A Murder Yule Regret by Winnie Archer is the 7th book in A Bread Shop Mystery series, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite. This book had more twists and turns, and an excellent mystery that kept me reading. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, it can't come soon enough. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Ivy is an excellent character with incredible insight. She has the personality of a crime reporter who loves her job, with the empathy of a hard-working woman who has ambitions beyond everyday life. She loves helping to bake bread at Yeast of Eden with Olaya, but her passion is photography. In A Murder Yule Regret, the seventh book in the “A Bread Shop Mystery” series, Ivy gets to use her photography skills to help catch a killer.

As with all the books in this series, the characters are front and center, each adding nuance to the story that keeps the reader empathizing with them while keeping them entertained. Miguel, Ivy’s boyfriend, helps when he can, but it comes down to Ivy and Em, Ivy’s sister-in-law, and the local sheriff to find a killer. Murder during the holidays isn’t ever good, but in some cases, it may be justified. The settings are always interesting and the bread descriptions and recipes will make anyone want to grab a loaf or bake one. Ivy’s photographs sound beautiful and help the reader imagine the scene.

The victim in this book is a creepy reporter who loves to destroy the lives of everyone he comes in contact with. Celebrities fear seeing him or speaking to him, and most people who interact with him soon regret it. The suspects are varied, each with a good motive and opportunity, but the police zero in on one suspect who appears to have the most to lose. But Ivy doesn’t believe it and as she follows the clues, she begins to understand how easy it would be to hate someone as vile as the victim. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough delicious bread in the world to forget the foulness of the man at what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year.

Between murders, her photography work, working at Yeast of Eden, helping to create the scrumptious desserts and bread, and Christmas holiday prep, Ivy tracks the suspects and the clues to reveal a killer. There are moments of intense action and emotion and times when there is peace and tranquility throughout A Murder Yule Regret. This is a holiday story worth the read and will make this series continue into the next year.

The Bread Shop series is such a fun cozy series, and this book was no exception. I love the characters and their interactions. The setting is wonderful, and I really enjoyed the plot of this one!

In A Murder Yule Regret, the 7th book in the Bread Shop series, Olaya has been asked to provide bread for a Dickens themed Christmas party hosted by a popular actress. Ivy is hired as the official photographer. They all work together to prepare and set up the bread table, before Ivy is swept away by Eliza Fox's assistant to meet her. Ivy and Eliza become friends quickly. The part is going well, until someone is found dead on the side of the cliff. Ivy quickly gets pulled into a murder after overhearing arguments and conversations while taking pictures. Who wanted the distasteful reporter dead and why?

I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. I definitely recommend you read them all to follow Ivy's life and development, but you could read this as a standalone story. All my favourite characters were here, Olaya, Miguel, Emmaline, Mrs. Brandford and the rest of the Blackbirds. It is amazing how they can use each other as sounding boards to understand the clues. There were many suspects and clues to follow as well as several red herrings. Ivy is an amazing MC and her powers of observation and deduction come in handy. I love how Winnie Archer infuses the story with bread and baked goods. The feeling it gives and the magic that Ivy often refers to. It is such an integral part of the story. As Ivy and Miguel continue to get closer together their relationship is blossoming. Of course I can't forget to mention Agatha, Ivy's pug. She is usually with Ivy, Miguel or Mrs. Brandford and I love that she tries to protect Ivy at one point in this story. I say this with every book, but this is the best one yet. The plot and mystery were excellent, so well developed and I was hooked from the start. The secondary characters in this story were interesting and likable. I enjoyed seeing them change and develop as well, and hope we will see Eliza in future books. All I can say is you need to pick this Festive Cozy Mystery up, especially if you enjoy culinary cozies. A definite winner with a recipe for a Yule Log at the end. I can't wait to see what is next for Ivy Culpepper.

We reviewed this book for our podcast based on the recipes in the book. I like this series very much. This is the seventh in the series and they never disappoint. There is a story about friendships in the small town as well as some very yummy recipes that I look forward to trying. Ane, there is, of course, a compelling mystery that needs to be solved somewhere in the book. This series will definitely put the reader into the Christmas spirit and the whole book is FUN.

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

A Murder Yule Regret by Winnie Archer

Ivy Culpepper is initially dismayed to hear that the already hard-working Olaya Solis, her boss at the Yeast Of Eden bakery, has accepted a last-minute catering job. When she hears that she’s been asked to photograph the swanky soiree in addition to helping bake and serve food, she’s much more amenable to the idea though. Any exposure for her growing photography business is a good thing, after all, especially during the busy holiday season. Her excitement only increases when she learns that the party is being thrown by rising Hollywood star Eliza Fox, who turns out to be both charming and down-to-earth as she interacts with the catering staff as well as her party guests.

So the last thing Ivy or anyone else at the party expects is for piercing screams to shatter the festive atmosphere, as a server from another caterer discovers a dead body. Someone pushed intrusive paparazzo Edward Yentin from the top of the cliffside stairs that lead from the grounds down to the ocean. The party comes to a screeching halt as the police are called in and everyone on the premises is questioned as to what happened.

As Sheriff Emmaline Davis is Ivy’s best friend and sister-in-law, the two soon put their heads together to consider everything that’s transpired. Ivy overheard several odd conversations while working the party, and doesn’t hesitate to tell Em what she heard, saw and subsequently deduces. It seems that plenty of people at the party had a reason to get rid of Yentin, including their glamorous host herself. Friendly as Eliza seems, her personal life is a hot mess, and Yentin had been more than happy to stir that pot to his own benefit. But when a rival starlet hosts her own Christmas soiree and another partygoer is found dead there too, the stakes get even higher, as Ivy and Em must race to stop a cunning killer from murdering again.

This seventh installment of the Bread Shop mystery series injects a serious dose of both Hollywood glamor and drama to the goings-on in the relatively quiet seaside town of Santa Sofia, California. There are twists and turns aplenty as Ivy digs into the investigation, trying to differentiate gossip from the truth and too often finding herself caught in the middle of serious family drama. Some of her conjectures are as outlandish as the personalities she’s looking into, but everything turns out fine in the end, with a special twist for romance fans!

There were four recipes included here, and I absolutely had to try this festive bread:

QUOTE
Star Bread

1 package active dry yeast
¼ cup warm water
¾ cup warm milk (low-fat or full fat)
1 large egg, room temperature
¼ cup butter, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 ¼ to 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup seedless raspberry jam
2 ½ tablespoons butter, melted
Several tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

Dissolve yeast in warm water until foamy.

In a separate bowl, combine milk, egg, butter, sugar, and salt.

Add yeast mixture and 3 cups flour. Beat on medium speed until dough is smooth and sticky. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Place dough on a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.

Place dough in a greased bowl, turning it to grease the top. Cover and set aside to rise until doubled.

Punch down dough.

Turn onto a floured surface and divide into four portions. Roll one portion into a 12-in. circle. Place on a greased 14-in. pizza pan. Spread with one-third of the jam to within ½ in. of edge. Repeat twice, layering dough and jam, and ending with final portion of dough.

Place a 2 ½-in. round cutter on top of the dough in center of circle as a marker only (don’t press through the dough.)

Using a sharp knife, make 16 evenly spaced cuts from the round marker to the outer edge of dough. This will form a sort of starburst.

Remove cutter.

Taking hold of two adjacent strips, rotate them together twice outward. Pinch ends together. Repeat with remaining strips.

Cover star bread and let rise until almost doubled, approximately 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until golden brown, 18-22 minutes.

Remove from oven and immediately brush with melted butter.

Cool completely on a wire rack, then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
END QUOTE

This is one of the loveliest things I’ve ever baked, and honestly not too difficult to put together either! The recipe is terrific, breaking everything down into easy steps. The only thing I might do differently next time -- and this was totally my oversight, not at all the fault of the recipe -- is slather on more raspberry jam than I did here, as I didn’t actually measure it out of the jar and just eyeballed the amount I used. I’d also recommend using a pizza cutter for your starburst instead of a sharp knife, as it’s much easier and quicker to roll out the straight lines you need. This was such a beautiful and tasty treat that looks way more complicated to make than it actually was. I’m definitely breaking out this recipe again soon for my holiday table.

Next week, we stay in California to explore the start of another culinary cozy series I enjoy, investigating a suspicious death while baking up the quiche of my dreams. Do join me!

Let me advise you to not start this book on an empty stomach. It is Christmastime and holiday parties are being catered left and right. The food is amazing!
When celebrities decide to throw parties in town, the stakes are even higher.
Unfortunately, for some, the cost is the ultimate - murder is committed right under everyone's noses.

Ivy Culpepper helps with the baking but at catered parties she is hired to use her camera skills.
However, when celebrities are involved, the content of those photos must be regulated.
Until murder is committed. Then all the photos need to be reviewed. Fortunately Ivy is best friends with the top cop BUT often Ivy must deal with the investigating detective who is NOT her friend or her fan. Tensions run high and deceptions run deep.
Motives run rampant and evidence can point in more than one direction.

I wasn't sure who to believe did the crime (or crimes) and how the motive would be determined.
Could there be more than one killer? A copycat or crime of opportunity?
Never a dull moment and always a new twist.

The pace is quick, the mystery complicated and the characters well developed.
Excellent book in a wonderful series.

This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the 7th book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. I have to say this is book makes you want to make bread, so I would not read this book if you are hungry. I love the main character in this book, and the owner of the bread store is just so great. The mystery in this book kept me guessing and wanting to keep reading it. There was family drama and murders in this book, and I was living for it all. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Winnie Archer) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

A Murder Yule Regret is the 7th book in the Bread Shop Mystery series by Winnie Archer.

Ivy Culpepper helped prepare for a celebrity-hosted party and is the photographer at the Dickens-themed event. It all went well until one of the guests dies.

There were plenty of suspects to keep me guessing who committed the murder. Despite the murder, it was a feel good holiday story as well. This is the first book I’ve read in this series and I really like the characters and the friendships. I look forward to reading the earlier books and to see what happens next for Ivy.

Thank you to the author, Kensington, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

A Murder Yule Regret: A Bread Shop Mystery
By Winnie Archer
Kensington
December 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

In the California coastal town of Santa Sofia, California, December becomes the busiest time of the year as tourists flow in and celebrate with holiday parties. Working part-time at the Yeast of Eden bakery while building up her own freelance photography business, Ivy Culpepper has been called in by the bakery owner to help for a last-minute celebrity party. Movie star Eliza Fox is throwing a Dickens-themed party that requires non-disclosure agreements and costumes, which is why Ivy is soon dressed as the Ghost of Christmas Present and the party’s official photographer. When not mingling among the stars Ivy overhears a lot of celebrity gossip, not to mention an aggressive argument between chimney sweepers. It is in fact one of those sweepers who is found smashed to death on the rocks, along with the camera that the now late paparazzi reporter frequently carried. Edward Christopher Yentin was known for his tabloid photos that threatened careers and relationships, and Ivy can’t help but think that he may have been following a scandal worth killing over.

Having photographed the entire event herself, Ivy has a record of everyone – invited or not - who attended Eliza’s uber-packed party. Definitely on the uninvited list was Brad McAvoy, Ivy’s estranged husband caught cheating and photographed doing so by the now deceased photographer. While Eliza may no longer trust Brad with her heart she doesn’t believe he could be a murderer, which is why she begs Ivy for help proving his innocence. For not only did Ivy take pictures of all the attending guests, she also happens to be best friends with and the sister-in-law of Emmaline Davis, Santa Sofia’s elected sheriff. Luckily for Eliza, Emmaline and Ivy have a well-established bond of trust that has the sheriff tolerating Ivy’s continuous speed-dialing updates of evidence discoveries and new theories. Always having Ivy’s back are her grandmotherly nosy neighbor Mrs. Branford and Miguel Baptista, who has grown into being a dreamily supportive boyfriend. As an added bonus Miguel is also the owner of Baptista’s Cantina & Grill, which means that while they ruminate over suspects and motives Ivy is dished up a mouth-watering assortment of appetizers and homemade dinners.

This 7th in the series is an entertaining combination of holiday traditions, seasonal treats, and celebrity-driven motives for murder. When not hanging out with a genuine movie star, Ivy celebrates the season with Santa Sofia’s Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah festivals. While Ivy doesn’t spend as much time in the Yeast of Eden bakery as she used to, her mentor Olaya Solis remains a huge part of her life now that she’s dating Ivy’s widower father. Romance is indeed flourishing throughout the town, and no one more than Ivy is enjoying the holidays with a loving companion. A recipe for a BÛCHE DE NOËL chocolate yule log cake roll will inspire chefs for the holidays, not to mention one by Mrs. Bransford’s for a drink that packs a wallop. Fans of the series will enjoy spending time with these characters who are all (mostly) so likable and fun as they help Ivy track down scandalous rumors while she goes undercover with another caterer. Scandalous secrets, hidden identities, and fraudulent photos all deliver the holiday gift of a cozy, comforting mystery read.

This is the 7th book in the Bread Shop series. Olaya has been asked to provide bread for a Dickens themed Christmas party hosted by a popular actress. Ivy is hired as the official photographer in addition to helping with the bread table. Ivy gets pulled into a murder after a reporter is killed at the party.

This series gets better with each book. I love to see how much Ivy has grown with each book. I'm thrilled to see her photography career blossoming. The photos become a key point in the investigation. Ivy's best friend (and sister-in-law) is the local sheriff and appreciates Ivy's input. I missed Mrs. Brandford. She was not as involved as she has been in previous books.

Miguel and Ivy's relationship is progressing nicely. I enjoy seeing a mature relationship that does not require a love triangle to keep it fresh and interesting.

Of course, Agatha the pug is an integral part of the story. Her name alone lets you know that Ivy has an affinity for mystery.

The mystery is well done with lots of twists, turns and red herrings. I loved the family back story that kept me guessing.

Olaya's bread is the star of each book. I so regret that I am not a good baker. The recipes sound wonderful. I would love to spend a little time in Yeast of Eden just taking everything in.

This Christmas themed cozy was a delight from start to finish. The ending made me smile and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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What a great story! I was thrilled to see a new book in the series and a holiday one made it better! Great mystery, I had no clue who the murderer was until right before it was revealed, which I enjoy a lot more than when it's easy to figure out "who done it". Great read, I loved the ending, can't wait to visit with Ivy again!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A Murder Yule Regret is #7 in the Bread Shop Mysteries by Winnie Archer/Melissa Bourbon. I have enjoyed this series so much, and this Christmas themed mystery was a satisfying read. Ivy and the re-occurring characters have enduring friendships, some romance, and they stand by one another whether confronted with family drama or murder. The mystery was a fast pace with misdirection and twists---but a great conclusion! I can't wait for more from this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for granting me an ARC of this book. My opinions are my own. #AMurderYuleRegret #NetGalley

Ivy Culpepper is busy with her bread making at Yeast of Eden and getting her photography business up and running. Little does she know that their next catering gig for actress Eliza Fox and the photographs she takes at the Dickensian themed shindig connect due to murder. Ivy is having fun as she mingles through the party goers taking photos until there is a scream and a body is found impaled on the jagged rocks below. Of course the police are eager to get their hands on her photos as a record of the event and Ivy thinks that's the end of her involvement. Until suspicion falls on Eliza. The dead man was a sleazy journalist who made enemies every place he went. The list of suspects is long but Eliza is at the top of the list and that bothers Ivy. With the help of her sister-in-law, Em she sets out to clear Eliza and catch the killer.
Each book in this seven book series (hope there will be many more) is a very well written puzzle full of twists, turns and a few red herrings. Spending time with Ivy, Olaya, Miguel and Em is always like visiting with friends and family. I also come away wanting to eat fresh homemade bread and I would love to have Yeast of Eden in my neighborhood.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ivy is hired to take pictures at a holiday party hosted by a celebrity in her new home by the beach. When a paparazzi writer is found dead, no one is sure who the killer could be. When another celebrity has a holiday party almost the same as the first party, the hostess is found dead in the pool. What is happening in this small town right before the holidays? Lots of suspects, but Ivy finally figures it out! Great characters and lots of red herrings to discover the culprit. Can't wait for what Ivy gets involved in next!

Emmaline thinks Ivy has a knack for crime solving while her dad thinks she has a knack for getting into trouble. Either way, Ivy has found herself involved in a murder investigation involving some big name stars.

This is the first book I have read in this series. I had no trouble keeping up with the storyline. I found the characters likeable and would like to get to know them better. The mystery moved at a good pace and had a great twist at the end. Thanks to Kensington books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

I arrived late to the party in Winnie Archer's series set in a bread Shop in Santa Sofia, Northern California, starting with book four, Flour in the Attic, but I still jumped at the opportunity to read this one, A Murder Yule Regret as I enjoy a well written cosy, and this looked like it fitted the bill perfectly.

Known for its mouthwatering traditional bread, the Yeast Of Eden owned by Olaya Solis employs baking assistant Ivy Culpepper. Ivy is setting up her photography business and a Christmas holiday Dickensian costume party is taking place in Santa Sofia. It's just the ticket for Ivy to promote herself as a freelance photographer. but things go pear-shaped when a suspicious death is deemed as murder and party host Eliza Fox, a celebrity actress is accused.

A Murder Yule Regret was a compelling, charming, and fun cosy read. Winnie Archer did a fantastic job providing some backstory, making this a great standalone novel though you'll want to read the other instalments. I was sold from the very beginning, with its solid characters, great writing and a marvellous mystery that provided a good sprinkling of clues to satisfy even the most diligent armchair detective. The cast is quirky, and busy protagonist Ivy is spirited, peppy, curious and amusing, and she had a lot going on in this story.

There was a large number of characters in A Murder Yule Regret; Ivy's trusty sidekicks made a welcome return as did Ivy's adorable pug, named Agatha, and Miguel, Ivy’s boyfriend, helps when he can, but it's mainly Ivy and Em, Ivy’s sister-in-law, and the local sheriff who strive to find the killer. The mystery itself was well done and there were enough red herrings and twists to keep me guessing the culprit's identity. The food throughout the book is deliciously described and there are recipes at the end to try. Overall, a marvellous cosy and a very worthwhile read. I can't wait to see what Winnie Archer has in store for Ivy next, in book #8.

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

This was a fun Christmas cozy to while away a few afternoons.

Ivy Culpepper is putting together her low-key yet still festive holiday season. Her boss at Yeast of Eden bread shop gets tasked to cater a last minute party for a Hollywood celeb and Ivy also gets hired as the photographer for the party. However, when a sleazy tabloid reporter, who was uninvited and loathed by many, is found dead at the base of the cliff at said party, Ivy's suspicions run wild and she is determined to get to the bottom of things.

So one thing about this is the protagonist usually gets involved in these murders because the accused is one of their friends, family, acquaintances or generally just someone they know and they don't like seeing presumed of murderous capabilities. This one all the suspects are complete strangers to Ivy, though the star in question does slowly become her friend. I thought there were too many suspects involved and when those were ruled out the author started grasping at straws. The whodunit made sense in the end but the swirling and ever-changing suspect pool got a bit on the old side.

The star of this book is the desserts. They sound absolutely delectable and I am not really even a bread person. Ivy is likeable enough but I did not feel much investment in her that I would want to pick up other books in this series. However, it was a comfy holiday cozy and I was glad to read it.

Have you ever watched more than one show at a time switching back and forth trying to keep up with the happenings in both? That is a bit like what A Murder Yule Regret felt like to me. There was Ivy’s life in Santa Sofia and there were the Christmas parties for movie stars. The two didn’t mesh for me.
I felt like I would settle happily into the groove of Santa Sofia life and then try to switch gears to take in the Hollywood scene.
I like visiting Santa Sofia and seeing Christmas traditions there. I love the bread shop and Olaya. I love the progression in the relationships of the characters who grace each book. I like the twists and turns of the mystery.
I didn’t really like the Hollywood scene and the corruption it brought with it. I don’t like Captain York much.
I wish my reaction to this book was the whole hearted 4 and 5 stars that other reviewers are giving, but this book didn’t rank among my most favorite of the Bread Shop mysteries. 3 stars because I love the parts that were the base characters in their lives and loves.