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hankford's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cheyw85's review
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
storysquirell's review
challenging
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
pattyfgd's review against another edition
Blind Bake
Maddie Baker Mystery, Book 1
By: Denise Grover Swank
Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Chris Brinkley
Now this is what I am talking about! A book that pulls me in, gives me a story to sink my teeth into without being too heavy and characters that are intriguing! Denise Grover Swank introduces Maddie Baker. Moved in with her Aunt who has dementia, she is doing whatever she needs to make ends meet. Driving Uber is her side job, and who knew the man she was driving would be murdered? Now in the midst of an investigation, she meets Noah, the detective. At first these two butt heads but the push pull of their conversations could be more, right? So many suspects, so many side revelations and so many amazing characters! From Ernie the homeless man to Maddie's lucid aunt, we are treated to some truly interesting people. Then Grover adds in those we love to hate, like certain teachers and officers on the take! It's small town, everyone knows everybody and it's a fun, thrilling story! I cannot wait for more!
Shannon McManus and Chris Brinkley are our storytellers and they had me captivated from the start. Maddie is a busy, smart yet excitable character who cannot sit still. McManus captures the essence of that personality and creates a fabulous voice for her. She is tough and brave, and keeps her real. Brinkley is so good as Noah, bringing his frustration in as the case accelerates. He keeps his feelings of confusion of Maddie on the edge, giving that emotional tug without committing and making us crazy!! Loved this team. They sound like they had fun recording it and made the listen enjoyable.
Maddie Baker Mystery, Book 1
By: Denise Grover Swank
Narrated by: Shannon McManus, Chris Brinkley
Now this is what I am talking about! A book that pulls me in, gives me a story to sink my teeth into without being too heavy and characters that are intriguing! Denise Grover Swank introduces Maddie Baker. Moved in with her Aunt who has dementia, she is doing whatever she needs to make ends meet. Driving Uber is her side job, and who knew the man she was driving would be murdered? Now in the midst of an investigation, she meets Noah, the detective. At first these two butt heads but the push pull of their conversations could be more, right? So many suspects, so many side revelations and so many amazing characters! From Ernie the homeless man to Maddie's lucid aunt, we are treated to some truly interesting people. Then Grover adds in those we love to hate, like certain teachers and officers on the take! It's small town, everyone knows everybody and it's a fun, thrilling story! I cannot wait for more!
Shannon McManus and Chris Brinkley are our storytellers and they had me captivated from the start. Maddie is a busy, smart yet excitable character who cannot sit still. McManus captures the essence of that personality and creates a fabulous voice for her. She is tough and brave, and keeps her real. Brinkley is so good as Noah, bringing his frustration in as the case accelerates. He keeps his feelings of confusion of Maddie on the edge, giving that emotional tug without committing and making us crazy!! Loved this team. They sound like they had fun recording it and made the listen enjoyable.
akjohn90's review
3.75
I liked the beginning. I really wanted a little more of Noah and Maddie but it was very far moments for them to connect and I didnt like how the book ended all that much.
noladawnreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is my first Denise Grover Swank novel but for sure it won’t be my last! This is the first in a series where we are introduced to Maddie Baker (this is where Blind Bake comes from, it’s not a cooking themed book) and Detective Noah Langley. Maddie has just returned to her hometown of Cockamamie, TN to help care for her aunt. Maddie works as a part-time barista and also as an Uber driver, and it’s in her Uber job where she ends up as a suspect in a murder. Enter Detective Noah Langley and cue the fireworks.
Maddie is a former librarian but she’s no meek individual for sure. She kicks butt and takes names. Noah is also intriguing and I’m interested to see where his character goes as the series builds.
I read the audiobook provided by ValentinePR and Shannon McManus and Chris Brinkley truly nailed the parts! They were captivating, entertaining , and subtle where needed. I look forward to hearing more from them.
The humor, witty dialogue, and engaging characters are all worth coming back for. DGS has a new fan in me.
Maddie is a former librarian but she’s no meek individual for sure. She kicks butt and takes names. Noah is also intriguing and I’m interested to see where his character goes as the series builds.
I read the audiobook provided by ValentinePR and Shannon McManus and Chris Brinkley truly nailed the parts! They were captivating, entertaining , and subtle where needed. I look forward to hearing more from them.
The humor, witty dialogue, and engaging characters are all worth coming back for. DGS has a new fan in me.
stacieanne's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book free on Apple Books and had really low expectations but I ended up loving it! Solid murder mystery book (with a nod to a future romance) and I’m excited to read the second one
jonif's review
3.0
Don’t most writers have beta readers? Who was in agreement to have this book end this way? Good mystery and good writing but this book ends like it was mid-thought! I know it was done so we the reader would read the next book in the series but honestly can we have closure in this one first!
mycatismybookmark's review
2.0
Firstly, Blind Bake has nothing to do with baking or a bakery. I must have seen the title and the short tagline, "The first book in a new humorous romance mystery series by Denise Grover Swank," and thought it sounded like it could be a fun read and signed up to review an advanced copy (that arrived the night before release day... Hopefully all the edits were fixed for the final copy).
Apparently, I missed the humor and the romance or perhaps those elements will be introduced further into the series. But Blind Bake was not the fun, romance, mystery I was hoping for. It is very gruesome, dark and depressing. Not what I wanted to read.
And a warning: while it's not a *gasp* leave you at the edge of your seat cliffhanger, the story isn't complete. There are still elements unsolved. And there is no resolution between whatever is starting with Maddie and Noah. It cannot stand-alone and there is no satisfying conclusion.
I think the characters are compelling—especially Maddie—but there are a lot of elements I wish I would have known were included in this book. Had I known, I would not have signed up to read an advanced copy for an honest review.
*Warnings: cliffhanger, murder, sexual assault, corruption, violence, attempted abduction, death of loved ones (past), caring for loved one suffering from dementia*
1.5 stars
ARC received from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for honest review
Apparently, I missed the humor and the romance or perhaps those elements will be introduced further into the series. But Blind Bake was not the fun, romance, mystery I was hoping for. It is very gruesome, dark and depressing. Not what I wanted to read.
And a warning: while it's not a *gasp* leave you at the edge of your seat cliffhanger, the story isn't complete. There are still elements unsolved. And there is no resolution between whatever is starting with Maddie and Noah. It cannot stand-alone and there is no satisfying conclusion.
I think the characters are compelling—especially Maddie—but there are a lot of elements I wish I would have known were included in this book. Had I known, I would not have signed up to read an advanced copy for an honest review.
*Warnings: cliffhanger, murder, sexual assault, corruption, violence, attempted abduction, death of loved ones (past), caring for loved one suffering from dementia*
1.5 stars
ARC received from Social Butterfly PR in exchange for honest review
hldrn13's review
5.0
Love, love, loved it
Gave this 5 stars because that’s exactly what this deserves. The dual perspective was really fun to read. I love getting to see into different characters minds and this have both male and female perspectives. The character development was beautiful and I can’t wait for the next in this series!
Gave this 5 stars because that’s exactly what this deserves. The dual perspective was really fun to read. I love getting to see into different characters minds and this have both male and female perspectives. The character development was beautiful and I can’t wait for the next in this series!