What do you think?
Rate this book
Bakeshop Mystery #22
The Whisking Hour
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.
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.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2026
127 people are currently reading
6279 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Alexander
92 books3,093 followersEllie 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—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
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—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
February 24, 2026
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
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.
February 10, 2026
"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.
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.
February 24, 2026
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
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
January 25, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. This is an honest review.
March 3, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I always feel a bit like I've overeaten at a scrumptious meal and shared lots of hugs, laughs, and good times with wonderful friends by the time I finish a book in this series. Seriously, don't even think of sitting down to read while you're hungry. I'm not even remotely a foodie but you'll almost feel like the aromas and tastes of the meals and treats being prepared throughout almost seep out of the pages. Given that my usual move is to stick something in the microwave and be done with it, that's high praise from this not-even-pretending-to-be-a-cook reader. It's been a delight to follow the saga of Juliet Capshaw over this series and I've come to think of the characters as old friends. Even those physically missing, such as Carlos' son Ramiro, who was a fun ingredient over the last few books but has returned to Spain for his final school year before college, gets space. Of course, it's always extra fun with the way over the top Lance Rousseau gets to share the spotlight with Juliet/Jules. Oh, boy, wait till you hear some of Lance's ideas for his upcoming wedding. Then there's Jules' mother, Helen, and Shakespeare quoting step-dad Doug, hardly what one expects when contacting the police, as well as officers Thomas and Kelly. And, of course, the entire crew at Torte, Jules' family's amazing bakery. Again, if you weren't hungry when you started the book, you'll be by the time you finish.
So, while I'd say it's the characters that keep me coming back book after book, but Ellie Alexander always offers up an interesting mystery to be solved, too. It was actually quite refreshing to see Jules not rushing off to confront potential murderers or putting herself deliberately in harms' way, something that we can't always say of many amateur sleuths. Maybe that has something to do with the fact Jules' is pregnant with twins and has become more aware of the need to take care of herself. Thus, while wildly curious about the "perfect murder" at the end of a performance of a Lance produced play, we get to see several others take the lead in chasing down not just the clues but suspects. Well, sorta. Nope, not telling. Let's just say that murder party had an unexpected ending and the cast is, well, let's say, all rather weirdly suspicious. True crime podcasts and even AI get their moments, as does some weird method acting. I never quite settled on my choice for whodunit, I have to admit, though. One of those where my best guess kept changing until the end, nearly the very end, in fact.
Bottom line, it's surely obvious I'm a fan of the series and loved the maturity Jules showed in not being the proverbial "too stupid to live". Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MintaurBooks for the early peek at how Jules' pregnancy and life is going, not to mention whether Lance has driven them all crazy with his impulsive ideas for his wedding. You'll also learn that running a bakery isn't all about bakery. Planning and being able to go with the flow of events, even bad ones, not to mention all the paperwork. Ugh, paperwork doesn't sound at all appetizing. The ending is a delight, too, highlighting the sense of community and family. I'm already ready for the next in the series.
So, while I'd say it's the characters that keep me coming back book after book, but Ellie Alexander always offers up an interesting mystery to be solved, too. It was actually quite refreshing to see Jules not rushing off to confront potential murderers or putting herself deliberately in harms' way, something that we can't always say of many amateur sleuths. Maybe that has something to do with the fact Jules' is pregnant with twins and has become more aware of the need to take care of herself. Thus, while wildly curious about the "perfect murder" at the end of a performance of a Lance produced play, we get to see several others take the lead in chasing down not just the clues but suspects. Well, sorta. Nope, not telling. Let's just say that murder party had an unexpected ending and the cast is, well, let's say, all rather weirdly suspicious. True crime podcasts and even AI get their moments, as does some weird method acting. I never quite settled on my choice for whodunit, I have to admit, though. One of those where my best guess kept changing until the end, nearly the very end, in fact.
Bottom line, it's surely obvious I'm a fan of the series and loved the maturity Jules showed in not being the proverbial "too stupid to live". Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MintaurBooks for the early peek at how Jules' pregnancy and life is going, not to mention whether Lance has driven them all crazy with his impulsive ideas for his wedding. You'll also learn that running a bakery isn't all about bakery. Planning and being able to go with the flow of events, even bad ones, not to mention all the paperwork. Ugh, paperwork doesn't sound at all appetizing. The ending is a delight, too, highlighting the sense of community and family. I'm already ready for the next in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s theater artistic director extraordinaire, Lance Rousseau, has brought a Broadway classic to Ashland, Oregon. He has put his own spin on Perfect Crime, and performances are selling out. The performers are getting a little weary with only a few shows left, so Lance hires his BFF Jules and the Torte crew to cater a cast party. With tasty treats ready to serve and a storm coming over the Siskiyou Mountains, Jules learns there has been an actual murder at the theatre. The play director is dead, and the entire cast and crew are now playing the real suspects. Lance quickly decides he and Jules will don their sleuthing caps to be sure this killer didn’t commit a “Perfect” murder.
The characters Ms. Alexander has created for this series are well-crafted and continue to evolve with each new story. Jules and Carlos are excited as the birth of their twins draws near. Her mom, Helen, will be stepping in to cover at Torte, but the team at Torte is well-qualified and the best in the business, so there is no worry there. Lance is turning into a bit of a Bridezilla with his crazy wedding ideas. Arlo is a wonderful man with the patience of a saint who loves Lance to the moon and back. Thomas and Kerry are also awaiting a new arrival. I love how these characters come together for each other, no matter what; it is a real family atmosphere.
The murder mystery was very intriguing. Director Kean Armitage was a horrible man with even crazier ideas than Lance. He was most unlikeable and abhorred by anyone forced to work with him. His death was not going to be solved easily with a cast full of suspects. The Professor, Thomas, and Kerry had their hands full. They, along with Lance and Jules, did their best to eliminate people and try to gain focus on the killer, but were still stymied. Don’t worry, Lance had a plan! Oh dear, that usually brings more trouble. Jules did her best to stay out of the fray, protecting herself and her babies. Carlos, still worried. I was on the fence about the guilty party until the very end, but had pared it down to two. The takedown was very satisfying.
To quote the Professor who quoted Rosalind from As You Like It, where she teases Orlando, “I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.” He reframes what it means to waste our time. I agree, there is nothing better than spending time with family and friends.
The Whisking Hour was another fun visit with Jules and all her friends and family. The mystery had a passel of suspects, twists, and turns, along with entertaining subplots. Foodies will love the recipes included in the story. I would willingly waste my time reading anything written by Ellie Alexander. She is an awesome storyteller. This was another Perfect Escape!
Stay tuned! The Pumpkin Vice Cafe is coming September 29, 2026!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s theater artistic director extraordinaire, Lance Rousseau, has brought a Broadway classic to Ashland, Oregon. He has put his own spin on Perfect Crime, and performances are selling out. The performers are getting a little weary with only a few shows left, so Lance hires his BFF Jules and the Torte crew to cater a cast party. With tasty treats ready to serve and a storm coming over the Siskiyou Mountains, Jules learns there has been an actual murder at the theatre. The play director is dead, and the entire cast and crew are now playing the real suspects. Lance quickly decides he and Jules will don their sleuthing caps to be sure this killer didn’t commit a “Perfect” murder.
The characters Ms. Alexander has created for this series are well-crafted and continue to evolve with each new story. Jules and Carlos are excited as the birth of their twins draws near. Her mom, Helen, will be stepping in to cover at Torte, but the team at Torte is well-qualified and the best in the business, so there is no worry there. Lance is turning into a bit of a Bridezilla with his crazy wedding ideas. Arlo is a wonderful man with the patience of a saint who loves Lance to the moon and back. Thomas and Kerry are also awaiting a new arrival. I love how these characters come together for each other, no matter what; it is a real family atmosphere.
The murder mystery was very intriguing. Director Kean Armitage was a horrible man with even crazier ideas than Lance. He was most unlikeable and abhorred by anyone forced to work with him. His death was not going to be solved easily with a cast full of suspects. The Professor, Thomas, and Kerry had their hands full. They, along with Lance and Jules, did their best to eliminate people and try to gain focus on the killer, but were still stymied. Don’t worry, Lance had a plan! Oh dear, that usually brings more trouble. Jules did her best to stay out of the fray, protecting herself and her babies. Carlos, still worried. I was on the fence about the guilty party until the very end, but had pared it down to two. The takedown was very satisfying.
To quote the Professor who quoted Rosalind from As You Like It, where she teases Orlando, “I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.” He reframes what it means to waste our time. I agree, there is nothing better than spending time with family and friends.
The Whisking Hour was another fun visit with Jules and all her friends and family. The mystery had a passel of suspects, twists, and turns, along with entertaining subplots. Foodies will love the recipes included in the story. I would willingly waste my time reading anything written by Ellie Alexander. She is an awesome storyteller. This was another Perfect Escape!
Stay tuned! The Pumpkin Vice Cafe is coming September 29, 2026!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
February 25, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an ARC of this novel.
Incredibly, this is the 22nd book in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop series, their very number testifying to the popularity of this cosy mystery set in the pretty little town of Ashland, Oregon. In this volume, we have a very pregnant Juliet Montague Capshaw (Jules). Despite the undoubted physical discomfort and fatigue of carrying twins, Jules is as active as ever in running Torte, the bakery started by her parents. I found myself actually worrying at the way she was running up and down the stairs carrying trays of baked goods and supplies. The food in these books is so lovingly described it practically becomes its own cast of supporting characters.
As always, Jules has her wonderful and infinitely helpful husband Carlos by her side. Everyone is looking forward to the forthcoming babies. She has an efficient, capable, and loyal staff ready to take up extra duties as she gets closer to her due date. All is well. Except that, as this story begins, everyone’s favourite local thespian, actually theatre director/her best friend Lance, asks for ‘a favour.’ He wants her to prepare a dinner for 30 guests on the theme of murder, in keeping with the very popular murder mystery he is staging. She has only 3 days’ notice, but the combined efforts of the Torte team quickly put together an appropriately gory menu.
Naturally, life then imitates art. The director, Kean, that Lance has hired is famous for his theatre skills, but also despised for his arrogance and the pressure he puts on his actors. One of them, Roman, is practically unhinged because Kean insists that he stay in character all the time, and even follows him around to make sure. Kean’s ex-wife, Vera, has also shown up. She is supposed to be a crime podcaster, but her story is flimsy. Why is she really there? She clearly despises Kean as well. Then there are the female actors, whom he did not hesitate to harass in other ways. So, when Kean is found dead of a gunshot wound just before the play opens, there are a number of suspects and some fairly straightforward motivations. The question seems to be not why he was murdered, but who most wanted him dead.
Basically, there is a murder mystery behind a play that is a murder mystery. Jules is obliged to take a somewhat more distanced role than usual, letting her friends in the local police force take the lead. But Jules is nothing if not a mastermind clue collector, and if she does more thinking than active solving, she still does a lot to uncover who did it.
This no. 22 is as much fun as the ones that preceded it, but the same things that make the books fun also, after all this time, make the plot a bit predictable. I do enjoy the food prep but it gets heavy handed. New characters are introduced but the ‘old’ ones don’t seem to change much over time. This is especially true about the lovely but histrionic Lance. Nonetheless, even if this is your introduction to the series, there’s enough detail to fill in what’s needed, and enough suspense to make it a lively mystery.
Incredibly, this is the 22nd book in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop series, their very number testifying to the popularity of this cosy mystery set in the pretty little town of Ashland, Oregon. In this volume, we have a very pregnant Juliet Montague Capshaw (Jules). Despite the undoubted physical discomfort and fatigue of carrying twins, Jules is as active as ever in running Torte, the bakery started by her parents. I found myself actually worrying at the way she was running up and down the stairs carrying trays of baked goods and supplies. The food in these books is so lovingly described it practically becomes its own cast of supporting characters.
As always, Jules has her wonderful and infinitely helpful husband Carlos by her side. Everyone is looking forward to the forthcoming babies. She has an efficient, capable, and loyal staff ready to take up extra duties as she gets closer to her due date. All is well. Except that, as this story begins, everyone’s favourite local thespian, actually theatre director/her best friend Lance, asks for ‘a favour.’ He wants her to prepare a dinner for 30 guests on the theme of murder, in keeping with the very popular murder mystery he is staging. She has only 3 days’ notice, but the combined efforts of the Torte team quickly put together an appropriately gory menu.
Naturally, life then imitates art. The director, Kean, that Lance has hired is famous for his theatre skills, but also despised for his arrogance and the pressure he puts on his actors. One of them, Roman, is practically unhinged because Kean insists that he stay in character all the time, and even follows him around to make sure. Kean’s ex-wife, Vera, has also shown up. She is supposed to be a crime podcaster, but her story is flimsy. Why is she really there? She clearly despises Kean as well. Then there are the female actors, whom he did not hesitate to harass in other ways. So, when Kean is found dead of a gunshot wound just before the play opens, there are a number of suspects and some fairly straightforward motivations. The question seems to be not why he was murdered, but who most wanted him dead.
Basically, there is a murder mystery behind a play that is a murder mystery. Jules is obliged to take a somewhat more distanced role than usual, letting her friends in the local police force take the lead. But Jules is nothing if not a mastermind clue collector, and if she does more thinking than active solving, she still does a lot to uncover who did it.
This no. 22 is as much fun as the ones that preceded it, but the same things that make the books fun also, after all this time, make the plot a bit predictable. I do enjoy the food prep but it gets heavy handed. New characters are introduced but the ‘old’ ones don’t seem to change much over time. This is especially true about the lovely but histrionic Lance. Nonetheless, even if this is your introduction to the series, there’s enough detail to fill in what’s needed, and enough suspense to make it a lively mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 24, 2026
“The Whisking Hour” is the twenty-second book in “The Bakeshop Mysteries” series by author Ellie Alexander.
Bakery owner, and head baker, Juliet Capshaw is preparing for a murder-themed party, celebrating a new theatre production, with Juliet’s best friend, Lance, as the theatre director. But what she doesn’t expect is the tension between the actors, and most of it is directed toward the show’s director, Kean, and it takes everything Juliet has to just try and stay out of the drama for the party. Of course, this doesn’t work out so well when Kean’s body is found, thrusting all of the actors and stage crew in a different kind of spotlight. Although Juliet knows the police are doing all they can, she can’t help but look into herself, and what she discovers is not at all what she expected.
“Hour” was my first book by Alexander, and my first foray into this series in general. The characters were all new to me, but I was still able to keep up and remain engaged throughout. It is obvious that character relationships have developed throughout the series, and the details of those were shared in other books, but this particular storyline was focused on a stand-alone mystery, and less on the character relationships, which made it easier for a newbie like me to keep up with.
Juliet is a baker, so expect lots of sweet treats, as well as how she crafts them, to show up often and regularly. She continues to run her bakery, even though her pregnancy will soon have her leaving the bake shop to take maternity leave, but she seems to have a decent set of workers to support her, as the funny and quirky backup characters were a perfect complement to Juliet.
The mystery itself was well developed, but I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending. The final pages revealed the suspect, but it seemed forced and rushed, and the explanation around this discovery was brushed over. I would’ve liked to have known more of the specific details on how this particular suspect committed the crime, but at least the ending provided an answer to most of the questions.
“Hour” is a murder mystery that takes place while a murder mystery is being performed on stage, with a delicious and delectable backdrop of absolutely mouth-watering treats and delicacies. I enjoyed the fast-paced storyline and Juliet was a relatable and likable protagonist. The ending was satisfying, even if I wanted a bit more detail, and I’m invested enough in Juliet and her crew to pick up the next novel in the series.
Expected publication date: Feb. 24, 2026
“The Whisking Hour” is the twenty-second book in “The Bakeshop Mysteries” series by author Ellie Alexander.
Bakery owner, and head baker, Juliet Capshaw is preparing for a murder-themed party, celebrating a new theatre production, with Juliet’s best friend, Lance, as the theatre director. But what she doesn’t expect is the tension between the actors, and most of it is directed toward the show’s director, Kean, and it takes everything Juliet has to just try and stay out of the drama for the party. Of course, this doesn’t work out so well when Kean’s body is found, thrusting all of the actors and stage crew in a different kind of spotlight. Although Juliet knows the police are doing all they can, she can’t help but look into herself, and what she discovers is not at all what she expected.
“Hour” was my first book by Alexander, and my first foray into this series in general. The characters were all new to me, but I was still able to keep up and remain engaged throughout. It is obvious that character relationships have developed throughout the series, and the details of those were shared in other books, but this particular storyline was focused on a stand-alone mystery, and less on the character relationships, which made it easier for a newbie like me to keep up with.
Juliet is a baker, so expect lots of sweet treats, as well as how she crafts them, to show up often and regularly. She continues to run her bakery, even though her pregnancy will soon have her leaving the bake shop to take maternity leave, but she seems to have a decent set of workers to support her, as the funny and quirky backup characters were a perfect complement to Juliet.
The mystery itself was well developed, but I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending. The final pages revealed the suspect, but it seemed forced and rushed, and the explanation around this discovery was brushed over. I would’ve liked to have known more of the specific details on how this particular suspect committed the crime, but at least the ending provided an answer to most of the questions.
“Hour” is a murder mystery that takes place while a murder mystery is being performed on stage, with a delicious and delectable backdrop of absolutely mouth-watering treats and delicacies. I enjoyed the fast-paced storyline and Juliet was a relatable and likable protagonist. The ending was satisfying, even if I wanted a bit more detail, and I’m invested enough in Juliet and her crew to pick up the next novel in the series.
December 21, 2025
Ellie Alexander’s The Whisking Hour is the literary equivalent of wrapping yourself in a soft sweater while chaos politely unfolds nearby and someone, inevitably, ends up dead.
St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books, thank you so much for my gifted ARC via NetGalley, which I happily devoured with zero crumbs left behind.
This installment drops us straight into peak fall in Ashland, Oregon, and I could practically hear the rain tapping the windows while I read. There’s theatre drama, literal stage drama, and the kind of stormy atmosphere that makes you feel like something terrible is not only possible but scheduled. Jules is gearing up to cater a murder-themed cast party for a production of Perfect Crime, which is already flirting with irony before the body even drops. Add flickering lights, theatrical egos, and a cast full of secrets, and you’ve got a setup that feels both cozy and ominous in the best possible way.
Let’s talk about the food, because wow. If you read this book hungry, that’s on you. The descriptions of baked goods and savory treats are borderline aggressive, and I mean that as a compliment. Panna cotta eyeballs, cheese fingers, pumpkin sauces, comfort food layered with just enough macabre flair to fit the theme. The kitchen scenes are some of my favorites, not just because they made me crave carbs, but because they highlight how much Jules trusts her team now. There’s a real sense of growth and stability here that longtime readers will appreciate.
Jules herself is heavily pregnant in this book, and I loved that this actually mattered. She’s not sprinting into danger or ignoring common sense. She’s thoughtful, cautious, and aware of her limits, which was honestly refreshing. The mystery unfolds around her rather than because of reckless choices, and it made the story feel grounded without losing momentum.
The theatre setting adds an extra layer of fun. Everyone is already pretending to be someone else, so figuring out who’s lying feels like part of the performance. The suspect pool is solid, motives are layered, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story nudged me sideways again. It’s not wildly shocking, but it doesn’t need to be. This is comfort reading with a pulse.
What really got me, though, was the emotional payoff. Beneath the murder and the pastries, this book is about community, friendship, and showing up for one another when it counts. The ending leans into that theme hard, and yes, it absolutely got me misty. I blame hormones. And good writing.
“Autumn comes with pumpkin spice, cinnamon rolls, and a heaping tablespoon of murder.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
#TheWhiskingHour #EllieAlexander #ABakeshopMystery #CozyMystery #BookReview #NetGalley #ARCReview #MysteryBooks #CozyReads #FallReads
St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books, thank you so much for my gifted ARC via NetGalley, which I happily devoured with zero crumbs left behind.
This installment drops us straight into peak fall in Ashland, Oregon, and I could practically hear the rain tapping the windows while I read. There’s theatre drama, literal stage drama, and the kind of stormy atmosphere that makes you feel like something terrible is not only possible but scheduled. Jules is gearing up to cater a murder-themed cast party for a production of Perfect Crime, which is already flirting with irony before the body even drops. Add flickering lights, theatrical egos, and a cast full of secrets, and you’ve got a setup that feels both cozy and ominous in the best possible way.
Let’s talk about the food, because wow. If you read this book hungry, that’s on you. The descriptions of baked goods and savory treats are borderline aggressive, and I mean that as a compliment. Panna cotta eyeballs, cheese fingers, pumpkin sauces, comfort food layered with just enough macabre flair to fit the theme. The kitchen scenes are some of my favorites, not just because they made me crave carbs, but because they highlight how much Jules trusts her team now. There’s a real sense of growth and stability here that longtime readers will appreciate.
Jules herself is heavily pregnant in this book, and I loved that this actually mattered. She’s not sprinting into danger or ignoring common sense. She’s thoughtful, cautious, and aware of her limits, which was honestly refreshing. The mystery unfolds around her rather than because of reckless choices, and it made the story feel grounded without losing momentum.
The theatre setting adds an extra layer of fun. Everyone is already pretending to be someone else, so figuring out who’s lying feels like part of the performance. The suspect pool is solid, motives are layered, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story nudged me sideways again. It’s not wildly shocking, but it doesn’t need to be. This is comfort reading with a pulse.
What really got me, though, was the emotional payoff. Beneath the murder and the pastries, this book is about community, friendship, and showing up for one another when it counts. The ending leans into that theme hard, and yes, it absolutely got me misty. I blame hormones. And good writing.
“Autumn comes with pumpkin spice, cinnamon rolls, and a heaping tablespoon of murder.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars
#TheWhiskingHour #EllieAlexander #ABakeshopMystery #CozyMystery #BookReview #NetGalley #ARCReview #MysteryBooks #CozyReads #FallReads
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Jules is expecting! Ashland is a hub of activity as usual with an exciting new play at OSF, lots of catering events at Torte, and Lance deep into planning the wedding of the century to fiancé Arlo but Juliet is trying to take it easy as she prepares for maternity leave. Though Juliet knows she shouldn't be digging into any crimes with not one but two buns in the oven, she can't help herself when her murder-themed after party becomes a bit more true to theme than anyone planned.
This series is a favorite of mine. In general I read cozies in the order of release but this series I started with book 17, Catch Me If You Candy, then read book 18, A Smoking Bun, before going back to the beginning and binge-reading the first books. I was supposed to be reading them as part of a group series read but I couldn't pace myself and read them one after another long before I was supposed to read them. I might have gotten a bit more out of the later books if I'd read the series in order and seen the evolution of the characters in real-time but I don't think I enjoyed the books any less. The setting it so perfect, the characters so lovely, every visit to Ashland is a true pleasure.
There were some bittersweet things in this book, as can happen with a series you get really invested in. Ramiro has gone back to Spain and Jules misses him terribly. She's excited to welcome her two babies but their impending birth is also bittersweet because her own father won't be there to meet his new grandbabies. But while there was a hint of sadness there was also so much love. The entire community is reaching out to support Jules and Carlos and Torte, helping them make sure Torte stays up and running while Jules is on maternity leave and Jules and Lance even go so far as to attend Richard Lord's viewing of his new reality show to show their support for a man who's done nothing but cause them headaches. Because that's what you do in Ashland.
The mystery in this book was also really interesting, centering around the cast of a new play. All the actors are sus and Jules can't help but allow Lance to pull her into things, though everyone is keeping a very close eye on their favorite baker and her precious cargo. The only thing I will say about the mystery is that it all came together... until Thomas was explaining to Jules what had happened. And it didn't make any sense. As the truth was revealed previously I was on board and everything was clear but when Thomas started explaining things he added some details that didn't fit in with anything else. But easy enough to shrug off and move on.
This is definitely a series that any cozy fan needs to read!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
This series is a favorite of mine. In general I read cozies in the order of release but this series I started with book 17, Catch Me If You Candy, then read book 18, A Smoking Bun, before going back to the beginning and binge-reading the first books. I was supposed to be reading them as part of a group series read but I couldn't pace myself and read them one after another long before I was supposed to read them. I might have gotten a bit more out of the later books if I'd read the series in order and seen the evolution of the characters in real-time but I don't think I enjoyed the books any less. The setting it so perfect, the characters so lovely, every visit to Ashland is a true pleasure.
There were some bittersweet things in this book, as can happen with a series you get really invested in. Ramiro has gone back to Spain and Jules misses him terribly. She's excited to welcome her two babies but their impending birth is also bittersweet because her own father won't be there to meet his new grandbabies. But while there was a hint of sadness there was also so much love. The entire community is reaching out to support Jules and Carlos and Torte, helping them make sure Torte stays up and running while Jules is on maternity leave and Jules and Lance even go so far as to attend Richard Lord's viewing of his new reality show to show their support for a man who's done nothing but cause them headaches. Because that's what you do in Ashland.
The mystery in this book was also really interesting, centering around the cast of a new play. All the actors are sus and Jules can't help but allow Lance to pull her into things, though everyone is keeping a very close eye on their favorite baker and her precious cargo. The only thing I will say about the mystery is that it all came together... until Thomas was explaining to Jules what had happened. And it didn't make any sense. As the truth was revealed previously I was on board and everything was clear but when Thomas started explaining things he added some details that didn't fit in with anything else. But easy enough to shrug off and move on.
This is definitely a series that any cozy fan needs to read!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Whisking Hour
is the twenty-second book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This cozy mystery is set in Ashland, Oregon and features Jules Capshaw, her husband Carlos, best friend Lance, his significant other, Arlo, and the team at Torte. Torte is the bakery started by Jules’s parents.
This story is centered around theater artistic director Lance’s production of a murder mystery that has been getting terrific reviews. The play is about a group of suspects and the so-called perfect murder. Jules and her team have been asked to cater a cast party with a murder theme. Unfortunately, a member of the crew is found murdered.
Jules is expecting twins in a few weeks. She’s a great mentor to the staff and has recently promoted some of them as she prepares for maternity leave. Carlos is a supportive and loving husband. He runs their winery. Lance is some-what over-the-top, but a dedicated artistic director. He’s tenderhearted, but has an inclination for theatrics. His ideas for his and Arlo’s wedding and reception are hilarious. The early chapters allow readers to catch up with repeat characters.
The story starts at Torte with readers being introduced to many of the staff, but it takes until chapter eight before the mystery gets fully underway. There are plenty of twists and turns and several suspects. The cozy small-town atmosphere and worldbuilding is great. A big positive for this book is the relationships. However, there are long segments with talk about food, Jules’s pregnancy, and her family, friends, and neighbors. This makes the murder take a back seat when it should have been the focus.
Overall, this is an entertaining and fun small-town cozy mystery that focuses more on food, friendship, family, community, and helping others than the mystery itself.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Ellie Alexander provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 24, 2026.
-----------------------------------
My 3.27 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
This story is centered around theater artistic director Lance’s production of a murder mystery that has been getting terrific reviews. The play is about a group of suspects and the so-called perfect murder. Jules and her team have been asked to cater a cast party with a murder theme. Unfortunately, a member of the crew is found murdered.
Jules is expecting twins in a few weeks. She’s a great mentor to the staff and has recently promoted some of them as she prepares for maternity leave. Carlos is a supportive and loving husband. He runs their winery. Lance is some-what over-the-top, but a dedicated artistic director. He’s tenderhearted, but has an inclination for theatrics. His ideas for his and Arlo’s wedding and reception are hilarious. The early chapters allow readers to catch up with repeat characters.
The story starts at Torte with readers being introduced to many of the staff, but it takes until chapter eight before the mystery gets fully underway. There are plenty of twists and turns and several suspects. The cozy small-town atmosphere and worldbuilding is great. A big positive for this book is the relationships. However, there are long segments with talk about food, Jules’s pregnancy, and her family, friends, and neighbors. This makes the murder take a back seat when it should have been the focus.
Overall, this is an entertaining and fun small-town cozy mystery that focuses more on food, friendship, family, community, and helping others than the mystery itself.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Ellie Alexander provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 24, 2026.
-----------------------------------
My 3.27 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
The Ashland, Oregon setting comes to life in this series because of the way the scenery, landmarks, shops, and especially the bakery are described. Torte is Juliet Capshaw's family bakery and is the heart of the series. The staff of Torte is a tight-knit group who work well together and consider themselves family. The descriptions of the food they prepare will make you hungry and if you're ambitious, there are recipes at the end so you can recreate some of the dishes.
This book is divided between details of running a bakery and catering events and Jules' personal life with her husband and business partner, Carlos. This book involves a killing on the set of the play that Juliet's best friend Lance, the theater director, is putting on. When a difficult director is killed at the theater, of course Juliet teams up with Lance to help investigate. There are several possible suspects including cast and crew members of the play. Alexander keeps each element balanced and the result is an engaging cozy that kept my interest throughout the book.
The mysteries in this book and others in the series are fun, but it's the characters that keep me coming back. Juliet and Carlos are one of my favorite book couples, and Juliet and Lance are friendship goals. Lance encourages Jules to have fun, and she balances out his drama. Juliet also has a wonderful relationship with her mother and stepfather, so it's nice that so many of the main characters get along so well. There are some tense moments at the end before the real killer is revealed and I breathed a sigh of relief at the way things turned out. If you're new to the series or if you're already a fan, I think you'll enjoy this culinary cozy.
I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
The Ashland, Oregon setting comes to life in this series because of the way the scenery, landmarks, shops, and especially the bakery are described. Torte is Juliet Capshaw's family bakery and is the heart of the series. The staff of Torte is a tight-knit group who work well together and consider themselves family. The descriptions of the food they prepare will make you hungry and if you're ambitious, there are recipes at the end so you can recreate some of the dishes.
This book is divided between details of running a bakery and catering events and Jules' personal life with her husband and business partner, Carlos. This book involves a killing on the set of the play that Juliet's best friend Lance, the theater director, is putting on. When a difficult director is killed at the theater, of course Juliet teams up with Lance to help investigate. There are several possible suspects including cast and crew members of the play. Alexander keeps each element balanced and the result is an engaging cozy that kept my interest throughout the book.
The mysteries in this book and others in the series are fun, but it's the characters that keep me coming back. Juliet and Carlos are one of my favorite book couples, and Juliet and Lance are friendship goals. Lance encourages Jules to have fun, and she balances out his drama. Juliet also has a wonderful relationship with her mother and stepfather, so it's nice that so many of the main characters get along so well. There are some tense moments at the end before the real killer is revealed and I breathed a sigh of relief at the way things turned out. If you're new to the series or if you're already a fan, I think you'll enjoy this culinary cozy.
I received a copy of this book from Minotaur Books for review consideration. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
February 25, 2026
OSF is putting on a murder mystery play to rave reviews, but there is something rotten amongst the cast, crew and producer. In a bid to encourage some unity in the cast, Lance asks Jules to put on a party with murder themed foods.The party is less than successful because the producer is found murdered just as the party begins.
There are plenty of good suspects, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who is behind the death.
Jules is nearing the end of her pregnancy, so she is a bit less involved. Unless someone steps into Torte where Jules will take every opportunity to ask questions.
There were a couple of things I noticed that struck me as a little different for this series. One, all the new hires are nameless. They are only called the new hires or the youngest members of the team. I recognize that with the cast of the play to introduce, it might have been an overwhelming number of new names to keep track of, but it just felt less personal than I’m used to at Torte.
Two, Lance seemed a bit off. He keeps proposing such outlandish things for his and Arlo’s wedding that it makes me wonder if he really wants to marry at all. There is also a point at the end where Lance gets drunk. That felt a little out of character. It felt like he was taking the situation a bit more to heart than he usually would with the person in question. Another thing, Jules seems like she has been pregnant for a long time. It’s been at least three books now including this one. I guess the reader can hope the babies will be born in book 23?
I know that my explanation might create questions. I guess you’ll have to read the book and see what you think
I love visiting Ashland via the Bakeshop Mysteries. I recommend reading in order so you will love the characters as much as fans of the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a pre-release copy of the book.
There are plenty of good suspects, and it’s anyone’s guess as to who is behind the death.
Jules is nearing the end of her pregnancy, so she is a bit less involved. Unless someone steps into Torte where Jules will take every opportunity to ask questions.
There were a couple of things I noticed that struck me as a little different for this series. One, all the new hires are nameless. They are only called the new hires or the youngest members of the team. I recognize that with the cast of the play to introduce, it might have been an overwhelming number of new names to keep track of, but it just felt less personal than I’m used to at Torte.
Two, Lance seemed a bit off. He keeps proposing such outlandish things for his and Arlo’s wedding that it makes me wonder if he really wants to marry at all. There is also a point at the end where Lance gets drunk. That felt a little out of character. It felt like he was taking the situation a bit more to heart than he usually would with the person in question. Another thing, Jules seems like she has been pregnant for a long time. It’s been at least three books now including this one. I guess the reader can hope the babies will be born in book 23?
I know that my explanation might create questions. I guess you’ll have to read the book and see what you think
I love visiting Ashland via the Bakeshop Mysteries. I recommend reading in order so you will love the characters as much as fans of the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a pre-release copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎."
Ellie Alexander delivers another cozy, satisfying installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mystery series. This time around, life in Ashland is busy as ever, with Juliet juggling the demands of her family bakeshop Torte, community events, and yet another murder that disrupts the town’s otherwise charming rhythm. When a local figure turns up dead during a local production of of the Broadway classic 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆, Juliet can’t help but get drawn into the investigation once again, even though her twins are getting ready to make their own debut performance.
One of the biggest pleasures of this book is how comfortable it feels to step back into this world the author has created while still noticing how much it’s grown. As the 22nd book in the series, this installment benefits from a well-established cast of beloved characters who feel like old friends. The relationships are richer, and Juliet’s instincts both as a baker and a sleuth show clear evolution. The author does a great job rewarding longtime readers with character continuity and emotional depth, without making newcomers feel completely lost if they happen to jump in mid-series.
There’s also a warm undercurrent of anticipation running through the story thanks to the imminent arrival of Juliet and Carlos’s twins. That looming life change adds tenderness and urgency to the narrative, grounding the mystery in something deeply personal. It’s refreshing to see a cozy series allow its characters to age, change, and take on new roles while still delivering the comforting storylines long-time readers expect. Many thanks to St. Martins Press for the early copy. Look for this one February 24, 2026.
Ellie Alexander delivers another cozy, satisfying installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mystery series. This time around, life in Ashland is busy as ever, with Juliet juggling the demands of her family bakeshop Torte, community events, and yet another murder that disrupts the town’s otherwise charming rhythm. When a local figure turns up dead during a local production of of the Broadway classic 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆, Juliet can’t help but get drawn into the investigation once again, even though her twins are getting ready to make their own debut performance.
One of the biggest pleasures of this book is how comfortable it feels to step back into this world the author has created while still noticing how much it’s grown. As the 22nd book in the series, this installment benefits from a well-established cast of beloved characters who feel like old friends. The relationships are richer, and Juliet’s instincts both as a baker and a sleuth show clear evolution. The author does a great job rewarding longtime readers with character continuity and emotional depth, without making newcomers feel completely lost if they happen to jump in mid-series.
There’s also a warm undercurrent of anticipation running through the story thanks to the imminent arrival of Juliet and Carlos’s twins. That looming life change adds tenderness and urgency to the narrative, grounding the mystery in something deeply personal. It’s refreshing to see a cozy series allow its characters to age, change, and take on new roles while still delivering the comforting storylines long-time readers expect. Many thanks to St. Martins Press for the early copy. Look for this one February 24, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5/5 stars: This Alexander's twenty-second entry in the Bakeshop Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Oregon. Featuring a pastry chef and bakery owner, who's heavily pregnant with twins, as she finds herself turning sleuth to uncover the person behind the fatal stabbing of a controversial play director after a cast party. With a cast full of suspects and to many clues, she'll have to work fast to unravel the killer before she becomes next on the deadly call sheet.
With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Includes plenty of drool worthy food descriptions throughout and several delicious recipes to try for yourself.
• Features Alexander's classic small-town charm with plenty of cozy, comfy vibes.
Alexander takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Meet Your Baker. This is a favorite series; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Includes plenty of drool worthy food descriptions throughout and several delicious recipes to try for yourself.
• Features Alexander's classic small-town charm with plenty of cozy, comfy vibes.
Alexander takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Meet Your Baker. This is a favorite series; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
2.5STARS As the 'Baking Bookworm', this cozy mystery series, centred around a small-town bakeshop, sounded right up my alley. I recently read the first book in the series (Meet Your Baker) to get a feel for the main character and set up before jumping into this 22nd book of the series.
In The Whisking Hour there's the requisite murder (that doesn't happen until one-third of the way in), a few potential culprits and small-town happenings and characters that long-time fans of the series will enjoy seeing again. But the mystery fell flat for me and felt quite secondary in the main story with Jules (surprisingly) only superficially involved in solving the crime.
Instead, it felt like a lot of page time was spent on small-town life, Jules awaiting the birth of her twins and long descriptions of baking techniques and running the bakery. I love a good recipe, but I'd have preferred the mystery to take centre stage, especially since readers can enjoy the recipes at the end of the book.
Ellie Alexander has written quite a few series, and her Sloan Krause series remains my favourite of the bunch. I very much enjoyed the brief mention of one of the characters from the Krause craft beer cozy mystery series towards the end of this book and suspect she'll be making an appearance in book 23!
While this was a miss for me, I think fans of the series (who didn't jump from book 1 to 22) will enjoy going back to Ashland, Oregon with its small-town inhabitants, bake shop filled with delectable descriptions and a side of murder.
Disclaimer: My thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
In The Whisking Hour there's the requisite murder (that doesn't happen until one-third of the way in), a few potential culprits and small-town happenings and characters that long-time fans of the series will enjoy seeing again. But the mystery fell flat for me and felt quite secondary in the main story with Jules (surprisingly) only superficially involved in solving the crime.
Instead, it felt like a lot of page time was spent on small-town life, Jules awaiting the birth of her twins and long descriptions of baking techniques and running the bakery. I love a good recipe, but I'd have preferred the mystery to take centre stage, especially since readers can enjoy the recipes at the end of the book.
Ellie Alexander has written quite a few series, and her Sloan Krause series remains my favourite of the bunch. I very much enjoyed the brief mention of one of the characters from the Krause craft beer cozy mystery series towards the end of this book and suspect she'll be making an appearance in book 23!
While this was a miss for me, I think fans of the series (who didn't jump from book 1 to 22) will enjoy going back to Ashland, Oregon with its small-town inhabitants, bake shop filled with delectable descriptions and a side of murder.
Disclaimer: My thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THE WHISKING HOUR is the twenty-third book in the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander. Protagonist Jules Capshaw, owner of Torte, the highly successful bakeshop in charming Ashland, Oregon, is expecting twins with her husband Carlos. Despite being heavily pregnant, she’s still hands-on in both her business and in investigating the murder of the director in the local Perfect Crime stage production. Except instead of jumping in without consideration for her safety, Jules takes a more thoughtful approach with deliberate contemplation in putting the clues together as provided to her by safe conversations. And she relies more on her best friend, Lance, to do more of the active investigation. This might have slowed down the pacing a bit, but it gave the book a more realistic feel in that a mother-to-be was more invested in protecting her unborn child/children than running directly into danger.
The mystery is well-done and there are clues for the reader to follow. Yet it’s the character-driven story and the heartwarming relationships between them that are forefront with the strong sense of close family and friends, and how it’s the most important thing. One of the ways Jules and Carlos express their love for each other and for those around them is through the language of food… and food there is. Be prepared to feast on the delicious descriptions mentioned throughout the book! This is one of those series where I’d recommend starting at the beginning of the series (or picking up where you’ve left off) since there are a lot of changes that happen to Jules and Torte over the course of the books. It’s worthwhile reading every single one of them.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mystery is well-done and there are clues for the reader to follow. Yet it’s the character-driven story and the heartwarming relationships between them that are forefront with the strong sense of close family and friends, and how it’s the most important thing. One of the ways Jules and Carlos express their love for each other and for those around them is through the language of food… and food there is. Be prepared to feast on the delicious descriptions mentioned throughout the book! This is one of those series where I’d recommend starting at the beginning of the series (or picking up where you’ve left off) since there are a lot of changes that happen to Jules and Torte over the course of the books. It’s worthwhile reading every single one of them.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Title: The Whisking Hour
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: A Bakeshop Mystery #22
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 320
Ashland, Oregon’s awesome baker Juliet Capshaw better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop. Jules is very pregnant as she and hubby are expecting twins. Additionally they are both theatre patrons they are excited about an upcoming 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, where he has the audience in a New York apartment where the perfect crime is committed.
Only in real life the show's director, who everyone seems to hate, is discovered dead and many have as a motive,
Read on as to whodunit!
’ I call myself an Ellie Alexander fan however have only read a few in this series. As you cozy readers know a ‘Cozy mystery in addition to a murder mystery centers around food or books. This is one is food and theatre lovers!
Have to admit I am not a foodie – but definitely am an avid reader so prefer the book theme.
I loved Ms. Alexander’s ‘The Secret Staircase’ series and read all of them including the first in the new spin off series.
A nice cozy is always a ‘stress free’ enjoyable read for me. So even though I am not a foodie, I did enjoy this story as well as the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 24, 2026
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: A Bakeshop Mystery #22
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 320
Ashland, Oregon’s awesome baker Juliet Capshaw better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop. Jules is very pregnant as she and hubby are expecting twins. Additionally they are both theatre patrons they are excited about an upcoming 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, where he has the audience in a New York apartment where the perfect crime is committed.
Only in real life the show's director, who everyone seems to hate, is discovered dead and many have as a motive,
Read on as to whodunit!
’ I call myself an Ellie Alexander fan however have only read a few in this series. As you cozy readers know a ‘Cozy mystery in addition to a murder mystery centers around food or books. This is one is food and theatre lovers!
Have to admit I am not a foodie – but definitely am an avid reader so prefer the book theme.
I loved Ms. Alexander’s ‘The Secret Staircase’ series and read all of them including the first in the new spin off series.
A nice cozy is always a ‘stress free’ enjoyable read for me. So even though I am not a foodie, I did enjoy this story as well as the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 24, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**Happy Release Day!**
These are just the nicest cozy mysteries! Set in Ashland, Oregon, the main character, Juliet Capshaw runs a bakeshop called Torte. She and her husband, Carlos, are expecting twins very soon and Jules has everything well planned out for others to handle the business while she's on maternity leave. She is just bursting with happiness: 'I had a life I loved, surrounded by people I loved, in a place I absolutely adored. What else could I ask for?'
Ashland is also home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Jules' good friend, Lance, is the Artistic Director. This fall the production is Perfect Crime, a murder mystery. The show is getting rave reviews but the director, Kean Armitage, has the whole cast and crew on edge. Lance asks Jules to do him the favor of putting together food for a cast party in the hopes that will calm the waters. But before the meal can be served, a real life killer strikes and Jules and Lance can't help but involve themselves in investigating the crime.
This can definitely be read as a standalone as Jules recaps her life story in Chapter One. The characters are so well developed as is the bakeshop setting. All the baking that goes on will have you drooling and gaining five pounds. The mystery is interesting with many possible suspects but the star of this series is definitely the food. Fun read!
Note: Vera, the theatre critic in the story, uses this line about the play: 'An intriguing enigma, wrapped in a mystery, that only you--the audience--can solve.' Jules wonders, 'Who spoke like that? It sounded stilted and oddly formal.' It sounded familiar to me so I looked it up: "'A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma" is a famous phrase coined by Winston Churchill in an October 1939 radio broadcast to describe the unpredictable nature of Soviet policy."
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new cozy mystery via NetGalley.
These are just the nicest cozy mysteries! Set in Ashland, Oregon, the main character, Juliet Capshaw runs a bakeshop called Torte. She and her husband, Carlos, are expecting twins very soon and Jules has everything well planned out for others to handle the business while she's on maternity leave. She is just bursting with happiness: 'I had a life I loved, surrounded by people I loved, in a place I absolutely adored. What else could I ask for?'
Ashland is also home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Jules' good friend, Lance, is the Artistic Director. This fall the production is Perfect Crime, a murder mystery. The show is getting rave reviews but the director, Kean Armitage, has the whole cast and crew on edge. Lance asks Jules to do him the favor of putting together food for a cast party in the hopes that will calm the waters. But before the meal can be served, a real life killer strikes and Jules and Lance can't help but involve themselves in investigating the crime.
This can definitely be read as a standalone as Jules recaps her life story in Chapter One. The characters are so well developed as is the bakeshop setting. All the baking that goes on will have you drooling and gaining five pounds. The mystery is interesting with many possible suspects but the star of this series is definitely the food. Fun read!
Note: Vera, the theatre critic in the story, uses this line about the play: 'An intriguing enigma, wrapped in a mystery, that only you--the audience--can solve.' Jules wonders, 'Who spoke like that? It sounded stilted and oddly formal.' It sounded familiar to me so I looked it up: "'A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma" is a famous phrase coined by Winston Churchill in an October 1939 radio broadcast to describe the unpredictable nature of Soviet policy."
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new cozy mystery via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Juliet Capshaw, better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop, Torte. Jules has agreed, despite the short time frame, to host a crime scene cast party for “Perfect Crime.” the hit show directed by her friend, Lance Rousseau.
Everything comes together and the party seems to be a success . . . and then one of the actors, Kean Armitage, is shot. Who killed the actor? And why?
=========
Twenty-second in the author’s Bakeshop Mysteries series, readers will find most of the expected characters in place as the baking crew find themselves involved in another mystery. Well-drawn characters that readers care about, interesting background, and a captivating mystery all work together to keep the reader involved in the telling of the tale.
Some unexpected twists and multiple suspects keep readers guessing as the unfolding story keeps them yearning for some of the delicious-sounding treats whipped up by the bakeshop crew. It’s nice to see Jules take a step back from solving the mystery as she is, in this story, pregnant with twins and wisely keep her involvement to a minimum.
Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those filled with yummy-sounding dishes, and charming characters who care about each other will find much to appreciate in this delicious story.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheWhiskingHour #NetGalley
Juliet Capshaw, better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop, Torte. Jules has agreed, despite the short time frame, to host a crime scene cast party for “Perfect Crime.” the hit show directed by her friend, Lance Rousseau.
Everything comes together and the party seems to be a success . . . and then one of the actors, Kean Armitage, is shot. Who killed the actor? And why?
=========
Twenty-second in the author’s Bakeshop Mysteries series, readers will find most of the expected characters in place as the baking crew find themselves involved in another mystery. Well-drawn characters that readers care about, interesting background, and a captivating mystery all work together to keep the reader involved in the telling of the tale.
Some unexpected twists and multiple suspects keep readers guessing as the unfolding story keeps them yearning for some of the delicious-sounding treats whipped up by the bakeshop crew. It’s nice to see Jules take a step back from solving the mystery as she is, in this story, pregnant with twins and wisely keep her involvement to a minimum.
Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those filled with yummy-sounding dishes, and charming characters who care about each other will find much to appreciate in this delicious story.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheWhiskingHour #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fall, Ashland, Oregon: Baker Juliet Capshaw is eagerly waiting the upcoming birth of her twins, when her good friend Lance Rousseau asks for her to cater a dinner for the cast of Perfect Crime. As it’s a mystery play, he’s asked her to come up with lots of gory themed dishes. He has two goals with the party: one to reward the cast for all the hard work they’ve put in to make Perfect Crime a success and two, to try and reduce some of the tension between the director and the rest of the cast. The director, it seems, believes in making his actors as uncomfortable as possible in order to get the best performance out of them. But when he’s found shot to death in one of the dressing rooms, he may have been too successful.
There’s a cast of characters (pun intended) that had motive and opportunity ranging from the soon to be ex-wife to the former friend who’s been loaning the director money and wants to be repaid. Meanwhile, Jules and friends are getting ready for the babies while trying to tame Lance’s most outrageous ideas for his wedding.
This is one of those cozy series where the lives of the characters are as important as the crime itself. And it does a fabulous job with it, rotating out characters, adding new ones while keeping tabs on the old ones. There’s a huge sense of community and family that adds to the delight of the book.
Even though this is number 22 in the series, there’s enough background details for it to work as a standalone.
Highly Recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
There’s a cast of characters (pun intended) that had motive and opportunity ranging from the soon to be ex-wife to the former friend who’s been loaning the director money and wants to be repaid. Meanwhile, Jules and friends are getting ready for the babies while trying to tame Lance’s most outrageous ideas for his wedding.
This is one of those cozy series where the lives of the characters are as important as the crime itself. And it does a fabulous job with it, rotating out characters, adding new ones while keeping tabs on the old ones. There’s a huge sense of community and family that adds to the delight of the book.
Even though this is number 22 in the series, there’s enough background details for it to work as a standalone.
Highly Recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.
February 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.
I had not read any of the previous books in this series, but it was not hard to get the gist of who was who and what was going on, so I think it stood up well as a stand alone and I didn't really feel I had missed anything important by not knowing the characters ahead of time.
After several adventures and mistakes, baker Juliet Capshaw has settled in with her husband back in her home town. She runs a successful bakery, Torte, which she inherited from her parents, and where her mother still pitches in. The couple are expecting twins at almost any minute, so she is preparing her staff for her upcoming maternity leave.
But when her good friend Lance Rousseau, the artistic director of the local theater, asks her to prepare a special meal for the cast and crew to cheer them up after a few rough weeks, she can't refuse, and her crew goes all in to prepare a special meal to go along with the theme of the play, Perfect Crime. However, the night of the dinner is interrupted with the news that the director of the play has been found dead in the leading lady's dressing room immediately following the final curtain. Juliet and Lance are amateur detectives and neither can resist getting involved in solving this murder!
There are many suspects. In fact, most of the cast hated the director and several had reasons to want him removed, if not dead. It takes a lot of words and red herrings, but the case is finally solved to everyone's satisfaction and the show goes on.
I had not read any of the previous books in this series, but it was not hard to get the gist of who was who and what was going on, so I think it stood up well as a stand alone and I didn't really feel I had missed anything important by not knowing the characters ahead of time.
After several adventures and mistakes, baker Juliet Capshaw has settled in with her husband back in her home town. She runs a successful bakery, Torte, which she inherited from her parents, and where her mother still pitches in. The couple are expecting twins at almost any minute, so she is preparing her staff for her upcoming maternity leave.
But when her good friend Lance Rousseau, the artistic director of the local theater, asks her to prepare a special meal for the cast and crew to cheer them up after a few rough weeks, she can't refuse, and her crew goes all in to prepare a special meal to go along with the theme of the play, Perfect Crime. However, the night of the dinner is interrupted with the news that the director of the play has been found dead in the leading lady's dressing room immediately following the final curtain. Juliet and Lance are amateur detectives and neither can resist getting involved in solving this murder!
There are many suspects. In fact, most of the cast hated the director and several had reasons to want him removed, if not dead. It takes a lot of words and red herrings, but the case is finally solved to everyone's satisfaction and the show goes on.
February 27, 2026
⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5 stars)
The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander was my first visit to Ashland and the Torte bake shop crew, and overall it was a solid, easy cozy- just not a standout for me.
The story revolves around Jules Capshaw and the local theater scene when a cast party ends with one of the actors murdered. The Oregon setting, stormy fall vibes, and theatrical flair definitely bring strong atmosphere. And the bake shop element? That was easily my favorite part. The food descriptions are warm, detailed, and honestly made me wish Torte were real.
Since this is book twenty-two and my first in the series, I could tell there’s a lot of history between these characters. I wasn’t lost, but it did feel like I was stepping into an established friend group mid-conversation. I imagine longtime readers would feel more connected to the emotional layers here. I did appreciate that Jules is very pregnant in this installment and not recklessly putting herself in danger, that felt realistic.
The mystery itself was okay. There were plenty of suspects, but it didn’t fully hook me or deliver a huge surprise. It was pleasant, just not especially memorable.
Overall, this was a cozy, comfort read with charming small-town vibes and lots of baking goodness. It didn’t blow me away, but I’d be open to trying an earlier book in the series to see where it all began.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander was my first visit to Ashland and the Torte bake shop crew, and overall it was a solid, easy cozy- just not a standout for me.
The story revolves around Jules Capshaw and the local theater scene when a cast party ends with one of the actors murdered. The Oregon setting, stormy fall vibes, and theatrical flair definitely bring strong atmosphere. And the bake shop element? That was easily my favorite part. The food descriptions are warm, detailed, and honestly made me wish Torte were real.
Since this is book twenty-two and my first in the series, I could tell there’s a lot of history between these characters. I wasn’t lost, but it did feel like I was stepping into an established friend group mid-conversation. I imagine longtime readers would feel more connected to the emotional layers here. I did appreciate that Jules is very pregnant in this installment and not recklessly putting herself in danger, that felt realistic.
The mystery itself was okay. There were plenty of suspects, but it didn’t fully hook me or deliver a huge surprise. It was pleasant, just not especially memorable.
Overall, this was a cozy, comfort read with charming small-town vibes and lots of baking goodness. It didn’t blow me away, but I’d be open to trying an earlier book in the series to see where it all began.
A big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2026
4.5/5.0 Stars
THE WHISKING HOUR – A Bakeshop Mystery Series – Book 22 – by ELLIE Alexander
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. . . . 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.
Murder suspects are aplenty as the reader follows bakery owner Juliet ‘Jules’ Capshaw and her amateur-sleuth-best-bud, Lance Rousseau, as they try to solve another murder on the sidelines whilst avoiding becoming victims themselves.
Although some of the characterization of the murder suspects seems a bit McCheesy, to say I am fully invested in Jules and her entourage would be an understatement—Highly Recommend!
I, fingers crossed, hope to get the privilege of reading an advance copy of the twenty-third book in this series, THE PUMPKIN VICE CAFÉ, scheduled for release in September 2026–date subject to change.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with an eBook ARC of THE WHISKING HOUR at the request of an honest review.
THE WHISKING HOUR – A Bakeshop Mystery Series – Book 22 – by ELLIE Alexander
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. . . . 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.
Murder suspects are aplenty as the reader follows bakery owner Juliet ‘Jules’ Capshaw and her amateur-sleuth-best-bud, Lance Rousseau, as they try to solve another murder on the sidelines whilst avoiding becoming victims themselves.
Although some of the characterization of the murder suspects seems a bit McCheesy, to say I am fully invested in Jules and her entourage would be an understatement—Highly Recommend!
I, fingers crossed, hope to get the privilege of reading an advance copy of the twenty-third book in this series, THE PUMPKIN VICE CAFÉ, scheduled for release in September 2026–date subject to change.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with an eBook ARC of THE WHISKING HOUR at the request of an honest review.
March 2, 2026
The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander takes us back to Ashland and Torte; Jules, Carlos, Lance, and so many more well-known characters. Jules is nearing her due date: twins, and was taking it easy, well, easy for her. Everyone is looking out for her. Lance has come up with an idea for a cast party which would take place in four days! It was to be a murder party, since the play was a murder mystery.. She gave the information to her staff and they ran with it. Soon she had a menu to show Lance and decided to go to the venue to look at the kitchen. There she met a woman named Vera, who was the ex-wife of the director and less than complimentary toward him. Jules knew Lance had been having problems with the director, but she didn’t really know what. It turns out that Vera would do all the decorations and set-up for the evening. Jules was happy with that.
Jules and Lance had been amateur sleuths as long as they had been friends. Lance too it more seriously that Jules did. But, then, Lance was over-the-top about everything, including his upcoming wedding to Arlo. Jules and Arlo were both working to keep him on an even keel. Alexander artfully integrates baking into the story-not real recipes, but tips. This is an ongoing series but could be read as a stand-alone. It is full of personalities and backstories. The mystery was pretty good and was not the outcome anyone had expected. Good read.
I was invited to read The Whisking Hour by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #EllieAlexander #TheWhiskingHour
Jules and Lance had been amateur sleuths as long as they had been friends. Lance too it more seriously that Jules did. But, then, Lance was over-the-top about everything, including his upcoming wedding to Arlo. Jules and Arlo were both working to keep him on an even keel. Alexander artfully integrates baking into the story-not real recipes, but tips. This is an ongoing series but could be read as a stand-alone. It is full of personalities and backstories. The mystery was pretty good and was not the outcome anyone had expected. Good read.
I was invited to read The Whisking Hour by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #EllieAlexander #TheWhiskingHour
Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews