Cupcake Crime at Maplewood Bakery – The First In A New Cozy Series
Last Updated on April 22, 2026
I recently had the pleasure of being contacted by author Valerie Loyer about the first book in her new cozy mystery series, Cupcake Crime at Maplewood Bakery.
As I am always up for spreading the word about a fun new series, I quickly downloaded it (it’s available on Kindle Unlimited) and got stuck in.
Before I get to the details of the book, I just want to note that it is quite short at only 150 pages. To put that in context, most books run anywhere from 350-450 pages.
That’s not a bad thing, by the way, because quite a lot of us lead incredibly busy lives and sometimes we just want something short and sweet – a bit like a cupcake!
So what is the book all about, and should you add it to your TBR list?
Meet Mia Harper
Mis Harper is a young passionate baker who runs the Maplewood Bakery. She’s successful, driven, and known in the town for her delicious cakes.
We meet her on the run up to the Berry Festival, the town’s annual get together, where Mia plans on unveiling her latest creation – a triple berry cupcake.
The aim is to win the festival bake-off, having lost it the year before to fellow baker and rival Josie Burrows.
Everything is going great, the cupcakes have been boxed up and delivered to the judges’ tent, and the whole town is excited for the festival to start.
And then, just when things couldn’t be going better, one of the judges collapses and dies. And he dies holding one of Mia’s cupcakes in his hand.
Cue the chaos as everybody assumes that it was Mia’s cupcake that killed him.
Chief Dempsey, realising he might have a murder on his hands, closes Mia’s bakery until further notice – or at least until he can figure out the killer.
Solving The Mystery
No spoilers here, but suffice it to say that Mia absolutely knows it wasn’t her cupcake that killed the back-off judge, and she intends to prove it.
Armed with nothing more than her wits and with her bestie, Emma, by her side, it’s time to work out the suspects. After all, somebody wanted the guy dead.
Through a process of elimination, Mia eventually whittles down the possibilities, investigates, and interrogates (in the nicest way possible) until she uncovers the truth.
The Positives
If I could elaborate further on the plot of the book without giving anything away, I would, but as I mentioned above, this book is quite short, and anything more and you wouldn’t even need to read it.
What I will say, though, is that Cupcake Crime at Maplewood Bakery stands out for its brevity, clocking in at a length that is becoming increasingly popular among cozy mystery fans who crave quick, satisfying reads without committing to a longer novel.
This condensed format especially benefits readers who have busy lives, short attention spans, or simply enjoy completing a story in one or two sittings.
The straightforward pacing ensures there’s always something happening, making it ideal for those seeking a light, distraction-free diversion.
Additionally, the shorter length is inviting for newcomers to the cozy genre or anyone intimidated by dense mysteries, as it keeps the narrative tight and easy to follow.
The Trade-Offs
However, this accessible approach does have trade-offs. With limited space, the book offers a plot that is simple and classic for the genre, focusing on the main thread with few subplots or twists.
Readers expecting intricate investigations or elaborate red herrings may find the story familiar, following the expected beats of a culinary cozy without diving into deeper complexity.
Despite a book revolving entirely around Mia Harper, other than being a baker with an ex-boyfriend, I know relatively nothing about her.
That said, rather than feeling formulaic, the book’s structure delivers a comforting sense of order with an efficient, warm-hearted “recipe” for those who enjoy the certainty and charm of small-town sleuthing.
And, speaking of recipes, there’s a delicious bonus at the back if you fancy trying your hand at a chai crumble cupcake!
Next In The Series
Loyer has also just published the second book in the series – Shortbread Scandal at Maplewood Shelter.
Maplewood’s summer fundraiser was supposed to be all sunshine, shortbread, and wagging tails.
But when the event takes an unexpected turn, baker Mia Harper realises she’s facing more than trays of cookies; there are mysteries to solve.
Mia soon finds herself caught up in small-town gossip, curious clues, and a growing sense that something isn’t quite right, and Mia is determined to get to the bottom of things before Maplewood’s summer sparkle fades.
