A Pinch of Poison: A Tasty Cozy Mysteries Culinary Story

The Sugar & Sage Mysteries, Book 1

A Pinch of Poison — A Tasty Culinary Cozy Mystery
Book 1 in The Sugar & Sage Mysteries

Welcome to Willowbrook, where the ovens are warm, the gossip is sweeter than buttercream, and one poisoned pie turns a beloved bakery into ground zero for a small-town scandal.

After trading her hectic city chef life for her grandmother’s quaint bakery, Maya Shepherd is determined to put Sugar & Sage back on the map—one flaky crust at a time. But during the town’s Pie & Pastry Contest, a celebrated judge collapses after sampling a pie linked to Maya’s kitchen. With whispers rising faster than yeast, Maya must clear her name before the bakery’s legacy—and her future—crumbles.

Armed with a vintage rolling pin, a knack for reading people, and a “flour fortune journal” of curious coincidences, Maya teams up with her logical best friend Nate Kim, savvy food blogger Sofia Rossi, and the long-suffering Officer Glen Hughes. As rival bakers, old feuds, and a suspicious herb garnish take center stage, Maya discovers that in Willowbrook, every sweet secret has a dash of danger.

• Charming small town vibes—string lights, bake-offs, and neighborly mischief.
• Clean, feel-good mystery—no gore, no profanity, just page-turning intrigue.
• Food you can taste—buttery crusts, warm spices, and cozy kitchen scenes.
• Recipes included—bake along with Peach Lattice Pie, Lemon–Sage Shortbread, and Cinnamon-Swirl Scones.
• Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander, Joanne Fluke, and Mia P. Manansala.

Why you’ll love it: a lovable amateur sleuth, witty banter, twisty but fair clues, and a heartwarming celebration of friendship, community, and second chances—all wrapped in a cozy culinary bow.

Start the series today and step into Sugar & Sage, where every mystery is served warm and every ending is deliciously satisfying.

The Sugar & Sage Mysteries • Book 1 — A delectable new culinary cozy series with real recipes inside.

Rambling and disjointed

This book feels like AI wrote it. There are so many inconsistencies. It is just a collection of scenes.