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Table of Contents
About the Book
A girl from a family of bakers discovers she has a talent for solving mysteries in this “deliciously sweet” (Kirkus Reviews) first book in a mischief-filled, highly illustrated middle grade whodunit series perfect for the fans of The Great British Bake Off and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library.
Cinnamon Crumb is better at burning cakes than baking them. Her family’s bakery, once the pride of the town of Marzipan, is now a scraggly slice of icing squished between two pastry powerhouses: Victoria Sponge’s Tea Emporium and Madeleine Macaron’s Mouthwatering Delights. And Cinnamon certainly isn’t the baker to change that.
But when a suspicious request lands her in the town’s legendary baking competition, Cinnamon finds herself at the center of a nefarious plot. Someone might be cheating to win this year’s Twelve-Tiered Crown—and Cinnamon’s been roped into finding out who. With her best friend Rafi, she’s soon sneaking through patisserie kitchens and unearthing more than a few secrets. Can Cinnamon crack the case, rise to the occasion, and prove that even the crumbliest underdog has what it takes to win?
Cinnamon Crumb is better at burning cakes than baking them. Her family’s bakery, once the pride of the town of Marzipan, is now a scraggly slice of icing squished between two pastry powerhouses: Victoria Sponge’s Tea Emporium and Madeleine Macaron’s Mouthwatering Delights. And Cinnamon certainly isn’t the baker to change that.
But when a suspicious request lands her in the town’s legendary baking competition, Cinnamon finds herself at the center of a nefarious plot. Someone might be cheating to win this year’s Twelve-Tiered Crown—and Cinnamon’s been roped into finding out who. With her best friend Rafi, she’s soon sneaking through patisserie kitchens and unearthing more than a few secrets. Can Cinnamon crack the case, rise to the occasion, and prove that even the crumbliest underdog has what it takes to win?
About the Illustrator
Harry Woodgate is an award-winning author and illustrator whose debut picture book, Granddad’s Camper, won the British Book Award for Children’s Illustrated Book and the Waterstones Children’s Prize for Best Illustrated Book and was a Stonewall Honor Book. When they’re not creating amazing books, Harry loves writing music, cycling, baking, and exploring independent coffee shops and bookstores.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (November 3, 2026)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9798347114375
- Grades: 3 - 7
- Ages: 8 - 12
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Raves and Reviews
In their series-starting middle grade debut, Woodgate (Grandad’s Camper) dishes up a cozy mystery caper that calls upon elements of The Great British Bake Off. [...] [Cinnamon] becomes embroiled in competing investigations after she’s separately recruited by bakery owners Victoria Sponge and Maddie Macaron. [...] Tension (and witty dessert wordplay) escalates and unsavory secrets about Marzipan and Cinn’s own family come to light over the course of parallel inquiries that boast clever antagonists and shocking twists. Delicious and whimsical b&w artwork, which depicts characters with varying skin tones, chronicles Cinn’s misadventures and sweet culinary experiences. The result is a unique and scrumptious whodunit.
– Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, 9/4/2026
A crew of baking sleuths must solve a confectionary caper before time runs out [...] The charming illustrations, conversational tone, and humorous wordplay will entertain readers. Cinnamon is admirably earnest in her investigations, and her interactions with adults paint her as savvy. [...] A deliciously sweet mystery.
– Kirkus Reviews, Septemeber 15th issue
In their series-starting middle grade debut, Woodgate (Grandad’s Camper) dishes up a cozy mystery caper that calls upon elements of The Great British Bake Off. [...] [Cinnamon] becomes embroiled in competing investigations after she’s separately recruited by bakery owners Victoria Sponge and Maddie Macaron. [...] Tension (and witty dessert wordplay) escalates and unsavory secrets about Marzipan and Cinn’s own family come to light over the course of parallel inquiries that boast clever antagonists and shocking twists. Delicious and whimsical b&w artwork, which depicts characters with varying skin tones, chronicles Cinn’s misadventures and sweet culinary experiences. The result is a unique and scrumptious whodunit.
– Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, 9/4/2026
A crew of baking sleuths must solve a confectionary caper before time runs out [...] The charming illustrations, conversational tone, and humorous wordplay will entertain readers. Cinnamon is admirably earnest in her investigations, and her interactions with adults paint her as savvy. [...] A deliciously sweet mystery.
– Kirkus Reviews, Septemeber 15th issue
Plucky and relatable, Cinnamon welcomes readers into her Wonka-esque world with chummy firstperson narration and a sprinkling of elevated vocabulary [...] Woodgate’s charming and highly
detailed illustrations imbue the cast and their community with energy and whimsy. A cozy
confection as comforting and satisfying as a favorite cookie. How can we make do with just one?
Happily, a second adventure is already on the way.
– Booklist, 10/7/26
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): The Great Cake Caper
Trade Paperback 9798347114375
