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Great Witches Baking Show #5.5
Gingerdead House
Christmas Charity Contest leads to Murder!
Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson agrees to be a celebrity contestant in a charity gingerbread house competition in Bath, England. She can support a good cause while promoting the long running TV reality show in which she’s a contestant—The Great British Baking Contest.
However, beneath the gingerbread walls and behind the lollipop trees swirl bad feelings, jealousy and murder.
Good thing Poppy is also a witch and a talented amateur sleuth. This stand alone holiday whodunnit is part of the Great Witches Baking Show series. It features witches, a friendly ghost and a feline familiar. There's no sex, swearing or gore, just good, clean murderous fun!
Amateur baker Poppy Wilkinson agrees to be a celebrity contestant in a charity gingerbread house competition in Bath, England. She can support a good cause while promoting the long running TV reality show in which she’s a contestant—The Great British Baking Contest.
However, beneath the gingerbread walls and behind the lollipop trees swirl bad feelings, jealousy and murder.
Good thing Poppy is also a witch and a talented amateur sleuth. This stand alone holiday whodunnit is part of the Great Witches Baking Show series. It features witches, a friendly ghost and a feline familiar. There's no sex, swearing or gore, just good, clean murderous fun!
Audiobook
First published November 2, 2020
About the author
Nancy Warren
320 books1,714 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 52 reviews
June 11, 2021
This book gives me hope that the series will continue once the baking competition is over as this shows how Poppy could carry on the baking contestant theme while expanding her life outside of competition in the tent. I love that we got to spend time at her cottage as well as follow her into Bath to expand her world a bit. Could there be a romance in her future? It certainly seems that there is an interested gentleman! Never fear my murderous friends, Poppy once again discovers a dead body and is caught up in the drama of figuring out who did it in this book as well! Great characters, wonderful setting and fantastic plot to entertain and delight! I can't wait to read what happens next!
March 14, 2023
This was a light but fun filled installment in this series.
January 9, 2024
This book was published between books five and six, and is supposed to take place between books five and six, but there are so many glaring errors in the timeframe of that! First of all, the baking competition takes place during spring and summer and this is a Christmas book that takes place in November! And, there are things in this book that haven’t happened even by the end of the book 8, like Gina knowing that Poppy is a witch! When the heck was that supposed to have happened?! And I know that it can’t take place after the end of the series, because there is a character mentioned in this book that… isn’t there anymore. So, I’m just very confused as to what, why, and how the events in this book have gotten all mangled. It’s like the author wanted to tell a Christmas story but, for some reason, couldn’t tell it after the end of the series. While the writing style is still nice to read, the story timeline left me scratching my head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2022
This was a very quick read read. Poppy is participating in a Gingerbread House competition when a fellow competitor is murdered. A ghost leads her to the body of the victim and she has to figure out who killed him. Along with Benedict, she does a little sleuthing to uncover the murderer.
December 1, 2023
A cute and quick read. This is from a series so I jumped in blind but it was mostly easy to keep up.
August 4, 2024
nice cozy
It was fun following Poppy's exploits in a different setting. Beautiful description of the town make you feel like you’re there! Fun read!
It was fun following Poppy's exploits in a different setting. Beautiful description of the town make you feel like you’re there! Fun read!
May 14, 2021
4.5 stars
This is a novella in the Great Witches Baking Show series by Nancy Warren.
I am not sure how I missed reading this little gem on my marathon of the Great Witches Baking Show series. It comes right after book five: “Blood, Sweat and Tears.”
A lot of the extra characters are cut out of this story to make it a super fast read. It is all about a gingerbread house baking contest and it pits local favorites against Poppy. One of the contestants gets axed and it is a race to finish their houses and solve the murder before the buttercream melts.
Just a fun addition to the series that I think everyone will enjoy.
Definitely pick this up if you are a paranormal magical cozy mystery lover.
Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
This is a novella in the Great Witches Baking Show series by Nancy Warren.
I am not sure how I missed reading this little gem on my marathon of the Great Witches Baking Show series. It comes right after book five: “Blood, Sweat and Tears.”
A lot of the extra characters are cut out of this story to make it a super fast read. It is all about a gingerbread house baking contest and it pits local favorites against Poppy. One of the contestants gets axed and it is a race to finish their houses and solve the murder before the buttercream melts.
Just a fun addition to the series that I think everyone will enjoy.
Definitely pick this up if you are a paranormal magical cozy mystery lover.
Read this book for free via my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
March 11, 2022
Cute but…
I really wanted to see what was next for Poppy and Ben and this story somehow, even though it’s Christmas time, took place before the series ended, which is set during Spring… Anyway, I would have just rather had a story that took place after the show finished shooting and all the action went down b/c I want to see how Poppy is getting along in her new life. Sad trombone.
I really wanted to see what was next for Poppy and Ben and this story somehow, even though it’s Christmas time, took place before the series ended, which is set during Spring… Anyway, I would have just rather had a story that took place after the show finished shooting and all the action went down b/c I want to see how Poppy is getting along in her new life. Sad trombone.
August 30, 2021
This was a cute short story in the series. This time Poppy isn't at the baking contest, but has been asked to be a celebrity contestant in a gingerbread house competition in Bath. While we didn't see most of the usual cast of characters, I enjoyed meeting a different group of competitors. I also liked the appearance toward the end of one of the regular characters, and hope the development that occurred continues. Finally, I'd love to see more of a couple of the charming new characters we met in Bath.
October 3, 2022
I read this one out of order, but it's just as good. These holiday books in the series are short, quick reads, so the stories aren't as well developed as the others but are still enjoyable reads.
October 9, 2023
Kinda wish I read this before I finished the series. Takes place before book 6. but its cute.
March 3, 2023
A Bit Confused
So I read all 9 books of the main series over the last few days & absolutely adored them. They all earned 5 stars from & I hope there will be more in the future because I’ve grown so fond of Poppy & the rest of her coven. I was very excited to read this book assuming it would be nice little update on the characters since this book takes place around Christmas & the rest of the series takes place in the spring & summer. And yet somehow instead of taking place after the events of the other books this one takes place somewhere in the middle despite being set months afterwards. It makes no sense! Upon further research I learned that this book did come out before the last of the main series BUT the timelines within the books still don’t match up. It’s such a bummer to go from enjoying such a wonderfully engrossing story to then get to this novella & being completely baffled as to what’s going on. Now if you’re reading this just as a stand alone cozy Christmas book it’s still very good for the most part, but when comparing it to the rest of a beloved series it just doesn’t fit in & will let you down.
So I read all 9 books of the main series over the last few days & absolutely adored them. They all earned 5 stars from & I hope there will be more in the future because I’ve grown so fond of Poppy & the rest of her coven. I was very excited to read this book assuming it would be nice little update on the characters since this book takes place around Christmas & the rest of the series takes place in the spring & summer. And yet somehow instead of taking place after the events of the other books this one takes place somewhere in the middle despite being set months afterwards. It makes no sense! Upon further research I learned that this book did come out before the last of the main series BUT the timelines within the books still don’t match up. It’s such a bummer to go from enjoying such a wonderfully engrossing story to then get to this novella & being completely baffled as to what’s going on. Now if you’re reading this just as a stand alone cozy Christmas book it’s still very good for the most part, but when comparing it to the rest of a beloved series it just doesn’t fit in & will let you down.
May 24, 2021
Oddly out of sync with the series..
It seems odd to have gone from summer to Christmas short without completing the rest of the series.. it makes little sense as there's no winner yet and I can't imagine that the next one in the series will resume with a January episode.. all a bit weirdly random.
I'm not as keen on the short stories in any of the series Warren has written.. they are either too obvious or there's a sudden jump to a conclusion without any real clues. The characters in this were lacking somewhat and a bit two dimensional.. also there was a bit of a conflict between the last novel and this as Poppy has accepted a job at the inn as baker and pastry chef.. would that not make her ineligible for the competition as a professional?? Plot hole!!
It seems odd to have gone from summer to Christmas short without completing the rest of the series.. it makes little sense as there's no winner yet and I can't imagine that the next one in the series will resume with a January episode.. all a bit weirdly random.
I'm not as keen on the short stories in any of the series Warren has written.. they are either too obvious or there's a sudden jump to a conclusion without any real clues. The characters in this were lacking somewhat and a bit two dimensional.. also there was a bit of a conflict between the last novel and this as Poppy has accepted a job at the inn as baker and pastry chef.. would that not make her ineligible for the competition as a professional?? Plot hole!!
March 14, 2021
Another competition for Poppy
This time for charity.
Yet ghosts and murder still find our Poppy.
Add in a rascally dog and a budding romance with a couple of other contestants.
And a surprise appearance by another familiar face proves pivotal in solving the case.
Fun story.
This time for charity.
Yet ghosts and murder still find our Poppy.
Add in a rascally dog and a budding romance with a couple of other contestants.
And a surprise appearance by another familiar face proves pivotal in solving the case.
Fun story.
March 29, 2024
It's fine and all but the last book was in June. This one is in December and then the following book is back in the summer during the competition? Very confusing.
February 1, 2023
Initially, I gave this 5 stars, but as I progressed through the series, I realized this book has to be set after the competition ends, which means it doesn't fit in with the rest of the timeline. :/
October 3, 2024
Nancy Warren's Gingerdead House is a delightful holiday cozy mystery, perfect for fans of culinary whodunnits and heartwarming holiday reads. The book introduces readers to the charming character of Maddie, who finds herself entangled in a Christmas mystery after a dead body is discovered in the local gingerbread house competition. Warren masterfully balances lighthearted moments with a well-paced mystery that keeps readers guessing, making this an engaging and entertaining read.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its festive atmosphere. The vivid descriptions of holiday decorations, gingerbread houses, and Christmas treats bring the holiday spirit to life, immersing readers in a cozy, small-town setting. The author’s use of food and baking adds a fun and creative twist to the murder mystery genre, making it feel unique while maintaining the traditional elements of a cozy mystery.
The characters are likable and relatable, especially Maddie, who is both witty and resourceful. The supporting cast, from the quirky town residents to the potential suspects, adds layers of intrigue and humor to the story. Warren does an excellent job developing their personalities, making them feel like people you might encounter in a real small town.
However, while the mystery itself is engaging, the pacing slows down at times, especially in the middle of the book. Some clues feel a bit too conveniently placed, which can take away from the suspense for more seasoned mystery readers. Nonetheless, the story picks up again toward the end, with a satisfying conclusion that ties up all loose ends.
Overall, Gingerdead House is a delightful and charming cozy mystery, perfect for a winter afternoon by the fire. Warren’s blend of mystery, humor, and holiday cheer makes this book an enjoyable escape into a world of sugar, spice, and everything nice—minus the murder, of course.
One of the standout aspects of the book is its festive atmosphere. The vivid descriptions of holiday decorations, gingerbread houses, and Christmas treats bring the holiday spirit to life, immersing readers in a cozy, small-town setting. The author’s use of food and baking adds a fun and creative twist to the murder mystery genre, making it feel unique while maintaining the traditional elements of a cozy mystery.
The characters are likable and relatable, especially Maddie, who is both witty and resourceful. The supporting cast, from the quirky town residents to the potential suspects, adds layers of intrigue and humor to the story. Warren does an excellent job developing their personalities, making them feel like people you might encounter in a real small town.
However, while the mystery itself is engaging, the pacing slows down at times, especially in the middle of the book. Some clues feel a bit too conveniently placed, which can take away from the suspense for more seasoned mystery readers. Nonetheless, the story picks up again toward the end, with a satisfying conclusion that ties up all loose ends.
Overall, Gingerdead House is a delightful and charming cozy mystery, perfect for a winter afternoon by the fire. Warren’s blend of mystery, humor, and holiday cheer makes this book an enjoyable escape into a world of sugar, spice, and everything nice—minus the murder, of course.
November 27, 2022
GINGERDEAD HOUSE by Nancy Warren
A Great Witches Baking Show Novella
Being part of the Great British Baking Contest has made Poppy Wilkinson a bit of a celebrity. As such she's encouraged to participate in a charity event over the holidays. Thus Poppy finds herself in Bath, participating in a Gingerbread House competition. Thoughts of a more relaxing baking experience are dashed when Poppy finds a militant organizer, bad feelings among the contestants, and a possible cheater! When a fellow contestant winds up dead, Poppy will use her skills to not only complete her gingerbread construction, but uncover a murderer as well!
I love the Great British Bake Off, the Great Witches Bake Off, and Christmas so this standalone holiday whodunnit is perfect. It doesn't matter where in the series you are when you read this as there are no spoilers. Although it may help to have read the first one, even that isn't necessary to enjoy this novella. It's short, so you can easily read it in between your own bakes, or holiday busyness.
Despite it's brevity there's a full fledged mystery with great characters and fascinating descriptions of Bath and its historic buildings which become the theme of the competition. I loved meeting Catherine Palmer and the clever and adorable stray dog, both of whom make the story more meaningful and fun.
Heartwarming with plenty of laughs GINGERDEAD HOUSE makes a delightful holiday treat.
A Great Witches Baking Show Novella
Being part of the Great British Baking Contest has made Poppy Wilkinson a bit of a celebrity. As such she's encouraged to participate in a charity event over the holidays. Thus Poppy finds herself in Bath, participating in a Gingerbread House competition. Thoughts of a more relaxing baking experience are dashed when Poppy finds a militant organizer, bad feelings among the contestants, and a possible cheater! When a fellow contestant winds up dead, Poppy will use her skills to not only complete her gingerbread construction, but uncover a murderer as well!
I love the Great British Bake Off, the Great Witches Bake Off, and Christmas so this standalone holiday whodunnit is perfect. It doesn't matter where in the series you are when you read this as there are no spoilers. Although it may help to have read the first one, even that isn't necessary to enjoy this novella. It's short, so you can easily read it in between your own bakes, or holiday busyness.
Despite it's brevity there's a full fledged mystery with great characters and fascinating descriptions of Bath and its historic buildings which become the theme of the competition. I loved meeting Catherine Palmer and the clever and adorable stray dog, both of whom make the story more meaningful and fun.
Heartwarming with plenty of laughs GINGERDEAD HOUSE makes a delightful holiday treat.
September 29, 2024
Well, I guess Nancy asked herself what Scooby and the gang got up to heading into middle age.
Competitive gingerbread house building.
But when the gang's all here, you have to have a mystery, so the most repellent competitor in the competition is murdered. But on top of her excellent Bath famous-architecture-to-gingerbread skills, 30-something Sabrina (they call her Poppy, but you just know it's Sabrina the teenage witch going through her Nancy Drew phase), has an ear for mystery. The murderer would have gotten away with it, if not for that meddling witch.
By the way, Sabrina Poppy seems to have no concept that all magic comes with a price. She uses magic for the most mundane of tasks that could have been accomplished by extremely ordinary means. This is that sort of book. Aside from the gingerbread house making, everything is as low effort as humanly possible.
Competitive gingerbread house building.
But when the gang's all here, you have to have a mystery, so the most repellent competitor in the competition is murdered. But on top of her excellent Bath famous-architecture-to-gingerbread skills, 30-something Sabrina (they call her Poppy, but you just know it's Sabrina the teenage witch going through her Nancy Drew phase), has an ear for mystery. The murderer would have gotten away with it, if not for that meddling witch.
By the way, Sabrina Poppy seems to have no concept that all magic comes with a price. She uses magic for the most mundane of tasks that could have been accomplished by extremely ordinary means. This is that sort of book. Aside from the gingerbread house making, everything is as low effort as humanly possible.
June 17, 2023
I loved the series, but I hated this book.
1. The baking series ran in the spring, and this is Christmas. There is zero story continuity.
2. Gina never found out Poppy was a witch.
3. Poppy and Benedict should be a couple.
4. Poppy should be lady of the manor.
5. If this Christmas story predates her being on the show, then Benedict shouldn't even know her yet.
6. Why would he ever ask her to help him shop for his mother? His mother HATED Poppy.
7. This should have just been set after the series ended and given us a peek into Poppy's new life.
I was about to start the vampire series, but right now, I'm just really put out at how this made NO SENSE.
1. The baking series ran in the spring, and this is Christmas. There is zero story continuity.
2. Gina never found out Poppy was a witch.
3. Poppy and Benedict should be a couple.
4. Poppy should be lady of the manor.
5. If this Christmas story predates her being on the show, then Benedict shouldn't even know her yet.
6. Why would he ever ask her to help him shop for his mother? His mother HATED Poppy.
7. This should have just been set after the series ended and given us a peek into Poppy's new life.
I was about to start the vampire series, but right now, I'm just really put out at how this made NO SENSE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2021
Sweet
I am SO enjoying this series! It's unclear where this story fits in the reading order, but it's great to catch up with Poppy again. Moving the action away from the baking show is a good ploy to keep the series fresh. Poppy manages to find a pooch his fur-ever home, spark a potential love connection, and solve a murder while raising money for charity! This is a well-written, clean cozy with light paranormal elements.
I am SO enjoying this series! It's unclear where this story fits in the reading order, but it's great to catch up with Poppy again. Moving the action away from the baking show is a good ploy to keep the series fresh. Poppy manages to find a pooch his fur-ever home, spark a potential love connection, and solve a murder while raising money for charity! This is a well-written, clean cozy with light paranormal elements.
January 30, 2023
Although Christmas has long passed and the winter celebration is behind us, this short story from the Witches baking show captures the market light and smell of gingerbread with a dash of murder. Poppy is at a charity contest building a gingerbread house when death comes knocking. This quick read expands the world in the series and gives us a bit more of Benedict and Poppy. Although I never really pictured them together, after this I am.
May 13, 2021
Charity event
What a nice idea, for the bakers to do charity events around Christmas time. It not only gets them out into the public's eye, but they get to bake without the judging and possible ousting from the Great Baking Competition. Well written with some interesting plot twists.
What a nice idea, for the bakers to do charity events around Christmas time. It not only gets them out into the public's eye, but they get to bake without the judging and possible ousting from the Great Baking Competition. Well written with some interesting plot twists.
June 6, 2021
Another cozy story that makes you long for Christmas
I liked this book, because you can picture and sense every word. This is a break from the usual competition, with a couple of familiar characters included. I won't give away the ending, but it is worth the read if you are looking for a quick and cozy mystery.
I liked this book, because you can picture and sense every word. This is a break from the usual competition, with a couple of familiar characters included. I won't give away the ending, but it is worth the read if you are looking for a quick and cozy mystery.
March 4, 2024
I liked the story in and of itself and reading as 5.5 I would recommend it, but as a part of the series and if you read it after the 9th book, it irked me that Benedict was shopping for a Christmas gift for his mother after the events of the 9th book in the series... everything else continuity wise I could get over, but not that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2021
Poppy Wilkinson has entered a holiday-themed cooking competition. The competition is lively, until the previous year's winner is found dead in a storage room (Found by Poppy, of course.) The victim was almost universally disliked, but who had the motive to kill him?
February 27, 2021
Great story
A lovely short story, having read some of Nancy's Vampire knitting club books, I thought I'd give this series a go. It's a great read, well paced, lovely characters and a good story.
A lovely short story, having read some of Nancy's Vampire knitting club books, I thought I'd give this series a go. It's a great read, well paced, lovely characters and a good story.
March 11, 2021
Interesting
Don't you hate it when you know you know something important but can't remember what. The deceased certainly had a different way to cheat. But he was dumb enough to try it twice.
Don't you hate it when you know you know something important but can't remember what. The deceased certainly had a different way to cheat. But he was dumb enough to try it twice.
October 1, 2021
Delightful Story
A sweet aside to The Great Witches Baking Show cozy mystery series. Having read books 1 through 8, plus this delightful story, I'm very much looking forward to books 9 through ???!
A sweet aside to The Great Witches Baking Show cozy mystery series. Having read books 1 through 8, plus this delightful story, I'm very much looking forward to books 9 through ???!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 52 reviews