Sticks and Scones is the is the 19th Bakeshop cozy mystery by awe-inspiringly prolific author Ellie Alexander. Due out 20th Aug 2024 from Macmillan on their St. Martin's imprint, it's 336 pages and will be available in mass market paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This installment sees the crew at Torte baking up springtime delights, and Jules' friend Lance involved in a theatrical production of The Taming of the Shrew which turns deadly. Jules and co. are soon unearthing clues and motives alongside baking and pastry making.

The plotting, characterization, and dialogue are representative of the genre; lighthearted, somewhat over-the-top, and used to move the narrative along. It's not a realistic procedural. There's no gritty unpleasantness, no brutality (even the violence is mostly off-scene), no blatant sexual aspects, and the language is squeaky clean and used appropriately. Although this is the 19th book in the series, it works fine as a standalone.

For fans of the genre, it's a well written and very pleasant diversion. For readers who enjoy this Bakeshop series, the author's Sloan Krause brewing mysteries are also highly recommended. She has either a truly impressive grasp of baking, brewing, and coffee culture or she's got experts on tap to consult for her background research. Lots of "foodie" fun to be found in both series. With so many books, it's a great candidate for a binge / buddy read, or possibly for a mystery book club long-term project. The book, in genre style, also includes some intriguing recipes to try out.

Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

Juliet (Jules) Capshaw, owner of Torte bakery, Scoops ice cream pop-up shop, and co-owner of Uva, a local winery, is too busy to solve a murder. But that’s exactly what she must do when the lead actor in her friend Lance’s theater troupe, the Fair Verona Players, ends up dead.
Jules’ best friend Lance is starting his own production company, The Fair Verona Players. The first play takes place in Uva and is a success.

Unfortunately, Jimmy Paxton, leading man, doesn’t get to enjoy the success for long. Jules finds his body in Uva’s little used basement. Now she’s involved in solving his murder. It isn’t an easy task. There are plenty of suspects with plenty of motives to test her murder-solving skills. I had a fairly good idea of the murderer’s identity, but the motive eluded me.

The characters are well-developed and are more like an extended family than employees. They know they can depend on each other, no matter what. In this latest novel, Alexander has big changes in store for these characters, but you need to read the book to find out what those are.

Sticks and Scones is a well-written mystery with plenty of red herrings and a solid cast of characters. 4/5 stars

This series continues to delight- not only because of the mysteries and the characters but also because the treats Jules bakes! Yes, it's the latest in a long running series but it should be fine as a standalone for cozy fans. Reading it that way, though, would mean the reader might miss some more growth in Jules and her husband Carlos. This time out, Jules is meant to be catering a Shakespeare festival of sorts but then one of the actors is murdered and well, she's off and investigating. This has all the cozy feels with a just twisty enough mystery, a nice setting, and again, well done characters. The only thing missing - recipes for all those treats. Thanks to netgalley for the arC. A very good read.

Oh the delicious goodies that come from Torte! Where oh where can I get those cupcakes??

The Bakeshop Series is a favorite and all of the characters are real characters!

Lance is the star here and he is up to his neck in picky actors and deadly goings on. And when the lead actor breaks more than a leg, things heat up and Jules is in the thick of things again.

Always a pleasure.

NetGalley/ St. Martin’s Press August 20, 2024

I was so happy to get back to Torte and company. I have to say that the last two books in the series seemed a bit off to me. It was so good to get back to a book that reminded me why I enjoy this series. As usual, we have all of Torte's famous treats and coffees, Uva and the winery figure in, and of course, Lance and the theater and their projects figure. After a special theater performance at Uva, catered by Jules and her gang, one of the principal preformers is found dead in the wine cellar. Can Jules and Lance help the Professor, Tom, and Kerry figure out what is going on before there is more carnage? There is a lot going on in this volume, change is in the air, no spoilers, but we have all the things we love about this series, as well as a decent mystery. Yeah! Thanks to #Netgally, #StMartinsPress, and the author for the chance to read early. #SticksandScones #EllieAlexander #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

DNF @ 5%
Not sure if this is a continuation of a series, but the beginning is so hard to get through. A revolving door of characters where each is given a thorough run down of their personality and role. Felt very much like more of a telling rather than a showing

Juliet is helping Lance get a new theater troupe off the ground and things are going great with the exception of one over-the-top diva actor who has managed to get under everyone’s skin. When he turns up dead, no one is surprised and everyone is a suspect. Meanwhile Jules is passing out more often than a stressed out fainting goat. What’s up with her?

This has quickly become one of my favorite series and this book had one bombshell after another. Jules is going through a lot and there’s more to come. Thank goodness Carlos is back to weather the storms with her.

Not much can be said about this book without spoilers so suffice it to say that this book is a turning point in the series in a lot of different ways. Not my favorite book so far (you’ll be shedding some tears as you read!) but one that definitely has me on pins and needles waiting for the next book to come out!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing time with an ARC!

BOOK REVIEW ALERT – Review, Recommendation, Rating & Opinion are my own.

This read is the latest installment in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mystery series. Set in the charming town of Ashland, Oregon, the story follows Juliet “Jules” Capshaw, a talented baker and owner of Torte, a beloved local bakeshop. In this twelfth book of the series, Jules finds herself entangled in a medieval festival gone awry when a murder occurs during the event.

As the town of Ashland gears up for its annual Shakespeare Festival, Jules and her team at Torte are excited to participate by hosting a medieval-themed event. The festivities are in full swing, complete with jousting, period costumes, and, of course, an array of delicious medieval-inspired pastries and treats.

However, the merriment is cut short when a jousting accident results in the death of one of the festival’s participants. What initially appears to be a tragic mishap quickly reveals itself to be something more sinister as Jules uncovers evidence of foul play. With the help of her friends and the local detective, Thomas, Jules embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death.

As she delves deeper into the investigation, Jules encounters a colorful cast of characters, each with their own motives and secrets. The plot thickens with red herrings, unexpected twists, and a dash of romance as Jules navigates the complexities of the case while balancing her responsibilities at Torte.

Rating – 3.0/5 Stars
Recommendation – High

Ellie Alexander’s writing style is engaging and immersive, with a perfect blend of humor, suspense, and heartwarming moments. Her vivid descriptions bring the town of Ashland and its events to life, making readers feel like they are part of the festival. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader intrigued without rushing the story.

This book is a delightful addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series, offering a tantalizing blend of mystery, romance, and culinary charm. The Author’s skillful storytelling and well-developed characters make this book a must-read for cozy mystery enthusiasts. Whether you are a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer, you will find yourself captivated by Jules’ latest adventure in Ashland.

P.S – Thank You #NetGalley and #StMARTINSPress for providing me an e-Copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

STICKS AND SCONES is the nineteenth book in the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander. If you’re new to the series, rest assured the author does an amazing job of keeping newbies informed (or, if you’re like me and haven’t kept up with all the books, it’s easy to catch up within the story) with enough backstory so you’ll never feel lost. However, this is one of those series where the character development over the years is worth reading from start to finish. (And I really need to take my own advice, lol!) Protagonist Juliet—Jules—Capshaw, owner of Torte bakery in Ashland, Oregon, is one of those people you’d love to sit down with and savor a cup of coffee and a pastry. And I’d never turn down a chance to sip a glass of wine with her charming vintner/chef husband, Carlos! Together, they are a couple everyone should aspire to. Jules and Carlos both treat everyone in their orbit with love, affection, and, most of all, respect. It’s no wonder their businesses have flourished and the skills of their employees have expanded. Ms. Alexander’s strong descriptive voice brings both the characters and the setting to life, yet imbues an emotional depth.

While it may be the characters that keep bringing readers back, the author pens well-plotted mysteries that keep them turning pages. In this newest story, Jule’s best friend, Lance, is opening a stage production with a new theater troupe and staging it at Uva, Carlos and Jules winery. It’s a tremendous success until the leading actor meets his demise. As Jules asks questions and listening to “gossip” it becomes apparent no one is mourning his loss…and some just might be celebrating. This brings a slew of suspects to sift through, especially when all the major players seem to tell lies or trying to hide something. There are twists aplenty sprinkled liberally with treats galore as Jules narrows in on the culprit. And as the story concludes, a heartwarming scene has me ready to get caught up and then read the next one!

Another fantastic addition to the bakeshop series! It's no surprise since this one involves Lance putting on a contemporary gender bending version of Taming of the Shrew @ Uva. Things are going great until the very egotistical unliked star of the show ends up dead, and there are more people rejoicing than crying. This leaves the suspect pool well to...everyone!
The mystery is excellently paced from start to finish! One of the reasons I love this series so much is the growth and natural changes of characters throughout the series! I want to drink wine w/ all of them...well maybe we don't invite Richard. lol. This one had a lot of subplot leaving me laughing, crying, and even putting the book in the freezer for a while. lol
I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery lover! Oh and a word to the wise...you might want to have some of the main staples of baking on hand! You are going to want to bake along w/ Jules, Steph, and the gang!
I would like to thank netgalley, the author Ellie Alexander, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

Being raised on Janet Evanovich, I'm a sucker for a book where the title is a play on a popular phrase or words. I also have had a thing for mystery books that have recipes included. I've not read Ellie Alexander's series prior to this book, and it was fairly easy to pick up on the key facts of the series. If you're worried about picking up a book that's not the first in the series, you're fine to do so with this book. I didn't feel lost or out of place, and there were plenty of tidbits and pieces about the characters' back stories.

Set in Oregon, the main character Juliette (or Jules) in Sticks and Scones is a woman who I do not know how she juggles her responsibilities. In between multiple business ventures, she somehow finds time to suss out who the murderer in their midst is after an actor is found dead in her wine cellar. There were several twists and turns throughout the book, and it definitely fits the bill as a cozy mystery. I did guess at a couple revelations before they were explained. It was an enjoyable read, and I'd probably pick up the rest of the books to see what I missed out on before this one. If you're looking for a cozy mystery series to start, this is a fun and enjoyable place to start.

Please be advised I received an Advance Readers Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite mystery series and, thankfully, this 19th installment is among the very best in this long-running Bakeshop Mystery series.

Along with all the usual talk of food and food prep, all the usual characters including Juliet Montague Capshaw, the co-owner of Torte (along with her mother), Juliet's husband, her best friend Lance, the artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and all of Juliet's Torte employees are back and, as usual, they feel like family to fans, like me, of this long-running series.

Here, Lance starts a new Shakespearean troupe, the Fair Verona Players, who are performing a modern version of The Taming of the Shrew at the Uva Vineyard. So, besides the food talk, there's also plenty of theater talk, just a wonderful mystery. I am definitely eager for more, though I still have some catching up to do since I haven't read these all in order.

Highly recommended to fans of amateur sleuths. You can't beat the Ellie Alexander Bakeshop Mystery series.

As usual, I feel compelled to tell you to stock up on tasty treats before you read. The descriptions of food and food preparation, not to mention the recipes at the end, will have you ready to savor something delectable. Even better, you'll be able to pick up lots of tricks to use when preparing such recipes yourself. Kneading bread seems to be soothing for main character Jules/Juliet Montague Capshaw and she needs all the stress relief she can get right now. The last thing she needed was another murder but, hey, it wouldn't be another Bakeshop Mystery without a murder, right?

As the book opens, Jules and her amazing crew are preparing to cater opening night of the opening of Lance's theater production of "Taming of a Shrew". Long time readers can already guess that Lance has added a few twists of his own to the show, adding some extra spice. Then, oops, his leading actor, after a wonderfully received opening show, is found dead. By Jules, no less, and the investigation is on. Jimmy Paxton seemed to be more disliked by his fellow cast members than appreciated, so there is a cast full of suspects. Jules isn't quite on top of her sleuthing game right now but doesn't let that stop her. I won't detail the plot much further but will note that the suspect list seems to keep growing, not dwindling. Who killed Jimmy and dumped him in the wine cellar? What did Sophie see in Jimmy? What was the costume lady up to? Will the understudy make it there on time to take the stage? Hmm, could he somehow be involved? Why does it seem like everyone is pointing the finger at someone else? Why are so many seemingly feeling guilt? And, yikes, what bad news does one of Jules' crew members have to share? Who is....oh, more than enough teasers and I haven't really even gotten to the side-stories!

Bottom line, another winner from Ellie Alexander. This series is a favorite although I have to admit her latest bookshop one is moving up the list. The characters here are fully fleshed out, with both strengths and weaknesses, and are people I'd love to know in real life. It's been fun to watch these characters grow. Even though I'm not much of a wine drinker, I wouldn't mind spending some time hanging out with Carlos at the winery, either. He shows both courage and good thinking this go-round, btw. Ashland, OR, sounds absolutely dream worthy, too, with everything blooming, wildlife about, and natural aromas to give the aromas drifting from Jules' bakery some competition. The plot flows naturally, with side stories and background info shared naturally, making this a solid stand-alone for new readers. Thanks #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress - #MinotaurBooks for allowing me this sneak peak at Lance's new project and the chance to catch up on Jules' life, which just seems to get busier and busier and more complicated every book. Love that big teaser at the end. Can't wait to pop back into Torte and catch up with the changes and, of course, sneak a few scones.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Minotaur and St. Martin Press.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It’s springtime as the gang are preparing for the Shakespeare festival production of a gender twisting Taming of the Shrew. Things do not go well as mishaps happen along the way and the star takes a deadly end before the final curtain call/ Jules will have her work cut off for her to find a killer in this play.as suspects are many.

This author is a treasure. I’ve loved every book she has written. Jules and the crew at Torte are catering the opening night for the Fair Verona Players' production of The Taming of the Shrew. When an abrasive cast member is found dead, suspicion is rampant as to the murderer's identity. Someone in the cast or crew? Read it you won’t be disappointed. Looking forward to more. Thank you