3.7 Stars

Mimi, aka Mira Mackson, is an eleven-year-old with an immense love for baking. With three talented older siblings and parents with flourishing careers, Mimi considers herself someone in the shadows with no real talents except baking. She dreams of becoming a world-famous chef like her idol Puffy Fay from the same small town, Comity. 

When she comes across a baking contest for kids hosted by a new café in the town, Mimi knows this is her chance to prove her worth. However, she soon realizes things aren’t easy. Somehow, her baked goods are making her family act strange every day. Can her mysterious new friend from the woods help make everything right? What does Mimi learn from the entire fiasco?  

The story comes in Mimi’s first-person POV. 

What’s not to like when a book has an Indian rep, delicious food, humor, smart kids, and a good dose of magic? 

This book is a treat for foodies, especially if you like baked goods and Indian food (not the standard naan-and-curry template). It is sure to make your mouth water and go hungry again. 

The author uses her Indianness to bring the right touch of desi flavor to the story but keeps it relevant for Western readers. This works well for the plot. The same extends to some of Mimi’s creations. She uses the flavors from Indian sweets like Kulfi and Kesari Baath (halwa). This reminded me of Twist of Taste by Chef Vikas Khanna (which I didn’t enjoy much as his twists were too complex for my liking). 

It helps that the author is a baker. We get a mini version of the recipes in the story along with three recipes at the end of the book (always a bonus, even if I don’t try them). 

I read the summary before I began the book. That was enough to understand the context and how deftly the author used the plot devices and tropes in this retelling. Of course, the book works as a standalone. 

Music and dance are also a part of the plot, though music has a greater role. The idea of using a family song is a wonderful touch. We have one, too, which my dad sang when I was a kid. 

The ending goes the Shakespeare way, as in quite OTT and dramatic. However, it should work well for the target audience. 

Oh, there are a few illustrations as well similar to the cover design. A good touch! 

To summarize, Midsummer's Mayhem is an entertaining read with important lessons/ themes about family, self-worth, and being a good person. And not to forget… food.