A Smoking Bun

Bakeshop Mystery #18

by Ellie Alexander

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?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook, Food, Contemporary

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2024

About the author

Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
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Reviews

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules, who operates a bakery and sandwich shop called Torte in Ashland, Oregon, is excited that some of her husband's friends are arriving for a visit from Spain. She's planned an evening snowshoe hike, but plans are derailed by an incident on the trail. When another planned activity goes awry the next day because of an unexpected fatality, Jules is asked by several people to try and find out who is responsible. I enjoy this series set in a friendly small town with likable characters and lots of descriptions of what Torte is serving. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enter the world of a bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon where coffee and pastries reign supreme. In this 18th outing in the series, Juliet and Carlos are hosting family members from Spain just before New Years. Part of the entertainment they are planning for their guests are events at the local ski lodge, including a fun dummy ski jump contest. But plans go awry when a young man is found dead at the bottom of the jump. Juliet, as always, wants to help the police chief, who just happens to be her step-father, solve the crime. In the meantime, there is plenty of delicious baking going on at the shop. A nicely plotted cozy mystery which keeps the reader guessing till the end.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

Winter in Ashland Oregon means there are all kinds of fun things to do, especially if you go up on Mount A where you will find a rustic lodge, backcountry trails, skiing, a moonlight snowshoe tour, and this weekend, the annual Downhill Dummy Competition. Jules is excited to share everything with Ramiro's family as they arrive from Spain.

Jules has prepared a meal of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour but their evening doesn't end the way Jules had hoped. The group is still planning to return to see the Downhill Dummy Competition the next day. Several groups including Jules' Torte staff have created an entry for the event. It has been kept a secret from Jules but she is delighted to see the tiered cake with a baker who looks just like her attached to skis hit the ski jump and come flying down the hill.

The last entry hits the slope but it barrels down the hill and lands on top of Fitz Baskin, a guide on the mountain who has ruffled more than a few feathers. Jules finds herself in the thick of the investigation into who caused the dummy to go off course and kill the man. She finds plenty of suspects, secrets, and motives that could change everything on her beloved mountain.

Can Jules find the killer? or will the winter wonderland loved by so many be gone forever?

____

All my favorite characters return in this 18th Bakeshop Mystery with fun and interesting things happening in their lives. They have all enjoyed having Ramiro for the school year but now his mother, Sophia,  stepfather, Luis, and twelve-year-old sister, Marta, are coming to Ashland to ring in the new year. Jules was a bit nervous but she and Sophia's friendship has grown as they have been communicating regularly about Ramiro, his school activities, and how much it has meant to have him be able to spend so much time with his dad and Jules. Jules has such a big heart so the way she welcomed them, made them feel at home, and planned fun things for them to do was not unexpected. Ms. Alexander has created such genuine characters that is very easy to get invested in their lives.

The author blended an intriguing mystery with what was happening in the community and Jules's life. The mystery was interesting but harder to solve as the suspect's backgrounds are revealed slowly throughout the book. One character felt off to me from the start and as I continued reading my suspicions became more firm. Then, a nice twist lead to the big reveal where all my clues slid right into place. This was a fun one with so many things happening over the course of just a few days.

I always enjoy my little trips to Ashland and all the events. With the theatre dark for the winter, the murder and mayhem moved to the mountains. The Downhill Dummy, sans the murder, and the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour both sounded like good times. Of course, a lot of yummy food was made and eaten.  Good thing the calories don't transfer from the book, but they do give me cravings for things to try here at home. This time cheesecake was calling my name loudly.

I enjoyed the ending so much. Friendship and fellowship always stir up good feelings. Jule's thoughts for the new year were heartwarming with things always evolving in her life. She feels changes coming and she realizes that she is ready for whatever that means as long as she is surrounded by family and friends. Something I find very true in my life.

A Smoking Bun was a captivating cozy mystery filled with characters that feel more like old friends with each book in this series. I am excited to return to Ashland to see what Ms. Alexander has planned for Jules and her friends and family next. Sticks and Scones is set to be released on August 20, 2024.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is normally a favorite read for me, but there was something about this one that just didn't set right with me. This is a long-running series, and I love most of the characters, but I just didn't feel a real connection between the characters in this one. Actually, the best interaction between characters takes place between Ramiro's birth mother and Jules. Ramiro's mother, stepdad, and sister come to spend New Year's with him, Jules, and Carlos. Jules is supposed to be taking time off to play hostess and help show the family around Ashland. At one of the events at the nearby ski resort, a murder takes place. As usual, Jules basically leaves everything behind to concentrate on the murder. I truly find it disturbing that she basically leave Carlos and company to fend for themselves. Also, in this one, Lance just got on every one of my last nerves. At this point, he is beyond annoying. The wrap-up is incredibly far-fetched and just not believable. I really hate to say it, but this book was a disappointment to me.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun visit to Ashland with the Torte crew. I loved the introduction of Ramiro’s family from Spain as well as the focus on the mountain and skiing, especially the fun activities they participated in at the lodge. I was surprised by the guilty party (I usually am) and the resolution on the whole. I thought, however, there was a lot more filler in this one that I wanted: several pages of step-by-step baking, more time chatting and world building, tons of time eating. Looking forward to the next one, particularly the developments with Richard Lord’s new venture.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for an honest review.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝑩𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇...𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆...𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒔. 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒑𝒉𝒔 𝒖𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒖𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕, 𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒇 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒖𝒔. 𝑺𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑰 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒔𝒂𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒐."

The 18th book in this series that I hope continues indefinitely! I never recommend reading a book from a series that is this well established on its own, so even though it could be read as a standalone, you will completely miss out on all the little nuances that make this series so magical.

Jules, the owner of the bakeshop Torte, is looking forward to the holidays. She and Carlos will be hosting the family of Carlos' son Ramiro. Jules instantly hits it off with his family, and it seems like the blended family is in for a wonderful time in the quaint town of Ashland, Oregon. But when the crew is at the ski lodge, the fun comes to an end when a death occurs, and that death was no accident.

I really loved that this book was of course a mystery, but the family angle really seemed to take precedence. The intimate conversation that Jules and Sophia, Ramiro's mother, shared was truly heartwarming and maybe hinted at the direction that the next book will take.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the early copy. This title will publish February 20, 2024.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy The Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander and look forward to every new addition to the series. In this 18th outing in the series, Juliet and Carlos are hosting family members from Spain just before New Years. Part of the entertainment they are planning for their guests are events at the local ski lodge, including a fun dummy ski jump contest. But plans go awry when a young man, Fitz Baskin, a local mountain guide, ends up dead at the bottom of the mountain. Fitz is not well liked due to his back stabbing and sneaky deals, so there are a lot of suspects. With so many motives, Jules has to sort through a lot of suspects and their stories if she hopes to help find the killer.

I enjoy that Ellie Alexander isn't afraid to take her characters out of the bakeshop. Juliet aka Jules loves to help her stepfather, the professor, solve crimes. Of course, Lance is there to help Jules and he always adds fun to the sleuthing. When the reveal happens, I was once again surprised. The ending of this book was a lovely way to tie all the characters together with a great meal and festive atmosphere. Emily Durante has narrated all the books I have listened to in this series and I have grown accustomed to her voices and expression.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to retain it's coziness even after 18 installments! It has quickly become my cozy happy place and the characters feel like family at this point. Spending time with Ramiro’s family was like getting a hug from new friends that feel like family. I loved being on Mount A and the ski lodge as a perfect winter location (even though it was deadly) and the descriptions had me craving a ski trip follow by warm treats. I guessed the murderer (yay me) and loved how Jules and Lance snooped around and put things together. Another smashing success.

Note: I really enjoyed this audiobook narrator!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things get off to a pretty quick start – almost straight away we’re introduced to at least three suspects that would have wanted Fitz dead – and to be honest, Fitz does not come across as a very sympathetic character and it might be faster to list the people who didn’t want to do him harm. The mystery zipped along and there are so many suspicious characters and actions that I couldn’t put my finger onto the right suspect until very late in the game, and still, there were some twists at the last minute to make me doubt my choice of suspect.

While there were lots of new characters introduced, it was fairly easy to keep track of everyone as they all had distinct personalities and jobs – I was surprised how easy it was to get used to all the new characters, especially considering the supporting cast in the Bakeshop series is quite large.

There was also a lot more focus on Mount Ashland and the lodge rather than Torte and the town itself, which was a nice change of pace.

One of things about a good long-running cozy mystery series is that the regular characters become so familiar, but continue to grow and develop – just like real friends. The family and friends that Jules has surrounded herself with are all well-written, unique personalities. Sometimes they don’t feature as heavily in a story – there wasn’t much from Thomas or Kerry in this one – but they’re there and other characters take a more central role. My favourite continues to be Lance, who seems to be even more enthusiastic as a sleuth than Jules, but almost all the regulars have their endearing qualities.

And while each book in the Bakeshop series can be read as standalones, they’re so much more enjoyable when read in order as you see the characters grow evolve. Part of me feels like there are some changes ahead – there have been hints in the last couple of books – but I hope that those changes will feel just as organic as changes in real life do.

A Smoking Bun is definitely the perfect mystery to read during the winter months as it had lots of snowy outdoor activities and warm drinks and snacks to keep things cozy. And as usual, by the end of this book I was already anticipating the next one.

*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter in southern Oregon brings out the snow birds onto Mount Ashland for snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding. Jules can't wait to show Ramiro's family all Ashland has to offer. She's nervous about meeting Ramiro's mother and eager to make Sophia and her family feel at home. While out snowshoeing on the mountain one night Jules, Carlos and the gang, and their guide, Hero, encounter Fitz and his party of two women out on skis. Fitz isn't supposed to be out there, just Hero, and didn't check in with ski patrol. Hero is furious with Fitz and worried Fitz is going to end up killing someone. It seems his fears become a reality when he discovers Fitz's party way off train in the ravine. Jules's party gets cut short while Hero sends ski patrol to rescue Fitz and the women. The children don't seem to be aware of the danger and they're excited for the Downhill Dummy but then the Downhill Dummy turns deadly when the ski patrol's dummy comes loose and lands right on Fitz. Jules is horrified at the turn of events and can't unsee the man's smashed body. She wants to see justice done but she also wants to bond with Ramiro's family. Lance insists Jules find the killer. As they investigate the crime, they discover that Mount Ashland's beloved ski lodge may be in trouble. Can they figure this out before the mountain is changed forever?

I didn't remotely care who killed Fitz. He was a nasty, arrogant man who thought rules didn't apply to him. I had a guess as to what he was up to and I was right but I didn't know how the two women fit into his life and death. The mystery was very good. Each suspect had a valid story and only one person was left - until a plot twist in the third act. I didn't see that coming at all and was very surprised. I had suspected that person initially but wasn't sure and didn't know the full extent of it. I only knew who did NOT do it. There was less baking in this one and a little more cooking. I was really bothered by the lack of attention to detail with the Spanish characters. Sophia is not a Spanish spelling. There is no "ph" in Spanish. The correct spelling is Sofía and of course everyone speaks perfect English. The J in Spanish is pronounced like an h and every time Carlos and Sophia pronounce "Julieta" it drives me crazy. They go skiing in Switzerland sometimes, which is "not that far away." Um last I checked Switzerland was not right next door to Spain. Italy, yes. None of the recipes appealed to me except the chai spice cookies. Chai means tea though and there's no tea in these cookies.

Ramiro's family is very nice. Of course there's a lovefest between Jules and Sophia once they finally meet in person. I did find it odd that Sophia feels free to offer advice "woman to woman" to a woman she has never met and barely knows. If it was about Ramiro, I could see that but I feel like there was a better way for Sophia to offer advice. Her husband seems jovial but doesn't have much of a role in the story. Same with Marta. I was hoping the kids would get in on the sleuthing or something fun. Andy has a bigger role in this novel than in some of the others. His buddy, Shawn is accused of murder.

Shawn seems like a chill dude, like Andy. He's on ski patrol and I don't think he would jeopardize his position and chance to hang out on the mountain. He had opportunity to kill Fitz the night before so why go through an elaborate scheme to cut the ties to the dummy so it lands on Fitz? Plus Shawn is Andy's friend and Andy is a pretty good judge of character- most of the time. He let his jealousy of Sequoia get in the way and Bethany teases him but they're good now. His relationship with her has developed and deepened. I find her annoying most of the time but I like how she was there for Andy this time.

So if Shawn didn't kill Fitz, who did and why? Well it seemed obvious to me that Kendall was quick to throw Shawn under the bus. Her story seemed fishy to me and it seemed like she was overacting. However, when she shared her story, it made sense to me and like Jules, I had a lot of sympathy for her. Climate change is real and has devastating consequences. But not so fast. Other reports of Kendall tell a different story. Who is lying? I think there may be elements of truth to both stories but maybe neither is 100% true. January is a mysterious young woman hanging around Fitz. Like Kendall, there are two different stories about her. Did she have a crush on Fitz that was unrequited? Was she angry her crush nearly got her killed? Her story makes more sense and is pretty typical of that generation. They do like big actions. The last suspect is Ruth who is more mysterious than January. Who is she? Why was she going around the resort with a clipboard? Why did she join Fitz at night and allow him to go off the trail? I suspect she may be with a bank or with the developers or a bank working for the developers to assess the value of the property. Whatever she is doing, it can't be good. Her personality is abrasive too and she comes across as entitled and demanding. I don't like any of these people but I don't think any of them are murderers! I get a murderer vibe from all of them but their stories say otherwise.

So what about Hero? He's intense and it makes it clear he doesn't like Fitz. He's had it with Fitz flouting all the rules. Hero never shares his background and claims he made a vow to serve and protect. I'm wondering if he trained with the military? He's mysterious but also a bit shady. I'm not sure what he's up to. Yet he would have had plenty of opportunity to kill Fitz and make it look like an accident. Why now? Did something just come up? Plus that was a super elaborate way to murder someone. It seemed pre-meditated. I'm not crazy about him either but I don't know if I want him to be the murderer. Ruth is the most unpleasant so she would be my choice for killer based on personality.

As always, Lance annoys the heck out of me. He simply doesn't see reality. He only sees drama and theater. He does something really stupid and reckless that could have gotten him and maybe Jules killed. The right thing to do would have been for her to get on her phone and call the Professor or Thomas or Kerry! The Professor was a little annoying too. While I love literature and enjoy a good discussion, he gets off track too much in this story. Save it for the party! Ramiro is remarkably well adjusted for a kid who has had a lot of upheaval and has only been in the U.S. for 6 months. He's a good kid. What kind of school does he go to that he gets so much time off? Can my nieces and nephews go there too? They barely get 2 weeks off at Christmas. If they had off as much time as Ramiro, they'd be in school until the 4th of July or later! That much vacation was super unrealistic.

I'm not sure I'll read the next book. Jules is at a crossroads and it's a good stopping point for me. We'll see. I skimmed the excerpt and I still find Jules annoying.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It is nice to meet the rest of Ramiro’s family although they’re not featured much, not much character development, especially Sophia’s husband or their daughter. The mystery is interesting, with lots of suspects. I did have an inkling of who the killer is but didn’t expect some of the other developments. I’m pretty sure what the last bit of the story is alluding to is about. It’ll be interesting in the future. The title is a hidden double allusion. #ASmokingBun #NetGalley

[Melissa P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good one! It takes place in the winter. Someone gets killed on the ski slopes during a dummy run. As always, Jules begins putting the pieces together. There's a lot of new characters/suspects. This series continues to make me happy with the wholesome town and the people who inhabit it. I still have a few more books in the series to go but must catch up with my Goodreads giveaways. This series is great if you love cozy mysteries. Happy reading! ❄️🛷

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and always look forward to meeting up with Juliet, Carlos, and all of the wonderful supporting characters that make up these fun and very well established stories. what I love most are the supporting characters that come and go and bring with them a note of familiarity, like old friends. another thing I love is the humor that brings another level even while Juliet and her best friend, Lance, are trying to help solve murders.

And this installment, the murder plot is a good one with a lot of secrets being revealed, along with some fun at the mountain top lodge, where Jules and her bake shop, family are participating in a big yearly event. Jules is trying to balance meeting her obligations for the event, hosting her stepsons, mother and friends from Spain, and trying to solve a murder before anyone else gets hurt. I was totally engaged from page one, and felt very satisfied with the outcome. This series, along with the bake shop are growing and turning into something very special. This is easily one of my favorite cozy series and I can’t encourage you enough to pick up the first book and start reading. I would definitely start at the beginning so that you don’t miss out on all of the quirky and loving relationships between these characters, so that you are in on all of the inside jokes and innuendos going on here.

I’d like to thank Ellie Alexander, the publisher, and £NetGalley for my advance review copy in exchange for a fair and honest opinion. Publication date: February 20, 2024.from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly love this series. The way the stories are told, it feels as though you are right there, living it with them. I have always been a fan of Jules and her family and friends. The way the food and drinks are written about, I want to find Torte and just enjoy.
Fabulous read and I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you, Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to the series- it’s like meeting up with old friends who can’t stay out of trouble no matter how hard they try

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are back in Ashland, Oregon with Jules Capshaw. Her boyfriend Carlos' family is in town from Spain to visit after Christmas. Jules has taken vacation time to enjoy every minute of their visit. First on the agenda is a Stargazing midnight snowshoe trip. It is cut short by someone needing rescue by the Ski patrol. Fitz is causing mayhem on the mountain by not following the rules. Not staying on paths and this time stranding skiers.

Next is the dummy race. When someone is hit by the Ski patrols dummy it's not an accident. Shaun of the ski patrol is a suspect. Jules decides to find out what happened and who the real killer is.

I enjoyed this book. The writing always hooks me even though I've only read a handful of this series. I really need to start at the beginning and read them all. I do love the characters. It would be nice to know who is who and their backstories. I enjoyed following the clues with Jules. I had no idea whodunnit. This book made me really hungry while reading it. 😋 I can't wait to see what happens next for Jules.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and St. Martin's Paperbacks for my honest review.*

Jules and Carlos are hosting Carlos' ex and her family for a few days at New Year's and Jules is excited to be spending time with the whole family and showing them Mount Ashford. they take a midnight snow shoe excursion that is interrupted by a rude party pushing past them. The next day, there is a Downhill Dummy event and everyone is having a grand time until someone is killed by a dummy. So Jules investigates the death that might be a murder or might just be an accident.

What a cast of characters! This was my first time reading Ellie Alexander and I was surprised to see it was the 18th book in the series. I have a lot of catching up to do!

I enjoyed the descriptions of the events and the mountain! And the employees of Torte - seems like there could be a lot of side stories there. Even from not reading the prior books in the series, I didn't feel like I missed anything and I enjoyed what character development there was with the family from Spain and all of the employees in the bakery. I felt like the pacing of the mystery and all of the other happenings in the town were spot on and the re-hashing of the mystery every few chapters was great to keep up on the details that were important.

I will be reading the series to catch up soon!

[Karen Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 18th installment of Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries, A Smoking Bun, finds Juliet Capshaw entertaining Ramiro’s family from Spain. Jules has made reservations for a snowshoe excursion on the mountain ski resort, called Mount A by those living in Ashland, Oregon, and while there they meet Fitz Baskin, a very unlikeable and devious tour guide who puts two guests in danger and ends up having to be rescued. He ends up being murdered the next day during the beloved annual Downhill Dummy race. Jules is not only the owner of Torte, a popular bakery, but is an amateur sleuth and gets herself involved in the investigation.

Jules, the protagonist is very likeable, and the supporting characters are likewise. Alexander does an excellent job of developing these characters and they have evolved through the previous installments. Alexander also has a talent for storytelling and the stories flow, building suspense as they go and always ending with a surprise at the dénouement. This one is no exception, and Jules and other characters end up in danger from time to time while readers are on the edge.

The one drawback to this series is that the novels feature mouthwatering food, but no recipes. Most of us who read culinary mysteries want to duplicate the dishes and especially the baked goods (like the chai cookies and curry buns) at home.

All told, fans of culinary mysteries and those loving to read about food will want to read this latest installment as well as the previous novels.


Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

[Hannah Monson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typically I love the Bakeshop mysteries and the characters in Ashland— and I liked this one, but it didn’t really catch for me. It’s not that I disliked Carlos’ family or anyone from Mount A, but the number of people involved just became overwhelming between family, staff, townies, ski patrol, etc. Maybe it was because there were so many new characters introduced, but I felt like I didn’t really get to know anyone well enough to suspect them, understand their motives, etc. The pacing just felt off— like there was a lot of scene-setting but not much in the way of clues or mystery solving. Even so, I always love checking in with the Torte crew.

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mountains are calling in Ashland, Oregon, where pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, Jules Capshaw, is baking up a bevy of delicious deserts. Ramiro’s family is visiting from Spain and Jules can’t wait to take them up to Mount A to watch the Downhill Dummy. Contestants strap dummies to skis and send them hurling down a ski jump in hopes of catching big air. It’s a fun and festive atmosphere until one of the dummies takes a deadly detour and lands atop Fitz Baskin. Fitz is a guide on the mountain who has been suspected of some underhanded deals. As Jules investigates, 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?
I loved this wintry cozy mystery. The characters were dastardly, and the plot kept me guessing until the very end. The story flowed well, and I was never bored. There was no blood or gore as the murder occurred "off the page." This story makes me yearn to visit Ashland and see this wonderful community. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

[Drebbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules Capshaw is excited that her stepson’s family is visiting Ashland, Oregon, from Spain and has all kinds of activities planned including watching decorated dummies being sent down a ski jump. Jules and company are enjoying the event until when of the dummies goes off course and kills a bystander. Jules quickly finds out that there are plenty of people who wanted to the victim dead, including the friend of one of her employees. Jules sets out to help the police find the killer while trying to not ruin her time off with family and friends.

“A Smoking Bun” is the nicely done 18th book in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop cozy mystery series. I love the way that Jules bakeshop has evolved over the course of the series, adding more workers and businesses – and the character development throughout the books. I especially like the visit of Ramiro’s family in this book – it’s a complicated relationship that somehow works. The details of Ashland in the winter are wonderfully done – I loved the visits to the ski lodge where the mystery takes place. Speaking of the mystery – it is well done and well plotted with a unique murder weapon! There are plenty of suspects to choose from – I can’t say I was completely surprised when the killer was revealed but I was saddened. All in all well done by Alexander.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts
Characters
I enjoyed reading “A Smoking Bun.” The mountain town of Ashland, Oregon, nestled in the Rogue Valley in the southern Oregon mountains, is snowy, cold, and an ideal setting for the days between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s festive, a welcoming atmosphere for pastry chef Jules Capshaw to host important out-of-town guests.
Her stepson’s family is visiting from Spain, and she wants them to have a good time.
It's important to her that the two families become friends. That task becomes more difficult when Jules finds herself caught up in a murder.
The importance of relationships carries throughout the book. The relationships between Jules and her staff are a strong component of the book. It’s obvious the friendships are strong between the staff and Jules. She trusts them enough to take care of the bakery while she takes time off. She has a strong, loving relationship with her husband, has built a good relationship with her stepson, and is well on her way to building new relationships with her stepson’s family.
Mystery
The red herrings and mis-directions were well done. I was kept guessing up until the final reveal. There were plenty of suspects and secrets to hold my interest.
Recommendation
4/5 stars. This is a solid cozy mystery.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Smoking Bun" the 18th instalment in the A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

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.

I really enjoyed this story, seeing Ramiro’s family in Ashland and how much his mom and Jules respect and like each other. Visiting Torte and Ashland is like coming home to old friends and family lots of fun with a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there were just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Needless to say I cant wait for the next book.

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kimberly Hess Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Alexander is my absolute favorite cozy mystery writer.

This series is absolutely my favorite and all her characters are fantastic. They go so fast and I will continue to read without even checking to see what its about.

She will always be a 5 star writer for me.

WTG Ellie another fantastic read! You are the best!

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy was a delight to read! It makes me want to spend a weekend in Ashland, Oregon exploring the town during the Shakespeare Festival. This isn't my first Bakeshop Mystery, but even so, the characters and storyline are easy to pic up as a stand alone. This is the 18th book in the series and takes place during a winter festival. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Emma Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! Everyone is ringing in the new year at Mount A - a fabulous ski lodge - when a man who’s been ignoring all safety rules ends up dead. Can Juliet get to the bottom of this and save the lodge?

Mouthwatering recipes, great winter atmosphere and engaging plot. Just a shame that we didn’t see much of the Torte staff. This is my favourite cosy mystery series.

[Mysteryfan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I took a break from this series for a bit, but picked up this one. More romance than cozy mystery and saccharine to boot. There's a lot of repetition. The murder is an afterthought and the resolution a cheat. Guess I'll take another break.

[librarybythebeach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite mystery but I loved all the lovey-dovey parts and meeting new characters from Spain! I’m already looking forward to the future of Torte!!

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story takes place around the Christmas holidays. The family of the main character's stepson is visiting from Spain. Most of the story takes place at a ski lodge outside of town. The book was an easy read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️