A confirmed Anglophile I usually read mysteries with British settings but I am so grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone to read this series by Olivia Matthews. There is so much descriptive joy in reading about Grenada and how the Caribbean culture translates to Brooklyn . The character descriptions - skin color, colorful clothing and accents are fascinating and oh I wish I could sample the food ! And I did not guess the murderer with either of the first two books.

Hard Dough Homicide is book two in A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series by Olivia Matthews. It's a fast paced cozy mystery set in a bakery run by a Grenadan family. The murder victim is not well liked so there are many suspects, but the cops focus on the bakery owners. It's a nice cozy, perfect for a rainy day read.
Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC of this book.

Book two in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries series is my first time reading Olivia Mathews and I am happy to report it won't be my last. I'll be grabbing the previous book, Against the Currant, as soon as possible. From the family dynamic to the building plot I had the best time. I'm a big fan of Lyndsay's voice and view. I'm very much drawn to her and the relationships she has with a certain detective. I can't wait for more.
A fun cozy mystery that boasts family, love, and a drive to solve the unsolvable!
~Tanja

This second book in this delightful cozy series and a very enjoyable story that doesn’t require you to have read the first book. Set in Brooklyn, New York, at the family owned and operated Spice Island Bakery, Lindsay Murray is disconcerted when the local school Administrative Officer won’t take ‘no’ for an answer to host the retiring Principal’s farewell dinner. When Lindsay’s Mom retired from the school, there was no love lost between her and the honoree. When there’s an unexpected death during the dinner, fingers are pointed at the Murray family, both in the Little Caribbean community and in the local press. Determined to prove her family and the business’s innocence, Lindsay enlists everyone she can to solve the crime.
I love all the characters in this series and enjoy the story very much. I also love the tidbits about the character’s Caribbean customs. The one caveat I have is Lindsay’s antipathy to the attractive detective. She can’t believe that he has to follow the evidence and either rule out or dismiss her mother as a suspect. It’s too contrived to me as Lindsay is, otherwise, an intelligent and enjoyable protagonist.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the arc! Another great cozy mystery novel. Loved most of the characters! The author did a great job pulling the reader into the story. Will recommend!

I really love this series. This is a great follow up to the first book and I couldn't put it down. This cute cozy has everything you could want in a great mystery. And the characters feel like family and friends so coming back to see them again was wonderful.
I just reviewed Hard Dough Homicide by Olivia Matthews. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Murphy’s Law

Spice Isle Bakery is in its second month of operation. Business has been doing extremely well. Even after that scandalous murder investigation the month prior. Thanks to part owner, full time baker, and amateur sleuth Lyndsay Murray.

So when the bakery is yet again involved in another investigation into the murder occurring on bakery premises, Lyndsay leads the charge to save not only her mother’s reputation, but the bakery’s reputation as well.

Hard Dough Homicide is the second book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries. Even though it is the second installment, it is possible to read as a standalone since enough background information is provided for a seamless flow.

The characters are cute with personalities that reflect their Carribean roots. And being a cozy mystery, the amateur sleuth is the no nonsense type woman surrounded by wannabe detectives.

The plot follows a whodunit theme. But unlike other adrenaline filled mysteries, it is a little slow. But that’s what cozy mysteries are. It’s all about the journey and atmosphere. And Hard Dough Homicide will take the reader on a tasty journey full of Carribean atmosphere. Four tasteful stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

This series is fantastic! The turn of events that play out keeps you turning pages. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

HARD DOUGH HOMICIDE is the second book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries by Olivia Matthews. I enjoyed this newest release even more than the debut entry and felt the book to be more engaging. The sweet relationship that protagonist Lyndsay Murray has with her parents, brother, and grandmother is simply adorable. Working so closely together, at their brand-new West Indian Spice Isle Bakery, could lead to all sorts of conflicts, but instead, they’ve only grown closer. So, when Lyndsay’s mother’s tyrant of an ex-boss demands the bakery cook her retirement dinner and serve it at their bakery, it’s the entire family’s decision to allow it. Plus, the extra money will help with the bakery’s expenses that have piled up. Except, someone at the dinner party decided the tyrant needed to be murdered with the blame cast on Lyndsay’s mother, Cedella.

With a detective being a college acquaintance, Lyndsay believes he should be more supportive of her family, especially when the bakery loses customers. Instead, Cedella is taken in for questioning and Lyndsay decides it’s up to her to find the truth. At the beginning of the series, Lyndsay lacks self-confidence and assertiveness. I was pleased to see that she’s grown into a stronger woman since then and tackles her investigation whether she’s uncomfortable or not. This is definitely a character-driven cozy mystery, and it’s one of those books I like to sit back with and enjoy as the family works together to prove their innocence.

There are all sorts of mouthwatering dishes mentioned throughout the book, so be prepared to drool. Ms. Matthews has thoughtfully included a couple of recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hard Dough Homicide is book two in A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series by Olivia Matthews. I have not read the first book in this mystery, and felt like it was a necessity to have done so. The narrator focuses a great deal on her family's origins and cultural background, but since I am not familiar with her culture and since it is such a huge part of this novel, I did feel a bit lost occasionally. Having read the first book might have solved this problem.

Matthews creates a nicely developed cozy mystery. There is never any doubt that the mother and family are not guilty, and while there are a limited number of suspects, the actual guilty person is not obvious. There are several red herrings to follow. What doesn't work is that there would be a second murder within a month. There needs to be some sort of time lag between murders. It simply is not believable for a baker to be involved in solving two murders so closely together. The relationship with the police is similarly a stretch. Murders have to be investigated and everyone present needs to be a suspect until eliminated. The two detectives as useless investigators really needs better definition. Why are the police created as foils, when everyone should be working together? Lyndsay provides the police with information that is ignored. Really? The setup for the investigation seems artificial and serves only as a way for Lyndsay to investigate another murder without the police getting in her way. Conflict only works when there is a genuine reason for it. The absent police lieutenant, whom the readers never meet, seems to be present only as a convenient means to blame Lyndsay's mother as a suspect.

I liked the family dynamic and the obvious love for one another. I also liked how well the family worked together to run a successful business. The crime reporter, Jose, is not a believable character. His personality is never fully realized by the author. First he is an obnoxious writer, whose whole goal is to sell newspapers, no matter who he harms. In the next scene he is exactly the opposite.

I did feel that Olivia Matthews has the workings for a solid hit with this series, but the inconsistencies should not be ignored. I want to thank the author and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC for me to read and review. I look forward to Matthew's third novel in this series. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to this author.

Culinary Cozy
The Bain family runs the Spice Isle Bakery, accenting the Grenadian dishes of their homeland. Newly opened it’s doing well despite part owner Lynsay, being a person of interest in a murder soon after they opened.
After being offered a price too good to turn down, they accepted a catering job that turned to crap. Again the family is under scrutiny, and again Lyndsay is the one to turn up the murderer.
Ms. Matthews tells a compelling tale adding ethnic flavor that I can only assume is authentic, not my area of expertise and it is an enjoyable read.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and amateur detectives. Throw in a few recipes, quirky family members, and a strong lead character and I'm in!

I enjoyed this book, but the resolution seemed rushed. I really liked the characters, and Lyndsay was a character that I wanted to know in real life.

I don't feel like I needed to read the first book in order to understand the plot and characters in this one, but there were a few times that I thought it might have been helpful.

“Hard Dough Homicide” was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and it did not disappoint!!

Picking up where “Against the Currant” left off, the Murray family is busy running their family restaurant. Things have just settled down when the Spice Isle Bakery is connected to another suspicious death and members of the family are again under investigation. To save her family and their business Lyndsay hangs up her apron and puts on her sleuthing cap to solve the mystery and catch the killer. Full of twists, turns, comedic relief, amazing characters and delicious recipes - “Hard Dough Homicide” is a 5⭐️ read!

I absolutely LOVE this series and cannot wait to see what Olivia Matthews has in store for the next installment!


Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

The Murray family decides to host a small retirement dinner for the money…even though they don’t care for the retiree herself. But when the woman has a seizure and ends up dying, the family bakery is back in the hot seat again.

While no one believes Lyndsay’s mother is a killer, the police seem to think her just having a motive, means and opportunity are enough. It’s up to Lyndsay and the family to find the killer before Mommy ends up being pinned for a crime she didn’t commit.

This is a great cozy series set in the Little Caribbean neighborhood and you can just hear the music and smell the food as you’re reading. Come for the mystery, but make sure you stay for the recipes at the end…they’re delicious!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGallery for the opportunity to read this cozy mystery.

It was a page turning who dunnit cozy mystery! Keeping me wondering til the end who was the murderer.

Slightly whiney throughout is my only disappointment. Maybe abit more coordination with the detectives in future novels.

Hard Dough Homicide is book two in A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series by Olivia Matthews. And it was just as good as Against the Currant book one.

I loved being back inside Spice Isle Bakery with owner Lyndsay and her family.
I’m here to say this cozy mystery series is just the best and I devoured it.
Such a fun, page-turning mystery that sets up quickly and the pace is spot on.
The mystery was intriguing and I was holding my breath at one point and flipping the pages like a crazy person. I enjoyed it immensely.
I loved the characters and the story. It kept my interest from beginning to end.
It combined the interest and suspense of a who-done-it and before we know it the Murray family is back into the heart of another murder investigation.
The case drew me in right from the beginning.
The mystery was done so well and the sarcasm throughout made this story so much fun to read.
The plot itself was well done and the writing was engaging.
I enjoyed these characters, the story, and a plot that kept me guessing.

I hope more is to come in this fun, exciting new A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery series because now I’m addicted.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I am enjoying books like this where the mystery is a cozy mystery. The book is a quick easy read and easy to get back into each day.

This is the second book in the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries. I haven't read the first one but had no trouble getting into this book. The mystery is stand alone and although there are a lot of characters I didn't have any issue keeping them straight.

I loved that the entire family was involved in solving the mystery. And I love how close-knit they are. The food descriptions were wonderful as well.

I can't put my finger on it but there's something that just didn't sit right about the story. All the pieces of a good mystery are there but somehow it fell a bit flat. That being said I would definitely try another book by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, St Martin's Press.

Once again we return to the Spice Island Bakery where Lindsay and her family become embroiled again in another murder, and this is only after being open just two months. Lindsay and her family cater a retirement dinner at the bakery for her mother's former principal who, plain to say, is one nasty person. Before the meal is over, principal Emily is dead and all fingers are pointing at Lindsay's mother. Of course Officer Bryce puts her as a suspect of interest, which does not endear him to Lindsay at all. Not having much confidence in the local police, Lindsay sets out to prover her mom's innocence, with the help of her family, before her mom is hauled off to jail and they lose their business. But Lindsay also puts herself in danger as she seeks out the murderer and gets threatening letters trying to warn her off. Lots of red herrings, twists and turns in this cozy mystery that make it exciting to read. It was fun to meet some familiar characters again and see that the sparks between Lindsay and Bryce are still sparking. I don't think this will be the last that we will see of Lindsay and the Spice Island Bakery, at least I hope not. What I love about this series is the family connections, how they work together, and the sense of community that unites them all. I look forward to seeing the next in the series. This cozy mystery will make you hungry for more. Well done!

I found it irritating that the author kept mentioning the race and nationality of the characters. I don’t care that they’re from Grenada or that if they’re black or Latina or whatever, I just want to know the characters of the characters. The attitude of the cops is a little frustrating but understandable. I did suspect who set up the theft correctly. #HardDoughHomicide #NetGalley