This novel is essentially six contestants are competing on a show that's very similar to the Great British Bakeoff, and we learn that each of the two hosts is problematic in his or her own way, and at 80% there is a murder. 

PROs
1. I liked this concept, as it let you get immersed in the world of the baking competition and actually going through a few rounds. If you're interested in that type of reality show, then you might appreciate following it in detail in this format, switching perspectives. 

2. Because the murder occurs at 80% into the book, that is a unique way to set up a mystery. 

3. I felt we got a good amount of backstory on most of the characters. 

CONs
1. Where's the murder??? The structure of the murder happening so late in the game was definitely unique as noted above (a + for novelty), but I can see murder traditionalists not liking twiddling their thumbs waiting for the murder. (I was fine with it, but I can see how others might be irritated.)

2. There's a lot of character backstory. It didn't irritate me (see the + above for backstory), but I can see it irritating some readers to have so much character-driven backstory without anyone being murdered. 

3. When the murder does finally happen, it's a race to the end. (It felt a little too fast for me.) 

While I thought this was a solid 4 star book, I can see why it's overall rating is closer to 3.5 stars.