Announcement and Cover Reveal for DEATH BY CHRISTMAS CAKE 🎄🔪

Datura Books acquires Nicole Glover’s Death by Christmas Cake, a cosy crime for fans of The Great British Bake-Off and Mistletoe Manor.

We are thrilled to have Nicole Glover – the Webster Award-winning author of The Improvisers – join the roster with Death by Christmas Cake. 

Equal parts mystery and delicious Christmas food, not only does this title have a fabulous cover that screams seasonal murder, but it also includes festive recipes for those wanting to truly immerse themselves in the story through Christmas baking.

Come for the murder, stay for the festive hijinks!

Death by Christmas Cake publishes on 3 November 2026

RIGHTS: Editorial Director Ella Chappell bought WEL in physical, ebook, and audio from Jennie Goloboy of Donald Maass Literary Agency

QUOTES:

Nicole Glover: “It’s not Christmas without a dash of murder and a mystery to solve.”

Ella Chappell: “I’m a keen baker as well as a lover of a great mystery – Nicole brings both in this witty, romantic and sparkling tale of baking rivals.”

Jennie Goloboy: “I’m so excited that Datura will be publishing Nicole’s debut contemporary mystery, with a fun Christmas setting!  Thanks to Ella Chappell and the rest of the Datura team!”

ABOUT NICOLE GLOVER:

Nicole Glover is the author of the acclaimed historical fantasy series, Murder and Magic. Her most recent book, The Starseekers, came out in January 2026 from Harper Voyager. Her books have received rave starred reviews for their unique blend of mystery, history, and fantasy and have been featured in NPR and local media, En Forme and the Virginian-Pilot. She’s been a Library Reads pick, made the Locus bestseller list, and most recently won The Webster Award. She lives and works in Virginia plotting her next fictional murder.

ABOUT DEATH BY CHRISTMAS CAKE:

Keisha Scott has been working with the legendary chef Shirleen Foster to update her classic cookbook, Season by Season, for its 50th anniversary. The festivities start with a dinner party highlighting the 12 Christmas Cakes that made Shirleen famous. It’s all of Keisha’s dreams come true, but before the night is over, things will go horribly wrong…

Shirleen’s former-collaborator-turned-rival, Ruby Walton, arrives at the party and accuses Shirleen of stealing her recipes. The two have an argument, and when Ruby is found dead a short while later, the police have all the evidence needed to arrest Shirleen as the top suspect.

Keisha is less convinced, however. Inspired by her passion for true crime podcasts, she sets out on a mission to prove her boss’s innocence. Fortunately, she’s not alone. Virgil Sullivan, Shirleen’s nephew and a podcast host, is just as eager to clear his aunt’s name, and agrees to help, even though his motives may be less than pure.

Together the unlikely duo will seek out answers to unravel the mystery and catch a devious culprit before the trail goes cold.

With a dash of murder, a sprinkle of amateur sleuthing, and a cup full of Christmas spirit, Death by Christmas Cake is a must-read for cosy crime and Christmas lovers alike.