A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander

 A Smoking Bun

Book Summary

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!

The mountains are calling in Ashland, Oregon, where pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, Jules Capshaw, is baking up a bevy of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour. Ramiro’s family is visiting from Spain and Jules can’t wait to take them up to her beloved Mount A with its charming and rustic lodge, backcountry trails, and star-filled skies that stretch for miles. Their winter wonderland adventure is nothing short of magical and the merry party opts to return to the slope the next day for the Downhill Dummy.

The annual competition is a favorite amongst snow lovers. Contestants strap makeshift dummies to skis and send them hurling down a death-defying ski jump in hopes of catching big air. The team at Torte is in the mix this year with their own replica of a tiered cake and a baker who closely resembles their fearless leader. It’s a fun and festive atmosphere as dummies sail past the crowd to huge cheers and applause. Until one of the dummies takes a deadly detour and lands atop Fitz Baskin.

Fitz is a guide on the mountain and his icy dealings have made for frosty relationships with everyone he encounters. Suddenly there are more suspects than snowdrifts as Jules dives into the investigation. She unearths a web of secrets and motives that threaten to shake the rustic mountain lodge to its core. Can she catch the killer before they strike again, or will the truth be buried forever under fluffy layers of fresh snow?

My Thoughts

A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander is the eighteenth A Bakeshop Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  The story was not as easy to read as the others in the series.  We are introduced to a number of new characters plus there are the regular characters (hotel staff, Ramiro’s family, ski patrol, bakery staff, contest participants, townspeople).  It can be a challenge to keep them all straight.  I found the pacing to be languid (little action, but plenty of chatting and eating). 

Moonlight Snowshoe Tour

The mystery was uncomplicated.  The victim, of course, was not well liked.  You do not get to know any of the suspects very well.  The mystery is not at the forefront of the story.  A couple of details give away the killer’s identity.  I like that we get to learn about a few of the outdoor activities available around Ashland.  Jules arranged for the family to go on a midnight snowshoe trip on Mount Ashland (I bet the stars were beautiful) with a late-night feast.  They also went skiing.  Mount Ashland’s annual downhill dummy competition is certainly different.  As usual, there is plenty of baking, cooking, eating, and drinking wine. A Smoking Bun had a cheery ending.  There was a tidbit at end regarding the obnoxious Richard Lord that had me chuckling.  A Smoking Bun is a light, upbeat tale with a visiting family, a slain skier, a snug lodge, tasty pastries, downhill dummy competition, and sunny news. 

A Smoking Bun is available from Amazon*.  Sticks and Scones is the next A Bakeshop Mystery and it will published on August 20.  You can find the other A Bakeshop Mysteries here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with Miracles at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard.  It is the last book in the Promise Lodge series and Charlotte Hubbard's swan song.  I am off to organize one of my hall closets.  It has gotten to the point that I can barely close the door.  It is time to take everything out, sort through it, and put the items back in neatly.  Wish me luck!  I hope that you have a positive day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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