Audiobook Quick Reviews

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell (2023)

For a decade, celebrity baker Betsy Martin has hosted a week-long, feel-good baking competition at her estate in Vermont.  This year is different, though - with a new co-host forced upon her, sabotage against the contestants, and finally, a murder.  What's happening in the tent?  This was a really fun audiobook to listen to.  The full cast recording brought each character to life, so even though there are a lot of people to keep track of, I never had a problem.  The only issue I had was that I took so long to listen to this that I forgot that the murder is teased right at the beginning.  Since the body isn't found until 80% through, I kind of forgot this was even going to be a murder mystery.  The identity of the killer was pretty obvious as well, so this aspect of the story wasn't the greatest.  But, I enjoyed meeting the contestants and learning about their motivations for applying to Bake Week.  One character in particular has such an intriguing backstory and history with Betsy herself.  The sabotage elements and other mysteries definitely gave this one a cozy vibe, and overall it was an easy and entertaining read.  4 stars

Never Coming Home by Kate Williams (2022)

Ten influencers are invited as the first guests at a remote but supposedly exclusive and luxury resort for the under-21 crowd, but almost as soon as they arrive, they realize something's not right - and when they start dying, one by one, the real terror begins.  I love a good little murder mystery, and this sounded interesting.  Each of the influencers, despite their popularity, is hiding a big secret, and it seems like someone has discovered them and is now punishing them.  Although we do get a little bit of background on each teen, the story moves so quickly that it's hard to get invested in anyone, especially when their gruesome murders are practically glossed over.  I thought the characters were a little cliche, and it's always hard for me to believe that such young people can be so famous and in-demand (people clamoring for a 16 year old YouTuber to open a restaurant, really?), simply through social media.  I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old!  The fast pace, though, does keep the tension high.  I was able to deduce the killer, though, and the ending will definitely leave you wanting more (not in a good way) and questioning, "But why?"  3 stars

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