Crime and Croissants (Cooking Club Murder Mystery)
by Emmie Lyn
About Crime and Croissants
Crime and Croissants (Cooking Club Murder Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New Hampshire
Publisher : Tule Publishing
Publication date : September 16, 2026
Print length : 280 pages
Digital
ISBN-13 : 978-1972451434
ASIN : B0GYZY5HWJ
Milly Rosebush thought the hardest part of starting over would be moving into the lakeside home she once owned with her ex-husband. In a small New Hampshire town where everyone knows her history, she’s determined to rebuild her life—with good food, fresh starts, and her best friend by her side.
Then she finds a woman in her upstairs bedroom. Dead.
Worse, a stranger walks in to find Milly holding the murder weapon—and just like that, she’s the prime suspect.
As gossip spreads faster than a kitchen fire, clearing her name means asking questions no one in Fox Hollow wants answered. Because the deeper Milly digs, the more unsettling the truth becomes.
With the help of her cooking club—a group with sharp opinions and sharper instincts—plus a too-helpful neighbor, Milly finds that every gathering comes with good food… and a side of suspicion.
But in a town built on secrets, getting too close to the truth can be dangerous.
If Milly wants a second chance, she has to catch a killer—before she ends up on the menu.
With lakeside charm, mouthwatering recipes, and a dash of danger, the Cooking Club Murder Mysteries serve up the perfect bite of cozy crime.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Milly Rosebush is restarting her life after her divorce. Harry got their Massachusetts colonial, and she got the lake house in New Hampshire. Her best friend, Carla, came along for the weekend to help her get settled. Apparently, the house came with a black cat that Carla wanted removed immediately. When Milly chased the cat up the stairs, she made a ghastly discovery. A gun on the floor and the woman who had destroyed her marriage “was a motionless heap against the far wall”. And there was “so much blood”. Milly, clearly in shock, realizes she picked up the gun right when a man she doesn’t know steps through the door and takes it from her.
Soon the police arrive; Detective Thornfield starts to question Carla and Milly. Milly soon realizes her home is now a crime scene, and she is the prime suspect in a murder.
Milly, Carla, and Brody quickly team up to clear her name. They are joined by Ivy and Nadine; two elderly women with time on their hands and more knowledge about the small town of Fox Hollow and its residents than the rest of the group. Secrets and gossip run rampant through the town, and Nadine and Ivy know where to go to eavesdrop and have the instincts to follow up on what they hear. They also like to eat, so the Cooking Club is formed, and the investigating begins. Will they bring down the killer? Or will Milly’s goose be cooked?
In this first Cooking Club Murder Mystery, Ms. Lyn introduces some very interesting characters. Milly and Carla were born in the same hospital on the same day, but are totally different. Carla is petite and always looks like a fashion model. She is blonde, “perky” and “chatty”, has a designer wardrobe, and is always well put-together. Milly is a “half a foot taller” with auburn hair and “comfortable curvy” and trying to get her life together. Brody Drake, the guy next door, is easy on the eyes, friendly, and knows Harry and knew his companion, Gigi. When he realizes the ladies need a place to stay, with the lake house a crime scene, he offers them his guest house, where he will always be close at hand if Milly or Carla need anything. He also knows Ivy and Nadine, who are ready for anything.
Ms. Lyn plotted out a fine mystery with numerous suspects, each with much more motive than Milly. The Serving Up Trouble Cooking Club pulled together to help Milly clear her name and serve up the killer. The first true club meeting brought together members of the community, including all the suspects, and one keen observation brought the killer into focus. I enjoyed following each clue, but I had my mind made up about the killer before Milly. The best part for me was the takedown. You knew it was coming, and it was fantastic. The follow-up was pretty wonderful too.
Crime and Croissants is a fun, lighthearted cozy mystery and a great start for this series. The theme was appealing, the characters were engaging, the mystery was entertaining, and the setting is inviting now that the crime scene has been cleared. Milly has just started to settle into Fox Hollow with her new animal companions, Hazel and Tango. I am excited to see what the author has in store for her next. Marinated in Murder will be released on October 14. I have added it to my wish list.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC.
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About Emmie Lyn
Emmie Lyn has written several cozy mystery series and a romantic suspense series.
Emmie lives in a small New England town, the kind where everyone knows your name—and your secrets. It’s no surprise that her fictional worlds are filled with the same charm: scenic, close-knit communities full of quirky, unforgettable characters. She loves crafting mysteries laced with clever twists and turns, the kind that keep readers guessing and turning pages well into the night.
She lives with her husband and a black cat who rules the house with a velvet paw and a terrible attitude. Their twelve-acre homestead is a haven for deer, bunnies, turkeys, and a chorus of songbirds. When she’s not plotting fictional murders, she’s out hiking wooded trails, or spending time with her grandchildren.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org, and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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