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sea_caummisar's review
4.0
I usually read horror, but I occasionally read a cozy mystery. This was my first supernatural cozy. Learning about elementals was totally brand new to me, but it sure was fun. So the story centers around an unusual mortal who runs a bakery/ hotel for supernatural beings. Not only was it fun learning about undines and salamanders, it was also neat learning about the artifacts the main character collected. The story kept me guessing who the bad guy was. At one point all fingers pointed to a suspect.... Wow was I wrong. I don't wanna give away any spoilers. I will say I enjoyed this book and it was a good break from reading my typical horror books.
booksandladders's review
4.0
See this review and more on Books and Ladders!
Disclaimer: I received compensation to move this book up on my review schedule. This in no way impacts my opinion. Further, I beta read an initial version which has since been updated.
Actual Rating: 3.5*
I like the mix of cozy mystery and fantasy in this. I thought the characters were really interesting and starting to be well developed. I am glad this is the beginning of a series and not a one off because it has so much potential to involve so many different aspects of fantasy and lore. I look forward to reading the next book!
Disclaimer: I received compensation to move this book up on my review schedule. This in no way impacts my opinion. Further, I beta read an initial version which has since been updated.
Actual Rating: 3.5*
I like the mix of cozy mystery and fantasy in this. I thought the characters were really interesting and starting to be well developed. I am glad this is the beginning of a series and not a one off because it has so much potential to involve so many different aspects of fantasy and lore. I look forward to reading the next book!
katkinney's review
5.0
What a fun cozy mystery that was just perfect for the start of autumn! Hedy runs a combo bakery and bed and breakfast with lots of paranormal guests. This had everything you look for in a great cozy. Adorable animals? Check. (They even talk.) Delicious baked goods. Oh my, yes. A great mystery, and just enough magic to make it great. Perfect for those who love paranormal cozies. And bonus points for awesome chinchilla! This got me ready for a spooky Halloween!
zkoch's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
stacers1973's review
4.0
Fun read
This is a fun cozy read. I enjoyed the character development and storylines. I look forward to reading more by this author.
This is a fun cozy read. I enjoyed the character development and storylines. I look forward to reading more by this author.
taisie22's review
5.0
Hedy Leckermaul runs an odd but deliciously stocked bakery as well as hosting a waystation for supernatural creatures. Oh, and the animals in her house talk, too. When a salamander (a man with fire properties) comes to stay at the same time there's a string of arson fires in town, Hedy and her friends must solve the mystery.
I like cozy mysteries, but I have to say that adding in the paranormal aspects to the story is genius. Ms. Miltimore has done a great job in throwing in all sorts of odd little bits that are just wonderful. I don't want to spoil the story, but we have undines, ghosts, vengeful demi-goddesses and baking that all fits together perfectly into a gem of a story. Hedy is a somewhat mysterious figure, and I look forward to finding out more about her (I already have the next book on my reader).
If you like cozy mysteries with some mystical aspects, I guarantee you'll love this series.
I like cozy mysteries, but I have to say that adding in the paranormal aspects to the story is genius. Ms. Miltimore has done a great job in throwing in all sorts of odd little bits that are just wonderful. I don't want to spoil the story, but we have undines, ghosts, vengeful demi-goddesses and baking that all fits together perfectly into a gem of a story. Hedy is a somewhat mysterious figure, and I look forward to finding out more about her (I already have the next book on my reader).
If you like cozy mysteries with some mystical aspects, I guarantee you'll love this series.
ylmpastmidnight's review
4.0
**Thank you to author K.A. Miltimore for this ebook in exchange for an honest review.**
The blurb for this book already told me this was going to be a slightly out of the box read for me since I usually stick to romance and young adult books. But a baker who bakes unusual things like rat shaped cookies? A menagerie of talking animals and a ghost? It made me wonder, what else could happen in this sleepy town? Apparently, a lot!
“…but then I remembered that things are only strange to you if they are outside your normal experience.”
-Burned to a Crisp (A Gingerbread Hag Mystery) by. K.A. Miltimore
The writing is wonderfully descriptive and I got a real sense of this sleepy town and it’s diverse characters. I liked that there is also LGBTQ+ representation. I wanted to visit this bakery that is run by Hedy Leckermaul and sample all these unusual goodies.
This bakery acts as a waystation for supernatural travelers. Think of this waystation like a bed and breakfast, where Hedy is an accommodating host. I really like Hedy, she’s level headed, doesn’t let a lot of things bother her, she’s brave, quirky and is accepting of all things strange and different. I love how her house is filled with artifacts and talking animals. The menagerie was fantastic, it made me smile whenever they emerged in the story.
Now as two travelers arrive on Hedy’s doorstep within days of one another, an arsonist is going around town, ramping up fear and discord among the people. Hedy, her guests, her menagerie and a few more interesting characters that are introduced in the story find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Hedy is usually so calm about strange things happening around her but when events concern the people she care about, even she senses something is more wrong than usual. Will they piece together the puzzle before it’s too late?
The story moves at a steady pace and it kept me in it until the end. I loved how there was a mixture of mythology and fairy tale lore infused into the story. If you are into paranormal mystery or just want to read something to break up the monotony of what you are reading, definitely give this one a try. I’m glad I did! Overall this is an enjoyable, unique story full of mystery, surprising characters and bizarre happenings.
The blurb for this book already told me this was going to be a slightly out of the box read for me since I usually stick to romance and young adult books. But a baker who bakes unusual things like rat shaped cookies? A menagerie of talking animals and a ghost? It made me wonder, what else could happen in this sleepy town? Apparently, a lot!
“…but then I remembered that things are only strange to you if they are outside your normal experience.”
-Burned to a Crisp (A Gingerbread Hag Mystery) by. K.A. Miltimore
The writing is wonderfully descriptive and I got a real sense of this sleepy town and it’s diverse characters. I liked that there is also LGBTQ+ representation. I wanted to visit this bakery that is run by Hedy Leckermaul and sample all these unusual goodies.
This bakery acts as a waystation for supernatural travelers. Think of this waystation like a bed and breakfast, where Hedy is an accommodating host. I really like Hedy, she’s level headed, doesn’t let a lot of things bother her, she’s brave, quirky and is accepting of all things strange and different. I love how her house is filled with artifacts and talking animals. The menagerie was fantastic, it made me smile whenever they emerged in the story.
Now as two travelers arrive on Hedy’s doorstep within days of one another, an arsonist is going around town, ramping up fear and discord among the people. Hedy, her guests, her menagerie and a few more interesting characters that are introduced in the story find themselves in the middle of a mystery. Hedy is usually so calm about strange things happening around her but when events concern the people she care about, even she senses something is more wrong than usual. Will they piece together the puzzle before it’s too late?
The story moves at a steady pace and it kept me in it until the end. I loved how there was a mixture of mythology and fairy tale lore infused into the story. If you are into paranormal mystery or just want to read something to break up the monotony of what you are reading, definitely give this one a try. I’m glad I did! Overall this is an enjoyable, unique story full of mystery, surprising characters and bizarre happenings.
see_sadie_read's review
3.0
3.5
This was pretty good, if not quite to my tastes. It does depend heavily on being quirky and cute, with the main character just being the sweetest lil thing you could imagine. *Insert eye roll.* Maybe it was the way she was voiced, but for all the world she reminded me of Ms. Frizzle, from The Magic School Bus. I’m not so much into the nice-nice protagonists, with their utter lack of grey, which the heroine and all the good guys here are. Despite that I do appreciate that the book is well-structured (though the pace sags in the middle a little), there’s a pleasant little FF side romance, the mystery isn’t blatantly obvious (though not too hard to figure out either), I liked the characters themselves, and the narrator did a fine job. All in all, I might read another Gingerbread Hag Mystery, but I’m in no rush about it.
This was pretty good, if not quite to my tastes. It does depend heavily on being quirky and cute, with the main character just being the sweetest lil thing you could imagine. *Insert eye roll.* Maybe it was the way she was voiced, but for all the world she reminded me of Ms. Frizzle, from The Magic School Bus. I’m not so much into the nice-nice protagonists, with their utter lack of grey, which the heroine and all the good guys here are. Despite that I do appreciate that the book is well-structured (though the pace sags in the middle a little), there’s a pleasant little FF side romance, the mystery isn’t blatantly obvious (though not too hard to figure out either), I liked the characters themselves, and the narrator did a fine job. All in all, I might read another Gingerbread Hag Mystery, but I’m in no rush about it.
whistberry's review
5.0
This was a delightful surprise! A cozy-type mystery but with unusual supernatural twists. The main character, Hedy, runs a bakery and a kind of bed-and-breakfast for some very unusual guests. I won't spoil the plot by revealing too much more because experiencing the revelations as they are made in the book was a big part of the fun, but I will say that Hedy and the other characters, human and non-human, were original and well-drawn, and I hope we'll be seeing more of all of them in further books in the series. I particularly appreciated that underneath all the spooky shenanigans, there is a very clear and heartwarming message of inclusiveness embracing all those that may feel different or like misfits, a message that we can't hear often enough. And to top it all off, there are mouth-watering descriptions of all the wonderful baked goods Hedy sells and the food she makes her guests. I love a book that makes me hungry! Recommended for readers looking for something a little different and a lot enjoyable!
monicajosephine's review
3.0
Interesting premise, Interesting characters. Not enough character development, not enough editing.