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.

Without a Brew by Ellie Alexander

 

Book Summary

Without a Brew by Ellie Alexander takes us back to Leavenworth, Washington in January where IceFest will begin in a week.  Sloan Krause, Garrett, and Kat are getting ready for the opening of their beer-themed bed-and-breakfast in the rooms above Nitro.  Their soft opening with one anniversary couple quickly changes when two couples arrive needing lodging after the pipe burst at their rental.  Garret soon regrets agreeing to let them stay when one of the men becomes obnoxious and loud.  Another woman, Liv does not wish to make the long trek back to Spokane in the dark and gets their final guest room.  The next morning, Liv is nowhere to be found.  Her room is a mess and her car is covered in paint.  Sloan calls in Chief Meyer who begins a search of the area.  When Liv turns up dead, Sloan wonders if one of their guests is the killer.  She cannot help but do a little nosing around.  

My Thoughts

Without a Brew by Ellie Alexander is the 4^th novel in A Sloan Krause Mystery series.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or missed a book along the way.  I enjoy visiting Leavenworth, Washington which reminds me of German Village where I grew up.  It is a quaint town with Bavarian charm.  The town is preparing for IceFest with games, fireworks, food, and loads of twinkle lights.  I like that Sloan Krause is a strong female who continues to develop.  She is finding out who she is away from her husband (soon to be ex-husband) and his family.  Sloan loves her job and she is thinking about purchasing a new home.  Sloan has been wanting to learn about her birth mother and she is finally getting information thanks to her old case worker, Sally.  We learn some startling information when Sally visits.  The mystery was nicely plotted out.  There are a variety of suspects along with good clues.   Sloan uncovers helpful information with her gentle questions.  Avid cozy mystery readers, though, will find it a cinch to solve this whodunit.  I enjoyed the wonderful descriptions of the town.  The authors word images match the pictures of Leavenworth.  There are some mouthwatering dishes prepared by Sloan and Nitro serves up some wintery brews.  Without a Brew is a charming cozy mystery with a pushy VP, a cozy cottage, a lost lodger, a brash realtor, and a winter wonderland.  

Without a Brew publishes October 10 and can be pre-ordered from Amazon*.  You can find the other four novels in A Sloan Krause Mystery series here.  Ellie Alexander also writes A Bakeshop Mystery series starring Jules Capshaw.  Chilled to the Cone releases December 29 and Mocha, She Wrote is out June 29, 20201.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will return tomorrow to share my thoughts on An Amish Christmas Wedding by Amy Clipston, Kelly Irvin, Kathleen Fuller, and Vannetta Chapman.  I hope you have a cheery day.  We all need to stay positive during these difficult times.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.