Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery

Baking is like art.

You can paint by the numbers following a reliable recipe

where measurements are exact and ingredients set in stone...

Oh!

No, it's not superstitious, it's...

Insurance.

You are absolutely right.

Or baking can be an adventure

where the Baker takes creative license

adding a completely new flavor, an innovative spice,

or replacing a key ingredient with an element of surprise.

The creative approach can lead to abject failure...

Or it can produce a signature masterpiece,

a confectionery delight,

a Picasso!

Moishe, you're in charge.

If anyone calls, you tell them that I've gone running.

Hey, Ron!

Morning, Hannah.

It happened again? Okay.

So, what time did you get home last night?

Sorry I'm late!

Okay, what's on the schedule this week?

So today, we have

three custom birthday cakes and two dozen cupcakes

for that cowboy-themed birthday party.

And Saturday is the Woodleys' party.

Malinda already dropped off the silver trays

that we're supposed to put the cookies on.

Fancy.

Yeah, the Woodleys love having that party every year

to thank us for making them so rich.

Are you going to the party?

Oh! No, I mean,

I have to get up so early the next day...

I don't have a date either.

Oh, can you get Betty's order ready?

Done.

I know I'm early, Hannah,

but I still have to stop at the pharmacy before work,

and you can't be late

when you work for a man like Max Turner.

Lisa's just getting your order together right now.

Everyone at the dairy counts on me

to bring in the morning treats.

Betty...

You've worked at the dairy for 15 years.

It couldn't run without you, and Max Turner knows that.

You're a dear.

Hannah, there's something I want to tell you.

I...

Here you go.

Oh, thank you.

Are you okay, Betty?

Uh...

I'm fine.

Cookies aren't on my new diet,

but I simply can't resist your chocolate chip crunchies.

One can't hurt, could it?

How's your new diet?

Oh, it's okay.

I only gained three pounds.

Gained?

Oh, that's not so bad.

The last diet I was on, I gained six.

Thanks.

Ron's here.

Thanks.

Morning, Hannah!

Hey, Ron!

How are you doing this fine day?

Well, I think Max should buy you a new truck.

It sounded like it was going to blow up.

Ah, she's still got a few good miles left in her.

Just as long as I go slow and avoid braking too hard,

she'll be just fine.

Sign there, sign there, sign there, and initial there.

You guys are so lucky.

I wish I had a close guy friend.

Well, we didn't start out as friends.

Oh, please.

Well, you ran over my foot with your bicycle.

That was first grade, and it was an accident.

I apologized,

and I gave her the apple out of my lunch box.

Well, that's sweet.

And it was the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

The girls are here.

The girls?

Just a few ladies

that get together every morning for coffee and...

To discuss the health and welfare of our community.

Gossips.

That is one way to put it.

I saw Claire Rogers

driving down my street this morning at 2:00 A.M.

And you know who else lives on my street?

The mayor.

And his wife is out of town visiting her sister.

People tend to have a favorite cookie,

one they choose above all others.

But I don't believe people choose the cookie.

I believe the cookie chooses the person.

Ladies?

Ooh!

Lovely lemon bars.

Lovely lemon bars...

I have ginger snaps for you.

Thank you.

And I brought something for you, Poppy.

Yeah, good dog.

She's so sweet.

And... angel kisses.

Thank you! My favorite.

Hannah, how do you remember our favorites?

It's my job to remember.

What are you girls talking about?

Oh, nothing.

Nothing in particular.

No, we are just making conversation.

Well, I know this community is very lucky

to have such wise, venerable women

looking out for us.

Oh!

Hello! The usual, please.

Hi!

I am putting in an order for an apple pie for tomorrow.

I'm going to have it baking in the oven

when I show Evelyn Simpson

what I've done with her living room.

She's going to love it. You have exquisite taste.

I know, but Evelyn loves monochrome.

Everything in her house has to match.

Pink drapes, pink furniture, pink carpets...

When I started,

it looked like an entire bottle of pepto-bismol

exploded in her living room.

But that's why she hired a professional decorator.

True, and it does look fabulous.

Subtle grays and browns and a touch of Tiffany blue.

It sounds exquisite.

Thank you.

My goodness, Andrea, how do you walk in those?

I'm a professional woman.

People expect a business woman

to make a certain statement.

What statement do these make?

Well, it doesn't matter.

You don't care what you look like.

That came out wrong.

I mean, you prefer comfort over style.

Hey, so, mother joined the romance novels club.

How many clubs does she need to join?

Doesn't matter.

If she's busy, then she's not trying to fix us.

That's true.

I should get going.

Am I going to see you tonight for dinner?

Of course! It's Monday.

See ya.

Hey, Hannah.

Oh, hey, bill.

Hey.

Andrea was just at the shop.

Yeah, I left before she woke up.

Hey, I saw you talking to Mr. Martin

early this morning.

Somebody knocked over his mailbox again.

He puts it up, and somebody knocks it back down.

Looks like someone drives by in a car,

leans out, knocks it over.

I'd look for someone with a good swing.

Makes sense.

Oh, by the way, those stolen bikes

were exactly where you thought they'd be.

They're being returned to their owners today.

Wonderful.

Yeah. Got to ask,

how did you know it was the new gardener?

I figured it had to be someone

with a big enough truck

that they could take all those bikes

off the street

without anyone noticing.

Huh.

Mmm.

I'll see you for dinner tonight.

There's Hannah! Hannah, yoo hoo!

Hi, mom.

You know all the ladies, right?

Sarah, Donna, Karen, my neighbor, Mrs. Rhodes.

It's really nice to see all of you.

What's on the agenda for today?

We're all reading romance novels.

Today, we're discussing the plot and the characters.

But you all have different books.

It doesn't seem to matter.

And the red hats?

Oh, well, the red hat ladies club

met just before the romance novels club,