I’ve really enjoyed books by both Tracy Badua (Freddie vs. the Family Curse) and Alechia Dow (Just a Pinch of Magic), so when their publicist asked if I wanted to read their new co-authored book, the answer was absolutely yes. In this closed-building mystery, two best friends must work together to identify the criminal behind an attempted murder before one of them is unjustly blamed for it – or the would-be murderer strikes again.

The Cookie Crumbles
by Tracy Badua
& Alechia Dow

Quill Tree Books, 2024.

ISBN 9780063254589

PDF kindly sent by the publisher for review.

Laila and Lucy have been best friends since kindergarten. But 8th grade might be their last year at school together – unless they can both win scholarships to the prestigious nearby boarding school, Sunderland, which neither of their families can afford. Laila has won a spot at the Golden Cookie Competition the school is hosting, which offers the winner a full scholarship, while aspiring journalist Lucy is coming along to beef up her portfolio in hopes of winning a journalism scholarship.

The cast of characters: Laila, the only child of a struggling single Black mother. Lucy, from a large Filipino family. Rich white girl Philippa Willingsworth, “future debutante”. Cute plant-lover Micah Dae, who helps out in his parents’ Korean restaurant. Chemistry whiz and thrift-store fashionista Maeve Issawi. Green-eyed Jaden Parker, son of two indie filmmakers, who still holds a grudge against Laila for winning the pie competition they were last in together. Competition organizer Noah St. John, assistant to Chef Remi Boucre. Television personalties and judges Chef Remi Boucre, known for his cruelty towards aspiring chefs, and Chef Polly Rose, with a sweet Southern grandma personality.

The competition begins immediately, despite being cut off from the rest of the world by a storm. Then Chef Remi, who is refraining only from cursing, not from insulting the kids’ baking, collapses just after eating one of Laila’s cookies. Even though he has a heart condition, nearly all the other competitors are primed to blame Laila, the poorest of the kids there. The competition carries on – but Laila needs to clear her name, and Lucy sees the whole incident as the perfect showcase for her investigative journalism skills. Their friendship starts to crumble under the strain, even as they need each other more than ever. Everyone present (except for Lucy) has a reason to hold a grudge against the unlikeable Chef Remi. But would they really go so far as attempted murder?

The Cookie Crumbles is an appetizingly cozy mystery for the middle grade set, with the bonus of the rare-for-the age group actual attempted murder. Chef Remi is despicable and won’t be mourned, but his removal gives the story an edge of real danger. Meanwhile, the kids must balance the fact that they’re competitors against the need to cooperate to solve the mystery – and figure out how much they can trust the other adults there. There are rivalries, crushes, and confronting of prejudices. All of this in a setting almost entirely cut off from contact with the outside world and filled with descriptions of lots of luscious cookies. This is a story to savor!

For more middle grade mysteries, take a look at my post 12 Mysteries for Fans of Enola Holmes.