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Book Review
Reviewed: 01 January 2024

The Smoking Bun

by: Elle Alexander

A Bakeshop Mystery - Book 18

  • Rating: full starfull starfull starfull starhalf star (4.5/5)

When’s a dummy, not a dummy? When it commits murder…

Coming in at book 18 in the series I wasn’t sure who was who and the backstory on past sleuthing activities. A third of the way in, it didn’t matter as much. I still plan to go back to the beginning because I am intrigued about Lance, Arlo, Jules, and the Professor.

I love how the baking ingredients and methods were baked into the story. I got so many ideas for baked treats I was a little distracted from the mystery.  LOL

The Torte bakeshop family, Jules’ family, and more were very relatable. They truly are a family in the way they support each other. 

So, the mystery…

From the moment Fritz entered the scene, I didn’t care for his character. I knew instantly that everyone would want him out of the picture for all kinds of reasons, mostly for just being himself. I will admit knowing pretty early on who the alleged perpetrator was but I had no clue as to a motive. It was not one of the ones floating around. I didn’t know how they would get to the truth either with so many motives.

There are some good intensions followed by bad actions that get in the way. There are some subtle themes running through that were very well done as to not offend or lecture but inform. 

I want more of Jules, Lance, Arlo, the Professor and the rest of the Torte bakeshop family!

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story. 

Happy Reading!

Release Date: 19-February-2024

Plot 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?