The premise of this book sounds super cool right? A baking show located on the estate of a celebrity chef that starts off well but ends up having sabotage and a murder. Super exciting. The problem is this book failed to deliver on the excitement standpoint for me. Reading the synopsis makes you believe that throughout the book you will be trying to figure out who did the murder, but no thats not the case at all.
Although I enjoyed the plot line including baking I hated the mystery/murder part. You didn’t get to the murder plotline that you believe youre getting until about 85% throughout the
book and by then you're about to finish was just a huge bummer for me since I was hoping to try to figure out who I thought did it more early on.
I did like some of the characters like Stella and Lottie. Lottie's story was super interesting! Betsy I wasn’t 100% on but she wasn’t a horrible character at all.
Overall I just wish the story didn’t wait till it was almost over to reveal what the synopsis had me thinking was the main plot of the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for an e-arc of this book in exchange of an honest review

This was a cozy mystery with a lot of potential! I think more could have been done with developing the characters, and some of the writing felt a little elementary at times. But the content is good and the story was interesting! I loved the idea of combining a murder mystery with a cozy show like Bake Week. My personal preference would have had this go much darker than it did - but I know that's not what you want in a cozy mystery.

Overall, I think this is a solid debut and I will read more books by Jessa Maxwell!

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Golden Spoon was such a fun read! Told from the perspectives of 6 contestants and the host of a baking show filmed at a secluded manor in Vermont, this book is for anyone who loves a good whodunit, locked room mystery and/or baking shows as it really did combine favorite elements from both. I really loved how the plot was driven by each of the characters, and how each chapter the story was told from a different perspective. There were several subplots with each character, which I really enjoyed and gave a relatively plot driven book added depth. I got hungry reading it as the contestants made bread, cakes, and pies! While the book start off excellent to me, it lost some of it's momentum towards the end. The last quarter of the book was a little lackluster and anticlimactic, but overall, was still an enjoyable read.

I randomly requested this based on the recommendation of a librarian. It's not my typical genre, but I'd told her that I was getting bored with most thrillers, so she suggested I try mystery. Boy am I glad I did!

We follow 7 perspectives--one from each contestant and the host. The author does a FANTASTIC job at developing the characters enough so that they never get confusing. I didn't have a hard time at all distinguishing the different characters. My favorite character was Stella. I really loved hearing from her, and I think a companion novel based on her story would be super interesting.

The only complaint I have was the ending. This could be considered a spoiler so read with caution--
I hate when we are made to feel sorry for adulteresses. She obviously didn't get what was coming to her, but I don't feel bad that she never ended up with her love interest. The same goes for him--I also don't feel bad for him. If anything, I feel for their daughter who, at 12, got drug into it.

My thanks to Net Galley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this e-book.

This was a fun book to read that kept me turning the pages! Betsy Martin, of the lovely old Grafton manor home in Vermont, hosts an annual show called Bake Week. Six contestants show up for a contest to win The Golden Spoon trophy. However, this year the show's producers decide to add a co-host, Archie Morris, who is arrogant and over-bearing.

The story begins with a murder but we don't know who was murdered. Then we back up to get to know each of the six contestants ,who have a lot of "baggage" in their own life stories, as well as more on Betsy and Archie.

A little bit gothic home setting, with a TV baking contest and some history to the house and some of the guests that keep you guessing to the end....and then still scratching your head wondering.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC
A well written debut novel that I highly recommend. I love any books that involve baking competitions. Add in a mystery component and for me; it’s the perfect book. I really enjoyed that the book included POV's from each contestant. Readers will enjoy the satisfying ending.

This was a good read where the twists and surprise reveals came fast and furious, which I loved! The setting was cozy, the characters were varied and interesting, and the conclusion was satisfying, if not a little bit rote. But you know what? Sometimes that can be cozy, too!

I had the opportunity to meet this author at Bouchercon. What a debut! Reads like a reality show that you don’t want to stop watching

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell is a fantastic debut murder mystery that I absolutely LOVED!

There are several characters in the book, and I love the format in which the author introduced them all at the beginning of the book.

There are secrets, lies and red herrings that kept me guessing until the end.

A well written debut novel that I highly recommend.

I don't usually read a lot of thriller/mysteries but the idea of a murder at a reality TV baking competition is storyline I could not resist! I really enjoyed that although the act of the murder was committed at the beginning of the book, the victim and the murderer isn't revealed right away. It made me want to keep reading to find out what happened. I also loved that we got to know each of the main characters through their own point of view. Overall I definitely enjoyed this book. It could be a little slow at times but still a great read,

very fun and cozy! baking show and murder mystery is something i didn’t expect but i enjoyed it! i would for sure read from this author again but i’m not completely blown away

I will never watch GBBO through the same lense. This story of a baking show with chicanery was delightful. But the chicanery gets serious and I couldn’t put it down.

Jessa Maxwell serves up a delicious morsel of a whodunit. Well-paced writing and defined characters keep you guessing and leave you wanting more. I can't wait to pick up Jessa Maxwell's next book. The Golden Spoon is perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and the Great British Bake Off.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the digital advanced reader's copy.

For mystery and Great British Baking Show fans, this is a pleasant book with which to spend the weekend.

Bake Week, the U. S. version of a cozy, optimistic baking competition show, is plagued by problems in its latest season: over-producing, a new host, a stressed long-time host, accidents on set, personal secrets galore, and a blistering lightning storm. Plus, someone on set isn't going to survive the week. Who is it and whodunit?

If this sounds like your cup of tea (or slice of cake), then pick this one up.

The pace is a bit slow at the beginning as the stage is set for the stormy ending, but I enjoyed getting to know the characters (Pradyumna and Lottie were my personal favorites, and I wish we had more time with them) and peeking a bit behind the scenes of the fictional show.

For a mystery, this was very straightforward. Maxwell doesn't do surprises. She is fair with her clues, and the reader is able to figure out what is coming if they want to do so.

All in all, this was a satisfying, quick read. I enjoyed the setting, the characters, and the final comeuppance.

*occasional language, sexual situations (although sex takes place off-page)

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this fun debut novel by Jessa Maxwell - soon to be made a series on Hulu so you know you have to read the book first. 4 stars!

The tenth season of Bake Week is about to begin. The mansion, owned by host and celebrity chef Becky Martin, is full of the six candidates and flashy co-host Archie Morris. Each of the candidates is hoping to win the coveted Golden Spoon, but from the first challenge, things start to go wrong. When a dead body is found, everyone is a suspect.

Told from the POV of each of the contestants and Becky, this is just a fun, light mystery. Basically a locked-room type mystery where even the mansion holds plenty of secrets. And the food! Prepare to be hungry from the descriptions of the food each contestant makes as they try to win. Can't wait to read more from this author!

I thought this book would have it all and I was really looking forward to reading it. First the good: I loved the character development and the personalities of the bakers. The plot was slow to start and I really was expecting some twists and turns and something was going to happen that left me spellbound. Sadly, that didn't happen. The resolution to the story was quick and predictable; it felt a little rushed. I guess I was expecting more because the characters and the idea behind the book were so well done. Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC.

Bake Week is everyone’s favorite baking show. The host, beloved baking icon Betsy Martin, is known as America’s Grandmother – but this year, the producers have added a handsome young cohost, much to Betsy’s horror. Almost immediately, things start going wrong in the competition. At first it’s just minor acts of culinary sabotage... and then somebody turns up dead.

This is a murder mystery that goes in some unexpected directions, but tonally it’s kind of all over the place. It starts out very cozy but takes some very dark turns. I don’t read enough cozy mysteries to know if that’s normal. The pacing is also inconsistent. All in all, though, it’s an entertaining read.

Representation: Queer characters, POC characters, mental illness & neurodivergent representation

CW: rape, sexual harassment, abuse of power

The context of a baking competition in a historical family home was something that I have not read before, and I was completely there for it! Especially since the contestants aren't professional bakers - they could be your neighbor or friend, anyone. I liked that the contestants were varied, and they would have to be for this type of show (which is voiced several ways in the book). By far my favorite characters were Pradyumna, and Lottie; although I did also like Paul, and Gerald. Almost all of the characters had characteristics that reminded me of people I know.

In this version of our world Betsy Martin is not only a household name but a staple - similar to our Julia Child, Betty Crocker, and/or Martha Stewart. Seen as "America's Grandmother" the network airing Bake Week decides that the show could use some livening up with an additional cohost of Archie Morris. I wasn't a fan of Betsy or Archie. The reader experiences his interactions throughout the story through the eyes of the six contestants and Betsy; however, we surprisingly do not get any story time from his viewpoint, which I thought was odd. Betsy's viewpoint being in third person while all of the contestants are in the first person was also an odd choice, but it did work - it only added to the fact that Betsy was essentially apart from everyone else.

I loved all the challenges and creativity witnessed through the days of contestants cooking. One thing that I do wish that this book came with (even though it would be difficult) is the recipes the contestants made. I would absolutely love to taste some of the things that they made - they sounded absolutely delicious!

"They always tell you that you have to be enough for yourself before you can heal, and I respectfully disagree. I, by myself, was not enough. I think you need others to even be able to see yourself fully. The best way to find the value in yourself is by being good to someone else. There, you find your purpose, and that is the sweetest thing I have ever tasted."

A big thank you to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book - I loved every minute of it, got caught up in it and nearly finished it in a day. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, cozy mysteries, murder mysteries, elimination style shows, and of course - baking shows. *Rounded from 4.5 stars*

This was a little outside my typical genre, however I really found myself diving into it. This is my first Jessa Maxwell book so I am interested in seeing more of her work.

Absolutely BINGED this book. I usually freak myself out with murder mysteries, so I don't read them often. But the food appeal of this one had me wanting to give it a go and I'm so happy I did. Between drooling over the delicious baking scenes and having my eyes glued on the pages wanting to figure out what would happen next, I couldn't stop turning the pages. I really enjoyed that the book included POV's from each contestant, it made the experience so much more similar to reality TV where you get one-on-one interviews with everyone to find out their takes on what's going.