Tag: St. Martin’s Paperbacks

Coming February 25, 2025

Killing Me Soufflé: A Bakeshop Mystery
Cozy Mystery
20th in Series
Setting – Oregon
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books (February 25, 2025)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250326214
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250326218
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D12SMGWB

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!

Amidst the rocky beaches of the Oregon coast, Torte’s beloved Sterling and Stephanie have been hired to take over the aging restaurant at the cliffside Whaleshead Resort. They’re nervous about striking out on their own, but excited by the opportunity to put their own spin a new menu. From fresh fish caught the very same day to vegan options and handcrafted pastries, they’re buzzing with ideas. What’s even better is that Jules and the team from Torte have come out for opening weekend to cheer them on.

Despite some opening night jitters, the dinner is off with a bang. Guests and long-term residents of Whaleshead Resort are eager to taste the young couple’s creations. As the tickets begin to line up and guests pile in the front door, Jules and Carlos offer to roll up their sleeves and help in any way they can.

Stephanie is taking on every chef’s nightmare—a fluffy chocolate soufflé—and Sterling is fast at work prepping shrimp linguini and pan-seared halibut when they suddenly hear screaming. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead and their new boss, has taken a fatal fall down the steep and dangerous cliffside trail leading to the beach. Jules and her young protégés quickly realize this was no accident. Now, the team will have to juggle the investigation while keeping the restaurant—and Steph and Sterling’s new jobs—from crashing like the waves along the cliffs.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Torte’s loss is the Whaleshead Resort’s gain. Stephanie and Sterling have new jobs bringing a cliffside restaurant back to life. The restaurant has been scrubbed and refreshed with a little paint. Sterling and Stephanie have updated the menu with fresh fish entrees, vegan dishes, and a variety of desserts including “every chef’s nightmare – a fluffy chocolate soufflé-“. Reservations for opening night are plentiful and long-term residents and resort guests are excited to see what these kids have come up with. As are Jules, Carlos, and others from Ashland. All are ready to help make the restaurant a success and help Sterling and Stephanie shine.

While all are prepping for the big night, Jules makes a quick trip to the garden, she hears a scream. Following the sound she finds the manager of the Whaleshead Resort has fallen down an exposed cliffside trail to his death. In the short time Jules and Carlos have been there they saw there was a real problem with management especially with the manager Erik Morton so it was no surprise when his death was ruled a homicide. Did he push one of his staff too far? Did one of the Whaleshead residents have a reason to give the man one good push?

The Professor is on the case and Jules’ bestie Lance is ready to team up with her again to solve another murder. Carlos, Arlo, and Helen will help however they can.

The people who work together at Torte are family so it was hard for Sterling and Stephanie to venture out on their own. Family shows up for each other for support and celebrations so of course, Jules, Carlos, Helen, the Professor, Lance, and Arlo came for the reopening of the restaurant at the Whaleshead Resort. After 20 books these characters feel like old friends. Ms. Alexander allows them to continue to evolve in true-to-life ways. This story is character-driven as many things are happening in their lives including the latest murder.

The murder of resort manager Erik Morton was not going to be easy to solve. There are several suspects with motive. They have shady alibis, are not forthcoming with information, and are strangers to the crew from Ashland. The Professor offers his assistance to the local police which is accepted. He asks Jules to keep her eyes and ears open. Lance takes that as he usually does – an invitation to snoop. Snooping that can lead to trouble and dangerous situations. I love the banter between Lance and Jules as they work to get to the truth but I was a little nervous about Jules investigating as she now has another life depending on her. The author did an excellent job of twists and misdirection. I figured out the guilty party right along with Lance and Jules.

It was nice to have the characters take a weekend getaway from Ashland to a place where Jules had some fond memories. The resort’s lodge and cabins may need a little updating and renovating but the views, cliffs, and beach sounded amazing. It will now carry fond memories for everyone. Some maybe more than others.

Killing Me Soufflé is a delightfully entertaining story. I love the family feeling that runs through this book and the entire series.  These genuine characters immediately pulled me into this story. The murder mystery kept me engaged. The ending put a huge smile on my face. There are some exciting times ahead and I can’t wait to get my hands on Laying Down the Latte! It is set to be released on August 26, 2025!

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 the Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

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Thanks to the publisher I have 1 copy to give away!