For September, we chose “The Great Witches Baking Show”. As it’s getting cooler, we are getting more excited about baking and we wanted to read a book that mirrored this enthusiasm. We also thought a mystery with witches was perfect as we approach spooky season. Some book club members were familiar (pun intended!) with Nancy Warren’s “Vampire Knitting Club” series and were eager to check out another of her supernatural cozies.
Book
The Great Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warren
Description:
A baker with secrets
Witches in trouble
The cameras are rolling
On your marks, get set, die!
Poppy Wilkinson is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant on The Great British Baking Contest. As an American with English roots, winning the crown as Britain’s Best Baker would open doors she’s dreamed of. In more ways than one. Appearing on the reality show is her chance to get into Broomewode Hall and uncover the secrets of her past.
But strange things are happening on the show’s set: accusations of sabotage, a mysterious death, suspiciously unsociable residents at Broomewode Hall—and the judges can be real witches. There are murmurs that Broomewode is an energy vortex. It certainly makes Poppy see and do things that aren’t exactly normal, and seems to draw interesting characters to the neighborhood.
When a fellow contestant dies in mysterious circumstances, Poppy has more to worry about than burned pies and cakes that won’t rise. There’s a murderer on the loose and it’s up to Poppy and her new friends to solve the crime before it becomes a real show-stopper.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Warren, this delicious series of cozy paranormal mysteries will have you guessing until the end. Includes recipes.
Club
Snack suggestions:
This one is easy! Desserts are definitely the way to go for a magical mystery set at a baking competition. The author includes a recipe for the tarte au citron. You could also attempt to replicate any of the themed cakes or British treats described in the book. (Poppy’s pomegranate cake also sounds superb!) Falling back on a favorite dessert treat could also be delicious.
In order to balance all the sweets, we also had some salads and roasted vegetables as our meal.
Since this takes place in England, it’s also an excellent time to add some tea to the table’s spread.
Try your hand at the Tarte Au Citron described in the book! The author included a recipe for Poppy’s version of the dessert.
You could also bake or purchase any version of a lemon tart to stay on theme.
Check out Cozy Crimes’ book club questions that can be used for any mystery.
Here are our questions targeted to The Great Witches Baking Show:
1. How did magic play a role in this mystery? What did Poppy learn about witches and about herself from this experience?
2. Did you guess who the victim would be? Did you deduce who the killer was?
3. How did Poppy’s ability to see ghosts influence the story? Were you surprised by who appeared?
4. How familiar were you with the baking show this pays homage to? Did that affect your reading?
5. Which baking contestant was your favorite? Who do you think will win?
6. How did baking influence the story, both in Poppy’s past and as the show setting for this book? Have you ever cooked any of the desserts described in the book?
7. What did you think of the mystery of Poppy’s parents? Do you have any guesses about what the answer is?
8. What did you think of Gateau’s appearance?
9. What subplots were you most interested in? How do you think this will play out across the series? Will you read more in the series?
10. How does this compare to other cozy, supernatural, or culinary mysteries you have read?
Optional Activity:
Why not do your own version of a baking contest with your friends?
Everyone can bake and create their own dish and bring it to the book club. Then, everyone can enjoy eating it!
If you’d like it to be a contest, you can select a judge (like Elspeth Peach) to pick their favorite. You also have categories or superlatives so everyone gets a prize! Examples are “Best Decorated”, “Best Story Behind the Recipe”, and “Most Likely to Ruin My Diet!”
If you don’t want it to be a contest, you can simply enjoy the sweet potluck with your friends as you discuss the book’s mystery.
