3.5 stars out of 5
I really wanted to love NOTHING BUNDT TROUBLE, the eleventh book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, but this one fell short. There were plenty of enjoyable moments reliving the food, fashion, and music of the 1980’s along with getting to know Jules’ long-deceased father via his just-discovered journal. I’ve always admired the protagonist, Jules, and the way she treats her employees at her bakeshop, Torte, like family. Ms. Alexander has developed a strong cast of characters over the course of the series and I’ve looked forward to each book. It’s like revisiting old friends.

However, this installment spends the first 60% with Jules and her step-father sitting at a table reading her father’s journal. While the journal is used to recount a murder mystery (which was never solved) that her father got involved in, a lot of “fluff” is included that only a novelist would write. I just don’t see a grown man who is working full-time at his bakeshop, doing after hours dessert catering, trying to be a husband and a father, and working with the new detective to solve a crime, would find time to write in such minute detail… a couple of the many, many instances: what a lounge singer wore, or the color of the highlights in his wife’s hair, especially when it had no bearing on the case. It detracted from what was meant to have been a useful tool in giving Jules the impetus to solve the cold case, and slowed down the pacing. Once the reading of the journal was over, Jules’ investigation into the unsolved murder felt overly rushed and a little too simplistic compared to the other books in this series.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander is the 11th instalment in the "A Bakeshop Mystery" series. I really enjoyed this story and diving into the past history of Torte and Ashland. It starts with Jules discoverIng her father's old journal in the basement of her childhood home, which talks about an unsolved murder from the 1980s. With the help of Lance and the professor, she becomes determined to solve the cold case.

This was a good read, but wasn’t what I expected as it was more a back story of Torte and Ashland. Don’t get me wrong I rather enjoyed hearing about how it all started and Jules looking into the cold case that had haunted her father and stepfather.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed. There is plenty of humour too with the staff and the whole 80’s them.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving 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.

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for an eARC of Nothing Bundt Cake by Ellie Alexander.

This is the eleventh book in Ellie Alexander’s Bake Shop Mystery series and I absolutely adored it! Our sleuth Jules Capshaw has discovered her fathers old journal in the basement of her childhood home. In it she finds that there was an unsolved mystery that she is determined to solve with the help of Professor.

I loved how Alexander was able to do a flashback of Ashland, Oregon and the beginnings of Torte—the bakery Jules and her mom own.I felt it was a great way to tie the whole series together. It was a sweet addition to the series and I look forward to book twelve!

This is the eleventh installment in Ellie Alexander's A Bakeshop Mystery series.

Jules finds one of her father’s journals in the basement of her home. She begins to read it and discovers an unsolved case from the 1980’s. Doug, her mother’s new husband was the lead detective.
Jules and Doug discuss the journal. We read the journal. It is very detailed. I had a hard time staying focused, in fact I skipped a major portion of the journal.

I preferred the present day and their attempt to find the hit and run killer.

This just gets a middle of the road rating from me. I would never slog through the first 75% of the story again.
I did like seeing Doug and Jules becoming closer over the Pastry Case.

I  received a free digital copy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review.

First let me start by saying I love this author and this series.
This book definitely took a different approach than previous books. Most of the story is told through journal entries. I enjoyed it and I can't wait to see where the next story takes us.

It's springtime in Ashland, Oregon which means the Shakespeare festival is right around the corner. Jules and the crew at Torte bakery are gearing up for an increase in business. Jules also has her hands full moving back into her childhood home after the mother's recent marriage. While going through boxes in the basement left behind by her mother, Jules uncovers a journal from her late father which details a controversial hit and run case from the 80's that was never solved. The case, known as the pastry case, happened when Jules was only five however she feels compelled to investigate and find a conclusion to this cold case. With the help of Lance the professor, and other members of her team, they begin sifting through journal entries that detail the investigation, clues and suspects. It soon becomes apparent that while the accident was no accident, there are many members of the community that would prefer the past remain undisturbed.
Nothing Bundt Trouble is a wonderful addition to the bakeshop mysteries. While I always enjoy mysteries in this series, Nothing Bundt Trouble went a step beyond. The unique premise of an old cold case that drew Jules closer to her father and her step father also served to connect the past and the present in a satisfying way. The insight into the history of Torte, with the very first espresso machine in town was fascinating. Jules discovers that her father had an interest in solving crime, just like she does, drawing her closer to a father she feels she hardly knew. The mystery itself was cleverly constructed, with plenty of carefully placed clues in both the journal and through the investigative efforts of the team. The culprit came as a bit of a surprise culminating in a satisfying ending. There were plenty of mouth watering descriptions of both food a coffee that fans of the bakeshop mysteries look forward to as well. I highly recommend Nothing Bundt Trouble for those looking for a unique cozy mystery to enjoy over the summer.

4.5 Stars

In this eleventh installment in Ellie Alexander's A Bakeshop Mystery series, Jules discovers her father's old journal in the basement of her childhood home, which talks about an unsolved murder from the 80s. With the help of Lance and the professor, she becomes determined to solve the cold case.

I thought this was a wonderful addition to the series. The plot is unique, the setting is enchanting, and the characters are well-written and feel like old friends. I really enjoyed learning about Ashland's past, as well as getting to know Jules's dad. It was easy to see where Jules got her personality from, and I teared up at the end when she read his final journal entry. The mystery kept me engaged and the culprit's identity was a surprise. This is a delightful series, with mouthwatering descriptions of food, heartwarming relationships, and a sense of community and family. I eagerly await the next book. You can never go wrong with a book by Ellie Alexander.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

BAKESHOP MYSTERY #12

It is Springtime in Ashland, Oregon, and we are back at Torte with Jules and gang.

Juliet and staff are preparing for the Shakespeare Festival, Jules is moving back home and things are hectic in a good way.

But when Jules finds an old journal written by her father, she is suddenly thrust into an old murder from the '80s and wondering what in the world her father was working on something called The Pastry Case?

With the help of the Professor, she learns more than she ever knew about her parents and her town. While the entire crew jumps in to try and solve the old case, they had better keep an eye out for the people who don't want to dredge up old business.

Between the food and the hilarious antics of the characters, the author has skillfully put together a series that I am pretty sure will keep going. 

This is one series I can not pass up because the characters are so great. I want to hang out with them.

NetGalley/ June 30th, 2020 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

3.75 stars

This is the 11th entry in the superior Bakeshop Mystery cozy series, set in Ashland, Oregon. The town, the setting for the annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is a strong and interesting setting and always plays a large part in the action.

Juliet Capshaw is running her family's bakeshop. Her father died years ago and her mother has re-married. Fans of the series know that Juliet has a husband who is off at sea, but he is not a factor here. Juliet discovers an old journal of her father's which talks about an unsolved mystery from the 80's, when her parents were just starting their business. A fatal hit and run took out an actor who was known to all of small town Ashland. Juliet's stepfather Doug was the investigating detective but they never found enough evidence to solve the case.

Much of the narrative is supplied from the pages of the journal which I didn't mind. Juliet and her flamboyant friend Lance decide it's time to lay this murder to rest once and for all. I like Juliet's character, her relationship with her family and staff, and all the descriptions of daily life at the bakeshop. This is a fun series. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Just when Jules Capshaw was settling into a routine to keep up with the season's tourists in Ashland, Oregon, she stumbles upon a dossier in her late father's belongings that details a hit and run accident in the 1980s. Jules is intrigued, and begins to wonder if it was an accident at all. Readers will eat up Alexander's latest bakeshop mystery!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was looking forward to reading this book since I enjoy the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. I especially liked that the main part of the story took place in the past, and was told from Juliet's father's journal. It gave the book a somewhat more relaxed feel, yet I just had to keep on reading. There are many suspects to choose from, and the conclusion is very satisfying. Also, I just wanted to try the specialty coffees described in the book, they seem delicious, not to mention that you will feel hungry at times reading this book. I recommend this book to readers who are either new or familiar with the series, you will have a good time for sure.

Thank you Netgalley for the early release copy of Nothing Bundt Trouble by Ellie Alexander. Juliet comes across an old diary - in reading it with Doug, an old family friend of her parents, Will writes about an unsolved hit and run. This helps put a closure on her father dying early, what kind of person he was, and his dreams for their bakeshop in the beginning. It also reveals what Ashford was like, then and now. This was a well written story blending the past and the present. It was about working to try and solve the hit and run before it caught up to Juliet and Doug.

This is a series that I eagerly await the newest one the series. I enjoyed this one even though I was hoping that Carlos would visit.

The book is an interesting twist of old and new after Jules finds an old journal that her dad kept when she was a young child. I enjoyed reading the journal with Jules and the professor and seeing Torte when it was just beginning.

These characters are solid and continued to grow in relationships with each other. I'm ready for the next one!

This is the eleventh book in the Bakeshop mystery series by Ellie Alexander.

These books are always well written and interesting, in my opinion. But this one was a bit different. Juliet finds an old journal of her father's and in it discovers an unsolved mystery her father was helping the police investigate.

There are long stretches of backstory as Juliet reads her father's journal. There isn't a ton about Torte here or even Juliet's relationships. This is all about the mystery from the past that Juliet feels compelled to continue on with.

Definitely a good read, but not exactly what you usually expect from this series.

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out.

Received this as an ARC for an honest review.

Just when you think a series cannot get any better, the author comes along with a gem of a novel like this! Going back and forth between present and past to solve an old murder. Being introduced to new characters and seeing old characters young gives this book such a charming aura about it, you will be hard pressed to stop reading it in one sitting!

The Bakeshop mysteries have been my go-to for pleasurable reading and Nothing Bundt Trouble is no exception. Ellie Alexander takes the reader back to the days when Juliet's father Will and her mother Helen first opened the shop. They struggled with finances and looked for creative ways to join with other businesses to provide desserts. Juliet finds journals written by her father covering a period of time when he and Doug (The Professor) tried to solve The Pastry Case, as they called it. It involved a hit an run accident that killed one of the actors in The Cabaret. Although it was never solved, Juliet goaded on by, Lance thinks she can review the evidence in the journal and interview suspects because so many of them still live in the area. Without realizing it, she puts herself in danger.

An interesting look back at the beginnings of Torte.

I have always been a fan of this series but this latest one is my favourite!
It had an outstanding whodunit which kept me riveted!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Not a fan at all of the newest Bakeshop mystery.

The majority of the novel takes place in the bakeshop where Juliet and the Professor read over Juliet's late father journal where he was helping the professor solve a hit and run crime in the 1980s. I was so bored reading from his journal since it was so detailed and just went on and on. I would of rather had just the key points and have the rest of the novel focused on the present day and solving the mystery.

So around the 75% mark, we finally finish reading the journal and Juliet wants to solve the mystery of the hit and run. The novel then spends the next 10% having Juliet and Lance go around to all of the suspects to see if anyone seems guilty.

I was just so bored by the end of the novel that I didn't care at all who the killer was. I just wanted the novel to be over with, which is a shame since I really enjoy this series.

Thank you to Netgallery and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Nothing Bundt Trouble is book,#11 in the A Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander and is an enjoyable addition to the series. Juliet Capshaw is moving back into her family house where she grew up as her mother has remarried. Juliet (Jules) and her mom, Helen, own and run Torte bakery. Jules' father died when she was younger. She finds a journal of her father's when she is settling into the house. It opens up a lot of memories and mentions an old controversial case that her father and stepfather Doug, who she calls The Professor, were both knowledgeable about. The professor helps Jules sort through the info in the journal. The mystery is revealed through the journal and we get a glimpse of Jules and the history of Torte through the journal. There is a Shakespeare festival in Ashland which is evident around town and is a big part of tourism in town. It all adds up to an enjoyable cozy mystery!

I always enjoy this series. I love the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and love the setting in Ashland. I’ve grown attached to the characters at the Torte.