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Starred review from February 13, 2023
Byzantine chicanery seasoned with a dash of revenge greets six contestants gathered for Bake Week on the property of a crumbling Vermont manse, in Maxwell’s outstanding debut. Tantalizing backstage backstories include those of an ex-journalist from Brooklyn, a pie prodigy from Minnesota, a Bronx math teacher, a wealthy former CEO tech from Boston, a retired Rhode Island registered nurse, and a restorer of old buildings from New Hampshire. Hosting the competition’s 10th season is the heir to the manor, Betsy Martin, joined for the first time by an award-winning baker, Archie Morris, along with regular lead coordinator, Melanie Blair. Sabotage starts slow but early. A refrigerator door is left open; salt is replaced with sugar; a burner is turned up to high; gasoline replaces orange essence in a pie. By day three, it’s clear someone isn’t playing by the rules laid out in a “behemoth spiralbound packet.” Everything escalates to an extremely dark and stormy night (including a blackout), leading to startling revelations and a jaw-dropping confession. Sweet and savory turns deadly sour in this fast-paced, entertaining romp scheduled for a Hulu miniseries. Maxwell is off to a great start. Agent: Alexandra Machinist, ICM Partners.
June 10, 2024
Maxwell debuts with a light, traditional mystery set at Grafton Manor in rural Vermont. The mansion is home to a competitive-baking show filmed over the span of a week. The premise of the show, aptly titled Bake Week, dictates that six amateur-baker contestants live at Grafton Manor while filming, with one contestant being voted off each day until the winner is declared. In the opening scene, the manor's owner and the show's host, Betsy Martin, discovers a dead body in the show's tented kitchen. The story then flashes back to the first days of that season's filming, with behind-the-scenes sabotage, manipulative power-hungry staff, cohosts jockeying to be the star, and contestants snooping--all of which further complicate the question of whodunit. Character backstories are fleshed out and brought vibrantly to listeners through a talented ensemble of eight narrators; each gives voice to a different contestant, allowing listeners to become acquainted with their nuances and delectable secrets. VERDICT Enhanced by its grand setting, strong characters, and superb narration, this audio is a delight. With a Hulu limited series in the future, listeners won't want to pass this dish over.--Kym Goering
Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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