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ICING ON THE MURDER is the fourth book in the Baker Street Mysteries by Valerie Burns. Wedding plans are in the making, and protagonist Maddy Montgomery is, well, freaking out. Not only has her Baby Cakes bakery secured a spot at the biggest bridal expo, but she’s competing for a chance to win an all-expenses paid wedding designed by the famous wedding planner, Serafina. The author does an admirable job in setting the scene for what is supposed to be the happiest day of Maddy’s life, while including all the components that can derail a bride. Despite the reassurances of her groom-to-be, dreamy veterinarian Michael, and all her close friends, Maddy still feels like she can’t make decisions and must have Serafina plan her wedding. I love the close friendships Maddy has made since moving to New Bison, Michigan, and inheriting her aunt’s bakery and English Mastiff, Baby (who steals each scene he inhabits!). The banter is charming, and the care and support they give to each other is heartwarming. Humor is intertwined in the serious business of wedding planning and murder, making the story a delight to read.
Maddy is in for a shock when her dream wedding planner turns out to be a mean-spirited woman, intent on creating tabloid-worthy drama between the engaged couples competing for her services. It doesn’t come as a surprise when Serafina is murdered during the expo…unfortunately with one of Maddy’s wedding cake skewers. Will Maddy’s wedding march turn into a frog-march straight to jail? She’s determined to clear her name, and the Baker Street Irregulars—all of Maddy’s dear friends, including Sheriff April, Maddy’s Maid of Honor—join together to hunt down clues and find the killer. Given that the murder happened in such a public place with scads of people around, there are a lot of suspects, especially given how vile the victim was. The plot moved at a quick pace and kept me engaged throughout. With a hair-raising reveal—I’m team Baby!—the threads of the story came together in a cohesive manner and has me waiting impatiently for the next book in this entertaining series!
With the Baby Cakes Bakery central to the book, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are always lots of delectable bakery treats on the pages. There are several recipes at the back of the book to try out at home. I’m a huge fan of Bundt cakes, and I love apples, so I couldn’t wait to try out Rob’s Apple Cake. It was every bit as delicious as I’d imagined, with its generous layers of apples lightly seasoned with cinnamon, while the cake has the taste of citrus…the perfect combination! With so many apples used the cake is ultra-moist, and the leftovers stayed that way for a few days. On its own, or with powdered sugar sifted over the top, or drizzled with a simple glaze, this apple cake is sure to become a favorite.
Synopsis
Aunt Octavia would be so proud! Maddy has turned Baby Cakes Bakery—named for her 250-pound English Mastiff, Baby—into a runaway success, and she’s marrying the love of her life, veterinarian Michael Portman. #DreamWedding! Plus the timing couldn’t be better: the country’s biggest bridal expo has come to New Bison, Michigan, and Maddy has secured a spot for Baby Cakes to showcase their cakes. She’s also entered a contest for an all-expenses-paid wedding extravaganza offered by world-renowned wedding planner Serafina.
Unfortunately, supremely nasty Serafina truly takes the cake—she makes the worst bridezilla seem like a shy flower girl. But there’s one thing the wedding planner didn’t plan on—being impaled by one of the skewers Baby Cakes uses on their tiered wedding cakes.
While Maid of Honor Sheriff April Johnson rounds up suspects at the expo, Maddy and her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars, and even Baby join forces to unveil a killer hiding in plain sight . . . before wedding bells start to chime.
A special thanks to Valerie Burns for offering a print copy of ICING ON THE MURDER to one lucky winner! Contest ends August 10, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Recipe courtesy of Melinda Bandy
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2-1/4 cups sugar, divided
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 2-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 medium baking apples, peeled and thinly slices
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Butter a Bundt pan.
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Combine flour, 2 cups sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
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In a separate bowl, combine eggs, oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Add the liquid ingredients to the flour mixture and mix well.
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Toss the apples into a bowl with the cinnamon and remaining 1/4 cup of sugar.
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Spread 1/3 of the batter into the Bundt pan. Top with half of the apples. Repeat. Spread the last 1/3 of the batter over the apples.
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Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
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Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then remove to a wire rack.
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While this cake doesn't really need any extra garnish, I still made a thick icing flavored with vanilla to drizzle on top: 3/4 cup powdered sugar mixed with 2-1/2 teaspoons water, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
