This book was on the sale shelf at the library. I didn't realize it was book 12 of a series when I picked it up. It can be read as a stand-alone, but I suspect I'd understand relationships between the characters more if I'd started the series at the beginning.

There are cupcake recipes included.

The glass art installation sounds amazing--I wish it had been a real piece that we could go see!

It's bittersweet that Oz is moving on--though that does open a new place for mysteries in the series to occur. I liked that Mel referred to it as a new chapter. It will be interesting to see if he succeeds (as Mel suspects he will) or if he ends up returning to his "baking home". It will be interesting to see who replaces him. It will also be interesting to see if Bernadette and Byron end up buying the art gallery and transforming it as was the rumor at the end of the book. ( )

I want to take a moment here to appreciate that the author had characters experience grief and regret throughout the story over the dead person. This is missing in most mysteries. ( )

Another gentle instalment in this ongoing series's love of cupcakes, murder and love. ( )

I love this series. I love Mel and Joe and even the brothers. This is a fun series and always enjoyable. In this installment, Mel finds herself mourning the loss of a friend, trying to make sense of the situation and trying to manage changes at the bakery. It was fun, bittersweet, and definitely worth a read.

I'm not quite sure how it came to be that I acquired the 12th novel in the "Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series" rather than purchasing the novels in series order as I do when I am aware of the series. But as it's the perfect time of year to enjoy all things pumpkin I selected "Pumpkin Spice Peril" from my "to-read" shelves. Perhaps it was the delicious cover! The cover did give the impression that I could help myself to a cupcake from the pretty tiered display or I would have even volunteered to select the one that fell off the tiered plate if either choice was a possibility.

I've been enjoying pumpkin muffins for breakfast lately but even though it's been several days since I finished reading the novel I'm still hungry for a pumpkin spice cupcake. Jenn McKinlay does very kindly provide several cupcake recipes at the end of the mystery for all those that love to bake. One thing is for certain Fairy Tale Cupcakes offers a delicious array of cupcake choices that are mouthwatering temptations. Each member of the cupcake crew brings their own expertise to the business and with their genuine friendship and camaraderie are also able to pitch in for one another to keep the day's agenda on track even when two (2) of them are in the midst of their sleuthing.

Jenn McKinlay has a special flair for creating delightful cozy mysteries with charming descriptions of the setting, wonderful entrepreneurs that are also adventurous amateur sleuths, interesting twists on the suspect list, and it's always fun to learn what the main characters are eating as whether they are hosting an event or treating themselves the word "delectable" will come to mind. ( )