Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander.

This was a fun time! From the descriptions of the environment to the details of the food, I felt I was present with Jules experiencing everything for myself.

Ellie Alexander did a great job between the balance of cozy, mystery and mouth watering descriptions of baked goods.

I love this series. I haven't read all the books or in order but they work as cute little standalones.

Steph and Sterling have accepted new jobs but their boss.... is a royal pain in the butt!!! There is a murder at the grand opening of the restaurant and its up to the gang to figure out who did it.

I love the cute characters. One of the things about the series is the characters are all likeable and you can't help adoring them. The book is well written and cozy and I cannot wait for the next installment

4 stars

I can’t quite believe there are 20 Bakeshop books! Maybe there have been too many murders in Ashland, but Alexander is taking some of the Torte crew to the coast for this mystery. I love how the characters have been able to grow and develop - some series get stuck in a rut with everyone doing the same thing. With the departure of Steph and Sterling, there’s now room for new folks. In this book, the mystery was fairly solid. A little bit chaotic feeling from a plot perspective, but it wrapped up in a very lovely manner. I’m super curious to see what happens next!

In Killing Me Soufflé, Jules and friends go visit the soon-to-be-opened restaurant that hired Stephany and Sterling. It just happens to be in a resort where Jules used to spend summers with her family. Jules and Carlos want to help out, but S&S seem to have most everything under control. Everything but the nasty resort manager, Erick, who is making everyone's life miserable. Then Jules finds Erick dead at the bottom of a cliff near the resort, and the search is on. Lance and the Professor soon get roped in to help, both opening the restaurant and finding the killer. Good plot, and I didn't figure out the killer until just before the reveal. However, I missed Ashland and Torte. They have become characters of their own. I can't wait to meet the new staff hired to replace those who left.

This series is the most wonderful I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Ellie Alexander has once again created magic with the town of Ashland. I was pulled into this book and only put it down when I finished it. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

I really enjoyed this fast paced cozy mystery filled with family and friends and food. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that Jules went through as she tries to help her protégés, Steph and Sterling, as they try to open a new restaurant at a resort. I loved how Jules works to solve the murder. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Bakery owner Jules Capshaw is looking forward to taking a few days off from running her popular cafe, Torte, so that she can enjoy a long weekend at the Whaleshead Resort on the Oregon coast, where she spent so many joyful vacations as a child. This time, she’ll be accompanied by her chef husband Carlos and her stepson Ramiro as the family enjoys their last few days together before Ramiro heads back to Spain. With her own mother and stepfather coming to join them soon, it looks like it’s going to be an idyllic getaway.

The main draw for Jules and Carlos, however, is the official opening night for the resort’s newly restructured restaurant, the SeaBreeze Bistro. Sterling and Stephanie, two of Jules’ and her mother’s former employees, have finally struck out on their own to helm their very first restaurant. They’ve invited their beloved former bosses to come celebrate the experience with them. Jules, of course, has also offered to help in the kitchen, an offer that turns out to be entirely necessary due to the strange behavior of the rest of the staff, and especially of the resort’s general manager Erik Morton.

Erik has few friends and fewer allies among the staff and inhabitants of Whaleshead, but most crucially to the SeaBreeze has been skimping on payment to their fish supplier. While Sterling manages to secure enough seafood for opening weekend – with Carlos and Jules helping him brainstorm alternatives, just in case – Erik makes it very clear that he has no interest in making life easy for his newest hires. And why should he, when he hasn’t done any favors for his other employees either? So when Jules finds him at the bottom of a cliff, the clear victim of foul play, there’s no shortage of suspects who might have wanted to do him in.

When Jules’ stepfather, a celebrated police detective on the verge of retirement, offers to help the short-staffed local police with the murder investigation, Jules soon finds herself involved as well. Trouble is, there are so many suspects, with an equally bountiful array of motives. Will Jules and her loved ones be able to keep Whaleshead safe even as a killer threatens to strike again?

This was another transporting installment of the Bakeshop mystery series, as what should be a joyous celebration of a professional milestone turns into a somber murder investigation. Sterling and Steph’s experience will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever embarked on a new career path only to find themselves face to face with a boss awful enough to make you rethink all of your life choices. Luckily, they can rely on their friends – and some amazing food – to help see them through!

There were seven food and drink recipes included here, of dishes deliciously described in the novel. I decided to try out this one:

QUOTE
Peach Cobbler Muffins

2 cups unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
2 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 cups peeled, chopped fresh peaches
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ cup butter, chilled and cut into small squares

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease the muffin cups. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 cup of the sugar together. Beat in the vanilla extract and eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Gradually add the buttermilk, mixing until the batter is smooth and well combined. Sift 2 cups of the flour, the salt, and baking powder into a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a batter forms. Gently fold in the chopped fresh peaches.

Make the crumble topping in a new bowl by combining the remaining ½ cup each flour and sugar with the cinnamon. Add the cold butter squares and use a fork to incorporate the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over each muffin. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm.
END QUOTE

Despite not having fresh peaches available to me – canned worked just fine, though, in my opinion – these are easily some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever made! Perhaps I’ve finally mastered the art of the crumble? Regardless, these muffins were outrageously good, really evoking both the taste and texture of a peach cobbler while still maintaining the fluffiness and portability of the muffin form.

I did wind up making 24 of these, with enough extra batter to fill two mini tart pans, but that was unequivocally a good thing in my family’s book. These muffins aren’t too difficult to make and do provide a delicious twist on – or merger of, if you will – two classic sweets.

Next week, we travel southeast all the way to the opposite coast to investigate the shocking death of a bride, while baking up more muffins. Do join me!

Another entertaining entry into this popular series. With Sterling and Steph branching out on their own, Juliet is feeling like a mother hen worrying about her ducklings. When the Torte group heads up to the resort where the pair are working, of course there is a murder. I liked the recipes at the back of the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Ellie Alexander serves up another satisfying mystery in Killing Me Soufflé, the latest installment in the Bakeshop Mystery series. This time, Jules and the Torte crew head to the stunning but treacherous Oregon coast to support Sterling and Stephanie as they take on their dream restaurant at Whaleshead Resort. But the excitement of their opening weekend quickly turns to shock when the resort’s manager, Erik Morton, is found dead at the bottom of a steep cliffside trail. With suspicious circumstances surrounding his fall, Jules can’t resist digging into the mystery—especially when the restaurant’s future is at stake.

As always, Alexander’s writing excels in crafting an immersive, cozy atmosphere. The descriptions of the oceanfront setting are breathtaking, and the food—oh, the food!—is as mouthwatering as ever. From flaky pastries to fresh seafood, the culinary details make this a delight for foodie mystery lovers.

The mystery itself is well-paced, with plenty of red herrings and small-town intrigue. Jules’ investigative skills are sharp, though at times, the case takes a backseat to the rich character interactions and the heartwarming theme of new beginnings. Sterling and Stephanie’s journey as young chefs striking out on their own adds an extra layer of charm and stakes to the story.

The only slight drawback is that some aspects of the mystery felt predictable, but the strength of the characters and the cozy, food-filled setting more than make up for it. Fans of the series will love this latest addition, and newcomers can jump in without feeling lost. If you enjoy a mix of culinary delights, small-town charm, and lighthearted sleuthing, Killing Me Soufflé is a treat worth savoring!

Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander takes us back to Ashland and Torte where there are many changes taking place. First and foremost, Jules is pregnant with twins, therefore is off caffeine, challenging Andy to come up with enticing decaf blends. Secondly, Steph and Sterling have left Torte to got a resort on the ocean and opening a cafe called Seabreeze Bistro. And, Carlos, Ramiro, and she were off for opening weekend where her mom and Doug would be joining them. When they got there they were surprised at what they found, not at Seabreeze, but at the rest of the place. The manager, Erik, was not a pleasant man, and the receptionist, Jess, was often nowhere to be found. The maintenance man didn’t appear to be doing his job and there was a very eccentric artist lingering about the place. Plus there were fish delivery problems. They were surprised that evening when Lance and Arlo showed up, in conspiracy with Jules’ parents. The kitchen was good, but that was about all that was. Then, when walking, Jules came across Erik’s body where he had fallen from a cliff.

As always a good mystery. Lance wanted to investigate but thankfully didn’t get too far. Jules can’t help herself but thankfully Doug is there to monitor her. Everyone is thrilled (cautiously) that Erik is gone and the prospects for the resort are bright. As usual, there are many interesting characters flitting in and out of the story. That seems to be Alexander’s strong suite: her characters. It was an enjoyable read and a worthy entry into the lineage of this series.

I was invited to read Killing Me Souffle by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #EllieAlexander #KillingMeSouffle

I feel this series is kind of like Agatha Christie but make it *cute* I really enjoy all of the books and this was no exception, both character and plot driven, makes a great afternoon read with a cuppa!

Things are changing in Ashland, Oregon. Jules Capshaw, owner of the popular Torte bakeshop and winery Uva, is pregnant with twins. They have lost two of their favorite chefs to a new restaurant, and new hires are getting trained from the staff. A couple of the long-term chefs at Torte have stepped up to take on the training and more of the administrative duties, since Jules will have to cut back her hours through the pregnancy and when the babies come. So while Jules is depending on her friends and fellow chefs to take care of Torte, she and her husband Carlos head to the beach.

It’s at Whaleshead Resort that Sterling and Steph have been hired to take over and update the restaurant, the SeaBreeze Bistro. They are preparing for opening night, and Jules and Carlos have come to help with whatever the young chefs need. But as soon and Jules and Carlos show up at the resort, they can tell that trouble is brewing. There are complaints that Jess, the receptionist, is often not available. The handyman, Hoff, is also unreliable. The artist who was supposed to be putting up a an installation for the restaurant opening is late. The manager Erik is unprofessional, yelling and complaining. And the fisherman who brings fresh fish each day hasn’t been seen.

Jules can see that Steph and Sterling are stressed, but she jumps in and helps with the baking while Carlos helps Sterling with the savory dishes. But it’s just the presence of their former bosses that helps bring peace to the kitchen. And while the fisherman does show up with the catch of the day, there is still a feeling of chaos in the resort that Jules knows is making the opening so much more difficult for Steph and Sterling. But when Jules goes on a walk and finds Erik’s body, she knows that there will be more chaos until the killer is found.

Will Erik’s murder destroy Steph’s and Sterling’s dream of running their own restaurant, or will Jules be able to figure out the identity of the killer and save the day, with some help from best friend Lance and her stepfather The Professor, a semi-retired detective?

Killing Me Soufflé is book twenty in Ellie Alexander’s popular Bakeshop Mystery series. Although the story is not set at the bakeshop, all the usual characters are around and pitching in to help. Whether it’s a new brownie recipe or a special coffee (decaf, for the mother-to-be) or training new chefs or helping solve a murder, all your favorite characters are here and ready to contribute to the success of two of their own. As always, the book ends with some of the delectable recipes for dishes included in the story, including Sterling’s Sunday Sauce, Breakfast Lasagna, Peach Cobbler Muffins, Chocolate Soufflé , and Andy’s Decaf Chocolate Cherry on Top Latte.

I have been a fan of the Bakeshop Mysteries for years. I am always amazed at Alexander’s ability to change up the locations of the story to feature another aspect of her beloved Oregon and her depth of understanding of food, both sweet and savory. I always have a good time with Jules and Lance, but I must admit these books do leave me hungry for comfort food and amazing pastries. I’m always a little sad not to be able to go to Torte for a meal and a box of deliciousness to take home with me, but I’m always satisfied with the plotting of the crimes and the investigations. Killing Me Soufflé is another triumph of finding a killer and making a host of delicious desserts.

Egalleys for Killing Me Soufflé were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Killing Me Soufflé is the twentieth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Once again, we find ourselves in Ashland for the latest mystery Jules, the main character, will have to solve. There are major changes is Jules' life, as she is pregnant with twins, and two of her employees, Steph and Sterling, have taken on a new career opportunity at a resort. Their new boss ends up dead, it quickly becomes clear that he was murdered. Of course, Jules investigates to help her friends with the terrible situation they find themselves in.

I absolutely loved Killing Me Soufflé. There is something special every time I come back to Ashland. It is so well described that I feel like I am traveling without actually leaving my home. The characters contribute greatly to the charm of the series, which has become a favorite. Once again, the mystery catches the reader's interest quickly, with a satisfying conclusion. Killing Me Soufflé is a great continuation of the series. Every time I was reading from this book, I was able to relax and stop worrying, enjoying the moment. Thank you Ellie Alexander for such a great series and a great book!

This is such a great series! I'm so happy to be back with Jules and Carlos, and even though we don't spend a ton of time at Torte on this one, I love seeing everyone who works there and seeing what they are up to!!
We get to head over to Whaleshead and the restaurant that Sterling and Stephanie are now running. I'll totally miss them at Torte, but hopefully, we get to see or hear about them from time to time.

So we arrive at Whaleshead to a bit of a kerfuffle. Their boss seems to be a bit of an overbaring duchebag and is making everyone's lives at the resort miserable. Thankfully, Stephanie and Sterling have Jules and Carlos to help them with the opening dinner when things start to go off the rails early on. And when their boss is found dead, there are literally no end of suspects because so many people hated him. This leads us on a twisty, rollercoaster ride as Jules and the police question suspects. With so many perfect suspects, I didn't figure out who the killer was until it was revealed, and I loved the journey that got us to the end.

I can't wait to see whats up next for Jules, and at some point, I AM going to try one of those delicious recipes at the end of the book.

Ellie Alexander carries on with her pastry heroine in Killing Me Souffle. She and her husband visit her former employee chefs in their new venture on their own. Eric, who is in charge of the hotel and accompanying services, like the restaurant, is a bully and cheater. The hotel is failing and then Eric is discovered dead, tossed off a cliff. Whodunit? Suspects are many and clues few. Enjoy this murder with a pastry chef as investigator in chief.

Another decadent entry in the Bakeshop Mysteries from Ellie Alexander! When Torte's own dream team, Sterling and Stephanie, spread their wings to take over the aging restaurant at the Whaleshead Resort, there may be more on the menu than fresh fish and handcrafted pastries. Sterling and Stephanie are ready to set out on their own and put their own spin on an aging restaurant on the rocky beaches of Whaleshead Resort. With the help of Jules and Carlos, opening night is a success, as are the days that follow. However, success does not come easy - from fish mongers that won't deliver to their new manager, Erik, who is trying to sell the resort while they work. When Erik is suddenly found dead at the bottom of the cliff, it will take the work of the local police, the Professor, Jules and her sidekick, Lance, to track down the killer before settling down to try Stephanie's Chocolate Souffle.

Jules and Carlos are excited to attend the grand opening of Steph and Sterling's restaurant at a local resort. Things take a turn when the ornery owner is found dead. With the help of the usual gang, Jules manages to snag the killer and save the day.

Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander is another fantastic Bakeshop Mystery.
The book is easy to follow, fast-paced, and filled with fun characters that are easy to relate to.
Just the setting alone will keep you reading. Ellie Alexander has a wonderful talent when it comes to developing characters, settings, and plots.
A clever cozy mystery which I enjoyed on all levels.

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

Sterling and Steph have moved on from idyllic Ashland to run a restaurant at a seaside resort on the Oregon coast—who has a less than pleasant manager, Erik. Jules and Carlos go to help their two protégés prepare for their opening night dinner debut and Jules finds Erik dead. It doesn’t take long for some familiar faces to show up and solve this case!

No notes—another great cozy by Ellie Alexander. Seriously though, Alexander’s cozy mysteries are so much fun to read. There’s love, drama, and recipes—what more could someone ask for in a story?

#KillingMeSouffle #NetGalley #EllieAlexander #StMartinsPress

The latest Bakeshop mystery finds Jules and crew going to the coast of Oregon to support Steph and Sterling with the opening of their restaurant. However, things take a turn when the much disliked manager of the resort is murdered. Jules finds herself drawn into yet another investigation.

Another good entry in this series! I was worried Alexander was just going to have Steph and sterling come back but thankfully it didn’t go that route. I am also wondering if she will start to wrap up the series once Jules gives birth. I wouldn’t be surprised because it seems hard to investigate murders with babies! But I will still happily read any future in this series!

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