Killer Cupcakes (Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)

Fairly predictable, but a nice clean book that was enjoyable to read. Characters that you like and are happy when they're safe.

I've been on a bit of a hiatus - my brain was in summer vacay mode and I just didn't feel like doing anything. But now that summer is coming to an end, and fall weather is sneaking up on us (yay), the urge to read is growing. Killer Cupcakes was the perfect read to jump back into things.It's a cozy mystery which is right up my alley these days (already getting in the Halloween mood) and it wasn't long - about 150 pages. It's the first book in the Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery series but I feel like it also works as a standalone book.We're introduced to Lexy, who recently moved into her Nan's house - who is now living it up in the senior retirement home - and has opened up her own bakery. Lexy is a bit quirky. A little dimwitted in my opinion, but she's cute, funny, and determined. Lexy is very likable, even if at time I got frustrated with thing things she did or didn't do.Aside from Lexy, we are also introduced to some secondary characters. Cassie, is Lexy's best friend. Detective Jack Parillo, Lexy's hunky next door neighbor. And Lexy's Nan, Mona, who along with some of her senior pals have started the Ladies Detective Club. All of these secondary characters were written very well - they came alive for me. All except for Cassie. I don't know why, but her personality didn't come through like the others. But there was a hint of it at the end of the book, so there's hope for her yet.As I stated before, even though this book is part of a series, I feel comfortable suggesting it as a standalone as well. I feel like you get a pretty decent story, with a good resolution. There's closure by the end so you can walk away after this book.I myself don't know whether or not I'll continue with the series. Even though I really enjoyed the first book, I felt as though Lexy was a bit incompetent in solving the mystery. I don't see her doing a better job with future mysteries, especially if they're not about her. I can see her getting herself into deep trouble and complicating things for Jack who would have to clean her messes up.That being said, if all the mysteries revolve around Lexy (being framed for murder, using her baked goods to do the deed, etc) like this first one, then it would work better. And if the Ladies Detective Club have a more active role, it would work even better! So out of curiosity as to which direction the author decided to take this series in, I will (at some point) read the second book in this series. Plus I am a bit curious if Cassie's character gets better developed - especially with the googly eyes she was giving Jack's partner, and vice versa.Uncensored Comments Straight From Kindle: 1. ...she's gonna wear heels to work...at a BAKERY!? 2. Worse, stilettos! 3. My first guess is the best friend, Cassie. It's always the best friend. 4. *Gasps* OMG, what if it was the grandma!?! LOL naw... 5. Damn. Those old broads are more hooked up than I! 6. Hmm, maybe the brother did it. Thinking he could somehow "rescue" Lexie from being framed for Kevin's murder and that then she would finally fall in love with him - making the brother the winner of the rivalry. 7. Loving her eye twitch! 8 Uh, HELLO! Grungy booze guy...like the one that threatened you...somebody give this lady a lightbulb. 9. THAN. 10. GOT. 11. Really feel like brother Jason is behind this. He probably made that part up about Kevin mentioning Lexy...ooor maybe he did, to throw Jason off. Then again, he may be fishing to see if Lexy has something. 12. Pendeja, you dont omit things to the old ladies trying to solve the crime! Oy. 13. Dude, call your neighbor! 14. Jason is definitely behind this and it definitely has to do with embezzling. 15. Uh, probably his partner or sister - dont run, give him the book! 16. Wait, how does she have a smartphone, if she flipped it close earlier in the book? 17. Oh my god, give the book to the cop! 18. And I bet you aren't going to give it to the detective. 19. Nan, please call the detective. 20. Snapping the smartphone shut again...are there flip smartphones in existence that I don't know about??? 21. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT!? YOU TURNED YOUR CELL OFF!?! EFFING MORON. Sabes que, I wont even be sad if you get killed. That's what you get for being dumb. 22. Thank you Nan. I'm glad somebody in that family has brains.

Lexy and her grandmother's "Ladies Detective Club" help solve a murder, whether her hot cop neighbor wants her to or not. This is a fun, entertaining read. Leighann is a new author to me and kept me turning the pages from page 1. Thanks,Leighann.

This was an easy, read before bed time book. I will enjoy more of what the author offers. Thank you!

I enjoyed reading Killer Cupcakes. The author is very descriptive when describing the bakery, the houses and yard. I felt the story begin to feel rushed towards the end and fell flat. I did not enjoy the ending as much as the beginning when it drew me in.

Synopsis:Things are going great for Lexy Baker. She's finally opened her dream bakery, gotten rid of her cheating boyfriend and settled into her grandmother’s house with her perky dog Sprinkles at her side.But her blissful life doesn't last long. When her ex boyfriend is found poisoned with cupcakes from her bakery, Lexy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation headed up by her hunky neighbor detective Jack Perillo.With the help of a gang of iPad toting, would-be detective grandmothers, Lexy decides to take it upon herself to find the real murderer in order to clear her name and get her bakery back in business.As things heat up on the murder trail, in the kitchen and between Lexy and the hunky detective, it's a race against time to put the real murderer behind bars and get back to baking.Will Lexy get her man? (Goodreads)Review:The characters are well rounded and well developed. Lexy is busy keeping her bakery up and running and enjoying her time with Sprinkles, her dog. When her ex-boyfriend is poisoned and one of her cupcakes is the murder weapon, she definitely has a problem. She will need the help from the grandmothers from the Brook Ridge Retirement Center, including her own, to try and solve this mystery.The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and not easily solved.With the twists and turns, I could not decide who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end.I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait to read the next book to see what Lexy is involved in.

Wonderful characters, a twisty plot, and some romance. The world building is good. I can't wait to read the next book!

I enjoyed reading the book it was funny, I like all the characters can't wait for the out next book out

Loved this little gem of a cozy mystery.Lexy, cassie and Jack are definitely my favourite characters.Will Lexy and Jack have a happy, long relationship together??? I HOPE SO!!Cannot wait for the next installment!Leighann you are a genius

Cozy whimsical book.Comical with a Murder, With lexy who runs a bakery and her gran ( Nans ) Nans and her friends at the old people’s home fancy them selves as super sleuths. Also read follow up .... No scone unturned. You get in to all the characters, especially Nans and her mates who all have there own special characters.

Good quick easy read.Enjoyed reading and I got the suspect wrong.Had this book on free kindle reads a good couple years ago and only just got round to reading it as had "better" books to read.Would read this author again and hope to read the next book.

Enjoyable as a light read should be. All the right ingredients - girl, business, body, mystery, hunky detective - mix it all together and hey presto, case solved, girl and detective attracted to each other, romance thrives. This is the second book I have read by this author and enjoyed.

It seems a bit rude to complain about something that was free, but I did find the frequent grammatical errors distracting, to say the least. The author seems to have overcome this problem in later books I have read. I can appreciate it is a problem for indie authors to employ editors and proof readers, but it makes all the difference.