Bakeries and Bodies (Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Book 8)

Further adventures of Margot and Adam, a good clean read. I'm lucky enough to have been given a review copy but I'd happily pay for anything Danielle has written. More please!

I thoroughly enjoy this series of cosy mysteries, and this book maintains the standard. It is rather nice that the action takes place away from Margot's home town. The plot is clever, and as usual there are lots of potential suspects and each has their own motive. The story is set at Christmas and despite the murder has a nice festive feel to it, with a bit of romance mixed in to lighten things up. I received an advance copy of this book, but this honest review is based on my ownopinion.

I really enjoy the Margot Durand series and this no exception. Margot is spending Christmas with Adam's family in Sisters, Oregon, hoping for a romantic relaxing white Christmas, sleigh rides, cuddles by the fireside, log cabins, and she maged to get all that, and more than she bargained for, which is a dead body as well. For several years now, there has been a bake-off competition in Sisters, started because of 2 rival bakeries who refused to concede to the other being the better baker. So each year, they produce their best and compete with each other. Louise, Adam's mother had volunteered Margot's help to Fran, her baker friend, in the hope of Fran winning the competition this year. Margot turns up at Fran's bakery early in the morning only to find her rival dead on the floor, and Fran holding a large skillet, standing over the body, saying I hit him, but I did not mean to kill him. As Fran is arrested for murder, Louise begs Margot to help find the real killer, especially as Christmas is only a few days away and Adam cannot really do very much as he is well out of his area of jurisdiction. Another fun read from Danielle Collins, just in time for Christmas!

Margot and Adam are going to spend Christmas across the country in his hometown of Sisters, OR but first she has to make sure that her two employees will run her bakery for her without turning it into a disaster. Turns out Dexter really likes his co-worker Julia enough to ask her out so at least Margot can leave them without feeling like she needs to constantly check up on them like she would battling siblings. She just prays they don't get into another harmless flour fight and make another mess! Arriving in Sisters, Margot feels the Christmas spirit right away, in fact the only thing that would make it better would be some snow. She hadn't really counted on a murder being part of her vacation plans but since the prime suspect was the woman she was supposed to help in the annual bake-off, she felt like she needed to look into it. The local detective in charge wasn't very personable and downright grumpy at times so Margot proceeded alone so he wouldn't complain to Adam's bosses that Adam was interfering in his case. I think this was my favorite book of the series yet! The last book left one little thing hanging so I was sure it would be handled in this book. The murder mystery was a little simpler to figure out but I wasn't completely sure till almost the reveal. I'm never sure about the reasoning even if I do guess! I liked that it wasn't terribly complicated but still challenging. Also I was glad that for once, Margot didn't appear to be in any danger while investigating. It was fun meeting Adam's parents and siblings. Margot fit right in and as always was kind and patient even when Adam knew his mom was being a little demanding in having Margot be in the bake-off with the local baker, Fran. Once the murder was solved, the actual book ending was the absolute best. Just the perfect thing to happen during Christmas! Read it and you'll find out!

Margot goes out of town for the holiday to meet her boyfriend's family. Asked to help our his mom's friend with some baking, she goes to the bakery and finds a dead man on the floor. Of course, she has to help to find the real killer, with some help from her police officer boyfriend. This is another fun book in this series. Haven't read one yet that I didn't really like.

I am truly thrilled how the books in this series weave flawlessly a main storyline while bringing in separate stories that captivate the reader. So totally looking forward to book 9 which of course I will be buying! Can't wait!!

Another great mystery. An amazing story filled with suspense and humor with clues that go down different paths until it to the right conclusion.

Wow those bakeries are unbelievable, the description of the pastries makes you hunger for more. and you are lead deeper and deeper into the realms of danger and intrigue.. A comfy mystery that solves the murder in a fabulous way.