Kneaded to Death

Written by Winnie Archer

Narrated by Emily Durante

Struggling photographer Ivy Culpepper has lots of soul-searching to do since returning to seaside Santa Sofia, California - that is, until the 36-year-old enters a bread-making class at Yeast of Eden, the Mexican bread shop in town. Whether it’s the aroma of fresh conchas in the oven or her instant connection with owner Olaya Solis, Ivy just knows the missing ingredients in her life are hidden among the secrets of Olaya’s bakery. But Ivy’s spirits crumble when a missing classmate is suddenly discovered dead in her car. Even more devastating, the prime suspect is Olaya Solis herself.

Doubting the woman could commit such a crime, Ivy embarks on a murder investigation of her own to prove her innocence and seize the real killer. As she follows a deadly trail of crumbs around town, Ivy must trust her gut like never before - or someone else could be toast!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dreamscape Media Audio
• Release date: May 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781974952021

Winnie Archer

Winnie Archer is a middle-school teacher by day and a bestselling author by night. Born in a beach town in California, she is known for writing cozy mysteries that involve baking, crafts, and Mexican food. When not writing, she enjoys yoga, chocolate, and pumpkin-spice lattes. She currently resides with her five kids and husband in northern Texas.

Reviews for Kneaded to Death

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kneaded to Death is the first book in a new series, "A Bread Shop Mystery". This was a great start to this series. Ivy Culpepper, the main character is a photographer who has moved back to the coastal California town of Santa Sofia. Her mother was killed in a hit and run accident a few months prior and she has moved home with her pug, Agatha, to live with her father and brother Billy.

Each day, Ivy stops by Yeast of Eden, a local bread shop. She and her family love the bread, so Ivy signs up for a baking class to keep herself busy. She discovers a connection with the teacher and owner of the shop as well as an elderly woman, Penny Branford. During the first night of class, one of her classmates is poisoned. Not only does she witness what she thinks is the murder, but she meets up with her highschool sweetheart who has also returned to Santa Sofia. As Ivy gets involved in the investigation of Jackie's death, she also works with Penny Branford to spy on a neighbour who has been bullying people in their historic neighbourhood. As the investigation continues, Ivy begins to suspect that her mother's death might tie in with Jackie's and that it was not an accident, but murder.

As this is the first book in the series, there is quite and introduction to the major characters. It gives the reader an opportunity to get to know the inhabitants of this little town who will hopefully be in further instalments of the series. Although there are several things happening in this story, the author does a great job of keeping the story on an even keel and you do not lose the train in the story. I did not guess who the culprit was in this story, as there were several red herrings thrown in. My only concern is that a character who was quite involved in the mystery is really not in the story, just appearing at the end. I am looking forward to seeing where the author will take the residents of Santa Sofia in her next book. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kneaded to Death by Winne Archer is the first book in A Bread Shop Mystery series. Ivy Culpepper has returned home to Santa Sofia, California after the unexpected death of her mother, Anna. She was killed in a hit-and-run accident in the high school parking lot, and the killer has yet to be apprehended. Ivy’s grief has only been soothed by the bread from Olaya Solis’ bakery, Yeast of Eden. When Olaya offers a breadmaking class, Ivy is quick to sign up. Ivy is hoping it will help provide her with inspiration for her photographs and photography blog. She has not been able to get inspired since the death of her mother. Ivy and six other students are in the class. Just before the break, Jackie Makers, a fellow student, must take a call. They are getting ready to start up again, but Jackie has yet to return. The group hears raised voices outside, and they head outside to find out what is happening. Ivy sees her old high school beau, Miguel Baptista arguing with Randy Russell, co-owner of the local antique mall. Miguel is attempting to calm the man down. When Randy is finally subdued, the group notices Jackie sitting in her car. It looks like Jackie will not be finishing the class. When it is discovered that Jackie was poisoned, Olaya ends up at the top of the suspect list. Ivy knows that Olaya would not harm a soul, and starts asking questions around town. Ivy gets pulled into a controversy on historic Maple Avenue where Jackie owned a beautiful house (that Ivy would love to own). Santa Sofia is not the quiet town Ivy left when she went off to college. Will Ivy be able to capture the killer or will she end up getting burned?I found Kneaded to Death to be nicely written and easy to read. I liked the characters (especially Mrs. Branford) and the hint of magic. The description of Maple Avenue was delightful. There are some beautiful historic homes on the street (especially Mrs. Branford’s Victorian). I thought the mystery was well crafted, and it kept my interest (hooray). The author provided some nice clues that will help the reader identify the killer (you must pay very careful attention). I give Kneaded to Death 4 out of 5 stars (are you shocked)! My one complaint is Ivy’s obsession with Miguel Baptista. They dated in high school, but Ivy has never gotten over him (in eighteen years and now we understand why she is divorced). I thought her ogling of Miguel to be a little over-the-top (once would have been fine). I hope that Ivy’s grief is lessened in the next book. It is quite prevalent in Kneaded to Death which is understandable. There is another subplot in Kneaded to Death that is equally intriguing. There is not, though, too much going on in the book. I could keep track of the storylines and the characters. I thought Kneaded to Death was a good first cozy mystery. The series has potential, and I am looking forward to the next book in A Bread Shop Mystery series.

[ethel55_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It took me a little bit to get into the sway of this new story by a favorite author. Photographer Ivy Culpepper has returned home to Santa Sofia, California after the accidental death of her mother. At loose ends living with her father, she decides to take a bread making class at a heavenly sounding bakery, Yeast of Eden. There, she meets a small cast of characters that will nudge her back into the real world. Olaya Solis, the sister I tend to think that has the most to do with the bakery becomes a suspect in a murder of a woman who is both a neighbor and member of the class. In addition to the bakery, I loved the descriptions of life and homes on Maple Street. The mystery had a lot of twists and turns, to keep me (and Ivy) guessing for quite a while. I thought it was interesting how the author tied a personal connection in with the final piece, really help flesh out some characters. I really look forward to another book featuring Ivy.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ivy Culpepper has returned to her home town because of the hit and run death of her mother. In an effort to sooth her spirit since the driver was never found, she enrolls in a bread making class not knowing the direction that it will lead her. When another class attendee is found dead in her car at the bakery parking lot and Ivy discovers that she was acquainted with her mother, she begins to feel that the two deaths are related and starts delving into what they were both involved in.This is a start of a new cozy series and the characters were down-to-earth and at times a bit quirky, but I look forward to seeing them again.

[joannefm2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When her mother is killed in a hit-and-run accident, Ivy Culpepper returns from Austin, Texas to the small California town where she grew up. She's having a hard time getting a handle on her grief, so she takes a bread baking class to somewhat ease her pain.On the first day of class one of the students - Jackie Makers - rushes in late, takes a phone call and rushes out again just as quickly. When the bakers hear an argument outside, they are drawn to it and Ivy discovers to her dismay that one of the people involved is her high school boyfriend Miguel Batista, and it seems he's also returned to town after leaving abruptly after graduation. But when Jackie doesn't return to class it's not long before they find her in her car - dead.What she doesn't count on is that Miguel would also bring with him the ability to confuse her feelings still, nor that she would be drawn into a nasty neighborhood dispute over historic homes. But the big thing she discovers is that her mother's accident may have been no accident at all...and that the killer may very well have been the same one who killed Jackie...I did like the idea of Ivy taking a bread making class to cope with her grief, and the recipes sound delicious, but I didn't really feel a connection with any of the characters. While she supposedly has a history with Miguel, and her brother Billy has a hankering for police officer Emmaline (and she for him), I didn't sense the chemistry between any of the characters. In fact, the only real chemistry came between Ivy and Penny Branford, an elderly widow who knew her mother and befriends her and becomes a sort-of partner in Ivy's investigations.However, while I enjoyed the mystery, I felt that it was wrapped up very quickly, not giving the reader time to decide whether they cared what happened one way or another, due in part to the fact that a character who should have been a big part of the mystery was only in a few pages altogether. Since this is the first in a new series, a lot can be done with it, and the writing itself is very good; plus the recipes in the back are a nice bonus. I hope that in the next book we will learn more about Ivy (other than her grieving process) and I look forward to reading more about Santa Sofia, its inhabitants, and of course, Yeast of Eden; a place I imagine all of us bakers would love to spend time in. Recommended.

[Jessy E · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The story was good for being the first book in a new series.