Catch Me If You Candy

Bakeshop Mystery #17

by Ellie Alexander

Things are getting spooky in Catch Me If You Candy, the next delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series from author Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon!

Halloween has arrived in picturesque Ashland, Oregon, and all of the ghouls and goblins have descended on Main Street for the annual parade. It’s a giant street party and Torte is right in the mix.

Jules Capshaw and her team have been baking up autumn delights and trick-or-Torte bags filled with sugar cookie cutouts, spiced cider, and mummy munch. It’s the end of the season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which means that the costumes for the parade are going to be out of this world. The elaborate guises even extend to pets. The grand marshal of this year’s parade is no other than a regal pug aptly named King George. Jules is delighted to get to share the experience with Carlos and Ramiro, but things take a dark turn when she discovers a dragon slumped in front of the bakeshop.

Jules is distraught when she realizes the dragon is dead. She’s also shaken because a few days before the parade, her mother's Mahjong partner Helen discovered a warning note about a dragon in an antique game set. Jules hopes it’s just a random coincidence, but as the clues begin to unfold it becomes evident that there’s been a murder on All Hallow’s Eve. Can Juliet sift out the truth before the killer comes after her?

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

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 22, 2023

About the author

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

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

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
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Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 17 in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I have read several of the earlier books but also have missed a good chunk of the series but this doesn’t take away from being able to follow or enjoy the story. I love the descriptions of the amazing and creative food and I also love this series because it is set in Ashland Oregon a place I have spent a fair amount of time in over the years. I thought this mystery wasn’t as compelling as the mysteries in previous books. I wanted to like the inclusion of animals, but that part of the story line grew old. I didn’t think the big reveal was very twisty but it was a satisfying end to the mystery. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars.

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

**Happy Publication Day**

*3-3.5 stars

Who slayed the dragon?

Halloween is in full swing in Ashland, Oregon, and the celebrations include a costume parade, followed by trick-or-treating at local businesses. Juliet Montague Capshaw and her partner Carlos are dressed as jars of peanut butter and jelly as they pass out treats from the bakeshop Torte. They are about to close up for the night and meet friends for drinks when Jules spots a body dressed in a dragon costume slumped by one of her front windows. The man has been stabbed.

There are many intriguing threads to this cozy mystery plot including a clue in an antique mahjong set and dogs competing for a starring role in a play, but the highlight for me are the mouth-watering descriptions of the food the bakeshop creates. Although this is a long-running series, it is easy to jump in for a light mystery with some delightful characters.

I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s Halloween season in Ashland, Oregon, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. And boy, do they do it up big! There’s a costume parade that most of the town participates in, not just the children.

It was enjoyable to be back in Ashland with a lot of my favorite characters, even if it meant another murder in the town. Dog lovers may like this book better than I did, as there is a whole subplot centering around owners vying to get their pampered pooches cast in a show at OSF. I found the characters involved to be a bit obnoxious (as I’m sure the author meant them to be). As a relatively new Mah Jongg player, I was more interested in different subplot about a rare Mah Jongg set.

As always, the descriptions of the delicious baked goods and other foods had my mouth watering!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was a bit late to it. All opinions are my own.

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catch Me If You Candy is a good read for Spooktober. It has atmosphere, Halloween festivities, small town vibes, murder and amateur sleuthing. Everything a cozy should have and more.

I loved the puppies included in this one but felt like there was too much going on at once. It was a mad dash from one plot to the next and at times felt tedious for me.

Overall though, this is a fun one and one I recommend. I love the characters and also love that you can read this without losing anything from not reading the prior 16 books (of which I have only read book 16 😂). Grab this one if you're wanting an easy, fun Halloween read.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Hannah Monson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Bakeshop mysteries, and it has some of my very favorite characters. This was a fun book but it fell a bit flat for me. The conceit of the mahjong set and the dog actors felt forced and convoluted. It was also hard to keep up with alibis and who had been cleared due to some inconsistencies in the story. In the end, the reveal was interesting but not heart-pumping or mind-blowing— I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because it wrapped up so neatly, but there was no second shoe. I’ll, of course, keep reading the series but this was not the best of the series.

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Halloween time in Ashland, Oregon, and Jules and her staff at Torte are busy making seasonal dishes. In this theatrical town, there will be many people in costume, and even KIng George the pug. Then a murder victim is found right outside Torte, and Jules and Lance are determined to investigate. Could the unexplained death be related to a mysterious old mahjong set that has just been purchased? And who tried to sabotage KIng George--maybe his arch nemesis, Pippa the poodle's owner? A Halloween cozy mystery with delicious sounding food and canine drama --what's not to love? Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Catch Me If You Candy, by Ellie Alexander, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is book seventeen in The A Bakeshop Mystery Series. Jules Capshaw owns Torte a bakery in Oregon. It Halloween and there is a murder that has to be solved. While busy baking and getting ready for Halloween Jules has a mystery to solve. Whats the motive for the murder? Such a delectable read, I wish I could visit Torte, and sample some of Jules baked goods, they sound delicious.

[Annie Kostyk · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let me start out by saying I've read and loved all of her books so far and usually read them in one day. I couldn't even get half way through this one in a week and decided to put it to rest.

The person didn't die yet. Died. Didn't die. Died. Seriously? No one caught this? I read it with a red pen in my hand. The editing was that bad. I felt like the notes from the author's outline were left in the story instead of being Jules' thoughts. She had way too many "thoughts" in this book. The story was all over the place. I felt there was no real mystery or plot development. The characters, even the beloved regulars, felt flat. This read like a rough draft. It was terrible. It wasn't ready for publication.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a series I have read and enjoyed for a long time but this one just didn't work for me. I don't know if I am off or what but the mystery was very minimal yet Jules is always running off to ask questions or meet Lance, and leaving Torte and Carlos behind. The relationships felt hollow in this, even with all the wonderful characters I really enjoy at Torte. I just didn't feel engaged and the mystery was barely surface, not well developed or believable with more time spent on the "fake" mystery. I love this series, the setting and characters so I will be back but this volume was disappointing to me.

[Melissa P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this one revolved around Halloween. It immediately makes me feel warm and cozy. I also liked that there were a couple dogs in this one. Most cozy mysteries have cute pets in them. This series doesn't. Understandably, because most of the characters work really long hours. The mystery was ok. A lot of quirky new characters. Definitely enjoying myself with the series. Happy reading! 🎃

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas's Thoughts

Halloween is a big deal in Ashland, Oregon. It starts with the annual parade followed by a huge street party. The team at Torte has been busy filling trick-or-Torte bags with mummy munch and Halloween-themed sugar cookies.

It also marks the end of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's season and the actors, human and canine, will be involved in all the Halloween festivities. This year's grand marshall just happens to be a royal pup named King George. Jules is so excited to share all the events with her husband Carlos and his son Ramiro.

There is quite a crowd of people but when Jules and Carlos arrive back at Torte. Then they notice a person in a dragon costume down on the ground in front of the shop. Jules quickly sees that the person is dead. She is quite upset because just a few days ago one of her mother's friends found a note warning about a dead dragon in an antique Mahjong set. Is it a connection to the murder or just a coincidence? Jules is determined to find out.

______

I love the characters in this series! Jules and Carlos's relationship is strong.  I am happy that Ramiro has been added to the mix and his presence continues to grow in each new story. He is a good kid and parenting him is pretty easy. Thanks to Jules's mother, a true gem, all the employees at Torte are as close as family. They work so well together and come up with so many delicious things to serve from special coffee drinks to soups and sandwiches and every fantastic baked sweets you can imagine. The Sunday suppers they host are so creative. All of Ms. Alexander's characters are well-developed and genuine and fresh even after 17 books.

Several new characters are introduced. Actors and staff associated with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. It was crazy to see what two women would go through to have their dogs get the leading role in a play. We also meet a group of ladies that love to play Mahjong and Camille the new owner of the hospice shop where a unique antique Mahjong set was found. All the new characters were interesting. I must say I now want to learn how to learn to play Mahjong.

The mystery was very well-written. There are several suspects along with several twists and turns. I was keeping notes to keep everyone straight. I did pare my list down to two rather quickly. As usual, Lance was excited to investigate but I did enjoy the way Jules and Carlos talked through the clues and motives. A bit of confusion sets up a standoff and a very gripping reveal.

Catch Me If You Candy is a fun Halloween-themed cozy mystery with some of my favorite fictional characters.  Each visit to Ashland and Torte is always a good time, I just wish each book came with free samples because I am always left craving all the delectable treats described within the pages.

I am already looking forward to my next trip, A Smoking Bun is set to be released on February 20, 2024.

[Joyce · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the Bakeshop Mystery series, but this latest book missed the mark for me. Plotting was confusing, editing was sloppy, and pacing was uneven. While the pace started out strong, the story seemed to drag in the middle, and then ended predictably. And I’m still confused about the whole mah-jongg tile set part of the storyline. When we were first introduced to the set Wendy bought at the resale shop, everyone oohed and aahed over the tiles, and there was no mention of any substitutions or missing tiles. Then, later in the book, it was mentioned that a tile was missing. At that point I even went back to the earlier scene and reread it to make sure I hadn’t missed something. Nope, no mention. Then, when the mystery was finally solved and an explanation was given about the mah-jongg set’s involvement, there was a big deal made about this fancy tile that had been substituted with a cheap plastic one. But that didn’t jive with the other two mentions, either. Seriously, where was the editor? Did they even read the copy? Not to mention that the past tense of sink is sank, not sunk. This happened on at least three different occasions. Sorry, it may seem petty, but things like that jump out at me and really distract me from what’s going on in the storyline. Come on, St. Martin’s Publishing Group, get your act together. Maybe take a little bit of time to edit the next book properly before rushing it out to be sold.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules Capshaw is back in Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie Alexander.
Creating mouthwatering treats at Tortes is Julia's passion and once again, another bizarre murder has taken place in their quiet town.
This mystery was full of twists an turns, and the outcome was not what I expected.
I enjoy the characters in this series very much. They blend together nicely and manage to make me wish I was with them while looking for clues.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up because I love this series. The mystery seemed a little flat this time. Over-the-top dog owners vying for celebrity status in an Oregon Shakespeare Festival play, a Halloween theme and a mysterious Mah Jong set just didn't grab me, but then I don't read this series for the mystery. The author has created the most wonderful community in Ashland Oregon. The writing is good and the characters have really developed over time. I already have #18 0n pre-order.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Catch Me If You Candy" the 17th instalment in the A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. I really enjoyed this story, seeing Ramiro settling in to life and school in Ashland. Visiting Torte and Ashland is like coming home to old friends and family lots of fun with a bit of chaos thrown in for good measure.

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

I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.

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

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween is coming and in Ashford, Oregon, that means all out festivities where almost the entire town shows up in costumed splendor for the parade. However finding a body in front of Torte, the family bakeshop casts a pall over everyone's enjoyment. Reading another bake shop mystery is as full of delights as the bakeshop itself. Full of beloved and engaging characters who create the amazing treats sold there, the stories are always reliably constructed mysteries. Always a treat. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Rebecca Jebson - Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved this series and usually use it as a palate cleanser or when I just need something light and cozy but I may have to put this series to rest. I love the characters but something was off this time around. A mystery involving dog actors and a bad dye job? It was a bit difficult to get into. I want to see where the characters go next (and with the ending, hopefully there may only be another book or 2 left), but I think this series has run its course. However, my yuck may be someone else's yum.

[Annu · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not my favourite but I liked visiting all the regular characters.

[Lindsay♫SingerOfStories♫ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not read this book while hungry! I wish someone had warned me of this because...wow. Our FMC Juliet is a baker and owner of a bakeshop/restaurant and you can tell she loves what she does because she doesn't just bake for her shop. She bakes when she's stressed, she bakes when she needs to think, she bakes with her mother, and she bakes for her family. Normally when I read food/drink-related cozy mysteries, there is a mention of baking. In this book, the baking process is thoroughly described--she gathers the ingredients, mixes this and that, and puts it in the oven, then the smell fills up the shop and it is just so detailed! So in this book of course its all fall-themed so there is pumpkin bread, there is zombie coffee, as well as various other treats.

So obviously the book was not only about baking. This is the first book I have read in this series, though this is book #17. I did ok getting the jist but there are a lot of characters and it took me a long time to figure out who was who. Other than that, it was honestly a pretty realistic-seeming sleuth book. Juliet works her way through the mystery simply by confronting those in her town and gathering information. There wasn't any breaking into buildings, or sneaking information by manipulating or begging cops....it just works and that made it quite enjoyable.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love The Bakeshop Mysterious. Have read them all. And even though I enjoyed spending time with all the characters again. And drooled, throughout the book, over all the mouthwatering recipes! The story of this book fell short for me. And I found the ending less climactic then Ellie Alexander’s other books. A little disappointed in this one, but look forward to the next book.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autumn season is in full swing in Ashland, Oregon where Juliet Capshaw and her staff at Torte are busy whipping up delectable Halloween-themed treats and dark coffee drinks to fit the season. Ashland goes all out for Halloween and even adults and businesses take part. Ramiro, Juliet's stepson, is visiting for the school year and eager to embrace high school life. Over at OSF, Lance is busy casting his newest plays and Jules's mom and her friends are excited to recruit Jules to their mahjong club. One member, Marcia, has an adorable pug dog, King George, who has been cast in an upcoming play. Marcia (and George) are very excited and eager to show off what a talented, good boy King George is. Not everyone is happy about George's new job. Jax Woofard is positive her toy poodle, Pippa, is destined to be a star and determined to get her dog the part. Another mahjong club member, Wendy, has a new antique mahjong set. Hidden inside is an unsetting note stating "the dragon is dead." With George appearing in a play about a dragon, Wendy is slightly worried but Marcia doesn't feel there is a coincidence. Jules spies Jax with George's human co-star, Perry at the Halloween parade in a group that includes dog groomer Trey and animal casting director, Newell and famous dog trainer Anton Dudley, who happens to be dressed in a dragon costume. Later, after the parade and trick-or-treat are over, Jules and Carlos discover the dead body of a man in a dragon costume slumped against the wall of the bakeshop. The police suspect murder! Jules worries there is a connection between the play, the note in the mahjong set and the murder but can't seem to figure it out. With Jax behaving oddly and erratically and blaming Marcia, Jules feels compelled to help clear Marcia's name. Are dog people really that crazy someone would kill for a part in a play or is there something else going on?

I really liked this mystery. I enjoyed the mystery more than the cozy. I didn't need detailed descriptions of how Jules made something every time she baked. The reveal was a little confusing and complicated. It wasn't at all what I was expecting. I don't think the author knows much about dogs or she would have switched the two breeds. Pugs seem to enjoy sleeping, eating and being with humans, while poodles are easy to train and often used in circus type acts. Plus Pugs have curly tails so not the best example to use if you want to have a plotline centered around the dying of a dog's tail. Since poodles have hair and not fur, a person allergic to dogs wouldn't sneeze around a poodle.

I appreciate the police being friendly and fair. Obviously the Professor is an old family friend and Jules's second dad. He's intelligent, wise and always thoughtful. Thomas is a good friend and a fun guy. Kerry is intense but she's fair and good at her job. She let her guard down to Jules and now they're becoming friends. They don't socialize yet but I think the two couples should and will soon. As soon as the murders stop and Kerry and Thomas have time to do couples things.

Jules is a much better sleuth in this one. She brings her suspicions to Thomas and Kerry and they're willing to discuss it with her. She doesn't do anything too stupid, at least not on her own. Jules is empathetic and king to her mother's friends. Wendy is like a second mother to her and when Wendy is upset, Jules feels the need to help. Jules is also very loving towards Ramiro. He's a typical teen and loving high school life. He's wise beyond his years sometimes though and a good kid. I like Carlos so much more now he's settled in Ashland. He's sweet to Jules but sometimes lets his imagination run away with him. I was surprised by their reaction to the dead body. You would think Jules would be used to it by now. What I don't like is her yearning for a baby. Blech. Her mom is lovely as always, wise, level-headed and full of wisdom. The Torte staff have fun with Halloween. I admire the creativity of the younger staff and even older Marty gets creative with his costume. It seems like Andy and Steph are growing closer now she went away and came back. She does need to make the first move if she likes him like that! Why not? He may love coffee more than her but they're young and can figure it out. I can't stand Lance. He doesn't take murder seriously and runs around like he's in a play about Sherlock Holmes fishing for clues.

The mahjong ladies are fun. Wendy is kind but also a little jumpy. She finds a note and jumps from one dragon to the other, behaving fearfully. Marcia is a little bit too obsessed with her pug. George is adorable but she's spoiling him and he won't be any good in the play if he doesn't behave, expensive dog trainer or not. I don't peg Marcia as a killer though. She doesn't have a motive. The dog trainer is free to train whichever dog he wants but hers was the one who got the part in the play. I fully expected Newell to be the victim! He's the one who made the casting decision. He has a secret which is perfectly obvious. It's clear the man is afraid of dogs and allergic too. That's not a mystery and anyone can see it. I don't know why Lance hired an unknown to cast the animal parts. Why not hire an actual animal trainer to work with the animals and the casting director? If they were on the east coast I know who Lance would call. Newell isn't knowledgeable about dogs. That makes no sense. Newell is also not likable interacting with humans much either.

Jax is nuttier than a jar of chunky peanut butter. She's obsessed with her dog, OBSESSED! She's a stage mom but with her dog. She believes Pippa is her baby and treats Pippa like a baby. Dog=four paws on the ground, leashed at all times and yes she should be checking her peemail frequently! (She got that last one right anyway). Unless Pippa is missing a foot or has arthritis or another condition, she should not be in a baby jogger or a baby carrier. Nope. How far will Jax's obsession go? I think she'd do ANYTHING for her baby, even kill. I think she killed the trainer because he took George on as a client and maybe neglected Pippa's training in favor or George and Pippa lost out on the part? Or because he didn't do a good job training Pippa? I think they had an argument and she killed him in the heat of the moment. The method of murder leads me to suspect Trey, the dog groomer. I'm not sure he has a motive and he seems sincere that he'd never put his business on the line but he seems shifty at times and I'm not sure he's entirely innocent. Did he dye George's tail on purpose? Did the trainer know about it and thus Trey killed him? Did Anton know something else about Trey? I'm not sure Trey is a legitimate groomer.

I also think Perry, George's co-star, is another one who doesn't like animals. He seems jealous of George and no one at OSF is picking up on it because he hides it. Perry seems to be friendly with Jax, maybe too friendly. Is he conspiring to get George fired or unable to perform and put Pippa in the play? Then maybe people will see dogs don't belong on stage and he'll be the real star or Pippa's bad behavior will make his bad acting look good and he'll be the center of attention? I'm definitely getting an ego vibe off this guy.

Camille, a retired antiques dealer, sold Wendy the mahjong set through her charity shop. She claims she doesn't know where the note came from or who owned the set but when questioned, she seems jumpy and cagey. I think the mahjong set was stolen and she's afraid the police will arrest her for selling stolen goods. She may not be aware it was stolen. I think the donation was in error and someone wants it back. Camille may or may not know what's up. She's not super friendly but she's new in town and doesn't know a lot of people.

I'm open to reading the next one in the series. It has improved over time but still not an A-list series.

[Shelley Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catch Me if You Candy is the 17th story in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, and though I always think it’s best to read series in order, this can be read as a standalone. This book is a festively fun addition to this cozy mystery series and it’s always nice to revisit the one-of-a-kind town of Ashland, Oregon.

As the theater season winds down, the big Halloween parade is at hand followed by trick-or-treating at the local shops. The chosen dog actor for an upcoming OSF performance will accompany the male actor on the theater’s float. There is much animosity and jealousy about the dog who was selected, and then a mysterious and threatening note found in a second-hand mahjong set is discovered.
When the dog trainer, dressed up in a dragon costume, ends up dead huddled outside of Jule’s Bakeshop Torte, just like the note predicted, suspicions arise and tension mounts and an investigation begins. This eerie occurrence, couldn’t be a coincidence, could it?

The mystery in this story wasn’t quite as interesting as some of the previous ones. It was creative and unusual, but also a bit silly and far-fetched. Though the mystery wasn’t my favorite and some of the related characters were over-the-top, I thoroughly enjoyed the spooky atmosphere, the ongoing relationships, and the descriptive details of the season. Catch Me if You Candy is a nice seasonal read for those wanting something a bit lighter.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catch Me If You Candy is the 17th Bakeshop Mystery series.. The whole town of Ashland, Oregon is preparing for Halloween and the celebration includes a parade with elaborate costumes worn by kids, adults, and even some dogs. Jules Capshaw owns a bakery/coffee shop and her whole staff is looking forward to the festivities. The fun comes to an end for Jules and her husband Carlos when they discover a dead body outside the bakery.

Jules once again teams up with her best friend, Lance, to investigate the crime. Their friendship is one of the highlights of this series. Clues include a hidden message in an antique Mahjong set and sabotage of a canine actor, possibly by a jealous dog mom. Another highlight is the relationship between Jules and Carlos. They have had ups and downs, but I love them together. The murder case is more complicated than it looks like at first and the investigation becomes dangerous.

I always enjoy spending time with these characters and am intrigued by upcoming changes that a couple of the characters hint about. I can't wait to see what's in store for Jules and her friends and family.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Minotaur Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press - Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I have never been interested in cozy mysteries before but lately I’ve seen so many BookTok videos about that that I decided to give this one a try. I was nervous reading a book that is many editions into a series but the author does a good job of giving you an idea of past events so you don’t feel completely lost.

The book reads quick. The longest chapter was the first one and even then it didn’t take longer than 12 minutes or so to get through so this is a good “toss it in your tote and go” kind of book. The “mystery” is pretty fun to read as well. Even when it’s obvious who committed the crime the author still does a good job of making you second guess yourself.

Definitely recommend this one to curl up with on a chilly Fall day!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series but this book was not my favorite in it. Don’t get me wrong, I love the gang at Torte and they really feel like family to me so I’m always happy to visit with them. I’m not sure if this is in all of the previous books but I’ve definitely noticed it in the last two: the step-by-step baking of their treats drives me nuts. The recipes are in the back, why do I need it in the story. It takes me out of the story and reminds me of how Joanne Fluke stretches her books this way and Ellie Alexander doesn’t need it. Otherwise, the story was great, as usual, including all sorts of quirky characters, especially Jax and her dog obsession (I thought I was obsessed!) Highly recommended series but start at the beginning to get all the backstory.

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment, per the usual!! Jules and her team at Torte are the literary friends you didn’t know you needed. Although, with the body count that follows Jules….it may be best not be friends with her. 😂

The Halloween season jumped off the pages in the best ways! It’s only July but I’m already planning my Halloween decorations -who would have thought?!

Big things are changing and I have a lot of suspicious!! Mainly, what in the WORLD is Lance up to?! I need the details ASAP!!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters are exceptional, I love reading about them. I do think the character Jax is a bit overdone though. I like that the book doesn’t just end when the killer is found but gets more information. The ending on this did feel like it’s maybe the end of the series, lots of talk about change. #CatchMeIfYouCandy #NetGalley

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Halloween in Ashland and Jules and her team are getting ready for the annual parade. This is Romero's first Halloween is Ashland Jules is excited to show him all of the activities. Of course, a murder takes place that Jules is determined to solve. I always enjoy these books. Especially the audio version. The narrator really puts you in the series. The characters are interesting and engaging. I love Lance. I love the team at Torte and how they treat each other like family. This has always been one of my favorite series and it continues to be.

[Kristen Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do NOT read this book unless it’s Halloween-time; it was absolute atmospheric perfection ✨

[Dottie Powers · Rating 2 out of 5]

It seems more like a cookbook than a mystery.