Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander

 Killing Me Souffle

Book Summary

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

Amidst the rocky beaches of the Oregon coast, Torte’s beloved Sterling and Stephanie have been hired to take over the aging restaurant at the cliffside Whaleshead Resort. They’re nervous about striking out on their own, but excited by the opportunity to put their own spin a new menu. From fresh fish caught the very same day to vegan options and handcrafted pastries, they’re buzzing with ideas. What’s even better is that Jules and the team from Torte have come out for opening weekend to cheer them on.

Despite some opening night jitters, the dinner is off with a bang. Guests and long-term residents of Whaleshead Resort are eager to taste the young couple’s creations. As the tickets begin to line up and guests pile in the front door, Jules and Carlos offer to roll up their sleeves and help in any way they can.

Stephanie is taking on every chef’s nightmare—a fluffy chocolate soufflé—and Sterling is fast at work prepping shrimp linguini and pan-seared halibut when they suddenly hear screaming. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead and their new boss, has taken a fatal fall down the steep and dangerous cliffside trail leading to the beach. Jules and her young protégés quickly realize this was no accident. Now, the team will have to juggle the investigation while keeping the restaurant—and Steph and Sterling's new jobs—from crashing like the waves along the cliffs.

My Thoughts

Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander has Jules, Carlos, and Ramiro traveling to the Oregon coast for Sterling and Stephanie’s grand opening of the rejuvenated restaurant at the Whaleshead Resort.  I knew the opening would not go smoothly as soon as I learned about the nasty resort manager, Erik Morton.  It is a good thing that the Professor is on hand to assist the local detective with the investigation.  Of course, Jules and Lance (he can never miss a party) do a little probing on their own. Killing Me Souffle is easy to read.  We get to catch up with the gang from Torte as well as the Professor, Jules’s mother, Lance, Arlo, and Ramiro.  I liked that we get a change of scenery.  I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of the Oregon coast.   The mystery was straightforward.  I was able to identify the guilty party early in the story (it was so obvious). 

Killing Me Souffle lacked substance.  There was an excessive amount of repetition (Jules learns some information, repeats it to Lance, then to the Professor, and so on). Food preparation and food descriptions seem like filler (do we really need the details on how Jules prepares different desserts).   There is a special moment at the end that will delight fans of the series.  Killing Me Souffle is the twentieth A Bakeshop Mystery.  Background details are provided for readers who are new to the series.  Killing Me Souffle is an upbeat tale with a mean manager, delectable desserts, a disappearing receptionist, a curious crime, unsettling queasiness plus Lance has plans for romance.

Killing Me Souffle will be out on February 25 and you can preorder it from Amazon.  You can find the other nineteen A Bakeshop Mysteries here.  Check out Ellie Alexander's other cozy mysteries.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with Lethal Reunion by Lacey Baker.  I am off to meet with a contractor for an estimate on the insulation and vapor barrier for underneath the house.  The hurricane (and a tornado from the hurricane) ripped it away.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.