As someone who has been invested in this series since the first book, I was excited to see Ashland during Halloween. The atmosphere of Ashland never ceases to disappoint. The small town is filled to the brim with people who go out of their way to make every event within the city something special. The amount of details really made the town come to life once again. Jules and her team are once again a vital part of bringing so much of the life into the town events. The food that comes out of torte sounded wonderful, but there were times when the amount of details started to detract from the rest of the story.

This book seemed to focus on the growth and development of the town more than showing development in the storylines of our main characters. It was interesting to see glimpses of all of the characters and their lives, but I would have loved to see a few of them move forward in their lives. There are simply too many characters to keep track of that are really easy to become invested in. Jules and Carlos are at such an interesting point in their relationship at his point and I love seeing them in their daily lives. However, I really needed more of my favorite character, Lance.

The mystery is another part that should have been front and center of the book, but it felt disjointed and forced. There were times when I found myself having to take a moment to remember what was happening and who the suspects actually were. It felt as if there were meant to be other plotlines as the focus of the story, but as the story progressed, those points were dropped. The ending felt forced and abrupt, and I was left wanting more.

⅗ stars for another book that left me hungry!

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I loved seeing Jules and the crew, but seeing a body after a parade when she and Carlos are walking home puts a damper on that. I’m always trying to figure out the whodunnit with Jules, because my guesses are wrong lol! I loved seeing the progress of certain relationships in the bakery and a hint to more to come.

This book was sweet, cozy, and warm, with murder thrown in at the same time (haha). I really enjoyed all of the bakery descriptions and the small little town during fall time. I also have a pug so I really enjoyed reading about the dogs. In my opinion the murderer was a little random but I enjoyed the story none the less.

What a fun installment to an excellent series! The Torte crew continues to be one of my favorite cozy character groups. It's bittersweet to be all caught up with this series, but I'm so happy that there's another one coming out soon!!

The Halloween Parade, Spooky Treats, and Seasonal Drinks.. loved it!!

Book Review: Catch Me If You Candy: A Bakeshop Mystery
Stars: 3.5 of 5
Author: Ellie Alexander @ellie_alexander
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press @stmartinspress
Thank you @netgalley foe the ARC

Halloween has started in Ashland Oregon and everyone is descending onto Main Street for the annual Halloween Parade. Most everyone is in costume and a “victim” had been found right outside of Torte Bake Shop. An investigation begins and just as usual Jules and Carlos are right in the middle of it.

The story starts out well but ends up having too much going on. It was hard for me to keep up with the characters and all that was going on. I realize this may be because is it book 17 in the series and this is the first one I have read. The end was very interesting also somewhat predictable.

The book did fall a bit short for me but it is still a fun filled sweet Halloween mystery story.

I am excite that I found this series as I love a sweet good mystery series. I am ready to start reading book one and more. I also love the fact that the author lives in Northern California. Ellie Alexander is from the Pacific Northwest and many of her books are set in that geographic location. I love it as I know those areas very well.

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I was nervous about starting with #17 in a series but gave it a try. Plenty of descriptions to keep me from being lost and a fantastic story. Best part? There are 16 more of these - to date, I’ve gotten through the first 8 of the series now and reading them as quickly as I can. Great characters and best part is the continued development of characters in the series - love it!!

I'm a late joiner to this series but I've generally enjoyed each one and I found it very easy to pick up pretty late into the series. I didn't love this mystery as much as the previous ones I've read, as the dog actor storyline and the mahjong storyline seemed pretty disjointed and the book didn't evenly focus on them. This made the resolution of the mystery feel a bit random and quick. Regardless, the book definitely made me crave great tasting coffee, sweets and savory items so I'd recommend not reading this book when you're hungry.

I have read a few in this series. They are always well written and able to engage the reader. This time there’s a murder right in front of Juliet’s shop, Torte, on Halloween night. She feels it’s her duty to find out who
killed Anton the dog trainer. Can it be someone in the puparazzi?

Catch Me If You Candy has loveable characters and a great mystery full of twists and turns that kept me guessing who the killer could possibly be.
I've only read this and the previous book in this series, and I've enjoyed both of them so much that I'm going to go back to the beginning and see how it all started!

I love how the town of Ashland celebrates Halloween! It seems like so much fun how all the shop owners give out treats and the parade! Wow, I would have definitely loved to see something like that. When someone is found murdered outside of her Bakeshop she is immediately invested in finding out who the killer is, even more so when it looks like one of her mother's friends could be a suspect. I loved how Jules went about solving this case, and I love how she is the first one to tell the police whatever she uncovers. This book not only has an amazing main character in Jules, but I also love all of the secondary characters they just jump off the page. I can't wait to see what next for Jules, her husband and the town of Ashland!

A spooky read! I was thankful to read this copy and look forward to reading more of Ellie’s books. Would recommend!

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. I will read the rest in this series and look for more titles by this author! I would definitely recommend this book.

This was the perfect fall afternoon book to read! Catch Me If You Candy a Halloween story set in Oregon's Shakespeare town Ashland, though it is the 17th in the series, this was a new one to me. Though there was clearly some history among the characters, it was very easy to pick up and jump in!

One of my first mysteries. I wanted to read more in the genre and I’m glad I did. I plan to read the others in the series. I enjoyed it.

I have read every single book of Ellie Alexander I am a very big fan. I enjoy each book. Even though some may be long, but I love to sit and get lost in her books even when times in life are crazy hectic. I liked the title of the book "Catch me if you candy". It gives you a feel of Halloween at its best how they really enjoy the holiday and all the fun. And the cookies and cakes are so yummy.

Catch me if You Candy is the seventeenth book in the Bakeshop mystery series. I haven't read all of them but have read quite a few. Ashland, Oregon is the home of Torte, the bakeshop owned by Jules Capshaw. She and her bakers are busy firing up the ovens almost around the clock with all the Halloween treats everyone wants. Taking a break to run some goodies to her mother's weekly mahjong party an ominous note is found in the ancient board game set bought at a thrift store.
As the end of the Shakespearean season settles upon Ashland, the town gathers around a Halloween parade costumed adults and children alike enjoy attending.
When a slumped over dragon, the same one talked about in the mahjong game note is found dead in front of her bakeshop, Jules is devastated.
With clues piling up faster than the Halloween candy the trick or treaters are clutching in their grubby hands, who can you trust? Is anyone telling the truth or will this one be all tricks and no treats?
Cleverly written with a great plot and lots of descriptive Autumn cheer this is the perfect book to settle in with on a cold Fall night with your hot cup of coffee or tea.

Pub Date 22 Aug 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m a newbie to Ellie Alexander’s bake shop mysteries and thoroughly enjoy it very much. Love how the author makes you feel apart of the story plot, makes you smile at the terrific characters within the story and how they solve the mystery of the murder of one of their own residents. Highly recommend to all cozy mystery lovers. Looking forward to reading more in this series.

This is book 17 in the series, but the first one I have read by the author. I certainly missed some backstory by reading out of order, but I am enticed to read more from the series. The characters seem relatable and enjoyable. I will look into the backlist.

It is Halloween and Jules is busy preparing for the holiday parade and all the trick or treaters. Even though she is busy, she takes time to run some treats to her mother's Mah Jong group. There she is shown an antique Mah Jong game. In the game the ladies find a cryptic note about a dragon. When a man is killed in front of Torte and he is dressed as a dragon, Jules and her friend, Lance investigate. One of her mother's friends has a dog that is appearing in an OSF production and she, along with others doggy people become suspects. This series is thoroughly entertaining. I love the characters and the story kept me engaged.

The perfect mystery for a cozy Sunday at home, with fall weather outside and candles and tea inside: Catch Me If You Candy a Halloween story set in Oregon's Shakespeare town Ashland.
This is already the 17th installment in Ellie Alexander's mystery series and returning to Ashland, the Torte cafe and bakery and the recurring protagonists Jules, the sleuth (and baker) as well as her fantastic and very understanding partner Carlos, a vintner, Lance, head of the Shakespeare festival as well as all the other characters feels cozy but this book had decided Halloween vibes with all the fall baking mentioned but also a dognapping on a cemetery after dark. If you are looking for a relaxing read, one where you'll know that everything is alright in the end for all major protagonists and you still have an intriguing mystery to keep you engaged and reading, this book is just right for you. A fun and relaxing book to read.
Did I mention the book has an adorable poodle ?
I am have a very full week ahead so I feel fortunate that the weekend included time for reading and constructing a gingerbread house that will most definitely be haunted by the time the kids finish decorating.

I loved this fun, Halloween themed cozy read!

Love the descriptions of the Torte bakery and the goodies it bakes, the town and the characters.

During the Halloween parade, a dead body dressed as a dragon is found right outside Torte and a whodunit ensues.

It as a great read for this Fall season!