First in a new series, Macarons Can Be Murder, is set in Paris, Kentucky. Marci Beaucorp loves everything French and many believer her patisserie's offerings have a touch of magic. Her beloved bakery is in danger of being sold, Marci needs to discover who killed the prospective buyer's ex-girlfriend or her building will be sold to developers. Marci is impetuous and not always entirely sympathetic in her quest, but it sets up the main characters well for future entries in the series. Fabulous recipes included!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to read an eARC of #MacaronsCanBeMurder.

this was a cute cozy murder mystery, loved all the fun vibes! It was the perfect read for the mood I was in, can't wait for more by this author.

Such a fun quick cozy mystery read about a bakery! And macarons too! Marci, a baker and turned detective, Just pure fun. Read when you're in the mood for something light. Don't compare to Grisham! This is cute and cozy.

Macarons Can Be Murder is the first book in Rose Betancourt's Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery series.

Marci Beaucoup runs La Belle Patisserie, a popular bakery in Paris, Kentucky. When her landlord announces that the building housing the patisserie is being sold, Marci worries about the future of her business. Antoine Dubois, the top bidder for the property, assures Marci that he intends to renew her lease. However, when Antoine's estranged ex-girlfriend is found dead in front of La Belle.Marci fears that the murder might drive customers away. As she begins her investigation, Antoine quickly becomes the prime suspect. If Antoine is arrested for murder, the deal for La Belle's building could fall through, and the property might be sold to developers, leaving Marci with no choice but to find a new location or close her business for good.

I had a hard time getting into this mystery. Marci is worried that people might avoid her bakery because of the murder or suspect her involvement, but I expected there to be a slight increase in customers curious to see the crime scene. I didn't like Marci as a character. She often seems to act without thinking, which repeatedly gets her into trouble. I'm surprised she made it to the end of the story. While I've enjoyed other series by this author and was looking forward to this book based on its synopsis, I found it difficult to finish. However, I will give the second book in the series a chance, given my appreciation for the author's previous work.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library.
I enjoyed this book a lot. If you want to read a good cozy mystery this is perfect for you! I liked all the characters and it was light hearted and clean.

I am giving this book 3 stars as I really didn't enjoy the characters or the story line. I just realized that I didn't finish it which shows this wasn't the book for me. However, I'm sure there are others that will love it.

First of all, I’m not a huge fan of cozy but I do love mysteries so whenever I need a break from my favorite psych thriller genre, I pick up a cozy mystery. This one was ok. The action picks up right away with a murder in front of the heroine’s French themed bake shop. Actually she has a French themed life! Her name is Marci Beaucoup so her parents had a French sense of humor. There’s a lot of French in this book. There’s also a dog and a cat for the animal lovers. Anyway, Marci takes it upon herself to investigate said murder because the future of her bake shop is threatened. And so the adventure begins until we reach the pretty obvious conclusion. No surprises really. I took off a star because there were no surprises and another star because the heroine wasn’t very likable to me.

This book was provided to me through NetGalley for my review.

#MacaronsCanBeMurder #RoseBetancourt #AParisKentuckyBakeryMystery #CozyMystery #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Macarons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt is the first book in the cozy A Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery series. As with most cozy mystery books the mystery within this first book is fully solved so it can be read as a standalone if choosing to do so.

Marci Beaucoup has a total love for France and everything French but since she lives in America she has had to settle for the “other” Paris, the one in Kentucky. Marci has decided to combine her love of baking and everything french and open her own little bakery, La Belle Patisserie.

Just as Marci is getting the bakery up off the ground and business begins she finds that her landlord is wanting to sell the building. The new owner, Antoine Dubois, however ensures that Marci will be able to continue her business as usual, that is until Antoine ends up a murder suspect when his ex turns up dead in front of the bakery.

Macarons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt was an ok opener to this new cozy series. The story is kind of short one for an opener so I would have liked more suspects and time to get to know the characters and town a bit better before it all wrapped up. I would also warn to those out there that dislike a love triangle that this one seems to be one to include one so that may be a turn off to some but otherwise for me I’d have to see if this one grows on me in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a good cozy mystery series debut, that I would recommend trying!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher

I did not enjoy this book at all and even DNFed it only 10% in. The writing and the characters and everything were just boring.

"Macarons Can Be Murder" by Rose Betancourt is a cozy mystery set in the charming town of Paris, Kentucky, where Marci Beaucoup runs La Belle Patisserie. The novel combines elements of baking, French flair, and a murder mystery, creating an enjoyable but somewhat predictable narrative.

The story follows Marci, a baker with a passion for French pastries, whose life takes a dramatic turn when her landlord decides to sell the property. The plot introduces an array of quirky characters, including an enchanting Frenchman named Antoine Dubois and the womanizing detective Maverick Malone. The premise, while engaging, follows a familiar formula of a murder mystery unfolding in a small town, with Marci inadvertently getting involved in the investigation.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its cozy atmosphere and the incorporation of culinary delights. The descriptions of Marci's bakery and the delectable treats she creates add a pleasant layer to the narrative. The setting in Paris, Kentucky, and the inclusion of French elements create a unique backdrop for the story.

However, the mystery itself feels somewhat formulaic, and the resolution is predictable for readers familiar with the cozy mystery genre. The characters, while charming, may lack the depth needed to make them truly memorable. The romantic subplot between Marci and Antoine, while sweet, follows a conventional trajectory.

The writing style is accessible, and the pacing keeps the story moving along. The humor sprinkled throughout adds a lighthearted touch to the murder investigation. While the book may not offer groundbreaking twists, it provides a comfortable reading experience for fans of cozy mysteries.

In conclusion, "Macarons Can Be Murder" offers a cozy and enjoyable reading experience, especially for those who appreciate culinary-themed mysteries. While it may not break new ground in the genre, the book delivers on its promises of a light-hearted mystery with a dash of romance, making it a suitable choice for a relaxing read.

3.5 Stars

Marci Beaucoup’s is turned upside down when a woman is found dead in front of her little bakery. The woman happens to be no other than an ex-girlfriend of her soon-to-be new landlord. Unfortunately, the cops have zeroed in on her new landlord to be the possible killer, and if he goes to jail then Marci can lose her shop if a different landlord takes over.

This book was a bit chaotic. Being in Marci's head as she investigated the murder was also a bit chaotic. There were some humorous moments with Marci's aunt, who I think I adored the most.

My biggest issue was Marci. I didn't understand her resentment for Maverick Malone who she is also really attracted to but at the same time constantly denies it in her head - also... her gripe with the man is something that happened when they were teens and she makes weird assumptions about him.

There is also a weird love triangle thrown in that just doesn't work for me, since Marci is stringing both of the men along..

It was alright. I'll probably read the next book when it comes out. I think it brings something different to cozies and I'm looking forward to that.

This book is first in its series. It wasn't the most interesting flowing book I have read. It wasn't bad it wasn't the greatest. Marci Beaucoup has great potential in Paris Kentucky but everything French in a small town, we will have to wait and see what happens next. I like to try new authors she does have potential. The animal's names they are cute because of the French style she is trying to create,

Rose Betancourt introduces the reader to her new protagonist, Marci Beaucoup, in Macarons Can Be Murder, the first installment of her Paris Kentucky Bakery Mystery series. Marci has opened her new French bakery but is soon informed that her landlord is selling the building. One of the potential new owners, Antoine Dubois, is willing to continue her lease but the other has plans to tear the building down and build something new. Unfortunately, the day after Marci meets Antoine, she discovers the body of Antoine’s former girlfriend dead just outside the front door of the bakery. Because Antoine quickly becomes the prime suspect, his purchase of the building is placed in peril pending the outcome of the investigation. Due to the history that Marci has with the local police detective, she feels that he is likely to focus on Antoine because of her potential romantic interest in him and decides that she needs to investigate on her own.

While this is a first in series book, the author has done an excellent job of quickly introducing the cast of characters for this book including a concise history of the varying relationships within the town’s residents. While there are significant clues which point to the identity of the culprit, there are enough red herrings, misdirection and plot twists to keep the reader’s guessing and interested until the final revelation of both the motive and perpetrator of this crime. I look forward to future installments of this series especially as Marci explores her romantic future with each of her two suitors.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This first book in the Paris Kentucky Bakery series is probably the last one I will read. Unfortunately, it did not appeal to me. I could not connect with the characters. When I find myself wanting to skim pages to try to get to the end, then that tells me I am not invested in the book. I did finish it, but I will never be able to get those minutes I lost back again. Just not worth my time!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

For more reviews, please visit my blog at: https://www.msladybugsbookreviews.com/. Over 1000 reviews posted!

I had high hopes for this cozy as I love all things French and I liked how that was incorporated into the storyline. However, the actual story didn't live up to my expectations. It was just an okay read. I never really clicked with the mystery or the characters-in fact, Marci really kind of drove me nuts. She was not the most likable character, at least not for me. I'll give a second book in this series a try to see if it's a more enjoyable read for me.

It got me at the start but it quickly lost its charm. There's too much going on, the entire story gets lost along the way. The whole story needs refining both in sequencing and content. The characters are so spot-on, where small town life is concerned, though.

The best French pastries outside of France might still be in Paris … Kentucky that is. There, Marci Beaucoup serves up everything from freshly baked croissants to macarons with just the hint of crunch at La Belle Patisserie. With mouth-watering food descriptions alone, author Rose Betancourt sold me on this first book in a new cozy mystery series.

However, this is a cozy, so how does the mystery stack up? After the bakery’s landlord plans to sell the property, Marci is relieved to discover Antoine Dubois has made an offer. Handsome, charming, and French, he’d be the perfect buyer to extend the bakery’s lease—well, if his ex-girlfriend’s body hadn’t turned up outside its front door. This setup could easily become overbaked, but Betancourt makes you care enough about the charming little bakery that Marci’s need to clear Antoine’s name and ultimately save the place is compelling.

The investigating leans more over-the-top than grounded, with high stakes confrontations and some overly impulsive sleuthing. However, that never bothers me in this style of cozy. In a book where a macaroon is treated as a dangerous weapon, having Marci charge through an investigation without fully thinking it through is like having a few extra chocolate chips in a cookie: hardly noticeable. It’s pure, murderous fun.

With a solid mystery and a hint of humor, Macarons Can Be Murder serves up the ingredients for a solid start to a new series.

I was so excited to read this one because of the premise. However, the book fell flat for me. While I enjoyed Marci as a main character, her internal dialogue got a bit grating. It also felt more like a romance and less like a cozy mystery.

Macarons Can Be Murder by Rose Betancourt is the debut of A Paris Kentucky Bakery Mysteries. The story is told from Marci Beaucoup’s point-of-view. We are privy to her every thought and feeling (lucky us). Marci, of course, loves everything French. Marci opens La Belle Patisserie in her southern hometown of Paris, Kentucky. I was not a fan of Marci. She quickly got on my nerves. It is hard to believe that someone her age could be that naïve, especially in this day and age. Marci does not make the best choices (the words too stupid to live come to mind). Marci’s Aunt Barb has an overbearing personality. She is a human steam roller, and it is best to get out of her way. The mystery was straightforward. There is a limited number of suspects. There is an attempt at misdirection. The killer can be identified early in the story. Marci works to solve the crime so the building that houses her patisserie does not get sold to a developer and bulldozed. It would have helped if Marci had a cohort in crime so to speak. We would have had to endure less of her thoughts (and the endless repetition). Marci jumps to rash conclusions often (talk about annoying). Marci also believes she is smarter than the local police. Marci was very focused on Antoine not being the killer. The mystery needed work. There are French words scattered throughout the story (alas, I do not speak French). Macarons Can Be Murder has the beginning of one of my biggest pet peeves: a love triangle. I do not feel that romance was needed (let us get to know the main character before you get her involved with someone). There are a number of inconsistencies in the story and some details that seemed not to be researched. The pastry descriptions had me craving a flaky croissant (I love it when they are still warm). Macarons Can Be Murder was more fluff than substance. There is an overload of dialogue, the secondary characters lacked development (they were flatter than crepes), the storyline lacked development as well, lack of suspense, the mystery needed more thought (it was not thought out), and lack of chemistry between Marci and her two love interests. As you can tell, Macarons Can Be Murder did not suit me.