Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 2/10/2024 + 704 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

Lindsey Bakewell had spent the summers of her childhood youth in Beacon Harbor, Michigan so when she finds her celebrity chef fiancé cheating on her she decides to leave her job on Wall Street and get a fresh start following her dream to open a bakery there. She couldn't believe the old lighthouse was for sale. It is the perfect location for The Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe and her home with her loveable Newfoundland dog, Wellington. 

Unfortunately, not everyone in Beacon Harbor is happy about Lindsey's plans. Fiona Dickel wants the lighthouse to be preserved as a historical landmark. She even shows up with the other 6 members of the Beacon Point Lighthouse Preservation Society to protest at the bakeshop's grand opening. As if that wasn't enough chaos, Lindsey's ex-fiancé Jeffrey Plank, his girlfriend Mia Long, and a bunch of her friends show up to cause havoc and have to be escorted out. Shortly thereafter, Mia chokes on a donut and dies.

Stunned Lindsey is the police's main suspect. She gets even more confused when cyanide is found in Mia's bloodstream. How would she poison just that one particular donut and serve it to someone she didn't even know was going to be there? She wastes no time in trying to find who the real killer is, why the woman was killed, and how in the heck did cyanide get into something at her cafe?

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This book was released while I was dealing with the aftermath of my breast cancer treatments and I am upset with myself for taking so long to jump into this book and this series. 

Lindsey Bakewell is a fabulous protagonist. She knows what she wants and has the money and spunk to get it. She could have wallowed about the implosion of her relationship but instead, she has moved on. She left her best friend, Kennedy Kapoor back in the city but the distance didn't stop Kennedy from using her talents to create a "buzz" about Lindsey's lighthouse bakery and also come to Michigan to help with the grand opening. There is never a dull moment when she is around.  We also meet Rory Campbell who lives near the lighthouse. He meets Lindsey's dog Wellington before he meets Lindsay though. All three become fast friends even though Lindsey knows there may be more to Rory than meets the eye. We also meet other residents of Beacon Harbor as Lindsey works to open her bakery and snoops around to catch a killer. All the characters were well-crafted and felt true to life.

The author wrapped her characters in a complex mystery that twisted off in surprising directions. There was a slow build as clues were cleverly dropped throughout the story. Lindsey does have a knack for sleuthing. I enjoyed following along as she tried to make sense of the crimes that caused the major upheaval in her life. Both of us missed some major clues though. When all was revealed we were both taken aback but then the clues rapidly made sense but there were still things to be explained. I was hanging onto every word. Then the coolest thing happened, an awesome takedown. Loved it, but I can't say more. No spoilers here.

I love the lighthouse theme. Like Eva Gates Lighthouse Library Mysteries, Darci Hannah's stories have given new life to an old run-down lighthouse. Both have great histories and may have some lingering guests.

Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop has set this series off to a marvelous start. With unique characters and a tantalizing mystery, I enjoyed my time in Beacon Harbor, Michigan very much and am eager to return to see what Christmas brings to The Beacon Bakeshop and Cafe, Lindsey, Welly, and their friends. 

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