopsis from publisher: In the first of a new series, after Lindsey Bakeswell catches her celebrity chef fiancé sizzling in the arms of another woman, Lindsey leaves big city Wall Street for small town Beacon Harbor, Michigan to pursue her own passion as a pastry baker--and gets mixed up in someone's sweet taste of revenge.

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this cozy mystery and can’t wait for the next one in the series!

What I liked:
💕Great mystery that kept me guessing. With 3 murders total and not a lot of evidence the ending was a surprise but fitting.
💕Lindsey’s dog Welly
💕The setting
💕The romance and budding relationship with neighbor Rory

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah is the first book in A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series, and it is off to a great start. 5 out of 5 stars! Lindsey Bakeswell finds her fiance with another women having sex in their bed, so she quits her high paying Wall Street job to moves to Beacon Harbor, Michigan. While still in New York Lindsey buys a lighthouse sight unseen, she plans on making it into her home and a bakery. Lindsey also has a beloved Newfoundland dog called Wellington. This book has everything, you want in a book, mystery, surprises, romance and quirky people. I can not recommend this book enough, and I am anxiously waiting for book 2 in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I am so excited to share the first book in A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series with you! It truly was a pleasure reading Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah.

I rarely laugh at cozy mysteries and when people say in their reviews that they couldn’t stop laughing, I wonder if I really am that jaded from reading so many thrillers and horror books. While I wasn’t LOLing at Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop, I was amused by some of the dialogue and scenes, which for me is basically rolling on the floor with laughter.

Then having the location be in Michigan with a possibly haunted lighthouse on the shores that now houses a bakery with renovated living quarters, which would be a dream living spot for me, is a great choice. Add in a BFF who is an influencer for clothes and skin care, who also has a British accent and is super feisty with a heart of gold, a hunky next door neighbor that loves animals, a young cop that is very easy on the eyes, and a town of caring folks that really want your business to succeed, and you have a recipe for a great cozy.

Oh, and speaking of cooking cozies, this one is spot on. The food descriptions are delectable and the recipes at the end all sound soooo good. I may not make the donuts, because I’m lazy like that, but the omelet and cookies are ones that I really would like to make.

Then there’s the animals in the cozy! For most of the book it’s the big, loving Wellington, aka Welly, for short. Who is loyal and loves food, including fresh lake fish. Towards the end we also get to meet two little dogs, Brinkley and Ireland, who are adorbs. And the way Brinkley and Ireland come to be in the story is touching, and they along with two other people will add even more fun and depth to future books.

And…. And! I recently put this in a review that I was hoping a cozy mystery would have the killer be this type of person, but I figured it wouldn’t be done. Well, Darci Hannah, you did it, and now you have a fangirl for life.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop: A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery
Darci Hannah
Kensington
March 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

Seeing her celebrity chef fiancé covered with both icing sugar and his pastry chef forced investment banker Lindsey Bakewell to re-evaluate the life she’s built up on Wall Street. After a lot of anger baking – and keying her ex-fiancé’s Jaguar – Lindsey decided to upend her world by moving to the place where she and her bakery-owning grandparents had their fondest vacations. This meant buying a rundown lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, where Lindsey renovated it into a home above her new bakery café. The Memorial Day grand opening of the Beacon Bakeshop & Café is shadowed first by a preservation society protest, then by the unexpected and unappreciated arrival of Lindsey’s Ex and the tarty chef girlfriend. Jeffrey Plank blames Lindsey for the social media backlash that resulted in tanking cookbook sales and PETA-led protests, so she worries that they are on a mission of revenge. When it is instead the girlfriend Mia Long who collapses from a poisoned donut, Lindsey finds herself targeted by police as the logical suspect for the crime.

While Jeffrey’s temper and Mia’s mean-girl attitude lead to a growing list of suspects, the touristy beach town harbors its own secrets and quirky characters. Lindsey scoffs at the belief that the ghost Captain Willy Riggs has haunted the lighthouse for decade, right up until it seems that the specter has learned some high-tech, instant messaging communication skills. With his ethereal counsel, along with the more corporeal support of the Paul Bunyan-esque neighbor Rory Campbell, Lindsey attempts to clear her name while keeping her kitchen open. Her ever-growing Newfoundland pup Wellington may have inadvertently introduced them by some larcenous fishery, but it’s a new friendship with a promising future.

This first in a new series by the author of historical and cozy mysteries promises fun conflicts between Lindsey’s new and old lives. Her former supermodel mother has definite opinions on her daughter’s life transition, despite a rather lackadaisical attitude on maternal upbringing. Lindsey’s bestie Kennedy Kapoor is an Influencer who continues to well-intentionally influence Lindsey’s life in Michigan, with mixed results. Motivated by the need to protect her new life and bakery/café investment, Lindsey hurls herself in the investigation despite warnings from the police and many of her suspects. This light-hearted adventure is filled with humorous banter, canine exploits, and recipes of Lindsey’s therapeutic baking experiments. Readers will delight in this promising new series that delivers mouth-watering moments and a rollicking, fun-filled mystery.

This story is sure to make you hungry. Lindsey Bakewell leaves New York City and her cheating fiance to a quaint small town on Lake Michigan to open her own bakeshop. Little did she know she was going to be in more danger than she ever experienced in NYC.

A charming setting with interesting characters and a well plotted ending make this a well rounded cozy. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.