Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander

Bake, Borrow, and Steal

 Book Summary

As the autumnal hues of November fall over the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, Jules and her team at Torte are working on their biggest event ever. They’ve been invited to create chocolate showpieces for the gala opening of a new exhibit, Shakespeare’s Lost Pages at SOMA. The museum, located on the campus of Southern Oregon University, is getting ready to unveil the Bard’s lost manuscript, Double Falsehood, which is being touted as the greatest artistic discovery of modern times. In addition to molding luscious, silky chocolate into magnificent structures, Torte will be serving an authentic Elizabethan feast straight from the pages of a sixteenth century cookbook featuring Lardy cakes, Frangipane tarts, and jellies with chestnut cream.

Jules has underestimated the amount of work required to pull off such a culinary feat. She finds herself in the strange position of feeling frazzled and stressed as the day of the gala approaches. However, her team rallies around her and once the massive works of chocolate art are safely installed at the museum, she can finally let out a sigh of relief and revel in the excitement of the grand celebration. But her relief is short-lived. Right before the unveiling, news quickly begins to spread that Shakespeare’s lost manuscript is missing. Not only that, but the security guard tasked with keeping the priceless artifact safe has been killed. Is this a case of a heist gone terribly wrong? Or could it be that a killer is lurking in the museum archives?

My Thoughts

Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander has Jules Capshaw and the Torte team working to create Shakespearean treats for a gala.  SOMA will be hosting a new exhibit titled Shakespeare’s Lost Pages which will feature the Bard’s lost manuscript, Double Falsehood.  Jules is creating a stunning chocolate centerpiece for the event and Torte will provide treats authentic to the time period.  Just before the unveiling of Double Falsehood--it disappears, and the laidback security guard charged with safeguarding it is murdered.  The museum needed this exhibit, or it could cease to exist.  Jules and Lance set out to bag the villain who committed these dastardly deeds so the museum can regain its reputation and host a new unveiling.  Bake, Borrow, and Steal is the fourteenth A Bakeshop Mystery.  Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.  However, I recommend reading them in order so you can watch Jules come into her own and watch the other characters grow as well.  I like Ellie Alexander’s casual writing style.  It makes the story easy to read.  There is a great cast of characters that includes Jules, Carlos, Sterling, Thomas, The Professor, Andy, and so many more.  Torte has a great staff who create delectable delights.  Lance is an over-the-top character.  He adds humor to the story with his antics.  The mystery was well-plotted, but it was a cinch to solve.  I knew who would commit the crime before it occurred.  I also suspected where the lost manuscript was hidden.  I would like to see this author make the mysteries more complex.  I would love to be stumped. There is misdirection to send readers down the wrong snow-covered path.  It all wrapped up nicely at the end.  Bake, Borrow, and Steal has a sweet ending.  The detailed descriptions of Torte’s tempting treats will have you heading to your local bakery.  I enjoyed reading about the construction of the chocolate desk and chair.  It is not easy to make that type of item out of chocolate.  Bake, Borrow, and Steal was an enjoyable cozy mystery to read.   I like seeing how the lives of the various characters have changed since the beginning as well as Torte.  The business continues to expand under Jules leadership.  Bake, Borrow, and Steal is a sweet story with scrumptious pastries, a missing manuscript, a chocolate conundrum, a security guard who is a goner, a zealous Lance, a bothersome board member, and a thoughtful Thanksgiving. 

Bake, Borrow, and Steal is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other thirteen A Bakeshop Mysteries here.  Meet Your Baker and A Batter of Life & Death (first two books in A Bakeshop Mysteries) are available on Kindle Unlimited.  Check out Ellie Alexander's A Sloane Kraus Mystery series (first two books available on Kindle Unlimited).   I appreciate you joining me today.  I will return on Monday with The War Girls of Goodwill House by Fenella J. Miller.   I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander

 Mocha, She Wrote

Book Summary

It is June which has tourists flocking to Ashland, Oregon for the Shakespeare Festival.  Additionally, the West Coast Barista Cup which is being held in their town this year.  Torte’s head barista, Andy has been selected to compete.  Unfortunately, Andy gets off to a rough start with his day ending on a bitter note when head judge, Benson Vargas is found dead.  Andy becomes a prime suspect which has Jules quickly donning her investigative cap.  Jules needs to discover who had the biggest motive to kill the antagonistic judge before Andy ends up serving brews at the local penitentiary.  

My Thoughts

Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander is the 13^th A Bakeshop Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  Mocha, She Wrote is a lighthearted culinary cozy mystery.  It contains good writing with appealing characters. It is the characters that make this series.  They are friendly and relatable.  I enjoy the descriptions of Ashland.  The writer paints a visual picture with her words.  There are mouthwatering food and coffee descriptions that will have you heading for your local bakery.  Information about coffee and the brewing process are included.  It is interesting learning about what goes into making a good cup of java.  The whodunit has a loathsome victim that a number of people wished dead.  Jules had to interview victims, wade through the clues, and brew up a killer.  I wish the mystery had been more of a challenge (it is my favorite part of cozy mysteries).  I could easily identify the guilty party early in the story. Jules has become a seasoned investigator so she can handle a more challenging whodunit.   The murder did not occur until a third of the way through the book.  I like that there is no bloodshed or foul language.  This type of cozy is perfect for summer.    Mocha, She Wrote is a merry cozy mystery with a vile victim, a cutthroat coffee competition, a potent potion, chilled ice cream, and a keen killer.

Mocha, She Wrote is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Bakeshop Mystery series here.  The next A Bakeshop Mystery is Bake, Borrow, and Steal which publishes December 28.  Ellie Alexander also writes A Sloane Krause Mystery series which has A Cure for What Ales You releasing October 5.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Draw and Order by Cheryl Hollon.  It is the 2nd A Paint and Shine Mystery.  I hope that you have a day filled with sweet treats (I have a hankering for chocolate).  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander

It is hard to believe it is the last day of June.  The month has gone by so quickly.  There are some great new books out today.  Some of the new releases are:  Game of Dog Bones by Laurien Berenson, A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber, Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day, Never An Amish Bride by Ophelia London, The Last Curtain Call by Julie Blackwell, A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund, Death on Windmill Way by Carrie Doyle, Witch Hunt by Cate Conte, His Pretend Amish Bride by Rachel J. Good, A Fatal Friction by Kaitlyn Dunnett, Murder in Waiting by Lynn Cahoon, Still Knife Painting by Cheryl Hollon, Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander, and An Appalachian Summer by Ann Gabhart.  Which of these books have you added to your TBR stack?

Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander has Jules Capshaw settling into her childhood home.  She is down in the basement sorting through boxes when she finds one holding newspaper clippings and a journal that belonged to her father, William.  That evening, Jules begins reading and learns that her father regretted getting involved in The Pastry Case with his friend, Doug (aka the Professor).  Before reading more of the journal, Jules consults with the Professor.  The Pastry Case occurred in March of 1988 on the opening night of the Cabaret.  Chuck Faraday was deliberately run down in front of the Cabaret with William and Doug as witnesses.  It bothered William that he was unable to help Doug arrest the culprit.  Jules decides to dig into the case to see if she can resolve it.  

Downton Ashland, Oregon

Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander is the 11^th A Bakeshop Mystery.  It can be read on its own if you are new to this culinary mystery series.  Juliet “Jules” Capshaw found her deceased father’s journal in a box in the basement.  She reads how he was conflicted about getting involved in The Pastry Case and decides to discuss it with Doug (aka Professor) who was her father’s best friend.  Ashland, Oregon is always a charming town to visit with Torte, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and its friendly residents (except Richard Lord).  I like the family feel inside Torte, among the staff, and the descriptions of the tasty treats they whip up.  Nothing Bundt Trouble is different from the other ten books in this series.  Roughly two-thirds of the book involves Doug and Jules sitting at a table in Torte reading William Capshaw’s journal.  Jules seems to go into a haze while they are reading.  She fails to notice the lively atmosphere of Torte with people coming in and out getting coffee and pastries.  The pacing is sluggish courtesy of the detailed journal entries and lack of action.  With all that William had going on in his life, I do not know how he found the time to write such lengthy, detailed entries (would you really write about the food people ate).  I missed the lightheartedness that is the norm for the books in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  When the story returns to the present Jules and Lance work to solve the case.  Chuck Faraday was not a well-liked man which provides some good suspects.  The whodunit can be solved easily before the reveal.   I did like getting to know more about William.  We also get to learn what Helen and Jules were like in 1988.  It seems that Jules was inquisitive even as a child.  The 1980s gives Jules inspiration for a fun party.  Nothing Bundt Trouble just missed the mark for me.  I look forward to reading Chilled to the Cone when it comes out later this year.  Nothing Bundt Trouble is a blast from the past cozy mystery with a discovered diary, fabulous sugar flowers, clashes at the Cabaret, decorating dilemmas, and a cold case.

Nothing Bundt Trouble can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find the other novels in A Bakeshop Mystery series here.  The next A Bakeshop Mystery is Chilled to the Cone which releases on December 29.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be back tomorrow as a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Sprinkling of Murder by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the debut of A Fairy Garden Mystery series.   I hope you have a joyful day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander

Good Day!  Read and Buried by Eva Gates, Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle and The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron come out October 15.  Snow Angels by Nadine Dorries releases October 17. It is the fifth novel in The Lovely Lane Series.  

Beyond a Reasonable Stout by Ellie Alexander welcomes us to Leavenworth, Washington.  Sloan Krause is enjoying the quiet of the town now that Oktoberfest has ended, but it is to be short lived.  City Councilman, Kristopher Cooper is running for re-election with a platform of turning Leavenworth into a dry town which would lead to a town without tourists.  The next day, Sloan enters April Ablin’s office to find Kristopher dead on the floor and April being arrested by Chief Meyers.  While Sloan is a not a fan of the town’s self-appointed ambassador, she knows that April needs her help.  Beyond a Reasonable Stout can be read alone for those new to A Sloan Krause Mystery series.  The story has Ellie Alexander’s casual writing style which makes the story easy to read.  Sloan is preparing for the next stage of her life now that she is divorcing Mac.  She has her job at Nitro with Garrett Strong where she gets a voice in creating new brews and now, she needs to decide where to live.  Sloan and Garrett are experimenting with new holiday brews and training Kat on their stock so she can handle barkeep duties.  The town is in an uproar over Kristopher Cooper and his plan to turn Leavenworth into a dry town.  Without the beer, the town will lose its tourists which doesn’t seem to faze Kristopher.  It is no surprise when Kristopher ends up murdered.  However, Sloan is shocked when April Ablin is arrested for the crime.  She knows that April did commit the crime and, reluctantly, Sloan sets out to prove it.  Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit long before the reveal.  I kept hoping for a twist because I thought the solution too simple.  There are multiple suspects since Kristopher managed to antagonize the majority of the town’s residents.  The mystery is nicely wrapped up at the end of the book.  The secondary mystery of Sloan’s birth parents began in Death on Tap and is still playing out.  Sloan is determined to find answers and she may have gotten her best clue yet.  I enjoy the descriptions of Leavenworth with its Bavarian style architecture, shops and food.  It reminds me of where I grew up (German Village in Columbus, Ohio).  A Sloan Krause Mystery series is a character focused series.  The characters and their lives are the main focus of the story.  They chat, eat and drink plenty of beer.  If you enjoy Ellie Alexander’s A Bakeshop Mystery series, you will like reading A Sloane Krause Mystery series (switch out pastry for beer).  Beyond a Reasonable Stout is a lighthearted cozy mystery with petty politics, brewing beer, wrestling with wallpaper, barkeep basics, nutty nutcrackers, and an aggrieved April.

A Reasonable Stout is available at Amazon (Amazon UK).  The other two stories in A Sloane Krause Mystery series are Death on Tap and The Pint of No Return.  Ellie Alexander also writes A Bakeshop Mystery series.  Thank you for joining me today.  I am sharing my review of Tilling the Truth by Julia Henry tomorrow.  It is the second A Garden Squad Mystery.  My review is in a different format today because of migraines.  This is what I submit to Amazon, Goodreads, etc.  I was not up to writing a separate book summary today.  I am hoping this is not a three day migraine which means a dark room and as little noise as possible in the house.  I am heading off to lay down.  I hope you have a soothing day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander

Happy Book Release Day!  Last Pen  Standing by Vivian Conroy, Here Comes Santa Paws by Laurien Berenson, New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard, Fudge Bites by Nancy Coco, Late Checkout by Carol J. Perry, Christmas Cow Bells by Mollie Cox Bryan, Murder in the First Edition by Lauren Elliott, The Skeleton Stuffs a Stocking by Leigh Perry, A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall, A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander plus An Amish Second Christmas by Shelley Shepard Gray,  Patricia Johns & Virginia Wise are some of the books that were released today.  Which book are you looking forward to reading first?

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander returns readers to Ashland, Oregon where the town is looking festive thanks to the lovely holiday decorations, snow on the ground and carolers in costume.  Jules Capshaw and the rest of the bakery staff are busily whipping up delectable desserts for Torte to satisfy the town’s visitors.  Lance, though, is not feeling the holiday spirit and Jules is determined to turn his frown upside down.  Jules and her mother, Helen have made reservations at the Winchester Inn for the staff holiday party where they will enjoy the Dickens Feast which consists of a six course meal, a bah humbug Scrooge, and Francine La Roux’s singing group—Nothing but Treble. The Torte staffers are enjoying their evening despite a troublesome guest at a nearby table.  But then the power goes out and when the lights are restored, they find a woman dead on the stairs. If everyone is to have a merry holiday, then Jules, with an excited Lance as her helpful elf, set out to gather evidence so the police can wrap up the investigation before Santa slides down the chimney.  Who will be enjoying their Christmas dinner in jail?

A Cup of Holiday Fear by Ellie Alexander is the tenth A Bakeshop Mystery.  The author provides the necessary background information for those new to the series.  We get a chance to enjoy the holidays with Jules, Helen, Professor, Lance, Thomas and the rest of the gang.  Ashland is beautifully decorated for the holidays and there are festive activities, carolers, and the smell of Torte’s tempting treats wafting through the air.  Lance is not feeling the spirit of the season which Jules intends to rectify.  She gets Lance to join the Torte staff at the Winchester Inn for the Dickens Feast where a nasty woman ends up dead after the house is plunged into darkness.  It turns out that a homicide is just what Lance needed to get him to enjoy the holiday season.  There are several suspects including the owners of the Winchester Inn, an employee, and their son.  Jules asks questions with Lance’s assistance and does a little snooping.  Readers will have no problem solving the case before the solution is revealed.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the holiday descriptions.  I could envision Ashland all decked out with snow falling, carolers singing and shoppers going from shop to shop.  Torte creates scrumptious goodies for the holidays which is described in detail.  I like that we get to catch up with the Torte staff (Andy, Marty, Bethany, Stephanie, Sterling) and enjoy the Dickens Feast (what a unique event—when there is not a murder).  I liked the focus on friends and family.  Jules and Helen made sure that no one would be alone during this special time of year. I found Jules comment about Richard Lord’s ugly Christmas sweater to be amusing (all of his attire left something to be desired).  It was nice to learn more about Lance in this book.  We find out why the holidays are not his favorite time of year.  I also enjoyed learning the history of the Winchester Inn and Jules parents.  A Cup of Holiday Fear will put you in the mood for Christmas with an ending will leave you smiling.  A Cup of Holiday Fear is a cheering cozy mystery with Christmas carolers, scrumptious sweets, original ornaments, horrific homicide, tree trimming and surprising secrets.

A Cup of Holiday Fear is available at Amazon (Amazon UK) plus other major booksellers.  For a complete list of A Bakeshop Mystery series, click here.  Ellie Alexander's next release is Beyond a Reasonable Stout which comes out on October 1.  It is the third A Sloane Krause Mystery.  Thank you for dropping by today.  I will return tomorrow with my review of Last Pen Standing by Vivian Conroy.  It is the debut of A Stationery Shop Mystery series.  May you have a joyous day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Live and Let Pie by Ellie Alexander

Happy New Year's Eve!  2018 has flown by so quickly for me.  I sincerely hope 2019 will be a better year for my mother and myself (we have had a rough year).  Do you make New Year's Resolutions and do you keep them?  I always had trouble keeping my resolutions. Murder, She Meowed by Liz Mugavero will be released on January 29 along with Dead as a Door Knocker by Diane Kelly.

Live and Let Pie by Ellie Alexander is the ninth A Bakeshop Mystery.  Jules Capshaw is busy running Torte and supervising the renovations.  With the shop expansion, it is time to hire some new employees.  Jules’ mother, Helen and her new husband have been house hunting.  Helen requests that Jules accompany her to look at a house on Emigrant Lake and they can then enjoy a picnic afterword.  Unfortunately, the picnic takes a backseat when two teenage girls discover a skeleton while diving.  George Mill went missing in the 1960s when the town of Klamath Junction was flooded for Emigrant Lake expansion, and now his body has finally been found.  Edgar Hannagan is selling his lot, and he has numerous interested parties including the owner of the Nightingale B&B and the director of the homeless council.  When Edgar is found murdered, Jules sets out to track down the killer.  She must work in her sleuthing in between the grand re-opening of Torte, two bickering employees, the 58 year old crime and her indecision regarding Carlos.  Jules dives into baking to avoid thinking about her marriage, and her delectable treats provide a handy excuse when visiting the people on her suspect list.  Come along to Ashland, Oregon for Shakespeare, friendly faces, tasty desserts and a touch of murder.

Live and Let Pie takes us back to Ashland, Oregon and Jules Capshaw.  She cannot wait for the renovations on Torte to be finished.  Jules is hiring three new employees who she hopes will fit in with the rest of her staff, but change can be difficult for people.  I like Ellie Alexander’s conversational writing style.  It makes for an easy, breezy book with steady pacing.  Baking is prominently featured in the story.  Creating and baking of pastry is described in detail (one example is a fluffernutter).  I find that it interrupts the flow of the story with so many baking breaks.  I wish the author would take the time to further develop the mystery instead. While Live and Let Pie is the ninth book in the series, it can be read alone.  The author summarizes what has happened to Jules so far for new readers.  Jules is still contemplating what to do about her marriage.  This has been going on for nine books and it is time for a decision to be made.  Personally, I am not a fan of the suave Carlos who is handsome and seems to charm everyone with his personality and cooking (too perfect).  I kept hoping Jules would ditch the chef for Thomas.  Jules also has a major decision to make regarding her living arrangements courtesy of a wonderful offer from the Professor and her mother (I do not know why she hesitated). I like the staff of Torte along with Helen, the Professor, Thomas and Lance.  Lance provides many humorous moments in Live and Let Pie.  One cannot help but laugh at Lance’s antics, and he does make the sleuthing more entertaining.  I enjoyed the descriptions of the finished Torte (though, I would not like going up and down those stairs). The two mysteries are not at the forefront of the book.  I do like how they tie together, but the solution was not surprising.  I would have preferred full closure on the mysteries instead of supposition.  I am giving Live and Let Pie 3.5 out of 5 stars.  There are recipes at the end of the book for those who wish to recreate some of Torte’s creations. 

Meet Your Baker is the first book in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  You can find the complete list of book in the series here on Amazon.  Ellie Alexander also writes A Sloan Krause Mystery series and A Rose City Mystery series as Kate Dyer-Seeley.  Thank you for joining me today.  I hope you have a safe and lively New Year's Eve.  I will feature Crewel and Unusual by Molly MacRae tomorrow.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

Till Death Do Us Tart: A Bakeshop Mystery

Good Day!  It is the last day of June.  2018 is flying by so quickly.  The Silver Ladies of London by Lesley Eames is out today.  Venture back to 1920s London is this historical novel.  Did you know that Ellie Alexander is Kate Dyer-Seeley?  She writes A Pacific Northwest Mystery series and A Rose City Mystery series.  Under Ellie Alexander she also writes A Sloane Krause Mystery series.

Till Death Do Us Tart by Ellie Alexander is the eighth tale in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  Jules Capshaw has a lot of on her plate.  She is busy planning a surprise wedding for her mother and the Professor.  Everyone in Ashland, Oregon is in on the surprise except the couple getting married.  The nuptials will take place Uva, the vineyard that Jules now owns shares in along with her estranged husband, Carlos (and the horrible Richard Lord).  Carlos will be arriving in Ashland along with his son, Romero in two days.  It is a Midsummer Night’s Dream wedding and guests have been asked to wear Elizabethan themed attire.  The renovations of Torte are still ongoing.  The downstairs will be complete within the week and then they can begin work upstairs.  As if that is not enough, Lance returns to town and he has a problem.  He believes his brother, Leo is poisoning their father and that someone is following him.  He would like to invite Leo and his entourage to the wedding (oh no) as part of his plan.  Then Lance’s father passes away under suspicious circumstances and a wedding guest collapses from poisoned wine.  That glass of wine, though, was meant for Jules.  Are the two cases connected?  Murder, mayhem and the makeover of Torte are on the menu in Till Death Do Us Tart.

Return to Ashland, Oregon in the latest A Bakeshop Mystery.  While Till Death Do Us Tart is the eighth book in the series, it can be read alone.  The author does provide the necessary background details for readers.  Till Death Do Us Tart is nicely written and it has a fast pace.  Ellie Alexander has a conversational writing style that makes her books easy to read and enjoy.  There are many cozy moments with baking, friendship, the vineyard, touring the town and the wedding.  Carlos is back in Jules life and the attraction between them in undeniable.   Jules is falling back in love with Carlos, but she is not sure if he would be happy in Ashland.   While I liked the mystery, I thought it was a cinch to solve. I would have liked a better wrap up of the mystery at the end.  I wanted more facts and less assumption.  My rating for Till Death Do Us Tart is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  Many delectable delights are mentioned in the book.  They will have your mouth watering (there are recipes at the end of the book).  We are left with a small cliffhanger at the end.  Readers will have to wait for the next A Bakeshop Mystery to discover what happens next with Jules.  Till Death Do Us Tart is a light-hearted, charming cozy mystery that will leave you smiling.

Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Monday, July 2 with my thoughts on Home on Huckleberry Hill by Jennifer Beckstrand.  It is the ninth delightful installment in The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series.  I hope that you have a very special weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Another One Bites the Crust: A Bakeshop Mystery

Welcome!  I hope everyone had a lovely New Year.  Beneath the Summer Sun by Kelly Irvin will be published on January 16.  It is the second book in An Every Amish Season series.  Jennie Troyer is a widow with seven children.  The elders in the community believe it is time for Jennie to remarry, but they do not know the truth about her marriage.  Here are a few of the new books that came out today:  Out of the Ashes by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse, A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White, The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz, Another One Bites the Crust by Ellie Alexander, and Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley.

Another One Bites the Crust by Ellie Alexander is the seventh book in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  Jules Capshaw co-owns Torte with her mother (Helen) in Ashland, Oregon.  The new season of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is getting ready to start which will greatly increase the traffic to their bakery.  They are also busy with the remodeling of their new space, planning Helen’s wedding to Doug (aka the Professor) and preparing treats for opening night of Antony and Cleopatra.  Then Lance, artistic director for OSF, enters with a new request and drama.  Lance is acting a little stranger than normal (an understatement).  He feels that the actor playing Antony (who will only answer to Antony) is attempting to oust him and he wants to hold a preseason party with authentic Shakespearean dessert buffet (oh boy).  While they really do not have the time for Lance’s party, Jules cannot deny his request (even though he wants to her to use recipes from the 1500s and have the party in one week).  The party is a hit, but there is altercation between a tipsy (again an understatement) Lance and Antony.  Later that night, Lance arrives at Jules home with blood on his hands and clutching a dagger. Antony is dead (not a shocker) and Lance stumbled upon his body.  Lance is the prime suspect (of course) and is arrested.  Jules with assistance from the Professor and Thomas work to prove his innocence.  Someone is setting Lance up for the crime.  Who could have wanted Antony dead?  And what is the actor’s real name? 

Another One Bites the Crust is nicely written, has a good pace, contains well developed characters and a charming town.  While Another One Bites the Crust is the seventh installment in the series, it can be read alone.  The author provides the needed background details.  The cozy elements that readers of this genre love are present.  A charming town, quirky yet lovable characters, someone to dislike (Richard Lord), a bakery with delicious descriptions of baked goods, a Shakespearean play with accounts of the beautiful costumes, Jules creating delectable delights for Lance’s party, a hint of romance, Stephanie’s lack of sleep, Lance acting nuttier than usual and wedding planning. I do feel that we do not need the details on every item that Jules decides to create (it can become tedious after the third, fourth, then fifth time).  I was thrilled that Carlos was not featured in this story (I am tired of his storyline).  It does seem, though, that Carlos’ story is not finished.  There is a hint of what is to come (hint:  remember what Carlos gave Jules).    The mystery is medium level.  The killer can be discerned before the reveal (just follow the clues).   The investigation consists of questioning people, our sleuth sharing information (with Lt. Kerry, the Professor, Thomas), and Jules thinking and speculating.  I appreciate that the author gives us competent police officers and detectives (hooray).  While Lt. Kerry is a rule follower (and intelligent), she is not rude, dislikeable or idiotic (or all three).  There is just the right amount of humor in the story.  While Lance is an over-the-top character, he is the only one (thank heavens).  I liked Thomas and Jules getting to spend some quality time together with a little flirting (can you tell I am Team Thomas).  Another One Bites the Crust is a light, entertaining cozy mystery.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will share my thoughts on Death Below Stairs by Jennifer Ashley.  First book in A Below Stairs Mystery series.   I hope that you have a peaceful day.  I am off to work in my attic.  A homeowners chores are never done.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

A Crime of Passion Fruit: A Bakeshop Mystery

Thank you for visiting today.  Ellie Alexander is the author of A Bakeshop Mystery series.  You can visit the author on Facebook and follow her on Amazon as well as Goodreads.  The novels in A Bakeshop Mystery series are Meet Your Baker, A Batter of Life and Death, On Thin Icing, Caught Bread Handed, Fudge and Jury, and A Crime of Passion Fruit.  Another One Bites the Crust will be the seventh book.  It is currently available for pre-order and will be published on January 2.  Ellie Alexander will be releasing Trouble is Brewing on September 5. It is A Bakeshop Mini-Mystery.  It will introduce Sloan Krause who is the star of Death on Tap (first book in A Sloan Krause Mystery series).

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander is the sixth book in A Bakeshop Mystery series.  Jules Capshaw receives a call from her estranged husband, Carlos asking for her assistance.  The pastry chef on the cruise ship quit unexpectedly and his replacement will not arrive for a week.  The captain would like Jules to return and offers an incentive of an all-expense paid trip for her mother, Helen and her fiancé, Doug Curtis (the Professor).  Jules and Helen leave Torte in the hands of their capable staff and Lance.  Lance, Director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is at loose ends and states he will “supervise” the staff while they are away (oh, dear).  Jules quickly settle back into the routine of ship life, but it is inevitable that she will stumble over a body.  Jules discovers a blonde woman floating in the salt water pool.  The same blonde woman she noticed sneaking around the crew area of the ship.  But who is the victim?  No one seems to know her identity.  The captain asks the Professor to investigate the crime (there goes the vacation).  Jules and the Professor need to capture the killer before the ship arrives at its next port.  Jules has her hands full with baking scrumptious treats for the passengers, searching for clues, Carlos and a rocky ship from a squall they are passing through.  Can Jules and the Professor catch the killer or will Jules end up as fish bait?

A Crime of Passion Fruit is easy to read and has a nice steady pace.  I thought A Crime of Passion Fruit had more of the cozy element than mystery.  There are numerous food descriptions in the book.  The whodunit is in the background in this story and can easily be solved.  The suspect pool is limited.  I identified the culprit early in the story.  The cruise ship was a nice change of pace and I appreciated how the author included the characters from Ashland into the story.  A Crime of Passion Fruit can easily be read alone.  All the necessary background details are provided.   My rating for A Crime of Passion Fruit if 3 out of 5 stars.  I did find it unbelievable that Jules would have time to run around the ship hunting down the Professor and looking for clues.  She is running a large pastry kitchen (that works virtually around the clock as we are told more than once) that would command her full attention (I know it is fiction, but it needs to be slightly realistic).  Also, a cruise ship has their own security to conduct investigations (and there are laws and regulations to follow when a crime is committed on a ship).  A Crime of Passion Fruit reminds me of the Love Boat.  I can see Captain Stubbing asking the Professor for his assistance and Jules reminds me of a female version of Gopher with her sleuthing.  There is a repetition of information (seems a common theme lately in cozy mysteries).  I wish I could say the Carlos and Jules situation was resolved, but it was not (sigh).  I am not a fan of Carlos (#TeamThomas).  He does not support Jules in her investigations (he wanted to promise “you will bake and stay in kitchen”).  I do not feel the love between Jules and Carlos.  There is lust, but that it is not love.  At the end of A Crime of Passion Fruit, we are left with a little cliffhanger (which means I will be reading the next book in A Bakeshop Mystery series to find out what happens). 

I appreciate you visiting today.  I will be reviewing A Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd next time.  May you have a very pleasant day.  I am currently reading Dead Storage by Mary Feliz.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader