Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off (A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery)

If you like engaging characters, a beautiful, cozy, wintery setting, lighthouses, delicious baked goods, Newfoundland dogs, Christmas cookies, and a touch of holiday magic, then Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is a must read for you this holiday season. I won't explain the plot, because others have done that very well already. However, I will say that I loved this second book in the Beacon Bakeshop mysteries just as much as I loved Hannah's first book in the series, Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop. Visiting the fictitious town of Beacon Harbor is a real treat, and Lindsey Bakewell is swiftly becoming my favorite amateur sleuth. I love the cast of characters Hannah has created for this series. The friendship between Lindsey and her bestie, Kennedy, is not only often hilarious but very endearing as well. And Lindsey's hunky heart throb, Rory Campbell, is another gem. It's also nice to see that her parents, former 80's supermodel mom, Ellie, and former Wall Street banker dad, James, are back for a visit. There's a lot of clever sleuthing going on in this book, some of which is laugh-out-loud funny. I also adored Mrs. Nichols, and, of course, Wellington, the giant Newfie.

The mystery in this book was great, and the hints of things to come will keep this reader coming back to this series for more Beacon Bakeshop adventures! Did I mention that there are a lot of amazing cookie and food descriptions in this book as well? There are, and you're going to want to be certain to have a cookie, or a muffin, or some kind of treat with you when you read this book because you're going to get hungry. Thankfully the author has included many of the delicious recipes she talks about in the back of the book.

This is a read that will definitely put you in the holiday spirit. I loved the debut of this series and second book does not disappoint. Set around the holiday with all our favorite characters and a few more added, things are festive until a food critic is murdered at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off. Who could have done it? Would Lindsey have won? Was the critic really as bad as we are learning? Could one of the village's shop owners have done the deed? Well worth your time to read and find out!!

As much as I enjoyed the first Beacon Bakeshop Mystery, that's how much I disliked this 2nd entry. The main character, Lindsey, preparing for an over-the-top Christmas, comes off as a nitwit. I didn't care about any of the characters. They were cartoonish. And the murder doesn't happen until page 114, which is more than a 3rd of the way into the silly book. I usually love Christmas back drops, but this doesn't work at all. Not recommended.

This is a great fun, quick read for the holiday season. Plus recipes. Great idea for book club and then everyone could make a recipe to bring. Fun.

Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off is the second book in Darci Hannah's "A Beacon Bakeshop Mystery" series. During the town-wide cookie bake-off, the celebrity judge, who belongs on the naughty list, ends up dead under some mistletoe. Baker, Lindsey Bakewell, and her family and friends investigate the crime to stop a murderer from ruining Christmas.

This book is everything I want in a holiday cozy mystery. It has a great deal of Christmas references from food to decorations to traditions. There are plenty of suspects, none of them the obvious killer. Lindsey's close friends and family, who are in town for the festivities, investigate the crime together, and there is even a Mrs. Claus-type character with lots of holiday cheer.

I have enjoyed both books in this series and highly recommend them to cozy fans!

I started reading the story and 23 pages in and the story is cute but it is hard to read as the pages keep falling out of the book. I am ordering a second one and keeping my fingers crossed the next book is better.

I have just started reading cozy's and this is one that I really liked, takes my mind off some of the crud going on in the world. Happy Reading Folks!

Was our November book club pick. It kept you trying to solve the murder mystery. Enjoyed light reading for a busy time of year.

Loved this second book!!! I read the first book in 2 days and read this one just as fast. I love the continuation in Lindsey's life in this book. Christmas is my favorite time of year and this book will now be added to my annual must watch/read at Christmas time. The description of a small town Christmas in this book makes me want to be there. The characters developed even more in this book, can't wait to start the 3rd and am anxiously awaiting the 4th book to release. Darci hannah has become my new favorite author.

I love this series! The mystery kept me guessing until the very end, and I adored the little hint of Christmas magic. I'm excited for book #3 and hope it will contain more interactions with the Captain Willy Riggs.