New Book Review: Black Forest Cake Murder

Title: Black Forest Cake Murder

Author: Karen McSpade

Date: 25 November 2025 

Quote: "I want to make sure I don't miss anything important when preparing for the food critic's visit."

Veronica the food critic is so influential, the Sinclair Sisters really want to impress her. When she seems unimpressed by the selection they have in their bakery, they beg her to come back and sample the Black Forest cake they're about to bake fresh, just for her. Veronica agrees to do that. But before she can try the cake, she's found bludgeoned to death in an alley. With what appears to be Mr. Sinclair's souvenir rolling pin.

Funnily enough, the other baker in town bought a similar souvenir rolling pin. To the sisters' surprise, their father and the other baker have been in competition all their lives; their rivalry developed a bitter quality when their mother chose their father over the other baker. But would the other baker really commit a murder and try to blame their father? 

Noelle, the oldest sister, takes responsibility for Veronica's visit and for finding out whodunit. Holly, the middle sister, does more of the leg work because she's in love with police detective Chad, though it has to be said that Chad seems unappreciative, unromantic, and unobservant in this book; I'm not convinced he's good enough for Holly. Joy, the youngest, is really waiting for readers to vote for this sequel to become Book 2 of a long series, though she contributes her bit to solving the murder. 

If you liked this family in Christmas Cakes and Crooks, you'll probably vote for a full-length series, and you'll probably enjoy Book 2. 

As a bonus readers get a recipe for a modern, lower-calorie Black Forest cake. It can be done as a traditional two-layer cake with extra layers of fillings and frostings, but traditionally Black Forest cake is in the torte or stack-cake family, with four thin layers separated by different combinations of whipped cream, cherries, and chocolate. Whatever. The recipe will not make enough for four thick layers as shown on the cover of the book. Two thick or four thin. Anyone who likes cake will probably enjoy it.