This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, and I'm so happy to return to Ashland and Torte to see what Jules and her team are cooking up!

For Stick and Scones, we are traveling between the bakery and the winery as Lance and his acting troupe are putting on a show! Too bad one of the actors ends up dead and poor Jules is the one to find him..

I love returning to this world and seeing what Jules, Carlos, and see what all the lovely people at Torte are up to! This case is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing. While I did end up guessing the killer there were plenty of moments that had me second-guessing myself.
This series is fast and fun, and something that you can easily get sucked into. I hope we get more books in this series as I can't wait to see where the story is going to go next!!
I also love all the recipes at the end and am determined to finally make one!!

Loved this Cozy mystery . Jules is the amateur sleuth and also runs Torte a bakery cafe in ashland Oregon. Her artistic friend Lance runs a Shakesperian playhouse. Well, this time the lead actor Jimmy is murdered. Follow the journey to find the killer. Jules and Lance have so many suspects you just have to wonder who did it. Has a really could ending that L hope leads in to the next installment.

I love visiting Torte and the Rogue Valley when I read Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop mystery series. It’s springtime, a time for change. Lance has begun his own company on the side and they are premiering the first show when the lead actor is killed on opening night. Juliet, Lance and the Professor work to find the killer. All the while, Juliet’s life is changing at work and home. Can’t wait for the next book!

This felt like a classic, cozy Ellie Alexander book and was so much fun to read! I loved how much it involved Lance and his new passions, and his shenanigans with Jules felt like so much fun! While I felt like I guessed the killer early on, Alexander did a great job making me second-guess myself until the killer was revealed. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of Ashland and Torte and the Torte crew's delicious makings. I'm so sad to see that Torte's crew is changing, but also I trust Alexander to have new exciting things in store for them!

This series is new to me and this is book 19 in the series. I did enjoy this read but found myself wishing I knew more about some of the backstories of some of the characters. That will easily be rectified once I go and read the previous books in the series.
Let me say that you should not read this book on an empty stomach because the description of the food is intoxicating. I can't tell you how happy I was once I got to the end of the book and found the wonderful recipes to make. Yum! This book will keep on giving :-)
Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC This is my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sticks and Scones is the nineteenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. As with the previous books in this series, Sticks and Scones is an absolutely delightful cozy mystery. Ellie Alexander's writing makes you feel as if you are in all the locations described. Not only can the reader "see" every detail, but the aromas of baking, cooking and coffee brewing are also conjured up. The action of the mystery is gripping, but there are very relaxing moments in the book as well. Sticks ans Scones is a must-read for those who have enjoyed previous books, and can be also enjoyed by newcomers to the series. This time, the mystery involves the death of an actor during the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Jules investigates this latest murder taking place in Ashland. Solid storyline, great characters, and all the ingredients to make a great reading experience are present in Sticks and Scones.

A good cozy mystery and tasty recipes to try at the end, Juliet’s friend Lance is organizing a theater group performing “Taming of the Shrew” when the main male character is found in the wine cellar with a cork screw in his neck. While not a very nice man, he was a good actor, so there are a lot of conflicting views and characters to go through to find the killer. Enjoyed this one, and would highly recommend.

Sticks and Scones
A Bakeshop Mystery

By: Ellie alexander

Published Date: August 20, 2024

Publisher: St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books

Mystery and Thriller

#SticksandScones#NetGalley

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I would like to thank both NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book Review:

This is the first book I have ever read from Ellie Alexander. My oldest daughter loves these books. This is the 19th book in the series. With that being said I didn't feel like I was missing anything as I read this book. I wish I did know more about each character by reading the other books, but it didn't stop my enjoyment. I gave this book 4 stars.

In this book The Taming of the Shrew is being played at the theater. Jules is part owner along with her friend Lance. After this first showing the main actor is find dead in the tasting room of the restaurant. Jules finds him with a corkscrew in his neck. Who killed him and why? Jules needs to know and there are many people who could have done it. This actor was not a nice guy. Also, Jules isn't feeling well and decides she needs to probably slow down and have her staff do more and possibly hire more help. As Jules looks into the murder, she gets so much information and can't narrow down the who done it. It seems like when she thinks she the person more information comes to light and it's impossible to figure out who done it.

I love the family and friends in this story and can't wait to go back and the other books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, St Martin's Press, and Ellie Alexander for this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

**Warning ⚠️ this book will make you hungry with the food descriptions and make you want coffee!**

This book has everything you want in a cozy mystery: good atmosphere, relatable characters, a good mystery with some twists, easy to read, and baked goods and coffee. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and felt it was everything a cozy mystery should be. It was fast paced and kept you on your toes guessing whodunit. In Ashland, OR during the late spring the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is putting on a production of "Taming of the Shrew" by a theater troupe known as the Fair Verona Players. Local vineyard Uva is hosting the event with treats from Torte, Jules's bakery. As the curtain rises so does the constant mishaps and strange occurrences including bickering among the crew. But the real mystery begins when the lead actor Jimmy is found dead. With Jules being stuck in the mix can she craft the perfect recipe for solving this theater whodunit or will it be a flop?

Ellie has a way with her descriptions that puts you right in the book and town. You feel connected to the characters like you are watching a show and watching it unfold. She holds your attention to the mystery but doesn't make it too easy with figuring out the murderer. Since this was the uncorrected ARC there were a couple errors I found, and I would have liked some of the transitions to flow better or left a gap to know the scene was switching. Some scenes just jumped from one moment to the next without a transition knowing there is time between the events. However, it still worked really well, and I highly recommend this book and series to anyone who enjoys good cozy mysteries.
The recipes in the back sound so good and sound easy to make. I am interested in trying one to see how it turns out.

Favorite quote - "That was life. Love, loss, food, family, and sharing a comforting meal around a table while raising a glass in toast to all the good things yet to come."

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #sticksandscones #elliealexander #minotaurbooks #stmartinspress #cozymystery #cozy

Ellie Alexander does it again with a great addition to the series. It’s like meeting old friends, with a few new ones thrown in for variety!

I love this series and this was a fun one! Jules is busy with her team at Torte cooking up yummy spring treats and coffee blends. As well, they've added in new vineyard performances at the winery - Uva. I've always loved when the Sharkepeare Festival actors and politics get invovled with the mystery but this might be even better as Jules isn't going to the festival - the festival is going to her. The play in the vineyard sounds super fun and the food and treats sound amazing. I'm pretty sure that if the Torte bakery really existed I would make the cross country trip to Oregon just to get one of Andy's creations and eat lunch (and dessert - LOTS of dessert) at Torte.

But not only is there drama both on and off the stage and the side characters that I've come to love as the series has developped but there's also a murder! The victim spends all their page time just begging to be murdered and it doesn't take long before they get their wish. Suspects and motives abound and I absolutely loved following along with the investigation as it unraveled. I'm pretty sure Lance is my favorite Sleuth-assistant in all of cozy mystery land.

I did notice that while the reviews on Goodreads were mostly glowing there were a few meh reviews from people who were new to the series. While I thoroughly enjoyed this one it doesn't sound like it works as a true stand alone. That said I have enjoyed every single book in this series so even if you are going to start at the beginning you are in for a treat. And I recommend having a treat nearby as you read because the food descriptions of Jules' baking are fantastic.

Thank you to the author, Net Galley and to the publisher for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. This is one of my favorite cozy series and I always enjoy returning to Juliet and friends in Ashland Oregon.

Juliet and friends are back with their sucessfull bakery Torte in charming Ashland Oregon. I love the descriptions of the Bakery Torte in this series and the relationships with her employees. One of the wonderful aspects of this series is reading about the growth of Torte over the years and its vibrant success in Ashland. The wonderful receipes at the end of the book are each from this book.

When a murder occurs and Juliet is first on the scene she is determined to find the rightful suspect while handling her busy catering business and bakery. Lance is at the forefront of this next in series with his Shakespear company. A surprise ending in this next in series for devoted readers of this series leaves us in anticipation of the next in series. This has all the perfect cozy elements we readers enjoy. A atmospheric charming setting, great characters and always a fun sleuth. I look forward to the next in series.

Another wonderful entry in the bake shop mystery series! I love this town and characters. I can’t wait to read more.

Sticks and Scones is the 19th book in Ellie Alexander's A Bakeshop Mystery and it is a wonderful addition to the series! The characters are very likable and the mystery kept me guessing. The relationships between the family members and friends is what makes this such an awesome series! Juliet (Jules) manages Torte, a bakery, and her husband Carlos manages the vineyard and Uva. Jules' friend Lance is the artistic director for a modern version of The Taming of the Shrew put on by the Fair Verona Players. One of the lead actors ends up dead. There are unusual accidents and things missing plus Jules has some staff challenges. Lance and Jules are trying to solve the murder. It all keeps Jules very busy! All of the descriptions of the food and the settings bring the story to life. This is a very enjoyable book and series!
#SticksAndScones #ABakeshopMystery #MinotaurBooks

The Fair Verona Players are starting a new season in Ashland and Juliet and Lance are thrilled about the new entry into the OSF family. On opening night the lead character is found dead after the performance. Although a superb actor, Jimmy Paxton rubbed everyone the wrong way and it's up to Juliet to discover who the killer is. Some delicious recipes and some surprises in this new installment of the Bakeshop Mysteries.

I read this series early in its beginning episodes. Picking it up I remember many of the characters and am happy to find their personal & professional lives have been successful. Chefs Juliet (Jules) and Carlos are married and between them they have established 3 businesses that support each other; a restaurant, a vineyard, and a performance theatre.

When annoying lead actor Jimmy Paxton is found murdered in the vineyard's wine storage area everyone becomes a suspect. There are a lot of theories and a lot of characters with motives and opportunities to be the murderer.

A happy ending leads us into the next episode in this culinary series. Six recipes are included.

Juliet "Jules" Capshaw is gearing up for the premier of the Fair Verona Players at her and husband Carlos' winery, Uva. The Players are the latest brainchild of their friend, Lance, who is the theater director of the OSF. In the updated version of The Taming of the Shrew they are doing. the leading man, Jimmy Preston, is a very good actor but a horrible person. He runs afoul of almost everyone prior to the first performance. Tom Rudolph, investor in the Players is almost as obnoxious and wants Jimmy out of the cast. Ed, set designer, is constantly maligned by Jimmy. Sophie, Ed's assistant, is "in love" with Jimmy. Olive, wardrobe mistress, is bullied by Jimmy. Bertie, the assistant director, can't stand his arrogance.
It is no wonder that Jules finds Jimmy's body in the wine cellar after the performance. Her stepfather, Doug, known as "The Professor" is the lead detective, along with her friends Thomas and Kerry, recently married to each other.
Everyone had secrets and someone has killed to preserve his (or hers). As they sift through the "How" and "Why" to get to the "Who",
Jules is dealing with some personal and professional issues. Two of her staff have been offered great new opportunities and she encourages them to spread their wings even though she will greatly miss them. Her stepson, Ramiro, is set to soon go home after a year with them. Then there are the strange symptoms that she is having.
With the help of her family and friends, Jules (and the police) find the culprit, she gets good medical news after her check-up and she resolves to enjoy Ramiro for as long as he is with them and not worry about after has gone home.
It is always great to visit the beautiful village in the northwest and keep up with all the great folks of Ashland, especially the family and staff of Torte, Jules' family bakeshop.
I hope this series keeps going on and on!

Dollycas's Thoughts

It is a pleasure to be back in Ashland, Oregon. Juliet's friend Lance is taking on a new project —the Fair Verona Players. Instead of performing at the theatre, the new troupe's performance of a "modern gender-bending twist" of The Taming of the Shrew will be in a restored barn at UVA.  It hasn't been smooth sailing though. There have been some weird incidents and not the usual camaraderie among the cast and crew.

The curtain goes up on opening night, the cast kills it! Everyone is excited about future performances. Then Jimmy Paxton, the show's leading actor is found dead in the wine cellar. It was a packed house for the play. The cast and crew had access to the building. Jimmy was great on the stage but behind the scenes his "demeanor and disregard for boundaries was unsettling." Did he push someone too far? or did he have other enemies? Jules and Lance will ferret their way through the large cast of suspects to find who ended Jimmy Paxton's career just when it was set to take off.

____

Ms. Alexander has created a wonderful core cast of characters for this series. The whole way Jules and her mother previously run their business creates such camaraderie among everyone working there. Carlos is the same way with his employees. They are one big happy family that revels in each other's success and helps in times of sorrow. There is a little shake-up happening within the pages of this story that proves this perfectly. It is easy to be invested in their lives. I would love to be part of this fantastic group of human beings.

The author has penned a very well-plotted and written mystery that she blends effortlessly with all the happenings in Jules's life. She also is an expert at adding humor in all the right places. I swear everyone Jules talked to had secrets, told lies, and/or omitted key details. No one seemed to be mourning the guy's passing. I had a blast following along with each clue and twist. Jules, Carlos, and Lance make a spectacular team, the takedown was great.

A lot happens in this book aside from the murder. The ending of the book again tugs at my heart. "That was life. Love, loss, food, family, and sharing a comforting meal around a table while raising a glass in toast to all good things yet to come." I totally agree.

Sticks and Scones is a splendid addition to the Bakeshop Mystery Series. Genuine characters with huge hearts inhabit this series and Ms. Alexander gives them top-notch mysteries to solve. This book has that and more. I can't wait for Killing Me Soufflé to be released on February 25, 2025.

Jules and the Torte crew have added a new job to their list. Catering at Uva Winery for the Fair Verona Players. They are tied with Uva to bring more theater to this area. Unfortunately, what should be the star is annoying members of the cast and crew, so when he’s found dead there are a lot of suspects. Jules tries to find the murderer while fighting nausea. She determines to add to her staff and share the load. But even that doesn’t turn out the way she envisions. Joins Jules and crew for another great story.

Ellie Alexander takes us into the heart of Torte, Uva, and the drama scene as Lance's new outdoor theater group prepares a unique presentation of Taming of the Shrew at Uva, the vineyard he, Carlos, and Jules own together in Sticks and Scones, in Ellie Alexander's A Bakeshop Mystery series. Jules has extended her investments by supporting this group, but she knows to leave everything in Lance's hands...that is everything except investigating the murder of the jerk who is the standout star of the first performance. Everyone seems to have secrets and that complicates an already complex murder investigation. One of the many things I love about this series is that the lives of the whole group are dynamic, and two of the changes hit with Sticks and Scones.
My thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and ARC of Sticks and Scones.
#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks #EllieAlexander #ABakeshopMystery #SticksandScones.