The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell – [Review]

What’s the Buzz about this book?

Before I review The Golden Spoon, I have to say that I don’t normally read mysteries. I watch lots of murder mysteries, but rarely do I read them. The Golden Spoon called my name, both with cover and with content.

In a baking competition, an old host collides with a new host, hosted at an old manor with six varying contestants. I love murder mysteries and have watched a few baking competitions.

Death on the set is shocking to everyone, especially Betsy, the host who finds the unidentified body. The readers are not aware of the victim until much, much later in the book. That was a little shocking to me, as normally, the victim is introduced and the readers have to vet the suspects as they read. I did not what was suspicious and who was suspicious.

Our suspects are Betsy, the original host and owner of the manor; and Archie, the new cut-throat host. Our six contestants are Stella, Hannah, Gerald, Pradyumna, Lottir, and Peter. The book is divided heavily, with all the characters getting multiple characters. I could not decide which person was the best baker and who could be the killer. As the week and the baking competition progresses, we find that Betsy and Grafton Manor have tons of secrets.

We lose two contestants due to faulty bakes (and possibly sabotage) before we even step closer to finding out the manor’s secrets and therefore the reason behind the murder.

I had an interesting time reading this mystery. I was a tad confused about the style of the book, but the murder and mystery made complete sense. The twist at the end was shocking and interesting. It was almost like history was repeating itself. The ending is a tad open, as the killer is given the chance of freedom, but they don’t respond.

Book Information:

Book Title: The Golden Spoon

Author: Jessa Maxwell

Summary:

“Every summer for the past ten years, six awe-struck bakers have descended on the grounds of Grafton, the leafy and imposing Vermont estate that is not only the filming site for “Bake Week” but also the childhood home of the show’s famous host, celebrated baker Betsy Martin.

The author of numerous best-selling cookbooks and hailed as “America’s Grandmother,” Betsy Martin isn’t as warm off-screen as on, although no one needs to know that but her. She has always demanded perfection, and gotten it with a smile, but this year something is off. Things go awry as the baking competition begins. At first, it’s merely sabotage—sugar replaced with salt, a burner turned too high—but when a body is discovered, everyone is a suspect.” (As pulled from GoodReads)

Book Length: 272 Pages.

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Cozy Mystery

Series: N / A

Spice Level ( If applicable): NA

Overall Rating: 5.5 / 10

Spoilers Bee-ware!

You have been swarmed. Reading past this post means that you understand that you might spoil the book for yourself.

Stats + Facts:

The Golden Spoon is divided between the seven characters.

Stella and Pradyumna have 11 chapters,
Betsy, hannah, and Lottie have 10 chapters,
Gerald has 7 chapters,
and Peter left with 2 chapters.

There are 2 murders.

Sabotage is used to clear out some contestants. Sugar and salt containers are switch around, orange zest is switch out with gasoline, and burners are turned back on.

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