AHalf-Baked Murder is the first novel in the Cannabis Café Mysteries series set in Azalea Bay, California. It follows pastry chef Chloe Barnes who has been studying in Paris for the past few years. She moved back there after her Grandma Rose began undergoing chemo for her breast cancer. As Chloe decides what to do now that she is back home, she gets help from her Aunt Dawn who encourages her to open a cannabis café in town. Once things get going for Chloe’s business, a murder of an old acquaintance, Brendan Chalmers, occurs and Dawn is suspected. Chloe begins investigating to clear Dawn’s name.

The cannabis angle for this novel was interesting as it showcased the aid it can provide to chronic pain sufferers. There were even some fun recipes at the end of the novel for the reader to try, if they wish. It was a fun and unique concept for a cozy mystery and the café provided a nice backdrop for the story. If you’re not for cannabis use, I think you can still enjoy the novel as it is mainly used in the background as part of the café. As this is the first book in the series, I can see the potential for expansion for the town and other characters. The town of Azalea Bay was lovely, and I cannot wait to see it expand in future novels. There are a lot of characters introduced in this novel, which can be a bit overwhelming at first; however, I think it will work itself out as the series moves forward.

The narrator for this audiobook did an excellent job as she kept me engaged from start to finish. The story itself is lighter than I expected, but the added fluff made it fun. There is a love story that progresses in this novel that is a slow-burn as Chloe is recovering from a recent break-up. The love interest, Jake, was interesting, although I still want to know more about him. Since all the characters were being introduced, I feel there is still a lot more to explore with them, especially Chloe. Since she is setting up her new business, adjusting to moving back home, and recovering for a break-up, the author had a lot to set up for the main character. While this was well-done, the story did not truly suck me in until the murder investigation began. It was still interesting, and I liked the pacing until the killer is revealed. For me, the murderer was easy enough to guess, but I love that it was not obvious right away. Overall, there is a lot of potential with this series, and I look forward to reading the next mystery adventure for Chloe!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

Release Date: February 21, 2023

📖📖📖📖📖

Chloe Barnes is back in Azalea Bay after 5 years in France for 3 reasons: 1. Her jerk of a fiancé cheated 2. Because of said jerk she made a bad dessert and served it to a food critic, who proceeded to call her a amateurish pastry chef but the most import reason is number 3. Grandma Rose has cancer. The chemo has been rough so Grandma Rose has been using cannabis is combat the symptoms. As a pastry chef, Chloe knows she can make more and better than Grandma Roses special brownies. The results are amazing. Aunt Dawn even proposes opening a “weed cafe” in town. The more Chloe thinks on the idea, the more she loves it. She can help people to indulge safely and deliciously. But then her high school (and now) bully is murdered and the police think Aunt Dawn did it. Can Chloe open a business, keep her aunt and business partner out of jail and solve a murder or is this plan just half baked?

This is the first book in the #canabiscafemystery series by @stefanielondon (Emily George) and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series. Chloe is a heroine you root for, the world of Azalea Bay is colorful and full of great characters. Plus there was a rumor of a surf competition coming to town…what a perfect set up for book 2! I listened on an audiobook read by @voiceofchelseas and she was the perfect fit for Chloe (and everyone else too).

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#ahalfbakedmurder #emilygeorge #stefanielondon #chelseastephens
#tantoraudio #marsollyonliteraryagency #kensingtoncozies #kensingtonpublishing #netgalleyreads #cozymystery #cozymysterseries #bookreview #bookstagram #booklover #bookstagram #bookworm #booknerd #booktok #bookrecommendations #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookblogger #igreads #goodreads #bookclub #bookreviews #bookblog

Emily George’s A Half-Baked Murder is the first book in what I expect to be a fun new cozy culinary mystery series. Chloe was on her way, living the dream as they say, working in Paris as a pastry chef, then things go wrong. Her fiance cheats on her, she gets a horrible review, and then has to come back home to California to help out her sick grandmother. With her grandmother now better, it’s time for figure out what to do with her life. Her aunt has an idea, they should go into business together and open a cafe with a menu focused around cannabis. The actual mystery isn’t about drugs however but rather focuses around the death of the town sleaze bag. The day after he ‘forcefully’ hits on Chloe, he turns up dead in the park with a knife in his neck. Is Chloe the top suspect? No, but Chloe’s aunt is! Of course Chloe knows her aunt couldn’t possibly have done it and decides to stick her nose into the investigation to clear her aunt. It’s a solid mystery with fun cast and a number of twists/red herrings. While I don’t personally have any interest in weed, it doesn’t honestly have any real impact on the story and I think the cannabis aspect is just used to add a unique twist to the well loved tropes of culinary cozy mysteries. It’s a fun story and I look forward to the next adventure. For those interested, the book even includes actual cannabis infused recipes at the end. As for the audio, Chelsea Stephens does a very good job with the narration. I’d like to thank Tantor Audio and NetGalley for allowing me access to an advanced copy of the audio version of A Half-Baked Murder.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2QWMGS5NGY6SH/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I found this book to be very entertaining. As well and keeping me guessing as to who, and why they murdered the character in the book. I thought the narrator bit of very good job as well kept me entertained and wanted to listen, one more as the book went on. This is an author, I would definitely read more books from and look forward to reading more from her.

I'm new to murder mystery, but oh boy was this fun!! Heartfelt family moments, murder, small business owner, and small-town drama? Yes, please!

I loved this book, such a cosy murder mystery! Loved the characters and it didn't feel like too many or too few characters were introduced, the plot was well paced and the conclusion came together so well!

This book intrigued me mostly because of the bakery. It took a while to get into the book and it seemed to have a lot of filler. I loved Jake and his story was something we needed more of, would have like to see more focus on that love interest. The actual murder was insane, never would have suspected the killer!

This was a cute start to a new cozy mystery series. It wasn't outstanding in my opinion, but I am invested enough to read the next installment and see how things develop.

The town sounded cute but wasn't really memorable. The supporting characters were okay with the exception of her grandmother, she was the best! I was able to guess the killer pretty easily. But there was something about this that makes you want to try again to see where the author takes Chloe's story. It was well written, and the pace of the story was good. I give it 3 stars because I did enjoy reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced copy of this audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Below is my honest review of an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. These are my own opinions.

This was my first "cozy mystery" novel that I've read and I did really enjoy it! The premise and characters are written very well and I absolutely loved the narration by Chelsea Stephens. The idea of the cannabis cafe was very interesting to me (as I'm glad marijuana is becoming less taboo with legalized recreational use) but I was hoping for more time spent at the cafe, learning how Chloe is adjusting to her new business. The book revolves around her deciding if she wants to do it, the process of applying for the loan, picking out the store, and getting licensed - not actually "opening" it which I would hope to see in any potential sequels. As for the mystery element, I thought it fell a little flat. The victim was someone the reader does not like from the first mention, and he continues to get worse as the book goes on. I understand rooting for Aunt Dawn and having her name cleared, but I really think Chloe was narrow-sighted when she tried to investigate herself. The "twist" was pretty predictable and by the end I didn't really care who the murderer was. I was also hoping for a little more romance but again, maybe this will come in a sequel! This was a quick, fun, and cozy read and I would definitely recommend the audiobook.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book. I'm very happy to read books normalizing the use of THC and CBD for health reasons. It's such a silly stigma.

The actual story? I ADORED IT! Chloe is a wonderful main character; she's smart, driven and willing to take chances to get what she wants in life even after the first try doesn't pan out.

Chloe Barnes moves back home to help care for her grandmother who is sick with cancer. This isn't a total hardship for Chloe because as it happens her ex fiancé makes continuing her life in Paris a miserable idea. When Chloe gets home to cute and quiet Azalea Bay, CA she dives into helping her grandmother through her treatments by banking her THC pastries to relieve her pain and nausea. Her grandma is very thankful and her aunt sees it as an opportunity to help Chloe start over back in the states by opening a THC Café. What's life without a wrench in the plans though and a little murder mystery is sure to be that.

If you're into murder mystery, cozy mystery, etc. then this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Emily George for the opportunity to read and review this book.

#AHalfBakedMurder #CannabisCafeMysteriesBookOne
#EmilyGeorgeAuthor #ChelseaStephansNarrator
#NetGalley #TantorAudio #AdultFiction
#MurderMystery #CozyMystery #CanabisCafe

Chloe is a pastry chef who trained in Paris with her fiancé until he cheats on her with his assistant and she decides to move back to California to be with her aunt and sick grandmother. Chloe's aunt convinces her to open her own bakery to make some yummy treats with weed, she even went ahead and got her the key for the place. After fully deciding to open the bakery, there is a terrible murder that happened and Chole's aunt is a suspect for the murder. Is it Aunt Dawn who did it? Will they find the murderer? Will it break up the family?

I listened to this book and I thought it was so good! It was very different from the books that I usually read, but it was a fun book to listen to! There were lots of twists and the family dynamic was amazing. This book also goes over a very controversial topic of edibles and weed so it was very interesting to read about the benefits of it for medical reasons and all the things around this topic.

The story was planned good, you couldn’t tell who was the murderer. Personally didn’t like the cannabis part, but that just me.
First I didn’t like the narrator, but I got used to it. Easy to listen!

i really liked this one! it’s very loose on the murder mystery side which i was a little disappointed in but our main character’s voice was funny to listen to. however i did not like the narrator, they sounded too american for me, it’s weird I know. overall a very quick read, i recommend

Chloe is returning home to her small town in order to care for her grandmother who has cancer. When he return home, her aunt has a crazy idea that Chloe open up a cannabis bakery shop. Or is it crazy? While she’s trying to figure out all that opening a cannabis bakery entails, a man that she went to high school with is murdered. And her aunt is a suspect. Now she has both things on her shoulders. Will she be able to clear her aunt and get her business up and running?

This is the beginning of a new series. It’s pretty cute! And it’s definitely different from other culinary mysteries I’ve read. This is the first one I’ve read that deals with including cannabis in the baked goods. I enjoyed the character of Chloe. She’s very relatable in terms of being scared to start a new venture in her life. And with her need of protecting and caring for her family. I also enjoyed that this book gives practical information on how to cook with cannabis. I look forward to the next book. Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

To be honest, the mystery feels like an afterthought to an otherwise interesting and well-written romance about a girl coming back home to start over. The cafe, the characters, the found family of D&D playing friends were all more compelling than solving the murder of an unchecked school bully who grew up and got what he deserved 🤷🏻‍♀️

If I were the author, I would let go of the "cozy mystery" aspect and just focus on the small town life and the romance and the struggles of starting up a niche business. This would have made an excellent romance novel, it makes an average cozy mystery.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I was a bit hesitant, thinking that the marijuana side-story would be cringy or trite, but it was a really refreshing take! I love that marijuana is becoming more of a prevalent thing within society -- it's no different than drinking alcohol -- and appreciate this book for the way it handled that. I loved the recipes at the end! I also loved the cozy mystery and thought it was actually a very well done mystery. The romance introduced is great as well. I'm looking forward to the next one!

I really enjoyed The Half-Baked Murder! I thought it was the perfect blend of romance and thriller with an emphasis on strong female characters. The idea of a cannabis cafe is so unique in the book world so it instantly caught my attention. I loved seeing the growth of Chloe from start to finish and her Grandma and Rose provided lots of comedy relief.

Thank you for access to the audio ARC.

Who doesn’t love a cozy mystery? Set in a beach town? Automatic bonus points.

We meet Chloe, a pastry chef, who decides to move back home when her Grandma Rose is diagnosed with cancer and is starting chemotherapy. With convincing from her Aunt Dawn, Chloe decides to open a cannabis/baked goods store-front.

After a few days of being home, a guy Chloe greatly disliked in high school but happens to run into, ends up dead. And who’s the main suspect? Wellll you gotta read it to find out.

This was sooo good! The characters were likable, and I loved how quirky and fun-filled this cozy mystery was.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

3.5 stars

A trained pastry chef Chloe Barnes returns home to Azalea Bay after a humiliating break up and her grandmother becoming ill. With a new start in Azalea Bay and possibly opening a cannabis bakery with her Aunt Dawn.

However, that is when a creepy past acquaintance rehashes old drama and somehow ends up dead the next morning… which lands Chloe's aunt Dawn to become the number one suspect. Now Chloe must clear her aunt's name, find the real culprit from the list of suspects, and open the best bakery in Azalea Bay .

I really enjoyed this one, it was a cute cozy mystery, different to anything I've read before, and something refreshing. I loved the characters especially Chloe, her grandmother and aunt Dawn however the only down side for me was I felt like there were so many characters being introduced, that sometimes I would forget who they were and found it hard to keep them apart. But apart from that I really did enjoy this book and how Emily handled all the information and I can’t wait for the next book to come out:)
I loved that the book ends with a recipe because I honestly was not expecting that but it made me laugh and would recommend this book to those who are looking for something different and easy to read.

A half-baked murder comes out on 21st February and thank you to Netgalley for the eARC

Half-Baked murder is a novel concept full of cliches from the beginning. The narrator’s tone of voice is annoying.