I love Ellie Alexander books and discovered them when I was visiting Leavenworth Washington. In the little Dutch town I stumbled upon the cutest bookstore and they have Ellies series that is set right in that town. I was addicted! I never thought I'd like cozy mysteries but once I started reading them I realized I really do enjoy them. They are, well....cozy! Killing Me Souffle is the 20th book in the bakeshop mystery series so you know going into it that the numbers don't lie. It also means that once you become addicted to Ellie's writing and storylines you will have so many more to read. There was so many things I loved about this book that I immediately felt "cozy" reading it. Its set on the Oregon Coast which I've been to and it's beautiful, at a fancy cliffside resort, and all of the yummy dessert will make you so hungry! The cast of characters are people you want to be friends with and a few that are on the villian list. Everything is sweet until someone is found dead. Then it gets real real fast. Not all the clues will lead to the killer so you'll have to put your investigative hat on and see if you can solve the mystery before it's revealed.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Book twenty and this is still my favorite series of all time. There are delicious food descriptions, heartwarming characters and a great plot to make this book all that it is. Toutes bakers Sterling and Steph, who were trying to launch a new restaurant on their own, had my heart as they were battling for success. A restaurant manager is murdered, and it's up to the head baker from Torte, Jules, who is expecting twins. As well as Lance, one of my favorite mystery sidekicks.

I feared for Jules safety as she was pregnant at times. But she came through. It's hard for me to guess whodunit and this time was no exception, but I still enjoyed it. Over this series I've got to know these characters and they somehow feel like family and I couldn't help crying tears of joy for one of these characters future.

“Killing Me Souffle” continues Ellie Alexander’s captivating series, replete with wit and intrigue. The narrative boasts a cast of well-developed characters who seamlessly blend elements of mystery and culinary delight. The setting of a quaint coastal Oregon enhances the story’s ambiance, contributing to its overall coziness. The narrative’s progression is effortlessly comprehensible, propelling readers from the outset to its satisfying conclusion. This captivating mystery keeps readers engaged throughout. Familiar characters from previous installments are joined by intriguing newcomers, making this accessible to newcomers to the series without prior knowledge of the preceding books. The author’s skillful storytelling has garnered a dedicated following, solidifying their status as a literary favorite.

Killing Me Souffle is another exciting addition to this well loved series.
Juliet and family are off to visit Steph and Sterling who are preparing for the opening of the resort restaurant that they left Torte for.
Juliet is looking forward to spending time with her husband and stepson before the twins arrive.
Things aren't what they seem and the tension and stress is apparent on Steph and Sterling's faces.
It seems the manager, Eric, is a shady character and his business ethic has them questioning their move.
When Eric is found dead, Juliet can't help but see if she can put the pieces together, hoping to solve the murder investigation and save her friend's jobs.
This is my favorite book in the series so far and I can't wait to read mire in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Grab a good snack and settle in for another good cozy in this series. While I do prefer the Secret Bookcase stories to this series, both are well worth reading. Now the reason, I caution you to grab a snack when you settle in is because Jules transports us to Torte early on the book making amazing sounding cookies and treats. Fortunately, there are recipes including because the treats described will leave and salivating.
Now onto the story, this book took us away from Torte for a job portion of the story. Jules, in her very pregnant state, had to once again find a murderer. Jules and family visit former Torte stars, Sterling and Steph, in the restaurant they are helping relaunch. Both Jules and Carlos are there to lend support but are immediately pulled into more as a dead body turns up. The victim had a whole slew of enemies. In fact, her was well on his way to making enemies of Jules and Carlos as well as the readers. The man was so disparaging when speaking of others and that grated on Jules because he is disparaging her family. However, despite her dislike for the victim, she jumps in to help because it will ultimately help Sterling and Step and she delivers the murderer.
Two random things struck me as I read. The people of Torte and the town that supported it were family as exemplified by Lance's kind gesture. It also showed in the creative ways the entire Torte team cam together to welcome the newbies. The other thing that stuck out was both Jules and Carlos had to learn with Steph and Sterling when to step in and take over and when to simply offer an ear and guidance. It gave them pause because they understood as parents that will be the way to go.
Overall, I would give this book about 4.3 to 4.5 but will round up because I am to see what comes next. How will Jules handle motherhood and murderer catching. One random thought before I close, as I read this book I found myself casting Jules O'Hara from Psych as Jules.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

4.5 stars.

I think I said this about the last book but this is the truth. This is my favorite one in the series. The tears I cried at the end!!!!! These characters just keep getting better and better.

Secret Bookcase team is solidifying their new private eye business and continuing to work on Scarlet’s murder. Annie and Fletcher are getting their footing with more responsibility at the bookshop, but they realize that they’ll have to trust each other more than ever with this mystery.

Killing Me Soufflé is another homerun in this series. Ellie Alexander is a master of her craft. Five stars

Jules and her family are visiting Steph and Sterling at their new restaurant for the grand opening. When the manager of the resort they're staying at is thrown off the cliff Jules and Lance get busy investigating the murder. Plenty of people wanted the guy dead- and they all had opportunities to kill him as well. The local developer, and front desk clerk, the handyman, the artist in residence- who was behind the murder?
The only negative is that it was too short! But i look forward to the next installment, and i'm going to miss Steph and Sterling at Torte.

Killing Me Soufflé is book twenty in the Bakeshop Mysteries and takes off exactly where the last book left off. I feel this is best read as part of the series for the full enjoyment of the book. The young protégés, Steph and Sterling, from Torte have set off on their own to get an old restaurant up and running at a nearby resort. A very pregnant, Jules and her adoring husband, Carlos are there for the opening and to help in anyway they can. But Jules didn’t anticipate her help would come in the help of investigating the murder of Steph and Sterling’s new boss. Jules does her thing as always by wading into a messy and twisted murder and serving up a murderer. The book was interesting and unpredictable for a suspense filled but light hearted mystery. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Oregon, recipes, pregnancy, baking, baker, resort-hotel, unpleasant-co-worker, unpleasant-victims, amateur-sleuth, local-law-enforcement, friends, friendship, family, family-support, foodie****

My first read in this series, but once I really got into the story that didn't matter very much. Many of the characters are part of the family, so that was a big help since that aspect was all positive and basically without conflict. The murder victim was a nasty piece of work and that sort of made for an interesting suspect list. Good read that makes me want to go back to earlier books in the series.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected e-galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Avail Feb 25, 2025
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This is book 20(!!!) in the Bakeshop Mystery series.

Way to go Ellie on bookending a murder with two AMAZING surprises!

We start the book off with a fun little surprise by Jules. Then a murder. Then another fantastic surprise!

I’m not divulging the surprises, but they both made me happy.

Now, onto the main plot of the story.

This book takes us out of Ashland and our normal cast of characters to The Whaleshead, where Steph & Sterling are setting up their restaurant.

It’s opening weekend, and Jules & Carlos help the kids out getting the first run of the new restaurant under their belts.

Sadly, Steph & Sterling have their own “Richard Lord” type boss (yuck! 2 of them!)

When the horrible boss is killed, Jules finds his body.

Of course Jules Mom & The Professor are there, and he lends a hand in working the case.

Lance & Arlo also make an appearance this weekend, so you KNOW Jules & Lance just jump right in sleuthing.

Lance does surprise the kids, a little gift to each of them (it’s totally on point for Lance & his generosity).

The murderer was a little off my radar for a large portion of the story, but it does make sense.

I was sadly missing our gang at Torte, they are in the book, but just a little at the beginning.

I hope you enjoy the surprises as much as I did!

Once again another good book by Ellie Alexander. I would recommend this book. There is a murder with a few suspects. Jules and Lance help the police catch the killer.

Wow! How does she do it? Killing Me Souffle is the 20th book in the Bakeshop Mystery Series by Ellie Alexander, but it is just as fresh and exciting as the first book. These characters have become my friends, and I’m so excited when I get to spend time with them and find out what they’ve been up to since we were last together.
This story is bittersweet with Sterling and Steph leaving Torte, but they are taking all they learned from Jules, Helen, and Carlos and revamping an aging restaurant at a resort on the Oregon coast. While Jules and Carlos are lending a hand in the kitchen for the restaurant’s opening weekend, the controlling resort manager is killed. Luckily Helen and the Professor and Lance and Arlo are also there for the weekend. The Professor, and of course Jules and Lance, assist the local police. There are no shortage of suspects, and the story kept me guessing. Another five star read for me!

Thank you #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Jules and her group head to the Oregon coast to help their previous chefs open up a new restaurant at a resort. When Jules, who is 8 months pregnant with twins, finds to body of the obnoxious restaurant manager, things are dicing. A good cozy mystery from a fun series. Would recommend.

KILLING ME SOUFFLÉ is the twentieth book in the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander. Filled with family, friends, great food, and a new adventure along the Oregon coast, I breezed through this newest release, not wanting to put the book down as I caught up with Jules and the gang. Jules’ young mentees, Sterling and Stephanie, have struck out on their own, taking over the coastal Whaleshead Resort restaurant. To celebrate their grand opening, Jules and the team from Torte, along with family members, have joined the young couple to celebrate. One of the most endearing qualities of this series is the theme of family and friends. No matter what, they support each other, encourage each other, and pitch in to help whenever it’s needed. Ms. Alexander also captures the setting with her strong descriptive language. You can smell the sea salt in the air, here the squawking of the seagull, taste the chocolate soufflé coming from the kitchen, and feel the chill wind blowing off the ocean. It makes me want to take a trip to the Oregon coast.

No matter how much preparation Sterling and Stephanie have put into making the opening a success, nothing could have prepared them for the manager of the resort being found murdered… unfortunately, by Jules. With their livelihoods on the line, Jules and her team start hunting down information. As she digs into the manager’s life, it becomes apparent that no one liked him, and multiple people just might be happy he’s no longer around. Being a virtual stranger to the area, investigating isn’t as easy as it is back in Ashland. Still, Jules is determined to help her young friends. I really liked that Jules’ mother and step-dad (the Professor) are also around. As a trained detective, the Professor has an in with local law enforcement which aids Jules in her quest. There are a few twists, but for the most part, this is the kind of book to curl up with beneath a quilt, a cup of hot tea at hand, and immerse yourself in a cozy read.

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

I do enjoy reading the Bakeshop Mystery Series. I always think each book is going to be my favorite, and I am convinced that Killing Me Soufflé is the best one ever. Killing Me Soufflé is Book 20 in this series. Torte's baking family, Jules, Carlos, Mom and the Professor decide to travel from Ashland to Whaleshead Beach Resort on the southern Oregon Coast. As is the case for Ashland, where this series is mostly situated, Whaleshead is a real resort. Readers can map it and see photos. It is as described. I love that author, Ellie Alexander, is faithful to her Oregon settings. I grew up in Oregon, and have driven the Oregon coastline many times. I have family living on the coast and in Salem. I guess I just love the setting.

I also enjoy these characters. All my favorite characters are along staying at Whaleshead, including Lance and Arlo, who decide they want to visit and cheer on Torte's former employees, Steph and Sterling, who are getting established as principle chefs at this resort. Naturally there is a murder, and the Professor, Jules, and Lance are right on it investigating, even though Jules is pregnant with twins. There are plenty of suspects, a plot that works well, a beautiful location, and awesome food and recipes.

Readers should read the entire series, although each book has enough details to make it possible to read a book on its own. Readers should drive the Oregon coast, all the way from Northern California to Astoria, Oregon. It is beautiful, breathtakingly gorgeous, windy, the coldest water ever, and the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. As should be obvious, I loved this novel, the characters, the plot, and the setting. 5 stars

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of KILLING ME SOUFFLÉ (Book 20 of the Bakeshop mystery series) by Ellie Alexander in exchange for an honest review. Jules and Carlos are off to the Oregon coast to support and to assist Torte-graduates Sterling and Stephanie in their opening weekend at the Whaleshead Resort’s restaurant. When they arrive, Jules and Carlos discover that, though their friends are professional as always, others working at the resort are anything but professional. Further, it seems like at-least one of those employees wants to sabotage the restaurant and the resort. Alas, in any good mystery, someone that nasty is fated to an ill end. Now, Jules and Carlos, aided by the ever-present Lance, must add solving a murder to their to-do list for insuring Sterling and Stephanie’s new venture goes successfully!

I really like this series and enjoyed this book. I recommend the book to fans of the series and the series to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring tourist towns, quirky characters, and bakery/restaurants.

"Killing me Soufflé (Bakeshop Mystery #20)" by Ellie Alexander has Jules and family traveling to a beach resort to help her ex-employees get their own restaurant started up. Carlos seems to do a bit more helping but Jules is quite pregnant with twins in this book so that's probably for the best. Unfortunately, the resort manager is quite the micro manager and not nice about it or good at it.

So, as any cozy mystery reader knows, the manager is the most likely to be the victim or the culprit. He's the victim in this one. I have to say that I temporarily thought of the culprit as a suspect but was thrown off by their behavior. I didn't really have any one particular person in mind since the actual culprit threw me off a bit.

Culinary/Vacation Spot Cozy
Culinary cozy with Shakesperian touches. Carlos and a very pregnant Jules travel to help Steph and Sterling, formerly chefs are Torte, with their opening night at their new gig. The pair worked hard to prepare Seabreeze Bistro, under the impression the vacation spot it sits in is being upgraded and if the guests approve, they're a shoo-in. Dark secrets come out and the Professor, Jules, Lance and the local police have their hands full investigating 1. If it's an accident or murder and 2. which of the many possibilities is responsible. Nicely plotted with motive enough to go around ans a few twist as well as yummy sounding recipes.
I requested and received a NetGalley Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.