Read Your Writes Book Reviews: JUST DESSERTS & MURDER by Lucinda Race ~ Interview & Giveaway

Just Desserts & Murder (Little Bakery Cozy Mystery, #1)
by: Lucinda Race
Series: Little Bakery Cozy Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: January 14, 2026
Publisher: MC Two Press

In Oak Hollow, every recipe comes with a dash of mystery…

Temperance Matthews thought opening her dream bakery in Oak Hollow—with her mini dachshund, Hank, at her heels—would be a sweet start to her new life. Instead, her shop goes up in flames, and a body is found among the ashes.

When her quiet assistant Louise shows up bruised, with twigs in her hair, and missing a shoe, Temperance’s data-analysis skills from her FBI days suddenly feel like the only hope of untangling the mystery. But the plot thickens: Jonah, the bakery’s former owner, is stabbed while trying to reach Temperance. The frosting on the cake? Louise’s boyfriend is the victim of the fire. Surveillance footage shows him entering through a locked back door—yet only three keys exist, and Louise doesn’t have one.

With threats mounting and the police closing in on a suspect, Temperance must follow a trail of half-baked clues before the real culprit turns her cozy little town into a crime scene… and who becomes the next target.

Just Desserts and Murder is book 1 in the exciting new Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series featuring Temperance Matthews. Each book can be read as a standalone.

Hi Lucinda. Welcome to Read Your Writes Book Reviews. How are you?
I’m great, thanks for asking. I hope you’re well. ☺

Things are good. Thank you. Congratulations on the release of Just Desserts and Murder. What can you tell me about the book and the series itself?
This is my first non-magical cozy mystery series. I love the idea of little bakery stands we see popping up, but I wanted to create a fish out of water scenario, too. So Temperance Matthews, our heroine is a former FBI data analyst. What’s better than someone who used baking as a stress reliever and then uses it to change their life?

Also, I was inspired by Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune Series.

Is Oak Hollow based on a real town? If not, what was your inspiration for creating it?
I live in a small New England town, and I think small towns are a great location for cozy mysteries since everyone seems to know everyone else, and there really aren’t secrets, but there is plenty of gossip.

Tell me about some of the characters we’ll meet in the book and series.
Temperance Matthews – early 30’s. A former FBI data analyst who was in the field only once. The stress of working on cases had Temperance baking for a diversion. After a case gone wrong, she decided she needed a change. Her great-aunt had passed away and left her a Victorian-style home in Oak Hollow. Temperance seized the opportunity for change.

Josie Shaw is a graphic artist, also around 30. She and Temperance met as children when Temperance came to visit her aunt. They stayed in touch over the years. Josie and Temperance’s friendship blossomed when Temperance moved to town.

Office Casey Butler, mid-thirties, is a transplant to Oak Hollow and pretty much a loner on the force, but extremely good at her job. She’s the first to grudgingly recognize that Temperance can be an asset to the investigation. Also, cozies often use the police as the tough obstacle; I wanted this series to be different and have the police embrace Temperance’s talents.

And, of course, we have Hank, the black-and-tan mini dachshund, inspired by my own mini, Jasper. The pup has his own personality and has been with Temperance for a long time.

When you started writing Just Desserts and Murder, did you know who the killer was, or was it a surprise to you as the story progressed?
The killer is always a surprise for me and is revealed when the reader finds out. It’s so much fun that way, and I’ve always been a discovery writer.

Final question. What was your favorite part of the writing process for this book?
I loved the challenge of writing a non-paranormal cozy mystery. It’s easier to rely on a bit of magic to get me out of a writing corner, but with this series, I need to be a bit more clever. It was a blast.

Lucinda, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Thank you.

She gave me a piercing stare. Almost as if she didn’t believe me. “Were Louise or Gina having any problems with anyone at the bakery or outside of work?”

“I tried to keep things professional. We were friendly, but I didn’t know the intimate details of their life.”

I glanced at the building again. “Do you suspect one of my employees is the victim?”

“What makes you think we found human remains?”

Purchase Just Desserts & Murder from:

(Affiliate Links Used)

The Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series:

Just Desserts & Murder (Book 1)

Cupcakes & Murder (Book 2) releases March 4, 2026

Walnut Brownies & Murder (Book 3) releases April 22, 2026

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl.

Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s wandering in her garden or curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.

Places to find Lucinda Race:

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