Member Review

Bake, Borrow, and Steal by Ellie Alexander has Jules Capshaw and the Torte team working to create Shakespearean treats for a gala. SOMA will be hosting a new exhibit titled Shakespeare’s Lost Pages which will feature the Bard’s lost manuscript, Double Falsehood. Jules is creating a stunning chocolate centerpiece for the event and Torte will provide treats authentic to the time period. Just before the unveiling of Double Falsehood--it disappears, and the laidback security guard charged with safeguarding it is murdered. The museum needed this exhibit, or it could cease to exist. Jules and Lance set out to bag the villain who committed these dastardly deeds so the museum can regain its reputation and host a new unveiling. Bake, Borrow, and Steal is the fourteenth A Bakeshop Mystery. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone. However, I recommend reading them in order so you can watch Jules come into her own and watch the other characters grow as well. I like Ellie Alexander’s casual writing style. It makes the story easy to read. There is a great cast of characters that includes Jules, Carlos, Sterling, Thomas, The Professor, Andy, and so many more. Torte has a great staff who create delectable delights. Lance is an over-the-top character. He adds humor to the story with his antics. The mystery was well-plotted, but it was a cinch to solve. I knew who would commit the crime before it occurred. I also suspected where the lost manuscript was hidden. I would like to see this author make the mysteries more complex. I would love to be stumped. There is misdirection to send readers down the wrong snow-covered path. It all wrapped up nicely at the end. Bake, Borrow, and Steal has a sweet ending. The detailed descriptions of Torte’s tempting treats will have you heading to your local bakery. I enjoyed reading about the construction of the chocolate desk and chair. It is not easy to make that type of item out of chocolate. Bake, Borrow, and Steal was an enjoyable cozy mystery to read. I like seeing how the lives of the various characters have changed since the beginning as well as Torte. The business continues to expand under Jules leadership. Bake, Borrow, and Steal is a sweet story with scrumptious pastries, a missing manuscript, a chocolate conundrum, a security guard who is a goner, a zealous Lance, a bothersome board member, and a thoughtful Thanksgiving.