Title:	Fondant Fumble
	Author:	Jenn McKinlay
	Published:	June 4, 2024, Berkley
	No. of Pages:	271
	Cover Price:	$10.00 Mass Market Paperback, $9.99 Kindle,

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Fans of Jenn McKinlay’s Cupcake Bakery mysteries will want to immediately pick up the 16th installment in the series, Fondant Fumble. Keogh Graham and Tyler Matthews, best friends and star football players, for the local NFL team, the Arizona Scorpions, are looking into early retirement and wanting to open a Fairy Tale Cupcakes franchise from protagonist, Mel, and are learning the business from her during the off season. There are some who are furious that the athletes are baking cupcakes, including the team’s owner, who is found dead in their new bakery. Keogh and Tyler are the prime murder suspects, and Mel is sure they are not guilty. She investigates and with the help of her friends, works to find the real killer.

Anyone who has read McKinlay’s cozies knows that this series is well-written and is an easy, fast read. McKinlay does an excellent job of developing her characters, and they seem real, and not unlike people most of us are acquainted with. Most of the sub characters in this novel are very likeable, with the exception of the team’s owner and his new wife who is Keogh’s ex-girlfriend. Their negative traits play an integral part in the plot.

All told, this installment is a fun read. It is a nice addition to the series, and most readers will want to go back and read the previous novels. One bonus is that there are mouthwatering recipes included.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.