Book 126, 2023

Baking Spirits Bright by Sarah Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I finished reading Baking Spirits Bright last night. It's the 2nd in author Sarah Fox's "True Confections" series of cozy culinary mysteries. The main character is Becca Ransom.

In the midst of holiday madness, Becca is talked into representing the chocolate shop, True Confections, in the town's annual Baking Spirits Bright competition. Her hope is to make the Final Four, which will earn a spot in a magazine for the confectionary. She expected competition to be fierce, but no one foresaw one of the entrants getting murdered. When Becca learns Irma was killed with her chocolate chipper, she sets out to clear her name and find out who was angry enough at Irma to murder her. The list of suspects is long, from other entrants to Irma's much maligned assistant and even Irma's own daughter. Becca's friend and police detective, Sawyer, wants her to stay out of the investigation for her own safety. Becca tries to heed his warning, but this is one mystery she can't resist.

I enjoyed this story, especially reading about the delicious items made for the competition and in the chocolate shop. I did think Becca took some foolish risks. The plot was engaging, however, and the characters were fleshed out and relatable. I liked that Becca spent plenty of time working and socializing, along with her sleuthing.

Favorite lines:
♦ My cats welcomed me home by winding around my legs and meowing at me.
♦ I would have much preferred staying at home with my cats.
♦ People didn't always take kindly to being asked where they were at the time the crime was committed.
♦ "I'll even pinky swear." // "We don't need to pinky swear. Your word is good enough." // "We should still pinky swear." // "I'm too old for that." // "There's no such thing as too old to pinky swear."
♦ I loved snow, at least when I didn't have to drive anywhere.

Very good overall. Four stars.