This was an enjoyable cozy mystery! I loved how close Lyndsay’s family was, the mouthwatering food descriptions, and trying to solve the mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next books in this series!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions contained within are my own.

Cozy mystery is genre into which I have only recently dipped my toes. I think my first foray would probably be the Finlay Donovan series, but that certainly was a great taste at the beginning! That said, I was intrigued when I got an email with a pre-approved link for Against the Currant, a cozy mystery that not only features a Black protagonist, but is set in a bakery!

The story follows Lyndsay, who is opening up a Caribbean bakery shop in her Brooklyn neighborhood. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of stress that comes with opening a new business and Lyndsay is feeling it all. Maybe that’s why, when another local baker storms into her shop on opening day and starts hassling her family, she stands up to him in a confrontation that is very unlike her. Unluckily for her, that same baker is found dead the next day and she is the prime suspect! Not the best way to start a new business, right?

One thing I’m noticing about cozy mysteries is that they tend to be fun. This book was no exception! I loved getting to know Lyndsay and her family. There was a lot of personality in the characters and it shone through the writing. The hijinks were jinkin’ and the story flew by. I also adored all the descriptions of the delicious food on sale at Spice Isle Bakery. Do not read this book on an empty stomach because it will start to growl! I was really caught up in the moment while reading it and I definitely remember having a good time.

That being said, this book didn’t really stick with me once the last page was turned. I couldn’t even remember the main character’s name before looking at the synopsis to write this review! If I hadn’t written some notes, I would have nothing to comment about for this story because nothing truly stuck. So, was it a fun time while reading? Absolutely! Will you remember it after your done? Maybe not… But I think the main point of a cozy mystery is to be an escape, a quick getaway for the moment, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing that it hasn’t left a mark in my admittedly scattered brain. It accomplished what it came for, after all, and that was to entertain.

Still, as this is just the beginning of this new cozy mystery series, I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more substance in subsequent books. I will definitely be continuing, though!

It's just before the soft open of Spice Isle Bakery in Brooklyn. Lyndsay's whole family is in on the operation, but she's the majority shareholder-- this is her dream, coming to fruition. Claudio Fabrizi is the other bakery owner in the neighborhood. He has a track record of scaring off anyone who might offer competition, and Spice Isle Bakery's no different. He's unpopular in the neighborhood due to his less-than-winning personality, so when Lyndsay stands up to him at the soft open, she becomes a bit of an urban legend. That word-of-mouth celebrity comes back to bite her when Claudio winds up dead. Pulled into the police station to account for her whereabouts at the time of the murder, Lynds is horrified. Luckily, her whole extended family closes ranks to support her during this unexpected witch hunt.

A bit of a warning: know that there's an infodump to kick this book off. In fact, there's so much time spent on backstory that it gets repetitive. The gist is that Lyndsay has always been conflict-avoidant, so the blowup with Fabrizi is completely out of character. The further she gets drawn into the ensuing investigation, the more she has to get in touch with her assertive side. The slow pace continues in new ways as the plot develops.

For example, some cozies put very few barriers before their intrepid amateur detectives. In this one, I wanted to appreciate the level-headed people around Lynds telling her it's not her place to investigate. It means she has to think through the decision and really believe in it. Here's the thing, though. At the 50% mark, the investigation hasn't even started. We're trapped in these circular arguments about taking such a risky step. In the meantime, nothing happens. We get the same driveby clues thrown around in casual conversations like-- you should follow the money!! What about the son?? What about the tenants? To the point where I was tired of hearing it with no new information to expand the case.

Then, once Lyndsay starts poking around, information is recycled again more than anything else. I think that at least in part, Lyndsay's lack of finesse as an investigator is to blame. She walks right up to ber primary suspects and directly questions them about their whereabouts, motives, etc. Since she is the main and only suspect being pursued by the police, it's no wonder people close to the case are unmotivated to speak with her. Then, when they cave and talk, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense given what she has to lose compared to them. I feel like the most believable cozy detectives use their people skills to carry the day in some fashion. That just wasn't the case here, which was not only nerve-wracking but perplexing, too.

So the pacing was a problem for me, but perhaps even more annoying was the situation with Lyndsay's love interest. I believe we're meant to assume that her high school crush turned homicide detective is playing it cool because of the case. However, he still has the wherewithal to comment on how she looks at every meeting and references their shared history, something that comes as a bit of a shock to Lynds since he was popular and she had the misfortune of being a bully magnet when they overlapped in school. Lynds has mixed feelings because though her crush lingers, she's hurt that he'd believe her capable of murder. Unfortunately, I think she'll find some loophole to overcome that trepidation as the series progresses just based on the tone. For my part, I almost lost my mind when he a) shows up at a scene where Lyndsay has been shot at and basically tells her she looks hot while she stands there traumatized and then b) goes on to suspect Lynds and her cousin of faking their terror and lying about events because it doesn't suit the narrative he and his partner are so deeply convinced of. That goes a bit further than Lyndsay's surface-level upset with him suggests.

Though this book was a miss for me, there are still some good elements, not least of which is the emphasis on Grenadian food and culture and Lyndsay's supportive family network. Also, it's not a big theme in the book, which is fine, but Lyndsay does reference the fact that the deck's stacked against her in the investigation because she's a Black woman. I wish all cozies had that level of awareness, re: violent, institutional racism. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my copy to read and review!

Every time I read a cozy, I seem to ask myself, is this bad writing, or just conventions of cozy mystery? I enjoyed the close knit family dynamics and cultural details I did not enjoy frequent repetition, Lindsey's tendency to sound and act childlike, the overly descriptive prose (the constant repetition of what day it was actually confused me sometimes because it seemed like it should signal a new day, not 20 minutes later in the same day as the previous chapter. also, I promise you, we did not need to know what each character was wearing every single time we encountered them. it was relevant exactly one time in the whole dang book.), or the police officer love interest. I was hoping to at least avoid that gross cozy mystery tradition in a book with Black characters, but no. copaganda for the NYPD. barf

I didn't hate the book but I don't think I'll seek out anything else by this author. and maybe I'll just give up on cozies already.

Thanks to SMP and #Netgalley for a digital advance copy of #AgainsttheCurrant

This novel introduces readers to Lyndsay Murray, a determined protagonist who opens Spice Isle Bakery in Brooklyn’s vibrant Little Caribbean. The bakery is not just a business for Lyndsay but a heartfelt tribute to her Grenadian roots and a gift to her beloved community. This cultural richness is woven throughout the story, offering a vivid backdrop that enhances the narrative and makes the setting feel authentic and lively.

The plot thickens when Claudio Fabrizi, a rival bakery owner, threatens Lyndsay on her opening day, only to be found murdered shortly after. Lyndsay, quickly becoming the prime suspect, must clear her name and save her dream bakery. The mystery unfolds at a brisk pace, keeping readers engaged as Lyndsay navigates a web of suspicion under the watchful eyes of her protective family and nosy neighbors, adding layers of tension and humor.

Characters in the novel are well-developed and relatable, with Lyndsay’s interactions with her family adding depth and warmth to the story. Her brother’s protectiveness, her parents’ anxiety, and the meddling of her extended family provide both comic relief and a realistic portrayal of close-knit community dynamics. While the mystery itself follows familiar cozy genre tropes, the infusion of West Indian culture and the strong, supportive family ties make this novel a delightful and engaging read.

I am marking this DNF and not providing a proper review. The writing just wasn’t for me and I couldn’t get into the story. Sadly.

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition. On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So, when Claudio turns up murdered Lyndsay is the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent.
This story was a great Introduction to a wonderful new cozy mystery series. I love the Caribbean food and the vibe of the setting/bakery. Lindsay is a likable character and uses her intelligence and her wits to solve the mystery. I also like her relationship with her family. I will definitely read more from this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Sweet like the pastries described in its pages, this down-to-earth family drama of a daughter trying to launch a bakery that honors her family and heritage is suddenly disrupted first by a despicable annoying neighbor and competitor and then by him promptly dropping dead after their public argument.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Lyndsay Murray has always had the same dream - open a family bakery highlighting their Grenadian roots. She has scrimped and saved to purchase a building and have her family work along side her to make this happen. The day of the soft opening, another bakery owner, Claudio Fabrizi, comes in and starts a scene that he was NOT happy she opened a competing bakery in the neighborhood. He has been harassing her since she started working on the building and today she has had enough. She tells him to leave, and if he returns again, it will not end well, in front of a bakery full of people. The next day, Fabrizi is found dead and now the police are looking at Lyndsay as the only murder suspect.

As Lyndsay starts to look for other suspects because the police are only looking at her, she comes to realize that she may be in for more than she thought.

What a great story - loved the family line and the mystery that went along with it. Looking forward to book #2.

This book started strong! I enjoyed getting to know the FMC, her family, and exploring her cultural heritage. However, I was slightly disappointed at the pacing and figuring out the killer early in the story. I wish this book had more of a twist because, at 80% in; I didn't feel compelled to finish reading once I could skip ahead and see I was right.

This was such a cute and fun new series! I adore Lyndsey's story and the fact that she started a small business to bring a spotlight to her background and culture. And I learned so much about both of those things and the food!! I absolutely love all the people that surround her, and I felt like the murder mysteries were a little bit harder to solve--which is not a bad thing! I cannot wait for the next in this series!

In this beginning to a cozy mystery series, Lyndsay Murray is forced to investigate a murder when she becomes the prime suspect in the death of a fellow shop owner.

I love a good cozy mystery series and this was exactly that. The author instantly pulled me into this story with Lyndsay, her family, and her Grenadian roots. I loved the descriptions of the food they were making in the bakery - I swear books like this always leave me so hungry. And the mystery (plus Lyndsay's reaction to it) actually felt realistic. For example, her worries over being charged and arrested for something she didn't do. It all combined into one page turning mystery that I couldn't stop reading. I've already continued on with this series (I'm just super behind with reviews) but am definitely looking forward to reading more in this cozy series whenever they release.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries or just mystery readers in general should give this book a try. I really enjoyed my time with this one!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. Honest thoughts are my own.

A cute, cozy food related mystery. I've read a few food related mysteries and they all kind of seem to be the same. I enjoyed the book, but it just didn't seem very unique. Kind of slow which was off putting as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute cozy mystery following Lyndsay a new bakery owner who made another Caribbean store angry as he considered her moving in on his territory. The bakery owner confronted her in her bakery where she told him off and to get out. Next thing we know the bakery owner ends up dead and Lyndsay ended up on the top of the suspect list. Trying to save her business reputation Lyndsay sets out to make sure the police get this right !

This was a cute cozy mystery but it felt very similar to others in this genre. The characters were ok but a few of them I really had a hard time caring about. The writing was fast paced and easy to understand and there were a few quirky moments that had me laughing. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries I could see this being a little forgettable but still a fun time. I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Embark on a journey to the Spice Isle Bakery, where the essence of Caribbean heritage permeates through every recipe. Lyndsay Murray, the mastermind behind this enchanting bakery, is determined to share her family's culinary secrets with her new home in Brooklyn. Yet, on the day of its opening, a disgruntled neighboring bakery owner threatens to shut her down, leading to a heated argument. The next day, the same bakery owner is found murdered, and Lyndsay becomes the prime suspect. With her family by her side, Lyndsay sets out to clear her name and uncover the true culprit.


Against the Currant by Olivia Matthews is the captivating first installment of the Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series, brimming with charm and humor. With each book in the series containing a standalone mystery, readers can delve into any of them without fear of missing out. As Lyndsay navigates through the twists and turns of the case, we witness her growth from a timid wallflower to a fierce protector of her family and business. The inclusion of diverse characters and the mouth-watering descriptions of Caribbean cuisine add to the allure of this cozy mystery.

What a way to start a series. Lyndsay Murray and her family has decided to bring a bit of home in the Caribbean to Brooklyn, by opening up a new bakery called Spice Isle. And their opening goes great, until another restaurant owner comes to threaten them. Things get worse when that same person is found dead, and Lyndsay is the main suspect due to the argument they had at Spice Isle. Lyndsay decides to take matters into her own hands, and with the help of her family, is determined to clear her name.

This book is full of family and food, especially treats from the caribbean which sound so tasty and delicious. This was such an enjoyable cozy mystery and I truly enjoyed this story, and I can't wait for the series to be continued.

I always need a good reminder on why I love cozy mysteries and this was it! The balance of culture, food and mystery was perfection and great job to Olivia Matthews for capturing the Caribbean essence. Bonus points for having the currants roll recipe at the end! I wish there was more humor involved. Otherwise, great story! I'm excited to see where this series goes

This story is a fun and cozy mystery about Indian fusion bakeries and rival businesses. I enjoyed the premise, the descriptions and inclusion of cultural foods, and of the family. While I enjoyed the story, it was a bit difficult to get into the writing style which became quite repetitive. Overall, a solid cozy mystery.

I’ve read several food related murder mystery books/series. I don’t think this one has anything unique to pull me in to continue the series. The mystery was a bit slow with quite a bit of character development, which for the first book in a series is okay, but again it didn’t keep my interest. Writing was fine, and I enjoyed the recipes.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC of the book.

Lyndsay Murray's dream is about to come true - she and her family are opening Spice Isle Bakery. The soft opening was a success except the little fight with neighbor baker Claudio Fabrizi. As Lyndsay celebrates the success and makes plans for her bakery future Claudio was found dead and she is the main suspect. As a result Lyndsay has to find Claudio's killer to clear her name.

The mystery line was slow, I feel like author was focused on character development as Lyndsay was becoming more confident in herself. Additional thank you to the author for recipes because the food description made me curious about it. I'm glad that thus is series, I will be looking forward to next books.