The Crime Brûlée Bake Off (Claire Walker #1) by Rebecca Connolly, 320 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. $17.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS, ADULT - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
Claire is a teacher first and a hobbyist baker on the side—until she is accepted as a contestant on the upcoming season of Britain's Battle of the Bakers. Despite her anxiety over the competition aspect of the show, Claire goes. But she never expected the competition to turn deadly.
Though an average murder mystery, I enjoyed the characters and the baking competition aspects of the story. The murder itself was carried out in a brilliant way; however, I found the explanation in the end to be lacking, as if it was only half of the explanation. The suspicious activity mystery on the baking show side of things kept me engaged, and the romantic side plot was adorable. Overall, Claire’s story is fun and well-written.
All of the characters are British. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, illegal activity, and kissing. The violence rating is for corpses, assault, murder, and mentions of suicide.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Great mystery with romance. I liked the story being around a reality baking show. I enjoyed learning about the food and baking techniques in an earlier time period. Great banter and the food "cuss" words were awesome. Love that it includes recipes! Great read and I hope the series continues.

3.5 stars rounded up.

A lot has been happening in North America lately and this was a much needed lighthearted detour across the pond for me. The summary confused me a little bit because it says a "Regency-era twist" and for some reason I thought that meant it was a historical fiction book but it very much isn't and the regency part ties into the mystery. Looking at the tags for the book it is obviously not historical and I'm dumb, but this year has been a decade long so far and I'm blaming my lack of reading comprehension on that. I also very much would not consider this to be a thriller, it is firmly a cozy mystery.

I am so glad Claire said and thought something along the lines of "why the fluffy crumpets am I helping solve a murder" throughout the book because I was thinking the same thing. You do have to suspend disbelief to allow the main characters to become the pseudo detectives in a murder investigation when they are a wannabe baker and a viscount turned investment banker while the actual detective does almost nothing. If you can get over that hump and the insta-love that usually gets on my nerves this is a smooth and fun ride. The slow burn of both the mystery and the romance aspect of the novel made both of these issues much easier for me to swallow and I found both Claire and Jonny fun characters to spend some time with, although we don't learn too much about them because the third person POV changes chapter-to-chapter. Based on the series title it seems like this will be a series and I think this is a great introduction to Claire, Jonny, and the estate which provided a fun and interesting backdrop as well.
I also appreciate the recipes at the back, it's a cute touch.

I loved the great British baking show meets a Sherlock Holmes murder mystery! Such a fun idea! The baking puns are absolutely delightful! I think my only disappointment was the judging sessions were really fast or non-existent, but still an excellent book!

A cozy murder mystery featuring bakers on a tv show not unlike The Great British Bakeoff. Unfortunately, I feel like if you're going to base your entire plot, characters, etc. in England, you may want to have a better grasp of the culture. In other words, I can completely tell this was written by an American.
However, this may turn out to be a series so hopefully, the author will put forth a bit more effort into getting the Englishisms.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Press for this digital e-arc.*

What a fun book! I’m loving all the cozy, romance steered mysteries that have been hitting the market lately. If you like Stephanie Black’s mysteries, I highly recommend picking this one up!

This book is for you if you like:
🧁 UK setting
🧁 The Great British Bake-off
🧁 Mystery
🧁 Modern day English aristocracy
🧁 Yummy treats
🧁 The drama behind reality TV

Also the book has a few recipies at the end. I’m hoping to try the crème brûlée in a few weeks with my kids! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. A review was not required.

This was definitely a cozy read and would suit a reader who just wishes to relax and/or is new to murder mysteries. The premise is a fun blend of cozy mystery and romance, but unfortunately I feel like it didn't deliver on either of those genres. The romance is very bland and barely there, and the murder mystery investigations are non-existent. Our main characters just walk around the estate talking about how they have no experience and no clue how to solve a murder, then things just conveniently happen, and then they carry on same as before. While this seems quite realistic, it doesn't make for an entertaining read. The "reveal" in the end felt completely unsatisfying to me, it was not expanded on or set up in any way, and the murderer's motivation was extremely shaky.
From the cover and marketing of the book, it seems like it's a crime novel first, and romance second, so it's disappointing that the novel doesn't deliver on either. If you read a lot of mystery, this story will not satisfy that particular itch.
The only positive and definitely strong part of this book was the descriptions of baking. In my case, however, it wasn't enough to redeem the story.

Cozy and fun read. I love a good competition food show to unwind at the end of the day.
The mystery was a fun element.
Was it the most lifechanging read? No, but I think that wasn't the point of the book.

I did enjoy the recipes at the end of the book!

Crime Brûlée Bake Off is the perfect combination of baking competition, mystery and romance. In the author’s first cozy mystery, we get a beautiful setting in England on an estate, which has a mysterious past death.
Claire Walker, teacher and lover of baking, can hardly believe she has made it on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers.
Jonathan Ainsley, viscount, cannot believe he agreed to host the baking show. He blames his sister.
One of the bakers winds up dead and Crime Brûlée Bake Off is what happens after.
Claire and Jonathan are a fun pair. Detective Watson has good intentions.
I really enjoyed reading this book and I highly recommend picking up a copy especially if you love baking shows and/or mysteries.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

3.5 stars. I stuck this out because I liked the characters. The selling point is really the baking competition setting and the banter/chemistry between the leads, much more than the mystery. I enjoyed it enough that I’d continue the series and just hope for a stronger plot.

I enjoyed this cozy, light-hearted mystery with a baking competition and a viscount and an estate and m u r d e r.

THOUGHTS 💭
🍰 Jonny is an upper-crust, contemporary lord; Claire is a shy school teacher-turned-baker and contestant on the baking show being hosted on his estate. I love how Jonny can’t help but be charmed by Claire’s awkward sweetness.
🍰 The GBB vibes were perfection! Reading this book was like getting a behind-the-scenes look into the show.
🍰 I really enjoyed the underlying mystery throughout this whole book! That being said, the local detective puts a lot on two laypeople to help solve a crime. 😅
🍰 The romantic focus was on the budding relationship between Jonny and Claire; it’s a sweet slow burn and you can’t help but root for them.

Thanks so much to Rebecca Connolly, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Austenprose for the ARC of this book.

This book was a good combination of the things that I already love, cooking shows and murder mysteries. It was cute and cozy fun read.

Mystery and spice and everything nice! I picked up "The Crime Brulee Bake Off" by Rebecca Connolly mostly because The Great British Bake Off is one of my favourite TV shows, and overall I had a great time reading it.

Throughout the book, we follow Claire Wilde as she takes a leave of absence from her teaching job to take part in Britain's most famous baking competition. Her season takes place at an estate with a history of an unresolved murder. A person being found dead at the scen early on turns Claire's time at Blackfirth into something bigger than baking.

It was thouroughly an enjoyable read. Being my first cozy mystery, I did find some of the various people's reactions to events that transpired a bit subdued to how one might think you'd usually behave, but I assume it's a part of the subgenre. Although it was more cozy mystery than a crime with a romance subplot, I found the blossoming romance between Claire and John quite charming. The mystery aspect of it had me suspecting few different people, and at the end I started doubting myself even though the outcome seemed clear, so that was definitely a plus for me. And as a fan of the show parts of the story was based on, I had a fun time trying to match which characters in the book were based on actual people.

I'll be looking forward to reading more books from the series. This one does get a Hollywood handshake from me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Rebecca Connolly for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review.

Intriguing twist to a cozy mystery and sweet romance. Claire is quirky, optimistic, and willing to take on the challenges that come her way. Jonny turns out to be far less grumpy than he first appears. His character is my favorite in this story. I wasn’t sure that a baking reality show would interest me, but add a beautiful historic estate and a mystery to solve and I quite enjoyed the story. Parts of it seemed overly simplistic to me, but I enjoyed it all the same.

The premise gave me Golden Spoon vibes. I liked the added details associated with the filming of the show in the plot line and the recipes at the end. Did take a bit for me to get into the story and characters.

Cute, cozy mystery in a fun setting in England with a contemporary romance involved. Definitely enjoyed it with the baking aspect although I have not ever watched a baking show before.

Book Review: A Whirlwind of Romance and Mystery
An unexpected romance. A haunting mystery. Pastries to die for.
In the delightful novel that unfolds within the pages of Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, readers are treated to a captivating blend of culinary competition and intrigue. Claire Walker, an enthusiastic contestant, is overjoyed to join the ranks of bakers at the enchanting Blackfirth Park. The picturesque setting sets the stage for eight weeks filled with the sweet aroma of fresh pastries and the thrill of bringing historical recipes to life. Claire’s ambition to win the £50,000 prize, which would allow her to pursue her baking dreams full-time, makes her journey all the more inspiring.
The Viscount of Colburn, Jonathan Ainsley, adds another layer of depth to the narrative. As the reluctant host of the show, he grapples with his own reservations about the attention he receives from contestants. His complex character is intricately woven into the fabric of the plot, especially when a shocking murder occurs, echoing a dark historical mystery tied to his family.
The story excels in its ability to create tension and suspense, with the atmosphere thickening as rumors swirl around the estate. This captivating mystery not only keeps readers on the edge of their seats but also allows for the development of a budding romance between Claire and Jonathan. Their chemistry is palpable, and as they navigate the challenges posed by the investigation, the potential for a heartfelt connection blossoms.
Britain’s Battle of the Bakers is a delightful read that seamlessly combines the thrill of competition with the allure of romance. With its rich characters, engaging plot, and mouthwatering descriptions of baked goods, this novel is sure to leave readers hungry for more—both for the story and perhaps for a pastry or two! Don't miss this enchanting tale that is perfect for fans of culinary adventures and romantic mysteries alike.
#netgalley

This was a fun read! If you like The Great British Bake Off you will love this! Plus, the mystery is an added bonus. I did find that the characters were a little flat but overall it was still so enjoyable. I also loved the romance and the banter between them.

I loved the setting of a television baking contest as a whodunit. The Great British Baking Show has been a favorite of mine, so it was fun to imagine what it would be like if there was a murder that occurred during the taping. Ms. Connolly made the show come alive with the baking terms, the challenges the contestants faced, and having one of the contestants to help with the investigation. There are recipes in the back of the story, which is a delicious addition!

I loved the detecting duo and budding romance of Claire Walker and the brooding viscount, Jonny. With the old mill and an unsolved murder from centuries ago, you’re sure to enjoy unraveling the mystery yourself. I recommend readers from teens through mature readers grab your favorite baked good, a cup of tea, and this book for an enjoyable afternoon of mystery.

I received a copy of this cozy mystery book from the publisher through AustenProse. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a positive review.

Rebecca Connolly has been one of my "instant purchase" authors for years. She does an excellent job of crafting unique stories with complex, relatable characters. I was super excited to hear she was entering the Cozy Mystery genre, as I'd been interested in testing out the genre for a while.

The premise: Claire, a (slightly) disenchanted middle school teacher with a penchant for baking, auditions for Great Britain's popular baking show. After committing to the season, she is less-than-excited to hear that it will be a historical season, set on one of Britain's old estates. She meets the estate's grouchy-but-handsome bachelor viscount, Jonny, and -- shockingly enough -- sparks ... spark. Then a murder happens, dredging up the estate's infamous murder of the past, and we're off on the cozy murder mystery train.

As I said, this is a new genre for me, but I do love a good mystery. I grew up on Mary Higgins Clark, Lillian Jackson Braun, Christopher Pike, Caroline Cooney ... if it was a (tame) mystery, I was THERE. This book, by contrast, is milder in every way. I expected a low-stress mystery, but I was left hoping for a bit more dimension and depth with the characters themselves. They were both delightful, but a quite predictable grumpy/sunshine pairing. Still, there is something to be said for predictability, and I did find it to be a comfortable, enjoyable read.

I only had two minor complaints:
- First, there was a significant suspension of disbelief required at the point where the two characters were **invited** to investigate the murder. Without spoiling details ... it felt extremely improbable. I wish it would have happened more organically, with the two characters becoming intrigued by the happenings, then pursuing the mystery on their own.
- Second, the baking swears. The main character, and later the male character, swear in baking terms/ingredients. It felt cute at first, then cutesy ... but it got so distracting. It was the one thing that repeatedly pulled me out of the story. One or two would have been charming, but this little detail fell flat for me. That's a personal taste piece though -- your mileage may vary!

Will I continue with the series? Perhaps. Do I recommend it? Yes. This is a sweet option for those needing a bit of a mental break. Yearning for a Hallmark Movie's book equivalent? This is it.

Thank you, author and publisher, for sharing an advance copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

Content:
Sensuality: kisses only
Swearing: fake swears, as mentioned above
Violence: high mild, with light descriptions of assault, murder, death