MURDER AT THE BEACON BAKESHOP

A woman’s dream turns into a cozy nightmare.

Retaining the Michigan locale of her Whitney Bloom series, Hannah introduces a determined new sleuth in Lindsey Bakewell, who gave up a lucrative Wall Street career to open a bakeshop/cafe in Beacon Harbor after catching her fiance, Jeffery Plank, doing the dirty with pastry chef Mia Long. She and her loyal Newfoundland, Wellington, arrive to discover her dream purchase of a historic lighthouse looking pretty rough. But the inside turns out to be perfect, and the exterior needs only a little paint. The driver who drops off Lindsey suggests his cousin as an experienced baker, and her hunky next-door neighbor, ex–Navy Seal Rory Campbell, turns out to be an extra benefit, even pitching in as a barista on her opening day. That rollout, promoted by realtor Betty Vanhoosen and Lindsey’s best friend, influencer Kennedy Kapoor, draws a big crowd. Unfortunately, the attendees include Fiona Dickel, who wanted the lighthouse preserved as a historical landmark, and Mia and Jeffery, who are out for revenge because they think Lindsey ruined their reputations. A wild scene of flying pastries ensues. Things get worse when Mia dies on the lighthouse lawn, presumably poisoned, and Lindsey finds herself the prime suspect. Uncovering the killer strains Lindsey’s burgeoning romance and puts her in danger.

Red herrings, romance, and yummy recipes combine in this charming new series.