A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander

 A Very Novel Murder

Book Summary

Opening a detective agency above her beloved bookstore seems like the perfect business plan—until Annie Murray’s first case involves a suspicious death right on her doorstep.

June Munrow, an elderly resident of Annie’s home town, Redwood Grove, is convinced that young Kelly Taylor’s recent drowning wasn't the tragic accident everyone believes it to be. Despite the police ruling, June is determined to prove there’s more to the story and hires the Novel Detectives to uncover the truth.

As Annie delves into Kelly’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets involving Kelly’s complicated relationships, a peculiar landlord, and her mysterious roommate. Everyone connected to Kelly seems to be hiding something, and the deeper Annie digs, the more puzzling the case becomes.

With her trademark blend of curiosity and compassion, can Annie piece together the clues and solve her first official case—before she gets into deep water herself?

My Thoughts

A Very Novel Murder by Ellie Alexander is the first book in The Novel Detectives series.  It is a spin-off from A Secret Bookcase Mysteries. A Very Novel Murder works as a standalone, but reading the previous series gives more character background.  I found the story to be easy to read, and the main characters are likeable.  The book describes rooms, items, food, and clothes in great detail, and its pacing is leisurely.  First Annie and Fletcher have no business and then they have two cases to solve.  Novel Detectives is hired by June, the nosy neighbor on the block, to uncover the truth regarding the death of Kelly, an up-and-coming surfer.  June believes her friend was murdered and has even compiled a list of suspects for the duo.   

I liked this mystery.  It was not complicated, but it made me smile (if I told you why, I would spoil it for you).  Annie and Fletcher’s other case will require more time. Caroline asks them to investigate Hal’s ancestry.  Hal believes that he is related to Agatha Christie and Caroline has found an item that may reveal the truth.  Much like A Secret Bookcase Mysteries, I believe this whodunit will be revealed gradually across multiple books. I am curious to see how that storyline will play out.  My favorite quote from A Very Novel Murder is, “It just went to show you couldn’t judge a book by its cover, or a reader by the book.” 

A Very Novel Murder is available from Amazon*.  The next two books in The Novel Detectives Mystery series are  A Death in the Dark which comes out on April 21 and A Murder at the Mansion on July 21.  You can find A Secret Bookcase Mysteries here.  Ellie Alexander also wries A Bakeshop Mysteries and has The Whisking Hour coming out February 24.  You can find all of Ellie Alexander's novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow which is Wednesday, January 21 with Death by Irish Coffee by Alex Erickson.  It is the 15th A Bookstore Cafe Mystery.  I am off to rest.  I caught a cold last week (I did not move fast enough to avoid it) and it is lingering (the cold weather is not helping).  Luckily, my mother has not caught it.  I hope that you have a delightful day.  Take care, stay warm, 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.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

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.

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander

 The Body in the Bookstore

Book Summary

An addictively cozy and gripping murder mystery introducing a brand-new amateur sleuth and lovable heroine to the crime scene…

Welcome to The Secret Bookcase, a quirky bookstore in a grand, converted manor house, where the selection of crime fiction is dangerously good. The store has been bookseller and events manager Annie Murray’s sanctuary ever since her dreams of starting a detective agency with her best friend died, literally, when Scarlet was murdered.

Annie has never stopped trying to solve the mystery of her friend’s death, but her quiet life in leafy Redwood Grove, with its warm community of likeminded local business-owners and book-lovers, has provided the solace she needed. Until now.

When a body is discovered in the bookstore during the town’s inaugural Mystery Fest, Anne finds herself catapulted to the centre of a real-life whodunit. Dusting off her criminology degree, Annie is determined to put her sleuthing skills to good use and catch the killer – before it’s too late.

My Thoughts

The Body in the Bookstore by Ellie Alexander is the beginning of A Secret Bookcase Mysteries.  We get to meet Annie Murray, who loves mysteries, along with her best friend, Pri plus Annie’s coworker, Fletcher and her boss, Hal.  There are a variety of shop owners too.    Annie is intelligent, has an attention for detail, and a passion for books.  Annie is a likeable and relatable protagonist.  I hope we get to learn more about her as the series progresses.  I love the bookstore, the Secret Bookcase.  I could spend hours in there searching for books to add to my TBR pile. I love the items added for Mystery Fest (I want one of the old typewriters). Mystery Fest was a clever idea and a great way to save the bookstore.  It is an event that I would love to attend (so would any mystery lover). 

 It was great the way the shop owners of Redwood Grove (well, all but one grump) became involved in the event. The author did a wonderful job of worldbuilding.   The mystery was interesting.  I like where the victim was found.  Annie is an eager sleuth and Pri is happy to assist her.  There are clues scattered along the way as well as a red herring or two.  The discussions between Annie and Dr. Caldwell were insightful, but they could meander on.  I have a feeling that Annie will be working with Dr. Caldwell again in the future.  There were repetitive details (the same details repeated two, three, or five times). There was a touch of romance as Annie found herself attracted to a certain pub owner. It had Annie blushing like a teenage girl (and her mind wandering).  Annie is told at the end that there is information that may help her solve the murder of her college best friend.  We will have to wait for A Murder at the Movies (preview at the end of the book) for more details.  The Body in the Bookstore is a charming California cozy with a secret cubby, a killed college acquaintance, a slew of suspects, beatnik storyteller, a bitter ex-boyfriend, a pushy publisher, and a curious criminalist. 

The Body in the Bookstore is available from Amazon*.  The second book in A Secret Bookcase Mystery is  A Murder at the Movies.  Thank you for dropping by today.  On Tuesday, June 25, I will be featuring The Triplets' Summer Adventure by Laurel Blount.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  I plan on working on the lights on my porch.  I have solar lights wrapped around the support posts, but a couple of sets have bit the dust.  I am going to change them out for warm white rope lights. I also need to add hooks for my new wind chimes.  They are little tasks but it is too hot to do more!  I do have a stack of books next to the couch where I can read, relax, and enjoy a cool drink (aka Pepsi). 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.  This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader. 

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

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

Donut Disturb by Ellie Alexander

 Donut Disturb

Book Summary

The filling is looking grim for pastry chef and amateur sleuth Juliet Capshaw in Donut Disturb, the next in Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Series.

Love is in bloom in Ashland, Oregon. The Shakespearean hamlet is bursting with fresh spring energy. Fragrant lilacs and the sweet aroma of vanilla cake fill the air as everyone in town gathers at Lithia Park for the celebration of the year—Thomas and Kerry’s wedding.

It’s a picture perfect day. Guests gather on picnic blankets in front of the bandshell to watch Kerry walk down the aisle and wed Ashland’s favorite detective in training, Thomas. Jules and her team at Torte have been tasked with catering the outdoor reception and everything is going according to plan, until a wedding crasher shows up.

The uninvited guest isn’t just someone looking to score a free glass of champagne. It’s Kerry’s estranged father who is supposed to be behind bars. Kerry is distraught. Jules vows to do everything she can to make sure that there are no other surprises on her friend’s big day. But when the bassist for Heart Strings, the wedding band, is found stabbed with the blunt end of his instrument Jules’s promise takes on new meaning. Now she’ll have to slice through the five tiered cake and a bevy of potential suspects in order to track down a killer before they turn the knife on her.

My Thoughts

We are returning to Ashland, Oregon for Thomas and Kerry’s wedding in Lithia Park.  Torte is catering the food as well as providing the wedding cake, groom cake, and the donuts the couple requested.  A few days before the wedding, a frantic Kerry requests Jules help.  Her father has arrived in town.  Kerry has worked hard to overcome her past and the last thing she wanted was for her jailbird father to appear.  Jules hopes this will be the last surprise before the big day.  The weather has cooperated for the wedding day.  Jules goes to retrieve an extra table for the setup from the storage area in the park.  Jules stumbles upon one of the band members stabbed with a piece of his bass.  Unfortunately, Kerry’s father was the last person seen with the victim before his death.  Kerry asks Jules to help with the case since she will not be in town.  Kerry knows her father is capable of many things, but murder is not one of them. Jules soon learns that there are a number of potential suspects.  Jules will need to work quickly if she is to solve the crime before Thomas and Kerry return from their honeymoon. 

Donut Disturb by Ellie Alexander is the 15^th A Bakeshop Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  I found Donut Disturb to be easy to read.  I like the author’s writing style.  It is light and casual.  Jules and Carlos have settled into their new home and are enjoying their time together.  Both are busy but they make sure to make time for each other.  I enjoyed learning more about Kerry. We finally learn about her background and why she is the way she is (totally makes sense now).  There is plenty of baking and cooking.  The food descriptions will have your mouth watering.  Brett, a bass player with Heart Strings, ends up dead in a park storage area.  Jules stumbles upon the scene.  I found it odd the way Jules acted upon seeing the victim.  This is not her first rodeo.  By now, Jules should be used to seeing dead bodies (I do not expect her to be casual, but I did not expect her to act like this is the first time she has seen such a sight).  I expected her to take note of the scene and any potential clues.  I did not expect her to freeze up and go into shock.  In fact, Jules seemed to freeze up frequently.  Whenever she would end up alone with a suspect, she acted like they were going to attack her any second.  Jules is a smart woman who has to think on her feet in the bakery.  I expected her to be logical and no act like a scaredy cat.  I could excuse it once, but it happened multiple times.  There are several suspects in this whodunit along with a red herring or two.  There are good clues to help readers solve the crime before the reveal.  I enjoyed the lovely word depictions of Lithia Park.  It is a lovely park, and I can see why the wedding took place in that location.  Donut Disturb is an upbeat cozy mystery with an offender father, park nuptials, a stabbed bass player, the problematic Richard Lord, curious clues, delicious donuts, and a tricky takedown. 

Donut Disturb will be out on Tuesday, June 28 and it is available for preorder from Amazon*. The next A Bakeshop Mystery is Muffin but the Truth which will publish on December 27.  You can find the other A Bakeshop Mysteries here.  You can follow Ellie Alexander on Amazon to receive an email when has a new book coming out.  The park pictures above are of Ashland's Lithia Park where Kerry and Thomas had their wedding in Donut Disturb.  Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am discussing Muddled Through by Barbara Ross.  It is the tenth A Maine Clambake Mystery.  I finished the raised garden beds down the one side of my house.  I am now planning my next area of attack.  I have a raised bed to install in front of our screened in porch and one to do behind my mother's bedroom.  I have to get rid of the planters that are currently there first before I can proceed (they are falling apart).  I will have to move inside soon, though, because it is getting way too hot to work outside.  It will give me a chance to get the painting done inside and get the various items put together. My mother has a cabinet for her bathroom at the top of my "To Do" list.   I hope that you have a lovely day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Lost Coast Literary by Ellie Alexander

 Lost Coast Literary

Book Summary

When an editing pen has the power not only to change stories but also to change lives.

Book editor Emily Bryant finds herself unexpectedly in the charming town of Cascata on California’s Lost Coast, holding the keys to her grandmother’s rambling Victorian mansion. While sorting through her grandmother’s things, Emily learns that she must edit old manuscripts to inherit the estate. It’s a strange request from a family member who was basically a stranger.

Emily quickly realizes that there’s something different about these manuscripts. Any changes she makes come true. At first, she embraces the gift. She has a chance to help characters find true love or chart a new course for their future. But then things go terribly wrong. Her edits have the opposite effect. The sweet and funky seaside community of Cascata is reeling from the chaos Emily has created. Everything she thought she believed about her family and her past is in jeopardy, and no amount of editing can fix the damage she’s done.

Then she finds one last manuscript. If Emily can get this edit right, maybe she’ll have a chance to create a new narrative for herself and everyone around her.

Queen Anne Victorian in Arcata, California

My Thoughts

Lost Coast Literary by Ellie Alexander has Emily Bryant, an assistant editor in New York, inheriting a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian in Cascata, California after the passing of her grandmother.  Emily has not seen her grandmother since she was a child.  She does not know why Grandmother Gertrude, or the rest of her paternal family never tried to see her or contact her.  Her father refuses to discuss it.  The will does have a stipulation.  Emily must edit the forsaken manuscripts in order to claim her full inheritance.  Emily loves editing manuscripts and attacks the first one in the stack.  When she goes into town later, she encounters the people in the manuscript.  The scene she edited plays out in front of her.  Emily edits another manuscript and waits. The same thing happens.  But then the edits do not go the way she expected, and Emily wonders how she can fix things.  Emily must also decide what to do with her inheritance.  She just got her dream job in New York.  The more time Emily spends in Cascata, the more she wonders if New York is the place for her.  In the library, Emily finds another manuscript but this one hits close to home.  Can this manuscript hold the answers Emily seeks?

Downtown Arcata, California

Lost Coast Literary is a story for booklovers.  There are numerous book references throughout the book.  I found this to be an interesting story.   It is well-written with a good flow.  The author provided good descriptions that allowed me to visualize the town with its quirky shops and the beautiful Queen Anne Victorians.  Most of the time the author managed to strike a balance between too much detail and too little.  There are some instances when extra details were not needed (detailed descriptions of people’s clothing and the specific name of each flower).  There are a variety of secondary characters in the story.  I liked Emily’s paternal family, especially Shay.  The paranormal element was intriguing.  I wish we had gotten to learn more about it.  I felt like we just scratched the surface.  The ending seemed rushed and incomplete.  I did not understand the author’s need to introduce a love interest for Emily late in the story.  It was an unnecessary addition and did nothing to enhance the story.  I found myself baffled at times by Emily.  Her dream job is to be an editor with her own clients.  She inherits Lost Coast Literary which is an established agency with clients.  She could be her own boss and get published the type of books she wants (like the manuscript she tried to pitch to her bosses in New York).  I thought she would jump at the chance instead of returning to the cramped New York apartment and being an assistant editor.  There is repetition of information in the story (especially regarding the inheritance, dream job, size of her New York apartment, paternal family abandoning her, dad not providing details on rift) and a smattering of foul language.  I enjoyed reading Lost Coast Literary.  I cannot help but love a story that features books.  I would love to inherit The Ballad (Gertrude’s Victorian home).  Lost Coast Literary is a bibliophile delight with an unanticipated inheritance, a venerable Victorian, a distraught relative, a wonky will, a reticent father, mystifying manuscripts, peculiar coincidences, and missing memories.

Pub in Arcata, California

Lost Coast Literary can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  It comes out Tuesday, March 29.  Ellie Alexander's next novel is Donut Disturb which publishes June 28.  It is the fifteenth A Bakeshop Mystery.  You can follow Ellie Alexander on Amazon to receive an email when she is publishing a new book. I featured pictures from Arcata, California today which is in the same area as the fictional town in Lost Coast Literary.  There are some beautiful Victorian homes in the town. Thank you for dropping by today.  Tomorrow I am featuring A Matter of Hive and Death by Nancy Coco.  It is the second An Oregon Honeycomb Mystery.  I hope that you have a special day.  Take care of yourself and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

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.

The Cure for What Ales You by Ellie Alexander

 The Cure for What Ales You

Book Summary

Amateur sleuth and brewer Sloan Krause contends with her past--and a murder related to it--in The Cure for What Ales You, another delightful mystery from cozy writer Ellie Alexander.

After a long cold winter, spring is beginning to bloom in the alpine village of Leavenworth, Washington, where craft brewer Sloan Krause and her partner in crime Garrett Strong are putting the finishing touches on their bright and refreshing Lemon Kiss ale. They’ll be debuting their new line at the Maifest celebration, which will bring visitors from near and far to dance around the Maipole and shop at the outdoor flower markets.

Despite the festive spirit in the air, Sloan is brewing over her past. She’s spent months following leads that have turned into dead ends. But when she spots a woman who strongly resembles Marianne—a long lost contact who may be her only connection to piecing together her story—she hopes that things might be taking a turn in her favor. That hope is quickly smashed when Marianne is involved in the murder of a local housekeeper. To make matters worse, Marianne issues a dire warning that Sloan and her entire family are in danger. If Sloan can’t figure out who the killer is and what happened in her past, she won’t find any hoppy endings.

My Thoughts

The Cure for What Ales You by Ellie Alexander is the 5^th A Sloan Krause Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  It is spring in Leavenworth, Washington which means it is time for the Maifest Festival which includes booths, parade, costumes, food, and good brews. The author brings Leavenworth alive with her vivid descriptions of the city. I enjoyed reading about the charming Bavarian looking buildings, the food, the drinks, parade, and festival fun.  This series is character driven.  The characters are realistic and friendly.  I like how they are there for each other and are a family.  The main characters have grown and developed since Death on Tap.  There are two mysteries in this book.  A figure from Sloan’s past, Marianne surfaces.  Sloan might finally get the answers she seeks about her birth parents.  It seems danger has followed Marianne to town.  A housekeeper at the local hotel ends up murdered in Marianne’s room.  Marianne claims that Sloan and her family are in danger.  Marianne behavior is a little frenetic and some of her actions make the book seem more like a suspense instead of a cozy mystery.  I am glad that this storyline is finally wrapped up.  I have not been a fan of it and the details were a little out there.  I was disappointed with the resolution.  The death of the housekeeper was a mystery more in keeping with a cozy.  There are several suspects including Marianne.  It is a straightforward whodunit which can be solved before the reveal.  I could have done without Sloan repeating the list of suspects so often.  The ending was warm with Sloan reflecting upon her future.  Sloan and her son, Alex are lucky to have such close friends and the Kraus family.  I liked learning more about the brewing process and what goes into creating unique brews.  The final brew in the book was certainly different.  The Cure for What Ales You is a gripping tale with crafty brews, a shadowy woman, terrifying threats, a miniscule costume, and a fun Maipole Festival.

The Cure for What Ales You is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Sloan Krause Mystery novels here.  You can find Ellie Alexander's other books here on Amazon.   Ellie Alexander has Bake, Borrow, and Steal publishing December 28.  It is the 14th A Bakeshop Mystery.  Thank you for visiting today.  Tomorrow I am reviewing Chapter and Curse by Elizabeth Penney.  It is the first book in The Cambridge Bookshop Series.  I hope that you have a satisfying day.  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.