Best Baking Cozy Mysteries for Fans of Whisks, Whodunits
If your idea of the perfect mystery involves cinnamon, cupcakes, and corpses, you’re in the right kitchen. Baking cozy mysteries are the perfect recipe for crime fiction fans who love a dash of sugar with their sleuthing. These books combine small-town drama, irresistible desserts, and amateur detectives who always rise to the occasion. Here are the baking cozy mysteries you’ll want to sink your teeth into.
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Why We Love Baking Cozy Mysteries
In the deliciously twisted world of cozy mysteries, baking-themed stories are their own subgenre—and for good reason. These culinary cozy mysteries bring together:
- Small-town bakeries with big drama
- Lovable (and nosy) amateur sleuths
- Recipes, rivalries, and a sprinkle of sabotage
Whether it’s cupcakes or Caribbean currant rolls, there’s always murder on the menu. Let’s dig into some of the best baking cozy mysteries worth devouring.
Best Baking Cozy Mysteries
Against the Currant by Olivia Matthews
Set in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean, this culinary cozy mystery features Lyndsay Murray opening her family’s West Indian bakery—until a rival baker turns up dead and she’s the prime suspect.
Key themes: Caribbean bakery, family business, culinary rivalry.
Grab Against the Currant on Amazon
Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies by Misha Popp
Daisy serves justice by the slice—her magically-infused pies punish abusive men. But when someone starts blackmailing her, she must solve a murder she didn’t commit to keep her secrets safe.
Key themes: magical realism, revenge baking, feminist twist.
Grab Magic, Lies, and Deadly Pies on Amazon
Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander
Ashland’s bakeshop queen Jules gets caught up in a Shakespeare-themed murder when a local play goes fatally off-script. Can she find the killer before the curtain drops on dessert?
Key themes: Shakespeare Festival, Oregon bakery, theater setting.
Grab Sticks and Scones on Amazon
Murder is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns
Social media manager turned baker Maddy Montgomery juggles going viral and avoiding jail when a rival investor is found dead with her bakery’s knife in his back.
Key themes: bakery startup, small-town drama, influencer sleuth.
Grab Murder is a Piece of Cake on Amazon
For Batter or Worse by Jenn McKinlay
Wedding bells turn to police sirens when Mel’s best friend is accused of killing a rival chef. Now the cupcake crew must clear his name before the big day is totally frosted.
Key themes: wedding setting, cupcake shop, best friend accused.
Grab For Batter or Worse on Amazon
Devil’s Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Baker Hannah Swensen is back—and this time, a guest pastor ends up face-down in dessert. With a mynah bird spouting Bible verses, this classic baking cozy is pure small-town chaos.
Key themes: iconic series, church drama, small-town secrets.
Grab Devil’s Food Cake Murder on Amazon
Love Baking Cozy Mysteries? Here’s What to Read Next:
Check out our other cozy mystery lists:
Final Bite
From frosting-fueled feuds to pastries with a magical punch, these baking cozy mysteries mix up the perfect batch of crime, comfort, and carbs. Got any favorite baking cozy mysteries we missed? Leave a comment and share your go-to baking sleuth.
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