While “A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death” is the third book in Valerie Burns’ A Baker Street cozy mystery series, it is the first one that I have read. While I want to go back and read the first two to see what I missed, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and never felt lost regarding characters or setting while reading it. Main character Maddy Montgomery is an interesting one – after she was dumped at the altar she began a new life running a bakery and taking care of her late aunt’s huge English mastiff. It is clear that she was shallow at one point – something she is aware of mentions several times – and I found her to still be a bit as she constantly focuses on fashion and what other people are wearing. Still - despite that and her habit of running away when things get tough and screaming in frustration – I liked Maddy as a character. I also liked her family and friends – this is a book full of memorable characters. The mystery is well done with just the right amount of suspects and a few surprises – truthfully I did kind of figure out who the killer was but not the reason why and the scene where the killer was revealed was truly suspenseful. All in all well done!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

What an amazing conclusion for what was actually a story arc of related events. Maddy was finally gonna get closure on her beloved aunt’s death but not before the fight of her life. Not to mention her nemesis and ex coming to town. The book started out with a super funny scene and just kept getting better and better.

Maddy’s grown so much in these three books and I was so proud of the stuff she did in this book. Her dad the Admiral was in town too and I never thought we’d ever get to see the more human side of him, but I’ve got a new admiration for his character. And I know he approved of Maddy’s choice of a boyfriend this time, you could just tell.

That was one of the best showdowns I’ve ever read about and all I can say is that perp deserved everything anyone did to them in self-defense. In some ways, I wasn’t surprised at who it was. I’m super eager now to read book 4 that I saw on social was in the works.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns has the Baker Street Mystery group keep Maddie from going to jail.

Can Maddie find the killer before she's in jail or worse?

Maddie Montgomery
Maddie is back with her Great-Aunt Octavia's friend group to solve another mystery. Well, that friend group is now hers, and she's one happy camper until she is the subject for which they are solving the cases. I felt terrible for Maddie this time as she had one too many people from her past in LA show up in New Bison all around the same time. Maddie is resilient and doesn't allow anything to stop her from solving this mystery, even if that anything is Baby.

The Mystery
Maddie has another dead body in her bakery, and she doesn't know what to think about it. This time, it's Brandy Denton, and who knows why she decided to come to New Bison now instead of earlier. Maddie has a lot of time on her hands trying to figure out Brandy's murder, and now a friend of her great-aunt, Octavia, is found dead on the beach in the back of her house. She has to find out who is doing these killings before the murderer decides to end her life next. I honestly didn't think that it was the person who did it, and I didn't have a clue about anyone since I fell for all the red herrings.

Five Stars
my rating for A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns is five stars. I am also recommending it since I love this entire series so far and most of her other books. Ms. Burns does a fantastic job of portraying Maddie, and I can't wait to see what other mysteries she encounters.

Remember to check out the recipes in the back! They include Old-Fashioned Pound Cake, Blondies, Sweet Potato Pie, Shortbread Cookies, and Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

Maddy Montgomery is justifiably proud of the new life she's built for herself in New Bison, Michigan. Where once she was a spoiled Los Angeles fashionista whose only ambition was to marry well, now she's the owner of Babycakes, a thriving bakery in a small town on the banks of Lake Michigan. She’s also got loads of good company, including a caring veterinarian boyfriend named Michael and a gigantic bull mastiff named Baby. Given how far she's come, she's almost grateful to her ex-fiance Elliott for leaving her at the altar.

Even so, her sense of magnanimity is sorely tested by the sudden appearance of the woman who convinced her ex to dump her in such a humiliating fashion. Social media influencer Brandy Denton had pretended to be her friend all while conducting an affair with Elliott. Maddy doesn't know why Brandy has shown up in New Bison now, but knows that she doesn't have time to either listen to Brandy’s excuses or to take part in her catty little games. Maddy has a business to run and actual friends to hang out with, even if Brandy’s attempts at flirting with Michael do play on Maddy’s insecurities.

So it's a horrible shock when Maddy arrives at her bakery one day to find Brandy dead inside. Adding to the horror of the discovery is that this isn’t the first or even the second dead body that’s turned up inside Babycakes. Maddy was cleared of the other murders, but someone clearly has it out for her, even before another corpse appears on the beach below her house. Will Maddy finally figure out who is trying to run her out of New Bison, before she becomes the next victim of a ruthless criminal mastermind?

This third installment of the Baker Street Mystery series wraps up the thrilling story arc that was set up in the very first book, as Maddy figures out who would go to such extreme lengths to take her out of the picture and why. I was very pleased to find my suspicions confirmed, even as I admired the various misdirections Valerie Burns used to hide the truth from poor Maddy. The way Maddy grows from a shallow dilettante to a capable business owner with a strong sense of both self and community over the course of the series is really great to see. I also love how Maddy is unapologetically Black, and how that informs the choices that she makes while living in New Bison.

There were five recipes included here, and I absolutely had to try out the blondie recipe that plays a starring role in these pages:

QUOTE
Blondies

1 cup melted butter
2 cups dark brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 ¾ cups flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8”X8” pan with cooking spray or coat with butter.

In a large bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar.

Add eggs and vanilla and stir vigorously until smooth

Add the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir until well incorporated.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth out.

Bake for 45 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.

Cool completely, then cut into squares.
END QUOTE

I cannot get over the buttery deliciousness of these blondies! They really do taste like the best brownies ever, only without the chocolate. I actually worried that these would be too sweet, given the fact that brown sugar is pretty much the main ingredient here. The caramel richness is pitch perfect, however, especially in my favorite parts: the al dente edge pieces. Even my brownie-preferring family were happy to help me finish off the pan.

Next week, we head back to the East Coast to bake up another sweet treat while investigating a wedding gone deadly awry. Do join me!

Maddie is busy with Baby Cakes, her bakery. The woman who 'stole' her fiancee at the altar, shows up in town. When she winds up dead in the bakery it seems Maddie is the only viable suspects. Her irregulars gather to brainstorm and everyone has an assignment. Maddie also feels like she is being stalked. The action doesn't stop until the real killer is found. A well crafted book with plenty of red herrings but also the triumph of kindness in Maddie. Love these characters and setting! The recipes are an added bonus!

This third installment in the Baker Street Mysteries is the absolute best of all three…and I loved the two previous books!

It is wonderful to get immersed in a new book in a series, and join the protagonist and all the familiar characters that create a warm and cozy feeling. In this book I felt immediately transported to New Bison, MI, and was at the side of Madison (Maddy) Montgomery, and ready to go sleuthing! One of the beloved characters (except for the drool) is Baby, the 250 pound Mastiff, who is an endearing and important part of the plot.

Ms. Burns’ writing style is brilliant. She did an enormous amount of research to include fascinating details about some fashion designers, about media influencers and the art world. She even included a sinister cave! Her scenes are vivid, tense and very funny. I so often had to pause to laugh at some situations. It is a very easy and (too) fast paced read, and I was so glad to come to the end of the book so I could find out the solutions that needed to be revealed, but I didn’t want it to end. I really love books that have short chapters, and this book has 53 chapters that pass by in a flash.

I did figure out whodunnit about ¾’s of the way into the book, but that did not prevent me from keeping me on the edge of my seat during the tense final chapters.

By the end of this book, pending mysteries are revealed in a most satisfactory way. I trust that even though important revelations take place, more books will be in the future.

I most highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read cozy mysteries! You will love it!

Thank you to Net Galley and to Kensington Cozies for making an advance copy available for me to read and post a personal review, and to Ms. Valerie Burns for writing such a fun book!

I initially read book one in this culinary cozy mystery series because I’m a sucker for a book with a dog in it or on the cover. So I came for the dog and stayed for the mystery and wonderful characters. I’m so glad I did!

This third entry into the series is an enjoyable and quick read with a wonderful small town setting. The mystery is well structured and it’s been so fun to watch Maddy truly come into her own. Her friends (the Baker Street Irregulars – how could you not love that?!) are as loyal as Baby, her English mastiff, and the group make excellent sleuths!

There’s also great use of humor in this novel–there’s a scene where Maddy had a mishap with boiling some eggs and I was chuckling as I read.

I do so much enjoy Valerie’s writing style and look forward to reading anything she writes! Lots of fun!

3.5 stars
Maddy moved to New Bison, Michigan after inheriting a bakery. She had great new friends and a wonderful boyfriend. However, things took a turn for the worse when the person that stole her fiance showed up in town.

While this story offers a charming setting and some delightful moments it is somewhat marred by Maddy's frequent meltdowns, which felt a bit excessive. Additionally, the identity of the killer was quite predictable, taking away some of the suspense. Despite these drawbacks fans of cozy mysteries can still find it an enjoyable read.

This book does have ties to the previous two books in the series so readers should check those out too. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a fun series! This third book in the series has its own murder mystery for Maddy and the Baker Street Irregulars to solve, but it also brings closure to who killed Maddy’s Aunt Octavia and who the ‘mole in her camp’ is. Maddy has personally grown over the span of these three books, formed meaningful relationships in her new home, has grown to love her new small town life and has found what really matters to her. The characters in this series are great, the storylines are entertaining and keep you engaged and Baby stamps each scene he’s in with his own lovable, Mastiff drooling personality!

This Baker Street Mystery was fun to read. It brings together cast members from previous books and ones that haven’t made a physical appearance in New Bison before. We meet the Admiral and Madison (Maddy) sees him in a new light.
Some of Maddy’s nemeses are defeated, if not for real, then in the way she perceives them. The villain I’ve been expecting was revealed in this book.
My enthusiasm for this series has grown with each book. I’m still not really into Baby’s drool, but he is such an important character.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read this book. I enjoyed it.

Valerie Burns knows the recipe for a great cozy mystery. She whips up a delightful mixture with the ingredients of mystery, romance and a lot of humor. In this book, Maddy, a former social media influencer and fashionista has settled into her new life as the proprietor of Babycakes Bakery in small town New Bison. Just when she thinks that she has left that life behind her, people from her past start showing up in town. When the first body falls, and Maddie is the only obvious suspect, she needs to gather her Baker street irregulars and investigate the crime. In the process, she also discovers the answers to other lingering questions, wrapping up an ongoing storyline. This is the third book of the series, but Burns provides just enough background to fill in crucial information, thus allowing this book to be enjoyed as a stand alone. She has created a great group of well rounded characters that the reader can enjoy every time. Burns style is so much fun. I have also enjoyed her Mystery bookshop series that she writes the under the name [author:V.M. Burns|16534140]. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, which I requested because Burns is one of my must read authors. I can honestly say that this book did not disappoint.

This is definitely the best book in the series so far! I enjoyed returning to the small town of New Bison, MI. My only complaint was that I wanted more of the bakeshop and that seemed to take a backseat in this book.

Maddy's nemesis, Brandy Denton, is in New Bison for some inexplicable reason. After stealing Maddy's fiancé and bad mouthing her all over social media, Brandy is the last person Maddy wants to see, especially in her small town. Maddy argues with Brandy and Brandy ends up dead, leaving Maddy in the hot seat. However, the plot thickens! No spoilers but this was a good one.

Okay so I did figure out whodunit but I still liked the book. I really enjoy Ms. Burns' writing style (I have read most of her other series) and her ability to create cozy settings with characters you want to hang out with and return to often. Her books remind me of a group of friends who don't see each other often but when they do come together, it's like nothing changed.

I adore Baby and glad he was a big part of this book!

My thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I hope there will be more of this series!

This book 3 in this series. I have not read the first 2, and while I fully intend to do I can get the backstory on the characters, this book can easily stand on its own. I didn't feel like I was missing any crucial information to understand what was happening in this book.

In this installment, Maddy is running the bakery when her old nemesis from back home shows up wanting to humiliate her online. Eventually there is a dead body in the bakery (again) and as the main suspect, it's up to Maddie and her friends to solve the case.

I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and getting to know the characters. I will definitely be backtracking and reading the first 2 books!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Release date is July 23, 2024

This is the third in the charming "Baker Street Mystery Series". I enjoy the series as its humorous and always fun to read. The author has written colorful funny charachters that are endearing to the reader. Maddie finds herself in hot water with the local police after mean girl Brandy returns and harasses her in her bakery. .Brandy has previously stolen her ex-boyfriend before their wedding and has taunted Maddie in the past . It is no secret that Maddie does not care for Brandy. When Brandy is found murdered Maddie is the prime suspect. When a second murder occurs Maddie is determined to solve both murders with the help of her friends and local townspeople. Her ex is also in town and causing trouble for her as the murder is investigated.

I love the humor throughout, the large funny dog and our savvy smart protagnist. The inclusion of social media is current culture and a fun part of this series. The series has grown in each of the characters lives and for Maddie as her business is now a success. This is a enjoyable read that cozy readers will love.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and to the author for the opportunity for review. My review opinions are my own.

The third Baker Street mystery finds Maddy confronting the woman who stole her (ex) fiancé. When that woman ends up murdered, Maddy is an immediate suspect.

This one has the ending of the larger narrative through the first two of what happened to Maddy's aunt, who was responsible, and who is shady in New Bison. We also get some big character development with Maddy. I am curious to see if there will be more because this felt somewhat like a finale with the way things wrapped up. This one also had less heads up investigating and clues, but it was still a good read!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Brandy has been nothing but trouble for Maddy but she sure didn't kill her. Someone did, though, and Maddy, her boyfriend Michael, her dad the Admiral, and her great-aunt Octavia's pals help her to find the real villain in this latest addition to a fun cozy series. Maddy's settled in nicely with the Baby Cakes bakery and she's determined to keep things going, even as a suspect and even when her ex shows up. This is classic cozy territory (with recipes!) and an awesome dog that should keep you guessing. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A fun read that will delight fans and engage new readers.

I loved this story in this series. Maddy moved to New Bison after her Aunt Octavia died and was running her bakery Baby Cakes. She finds out that Brandy Denton has come to town (the person who stole her ex fiancee' Elliot. Maddy became a part of the town and found a new love Michael.. Brandy came back to set her up on social media. Then Brandy was murdered and of course Maddy was a suspect. Maddy was also the amateur sleuth. She wouldn't stop until she found out who did. Also, her father, Admiral Jeffery Montgomery came to town to help his daughter out.. Travel with Maddie ,her dad and Michael as they go on their way to find out who the murderer was. There were actually two murders in this story but I will let you figure that out. A VERY GOOD COZY MYSTERY.

Well plotted culinary cozy
Ms. Burns pens a wonderful culinary cozy with great characters and animals. She created intrigue, romance and humor in a small coastal town.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc and loved it. I recommend to all.

I really enjoyed this book as I have enjoyed the others in the series. I highly recommend it but you should read the series in order. This ties the murders in all 3 together. There is hilarious parts in the book.

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns, the third book in the Baker Street Mystery series, is a delightful book. The adage “come for the mystery, stay for the characters” was created for this series. I want to be a Baker Street Irregular! I can’t get enough of them. The addition of the Admiral was hilarious and heart-warming.

In this book, we see Maddie’s growth as she comes face to face with her past, and the people responsible for her flight to New Bison. We also see and feel the love and care her new community has for her.

The murder is fast paced with just enough twists and turns. Thank you for bringing back Trooper Bob.

I’m looking forward to book four! Thank you #NetGalley and #Kensingtonbooks for the ARC of this book.