When Mel’s mother Joyce accepts her first dinner invitation in the ten years since her husband died, Mel is mostly pleased her mother is finally seeking male companionship. When she hears how the two met – Joyce was bidding on an expensive car for a friend of hers at an auction – Mel is less than pleased and thinks she has to find out a little more about her mother’s new boyfriend. 

Soon Mel has bigger things to worry about. On their the first date, Baxter ends up floating face down in his hot tub and the police are looking at the person who was with Baxter that evening, and whose stockings were found in Baxter’s pocket and wrapped around his neck – Joyce’s mother. Mel’s uncle Stan, a police officer in a neighboring jurisdiction, consults on the investigation, convincing the police to look beyond Joyce before making any decisions. 

Also in their corner is Angie’s brother and Mel’s longtime crush, new boyfriend assistant district attorney Joe.  With all her friends and family involved, including bakery silent partner Tate, Mel is sure she will solve the murder and clear her mother’s name before the police, that is unless a murderer finds her first.  

The mystery is pretty straight forward and the clues laid out so that readers can follow along and pick out the murderer in time to warn Mel. It is the characters and their interaction and dialogue that make this a stand out mystery.  New characters are introduced in such a way that they feel as familiar as Mel and Angie.  The dynamics of Mel, Angie and Tate’s lifelong relationship are interesting to watch, especially as everyone except Angie and Tate knows that the two are each in love with the other, but neither believes it about the other. When a new boyfriend for Angie is introduced, this complicates things for everyone. 

Joe and Mel’s relationship has been slow getting out of the starting gate, something everyone in the town seems to know about and both handle the gentle teasing with grace.  Rival bakery owner Olivia Puckett, who pops up at the most unlikely times, adds humor to many situations, sometimes at her own expense, sometimes at Mel’s.  Buttercream Bump Off is another tasty entry, complete with cupcake recipes, into what is sure to grow into a perennial favorite series.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry