Alexander’s latest in her Bakeshop Mystery series again features Juliet “Jules” Capshaw and her crew from Torte as they solve another murder.
Spring is just around the corner, and Jules is considering opening a pop-up ice cream shop, which will also offer Torte’s iced drinks and custards. They are just getting ready to open when disaster strikes, and a man known by the community as “The Wizard” of Ashland is murdered.
I always look forward to revisiting this Oregon town and its inhabitants to see what they are up to.

Chilled to the Cone is the twelfth book in Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series, and another enjoyable addition. In this installment, Jules and the Torte gang are given an opportunity to launch a pop-up ice cream shop in the Railroad District and they decide to take it. Jules's husband Carlos is also back in town, and she realizes that the time has come for them to make a final decision on their relationship. Unfortunately for Jules, her marriage isn't the only thing she has to worry about. When a well-known homeless man is found dead, she quickly finds herself caught up in yet another murder investigation.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and I always look forward to spending some time with Jules and the gang. From the vivid descriptions of Ashland to the delectable goods being baked at Torte and the heartwarming friendships and relationships, it truly feels like catching up with old friends when I read a new installment. Ellie Alexander has done a wonderful job of developing these characters and making her readers care not only about them but also about Torte and Ashland. Romance-wise, there's a lot of exciting news and I can't wait to see what the future holds for these couples.
As for the mystery, I thought it engaging and it definitely kept me guessing. The culprit was on my radar, so the reveal didn't come as a huge surprise but overall it didn't away from my enjoyment of the book. I adore this series and can't wait for the next installment.

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

I love this long running series and its likable protagonist Juliet.

I’m this one, Juliet and co. are opening up a second Torte location, but that halted when there’s a murder of a well known homeless man known as the Wizard.

Jules starts to investigate and there are several suspects who may have wanted the Wizard dead. There’s some pretty good twists and turns in the plot but what really stands out for me is the characters. During the book, Jules is dealing with her ever changing relationship with Carlos and she now had to worry if this second Torte location will be safe. I like the description of Ashland and can view the scenery nicely based on its description and it’s small town vibe.

The series still seems ‘fresh’ even after so many books!

This is an installment in a somewhat long-running series. The setting is the strongest part of the series, in addition to the mouth-watering food descriptions. Most invested readers will be satisfied with romantic outcomes, but it does seem stretched out, which seems to be the downfall of a few other cozy mystery writers. For library collections with a strong demand for this type of mystery.

This is my favorite cozy mystery series, and I was so excited to read this installment! I love traveling around Ashland with Jules, and I had so much fun with this mystery!

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Every one of Ellie Alexander's books are gems, and this is no exception! What a fun addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series!

Chilled to the Cone by Ellie Alexander takes us back to Ashland, Oregon when the theater season is about to begin. Jules Capshaw has an opportunity to open a seasonal shop in the Railroad District. It would give her a chance to expand Torte’s offerings into iced coffee’s and ice cream. Jules is worried about taking on more work while Carlos is in town. She can tell that he is debating about where he wants to spend his future and Carlos has been keeping secrets recently. With encouragement from her mother and her staff, Jules signs the lease and work begins on the new space (and it needs it). Plans are derailed when a local eccentric homeless man named Wizard is murdered. Jules cannot help but delve into the death and the other misdeeds that have been happening in the area. Chilled to the Cone is the 12th A Bakeshop Mystery. If you have not read the previous books in the series, I do not suggest you start with Chilled to the Cone. The storyline regarding Carlos and Jules’ future is finally resolved. Will Carlos stay in Ashland or return to the cruise ship? I like that we are seeing growth in the characters. Jules, Andy, Sterling, Stephanie, Lance, and Thomas are growing in their careers and in their personal lives. I like how Jules, Helen, the Professor, the Torte staff, and their friends have become one big family. They support each other and are there for each other in times of need. The identity of the killer was a no brainer (it would have been nice if it had not been so obvious). I would have liked a more complex mystery as well, but I know that it does not go with this series. There are good details, a couple of suspects, and helpful clues. Cooking, baking, eating, coffee drinking, and romance abound in this cozy mystery. I liked the idea of Scoops. The Torte gang came up with some clever ideas for this pop-up shop. The ending will leave readers smiling. Chilled to the Cone is a sweet treat with chilled coffee confections, blooming romances, teen trouble, pop-up problems, a furtive figure, and long anticipated answer.

Business at Torte is is busy and expanding when Jules learns of an opportunity to open a pop-up ice cream shop at the nearby Railroad District of Ashland. But as Jules, Andy, Sterling and the rest of her team work at renovating the space to open Scoops, they end up finding one of Ashland's quirky characters, a man known as "the Wizard” dead on the railway tracks.

Several of the local businesses had unpleasant encounters with "the Wizard" but did one of them go too far in trying to get rid of him? Jules has to help clear up the murder to help Scoops get off the ground.

On the personal side, Jules is preoccupied and determined to figure out what to do about her relationship with her estranged chef husband Carlos.

This was another fun and tasty entry in the long-running Bakeshop Mystery series.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

mental-illness, homelessness, small-business, small-town, family-dynamics, friendship, relationship-issues, Oregon, amateur-sleuth***

This is the most recent entry in a prolonged series. There are changes to be made in the family business, issues with her marriage, strange things happening among the local merchants, and then comes the murder of a local homeless character. The sleuthing is good and the plot twisty.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Torte is growing again. This time across town in a pop-up space. Scoops will feature Torte’s signature iced drinks and frozen concrete custards as Andy and Sterling take their delicious creations to the new venue. The place needs some updating but the Torte crew is up to the task. That is until The Wizard, one of Ashland’s colorful characters known for his cape and cone-shaped hat, usually seen riding his bike is killed near the new pop-up shop. The murder gives Jules the chills but with a little help, she is confident she can take the killer down.

I am so excited that I finally got all caught up on this series and was able to read this book the day it was released.

Chilled to the Cone takes us back to Ashland as the busy season is about to take off. All the characters I have come to love are back and Spring seems to be a time of romance for several. I was pleased to see Carlos in town and that he and Jules are working on their relationship. It has reached the time for them to make some hard decisions. I also enjoyed how Andy and Sterling are growing in their jobs at Torte. The way Jules and her mom encourage their employees is really satisfying. The staff truly is an extended family and each person is valued for their unique talents and personalities. Lance and Jules continue to lean on each other and join in a little sleuthing. They are a fun team. All the characters have really grown over the course of the series in realistic ways but there’s still room for future growth.

Ms. Alexander gives readers a nice mystery with plenty of suspects and twists and turns. Several characters were involved in trying to solve the murder. The killer was at the top of my personal suspect list but the motive didn’t completely lock in until the very end. They shared the spotlight with a couple of other viable individuals but this person never fell from my top spot. The way the mystery played out was very exciting and I was totally engaged from beginning to end.

The story was very well-plotted. The author takes on a theme of homelessness and mental illness in a way to bring awareness without detracting from the mystery.

As usual, the author tempts our taste buds with several food and drink descriptions. Thankfully we have a Culver’s here in town so I could satisfy my custard cravings with one of their concrete mixers. They have a wide variety of flavors but none as creative as Sterling’s.

Chilled to the Cone is a delightful addition to the Bakeshop Mystery Series. Ellie Alexander never disappoints. Her characters draw you in and the mysteries hold on tight.

The bad thing about being all caught up on this series is that I now have to wait for the next story to be released. Mocha, She Wrote will be released on June 29, 2021. But the author does have another series for me to investigate. The Sloan Krause Mysteries will be headed to my Kindle soon.

Jules is in too deep this time. After she gets ready to open her pop up ice cream shop , someone shows up dead. This mystery really had me stumped. I did not figure out the killer. I thought the story was very clever. I love the real characters. The story was well written and very entertaining. I definitely recommend this series.

This is my first read by Ellie Alexander and it's number 12 in the Bakeshop Mystery series.
I can see I have quite a bit of catching up to do.
Chilled to the Cone isn't just your typical cozy mystery, it deals with some serious issues as well like teenage delinquency, homelessness and mental health issues.
I enjoyed reading the rapport between the employees, they seemed to have a good relationship with each other. I also enjoyed reading the step by step process of professional cake making.
There was a murder but the book wasn't exclusively focused on this. The romances were great to read, very realistic and heartwarming to read.
I look forward to reading more by this author.

Published December 29th 2020 by St. Martin's Press
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

"Chilled to the Cone" was an easy book to pick up and get into quickly. I have not read any other books in this series, but it took very little time to get into the plot. The storyline moved quickly and I really enjoyed meeting these characters. I do want to go back and catch up on the series!

I particularly enjoyed the relationship Juliet had with her employees. And the food! I was drooling. It sounded so delicious!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was my first visit to Ashland, Oregon with Jules, but it won’t be my last! This is the twelfth in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mystery series. I didn’t know all of the backstory, but I was able to glean enough information from this book that I didn’t feel too lost.

I love a good cozy mystery, and Alexander hits the cozy nail on the head with this one. Jules is a likable protagonist, and the food theme in cozies is one of my favorites. Here, Jules’ friend Laney lets her know about an available space in Ashland’s Railroad District. After some consideration, Jules and her crew move ahead with opening Torte 2.0, a second location that will serve ice cream, iced coffees, and other cool treats. The renovation is put on hold, however, when The Wizard, a local colorful character, ends up dead. Who could have killed him, and why? In addition to sorting out where she and Carlos stand and getting the new space ready, Jules has to investigate the mystery.

This was a lot of fun to read! The recipes and descriptions of all the treats were positively drool-worthy, and I wish I lived in Ashland and could really go to Torte to try some of them. The mystery was an engaging one, with clues and hints, but not so many as to give away the ending too early.

In addition to the food and the crime to be solved, the story also looked at several relationships. Carlos has come to Ashland and left the high seas behind, but Jules fears he misses the cruise ship life more than he loves her. I adore the Professor and his relationship with Jules’ mom. I’m probably more of an age with those two characters, and they just make me smile. And Lance, who is apparently something of a playboy, not much for settling down, may have been stricken by Cupid’s arrow at last. A story with richly drawn relationships, whether longstanding and comfortable or brand-new, is always a treat to read.

Whether you’re new to the series or all caught up already, this latest addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series will satisfy your craving for a good cozy read! I’ll definitely be reading the first eleven to get myself up to speed. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reader copy.

Chilled to the Cone by Ellie Alexander is the 12th book in A Bakeshop Mystery series, and another great addition. I love this series, and have read them all, and when a new book comes out it's like visiting old friends. Juliet Capshaw owns Torte Bakery with her mother. When an opportunity comes along for Torte to have a second business featuring ice cream in the railroad area, they jump at the chance. When a well known homeless man is murdered, Juliet much find the truth. Carlos is back and it's time to make a final decision on their relationship. I suggest you read the books in order, to get the full effect. I highly recommend this book for all cozy mystery lovers.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Renovating Torte, the bake shop owned by Jules Caps had and het mother, is complete and a huge success. So when the opportunity to open an adjunct site for Torte focusing on ice cream arises, Jules steps up to the challenge. One of her most basic personality components is kindness and caring for everyone from her family, staff and friends to an eccentric homeless man nicknamed Wizard. When the Wizard is found dead, Jules is thrown into figuring out what happened. The characters in this series are always engaging and the mystery in this book is even a little stronger than a few of the latest ones. Even though you can read this as a standalone, you would miss out on the charming interplay and growth among the characters.

This is the 12th book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. They are always well-written with plots that keep me on my toes. In this book, Juliet has decided to take a chance on a new temporary location. Unfortunately, as she and the team are renovating, someone is found murdered. Juliet gets involved to try to solve the mystery and catch the killer.

I really enjoyed this one, her description of Ashland OR makes me want to vacation there! 5 stars.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ashland, Oregon is a lovely community of artists, craftspersons, and theater lovers. It’s where pastry chef Juliet Capshaw grew up and where she has returned after spending years of her life baking on cruise liners. Coming back to Ashland means that she’s working at her family’s restaurant Torte, and she is loving it. When a seasonal outdoor kitchen opens up, Juliet and her team consider taking it over, serving iced coffees and ice creams for the summer. It would be an amazing opportunity for them, but it would also be a lot of work.

The new space includes garden seating near a friend’s food truck, but it’s also by the railroad tracks. And although most of Ashland’s residents are upstanding and compassionate citizens. there are some who spend time near the tracks that are a little dodgy or homeless. One of the homeless men, an avid bicyclist known as The Wizard, is one of the homeless men. Most of the people of Ashland like him and leave him alone. Sometimes he will spend time in the nearby park, making balloon animals for the kids.

But Juliet’s new landlord, yoga teacher Addie, is outspoken against The Wizard. She accuses him of going through her garbage and painting graffiti on her building. The man who owns the bicycle store across the street says that The Wizard stole from him and damaged his property. Juliet doesn’t understand the accusations. The Wizard she knew would never do any of that. He is kind and careful, even if he does suffer from mental illness.

And then The Wizard ends up dead. Juliet and her crew from her new shop tried to help him, but they were too late. The police think that someone killed him. Juliet doesn’t understand who would kill a man like The Wizard, and she starts to worry about the wisdom of opening an ice cream stand so close to the railroad tracks. Is the area unsafe? Is it possible that The Wizard saw something illegal and was killed so that he wouldn’t tell?

As Juliet tries to figure out her relationship with her estranged husband Carlos, who is spending time with her in between the cruises where he cooks for passengers, she also feels the need to figure out what’s going out in her new neighborhood. She has questions about her landlord Addie, about their new organic milk farmer Dean, for her food truck friend Laney, and about The Wizard’s friend Sky. She feels like everyone has secrets, and until she finds out what they are, Juliet can’t help but feel like something is off. But when it’s all said and done, and The Wizard’s killer is brought to justice, will she still have her new Torte location? Will she still have her marriage? Or could this investigation even endanger her life?

Chilled to the Cone is the 12th book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Author Ellie Alexander is adept at describing the small town of Ashland, Oregon, making you feel like you’re walking down the streets there yourself. She talks about cooking and baking like someone who has done her time in the kitchen, and the mysteries are told with grace and kindness. Although Chilled to the Cone is the first I’ve read in this series (I’ve been a fan of her Sloan Krouse mysteries for years, also set in the Pacific Northwest, but at a brewpub), it certainly won’t be the last. Juliet and her family and friends are great characters, and I can’t wait to spend more time with them. Also, there are pastries, which is always good.

I really enjoyed Chilled to the Cone. It’s a lovely cozy in a strong series, and if you’re looking for a new cozy series with sweet treats, then this is one you need to be looking at. This book is well plotted, well written, and has an inviting setting and smart characters. The only thing better than reading this series would be to curl up on the sofa and read it in front of the fireplace at Torte, enjoying the delectable pastries, inventive coffees, and warm service.

Egalleys for Chilled to the Cone were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Chilled to the Cone by Ellie Alexander is book 12 in the A Bakeshop Mystery series. This is one of the favorite Cozy series. This book did not disappoint. It can be read as a stand alone.
Jules is looking into opening a pop up seasonal pop up stand in a different neighborhood from Torte. While there she witnesses one of Ashland's homeless being yelled at by a couple of business owners. She can't understand why they would be doing that, after all, no one else in Ashland seem to have a problem with him. When he turns up dead, Jules starts asking questions. Then the stand she is renting for the summer becomes a target being vandalized. She feels she is on the right track or will she be next.
This story has enough suspects to have you guessing to the end, a great cast of characters, romance, and humor. Alexander will have you wanting to visit Ashland, Oregon.
I was given an ARC from St, Martin's Press via NetGalley for an honest review.