Synopsis from Goodreads:
In Olivia Matthews's Against the Currant, the first Spice Isle Bakery Mystery, investigating a murder was never supposed to be on the menu…
Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York: Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition.
On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later—murdered—Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, Lyndsay has to prove she’s innocent—under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family—what could go wrong?
My Review
Lyndsay Murray is living her dream. She always wanted to open her own bakery. With the help of her loving family, she opens the Spice Isle Bakery in Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean. It’s a chance to be part of the West Indian community she loves so much.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy for Lyndsay. A local bakery owner, Claudio Febrizi, does not want any competition. He storms into her bakery on opening day and causes a scene in front of a bakery full of customers. When Claudio turns up dead the next day, Lindsay finds herself as the number one suspect.
I really enjoyed this first book of a brand new cozy mystery series. It’s rich in family dynamics. The closeness between Lindsay and her family is heartwarming. They rally around her when she needs it the most.
As with most cozies, the police seem to want to settle on one suspect and that’s it. Of course, that means our amateur sleuth has to do her own investigation. In this case, she has a whole family to help out. What fun!
The characters are well developed. They are certainly a motley crew that will make you laugh and keep you smiling. Except for the bad guys…they won’t keep you laughing :)
The storyline moves along at a steady pace. There are many twists and turns throughout the book. I kept changing my mind about whodunit. I like a book that makes you think.
I’m looking forward to the next book and another visit with Lindsay and her family.
For reading challenges:
Literary Escapes Reading Challenge 2023 (New York)
NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge 2023
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2023
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
This does sound good. I'll have to try to balance it somewhere on my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteI saw this one and was wondering if it was any good. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
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