We're back at Torte, in the Rogue Valley of Oregon, and Jules is helping to support her friend Lance's Shakespeare production taking place at their vineyard. When the difficult lead actor is killed the list of suspects seemingly includes everyone involved in the production. I had my suspicions about who the culprit was early on, and I was right, but I don't think the author was trying to be too tricky. Separate from the mystery, there are a lot of other changes happening with Jules and her Torte team.

I'm curious about the author will choose to do next - there is a sense that the series could end with this novel and it would be a decent conclusion or the author could resolve some of the personal threads that were left hanging and conclude the series with the next installment. Or, it could continue for several more books and be just as delightful.. Whatever the author chooses, I look forward to it.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. I liked it, but I was underwhelmed by the reveal of the murderer. When they were revealed, I wasn’t sure who they were. This series is stilll one of my favourites.

Another phenomenal installment in this series! I love this series of cozies and these characters so much and they just keep getting better.

Sticks and Scones is a fun cozy mystery that continues Jules' adventures in the charming town of Ashland, OR. Jules' best friend Lance's new theater troupe, The Fair Verona Players, is set to make their opening night debut at Uva. With Carlos providing his homegrown wine, Jules baking delicious snacks, and Lance ensuring the highest level of talent, nothing could go wrong, or so they hoped. By the end of the night, the star of the show is discovered murdered in the wine cellar with a corkscrew in his neck. Unfortunately, the individual had quite the ego and a long list of enemies. Solving this mystery will not be easy.

Sticks and Scones is a great cozy mystery. Each installment in this series is fantastic. I love the characters, and Ashland is the perfect setting for a charming cozy. I also love that this series has the culinary aspect. Each dish that is described throughout the book sounds absolutely delicious. I just wish they had room at the end to share ALL of the recipes. I already can't wait to try some of the ones provided at the end of Sticks and Scones. I will definitely be continuing with this series!

This is the nineteenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This is a standalone book. You will not feel in the dark. Enough background information is given, when needed.

This story revolves around, Lance’s staging of a gender bender Taming of the Shrew at Uva, Jules & Carlos’ winery. I really enjoyed the story. Loved to dislike the star actor. Did I know who killed him – yes very early on but I did need to get my facts to prove it.

Ashland is always a delight to visit and the characters are exceptional. All I can say is “enjoy the ride; it’s terrific.”

I was given an advanced readers copy days before it’s release. I am not required to leave a positive review.

Sticks and Scones is Ellie Alexander’s latest mystery baking book in the new series and it is a great read. All the regular characters in her book are back and working together like a well oiled machine. Jules and Carlos are beginning a new adventure with Lance at their winery Uva with the first production of Taming of the Shrew along with tasty treats provided by Torte. Along comes a murder and Jules is the one to discover the body in their wine cellar. Lance and Jules are on the case alongside the Professor, Thomas, Kerry and Carlos. Great food, coffee and wine prevail throughout the book and changes to the Torte family are on the way. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend this book to mystery lovers and lovers of this baking series. Bravo Ellie and I can’t wait to read your next book in this series and all the new developments for the Torte family.🙋‍♀️🇨🇦🙏❤️📚👩🏻‍🍳💐👏😋

The latest Bakeshop Mystery has Jules investigating when an actor dies at her winery.

A lot of this book felt like an end/wrap-up to this series, so I was waiting for an author’s note at the end to that effect. It seems like there will be more adventures, but I’m interested to see if this series wraps up soon with certain developments for Jules imminently happening. I did enjoy the pacing and the mystery here, but it was a lot more talking to people than really sleuthing for clues (the other parts were character development, which there was a lot of here). I’m interested to see where Jules’ story goes next!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Ellie Alexander, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Sticks and Scones in exchange for an honest review.

I'm a big fan of the Bakeshop Mystery series and this installment did not disappoint. Despite the fact that there's a relatively similar formula for cozy mysteries, I still happily jump into Ellie's writing with excitement.

I loved that this book visited Uva- going back to the places that are in fictional Ashland is a delightful escape from every day life, even if it is a little murderous.

I feel like with a well written cozy book and recipes that are easy to follow, you can't go wrong with Sticks and Scones.

Another fun installment in the Bakeshop series! I always love catching up with Jules and the gang - I enjoyed the mystery in this one although perhaps a bit predictable. Definitely lots of changes coming in Ashland - looking forward to the next one! Recommend for cozy mystery fans!

Ellie Alexander is the master of cozy mysteries, and her newest Bakeshop Series book does not disappoint! With the beautiful backdrop of Ashland, Oregon, in this installment an actor from Lance's new company is murdered on opening night at Uva Winery. Jules discovers the body in the cellar, and she and Lance team up, once again, to solve the murder.
Alexander continues to develop all of the characters, as we see Romero contemplate his future post high school, and two Torte employees spread their wings to new adventures.

Thank you Ellie Alexander ( @ellie_alexander ), St. Martin’s Press ( @stmartinspress ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read Sticks and Scones (out now).

Bakeshop owner Juliet finds herself back in the business of murder when one of Lance’s (her director best friend) actors is found dead after opening night!

I love the Bakeshop Mystery series and this is a great addition. I feel like this book is much more Juliet (Jules) centered than in the past. Yes, all your favorite characters are there, but Jules was really in her feelings throughout this book.

I really recommend this entire series—and if you haven’t started it, go back to the beginning. The emotional growth of these characters from the first book to this one, number 19, is something beautiful to read.

#SticksandScones #NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StMartinsPress

Sticks and Scones is the latest in Ellie Alexander Bakeshop series. The storyline travels between the bakery, Torte, and the winery, Uva. The usual cast of characters is there. Jules discovers the body of an actor in the wine cellar at Uva. She and Lance get involved in trying to solve the mystery. There are quite a few people that are viable suspects in this case. I love the Bakeshop series. I feel like they are family and/or close friends of mine. I think that this is my favorite storyline. There is quite a bit of the story that delves into the characters lives. I cried a little at the end. And there are recipes in the back of the book. Yum. Sticks and Scones is a must read.

This was another great book in the Bakeshop Mystery series! It's springtime and Juliet is helping her friend Lance with his play. Lance and the Fair Verona Players are premiering a new take on the Taming of the Shrew at Uva, the vineyard they all own.
However, one of the actors is killed on opening night! Jules finds his body and also finds herself caught up in the mystery of what happened. Despite all this excitement, she is also dealing wtih some big changes at Torte, the bakeshop, as well as not feeling well.

The author writes in a way that makes you feel as though you are there, baking along side Jules (the recipes help!). While I feel the ending could have wrapped up the series, I do hope that this is not the last we see of Jules and her friends!

Sticks and Scones was another fantastic installment in this incredible series by Ellie Alexander. I feel like I know these characters., and I am completely invested in their lives. I will be patiently waiting for the next book.

When I pick up one of the Bakeshop Mystery books, I’m always excited to be rejoining Jules and her family and friends back at Torte. I know I’m going to find a cosy setting, some delicious recipes, a handful of useful baking tips, and a very well-crafted mystery. Somehow, Alexander always manages to balance just enough baking with just enough murder. The pacing is spot on, and there are just enough clues and just enough suspects to create an intriguing puzzle.

The books in this series will absolutely stand alone, but I’d encourage you to start at the beginning so you get to know all the characters and watch them grow over time. That said, I’m currently out of order myself. I was on book 13 when I was given the NetGalley of book 18 last year, and I’m still catching up. 

I received a free eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I dearly love this series. Everything about it is fun to read. The characters are magnificent, and I enjoy watching them grow through the pages. The cherry on top is the descriptions of the food, which will make your mouth water. This is book #19, but the author makes every story fresh and new. This is a cozy mystery, but is always more than a mystery. We learn more about the characters and their lives in each installment.

Jules and Carlos have almost created an empire in Ashland. People love everything they do, as they handle everything with finesse. Lance's new theater troupe, The Fair Verona Players, are getting ready for their best performance ever. The play is in Uva's vineyard. The characters of the play are ready, the food has been prepared for everyone to consume and enjoy and the crowd loves the show.

The only thing that has soiled opening night is that one of the main actors is found dead a little while later. Although Jimmy was exceptionally talented, he had a made a lot of enemies with his egotistical attitude. This means the suspect pool is large.

The mystery is well-written as it always is in this series. You do not have to read the entire series to fully understand the characters, but I would highly recommend it. It will enrich your experience to fully see where these characters started and where they are now. This is another five star winner in this series. I anxiously await book #20.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Another fun entry into the Bakeshop series. #19 to be exact. I really enjoy this series & I loved getting more Lance in this one. Lance is in the midst of launching the Fair Verona Players & their debut performance is a gender bending Taming of the Shrew at UVA, with Jules & Torte providing the food and UVA/Carlos the wine. There are a few hiccups along the way, but opening night is a smashing success until the lead actor, Jimmy Paxton is found dead in the UVA wine cellar. Suspects abound. Lance & Jules band together to solve the mystery & save the Fair Verona Players.

I really like the characters and the relationships in this series. The mystery here is engaging & there's lots to puzzle through. Excellent pacing. The descriptions of the food make me hungry, and I always appreciate the recipes in the back. The secondary story line & characters are warm & engaging. I'd love to spend some Ashland, share a cup of coffee & treat with the staff at Torte, see a play, and enjoy the scenery of Mount A.

Ellie is fast becoming one of my favorite cozy writers & an automatic "yes, please!" when she releases a new book. Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's press for the opportunity to read & review this title. Opinions are all mine & freely given.

A delightful and delicious bakery murder mystery set in glorious Ashland, Oregon. Juliet is a baker with her hands in too many pies as she keeps suffering from dizziness while investigating the murder of an actor that almost nobody liked. Her best friend Lance, the director of said actor, is a delight as his personality leaps of the page.
This was my first book in this series and I look forward to going back and reading the previous ones. It was easy to read as a standalone. I love Ashland so it was even more fun for me to read. My only issue was when Juliet stuck her finger in the batter to taste it. I had major flashback to a chef being kicked off Top Chef for doing that.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this DRC.
#SticksandScones #NetGalley

This series just keeps getting better. It's so rare to see a series show its characters grow and evolve the way the Bakeshop Mystery series has. I love the way the book's mystery worked in different changes for the characters and new challenges for the world they live in. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

In Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander, a bakeshop owner doubts her skills to solve a mystery and tries to be more relaxed.

Who would want Jimmy Paxton gone?

Juliet Capshaw
Juliet Capshaw, also known as Jules by everyone, is our point-of-view character. Jules has been running Torte, a bakeshop with her mom, for a while and is happily married to Carlos. I love Jules and how she runs her business. Not only that, but she also makes everyone around her feel like they are a part of her family. I also like the fact that she is surrounded by people who care for her and that they want to help out when she's feeling down.

Jimmy Paxton
Jimmy Paxton is our victim. He met his untimely demise at the end of the theater production of Taming of the Shrew at Jules and Carlos' winery. Now, Jules wants to find out who killed him and why at the winery. Well, figuring that out isn't a piece of cake. Jimmy hadn't been a good person from the little bit that he interacted with Jules. He was always trying to better his situation, even at the cost of others. I figured out who did it but not the motive.

Four Stars
Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander is my first book into the foray of this fascinating world. Ms. Alexander does a great job transporting me there with Jules, solving the mystery, and hanging out in the kitchen with all those yummy treats baking. I am giving Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander four stars and recommending it to all cozy culinary mystery readers. Give it a try, even if you haven't popped into one of these books before. Oh, and don't forget to check out the recipes at the back of the book.

The recipes are Strawberry Scones, Chocolate Tahini Cookies, Huevos Rotos (Spanish Broken Eggs), Pineapple Cake with Coconut Buttercream, Barbecue Chicken Cups, and Cherry Blossom Latte.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Sticks and Scones by Ellie Alexander.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

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