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A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander is a fun visit to Ashland and all our friends at Torte. It is winter, right after Christmas and Jules’ gang is gearing up for the downhill dummy while Jules herself is gearing up for a visit from Ramiro’s mother, her husband, and his half sister. It is an odd situation but since their friendship had been developing on the internet, Jules felt good about it. She had promised herself that she would take more time for Carlos and her family and this was just the beginning. The downhill dummy was the second of the outdoor events she had planned for them. It was exactly what it sounded liked: a dummy built on skis to race down a slope. The winner was the dummy that held up the best, and her staff promised that Torte’s could be spectacular. Meanwhile, odd things were going on up on the mountain, including a man named Alex, who appeared to be both obnoxious and willing to break all the rules of the mountain putting the lives of skiers and snowboarders at risk, not to mention tour groups.

This series is the epitome of cozy mystery wherein it is all centered around family, both by blood and by choice. The staff at Torte is just as much family to Jules as are her mother and the Professor. And then of course, there is Lance, the artistic director of the Shakespeare festival and her good friend. Excellent and developing characters. They were all on the mountain when one of the dummies broke loose and ran over someone. Shocked to find out who the victim was, Jules was certain it was no accident and was worried for her friends on the mountain. I turned out to be an interesting crime with a variety of people as suspects, although the culprit eventually rose to the top and a crime rooted in history was revealed. It’s a good book, although not the best of the series as Jules and her friends come together to root out the evil doer. Kudos for keeping this wonderful series alive, Ellie Alexander!

I was invited to read A Smoking Bun by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #EllieAlexander #ASmokingBun

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I wrote about this on The Storygraph and Goodreads and sent links to various social media sites. Recommended. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6293469688

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Smoking Bun is number 18 in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries.

Jules Capshaw is preparing for the rest of Ramiro’s family from Spain to arrive in Ashland, Oregon. With the holidays and plenty of “powder” on Mount A, Jules and Carlos plan for a moonlit snowshoe tour. Except the plan goes awry when another tour group needs to be rescued. Jules is introduced to Fitz Baskin, a shady individual with a reputation to boot. Whom Jules was not impressed by. The midnight tour is cut short, but there’s always the Downhill Dummy Competition to bring back the excitement.

And the last dummy entry does just that, when it lands on top of Fitz. Then a member of the ski patrol is accused of murder, and Jules is pulled into investigating.

I liked this novel! I was really excited to see more of Ramiro’s family, and that Jules is thinking of her own. It’s been 18 novels of where do they go from here, and it's nice to finally see more personal character progression.

I figured out the murderer early, but I also read a lot of mysteries. The motive was kept very close to the vest, meaning it wasn’t actually revealed until the final thirty pages.

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

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Dollycas's Thoughts

Winter in Ashland Oregon means there are all kinds of fun things to do, especially if you go up on Mount A where you will find a rustic lodge, backcountry trails, skiing, a moonlight snowshoe tour, and this weekend, the annual Downhill Dummy Competition. Jules is excited to share everything with Ramiro's family as they arrive from Spain.

Jules has prepared a meal of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour but their evening doesn't end the way Jules had hoped. The group is still planning to return to see the Downhill Dummy Competition the next day. Several groups including Jules' Torte staff have created an entry for the event. It has been kept a secret from Jules but she is delighted to see the tiered cake with a baker who looks just like her attached to skis hit the ski jump and come flying down the hill.

The last entry hits the slope but it barrels down the hill and lands on top of Fitz Baskin, a guide on the mountain who has ruffled more than a few feathers. Jules finds herself in the thick of the investigation into who caused the dummy to go off course and kill the man. She finds plenty of suspects, secrets, and motives that could change everything on her beloved mountain.

Can Jules find the killer? or will the winter wonderland loved by so many be gone forever?

____

All my favorite characters return in this 18th Bakeshop Mystery with fun and interesting things happening in their lives. They have all enjoyed having Ramiro for the school year but now his mother, Sophia,  stepfather, Luis, and twelve-year-old sister, Marta, are coming to Ashland to ring in the new year. Jules was a bit nervous but she and Sophia's friendship has grown as they have been communicating regularly about Ramiro, his school activities, and how much it has meant to have him be able to spend so much time with his dad and Jules. Jules has such a big heart so the way she welcomed them, made them feel at home, and planned fun things for them to do was not unexpected. Ms. Alexander has created such genuine characters that is very easy to get invested in their lives.

The author blended an intriguing mystery with what was happening in the community and Jules's life. The mystery was interesting but harder to solve as the suspect's backgrounds are revealed slowly throughout the book. One character felt off to me from the start and as I continued reading my suspicions became more firm. Then, a nice twist lead to the big reveal where all my clues slid right into place. This was a fun one with so many things happening over the course of just a few days.

I always enjoy my little trips to Ashland and all the events. With the theatre dark for the winter, the murder and mayhem moved to the mountains. The Downhill Dummy, sans the murder, and the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour both sounded like good times. Of course, a lot of yummy food was made and eaten.  Good thing the calories don't transfer from the book, but they do give me cravings for things to try here at home. This time cheesecake was calling my name loudly.

I enjoyed the ending so much. Friendship and fellowship always stir up good feelings. Jule's thoughts for the new year were heartwarming with things always evolving in her life. She feels changes coming and she realizes that she is ready for whatever that means as long as she is surrounded by family and friends. Something I find very true in my life.

A Smoking Bun was a captivating cozy mystery filled with characters that feel more like old friends with each book in this series. I am excited to return to Ashland to see what Ms. Alexander has planned for Jules and her friends and family next. Sticks and Scones is set to be released on August 20, 2024.

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It's almost hard to write reviews for anything Ellie Alexander writes, because I truly love her so much.
She has built this world in Ashland, Oregon that lives to be true in my heart.

This go around, we follow Jules & Lance, as they take on another investigation in solving the murder of bad boy ski tour guide, Fitz.

Once again, we sleuth along, with The Professor, as one mysterious thing happens after another. In between all of the "who done it" guessing, we get to enjoy scenes with Mrs. Professor, Carlos, Ramiro & family visiting from Spain and all the Torte favorites. There was a scene in Chapter 10 where Marty pulled on my heart strings - so don't miss that! What I would give to enjoy an afternoon sipping on one of Andy's favorite roasts and nibbling on a fresh pasty from Torte.

I hope this series never ends. Five stars, always!

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Another great novel by Ellie Alexander in the Bakeshop Mysteries series. I love visiting Ashland, Oregon and Torte Bakery. Jules Capshaw is busy with her bakery and hosting her husband’s family from Spain when once again she finds herself investigating a murder.

What I love most about Alexander’s books is the method of murder . In this installment Ashland is hosting the Annual Downhill Dummy competition- Contestants strip makeshift dummies to skis and send them sailing down a mountain. What could possibly go wrong?

Long time fans of the series will not be disappointed. My only complaint about this book is that it makes me hungry with the way Alexander describes all of Torte’s baked goods.

I just reviewed A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander. #ASmokingBun #NetGalley

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I’m obsessed. I can’t put these down. The premise, the locale, the characters! I’m in love with these people and I want them to be real. I want to work at Torte and solve mysteries.

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It’s after Christmas, and Jules Capshaw is ready to take a little time off to spend with her family. Her bakery Torte can run on its own for a few days while she spends time with her husband Carlos and his family, who are visiting from Spain. Jules wants to welcome them to Ashland, Oregon, and have some fun while they’re visiting, so she’s got some fun activities planned.

First up is the moonlight snowshoe tour on the mountain, where they are led by their experienced guide Hero through some beautiful scenery. Jules brings lots of food from Torte, including their new savory buns. However, their tour gets cut short when a local on cross-country skis comes through with a couple of women. Hero recognizes the skier immediately as Fitz, who is known for taking risks. He has two women with him, and he’s leading them off the trail.

Hero stops the tour for Jules and her gang, in order to let ski patrol know what Fitz is doing and where he went. Ski patrol has to rescue Fitz and his group, making one member of ski patrol in particular very upset. Shawn is his name, and he recognizes Jules because his best friend Andy is Torte’s award-winning barista. He tells her about how dangerous Fitz is on the trails, clearly resenting how he has to rescue the man again.

Jules and Carlos make it back home safely, going back the way they came, not even too disappointed that their tour had gotten cut short. The next morning, after all, is the downhill dummy competition, and Jules is going for the first time. Contestants create a dummy, strap it to skis, and then shoot it down the ski jump to see how high and how far it can go. Torte has created a special dummy for the occasion, a baker who looks a lot like Jules with a six layer cake. It sails down the ski jump to the delight of the crowd (the cookies the Torte bakers threw into the crowd helped too).

The final dummy to go down the ski lift was put together by the ski patrol. It looked like a tree made of metal branches, and while it was impressive, it looked like it could be dangerous too. And as it turned out, it was. Somehow, it landed on someone at the bottom of the hill, and after everyone had been so careful to stay clear of the landings.

When Jules goes to find out what happened, she discovers that the victim was Fitz. And one of the locals who was there immediately pointed out Shawn as the murderer. Andy is certain that Shawn would never kill anyone, no matter how much he disliked someone, so Andy asks Jules to please help his friend. Jules has been known to help out with an investigation, and she finds that she can’t say no to Andy. So once again, Jules is on the case. But will she be able to get to the bottom of the crime, or will a killer decide to ice her next?

A Smoking Bun is book 18 in Ellie Alexander’s popular Bakeshop Mysteries, and it’s still making me just as hungry as the first one I read. These books are dangerous, filled with delicious treats, coffee drinks, soups and savory dishes, and just about every kind of delicious food you can think of. No matter what you like to eat or drink, you will find something that sounds delicious here. But not only that, you’ll find a well-plotted mystery and a large family around Jules and Torte.

I love these mysteries for the relationships that Jules has developed in her family, with her found family at the bakery, with the police, and with her best friend Lance, who runs the local theater. This group of people keep things interesting, and the foods keep things savory. But of course, I’m also here for the mystery, and I get hungry for justice when Jules starts to put the ingredients together to pull the case together.

Egalleys for A Smoking Bun were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

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"A Smoking Bun" by Ellie Alexander whisks readers away to the picturesque setting of Ashland, Oregon, where pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, Jules Capshaw, once again finds herself knee-deep in a deliciously suspenseful mystery. Set against the backdrop of the snow-covered mountains, Alexander crafts a story that is as cozy as a warm fireplace on a winter's night yet as thrilling as hurtling down a ski slope.

In this installment, Jules is at the helm of a festive adventure, filled with spiced curry buns, chai cookies, and the exhilarating Downhill Dummy competition. The author effortlessly immerses readers in the heartwarming camaraderie of Jules's friends and family, making them feel like cherished guests at Torte. However, when the competition takes a deadly turn, Jules's baking skills are put to the test as she navigates a maze of secrets and motives to uncover the truth.

Alexander's narrative is sprinkled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Her vivid descriptions evoke the sights and sounds of the mountain lodge, from the star-filled skies to the crisp crunch of snow underfoot, transporting readers to a winter wonderland where danger lurks beneath the surface.

But it's not just the captivating plot that shines in "A Smoking Bun"; it's also the endearing characters that steal the show. From the charming Jules to the enigmatic Fitz Baskin, each character is expertly drawn with depth and nuance, making them feel like old friends by the book's conclusion.

With its blend of mouthwatering treats, snowy landscapes, and spine-tingling suspense, "A Smoking Bun" is a delectable delight from start to finish. Ellie Alexander has once again served up a tantalizing mystery that is sure to leave readers hungry for more.

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Ellie Alexander’s latest book in her Bakeshop Mystery series set in Ashland, OR sees pastry chef Jules’ growing extended family come to visit from Spain. Meanwhile a murder on the ski slopes threatens to upend everything in A Smoking Bun.

Review | A Smoking Bun

I’ve read some of the books in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries, but I certainly haven’t read them all. A Smoking Bun is book 18, which is quite impressive! Typically I comment on whether a cozy mystery can be read as a standalone, and technically this one could (the mystery is solved within the book). However, I think reading this in the context of the series matters more in this case than some others, as we see Jules dealing with a lot of life challenges outside the mystery that will have a greater impact if you’ve experienced at least some of her character arc across the series.

“They say you should embrace the seasons of life […] Beauty was literally all around me. My problem was more about centering on the moment. Being fully present and not spiraling into imagined worries and plans for my future.”

The book opens with Jules struggling to relax and enjoy life. Readers of the series will know that Jules is a great character, but she is a heavy character for a cozy mystery series. This isn’t the first book where the narrative is weighted down with her current issues (which is partly why so many love the series and it’s authenticity). This is a book where we see Jules tackling grief, anxiety, and reflecting on her journey of self-growth. Carlos has moved to Ashland, OR to be with Jules and his son Ramiro has been staying with them for the past six months. Ramiro’s family is coming to visit, and Jules is a bundle of stress (not only because of this).

Carlos and Jules have a checkered past in the series. I haven’t read every book and it seems that they are in one of the better places they have been the entire series in A Smoking Bun, but I can’t shake my dislike of him from some of his past behavior. Jules doesn’t seem to be having the same problem! In fact, I think she is most stressed that things seem to be going so well and this may mean they are ready for the next step—having their own children. More about that topic if you read the book!

Jules is not the only person in this book dealing with grief and anxiety. She and another character bond over baking as a healing activity (this is actually a theme that has come up before in the series). That part of this story I found quite lovely. Jules has a big heart and she puts a lot of love into her baking.

If you are wondering why I haven’t touched on the mystery yet, it’s because the mystery really felt secondary to everything else going on for the first half! The second half picks up pace as the investigation goes on and we learn more about the suspects and their backgrounds and motivations. The conclusion to the mystery does have a satisfying twist to it, and a few heart-pounding scenes to balance the heavier ones.

As always with this series, I love to read about the food. Ellie Alexander has a talent for descriptive language. Towards the beginning, Jules and her team are making these beautiful stuffed buns with chickpeas and curried flavors that had my mouth watering reading it. I also love to read about Carlos's food--Carlos is a chef (that's how they met) and he also expresses love through food. This was the part of Carlos that won me back over!

I think A Smoking Bun is truly a gift for the longtime readers of this series. Jules has a growth arc during the events of this book that are setting her up to be in a much different place in the next book in the series. I also think if you’ve grown to care about Jules as a character and seen her ups and downs over the previous seventeen books, this story will hold a special place in your heart as it feels like her truly processing and releasing a lot of what is holding her down. By the end of the book, it feels like Jules is embarking on a new chapter with a much lighter spirit in mind. A lot of credit goes to Ramiro’s mother, Sophia. I actually thought the scene between her and Jules at the wine tasting was the best of the book, though it had nothing to do with the mystery.

The mystery itself is good. It almost felt like a mini mystery happening intertwined with everything else going on in Jules’ life. Reflecting, I’m glad the author gave the space it did to Jules’ struggles. I think this was needed for the series to be able to move on from it, and I have faith it will. I think it may also resonate with readers who have experienced blended or nontraditional families, as well as readers who have experience with periods of grief and anxiety over the future. Alexander is a talented writer and lends a lot of depth and authenticity to Jules’ story.

Thank you to St Martins Press for my copy. Opinions are my own.

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With family visiting from Spain, Jules is very excited to explore Mount A with them and introduce them to the wonderful lodge that accompanies it. There is even a Downhill Dummy competition that promises lots of entertainment-until it ends in a fatality.

I really enjoy this cozy mystery series, and this entry was no exception. Jules is a fantastic main character and amateur detective, and her relationships with the great supporting characters ring true and are lots of fun. The mystery was a good one with a big twist, and I definitely didn’t guess the ending. I would recommend this book, and this series.

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Ellie Alexander is such a solid choice when it comes to cozy mysteries! I have really enjoyed many of her cozy mystery books and while they are not historical cozies, I love all the food and charm of Ashland Oregon in the Bakeshop Mysteries! Not to mention I know Ashland well and I love how Alexander brings the town to life! That is one of the reasons I always come back to her books…..she writes with such authenticity of the region and being an Oregonian myself, I love seeing our state highlighted to such perfection!

The Bakeshop Mysteries has been a series that I have jumped around in over the years. I mean at this point there are 18 books and I started in about book 8 and since then continue to jump around as my schedule allows. The books overall are great and while I am sure I am not getting the full experience by jumping around (I mean come on we are on 18 books there has to be nuances that I am missing!) but I always manage to feel orientated within the book and not completely lost.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, no doubt Ellie Alexander is on your radar! If for no other reason than the charming book titles, cute covers and amazing food descriptions! Come for the food and stay for the mystery is kind of what I think of when I think of Ellie Alexander!

Summary

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!

The mountains are calling in Ashland, Oregon, where pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, Jules Capshaw, is baking up a bevy of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour. Ramiro’s family is visiting from Spain and Jules can’t wait to take them up to her beloved Mount A with its charming and rustic lodge, backcountry trails, and star-filled skies that stretch for miles. Their winter wonderland adventure is nothing short of magical and the merry party opts to return to the slope the next day for the Downhill Dummy.

The annual competition is a favorite amongst snow lovers. Contestants strap makeshift dummies to skis and send them hurling down a death-defying ski jump in hopes of catching big air. The team at Torte is in the mix this year with their own replica of a tiered cake and a baker who closely resembles their fearless leader. It’s a fun and festive atmosphere as dummies sail past the crowd to huge cheers and applause. Until one of the dummies takes a deadly detour and lands atop Fitz Baskin.

Fitz is a guide on the mountain and his icy dealings have made for frosty relationships with everyone he encounters. Suddenly there are more suspects than snowdrifts as Jules dives into the investigation. She unearths a web of secrets and motives that threaten to shake the rustic mountain lodge to its core. Can she catch the killer before they strike again, or will the truth be buried forever under fluffy layers of fresh snow? (summary from Goodreads)

Review

While I always manage to right myself within the story and characters thanks to Alexander’s writing ability, in this one I had to think back to when the last time I read one of her books in this series was! I eventually did go back to look and sure enough it was like book 12 that I read last! I was like wait some stuff has clearly happened since I read one of these books! While I didn’t feel completely lost, I did notice some things had changed since I visited this town and these characters! But for the most part I didn’t think that this really impacted the overall enjoyment of the book, just that I noticed that some characters were new and some larger plot points had changed. If anything I made me want to go back and pick up the other books in the series and catch up with old friends as it were!

As usual I found an enjoyable cast of characters, great food descriptions, and a charming town and a mystery that kept my guessing most of the book! I mean what more could I ask for really? Something that was not necessarily fluffy but not as intense as a full on thriller was exactly what I needed right now! I loved all the secrets that came to light from the murder mystery and I found the whole book overall very enjoyable. The mystery kept my engaged and reading until the end, and Jules is such a likable main character that readers will not find it hard to connect with her and solve crimes with her! Returning to this world is like coming home, I mean I live in Oregon and can attest to the charm of Ashland but even if I didn’t live here I would feel the cozy, home-i-ness feel of Ashland on every page! The town is so well represented and charming!

One thing I did wish this book had was the recipe for the chai cookies! They could so good and I love anything with chai in it! This book gave me a serious sweet tooth! I found myself craving cookies and all other kinds of delicious sweets while I was reading! Alas I only had Oreo cookies to tide me over! Overall this is an outstanding series and a well known one within the cozy mystery world! It has great characters, a charming town, and all the good eats one could ask for! I do want to read the series from beginning to end as I think I would understand the character back stories better but I still think new fans of this series will be able to jump in an become familiar with the charming town of Ashland and a standout sleuth in Jules!

Book Info and Rating

Format 336 pages, ebook

Published February 20, 2024 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks

ISBN 9781250854438 (ISBN10: 1250854431)

Free review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: cozy mystery

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Ellie Alexander writes the kind of traditional mysteries that lead readers to want to pick up her latest books. That is the case with this cleverly title latest by the author.

This winter set mystery again features baker Jules. She has people visiting from Spain and is eager to show them a favorite spot and traditional contest that involves dummies on skis except…

There are many suspects in this story. Readers will enjoy the setting, the characters and the story. They will wait for the author’s nineteenth entry in the long running series.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

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Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Once again, it is with great delight that we return to Ashland for the eighteenth installment of the Bakeshop Mystery series. In this book, Ramiro's family from Spain is visiting. They have plans to enjoy what winter has to offer. However, somthing goes wrong during a local contest and Juliet investigates. As usual, the Torte crew is fun and the food described will make you hungry. I just wish Torte were a real place sometimes! Great book, don't miss it!

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The Smoking Bun was a fun cozy mystery. The small ski town setting is delightful. The holidays and descriptions of the events and decorations in the town are charming. The bakery is fabulous. The mystery of the murder is intriguing. So many red herrings and a thrilling surprise ending that I didn’t see coming.

I have posted this review on Amazon, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6248680767

And Instagram

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bookscoffeebrews Book Review: A Smoking Bun. A
bake Shoppe Mystery #18
Stars: 4 X 5
Author: Ellie Alexander @ellie_alexander
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperback. @stmartinspress
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC

This is book 18 of our trip to Ashland Oregan and The
Torte Bakeshop.
Jule's in-laws are visiting from Spain. Juliet plans a trip
for them, a guided snow shoe excursion at a loca ski
area. Hero is there guide and all is going well until the
get interrupted by another very rude guide. The other
guide and his patrons end up getting into "trouble" off
trail. Juliet's group ends up helping them and calling
911. Juliet has a second activity planned for the next
day. This is a yearly activity of a down hill race where
"dummies" are sent to see who has the best wipeout.
Fitz, who was the rude guide, is dead as he was
impaled by one of the dummies. The police determine
this was just and accident but the owner of the resort
does not. The owner then ask Juliet an "amateur"
investigator to find out who the killer is. Will Jule's
find the murder all while entertaining her in-laws?

Once again Ellie Alexander does a fantastic job with
this lovely cozy mystery series.
I am love this series and I hope everyone else does

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This was a quick and exciting read! Jules Capshaw owns a bakery in a small town. When her stepson’s parents come to visit from Spain, she takes time off to play hostess and get to know the family. However during a winter event on the mountain, someone is killed. At first it seems like a tragic accident, but soon it becomes clear that the person was murdered!

Jules finds herself working on the case, but will she find the killer before they find her?

I really enjoyed this book. I hadn’t read other books in this series, so at first it was hard to figure out who some of the people were. However, the plot moved quickly and had a lot of twists to keep me guessing until the very end! I plan to read more of this series as the characters were likable and well-developed.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book!

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Things get off to a pretty quick start – almost straight away we’re introduced to at least three suspects that would have wanted Fitz dead – and to be honest, Fitz does not come across as a very sympathetic character and it might be faster to list the people who didn’t want to do him harm. The mystery zipped along and there are so many suspicious characters and actions that I couldn’t put my finger onto the right suspect until very late in the game, and still, there were some twists at the last minute to make me doubt my choice of suspect.

While there were lots of new characters introduced, it was fairly easy to keep track of everyone as they all had distinct personalities and jobs – I was surprised how easy it was to get used to all the new characters, especially considering the supporting cast in the Bakeshop series is quite large.

There was also a lot more focus on Mount Ashland and the lodge rather than Torte and the town itself, which was a nice change of pace.

One of things about a good long-running cozy mystery series is that the regular characters become so familiar, but continue to grow and develop – just like real friends. The family and friends that Jules has surrounded herself with are all well-written, unique personalities. Sometimes they don’t feature as heavily in a story – there wasn’t much from Thomas or Kerry in this one – but they’re there and other characters take a more central role. My favourite continues to be Lance, who seems to be even more enthusiastic as a sleuth than Jules, but almost all the regulars have their endearing qualities.

And while each book in the Bakeshop series can be read as standalones, they’re so much more enjoyable when read in order as you see the characters grow evolve. Part of me feels like there are some changes ahead – there have been hints in the last couple of books – but I hope that those changes will feel just as organic as changes in real life do.

A Smoking Bun is definitely the perfect mystery to read during the winter months as it had lots of snowy outdoor activities and warm drinks and snacks to keep things cozy. And as usual, by the end of this book I was already anticipating the next one.

*** Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

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It’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and Jules’s stepson Ramiro’s family is in from Spain. Jules has scheduled a busy, exciting time snowshoeing, skiing, and getting to know the woman she has been co-parenting with. It is a great time until everything goes wrong at the Downhill Dummy Event. Then Jules is off to solve a murder. This was a fun book with the joint family activities. Solving the murder is like solving a complex maze. I truly enjoyed this book.

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This book was lovely to read. The bakery setting, the descriptions of the snow-covered mountains and the food, it made me feel as if I was there inside the story.

I especially enjoyed the relationships between the adult characters. It is not often that I read about divorced and remarried people getting along, but this author did an amazing job portraying the mature relationships between the main family.

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