Crust No One is the second installment in the A Bread Shop Mystery series set in the small town of Santa Sofia, CA featuring photographer and part time baker Ivy Culpepper. Ivy has settled into her new house with her little pug Agatha, is overjoyed that her brother Billy is moving in with her best friend and deputy sheriff Emmaline Davis and is looking forward to the upcoming Winter Wonderland Festival where the treats prepared by Yeast of Eden owner Olaya Solis are sure to be a huge hit.
When her high school boyfriend Miguel Baptista comes to ask Ivy to help find missing produce man Hank "Moustache" Rivera she's a little apprehensive. Their chemistry is still there but having been spurned by Miguel and left with a broken heart years ago Ivy's not sure she's ready to get over her feelings.
With the help of the Blackbird Ladies - Penny Branford, Mabel Peabody, Alice Ryder and Janice Thompson, the group of women who frequent Yeast of Eden and who've known Hank forever, Ivy sets out to try and locate the man and unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sudden disappearance. Unfortunately, Hank is found stuffed in ex wife's Brenda's garbage can and now the ladies must find a killer.
A fast paced plot with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing as to the killer's identity. This addition to the series touches on the sensitive topic of elder abuse which the author handles beautifully. A wonderful cast of characters who continue to grow and bond and just the right hint of romance.
When her high school boyfriend Miguel Baptista comes to ask Ivy to help find missing produce man Hank "Moustache" Rivera she's a little apprehensive. Their chemistry is still there but having been spurned by Miguel and left with a broken heart years ago Ivy's not sure she's ready to get over her feelings.
With the help of the Blackbird Ladies - Penny Branford, Mabel Peabody, Alice Ryder and Janice Thompson, the group of women who frequent Yeast of Eden and who've known Hank forever, Ivy sets out to try and locate the man and unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sudden disappearance. Unfortunately, Hank is found stuffed in ex wife's Brenda's garbage can and now the ladies must find a killer.
A fast paced plot with plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing as to the killer's identity. This addition to the series touches on the sensitive topic of elder abuse which the author handles beautifully. A wonderful cast of characters who continue to grow and bond and just the right hint of romance.
Crust No One by Winnie Archer is the second installment in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has found solace at Yeast of Eden run by her friend and mentor Olaya Solis in Santa Sofia, California. The Blackbird Ladies (as Ivy as dubbed them) come into the shop to partake in the delicious goodies and chat (gossip). Miguel Baptista calls to hire Ivy (professional photographer) to do photographs for his menus, advertising, and web site for Baptista's (the restaurant he is remodeling). Ivy had hoped that the spark between them would flare up again, but there is something holding Miguel back. The Blackbird Ladies are worried when Mustache Hank, the local produce man, disappears. He has missed his deliveries, and no one has seen him recently. Miguel is also concerned about Hank who provides produce for his restaurant and has never missed a delivery. Ivy (who only met the man once) and Miguel team up look for Hank Rivera. They get assistance from the loquacious Blackbird Ladies who know all the local gossip. Hank had recently gone through a divorce from his high school sweetheart and he was having financial difficulties. Ivy and Olaya are also preparing for the Winter Wonderland Festival where they will have a booth. What happened to Hank? Will romance bloom between Ivy and Miguel?
Crust No One is the second book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone since the author provides the needed background information and a summary of events from the first book are included. The cozy elements are the dominant part of the book. Ivy settling into her new home, making bread, chatting, enjoying Winter Wonderland Festival, the various Blackbird Ladies, walking, eating, etc. The mystery is different with a missing person (instead of Ivy stumbling over a dead body). It is a medium level mystery and readers might not figure out all the elements (I do not want to say too much and give anything away). The issues between Miguel and Ivy were not enjoyable (I wanted to lock them in a room and tell them to talk it out). They broke up after high school and have yet to discuss the why. At the end of the book, the topic is finally addressed (but you will have guessed what happened long before then). I found the pace to be a little slow for my liking and my attention was not held by this story. The investigation consists of talking to people. These talks can provide pertinent information and vital clues. The story could have used some action and a faster pace. Ivy's thinking/speculation and repetition of details (how many times do I need to be told Mrs. Branford's age) along with bread making fill the book. I thought it was odd that Ivy became so invested in looking for a man she only met (briefly) once. Something else that stood out to me was when Miguel contacted Ivy for her photography services, she did not contact him back immediately. She waits two days because she will only do things on her terms (with regard to Miguel). Did she forget this is a business transaction and not personal? I preferred Kneaded to Death to Crust No One. Crust No One could have used a few tweaks.
Crust No One is the second book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone since the author provides the needed background information and a summary of events from the first book are included. The cozy elements are the dominant part of the book. Ivy settling into her new home, making bread, chatting, enjoying Winter Wonderland Festival, the various Blackbird Ladies, walking, eating, etc. The mystery is different with a missing person (instead of Ivy stumbling over a dead body). It is a medium level mystery and readers might not figure out all the elements (I do not want to say too much and give anything away). The issues between Miguel and Ivy were not enjoyable (I wanted to lock them in a room and tell them to talk it out). They broke up after high school and have yet to discuss the why. At the end of the book, the topic is finally addressed (but you will have guessed what happened long before then). I found the pace to be a little slow for my liking and my attention was not held by this story. The investigation consists of talking to people. These talks can provide pertinent information and vital clues. The story could have used some action and a faster pace. Ivy's thinking/speculation and repetition of details (how many times do I need to be told Mrs. Branford's age) along with bread making fill the book. I thought it was odd that Ivy became so invested in looking for a man she only met (briefly) once. Something else that stood out to me was when Miguel contacted Ivy for her photography services, she did not contact him back immediately. She waits two days because she will only do things on her terms (with regard to Miguel). Did she forget this is a business transaction and not personal? I preferred Kneaded to Death to Crust No One. Crust No One could have used a few tweaks.
