Daphne Martin has moved back to her home town to begin a new life after divorcing her abusive husband. Although such a difficult past has repercussions, Daphne is facing her challenges with resolve and optimism. She is enjoying the opportunity to get to know her niece and nephew, and perhaps even find some kind of common ground with her mother. Their relationship was greatly damaged during the turmoil of the trial involving Daphne's ex-husband. Daphne has determined to face her issues squarely, with as much courage as she can muster. Even when long buried details affecting those closest to her are revealed with the death of a neighbor, she holds it together and determines to find the truth, no matter the potential damage it may do to her memories of family.

Gayle Trent has woven in plenty of interesting details from the intricacies of cake decorating to the properties of the weapon that killed the victim. Her judicious use of red herrings kept me a bit off kilter as I tried to identify the culprit before the conclusion, making this a very fun read.

Although each character is fleshed out with his or her particularly quirky personality, none of them go over the top into bizarre land, and they all have a role, large or small, to play. MURDER TAKES THE CAKE is the first of the Daphne Martin Cake mysteries and a good, solid cozy. The details of cake decorating are handled well, slipped in without detracting from the story line. This re-release of the book (originally published in 2008)has added some new scenes as well an entirely new section, Daphne's Kitchen, with recipes and tips that pertain to the story.

Book Summary

Yodel Watson was dead. And some people blamed my spice cake.

When the meanest gossip in Brea Ridge dies mysteriously, suspicions turn to cake decorator Daphne Martin. But all Daphne did was deliver a spice cake with cream cheese frosting–and find Yodel’s body. Now Daphne’s got to help solve the murder and clear her good name. Problem is, her Virginia hometown is brimming with people who had good reason to kill Yodel, and Daphne’s whole family is among them.