The newest book in the Bakeshop Mystery series does not disappoint! Jules and her family head down the coast to visit her former chefs, Sterling and Stephanie, who have been hired to reinvent a restaurant at Whaleshead Resort. However, Sterling and Stephanie are already struggling as they adjust to their new boss, who has a completely different managerial style than Jules.

That style leads to the boss being pushed off a cliff shortly after Jules arrives. Since she was the one to find the body, she feels compelled to help solve the mystery - not just to find a killer, but also so that Sterling and Stephanie's new restaurant doesn't fold!

The pace of the book moves quickly, while still allowing Jules time with her husband and (step)son, as well as her mom and the Professor.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for a copy of this mystery!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This was a fun mystery to try to solve. A bit different than what i'm used to reading but still enjoyed it none the less!

Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander is the perfect beach read.

Will this be the end of Steph and Sterling's new vision?

Stephanie and Sterling are excited about their new venture: managing their own restaurant and creating a whole new menu. The only problem is that their new boss isn't quite an easy person to work for. He died on the restaurant's opening weekend, which isn't good for business.

Juliet and Carlos
Juliet and Carlos make a great team in the kitchen and even out of the kitchen. I love seeing these two in these books since they are the perfect wife and husband duo when it comes to these mysteries. Carlos knows by now that when Juliet gets her mind up about solving a case, he will let her do her thing while keeping an eye on her. He is also like that when it comes to being in the kitchen. Juliet is pregnant with twins, and she's delighted. From what I've read, she is a great mother when caring for Ramiro - Carlos' teenage son.

I love how they make a great family unit, and I can't wait to see how they do with twins.

The Mystery
Juliet was first on the scene to find Erik Morton's body after he fell. She then phoned the police and wanted to help bring his killer to justice even if her stepfather and the local police were handling it. Juliet's suspect list didn't dwindle down, as everyone they talked to had a motive to kill the guy. Erik wasn't a saint, and everyone had a reason to dislike him.

I had a feeling on who did it, but I just didn't put two and two together fast enough to be sure.

Four Stars
I am giving four stars to Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander. Ms. Alexander has done a fantastic job of transporting me to the beach with Juliet, Carlos, Ramiro, and some of their friends. I felt like I was out there on the south Oregon coast solving this mystery with all of them. Juliet is quite a character, but I'm glad that despite being a wife and now soon-to-be mom, she isn't changing and still wants to solve mysteries. Carlos can also be at peace knowing that Lance will be there with Juliet most of the time in solving these mysteries.

Remember that Ms. Alexander put recipes in the back of the book. They are Chocolate Cherry Sponge Cake, Sterling's Sunday Sauce, Rhubarb Crumble Cake, Breakfast Lasagna, Peach Cobbler Muffins, Chocolate Souffle, and Andy's Decaf Chocolate Cherry on Top Latte.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries are always a must-read and never disappoint! The character, the plot, and the setting always deliver. Killing Me Soufflé was no exception. I hope this series continues for a long time! Can’t wait for the next one!

This is the latest entry in the Bakeshop Mystery series, and I think it’s one of the best in the series. Two of the employees have left Torte to go a resort where they’ll run a restaurant. Unfortunately, there’s some fishy business going on behind the scenes and when Jules and the rest of the Torte crew come to visit, Jules finds a dead body and gets involved solving the crime. One of my favorite things about this series is the Oregon setting, and this book’s location is on the coast, a very beautiful part of the state. I love the outstanding recipes printed at the end.
This is a great read and a must for cozy lovers!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was taken in by the book blurb and thought the story was about Sterling and Stephanie in their new job at a resort. Turns out they're secondary characters as usual. The Bakeshop Mysteries hasn't expanded to cover full stories for others in the circle. The beach resort setting was a nice change. Jules, Carlos, Lance, and the gang are the same and all at the first dinner of the revamped resort restaurant; people drove hours to come and support Sterling & Steph. Of course there's a murder, of course there are lots of suspects - some seeming more guilty than others, and of course Jules can't help herself and gets involved.

Halfway through the book I started skipping around. I was 90% sure I knew who the killer was and sure enough I was right; I thought it obvious. The plot was moving at a snails pace and the telling and retelling of information like in the children's game of telephone where you pass on a message to see what it becomes after making the rounds. There's lots of food instructions and descriptions as you would expect in a culinary mystery but to me it went into overkill. There are some recipes for food made during the story at the end of the book which sound yummy. I've only read two other novels in this series and had a hard time placing some characters as they wove in and out of the story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#KillingMeSouffle #BakeshopMystery #NetGalley #EllieAlexander #MinotaurBooks #mystery #cozymystery #culinarymystery #murdermystery

Jules and her husband, Carlos, are owners of Torte, a bakeshop. As happens in food service, their two best bakers, Stephanie and Sterling, are moving on to a restaurant where they’ll be able to serve fresh caught fish alongside vegan dishes and signature desserts. For the opening, Jules, Carlos, and the rest of the team will be on hand to provide morale.

Things haven’t turned out as promised. Eric, the manager, isn’t managing, deliveries are late or don’t show up at all, there are rumors of mismanaged money and it’s a stressful atmosphere, far more than the usual stresses of a working kitchen. Jules volunteers to pitch in to help when the kitchen receives a fish order with very little time to prep before service.

Stephanie is in the middle of making chocolate souffles and Sterling is whipping up a quick shrimp with linguini and a pan-seared halibut entrée when loud screams are heard. Jules runs to find the cause and discovers Eric’s body at the bottom of a steep and treacherous cliff. It soon becomes apparent that this was no accident.

Will the killer be found before the restaurant flounders? Jules is determined to help the two young chefs any way she can.

This is book 20 in the series. Jules is someone you’d want for a friend and not just because she’s a great cook. She and Carlos have a good relationship, a prime example of supporting each other. I enjoyed reading about what goes on in the kitchen, out of sight of diners. It’s a bonus that Jules shares recipes with readers too.

The recipes are at the back of the book: chocolate cherry sponge cake, chocolate whipped cream, Sunday sauce (for pasta), rhubarb crumble cake, breakfast lasagna, peach cobbler muffins, chocolate souffle, and decaf chocolate cherry on top latte (regular works too.)

This novel takes place away from Ashland and on the coast, as Juliet sets out to help Sterling and Stephanie With their new restaurant venture. But once again, Juliet will stumble upon a body and attempt to solve the murder. Like the others in the series, this cozy mystery is enjoyable, but I found myself missing the other characters from Torte.

Killing Me Soufflé is a delightfully funny story. I love the family feeling throughout this book. These genuine characters immediately pulled me into the story. The murder mystery kept me really much engaged. The ending put a huge smile on my face. There are some exciting times ahead, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the series.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy of Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander in exchange for an honest review. It published February 25, 2025.
I loved the setting of this story! The Oregon Coast has my heart, so I definitely was all in! That being said, this wasn’t my favorite in the series. I felt like it was rushed in some parts. The recipes had me very hungry and I definitely can’t wait for the next book!

I love this series. This is book 20 of A Bakeshop series, set in the Pacific Northwest. All your favorite characters are back. You can read this as a new book but you'll want to discover all the previous books. Torte’s beloved Sterling and Stephanie have been hired to take over the aging restaurant at the cliffside Whaleshead Resort. They’re nervous about striking out on their own, but excited by the opportunity to put their own spin a new menu. From fresh fish caught the very same day to vegan options and handcrafted pastries, they’re buzzing with ideas. What’s even better is that Jules and the team from Torte have come out for opening weekend to cheer them on.Despite some opening night jitters, the dinner is off with a bang. Guests and long-term residents of Whaleshead Resort are eager to taste the young couple’s creations. As the tickets begin to line up and guests pile in the front door, Jules and Carlos offer to roll up their sleeves and help in any way they can.Stephanie is taking on every chef’s nightmare—a fluffy chocolate soufflé—and Sterling is fast at work prepping shrimp linguini and pan-seared halibut when they suddenly hear screaming. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead and their new boss, has taken a fatal fall down the steep and dangerous cliffside trail leading to the beach. Jules and her young protégés quickly realize this was no accident. Now, the team will have to juggle the investigation while keeping the restaurant—and Steph and Sterling's new jobs—from crashing like the waves along the cliffs.

Another well plotted, entertaining and compelling solid cozy mystery by Ellie Alexander. Loved it as it kept me guessing and having fun
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I love this series. I enjoy the characters and always find the mystery predictable but very entertaining. The writing style is easy and gives details with out going overboard. It is a standout in the cozy mystery market.

This is my all-time FAVORITE cozy series! Souffle is the 20th installment and I hope there are many, many more. I am OBSESSED with these characters and this series and this was a great addition.

Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander is a delightful and delicious addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series, set against the stunning backdrop of Ashland, Oregon. In this installment, the focus shifts to Sterling and Stephanie as they embark on a new adventure: taking over the aging restaurant at Whaleshead Resort. Their excitement for the opportunity is palpable, and they’re eager to showcase their talents with a fresh menu that combines the best of local ingredients, vegan options, and mouthwatering pastries.

However, just as the new restaurant's opening weekend is in full swing, a tragedy strikes. Erik Morton, the manager of Whaleshead Resort, is found dead after a fatal fall down the cliffside. It’s quickly clear to Jules and the team from Torte that this is no accident. As they juggle the demands of the restaurant and the growing investigation, they must work together to uncover the truth behind Erik's death—without letting their culinary dreams crumble under the pressure.

Alexander’s writing is as warm and engaging as ever, blending mystery and mouthwatering descriptions of food in a way that will keep readers hooked. The characters are as lovable and relatable as always, with Jules' determination and the budding talents of Sterling and Stephanie adding heart to the story. The mix of cozy, small-town charm with a suspenseful whodunit makes Killing Me Soufflé a perfect read for fans of food-centric mysteries.

With plenty of twists, a touch of romance, and, of course, delicious dishes, this book is a treat for both mystery lovers and foodies alike. The beautiful setting, lovable characters, and well-crafted plot make it another satisfying and flavorful entry in the Bakeshop Mystery series.

“Killing Me Soufflé”, the twenty-first book in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Cozy Mystery series, takes Torte Bakery owner Jules Capshaw, husband Carlos, stepson Ramiro, her mother and stepfather, and friends Lance and Carlo away from the bakery to Whaleshead Resort to visit ex-employees Sterling and Stephanie was they take on new careers there. Jules and Carlos miss having Sterling and Stephanie work for them but want only the best for them and are devastated when a murder occurs and threatens their future at Whaleshead. Even though she is pregnant, Jules finds herself involved in solving the mystery but she needs to be careful and not become the next victim.

I really enjoy The Bakeshop Cozy Mystery series and this book was no exception. Taking the action away from Torte and some of the regular characters was a bit of a risk but many of the regulars are in this book and the change of scenery was nice. I love the description of Whaleshead Resort (makes me want to visit there) and of course all the food (this series always makes me hungry while reading it). The mystery is well done with just the right amount of suspects and some twists and turns along the way. Whenever possible I try to figure out who the killer is but was not able to do so this time (the clues where there, I just couldn’t figure it out). All in all, another well done mystery by Alexander.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This is the latest installment of the Bake Shop Series by Ellie Alexander. I can honestly say that if I’m having a hard day, I want to reach for one of these books and sink into the characters and locations that I have come to love. This time, the story takes place on the Oregon Coast. Sterling and Steph have taken a job running the kitchen at the Whaleshead Resort. Jules, Carlos, and Ramiro are there for the grand opening. They are joined by Jules’ mother, the Professor, Lance and Arlo. Although the location is different and some of the usual characters are missing, this story didn’t miss a beat. There is, as usual, a murder with many suspects. The Professor joins with the local detective to solve the mystery. As usual Jules and Lance help with the mystery. There is plenty of backstory on the characters so it is easily a stand alone read. And there are a couple of surprises revealed about the characters that add to the story. Five stars all the way!

Jules Capshaw owns and operates Torte, a beautiful bake shop in a beautiful small town. Her family is taking a trip to visit Steph and Sterling, two dear former employees, at their new beachside restaurant. But the new restaurant may be doomed to familiar by the falling apart beach resort linked to it, and that’s even before Jules finds the dead body of the despised manager.

I really enjoy this cozy mystery series. I love the characters, and I always love the setting, which is why it was a risk to me to change where this particular book took place. But it still worked. If you are looking for a fun, recipe-filled cozy with a good mystery, I would recommend this book.

Jules Capshaw is the owner of Tarte, a popular bakery in Ashland, Oregon. She and her husband, Carlos, are going through a lot of changes in their personal lives and at the restaurant. Two valued employees have left to manage a beachside resort bistro. To show their support, Jules and Carlos and a few other Ashland friends and family members travel to the Oregon coast to support Sterling and Steph for their grand opening. However, the manager there is a nightmare, and someone will do whatever it takes to get rid of him.

This book is part of the long-running Bakeshop Mystery series. Jules and Carlos are a wonderful couple and Carlos is especially supportive in this book. If you’re new to the series, you will be able to follow the mystery with no problem, but some of the developments in the characters’ lives won’t be as meaningful. There are many details about food and food preparation, as well as recipes at the end of the book, which I like in a culinary mystery. However, some may see this as slowing the pace or taking away from the mystery.

Jules’ stepdad is a police detective who is there for the grand opening, and the local police detective in charge welcomes his help investigating the death of Erik Morton, the obnoxious resort manager. Jules is also able to help by passing along things she has overheard or learned from some of the other resort staff members. Her best friend, Lance, is the director of the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, and is dramatic offstage as well. Lance insists that he and Jules do some investigating of their own, which is entertaining. Their friendship is fun to read about and is always a highlight. Lance is a delightful character who shines in this book. Erik made a lot of enemies, so there are a fair number of suspects in his murder. The investigation could have a little more substance, but this is still an enjoyable culinary cozy mystery, especially for fans of the series. The ending alone makes the whole book worthwhile!

~ Christine

This was a fun addition to the series; I liked that Jules and the gang took a field trip. Alexander does such a great job providing a sense of place, that I felt I was there in the resort with them. Not as much food making in this one, but it still managed to make me hungry! I did like the mystery, though it felt like it wrapped up suddenly and without any warning. I really love the Professor and his relationship with Jules. I also love how she encourages her former employees; I don't, for some reason, love how her relationship with her husband, Carlos, is described. It feels forced and uncomfortable. Maybe it's just me. Otherwise, a solid cozy where the MC stays in her place, lets the detectives do their jobs, but, like George, is always a bit too curious and ends up being chased by a killer!