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Bakeshop Mystery #6.5

Trouble Is Brewing

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Introducing Sloan Krause—main character of Death on Tap, the first in a new cozy series from Ellie Alexander!

Jules Capshaw, owner of the charming bakeshop Torte, meets Sloan Krause, who's in from out of town for the beer festival that has landed in Ashland, Oregon. Sloan is the brewmaster at the famed der Keller brewing company that operates out of Leavenworth, Washington, and she’s come to the festival to show off the newest spring brew. When Sloan drops in to Torte for a pistachio bar and a latte, she meets Jules, who is instantly smitten with the idea of incorporating beer into some baked goods. But when the two go off to sample some of der Keller’s brews, they realize that one of the kegs have gone missing. Is someone trying to steal the secret recipe? It’s up to Sloan and Jules to get to the bottom of this—and soon.

135 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 5, 2017

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About the author

Ellie Alexander

89 books3,157 followers
Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

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

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
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5 stars
229 (23%)
4 stars
304 (31%)
3 stars
350 (35%)
2 stars
81 (8%)
1 star
15 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
Profile Image for Annu.
226 reviews36 followers
January 18, 2021
This was a short mystery with a crossover from Ellie Alexander's heroine from her other series, Sloan Krause. Jules and Sloan go on a short mystery adventure in this one.
Profile Image for Scott.
674 reviews73 followers
November 23, 2024
Trouble is Brewing” is Bakeshop mystery series “Mini-Mystery” short story that introduces Sloan Krause, the lead character in Ellie Alexander’s new mystery series taking place in Bavarian village Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan is the brewmaster at der Keller, a successful family-owned brewing company, as well as helping local law enforcement solve mysteries on the side.

The story is told through the eyes of Jules Capshaw, the owner of the Torte bakeshop in the town of Ashland, Oregon (home of the Shakespeare Festival), and the lead character of Ellie Alexander’s established “Bakeshop Mysteries”.

Jules meets Sloan, who’s in town for a beer festival, and it doesn’t take long before the two of them find themselves working together to investigate who stole one of der Keller’s kegs. Not just any keg. The one keg containing their company’s new “Spring Fling” brew that was being unveiled to the marketplace. Who would dare try to steal their secret recipe?

It’s up to Sloan and Jules to find a thief and save the brew…

Although I haven’t read any of Alexander’s “Bakeshop Mysteries” it didn’t stop me from enjoying Jules and her hometown of Ashland with its Shakespearian Festival environment. My reason for taking on this short story was because I’ve been whipping through Alexander’s “Sloan Krause” mysteries and that meant reading this electronic prequel story in which Sloan Krause makes her first appearance, taking place prior to the beginning of her own series. A story used to introduce her in Alexander’s already established “Bakeshop Mysteries” series and then spin her off.

For me, this story works well enough, teaming up two of Alexander’s popular lead characters in a light mystery, interesting setting, and some humor thrown in. Alexander does a nice job of creating an interest in Sloan’s independent charm, her struggling relationship with her husband, Mac, and her potential as a female brewmaster.

Overall, a casual 2.5 out of 5-stars lead in for Sloan Krause and her Leavenworth mysteries.
Profile Image for Robin.
1,646 reviews34 followers
December 21, 2017
I'm always up for a new story featuring Jules from the Bakeshop Mysteries series and this was a fun little novella. As usual, it's set in Ashland, Oregon, and features everyone from the previous books but Alexander also takes this opportunity to introduce a new series featuring brewmaster Sloan Krause. The books will be set in Leavenworth, Washington and the first book is DEATH ON TAP.

Also included in the Kindle book is the first few chapters of the next Bakeshop Mystery title, ANOTHER ONE BITES THE CRUST, which appears to be another fun cozy mystery set in the bakery/cafe.

For those who aren't aware, "Ellie Alexander" is the pseudonym of Kate Dyer Seeley who writes the Pacific Northwest series, set in the Portland, Oregon area.
Profile Image for Bam cooks the books.
2,364 reviews331 followers
June 16, 2021
A cute little novella that introduces Sloan Krause, from the family-owned Der Keller brewery in Leavenworth, Washington, to Jules, the owner of Torte, a bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon, thus bridging the two mystery series that Ellie Alexander writes.

Sloan and her husband Max are in Ashland to sell their beer at a festival. After visiting Torte and meeting Jules, Sloan invites her to an early sampling of their beers, only to find a keg of Spring Fling, their latest creation, has been stolen, possibly to figure out their new recipe. Sloan and Jules wander around the festival tent to see if they can spot the missing keg. It doesn't take long before Sloan has the mystery figured out.

At only 40 pages long, the story doesn't have much depth but does the job of introducing these characters. I would say don't bother with this one.
Profile Image for Deborah Almada.
1,306 reviews44 followers
June 21, 2019
A cute story and a nice lead in to the new series. My problem was that it was a very short story with multiple chapters from 2 other books I had already read !!!!
Profile Image for Jennifer Brown.
2,901 reviews103 followers
September 9, 2020
So I thought this was just a short story for before Sloan's series started only. I didn't realize Jules was going to be in it too! While I am not up to date on the Bakeshop stories, I didn't feel like I got any spoilers. It just made me want to go back and read more of them! I liked having both ladies in this one and hope the have crossovers again!
Profile Image for Taylynn.
376 reviews9 followers
October 26, 2023
This was a cute intro for meeting some characters from her other mystery.
Profile Image for Ana.
395 reviews22 followers
March 28, 2021
Nice but short introduction to Ellie Alexander's other series. I love the bakery ones, and look forward to reading this one.
Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,374 reviews267 followers
May 3, 2020
This is a novella which starts off a new cozy mystery series. I’ve been wanting to try this series and was very happy to see there is a short pre-quel. It features characters from Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mystery series. I haven’t read either series before, but heard both were good. So, I figured this was a good way to find out.

I was right. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, her characters and the setting. The plot itself wasn’t all that complicated. Sloan Krause leaves her hometown of Leavenworth, Washington to attend a beer festival in Ashland Oregon. She meetings Jules Capshaw, who owns a bakeshop in Ashland. They hit it off right away and decide to sample the beer together.

Sloan’s family is displaying their own beer at the festival. When one of their kegs, containing a secret recipe, goes missing, Jules and Sloan are determined to find the thief.

This book can be read in a few hours. It left me wanting to read both series. It has likeable characters with an interesting setting. I’m in for more books by this author.
Profile Image for Wulfwyn .
1,174 reviews110 followers
March 26, 2021
This is a very short story. I enjoyed the mystery as it involved no dead bodies. It was just a fun mystery. I would consider it an entertaining way to meet some characters. There are lengthy excerpts from two books included. If you have not read books by Ellie Alexander this would be an excellent way for you to see her writing style and be introduced to her series. I’m happy I got it. It was a great escape for an evening where I just wanted to unwind.
Profile Image for Lin .
223 reviews5 followers
September 23, 2017
Wonderful book to get you into the flow of a new series taking place in Leavenworth, WA. Sets you up with who the characters are and how their lives intersect. A MUST read!!!
Profile Image for Stephanie.
367 reviews12 followers
July 26, 2021
Cute, fun and a great introduction to a new series.
Profile Image for Judy.
595 reviews
December 25, 2017
The Bakeshop Mysteries is one of my favorite cozies . A side mystery is a breather from Torte and an introduction to a new character makes me feel like I'm watching a TV series. This mini served as a prelude to another new series, Sloan Krause which I may pick up. Though I am not much into beers, I think I can read about them more than drink 'em. Ellie Alexander writes good and I'm sure the new series will be a good read as well.
Profile Image for Cat Freeman.
188 reviews14 followers
November 30, 2017
This short but tantalizing story had me waiting oh-so-impatiently to get started on the Sloan Krause mysteries!
Profile Image for Linda.
2,395 reviews63 followers
October 20, 2023
Not what I was expecting

This was a fun, short story that crossed over the 2 series. I really enjoyed seeing Jules and Sloan work together just wish it had been longer, most of this was excerpts from other books.
Profile Image for Courtny.
Author 3 books506 followers
January 1, 2018
This was such a fun and quick read. Two of my, now, favorite amateur sleuths meet as kindred women. I love that they had a mystery to solve as well! It wasn’t enough for me though. I craved more. Which is what I think was Ellie’s thought process. Leaving us wanting.

If you haven’t read Death on Tap, Sloan’s first Mystery, I highly suggest it. I love getting anything and everything that Ellie puts out into the world.

A fun short read. You do need to know that the story is finished at 35% and the rest of the book is a sneak peek into Death on Tap.

Profile Image for Genevieve.
1,400 reviews14 followers
September 23, 2024
This is a short story where Sloan Krause meets Jules Capshaw. Having never read this author's bakery series Jules Capshaw was a new character to me. I really liked this book it was well written and the characters are well written. My only problem was it was a little too short.
Profile Image for Barb.
2,159 reviews
May 10, 2023
Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop series is one of my favorite cozy series, and despite my misgivings about those short books that fall between full-length novels, I enjoyed this story, perhaps because it introduces Sloan Krause, the main character from Alexander’s series featuring a brewmaster (Krause) in Leavenworth, Washington.

Having read the first few books in the second series and knowing some of the events that happened early on in that series, it was hard to take seriously some of the situations that occurred in this book, but what can a reader do?

There wasn’t a murder in this book, but a puzzle to solve, and I like the way the two women worked together to solve it. Because I enjoyed watching them interact, I didn’t even try to figure out the solution. The solution didn’t surprise me, but I did feel the end of the book was a bit rushed, but that’s probably due to the length of the book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series and a return visit to Ashland and Torte.
Profile Image for Teena in Toronto.
2,496 reviews82 followers
February 5, 2021
Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world. She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school. After spending years working on a cruise ship as a pastry chef, she is now happy to be home and sharing ownership of Torte with her mother.

Sloan works for her in-laws' brewing company in Leavenworth, WA. She is in Ashland for a beer festival and meets Jules when she stops in Torte for snack. The two click and Sloan invites Jules to sample some of the beer before the festival starts. When Sloan discovers one of their kegs has disappeared, she and Jules set out to find it.

This is the a novella that comes after the sixth one/before the seventh in the Bakeshop Mystery series and it was okay. It is here that we are introduced Sloan, which started the Sloan Krause Series (which I've read and liked).

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2021/02...
Profile Image for Lady Galaxy.
941 reviews
July 22, 2019
This is really a very short story—only 35% of the book is actually the title story. The other ⅔ of the book consists of long excerpts from books in each series. I had already read the book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I later purchased the first book in the Sloan Krause series. Since this was basically an advertisement for the new series, I felt it was a bit overpriced.

With that having been established, I still enjoyed the story. It was refreshing to read a mystery that was based on something other than a murder.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
241 reviews26 followers
December 31, 2020
Loved reading the meeting of two of my favorite amateur sleuths, Jules Capshaw and Sloan Krause! This little novella serves as an introduction to Sloan, who stars in her own series set in Leavenworth, WA. In this mini-introduction, she meets Jules at Torte and asks for her help in creating beer-inspired recipes at a local brew fest. When a debut beer goes missing, the two join up to find it and along the way we hear about some delicious-sounding brews and baked goods.

I love both of these series, and honestly would love another book featuring both characters!
Profile Image for Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review).
882 reviews
November 8, 2017
A mini Novella mixing Ellie Alexander's current series with Jules Capshaw and the Torte Bakery and her new series featuring a female Brewer by the name of Sloan Krause. Sloan is in Ashland for a Beer Festival and ends up at Torte for a snack, followed by inviting Jules back for a preview sample of their latest brew ... but the keg has gone missing! Jules and Sloan band together to find out where is has ended up and why.
181 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2021
Short story connection between series

This short story introduces Sloan Krause the main character of the mystery series of her name. A brewer from Der Keller in the nearby Cascade Mountains, Sloan and her husband are in Ashland for a craft beer festival. She and Juliet from the Bake Shop series meet up and partner in solving the mystery of a missing keg of beer. Nice bridge between the two series. Wish I had known about this before I had gotten into both series.
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,312 reviews62 followers
July 31, 2021
When 2 Book Series' Collide

Trouble is Brewing is a fun short-story in two worlds created by Ellie Alexander. I love it when authors do crossovers with their characters from multiple series'. The actual story is only about 35% of this book file but the author did a great job writing a low-key mystery. There several suspects and a satisfying conclusion. A great addition to The Bakeshop Mysteries and clever intro for the Sloane Krause series.
Profile Image for Lori.
1,164 reviews59 followers
December 31, 2021
This short story serves as a prequel to the author's Sloan Krause series and as a mini-story to her bakeshop mystery series. Unfortunately the only mystery is to discover what happened to a missing keg of beer. The solution is too obvious. Much of it is a "getting to know you" between the amateur sleuths in the two series. It mainly serves as a filler, but not a very satisfying one. Still it was nice to revisit Sloan, but I missed Leavenworth since this one was set in Ashland. (2.5 stars)
Profile Image for Libby.
1,358 reviews
Read
January 22, 2020
(E-Lib) Janet saw this series while volunteering at the library and thought it sounded right up my alley. She was right! This was a cute way of merging the author's old and new series together. And I loved learning about two, cute Oregon towns that sound like great places to visit. I'll definitely read the next book in this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
343 reviews4 followers
March 21, 2021
This was a cute short crossover. I really enjoyed it very much. I love both series. However spoiler alert!!! I didn’t notice that it was boo 6.5 in the Bakeshop Mysteries and I have just begun book 5😳. If you haven’t read either series you are missing out and I recommend you give them a try!!!
Profile Image for Jessi.
514 reviews8 followers
June 4, 2021
This was a short, 4 chapter story but I really appreciated it. As someone that started with Ellie Alexander's work with the Sloan Krause series, this was a fun mix of the Krause mysteries and the Bakeshop mysteries. I liked the pace of the story, it was a quick read, and after this I'm definitely going to continue with the Krause series as well as dig into the Bakeshop mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews