It's an intriguing, cozy mystery - but way too many details that don't amount to much and it drags on a lot in the middle. I got bored in the story before the mystery was solved.

Lyndsay Murray’s family is opening a new bakery - however, a rival baker and Lyndsay have words at their soft opening and he ended up dead the next day. Leaving Lyndsay as the main suspect in his murder. She feels the detectives aren't working hard or fast enough to clear her name, so she takes matters into her own hands and with help from her family tries to find out whodunit. The characters are great, Granny is a fun addition.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

Lyndsay Murray’s dream has finally come true as she and her family open their bakery. After the soft opening, Lyndsay is excited for the formal grand opening. Unfortunately, the owner of another bakery in the area is murdered and since Lyndsay and he had an argument the day before, she’s the main suspect.

In the blink of an eye, all she and her family have worked for can be lost…unless she can find the killer and clear her name. Can she do it, or will she and her family be burned and tossed out like yesterday’s bread?

A strong start to a new cozy series. A multigenerational family of immigrants that are part of the Brooklynn fabric that makes the city go round, the Murray family resonates! Can’t wait for more in this series!

I received an ARC of Against the Currant in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley. Against the Currant is the story of Lyndsay Murray, who opens up a bakery in her neighborhood of Little Caribbean in Brooklyn with the help of her family. A day after opening, she is accused of murdering her competitor and must clear her name and find out who the real murderer is.

There were great things about this book. Lyndsay's family is supportive, helping her pursue her dream, and her Granny is a great character. Her community is tight-knit and the feel of Little Caribbean really comes alive in the book. I also loved the description of all the food. My mouth was watering thinking of all the treats they created in their bakery.

Pacing on the book's first half was pretty slow but it picked up in the second half and ended nicely. I love cozy mysteries and the unique cultural perspective on this one was lovely. At times this book was bordering on too descriptive for me without any advancement of plot or dialogue. I had a hard time keeping up with all of the characters as well. There were many patrons of the store but I felt too much time was spent on these secondary characters in relation to how they fit into the murder and rest of the story. With all that said, if you enjoy more description in your books and a slower pace this book is for you!

DNF 48%

I love the premise and Lyndsay’s family and the bakery and the community, but the pacing just feels so slow! I’m having trouble staying engaged; instead of feeling like a murder mystery, this feels largely like a slice-of-life story. And as much as I already really like the characters, it’s not enough to keep me engaged. I’m not sure if it’s because this is the first book of a new series so it’s setting up the characters and the setting, or I’m just not used to this kind of storytelling and pacing, but it’s a pass for me. I think it’ll find others who love it and I think it has a lot of potential, but I’m not the right audience.

Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery
by Olivia Matthews is a great first book in a new culinary cozy mystery series. I really liked this one.

This is such a fresh, interesting, and entertaining take on the classic and contemporary cozy mystery. I really like the author’s inclusion of a wonderful, full of life, and complex and vibrant extended family that surrounds our main character, Lyndsay Murray, and the whole cast really adds to the MC’s interest, personality, and vibe. I really liked Lyndsay, and I think she makes an excellent example of a kickin’ and fiery woman.

I also love that this book is centered around the area of the neighborhood that is Little Caribbean located within Brooklyn, New York. The culture, the family, the personalities, and the food…it all is excellent. The ties and homage paid to Grenada is quite lovely.

I also enjoyed the murder/mystery plot and feel that it added another wonderful dimension to an already excellent book. I amy really looking forward to the next one.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 1/24/23.