Torte–the beloved small-town bakeshop run by Jules Capshaw–is set to hit the stage. But who would have guessed that murder would makes a surprise appearance? It’s the role of a lifetime for Jules. The Shakespeare Festival has returned to Ashland, Oregon, for the season and Torte has been cast as the supplier of Elizabethan-era treats for the main event. But on the eve of opening night, a brawl … opening night, a brawl between Jules’s friend Lance, the artistic director, and a strapping young thespian named Anthony almost brings down the house. . .and the next morning, Anthony is dead. Jules knows that Lance loves his drama–and his just desserts–but she also knows that murder is way off-script for him. Now it’s up to Jules to cut through a bevy of backstage betrayals and catty co-stars who all have their own secrets–before the curtain drops on someone else. . .
The Bakeshop mysteries are:
“Delectable.”–Portland Book Review
“Delicious.”–RT Book Reviews
“Marvelous.” —Fresh Fiction
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Another solid book in one of my favorite series. Just when I think I couldn’t love an installment more, Ellie Alexander keeps surprising me with new twists and turns. A great one for sure!
Name: Another One Bites the Crust (7th in the Bakeshop Mystery Series)
Author: Ellie Alexander
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
A Little About the Book
It is Shakespeare season once again in Ashland. A new season of the theater brings new drama to the life of Jules and the other Ashland residents. Jules’ friend Lance, who is also the artistic director of the OSF takes center stage when he finds a dead body. When Lance then starts to act strangely (even for him) Jules knows it’s up to her to find out what really happened and clear her friend’s name.
Stuff You Should Know
Sub-Themes: Baking, bakeshop, quant scenic towns, love triangle, multi-generational family
Can You Start the Series in the Middle: You can. The author always gives a little context at the beginning so you can start with any installment. However, it has a great back-story, so I would recommend stating this series at book one.
Marie’s Thoughts
This is such a fun series. It is one I always look forward to. Jules is a hard working, fun loving main character, but comes with a history and scars that make her very relatable. Ellie Alexander does a wonderful job of painting imagery with her words that have you glued to the pages. I always have to pace myself with these books because I read them so fast, but want to savor the experience at the same time!
https://cozyexperience.com/another-one-bites-crust-book-review/
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We arrive in Ashland, Oregon just in time for the return of the Shakespeare Festival. Jule’s friend and artistic director of the festival should be over the moon but he is acting stranger than his normal strange. He has decided he needs to hold a start of the season party with authentic desserts from the 1500s which he expects Jules to bake. Jules already has a lot on her plate with the construction at Torte and planning her mother’s upcoming nuptials. She knows she can’t say no to Lance, especially when she knows something is going on with him.
The party is going great until a fight breaks out. A fight between Lance and the young actor playing Antony in the play, who is a method actor so he only answers to that name. Lance thinks Anthony is bad-mouthing him to the festival board and trying to get him fired. The party breaks up but later when Anthony is found dead Jules knows Lance is in a world of trouble.
Jules, her mom, Lance, Andy, Sterling, Bethany, Stephanie, Thomas, and the Professor come together in this 7th installment of this fun and entertaining series. I truly feel like I am visiting old friends every time I open a Bakeshop Mystery. All the characters are genuine and because of Helen, Jules’s mom’s huge heart they are all truly a family.
We are introduced to a new character when Doug needs to take a step back from the investigation due to his friendship with Lance. Detective Kerry’s attitude pushes Jules hard to help her friend in any way she can. For me, the jury is still out on Detective Kerry.
Along with the opening of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Torte is doing a big expansion and Helen and Doug, the Professor are engaged and want to get married right away, as soon as they can find an available venue large enough for all their guests. Then there is the mess Lance finds himself in. I love the way Ms. Alexander blends the mystery with all the real-life happenings of the entire cast along with the yummy food and Andy’s signature beverages and recipes.
The mystery has a quick pace and is so well-plotted. Twists and some exciting moments made this a very fast read as the pages flying, there should have been smoke coming out of my Kindle.
Another One Bites the Crust contains everything I love about cozy mysteries. Fun characters, an entertaining mystery, just enough drama, and some romance thrown in too. The current mystery is solved but the author teases us with just enough information to excite us for the next Bakeshop Mystery. The one good thing about being late to the party for this series is that I don’t have to wait months for the next book. Watch for my review of Till Death Do Us Tart coming soon.
Jules’ bakeshop, Torte, has been contracted to supply the baked goods for the opening season of the Shakespeare Festival. Her friend, and artistic director of the festival, Lance, is looking forward to period-time pieces of delectable handmade desserts. His plan is to show the Board of Directors he can do his job and bring more promotion and marketing to OSF. When Lance is observed arguing with the lead in the upcoming play, and said lead is found dead the next day, Jules knows she has to help clear Lance’s name.
I love the Bakeshop Mystery series. All of the books are wonderful. I enjoy Jules, her estranged ex Carlos, Jules’ mom and The Professor, Lance, and Stephanie, Sterling, and Andy. Each story is different, containing not just the murder mystery but other threads. The author does a fantastic job weaving multiple stories within each book. Each thread makes sense as you move along in the book, some intersecting with the murder and others just additional everyday life. The books are descriptive and I am able to immerse myself into the town of Ashland or wherever the author takes the characters in this series.
The world building continues as new events take shape, book settings change, and new characters are introduced. The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages. I enjoy the characters including Jules, Jules’ mom, Stephanie, Sterling, Lance, Andy, Thomas, and the Professor. I connect with all the favorites on some level and can’t imagine these books without them.
The story is fast paced and engaging. I enjoyed trying to unravel the murder mystery. Every time I thought I had things all figured out, the author tossed in a complication that changed my mind. Ellie Alexander does a great job keeping everything under wraps and revealing things methodically and at the right time.
Another great read in the Bakeshop mysteries. I love returning to Ashland and Torte bakery.
Another One Bites the Crust by Ellie Alexander is the seventh book in A Bakeshop Mystery series. Jules Capshaw co-owns Torte with her mother (Helen) in Ashland, Oregon. The new season of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is getting ready to start which will greatly increase the traffic to their bakery. They are also busy with the remodeling of their new space, planning Helen’s wedding to Doug (aka the Professor) and preparing treats for opening night of Antony and Cleopatra. Then Lance, artistic director for OSF, enters with a new request and drama. Lance is acting a little stranger than normal (an understatement). He feels that the actor playing Antony (who will only answer to Antony) is attempting to oust him and he wants to hold a preseason party with authentic Shakespearean dessert buffet (oh boy). While they really do not have the time for Lance’s party, Jules cannot deny his request (even though he wants to her to use recipes from the 1500s and have the party in one week). The party is a hit, but there is altercation between a tipsy (again an understatement) Lance and Antony. Later that night, Lance arrives at Jules home with blood on his hands and clutching a dagger. Antony is dead (not a shocker) and Lance stumbled upon his body. Lance is the prime suspect (of course) and is arrested. Jules with assistance from the Professor and Thomas work to prove his innocence. Someone is setting Lance up for the crime. Who could have wanted Antony dead? And what is the actor’s real name?
Another One Bites the Crust is nicely written, has a good pace, contains well developed characters and a charming town. While Another One Bites the Crust is the seventh installment in the series, it can be read alone. The author provides the needed background details. The cozy elements that readers of this genre love are present. A charming town, quirky yet lovable characters, someone to dislike (Richard Lord), a bakery with delicious descriptions of baked goods, a Shakespearean play with accounts of the beautiful costumes, Jules creating delectable delights for Lance’s party, a hint of romance, Stephanie’s lack of sleep, Lance acting nuttier than usual and wedding planning. I do feel that we do not need the details on every item that Jules decides to create (it can become tedious after the third, fourth, then fifth time). I was thrilled that Carlos was not featured in this story (I am tired of his storyline). It does seem, though, that Carlos’ story is not finished. There is a hint of what is to come (hint: remember what Carlos gave Jules). The mystery is medium level. The killer can be discerned before the reveal (just follow the clues). The investigation consists of questioning people, our sleuth sharing information (with Lt. Kerry, the Professor, Thomas), and Jules thinking and speculating. I appreciate that the author gives us competent police officers and detectives (hooray). While Lt. Kerry is a rule follower (and intelligent), she is not rude, dislikeable or idiotic (or all three). There is just the right amount of humor in the story. While Lance is an over-the-top character, he is the only one (thank heavens). I liked Thomas and Jules getting to spend some quality time together with a little flirting (can you tell I am Team Thomas). Another One Bites the Crust is a light, entertaining cozy mystery.