by: Valerie Burns
Series: Baker Street Mystery
Genre: African American Cozy Culinary Mystery
Release Date: July 23, 2024
Publisher: Kensington Cozies
On the shores of Lake Michigan, influencer Maddy Montgomery has turned the bakery she inherited from her great aunt Octavia into a destination. There’s just one thing she won’t post: the body in the freezer...
Thanks to Maddy’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success—so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her former nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Brandy Denton. When Brandy blows into New Bison like an ill wind and disrupts a vlog Maddy’s filming, their argument goes viral. After Brandy’s body is found in the freezer at Baby Cakes, Maddy instantly goes from viral sensation to murder suspect.
As Maddy is still reeling from the murder, a stranger shows up in the bakery claiming to have been a friend of Octavia. He believes Maddy is in danger. When a second body washes up on the lake shore, it seems clear someone’s out to kill to keep a secret—and it may have to do with her great aunt.
Maddy rallies her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars; Sheriff April Johnson; and her veterinarian boyfriend Michael—not to mention her English mastiff Baby—to do some digging and root out whoever’s behind the killings…
Hi there. I’m excited to be here.
Please introduce yourself to readers.
My name is Madison Montgomery, but everyone calls me Maddy. I’m 28 years old. WOW! Time flies. A year ago, I was living my best life as a fashionista and social media influencer in L.A. I was engaged to marry a doctor and I thought my life would be completely different. When my fiancé failed to show up to our live-streamed wedding I was left humiliated. I needed a change (and a place to hide). That’s when I discovered that I had inherited a house, a bakery, and a 250lb English mastiff from my Great Aunt Octavia. Initially, I wanted to sell everything and return to my life in L.A., but there were strings attached to my inheritance. To inherit, I needed to live in the house, run the bakery, and keep the dog for one year. The English mastiff, Baby, wasn’t a problem. He’s just a big drooling cuddle bug. The house sits on the shores of Lake Michigan. The major problem was that I didn’t know the first thing about baking. Thankfully, my head baker, Leroy, and my great aunt’s best friend, Miss Hannah, are excellent bakers. Great Aunt Octavia left her recipes and I’m even learning to bake.
Tell me about your new town of New Bison, Michigan.
New Bison is a small town in Southwestern Michigan. It’s a sleepy resort town located 90 miles from Chicago right on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s small, but it’s starting to feel like home.
Who are some people we’ll meet in your story, A Cup of Flour, a Pinch of Death, and the Baker Street Mystery series?
Readers will meet my boyfriend and local vet, Michael Portman. Along with my friends, Acting Mayor and knitwear artist Tyler Lawrence. Sheriff and my good friend, April Johnson. Head baker and friend, Leroy Danielson. Michael’s grandmother, Miss Hannah Portman. Friend and barista, Candy Rivers. You’ll also meet my dad, Navy Admiral Jefferson Augustus Montgomery. You’ll also get to meet Baby, my English mastiff.
What’s your most prized possession?
If you had asked me that question a year ago, I would probably have mentioned my favorite Bottega Veneta pumps. Now, I would say it’s Baby, my English Mastiff. He’s loyal, loving, and reliable. I don’t know if I can call him a possession, but he’s wormed his way into my heart and I can’t imagine my life without him.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
I would prefer to sit back and allow the professionals to do their jobs and not get involved, especially in a murder investigation. The professionals can follow the evidence to catch a killer. In A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death, the evidence is pointing in my direction. So, it's up to me to figure out Whodunit.
I’m a romance girl. You’re currently dating Michael Portman. How are things going with him? Tell me all about him.
Michael Portman is the grandson of my baker and friend, Miss Hannah. He’s a veterinarian. He’s also a veteran of the Army and a member of the Reserves. As the daughter of a Naval Admiral, I don’t hold that against him. Michael and I have been dating and things are getting serious. At least, I think they are. They are for me. I thought Michael felt the same way, but lately, he’s canceled several dates and I’m not sure if his feelings for me are as strong as my feelings for him. When his ex-girlfriend comes back on the scene, I’m worried.
What can readers expect from A Cup of Flour, a Pinch of Death?
Brandy Denton, the mean girl who stole my previous fiancé, has made her way to New Bison and seems to have set her sights on Michael. When she is murdered, I’m the prime suspect. It’s up to me and the Baker Street Irregulars to figure out who killed Brandy Denton.
What’s next for you?
I’m planning to stick around in New Bison. I have a lovely home, a great boyfriend, a successful bakery, and a loving dog. What more could a girl want?
Maddy, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you so much for chatting with me today.
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I enjoyed the character interview. This sounds like a good story.
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