Catch Me if You Candy by Ellie Alexander takes us back to Ashland, Oregon just before Halloween. Jules Capshaw and the rest of the Torte staff are busy whipping up mouthwatering pastries as well as working on their costumes for the Halloween parade. I enjoy Halloween cozy mysteries because it is my favorite holiday (I decorate my front yard with a different theme each year). I like the author’s writing style. It is casual and friendly. The pacing is mixed. The story gets off to a good story, but it is a tad lethargic in the middle. The mystery involved the death of a dog trainer. There are several suspects in the man’s death. It can be difficult to keep track of the various suspects, their alibis, who had been cleared and who had not. Of course, that may not be an issue for those who have already solved the crime. The mystery gets neatly wrapped up at the end. The momzillas of the canine actors had attitudes that were over the top. I thought the author captured it spot on. I have met dog owners who acted like that. There is plenty of baking, cooking, and eating. I do not feel, though, that we need to be taken through the baking of items step by step. I liked some of the punny names they used for the Halloween goodies and drinks (an example is Burial Grounds for one of the coffee drinks created by Andy). Catch Me if You Candy is the seventeenth A Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. The author provides the needed background information on Jules (it is in every book). This is a light, clean cozy mystery. I appreciate that there is no swearing, violence, or intimate situations. I enjoyed learning about the Halloween activities in Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (examples are the end of the season and departure of actors). Catch Me if You Candy is a merry mystery with tasty treats, dramatic dog disagreements, creative coffees, an alarming mahjong memo, a dead dragon, clever costumes, and a Happy Halloween.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press - Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I have never been interested in cozy mysteries before but lately I’ve seen so many BookTok videos about that that I decided to give this one a try. I was nervous reading a book that is many editions into a series but the author does a good job of giving you an idea of past events so you don’t feel completely lost.

The book reads quick. The longest chapter was the first one and even then it didn’t tKe longer than 12 minutes or so to get through so this is a good “toss it in your tote and go” kind of book. The “mystery” is pretty fun to read as well. Even when it’s obvious who committed the crime the author still does a good job of making you second guess yourself.

Definitely recommend this one to curl up with on a chilly Fall day!

Juliet (Jules) Capshaw is busy preparing treats at her bakeshop, Torte, and planning for the Halloween parade in Ashland, Oregon with her bakeshop team. After the parade, Jules and her husband Carlos find the slumped over body stabbed and dressed in a dragon costume in front of the bakeshop. Finding the man in the dragon costume is disturbing to Jules; because she had just been at her mother's Mahjong group when they found a note warning about the dragon in an antique mahjong set that her mom's best friend has purchased. Jules is upset particularly about having found him right outside her bakeshop.

It is a delightful and enjoyable mystery that involves Shakespeare, theater, dog actors and their stage moms, best friends, and mouthwatering descriptions of the all the food (Don't read this book hungry LOL). It's also a darn good mystery.

This is the 17th book of this series but the first one I have read so it took me a few chapters in the beginning to figure out relationships and backstory, but after that I could not put it down! I am going to have find the previous books and indulge in a binge session.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion.

How did I not know about this series earlier!? This series is based in Ashland, OR, about 70 miles from where I live. The description of the Halloween ambiance and activities makes me want to visit Ashland in October to see if the scenes in this book is an accurate description. Although this is #17 in the series (I was not aware of this when I requested the book on NetGalley) it was easy to determine the characters and some of the events leading up to Jules owning the local bakery, Torte.

The investigation was captivating, with so many different suspects and events that occurred, I wanted to keep reading and find out more. I was pleasantly surprised on the ending and of course it ended on a possible cliffhanger to continue the series.

Overall, I loved this book. I ended up buying some of the authors previous books from the series to learn more about Jules and her bakery. I will also continue with this series to find out what is next for Jules and Torte.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review Catch Me If You Candy. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank You for this advanced copy.
As usual Ellie Alexander never disappoints, she’s amazing. Halloween has defended upon Ashland and Torte is busy with preparations. When Jules and Carlos discover a body in front of Torte after the end of the festivities, it seems that it could be connected to not only the OSF but perhaps the friends of Jules’ mother.

While it’s not her murder to investigate, finding the body and having it connected to women who were like mothers to her, Jules and Lance can’t help but get involved. Will they find the culprit, it will it be their final curtain call and their own Day of the Dead?

Ellie Alexander always delivers in all of her books. She transports you to Ashland and Torte, where you can feel the crisp air, smell the wood in the fire, and the bread baking. With lots of red herrings and a solid whodunit, you will find yourself adding this series to your must read list in no time!

*3-3.5 stars

Who slayed the dragon?

Halloween is in full swing in Ashland, Oregon, and the celebrations include a costume parade, followed by trick-or-treating at local businesses. Juliet Montague Capshaw and her partner Carlos are dressed as jars of peanut butter and jelly as they pass out treats from the bakeshop Torte. They are about to close up for the night and meet friends for drinks when Jules spots a body dressed in a dragon costume slumped by one of her front windows. The man has been stabbed.

There are many intriguing threads to this cozy mystery plot including a clue in an antique mahjong set and dogs competing for a starring role in a play, but the highlight for me are the mouth-watering descriptions of the food the bakeshop creates. Although this is a long-running series, it is easy to jump in for a light mystery with some delightful characters.

I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Many thanks! My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Torte is taking part in the Halloween festivities after the huge parade, handing out trick-or-Torte bags filled with baked goodies. Jules is happy sharing Ashland's unique Halloween spirit with Carlos and Ramiro until they find a dead dragon slumped in front of the bakeshop. A few days earlier, the friend of Jules' mother had found a warning note about a dragon in an antique Mahjong game set. Is this a coincidence or a motive for murder?

The antics between two dogs and their owners wanting the top role at the theater is a bit far-fetched. This was one of the weaker stories in the series. I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Minotaur Books. All opinions are my own.

Another great read in this long running series. It's Halloween in Ashland and things are getting scary! When a dog trainer is killed after the Halloween parade, there are plenty of suspects and interesting behaviors from them. Jules and Lance involve themselves in finding out the real murderer. Good plot twists in the story and an homage to Ashland on Halloween.. Lots of lighter moments to offset the murder talk. Overall a great read!
I was given a copy of this book in return for a review.

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, which has a Shakespearean theme. She grew up helping her parents in their bakery and went on to culinary school. After working for many years on a cruise line, where she met her Italian husband, Carlos, she moved back home to take over the family bakery, Torte. Though she shares ownership of it with her mother, who is married the local head of police, Jules does the day-to-day running of it. Carlos runs the winery they own. Ramiro, Carlos' son from a previous relationship, is in high school and spending a year with them.

Jules' mother and her friends play mahjong on a regular basis. One of the friends had recently bought an antique set and found a note inside saying a dragon would soon be killed. It's the Halloween season and Ashland has a big fun parade where revellers dress up. Coincidentally, someone dressed as a dragon ends up dead in front of Jules' bakery, which sets Jules off to find out what happened and if the death and message are connected.

This is the seventeenth in the Bakeshop Mystery series (I've read them all). It works as a stand alone but I found there wasn't as much background included as others in the past. While it started out okay, I found it got draggy ... I've like others of hers more. I love dogs but thought Jax's obsession with her dog, Pippa, was way over the top. It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice. It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity.

I was very excited to read this, and it did not disappoint!

One of the things I enjoy most about this series is the sense of place. Ellie Alexander's writing is vivid and descriptive, even making the baked goods Juliet whips up seem almost like you can smell them baking. These books transport you to the picturesque small town of Ashland, Oregon, a real place known for its Shakespeare Festival and America's oldest Elizabethan theatre. And the Shakespeare Festival plays a role in this story as an end-of-festival Halloween parade ends with a dead body just outside Juliet (Jules) Capshaw's bakeshop, Torte. Throw in canines who perform at the theatre and their squabbling stage moms, an antique mahjong set carrying a cryptic note, and suspects with links to Juliet's mom, and this is a fun one!

This series is populated with great characters, and their relationships are endearing. From Juliet's sweet romance with her husband, Carlos, to the supportive and loving ones with her mom, step-father, family, and friends, this group is fun to spend time with and see how their lives evolve from book to book. The mystery in this one has enough misdirection to keep you guessing about the motive and the identity of the murderer. And, as always, it is fun to sleuth alongside the likable Jules. The food and coffee descriptions are mouth-watering, and the dogs in the story are such an adorable touch! If you're looking for a charming culinary cozy mystery with Fall vibes and Halloween festivities, add this to your spooky season tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me the opportunity to review the 17th Bakeshop mystery. All of the opinions are my own.

Five Star Read.

Loved the introduction of pets in this story. It is the Halloween Season. Jules and her crew are getting ready for the Halloween season with seasonal goodies and Andy's latest coffee creation. Jules' friend Wendy receives a mysterious note in her box from the Charity Shop. Mysterious things start to happen including a murder of a Dog trainer. Meanwhile, Carlos' son Ramiro is living with Carlos and Jules for a year while he is going to school in Ashland.

Jules and Carlos find a dead body under the mask after the Halloween parade. Who killed the Dog Trainer? There had been an argument between the Dog Trainer and someone. There is a "stage parent" who wants her poodle to be a star. Someone played a prank on the dog, angering the hooman.

Another great edition of the Bakeshop series! The Halloween theme was a perfect way to cheer me up as we get ready for “Spooky Season.” The descriptions of the Halloween parade and festivities were so captivating. Ellie Alexander does a wonderful job creating this sense of place no matter where we are in her books. I also loved the drama around the four-legged actors at the local theatre. It felt like another great way to expand on the character of the town. The mystery felt well-paced, and I enjoyed the scenes with the Torte “family” as well!
It also felt like the book was setting up some interesting things for our MC, Jules, and her future. I’m very eager to see where that goes, so I will be on alert for the next book in the series!

Catch Me If You Candy is the seventeenth cozy mystery in the A Bakeshop Mystery series. It is Halloween time in Ashland, Oregon and the town getting ready for the end of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s season, this means an annual parade. When a friend of Jules’ mom finds a mysterious message warning of death to come and a murder occurs on Halloween, Jules finds herself on the case.

This is the first book I have read in the series, but I enjoyed it all the same. I found the beginning to be a little slow, but that might have had to do with the fact that I was just meeting the characters for the first time and trying to acclimate myself into this well established world. About a third of the way through this book really picked up for me and I didn’t want to put it down. I quickly fell in love with these characters and this town and now I can’t wait to go back and start this series from the beginning. I think this is a good book and I can’t wait to see what else this series has to hold. This is a great Halloween cozy mystery whether you’ve read this series from the beginning or are just starting out like me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

The aesthetic and descriptions for this book receive a ten out of five stars. I felt completely immersed in fall, and I actually put the book down and went to go make pumpkin muffins before I resumed my read because it made me crave fall so much.
Being back in Ashland was fun as always too. But the mystery itself…I was very disappointed. The only reason Jules finds out the culprit is because of a random eureka moment from Carlos, and the end is rushed and abrupt. Several questions about the mystery that had arisen in the book were not answered, and I left the book feeling rather frustrated.
After such a beautiful start to the story with the immersion into fall in Ashland, I was quite disappointed upon the conclusion. I really miss the earlier Bakeshop mysteries where not only were the settings and characters stellar, but so were the mysteries.

Pub date: 8/22/23
Genre: cozy mystery
Series: Bakeshop Mysteries, book 17(!!)
Can I read it as a standalone? Yes! There are a lot of characters who work at the bakeshop, but don't be worried, you'll figure out who's who as you read. I actually started with book 13 and then went back and read all the earlier ones!
Quick summary: It's Halloween in Ashland - but the treats Jules and the team are baking up can't make up for the tricks of canine actor sabotage, a dead man in a dragon costume, and a mysterious mahjong set.

Oh, how I love the Bakeshop Mysteries! Cozy mysteries are a wonderful escape for me, and it's always fun to visit Ashland and check in on Torte Bakery, Jules, and her team. Alexander does a great job giving each story a sense of place, and I also loved being transported to Halloween festivities, even though it's still summer here. Jules' baking is so well described, and it made me feel like I was in the kitchen with them. I would also love to sample Andy's extra-special coffee!

The mystery in this book has a nice bit of comedy - the competition between two canine actors, leading to a trainer getting killed, was unique and kept me on my toes. If you're looking for a cozy to help you escape real life (or get you into the Halloween spirit!), this one is a winner! I'm planning to make some pumpkin bread in Jules' honor soon.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Of course there's murder afoot in Ashland Oregon as the town prepares for the Halloween festival. This latest in the long running series sees Jules and Carlos investigating the murder of a dog trainer - his body, dressed in a dragon costume, was left outside their bakery Torte. The set up for this is indeed a bit convoluted (dogs in costumes, Shakespeare, mahjong) but it's nice, sometimes isn't it, to have something just a little more complicated in a cozy. Jules and Carlos are settling into married life, her family is a hoot, and the food- oh the food! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good addition to the series and now I'm looking forward to the next one.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of in this story. I found it difficult to connect with them as I kept trying to figure out who was who and who they belong to and etc. As you can tell, it’s the first time I’ve read the series and this is book 17. My suggestion, start with book one.

The plot was so-so. I did enjoy all the dog characters and their process through the story. The author had clever dog puns for different scenarios. The story started out well, but lost something in the middle. My attention never returned to the story like it was at the beginning.

The author is a very descriptive writer. Her baking/cooking descriptions were so clear you could smell the food. She definitely put the reader in her book with the detailed descriptions of places, activities, and food. That was a positive for me.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the eARC!

Is this really the 17th book in this series? It's been a delightful ride! The reason I mention the series length is that this one works as a stand alone and considering how character based the series is, that's pretty impressive.

Jules must band together with her friends and family as to discover who slew a man in a dragon costume. There is also mahjong. And dogs.

These seemingly disparate elements mix together like the finest dough. Mmmm, dough.

This book also made me really hungry.

This is the second book from this series that I've read. It's the 17th in this series. It was fun to return to Ashland and see what the main character was up to. It's Halloween season and lots of baking is happening. Dogs features in this book with a dog show, a Mahjong set is stolen, and a murder occurs. With a busy season, so much activity was occurring. The read was action-packed and fast-paced. At the end, it hints of change to come. This was a fun read. Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC.

CATCH ME IF YOU CANDY is the eighteenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This character-driven cozy has everything cozy mystery fans love: a worthy protagonist in bakery owner Jules Capshaw; the charming setting of Ashland, Oregon; a fun-filled Halloween event; and a puzzling murder to solve, in this case, a dragon…err, a costumed man! I love the close relationship Jules has with her family, with her employees, who are treated like an extended part of her family, and with her friends. She’s just as sweet as the pastries sold at Torte, yet intrepid when it comes to protecting those she cares about and tracking down a killer. The author’s strong descriptive voice brings the characters and each scene to life, so I felt like I was there, experiencing it alongside Jules. The mystery was straightforward, and I enjoyed the addition of competing dogs for the lead part of the Shakespearean stage production. It added some lightheartedness to the story. I haven’t had the chance to keep up with this series (a case of too many books, too little time) and found it easy enough to slip right back in and catch up on what’s happened previously. If you’re new to this series, this can easily be read as a standalone, but you might want to consider starting with the beginning to fully appreciate the character development.

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