Sprinkle with Murder

McKinlay (who writes decoupage mysteries as Lucy Lawrence) pens a tender cozy full of warm and likable characters and a refreshingly sympathetic murder victim. Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura have just opened their cupcake bakery, Fairy Tale Cupcakes, with financial help from their best friend, Tate Harper. It seems like a dream come true, with the exception of their resentful competition and the excessive demands of Tate’s vapid fiancée, fashion designer Christie Stevens. When Christie is found dead in her studio holding a sample wedding cupcake, the bakers become suspects. Melanie has faith the police will solve the case, but she’s less sure about the motives of Angie’s handsome DA brother, Joe, and concern for Tate and Christie’s family drives her to launch her own investigation. Readers will look forward to more of McKinlay’s tasty concoctions. (Mar.)