Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Boxed Set Vol 1

I started this box set on a whim, expecting a lighthearted trifle—something to fill the hours between episodes of my favorite true-crime podcast. What I got was a delightfully chaotic romp through a town where everyone knows their neighbor’s business, and too often, that business ends in tragedy (or at least a very poorly timed run-in with a cake stand). Hollis McCarthy’s narration is the secret weapon here; she nails Lexy’s exasperated yet endearing tone, and her vocal range breathes life into the supporting cast, from the no-nonsense Hazel to the perpetually flustered Detective Rick. The pacing is brisk, with each mystery unfolding like a recipe—ingredients introduced, simmered with tension, and served with a twist. That said, Dobbs’ tendency to stretch metaphors thin (seriously, how many times can a character’s eyes be “as wide as saucers”?) occasionally trips up the flow. And while the humor lands most of the time, a few gags feel recycled from the author’s other series. Still, the production is clean, the pacing consistent, and the mysteries engaging enough to make me cancel my evening plans more than once. If you want cozy mysteries that prioritize wit over whodunit depth, this collection is a triple-chocolate cupcake—sweet, satisfying, and impossible to resist.