The Whisking Hour

Bakeshop Mystery #22

by Ellie Alexander

Another delicious installment in Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mysteries set in Ashland, OR!

Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, and baker Juliet Capshaw is excited to celebrate the season with a night at the theatre. Lance Rousseau, Ashland’s renowned theater director and one of Jules’ closest friends, has put his own spin on a production of the Broadway classic Perfect Crime, drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment as a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. As the final show approaches, Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.

On the day of the soirée, life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. After the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity. But when an actor is discovered dead in his dressing room, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the real perfect murder.

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

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 24, 2026

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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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
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Reviews

[Melissa P.]

I had requested this book from the library. There are only 2 in the library system and I had to wait over a month. It was worth the wait. I love this series and I hope it continues. Quite a few twists in this one. A lot of suspects in the murder mystery. A very unliked producer of plays ends up dead. He treated many of his actors as well as others, poorly. I wish there had been more of the main character's, Jules', employees at Torte in the book. I really like reading their work scenes. They were there but not as much as the other books. Marty is my favorite. Since a couple employees left 2 or 3 books ago, there's talk about the younger, newer employees for the past couple of books but they are never introduced. I find that odd. They've been there a little while now but only vaguely mentioned they exist. At least they all wink a lot less at each other in this one, haha. I always found that weird but I still love these books. They give me a cozy feeling and I look forward to them. I hope Ellie Alexander writes more for the series! Jules has to give birth sometime! Happy reading! 🎭🤰

[Maria]

I love the characters and they keep bringing me back to this series, but it seems like we spend more time catching up with them than solving mysteries. There’s also a ton of filler in this one with the step-by-step of Jules’ baking in the kitchen. The mystery, while interesting, was lost in the everyday of Jules’ life. There were also a few places where her being involved in the mystery didn’t make sense and why people constantly seek her out, this hugely pregnant soon-to-be mom, to talk to and/or stalk. I enjoyed this but felt that the series has lost some of its shine.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy.

[Christie Guillory]

This is a great cozy mystery perfect for those who enjoy baking and/or the theatre. The main character runs a bakery, and she and her husband are theatre patrons as well. The mystery of "who done it" is enough to keep you guessing for a while, and the conclusion was most satisfying. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the ARC, and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Danielle B]

This one felt a little slow to the others in the series. The mystery was okay but there were a lot of unlikable characters and the ending seemed off. The killer was stalking Jules…but actually wasn’t? Hmm…missed opportunity maybe!

Still ready for the next book in this series!

[Amy]

The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander is the twenty second installment in a truly beloved cozy mystery series, and while you can technically hop in anywhere, this is absolutely one of those series that rewards long term reading. I binged the entire series over December and January, and at this point, returning to Ashland feels like catching up with family. Jules Capshaw and the Torte crew have become such comfort characters for me, and every visit back to Oregon is layered with warmth, growth, and history that longtime readers will especially appreciate.

This installment leans beautifully into fall vibes—stormy skies over the Siskiyou Mountains, a theatrical production of Perfect Crime, and a cast party catered by Torte featuring delightfully macabre treats (panna cotta “eyeballs,” anyone?). When life imitates art and a lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, the mystery kicks into gear with all the classic whodunnit fun the series does so well. It’s a solid, engaging case wrapped in atmosphere, community, and of course, mouthwatering descriptions that once again made me wish Torte was a real place I could visit for just one bite of whatever Jules is baking.

One element I especially appreciated was Jules being in her final trimester of pregnancy. Instead of diving headfirst into danger like she often does, she pulls back and allows others to take on more of the sleuthing. It felt realistic and refreshing, she’s still involved and sharp as ever, but not recklessly putting herself in harm’s way. That balance gave the story a slightly different energy while maintaining the strong sense of coziness and community that keeps this series so special. It’s always a joy to be back in Ashland.

[Deborah Almada]

It is always fun to visit Jules, Torte, and the gang. I still love the setting, the theater, and the characters. Being a foodie, I always enjoy the food descriptions, the recipes, and processes involved and whatever the themed food event is going to be. I do think the mysteries are starting to get a little stale, Lance and or Richard will often get on my last nerve, although I have to say Richard added a little levity and a strangely fun mini twist in this one, and I wonder how the author will handle the changes that dual pregnancies will bring to the series. The mystery here was very blah a character involved in one of Lance's shows is murdered after it has been established that everyone connected to the show hates him. There are some supposed stage tricks and traps set, but it just wasn't very compelling, maybe because all the potential murderers were just as unlikable as the victim! Thanks to #Netgally, #MinatourBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheWhiskingHour #TheBakeShopMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits)]

Fall has arrived in the hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. He has put his own spin on the Broadway classic, opting for an intimate experience. Jules and the team at Torte are whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party. But, when the director is found murdered, can Jules help the police find the real culprit before someone else dies off-stage?
As always, Elie Alexander writes wonderful cozy mysteries that I love to devour. Jules is one of my favorite amateur sleuths. I find this story another example of a perfect cozy mystery. All of the elements are there, the only thing that there was too much of was the description of the food served. Personally, I am trying to lose some weight and reading her delectable mysteries makes it hard because I always end the chapters a little hungrier. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

[Kriss Luckett-Ziesemer]

I’ve read through this entire series, and have generally enjoyed it, but this one didn’t really do much for me. I really missed the character-centric aspect of the other books, and this one barely mentioned the side characters, other than Lance. And two of the main Torte employees have left the series entirely. Without all those characters, this series loses its heart.

Also, in past books, the murder mystery generally takes a “front and center” role, and the secondary characters have been interesting and fun. In this one, it was mostly centered on Juliet and her thoughts/feelings/circumstances. Hey, Jules is pregnant! With twins! Now she’s baking something and thinking about how much she loves her life, and what it will be like to manage parenthood. But hey, they have an entire community willing to step up and basically do it FOR them, so that’s taken care of. And look, Carlos is hanging on her every move in an almost stalkery way, and bringing her copious amounts of food. And did we mention she’s pregnant? With twins? Oh, and somebody died. But hey, did we mention the twins, the baking, the lucky, and the husband with snacks? Oh yeah, there was a murder. Did we solve that?

This seems to be a common pitfall with long-running cozy mystery series. We all want the protagonist to find her true love, but when she/he does, suddenly it’s all about their love for each other, which quickly becomes REALLY sappy, and the murder mystery is barely a sidebar. Oh well. Hopefully the next book will get the series back on track.

[Terri]

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. The cozy mystery based around food and the theater was a nice change from heavier fiction. I really enjoyed the extensive descriptions of the settings, the food and the characters.

Once the murder occurred in the theater, there were any number of possible suspects. The person I thought was guilty changed many times. It ws fun being proven wrong over and over again!


Thanks to Minotaur Books for the digital copy via NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

[Rebecca]

Love love love! This book is brimming with love; the love between Carlos and Jules, the love between Jules and her mom, the love of all the happy couples and all the friends and coworkers. This is why this series is my happy place and I just adored every moment. I love when these mysteries take place at the theater because we get extra Lance and extra fun. This mystery had me totally tricked and also so soothed by the cozy atmosphere. What I wouldn't give to attend one of the Sunday Suppers!

Thanks to the publisher for a free copy; my thoughts and review are my own.

[Cozy Reader Lady]

"The Whisking Hour (A Bakeshop Mystery Book 22)" by Ellie Alexander has Juliet still pregnant with twins. Seriously, still pregnant. How long is this plot line going to go. It's the fourth book now I think. She better have those babies at the very beginning of book 23. It's just crazy considering how much they've had going on.

The other thing for me is that I was thinking they were getting this one solved pretty quick with less Juliet involvement because the babies would be born. When the director of Lance's current play is found dead there's a lot going on. Fingers can be pointed at several people. However, my first suspect was right on target. I did get bounced around a bit though before the final reveal. Still no babies though.

[Lisa]

It’s hard to believe this is the 22nd installment of this series! I started with the first book and have enjoyed all of them. Although you don’t have to have read the previous books but you would definitely miss out on the development of the wonderful characters if you don’t. Over time, the relationships have evolved and it is so integral to the stories.

This time around Lance, Juliet’s BFF and the Artistic Director of the local Shakespearean theater is at the center of the murder mystery. I always love when Lance is around because I love his over the top personality and his sense of humor. The murder victim is one of the actors and there is a long list of suspects that kept me guessing until the end. Because Juliet is very pregnant,she takes a back seat with the investigation, though she is still helping from afar while her friends at the police department take the lead. This crime hits close to home so she is very invested in the outcome.

Coming back to Ashland,Oregon and this tight knit community is like visiting old friends and I look forward to each new book. Torte, the Juliet’s bake shop is always at the core of the stories and I also love that.The recipes featured are included at the end of the book which is a plus if you love to bake.

With the impending birth of Juliet’s twins, there is no doubt the stories will be changing and I’m on board with that and excited to see how motherhood changes Jule’s life in and around the bake shop. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I appreciate having them to read between other books I read with darker, heavier content. The always leave me with the warm and fuzzies!

Special thanks to #MinotaurBooks for my advance reader copy through #NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. #cozymystery #newbook #thewhiskinghour

[Gosia]

Another delightful cosy mystery set around Torte, a beloved family bakeshop, and its owner, Jules. While catering a theatre cast party, Jules finds herself in the middle of a real murder when the demanding director, Keane Armitage, is killed during a murder-themed dinner.

Keane had been putting immense pressure on his cast, even expecting them to stay in character outside the theatre as part of their preparations. With so many people unhappy with him, there is no shortage of suspects, making the investigation all the more intriguing.

I really enjoy this series. It revolves around a bakeshop, and I love all the cooking and baking woven throughout the story. I have a soft spot for books with culinary elements, and this series always makes the food come alive.

The cast of characters is equally enjoyable, ranging from lovable regulars to those who create plenty of trouble. The mystery is cleverly plotted, with nearly everyone seeming like a suspect until the final pages.

Overall, this is a delightful fall read set in a charming small town, filled with cosy café vibes, delicious baking, and an engaging mystery. Perfect for fans of culinary cosy mysteries.

[Ashley Cwiklewski]

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I feel honored to have recieved it. I have never read any of this authors books before, but funny enough, I picked up one at the thrift over the summer that is on my list to read. I had to give this book 3 stars. It was fine. Was not the worst book I have ever read and was not the best
Book I have ever read. It was a cozy mysetery. I did like the characters a lot. And i love a good bake shop. The ending was just nothing super exciting as in most like this style. The chapters were a bit long for me in my prefrence of them. I finished it so fast because I skimmed a lot that was extra details. I will still read the other book I have from this author, and I am hoping that it includes these same
Characters.

[Tina]

A Whisking Hour is filled with delicious food being prepared at Torte bakery. The words and food are coming off the page and will make you drool. The Bakeshop mysteries are like visiting friends because I have grown to love all the characters, especially Lance my favorite. Lance has delivered a great new show for the OSF once again. However, these actors might be taking their roles too seriously. She is very pregnant, and Jules is surrounded by her friends and family - including Lance and her fellow bakers. Behind the scenes of this murder-themed play, there is a real murder taking place. As soon as I thought I knew who did it and why there was someone who had the real killing instinct, I realized I was wrong but that did not stop me from enjoying this book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. This is an honest review.

[Lady Galaxy]

Wow! I never thought I'd be giving Ellie Alexander a one star rating, but this book was a train wreck! There was way too much baking, way way way too much Carlos, and too little mystery plot. The first chapter just went on and on and on and on about how perfect everything and everybody is inside of the sheltered utopia of Torte. Then more detail than necessary about baking. If all the baking details were left out, this could have been a novella. The recipes are at the end. No need to repeat the directions for making them in the middle of the story!

The mystery never made any sense at all. Maybe law enforcement is more lax in Ashland, Oregon, but in Ohio Lance and the prop manager would have been arrested for inducing panic for the stunt they staged with making it sound like a gunshot had gone off in the still crowded theater. I never figured out what he thought he was going to accomplish with that dangerous stunt, but in today's world where mass shootings occur on a weekly basis, the punishment for what he did should be swift and severe. People could have gotten seriously hurt or killed in the scramble for safety. In my county, the penalty is 2 - 8 years in prison. He would also have been fired as director of the OSF. He didn't even get a stern lecture.

Then Carlos, who had thrown himself in front of her to protect her from potential gunshots in the theater, leaves Jules all alone in that club house to get details about what's going. Somebody should have stayed with her to make sure she was safe considering she's about to pop out twins! They didn't even check to see if anybody else was inside.

Then later, when she thinks she's being followed and sends for the police, Thomas, who was once her "love" interest and still supposedly adores her, arrives and then goes running after the suspect telling her to wait for backup once again leaving her alone and unprotected and in the pouring rain. He should have stayed with her until the backup arrived. I'm sorry, but that is just plain negligence. Yes, nabbing the suspect is important, but public safety is too! I found myself getting furious with the men in her life who kept leaving her alone and unprotected in dangerous situations.

And that black scarf that the prop man had been waving around and scrunching up in his hands in the clubhouse would never have been admissible as evidence. All that manhandling would have destroyed or distorted any fingerprints that may have been on it.

The only highlight for me was the brief crossover from her other series, The Sloan Krause Mysteries.

And Jules is still pregnant at the end of the book and in the beginning of the next one. I am no looking forward to adding babies to the mix. Having to endure Carlos and his smarmy demeanor has been bad enough. Babies add nothing to mystery series and further clog the plot. (And why is it always twins?)

[Jennifer Silva]

Another Great Cozy Mystery by Ellie ..But is Jules ever having her Twins ??

[Connie Whitcomb]

A mediocre cozy mystery. I finished it, but I won't go looking for any of the 20+ mysteries in the series.

[Mylie McKissack]

Another great book in this series!

[Susan Johnston]

This is a long running series that I have enjoyed thoroughly. One of the treats is experiencing the ups and downs and growth of the characters. This one does not disappoint. Juliette is in her last trimester and trying to keep busy while arranging for her upcoming mat leave. The various events that Torte offers are always fun but Lance throw a challenge at her. He wants a themed meal for the cast of his latest production. In three days. And he wants it to help relieve some of the tension amongst the cast and crew.

It only takes moments to discover the source of the problems is the director who has been allowed to run roughshod over everyone. That is until someone decides to put a stop to him. Permanently.

Like so many cozies, there is no shortage of suspects from his ex-wife to the property manager to the actors. One of the things I like about this series is there is no confrontation between Juliette and the local police. In fact, they are rather close and appreciate her insights. There are a number of false starts and twists to the story but it is going to require Jules to have a calm head when she and the killer come face to face. The suspense is high and I half expected labour to start. I won’t tell but there is lots more to discover about our favourite characters. Probably best read as part of the series and in order. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Sue Leis]

I thoroughly enjoyed the 22nd book in this long-running cozy series. It is escapist entertainment wrapped in a warm hug. I ❤️ the setting and all of the characters feel like old friends that I look forward to catching up with. I enjoy all of the descriptions of baking and cooking. I care more about the characters than the mystery, and some readers seem disappointed that the mystery takes a backseat to the story. I think that this is just because Jules, the sleuth, is pregnant and entering a different stage of life, with her priorities shifting.

[Sarah]

The Whisking Hours is book #22 in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. As usual, one can pick up this book out of order because the author does a great job of giving the backstory without sounding too tedious to those who have followed the series for a long time.

This mystery seems a bit darker than the rest and is perfect reading for a dark and stormy night. Our heroine, Juliet, is very pregnant with twins and finalizing her plans for the bakeshop before her maternity leave begins.

At the local theater, there is a Broadway show being performed called A Perfect Crime. When planning a cast party with a murder theme (which was fantastic btw!), an actual murder takes place in the dressing rooms. With Jules and her best friend, Lance, the clues keep coming but the suspects keep changing!

This truly was one that keeps the reader engaged and excited to see what happens next!

I do want to add a personal comment, which I normally do not do in a book review. As someone who has been pregnant with twins, I am wondering the the author talked to moms prior to developing this story line. I had an exceptionally healthy pregnancy with my twins, but even so, I thought the author's perspective on things was a bit uninformed. That said, I think the author did a fantastic job of describing a doting husband and I am glad Jules had someone like Carlos to help her (much like I had my wonderful husband!)

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

[Ann Litwack]

This was another great installment in The Bakeshop series by Ellie Alexander. I always love reconnecting with the characters in this series. I feel like I know them and am eager to find out what is happening with each one. It is fun that the mystery took place at the Shakespeare theater in Ashland, Oregon. I was invested in the mystery and in the sub-plots. It kept me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I loved the inclusion of a character from another one of her series. It was a great read and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

[Jean]

Clever Author #EllieAlexander for the title of her latest book of A Bakeshop Mystery. Owner of Torte, Juliet Capshaw, and her capable staff have been whisking up all types of baked goods, breads; roasting coffee for delectable drinks; and arranging and staging Sunday night dinners for family and townspeople of picturesque Ashland, Oregon. Theater director, Lance, and close friend of the soon-to-be mother of Twins Jules, persuades her to cater a feast for the cast of the current murder mystery play complete with all the bloody and gruesome spins one could image for food. The food is ready and just as the first of the crew arrives, a scream rings out as the director of the play, Kean, has been found dead in a dressing room. The suspects could include anyone connected to the play as Kean was not a likable person. Jules manages to talk with (interview) all suspects and passes along vital information to the police. This book is as delightful in all the scents of a kitchen as well as a stirring up a complicated twist of clues to the murder. Thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for a digital ARC of this book; this review is wholly my opinion of this book.

[Sherri]

***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

This is the 22nd bakeshop mystery. In this one, it is fall in Ashland, Oregon, and Juliet Capshaw & the rest of the staff at Torte are asked to cater a murderous feast for the cast party, production of the Broadway classic Perfect Crime. They baked up a bevy of creepy concoctions ; panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce. On the day of the soirée, a storm rolls through, bringing high winds and heavy rain. The lights are flickering as the actors take the stage, but fortunately they don't lose power. After the final curtain call, as the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall ready to party, an actor is discovered dead in his dressing room.

This book was a lot of fun. I loved the descriptions of all of the food & drinks.....very mouthwatering. Don't read on an empty stomach! There is a great mystery that kept me guessing,, as well. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, especially food & recipe themed, you should definitely check it out.

[Jennifer Gallagher]

This is one of my favorite series and the fact that there are TWENTY TWO books?!? I love how she has kept this story going - and growing! I adore the characters and if someone offered me a house in Ashland, I would move tomorrow! I can’t wait for book 23!!

[Beth Medrano]

When the new play brings in a new cast, things get weird. Method acting taken to far, lies, and podcasts. This was another great adventure. Looking forward to more stories about Torte!

[Lauren]

My first bakeshop mystery, not my last! This book had a whole cast of characters each with their own motive for the crime that happens! I would definitely classify this as a cozy mystery and I loved the whole vibe of the book. As a person who loves being in the kitchen, I loved the detail and recipes included in the book! It was so fun to try to figure out the purp as the book continued, but it definitely kept me guessing. Mainly since everyone 1. Had a motive and 2. Kept acting so suspect!!! Thank you St Martin’s for sending me this copy!

[Alys]

These are not improving with time.

[Jill]

Jules Capshaw is back, this time with twins in her belly. It’s not quite time for the birth, but she is having to cut back on some of her duties at her bakery Torte. But when her best friend Lance wants Torte to create a crime scene dinner for the cast and crew of his latest production, Jules can’t help but say yes.

Lance Rousseau is celebrating the popularity of his latest play, Perfect Crime, a change of pace from his usual Shakespeare. However, the cast is struggling against the director and he is somewhat distracted trying to plan his wedding. But he knows that Jules and Torte can come up with a beautiful spread for the party, even on short notice.

Jules puts her head together with her bakers and cooks, and they prepare some appetizers, a meal, and desserts for Lance’s party. It’s to follow one of the performances. As Jules takes in the space they will have for cooking and for serving, she overhears some of the things happening with the cast. Apparently the director, Kean Armitage, has insisted that his actors use the Method style of acting, staying in character on the stage and off.

So lead actor Roman is skulking around acting menacing at all times, and Blake has felt like someone was following her, causing her to feel increasingly anxious as the days have gone by. Kean’s ex-wife is also in town, as a sketchy theater reviewer and party planner for Lance’s last-minute cast party. And Casey, in charge of the props for the play, is incensed because Kean told Roman to take the prop gun with him outside of the theater, which is just asking for trouble.

And trouble comes, when Kean is shot in the head the evening of the big cast party.

Jules and her crew decide to go ahead and serve the meal they prepared, but instead of a fun cast party, they are serving a serious-minded cast and police officers as they take breaks from gathering evidence and questioning suspects. Lance is taking this murder personally, as it happened in the middle of his perfect murder mystery play, so he enlists Jules to help him investigate. But Jules is now especially vulnerable, so she needs to stay alert to stay out of danger herself.

The Whisking Hour is book 22 in Ellie Alexander’s popular Bakeshop Mystery Series based in Ashland, Oregon. You don’t have to have read the previous books to dive into this one, but there are a lot of recurring characters and much of the activity that’s not about solving the murder is about the bakery and family, which is more meaningful the more of these books you read.

There is a lot of food talk, brownies and meatballs and coffee, so I always have to make sure I have snacks on hand before reading her books. And if you’re a fan of all of Alexander’s books, then there is a truly lovely surprise from her Sloan Krause brewery mystery series. But I do love reading these Bookshop mysteries. They feel make me feel like I’m taking a trip to see friends, getting caught up on all the changes to the town and what everyone is up to (and eating!). I was surprised that the babies weren’t here yet, as this is not the only book where Jules has been pregnant, but otherwise, I had a lot of fun visiting Torte and the gang in Ashland, and I look forward to those babies being born.

Egalleys for The Whishing Hour were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.