An entertaining and well written cozy mystery. Great plot and character dynamics and a beautiful setting. Mystery fans will not be disappointed. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

I would give this 10 stars if I could. I absolutely loved it. 'Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop' took me to a location I'd never been to and was filled with engaging characters and a terrific mystery. For me, everything about it was likeable, and I am grateful it is a new series that I can't wait to continue.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

In the premiere installment of the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, former Wall Street tycoon Lindsey Bakeswell (apropos name) leaves new New York for the shores of Lake Michigan to open up her dream bakery in an historic lighthouse. But said bakery wasn't the only reason Lindsey hightailed it out of New York. Her celebrity chef fiancé Jeffrey Plank had cheated on her with Mia Long, a pastry chef who apparently specialised in more than one variety of tart. When Jeffrey and Mia crash Lindsey's grand opening and Mia subsequently dies of cyanide poisoning (after eating one of Lindsey's donuts), Lindsey becomes the prime suspect in the woman's murder.
In the ensuing pages, twists and turns abound as Lindsey uncovers clues and works to restore her business and her reputation.

The story comes complete with many cozy mystery must-haves: an adorable furry sidekick named Wellington; a lighthouse that may or may not be haunted; a nextdoor neighbor, who just happens to be a sexy, retired Navy Seal; a town do-gooder, who can't hold onto her lunch (literally); a crabby no-gooder who wants to repurpose Lindsey's lighthouse for environmental reasons; and a hunky police deputy who catches Lindsey's eye.

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery and I look forward to reading more in the series.. There were plenty of red herrings, masking the killer's true identity until the very end. The fun characters and fast pacing kept the pages turning.

Thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and author Darci Hannah for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Murder at the Beacon Bake shop was an exciting adventure from the start. It had quirky characters. Exciting and suspenseful from beginning to end. A thrilling start. I never would have guessed who the murderer was. It was a surprise to me. A picturesque setting that I will visit again in the second book.

Bring your appetite and your thinking cap when you dive into this story.

I pretty much wasn’t able to put this book down when I was reading it... only when the food descriptions were so heavenly that I had to stop and make myself a snack (this may have happened more times than I care to admit).

The plot and mystery were perfect for the cozy mystery genre. Likeable narrator, quaint town, suspicious about everyone else, precious pooches, a possible haunting ... wait what?! Yes! A possible haunting! That’s what made this story even more fun for me.

I’m going to be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series because I honestly wasn’t ready to leave Beacon when I reached the end.

Side note: many of the delicious foods mentioned within the story are given as recipes at the end of the book.

Loved this cozy mystery. While somewhat predictable, the characters and plot were great and I couldn't put it down.
Lindsey had the charming life in NYC; great finance, successful career, great friends and family. But when she catches her fiancé cheating on her, she decides to completely uproot and buy a lighthouse in a small town and convert it into a bakery. All goes well until opening day. Not only do a group of protestors try to ruin her day, but her ex and his girlfriend show up, also trying to sabotage her bakery. In the midst of the chaos, a woman dies in her bakery and her death is deemed suspicious, and Lindsey is suspect #1. With her bakery now a crime scene, the police pointing their fingers at her, Lindsey and her friends try to find the real murderer. Of course when a second body is found, things look worse than ever.
Truly enjoyed the story, looking forward to more by this author. I also am looking forward to trying some of the delicious recipes in the back of the book.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First in Darci Hannah's Beacon Bakeshop mystery series, this clever cozy will have readers eagerly awaiting more.
Lindsey Bakewell leaves her high profile Wall Street job and moves to Beacon Harbor Michigan near where her family summered. With rennovation of the town's decrepit lighthouse completed, goodies baked and staff hired, Lindsey is ready for a Memorial Day grand opening of the Beacon Bakeshop & Cafe. But the day is ruined by protests from Fiona Dickel, head of the "lighthouse preservation" group and Mia Long, her ex-fiance's girlfriend. When both Mia and Fiona are murdered Lindsey becomes the prime suspect. With the help of her BFF Kennedy and her hunky new neighbor, Rory they search for answers to reveal the real killer.
Well written, fast paced, with likable characters that also includes Lindsey's lovable Newfoundland, Wellington, this is a winner!
I was given this book for an honest review by NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I have found a new author and I love that it's a fellow Michigander! From the beginning, this book had me hooked. I love all the cast of characters and also the delicious recipes too. I can't wait until the next one comes out.

With thanks to Kensington Books, Netgalley, and the author for my advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Loved reading this book and a new author for me. I highly recommend her books and this is a 1st on a new series

MURDER AT THE BEACON BAKESHOP is the first book in the brand new Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series by Darci Hannah. First off, I adore the location… who can resist a small-town Michigan lighthouse turned bakery and home? However, protagonist Lindsey Bakewell, newly arrived from New York, finds the lighthouse she purchased (sight unseen!) doesn’t even come close to living up to the description provided by the town’s real estate agent. The author’s humor, given the situation, captured my attention and had me eagerly turning pages to find out how Lindsey recovers from her setback. I enjoyed how the reader gets to follow Lindsey from her first arrival into town and through the setup of the bakery. I felt like I got to know her better rather than read bits and pieces of backstory before she had a successful bakery. Another unique thing with this series is that Lindsey is quite wealthy instead of a struggling business owner. This gives her a lot of leeway when it comes to dealing with the setbacks.

I found the characters well-developed and love the small core group that surrounds Lindsey, including her Newfoundland, Wellington. I especially hope to see more of her quirky social-influencer best friend, Kennedy, who brings lighthearted humor to the story. When someone murders Lindsey’s ex-fiancé’s girlfriend in the bakery, during the grand opening, Lindsey realizes she has to search out the truth or lose her business and most likely her freedom. There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing and some twists that got me off track. And in amongst the murder and mayhem, Lindsey finds she just might be living and working in a haunted lighthouse. With a surprising reveal, the threads of the story were wrapped up into a cohesive conclusion and makes me wish the next book was releasing already!

Lindsey’s bakery offers many delectable dishes and treats, and the author has thoughtfully included several recipes, both sweet and savory, at the back of the book.

This the first book I have read by Darci Hannah, and it won't be my last. I absolutely Loved this cozy mystery, So first thing.. this book takes place in Michigan which is where I live, I love reading books set in Michigan and recognizing all the places in the book. The setting of Beacon was great, and after some googling I have found its a real town in Michigan.. So now Im going to have to go and visit..
Lindsey is a great character, after she caught her fiance cheating she decided to move on with her life and open her own Bakery.. When she arrives at the lighthouse in Beacon that she has bought for the bakery and her home, she realizes she may have slightly been bamboozled as it definitely doesn't look like it did in the pictures online. It also may have a resident ghost of the lighthouse keeper.. However she is determined and sets about fixing it up..

She meets her new hunky neighbor when her puppy goes for a visit and eats all of the fish he caught.. They had some instant chemistry..
One opening day things get way out of hand when her ex-fiances current girlfriend shows up to ruin Lindseys big day, the town busy body is boycotting the bakery.. and someone ends up dying.. and of course since this is a cozy mystery Lindsey ends up being suspect numero uno.. Now since her bakery is closed down as its a crime sceen, Lindsey her neighbor, and her friend Kennedy start investigating on their own..

I really loved this book,I didn't want to put it down. I had absolutely no idea who the killer was until it was revealed.. I didn't suspect this person at all.. This was a great first book in a series, and I will definitely be continuing on with this series.
Also did I forget to mention that there are recipes for donuts at the end of the book? I am so going to try to make them, as the donuts in the story all sound amazing..

I was thrilled to be able to start with the first book in a new series. Having read this book, I am anxiously waiting the next installments-this book was so good.

Our protagonist Lindsey Bakewell was a wealthy Wall Street financier who catches her celebrity chef fiancée having sex with his pastry chef. Being broken hearted and after too many drinks, she goes internet shopping and buys (sight unseen) a lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan to follow her dream of having a bakery/cafe. She has fond memories of Beacon Harbor as a child and it's there she goes for refuge and a fresh start.

Lindsey works hard to get the cafe up and running. Her best friend Kennedy Kapoor, an influencer, arrives from New York and blogs about the cafe and on opening day it is packed. Unfortunately there are a few troublemakers-the head of a local preservation society who is upset that the lighthouse was sold to Lindsey and turned into a cafe, and her exfiancee with the pastry chef girlfriend Mia with their posse of friends.. They both try to trash the place and disrupt the customers and suddenly Mia starts choking on a donut and dies. And given their history, Lindsey is a suspect when they discover she was poisoned.

So, in order to prove that she's innocent, she and Kennedy band together to dig deeper with help from their new acquaintances.

The characters in the books are great and well fleshed out, I loved Kennedy and hope she makes the move to Michigan from NYC.. Also enjoyed Betty Vanhoosen, the real estate agent who sold the lighthouse to Lindsey, next door exSEAL neighbor Rory, .the workers at the cafe and especially Lindsey's parents.

The mystery was well written and keep me guessing. And the murderer and motive was a complete surprise.

I was lucky to get an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but the opinion expressed is totally my own.

Excellent start to series! Well written plot with believable characters. Makes you want to move there! Eagerly awaiting the next!
I was given a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. #Netgalley
#Keningston

A strong start to what promises to be a deliciously written series. Full of charming characters, a solid mystery, and a setting one can only dream about being in, this is a book the reader will not be able to put down. I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store!

The Beacon Bakeshop is open for business! Author Darci Hannah has assembled a fantastic group of characters in a cozy mystery filled with savvy plot twists taking place in a dreamy beach setting.

When protagonist Lindsey Bakewell purchases an old, rundown lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, MI, she has no idea it comes with a pirate ghost. Many townspeople wanted it torn down, while others wanted it preserved for its historical significance. Lindsey leaps forward with her plans to open a Bakeshop and Cafe despite the callousness of some of the locals. The Grand Opening is a success until someone from Lindsey’s past drops dead.

I loved Lindsey’s spunkiness, and her best friend, Kennedy provides a source of much humor with her energizer bunny ways! Welly, Lindsey’s Newfoundland, is a mischievous pup and the source of introduction to handsome neighbor, Rory Campbell.

Sgt. Murdock is a surprising character I really enjoyed! Tough as nails...with a sweet tooth. Before the story’s end; there are three murders to contend with and not much evidence to go on. The exciting conclusion is a hot mess, and I enjoyed every second of it! Delicious recipes included. This debut story is now a favorite on my 2021 cozy list! Enjoy!

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

A solid and finely tuned drama that captured my attention immediately, quickly becoming a page-turner as I had to know the outcome. Lindsey starts an investigation when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder and the need to clear her name and business. The author knows how to spin a tale of intrigue and suspense that kept me immersed in all the details necessary in telling this story. There was so much going on from meeting a few of the characters, some a bit quirky, an adorable dog with an unusual feeding habit, and a town where a few were not yet ready for Lindsey and what she wanted to do. The more Lindsey searched for clues, the more it became apparent something was amiss and as the story moved towards its conclusion, the pacing quickened and I devoured everything, especially when the killer’s identity was revealed, amid misdirection by the author, and the motive. Boasting a lovable cast of characters, visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue, and a small-town atmosphere, this was a fun and enjoyable whodunit and I look forward to more adventures in this delightfully entertaining series.

After discovering her chef fiancé in a compromising situation with his pastry chef, Lindsey buys a lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan to open a bakeshop/café. Prior to opening day, she is visited by the leader of the Lighthouse Preservation society who is totally opposed to the business.
Opening day is going well until members of the society and her ex-fiancé and girlfriend show up and start start trashing the place. When the girlfriend ends up dying in front of the shop, Lindsey begins to investigate to clear her name and save the shop. As the list of suspects grow, the question arises as to whether the girlfriend was the intended victim.
Loved the characters and the town - the murderer was a surprise.
First in a new series, I am looking forward to reading book 2.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the book.

While murder isn’t the nicest topic to read about Darci Hannah’s use of humour, a cheerful setting and likeable characters, give Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop a light hearted and almost cartoon like feel. This makes her murder mystery a fun and enjoyable read.
Lindsay decides to leave her life on Wall Street in New York to open her own lighthouse bakery in beacon hill after catching her fiancé cheating on her. What Lindsay doesn’t know prior to her arrival is that her lighthouse is haunted. Is her ghost responsible for the havoc that is wreaked on opening day?
I really enjoyed this book and I hope that Hanna turns this into a series, as I’d love to read more about Lindsay and the other shops in beacon hill. I highly recommend picking up a copy on Facebook 23rd 2021

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah is the first book in her Beacon Bakeshop Mystery series. This is an exciting, action-packed whodunit. There's the ghost of the first keeper of Beacon Harbor Lighthouse, Captain Willy Riggs. There's a death at the grand opening of main character Lindsey Bakewell's bakery cafe. Lindsey purchased the old lighthouse in Beach Harbor, Michigan with plans to turn it into a bakery cafe. Since Lindsey was a suspect in the murder that took place at her bakery cafe on opening day she knew she had to find the actual murderer to prove her innocence. I like how Lindsey and her Newfoundland named Wellington were such good buddies. And I liked how Welly helped bring Rory Campbell into Lindsey's life. This was a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series, Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off.

Former Wall Street banker Lindsey Bakewell decides to move from New York to Beacon Harbor, Michigan after catching her fiancé and his pastry chef, Mia Long in the act in his office. Her ex-fiancé Jeffery Plank is a celebrity chef 👨🏻‍🍳

Lindsey has always had a passion for baking but she put that aside to pursue her career in investment banking. She bought an old lighthouse, sight unseen on the shores of Lake Michigan. Locals call it the Old Beacon Point Lighthouse. She’s only baked for pastries and cakes for friends who nudged her to start a new venture. So she decides to open a Bakeshop café situated below her bedroom in the lighthouse.

Lindsey makes the acquaintance with her neighbor Rory Campbell after her dog, Wellington snuck into his cottage and ate his fish.

Lindsey plans on launching her shop on Memorial Day weekend and her friend, Kennedy Kapoor, a social media influencer would be there to help promote her bakery shop.

While getting things ready to open her bakery a woman named Fiona Dickel and her friends storm in and accuse Lindsey of debasing her lighthouse with her pastries. Then she threatens to sabotage Lindsey’s business.

On the day of the bakery’s grand opening, however, Fiona shows up at Lindsey’s bakery with seven protesters behind her and forcefully orders an entire tray of donuts 🍩 for her friends and a latte. Even weirder, her ex Jeffery and Mia Long, the pastry chef with whom Jeffery was having an affair both show up at the opening, trying to sabotage Lindsey’s business by making a show of sampling Lindsey’s donut and a latte and making disparaging remarks.

Soon after, Mia Long collapses and is rushed to the hospital. They soon discover she overdosed on diet pills. Later that day, however, Lindsey learns from the police that Mia’s dead, supposedly from cyanide poisoning after sampling one of Lindsey’s donuts 🍩 and Lindsey becomes the prime suspect.

Shortly after that, Fiona is found dead in her home allegedly from poisoning. Earlier she threatened to file a lawsuit against Betty Vanhoosen, the real estate agent who sold the lighthouse to Lindsey. Right before Fiona stormed out of Betty’s office she grabbed Betty’s lunch off her desk. Betty claims Lindsey sent her the lunch, making Lindsey a suspect a second time in a row.

As Lindsey tries to clear her name and uncover the identity of the real killer, she begins to suspect that dear Betty may not be who she appears to be... or is she?

A very good read. I was surprised by the identity of the killer and their motive. A great start to a new series. Definitely recommend.

The book includes delectable recipes from the Beacon Bakeshop such as Delicious Raised Donuts 🍩, Easy Cake Donuts, Donut Glazes, Chicken Marsala🍗, Garlic Mashed Potatoes🥔, Bacon, and Spinach Quiche 🥧 , and so on.

Thank you to Darci Hannah, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book.