Potions and Pastries: 06/27/21

Potions and Pastries by Bailey Cates is the seventh volume in the Magical Bakery mystery series. Honeybee Bakery is two years old and while out celebrating Katie meets her aunt's friend, Orla, who is reading fortunes along the waterfront. The next day she's killed in a freak traffic accident that has Katie convinced was supernatural or magical in nature.

The mystery takes Katie into the world of street vending and busking and into Orla's tightly knit extended family. With the inclusion of traveler culture, I was reminded a bit of "Blood Will Out" (Midsomer Murders series 2, episode 4). Orla's family though aren't traditional travelers in that they've settled down and they are magic users.

The observant reader, though, will spot the murderer long before Katie does. It's all in the set up. While she feels compelled to investigate Orla's family because how they go about things is so different from what she's used to, they aren't evil. They are grieving in their own way.

The side plot to Potions and Pastries is the hunt for a new home. Katie and Declan are engaged and have been living in her carriage house. The place is too small and they're shopping for a larger place. The problem is, Katie loves her garden and isn't ready to give it up.

The eighth book is Cookies Clairvoyance (2019).

Five stars

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