The Golden Spoon (Review)

I saw this book described as a combo of Clue and The Great British Bake Off, and my expectations were for a light kind of thriller that made you more hungry than scared — and boy were both of these things spot on.

The vibe

Book / Spoons / Bakeware set / Apron / Recipe box / Measuring spoons

The review

Every summer, six bakers are invited to celebrity baker Betsy Martin’s estate for one week of baking their hearts out for the chance to win a cookbook deal and the covetable Golden Spoon award. But, on this 10th season of the show, Betsy has the displeasure of having a co-host — Archie Morris, who’s good looks and charm are as present as his ferocity in the kitchen of his own cooking show.

The six bakers make it to Gafton and settle into the mansion, which is old and maze-like. They come from all different backgrounds — there’s a tech founder, a young diner pie baker, a former journalist, a burly craftsman, a neurotic scientist, and a friendly grandmother figure. As each of their stories unfold and they balance competition with new friendship, a storm brews on the ground. And then, a scream. A murder. And a decades-old mystery comes to light.

The Golden Spoon is going to now be a go-to rec for me for people who love a mystery without too much creep factor. I LOVED this book’s premise — and the execution did not disappoint!

It’s a short read with a lot of characters — the book swaps perspectives for each of the bakers. I loved the pace of the novel — it really flies by.

The audiobook has a full cast — which is usually one of my fave things! And the voice actors definitely brought the characters to life for me, but there were some narrators I just didn’t love, and ultimately I gravitated toward reading the physical book more.

Pre-order this one! It’s out March 7!