Killing Me Souffle is another fun title in the Bakeshop Mysteries (#20.) I’ve always enjoyed this series, but I think that I have missed the last couple of books. Nonetheless, it was still easy to catch up with what is happening and would work fine as a standalone.
For this adventure, we are at a resort where Jules spent some of her childhood vacations. Two longtime employees in her bakeshop are stepping out on their own to revive the failing restaurant. They may have bitten off a bit more than they can chew with a difficult manager and some flakey staff. Jules, along with Carlos her husband and chef, need to find out what exactly is going on at the resort, if it will really be sold, and who is annoyed enough with the manager to murder him.
The setting is beautiful; I haven’t spent any time on the Pacific Northwest coast and these books always make me want to go there. The food sounds amazing, and there are recipes to back that up at the end of the book. The plot moves quickly, and because the murder victim was wholly disliked, we can just focus on the “whodunit” and why. There are several plausible suspects to keep the reader guessing.
This enjoyable read from Ellie Alexander will keep me going with this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.

Killing Me Souffle by Ellie Alexander has Jules, Carlos, and Ramiro traveling to the Oregon coast for Sterling and Stephanie’s grand opening of the rejuvenated restaurant at the Whaleshead Resort. I knew the opening would not go smoothly as soon as I learned about the nasty resort manager, Erik Morton. It is a good thing that the Professor is on hand to assist the local detective with the investigation. Of course, Jules and Lance (he can never miss a party) do a little probing on their own. Killing Me Souffle is easy to read. We get to catch up with the gang from Torte as well as the Professor, Jules’s mother, Lance, Arlo, and Ramiro. I liked that we get a change of scenery. I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of the Oregon coast. The mystery was straightforward. I was able to identify the guilty party early in the story (it was so obvious). Killing Me Souffle lacked substance. There was an excessive amount of repetition (Jules learns some information, repeats it to Lance, then to the Professor, and so on). Food preparation and food descriptions seem like filler (do we really need the details on how Jules prepares different desserts). There is a special moment at the end that will delight fans of the series. Killing Me Souffle is the twentieth A Bakeshop Mystery. Background details are provided for readers who are new to the series. Killing Me Souffle is an upbeat tale with a mean manager, delectable desserts, a disappearing receptionist, a curious crime, unsettling queasiness plus Lance has plans for romance.

To support her former employees, Jules travels to a seaside resort. Only to find their new boss dead at the bottom of a cliff. And too many questions and too many people wanted him dead.

I really love the community and the characters in this series. Jules and Carlos are such a lovely romantic couple and it is delightful to see how they’ve grown together. Jules’s mother and the Professor show that romance isn’t only limited to the young. And the friendships between everyone are just so charming. They are all so much fun.

And the importance placed on the food is absolutely delicious. Once again, I want to make every single recipe included in the back of this book and I can’t wait to get started on them.

Previously, my issues with the mystery side of things is that everything gets wrapped up really quickly, but this one seemed paced a little better. I was disappointed that the book ended with “the suspect is crazy” when the stated motivations were already enough. I totally believed that this suspect would commit this crime, but instead everyone kept commenting “oh they’re crazy.”

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for this arc.

I love a good cozy mystery and will definitely settle in for the night reading one when I want something fun and quick. Jules is excited to go to the coast of Oregon to see Steph and Sterlings new adventure. However, Jules isn't aware that she is going to embark on an adventure herself solving the murder of Erik, Sterling and Steph's boss.

I enjoyed this quick fun read and trying to solve the murder along with Jules.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

Yet another great addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series! I love visiting Torte and all our friends in the series. Can't wait to see how things are going for Jules and Carlos and their new additions! Stephanie and Sterling have left Torte and are on the Oregon coast to take over an old restaurant that needs revamping. Of course during their opening weekend, where Carlos, Jules, Ramiro and their friends are there for support, someone is killed. Who did it? Why? I won't tell, but you will be surprised when the murderer is revealed, I was!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Ellie Alexander’s latest installment in the Bakeshop Mysteries takes Jules, Carlos, and the gang to a seaside resort where Sterling and Stephanie, former Torte staff members, are reviving the resort’s struggling restaurant. Their grand opening weekend is anything but smooth when the resort’s horrible manager, Erik, turns up dead just before dinner service. With plenty of people who had a motive to kill Erik, Jules finds herself once again drawn into solving a mystery.

The new coastal setting and fresh characters brought some fun changes to the series, offering a break from the usual Torte-centric plotlines. Sterling and Stephanie’s journey to run their own kitchen felt authentic and gave readers a chance to see their growth. However, while the setup was engaging, the mystery’s resolution left something to be desired. The conclusion felt random and anticlimactic, which dampened the overall impact of the story.

As with the rest of the series, there’s plenty of cozy charm, with detailed descriptions of food and baking woven into the narrative. For fans of the series, these familiar touches are comforting, but for longtime readers, the repetition of backstories and baking minutiae might feel a bit excessive, especially this far into the series.

Character development shines in this installment, with strong moments for Jules, Carlos, and even some secondary characters like Jules’ mom and Lance. Jules’ pregnancy adds another layer to her character, and readers will likely enjoy the hints of major life events on the horizon, including a wedding. However, the mystery itself takes a backseat to character interactions, which may leave some readers wanting a stronger focus on the whodunit.

Overall, this is a solid addition to the Bakeshop Mysteries series that will likely delight longtime fans. While the mystery wasn’t as strong as it could have been, the rich character dynamics and new setting make it worth the read. Dedicated followers of Jules and the gang will enjoy this trip to the coast, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next for these beloved characters. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC

Jules and Carlos are off to Whaleshead Resort in Oregon to kickoff Sterling and Steph’s grand opening as chefs. Many of their family and close friends are joining the group. The resort brings lots of memories to Jules and her mom as they spent time there as a family. But the resort is going through a tough time and no one is sure of the real reason. When Jules finds the manager dead, she and the Professor are looking for the murderer and the motive. Another great story in this series. #NetGalley

Another great installment in the Bakeshop Mysteries! Number 20 felt like a bridge to new chapters for several of the beloved characters in the series. Steph and Sterling, formally chefs at Torte have gone out on their own, hired as chefs to turn around a resort restaurant that is iconic, but a little tired on the Oregon coast.
The main characters come to celebrate the opening weekend at the resort. As always, I love spending time with this group of family and friends. Juliet and Carlos' family is expanding, there is another happy surprise for another in store and of course there is a murder.
Ellie Alexander does a remarkable job of keeping this series fresh. I highly recommend starting with an earlier installment. It was nice to experience a change of scenery but I will look forward to being back in Ashland.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Ellie Alexander.

I have read every book in this series, so I have started noticing the narrative patterns more and more. My biggest issue is that Jules acts like she has never seen a dead body before in each book, It is ridiculous considering this is number 20 in the series. I also would like to see a book where Jules is a suspect.

Killing Me Souffle

A Bakeshop Mystery

By: Ellie Alexander

Publish Date: February 25, 2025

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books

Mystery and Thriller

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to Thank both NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me to read and review this book. This review is my own opinion and thoughts.

Book Review:

I really enjoyed this book, and I gave it 4 stars. This book is not taking place in the usual spot. This time they are by the ocean at a resort.

Jules and her husband Carlos go to Whaleshead. to support both Sterling and Steph on their new adventure. Sterling and Steph have a new position with a resort. It is the opening weekend, and Jules is there to support them and help where they need her.

Whaleshead is a place Jules use to visit when growing up, so it is nice to be back. Steph and Sterlings new boss isn’t the nicest person, but Jules keeps that to herself. The resort is having some issue, and it seems to be tied up with the boss.

Jules and Carlos find out somethings as they get there and try to let Sterling and Steph led the way. That afternoon while Jules goes to the garden to get some fresh vegetables, she hears a scream and of course she goes to investigate. She soon discovers the boss on a cliff at a weird angle.

Come to find out that the boss has been killed, and no one knows what has happened. Will this affect the opening and what about Sterlings and Stephs new position? You will have to read the book to find out.
I really love the family and the friendship in this series.

I'm not sure if I've read any of the other twenty Bakeshop mysteries by Ellie Alexander, but after reading this one I can't wait to track them down. It was a fun read with a fantastic setting and interesting mystery. Jules and her family travel to the Oregon coast where two employees from her Ashland bakery have been hired to run the restaurant at a an aging resort. Opening night is a wild success, but then the resort's manager is found dead at the foot of a rocky cliff. I love the coast and this book does an amazing job of capturing the atmosphere. There's lots of focus on the delicious sounding food, which never slows the plot because they're preparing it while talking over elements of the murder mystery.

I love Ellie Alexander books and discovered them when I was visiting Leavenworth Washington. In the little Dutch town I stumbled upon the cutest bookstore and they have Ellies series that is set right in that town. I was addicted! I never thought I'd like cozy mysteries but once I started reading them I realized I really do enjoy them. They are, well....cozy! Killing Me Souffle is the 20th book in the bakeshop mystery series so you know going into it that the numbers don't lie. It also means that once you become addicted to Ellie's writing and storylines you will have so many more to read. There was so many things I loved about this book that I immediately felt "cozy" reading it. Its set on the Oregon Coast which I've been to and it's beautiful, at a fancy cliffside resort, and all of the yummy dessert will make you so hungry! The cast of characters are people you want to be friends with and a few that are on the villian list. Everything is sweet until someone is found dead. Then it gets real real fast. Not all the clues will lead to the killer so you'll have to put your investigative hat on and see if you can solve the mystery before it's revealed.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC of this book. This was an honest review.

Book twenty and this is still my favorite series of all time. There are delicious food descriptions, heartwarming characters and a great plot to make this book all that it is. Toutes bakers Sterling and Steph, who were trying to launch a new restaurant on their own, had my heart as they were battling for success. A restaurant manager is murdered, and it's up to the head baker from Torte, Jules, who is expecting twins. As well as Lance, one of my favorite mystery sidekicks.

I feared for Jules safety as she was pregnant at times. But she came through. It's hard for me to guess whodunit and this time was no exception, but I still enjoyed it. Over this series I've got to know these characters and they somehow feel like family and I couldn't help crying tears of joy for one of these characters future.

“Killing Me Souffle” continues Ellie Alexander’s captivating series, replete with wit and intrigue. The narrative boasts a cast of well-developed characters who seamlessly blend elements of mystery and culinary delight. The setting of a quaint coastal Oregon enhances the story’s ambiance, contributing to its overall coziness. The narrative’s progression is effortlessly comprehensible, propelling readers from the outset to its satisfying conclusion. This captivating mystery keeps readers engaged throughout. Familiar characters from previous installments are joined by intriguing newcomers, making this accessible to newcomers to the series without prior knowledge of the preceding books. The author’s skillful storytelling has garnered a dedicated following, solidifying their status as a literary favorite.

Killing Me Souffle is another exciting addition to this well loved series.
Juliet and family are off to visit Steph and Sterling who are preparing for the opening of the resort restaurant that they left Torte for.
Juliet is looking forward to spending time with her husband and stepson before the twins arrive.
Things aren't what they seem and the tension and stress is apparent on Steph and Sterling's faces.
It seems the manager, Eric, is a shady character and his business ethic has them questioning their move.
When Eric is found dead, Juliet can't help but see if she can put the pieces together, hoping to solve the murder investigation and save her friend's jobs.
This is my favorite book in the series so far and I can't wait to read mire in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Grab a good snack and settle in for another good cozy in this series. While I do prefer the Secret Bookcase stories to this series, both are well worth reading. Now the reason, I caution you to grab a snack when you settle in is because Jules transports us to Torte early on the book making amazing sounding cookies and treats. Fortunately, there are recipes including because the treats described will leave and salivating.
Now onto the story, this book took us away from Torte for a job portion of the story. Jules, in her very pregnant state, had to once again find a murderer. Jules and family visit former Torte stars, Sterling and Steph, in the restaurant they are helping relaunch. Both Jules and Carlos are there to lend support but are immediately pulled into more as a dead body turns up. The victim had a whole slew of enemies. In fact, her was well on his way to making enemies of Jules and Carlos as well as the readers. The man was so disparaging when speaking of others and that grated on Jules because he is disparaging her family. However, despite her dislike for the victim, she jumps in to help because it will ultimately help Sterling and Step and she delivers the murderer.
Two random things struck me as I read. The people of Torte and the town that supported it were family as exemplified by Lance's kind gesture. It also showed in the creative ways the entire Torte team cam together to welcome the newbies. The other thing that stuck out was both Jules and Carlos had to learn with Steph and Sterling when to step in and take over and when to simply offer an ear and guidance. It gave them pause because they understood as parents that will be the way to go.
Overall, I would give this book about 4.3 to 4.5 but will round up because I am to see what comes next. How will Jules handle motherhood and murderer catching. One random thought before I close, as I read this book I found myself casting Jules O'Hara from Psych as Jules.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

4.5 stars.

I think I said this about the last book but this is the truth. This is my favorite one in the series. The tears I cried at the end!!!!! These characters just keep getting better and better.

Secret Bookcase team is solidifying their new private eye business and continuing to work on Scarlet’s murder. Annie and Fletcher are getting their footing with more responsibility at the bookshop, but they realize that they’ll have to trust each other more than ever with this mystery.

Killing Me Soufflé is another homerun in this series. Ellie Alexander is a master of her craft. Five stars

Jules and her family are visiting Steph and Sterling at their new restaurant for the grand opening. When the manager of the resort they're staying at is thrown off the cliff Jules and Lance get busy investigating the murder. Plenty of people wanted the guy dead- and they all had opportunities to kill him as well. The local developer, and front desk clerk, the handyman, the artist in residence- who was behind the murder?
The only negative is that it was too short! But i look forward to the next installment, and i'm going to miss Steph and Sterling at Torte.