Live and Let Pie is book 9 in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Featuring the continued expansion of Torte, the discovery of a skull in a long-cold missing-persons case, and the real estate war for a piece of vacant property, Jules and the town of Ashland are busy. When the owner of the vacant land is found murdered, Jules becomes embroiled in a haunting disappearance from the past and a chilling present-day murder.

The world building continues as new events take shape and new characters are introduced. The familiar favorites are always a pleasure to see on the pages. I enjoy reading about Jules, Jules's 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 mysteries and whether they were connected or not. 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.

I love the Bakeshop Mystery series. All of the books are wonderful. 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.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

There is so much going on in this 9th installment of the Bakeshop Mysteries. Carlos has returned to his cruise ship and Jules still doesn’t know what she wants as far as their relationship. Helen and Doug have returned from their honeymoon and are househunting to find the perfect place. She is putting in fewer hours at Torte but both she and Jules are very excited about their grand reopening with their new expanded space.

Jules takes a little time away from baking when she goes to look at a house with her mom. When she takes a little walk around the lake she arrives just as 2 young girls diving for treasure find a human skull. A skull that may belong to a man that disappeared back in the ’60s. There is also a piece of property for sale that has several parties very interested so when the owner is killed there are plenty of suspects. Jules is in the middle of it all but she may find herself spread too thin.

All my favorite characters are back and are joined by some new employees at Torte. This causes some tension in the ranks. Again, the new characters evolve quickly throughout the story and the continuing characters continue to grow. Jules has a chance to take a huge step thanks to her mom, but the stress of a life with Carlos or without needs to be rectified soon.

I was very captivated by both mysteries and the way they intertwined. They were so well-written, I was totally surprised when the killer was revealed. The person wasn’t even on my radar. Nicely played Ms. Alexander.

As I have come to expect there is a lot of baking and brewing and eating and drinking going on. Torte is my kind of place and the food descriptions had my stomach growling.

The characters in this series always keep me coming back for more. From the drama of the murders to the daily happenings at Torte I am all in. The author has found the perfect cozy recipe to keep readers engaged and entertained.

I love everything about this book - it's characters, the setting and the plot. All flow together for a wonderful read. I look forward to reading others in this series!

The murder in this installment of the Torte bakery mystery series is historical, but there's still plenty of tension as Jules and her crew at the bakery try to find out who the victim is and whether a murderer still lurks in their small town.

I enjoy reading Ellie Alexander’s books and am especially captivated by the Ashland, OR setting as well as spending time at Torte with an interesting cast of characters. That said, I do agree with other reviewers that the “review” aspect of the book was a bit too long and Jules needs to finally make a decision about the too-long-absent Carlos.

Ellie Alexander writes the Bakeshop Mysteries, which are fun cozies with likeable characters and mouthwatering recipes. They are fast reads, so even those who are busy can find time to read them. Jules Capshaw, the protagonist, is estranged from her husband – not because they don’t get along, but because of their careers, and because they are still in love, Carlos, who is a chef on a cruise ship where they met, keeps returning to Torte, Jules’ bakeshop, in Ashland, Oregon, to see her and help her solve the murders that keep occurring in their small town. Jules is an amateur sleuth, and gets herself into plenty of trouble trying to figure out who murderers are, and while doing so, regales her readers with fabulous foods.

Live and Let Pie is the ninth installment in the series. Jules rarely takes time off, but she takes a bit of time to take a walk near the lake and finds a human skull. Now she is not only running a business, but also trying to decide what she wants to do with her marriage, solving a decades old missing person/possibly murder case, and investigating the murder of her troublesome landlord, Edgar.

This cute cozy is well-written. The characters are not only likeable, but well-developed and the main characters appear in all of the novels in the series. Like most cozies, there is no graphic sex, language, or violence, so the books are suitable for readers of all ages. This is a fun series, and because they are culinary mysteries, the recipes are definitely a bonus.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copies of this novel.

Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. The main and secondary characters are all people I wish were real and that I knew. Honestly, I would love to be able to walk into Torte and just spend hours hanging out.

The ninth installment to this standalone series, Live and Let Pie, finds two young girls stumbling upon a murder from over 50 years ago. It had been thought the victim George Mill died because he refused to leave his homestead during a big flood. However, the discovery of his skull dispels that rumor. Now the police of Ashland, Oregon have to figure out how to solve an old murder case.

As if a cold case wasn’t enough to pique Jules Capshaw’s interest, people in town are arguing over a parcel of land owned by Edgar Hannagan. One realtor wants to buy the land and build tiny houses. An OSF (Oregon Shakespeare Festival) employee wants to build affordable apartments for the actors in the company. A business owner wants to expand the parking lot next to her B&B. There's also the homeless council who wants to put up permanent housing. Edgar seems to be very nonchalant about all of this. When his body is discovered, Jules can't help but wonder if one of the people who wanted his land killed him. There's also the fact that Edgar knew George. Could these two murders be related or is this just a coincidence?

While I enjoyed Live and Let Pie, it doesn't rank as a favorite of the series for me. The first 20% or so of the book felt off. It could possibly be because my favorite character and Jules’ partner in crime solving, Lance took forever to appear in the book. I did love the fact that new employees were added to the Torte staff. After my friend Lance did show up, I was able to relax and simply enjoy the story. Live and Let Pie is a good mystery and I was surprised that my spidey senses didn't go off. Surprise doesn't even begin to explain who the killer was and why. On the romantic front, as a reader, I'm getting a little tired of the Jules and Carlos (estranged husband) situation. I really wish Jules would just decide already if she's going to stay married to Carlos and allow him to move to Ashland or not. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, A Cup of Holiday Fear. Fingers crossed Carlos will be in Ashland for Christmas!

This is a series that I've enjoyed from the beginning. Although I enjoyed this one, I think that the fact that it was an 'old' mystery I didn't think that it was quite as captivating as earlier books in the series. It was well-written and I'm ready to see how Jules and Carlos resolve their marriage.

I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to read this book! I appreciate the kindness. <3

This particular book in the series seemed to be more focused on the bakeshop than on the mystery. The storyline did not flow well and felt jumpy to me. I did like the addition of the new characters. They are enough for me to give the next book in the series a try. I received an ARC but was not otherwise compensated for this review.

I jumped into this series on book 8 and this is the next one. I found it to be as delightful as the last one, possibly more so. In this book, Torte's remodel finally gets completed and Jules and her mother are ready to celebrate with their newly expanded team. With Jules' mom (Helen) and The Professor (Doug) back from their honeymoon, they're looking for a new place to live to mark the new life they've started together. In a genuinely heartfelt move, they suggest Jules accept the family home she grew up in as a gift from them both. Between house-hunting with her mom, mulling over what to do about her marriage, and moving Torte to the next step in its growth, Jules has everything she can possibly manage going on. An older murder is discovered just before a new murder occurs and thanks to her other activities, Jules has a lot of information to share with the police. In true bestie fashion, Lance happily drags her deeper into the intrigue as they try to see what they can uncover themselves.

I'm going to cry when it's time to finally say goodbye to these characters. New ones are being introduced and have already taken a place in my heart. I truly hope it doesn't end soon. The dialogue remains fun and charming. We see one of the team act out of character and learn more about them, their views of the future, and their fears. Being the 9th book in the series, it should be fairly evident that the world is well established. I definitely recommend this as a read for any cozy fan.

Thank you to Ellie Alexander, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this story and provide my honest thoughts and opinions.

Live and Let Pie by Ellery Adams is number nine in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Changes are afoot. Jules mother has remarried after years of being without a mate. Her husband, Carlos, and stepson, Ramiro, had attended the wedding and Carlos has expressed a desire to leave his traveling (on a cruise ship) days behind him and join her here in Ashland. A dilemma for Jules to solve. The bakeshop has been remodeled and expanded and Jules actually has a little more time to herself with the additional staff. The mystery came to light when Jules was house hunting with her mother. Both her mother and her mother's new husband have homes of their own and have decided that instead of moving into one of them, they should purchase something new, together. The mystery is a cold case: a death from many years before. Investigating it brings up all kinds of trauma for the, now elderly, folks involved. It is a convoluted tale, but an interesting one.

The exciting part of this book is the characters and their interactions with one another. Many of them have been friends or acquaintances for years so their interactions are based on shared experiences and memories from many years. Andy, a young employee, for example, is more frightened of telling Jules' mother that he is dropping out of college to work and learn at Torte, than he is of telling his own parents. The employees are an eclectic bunch as are the members of the community with whom Jules interacts. One of the exciting advantages of a well-written series is how well the reader gets to know the members of the community, is able to see and feel their growth as well as their heartaches and joys. The mystery was well plotted and fun to explore, as well. This is a cozy mystery but it is detailed and has depth enough to please any mystery aficionado. I recommend it. You will not be sorry.

I received a free ARC of Live and Let Pie in exchange for a fair and honest review. #netgalley #liveandletpie

Jules Capshaw and the bakeshop she owns with her mother are going through major changes: a renovation expansion, hiring new employees, decisions about her marriage and her mother's remarriage. So change is in the air and change is always a little scary. The discovery of a decades old skeleton followed by a murder only adds to the turmoil.

This ninth volume in the series touched me as no other had. In fact, the mystery plays second fiddle to all the changes the characters are dealing with and the finding of realizing of happiness and joy in your choices and daily life. I rarely tear up while reading, especially not reading a mystery, but this one got to me. Highly recommended!

It's hard to believe this is book 9 in the Bakeshop Mystery Series. I love visiting Torte Bakery, Jules and all her staff. This can be read as a stand alone, the mystery is a good one to solve. When Jules goes down to the river to think about her life, (renovations on Torte, Her husband out at sea cooking on a cruise ship, and her landlord wanting to sell some real estate near Torte) she finds a skull. It's from a 1060's missing person case and it isn't long till her landlord ends up dead with a large group of suspects, many who put deposits on the lot he wanted to sell. Set in Oregon with lots of Shakespeare references the recipes are yummy and easy to make. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I so enjoy this series. To be honest, I'm reading it more for the characters at this point as oppose to the mysteries because, while the mysteries are usually ok, as is the case in Live and Let Pie, the story lines with all the different characters always keep me engaged. Live and Let Pie had some great character and relationship development with many of the bakeshop staff, plus new staff members which is fun to see. You know I'll be reading the next instalment to see what everyone is up to.

Ashland, OR is one of my favorite places to visit and reading a mystery series set there is just what I enjoy. This is the ninth in the series and can be read as a stand alone. There is enough back story to keep you informed. Jules lives and works in Ashland, her childhood home, along with her mother and her mother's new husband. They own the family bakery, Torte, a place I know I would be frequenting daily if I lived in Ashland. Great coffee, cookies, frozen custard, breads.....I have to stop, I'm making myself hungry.
Jules is juggling a lot - seeing to the completion of renovations to the bakery, helping her mother and step father decide on a new house, wondering about her future with her husband, Carlos. Jules has left her life at sea but Carlos is still living his life at sea but says he wants to settle down with her in Ashland and help run the winery. Into all of this comes a fifty year old murder when two young girls are out in the lake and uncover a skull. One thing leads to another and a new murder is committed, just down the street from Torte. The victim had connections to the fifty year old murder, having been in love with the victims sister. With this death, the man's property becomes a focal point. The house is no more than a shack but the land is solid gold prime real estate and many people want to get their hands on it. This thread deals with the local housing pinch so many cities now face. The very people who keep the city vibrant - actors, artists, etc. can't find affordable housing, some having to drive over an hour each way to get to their jobs in Ashland. Tensions have been building to the boiling point and Jules is drawn into the investigation. Unlike many amateur sleuths, she has a good relationship with the local police force. Her knack of getting people to open up to her helps their investigation is welcomed....most of the time.
The only draw back? Now I've finished this one and I have to wait for the next one. I'm going to be counting the days.

Live and Let Pie by Ellie Alexander is the ninth A Bakeshop Mystery. Jules Capshaw is busy running Torte and supervising the renovations. With the shop expansion, it is time to hire some new employees. Jules’ mother, Helen and her new husband have been house hunting. Helen requests that Jules accompany her to look at a house on Emigrant Lake and they can then enjoy a picnic afterword. Unfortunately, the picnic takes a backseat when two teenage girls discover a skeleton while diving. George Mill went missing in the 1960s when the town of Klamath Junction was flooded for Emigrant Lake expansion, and now his body has finally been found. Edgar Hannagan is selling his lot, and he has numerous interested parties including the owner of the Nightingale B&B and the director of the homeless council. When Edgar is found murdered, Jules sets out to track down the killer. She must work in her sleuthing in between the grand re-opening of Torte, two bickering employees, the 58 year old crime and her indecision regarding Carlos. Jules dives into baking to avoid thinking about her marriage, and her delectable treats provide a handy excuse when visiting the people on her suspect list. Come along to Ashland, Oregon for Shakespeare, friendly faces, tasty desserts and a touch of murder.

Live and Let Pie takes us back to Ashland, Oregon and Jules Capshaw. She cannot wait for the renovations on Torte to be finished. Jules is hiring three new employees who she hopes will fit in with the rest of her staff, but change can be difficult for people. I like Ellie Alexander’s conversational writing style. It makes for an easy, breezy book with steady pacing. Baking is prominently featured in the story. Creating and baking of pastry is described in detail (one example is a fluffernutter). I find that it interrupts the flow of the story with so many baking breaks. I wish the author would take the time to further develop the mystery instead. While Live and Let Pie is the ninth book in the series, it can be read alone. The author summarizes what has happened to Jules so far for new readers. Jules is still contemplating what to do about her marriage. This has been going on for nine books and it is time for a decision to be made. Personally, I am not a fan of the suave Carlos who is handsome and seems to charm everyone with his personality and cooking (too perfect). I kept hoping Jules would ditch the chef for Thomas. Jules also has a major decision to make regarding her living arrangements courtesy of a wonderful offer from the Professor and her mother (I do not know why she hesitated). I like the staff of Torte along with Helen, the Professor, Thomas and Lance. Lance provides many humorous moments in Live and Let Pie. One cannot help but laugh at Lance’s antics, and he does make the sleuthing more entertaining. I enjoyed the descriptions of the finished Torte (though, I would not like going up and down those stairs). The two mysteries are not at the forefront of the book. I do like how they tie together, but the solution was not surprising. I would have preferred full closure on the mysteries instead of supposition. I am giving Live and Let Pie 3.5 out of 5 stars. There are recipes at the end of the book for those who wish to recreate some of Torte’s creations.

Jules has much to do as Torte prepares for its grand re-opening after the expansion. She needs to hire more help. She finds three new people and it looks like all will be well except Andy is being short with the new girl hired to help him with the coffee bar.
Her mom and the professor are looking for a house to buy. Jules goes with her mom to look at a house on the lake. While Jules takes a walk along the lake, a cry goes up from out on the lake. Two girls were diving and found part of a body.
The book involves an old murder and a new murder. Are the deaths related or does Edgar's death have to do with the property he is selling?
There is so much going on with Torte and the employees lives that the murders are almost a side note.
Jules does get into trouble while investigating but it feels minor compared to some of the previous kerfuffles she has gotten into while investigating murder.
As always, it is lovely to visit Ashland and following the lives of the characters as they "live" another day.

Julie Capshaw is helping her mother look for a home when she hears shouting from the lake below. Two girls were swimming in an abandoned town that was flooded and one of them found a skull. Julie immediately calls her stepfather. This mystery overlaps with the current day where a lot on Julie's block is up for sale and there are a lot of sharks circling to take the land.
I thought this was one of Alexander's other series and was surprised to find myself in the middle of a series but read it anyway. While it was good, I'll probably stick to the other series.

Three stars
This book came out December 18
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, for this free eARC.

Live and Let Pie is the 9th book in A Bakeshop Mystery series, and my favorite one yet! I am so sad to be done for now, but I am thrilled that Alexander already has another one in the works.

As always, I love the setting in Ashland and all the little details. One thing I loved most about this particular book, was that the mystery was about a cold case from the 1960's, that may be related to a missing persons case.

Torte has also been expanded, and they have their grand opening. We get to meet a lot of new staff members, who are just the right fit! Detective Kerry has also become the newest member of Ashland Police, while working along side Thomas.

I can't wait to see how the 10th book goes, and will be patiently waiting. This has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery series!