Welcome to Havenwood, where the annual charity bake-off is simmering with tension… and murder.

Piper Pratt, owner of the cozy Stitch & Sip Cafe, hoped the biggest challenge of the Havenwood Bake-Off would be keeping the jittery contestants caffeinated. But when notoriously nasty celebrity judge Anton Le Chiffre is found dead—poisoned—in the VIP tent, Piper finds herself serving up more than just coffee.

With suspects as plentiful as sprinkles—from the publicly humiliated reigning champion baker to a quiet librarian with a decades-old grudge—Piper feels compelled to investigate. The official police seem focused, but Havenwood's secrets run deep. Teaming up with her quirky friends—a yarn-whisperer, a local history guru, and a meticulous engineer—Piper starts gathering clues infused with gossip, local lore, and maybe just a little too much caffeine.

Between pouring lattes and untangling cryptic clues involving misplaced water bottles and a single pink macaron, Piper must sift through motives and secrets. Can she unravel the deadly recipe before the killer serves up another victim right in her charming small town?

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and Jenn McKinlay, Batter Off Deadis the delightful first taste of the Crafty Cafe Mysteries series, blending crafts, coffee, and crime.