
Series: Cupcake Bakery Mystery #12
Published by Berkley on April 28, 2020
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 268
Format: Paperback
Goodreads

Also by this author: For Batter or Worse, Strawberried Alive, Sugar Plum Poisoned
Also in this series: For Batter or Worse, Strawberried Alive, Sugar Plum Poisoned
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Cozy mysteries are a go to comfort genre for me. Quaint settings with quirky characters where it’s all about the investigating and not about the gruesomeness of murder and death. No unreliable narrators here.
In Pumpkin Spice Peril, the twelfth installment of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery cozy mystery series, Mel experiences some big life changes. I love when authors of longtime series allow their characters to change and grow even though I’m sure there must be pressure to not fix what isn’t broken.
Mel is coping or trying to cope gracefully with a couple of big changes to her life when an artist friend dies. Investigating the death because, even after being warned off, Mel can’t stop asking questions, leads to some unwelcome revelations about the people in her social circle.
My thoughts about Pumpkin Spice Peril
I thought it was interesting that the murder didn’t happen until midway through the book. Usually in cozy mysteries, the body turns up in the first chapter or so. I enjoyed the change in pacing. Just like I enjoy characters growing, I like seeing authors develop and refine their writing.
As always, mentions of cupcakes are delicious and plentiful, including several recipes.
This book was perfect comfort reading.
Other books



Sprinkle with Murder is the first book in the Cupcake Bakery mystery series.
Jenn McKinlay also writes two other cozy mystery series – the Library Lovers and the London Hat Shop mysteries.
If you enjoy baking with your cozy mystery, try Eve Calder’s Cookie House series. And Then There Were Crumbs is the first book in the series. I recently reviewed Sugar and Vice, the second book in the series.
If you’d prefer a book store setting, try Paige Shelton’s Scottish Book Shop series. The Cracked Spine starts off the series. I recently reviewed The Stolen Letter, the fifth book in the series.
Share your thoughts
Tell me what you think about Pumpkin Spice Peril or the Cupckake Bakery Mystery series in the comment box below.
In conclusion
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the DRC.
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[…] you read the entire Cupcake Bakery series, starting with Sprinkle with Murder. Read my review of Pumpkin Spice Peril by Jenn […]