Killing Me Soufflé by Ellie Alexander is the twentieth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series, featuring amateur sleuth Jules, owner of the Torte Bakeshop in charming Ashland, Oregon.
Title: Killing Me Soufflé
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: Bakeshop Mystery book 20
First Published: February 25, 2025
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genres: mystery
Acquired: from the publisher
*** Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books, for providing me with a copy of the book for review purposes. ***
Amidst the rocky beaches of the Oregon coast, 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 realise 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.
The fabulous Bakeshop Mysteries hits Book 20!
I can’t believe that Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries now has TWENTY books. I have been reading this series from the very start and it continues to be one of my favourite cozy mystery series. Not only is the Torte Bakeshop a place that I would love to hang out and eat at, but the various characters in these books have become familiar friends. From Jules and her family, to her friends, especially Thomas and Lance, to the staff at Torte, every single one of the recurring characters has well-drawn and memorable.
In this latest instalment, Jules and Carlos head to a different location, which helps to freshen up the scenery. Long-time Torte staff members Sterling and Steph have decided to leave the Bakeshop, with Jules’ blessing, and have started working at the Whaleshead Resort. While I was sad to see these two characters “leave the nest” it was nice to see how they were adjusting to life after Torte. Their new boss is quite different from Jules, but the pair seem to be holding their own. Until the murder, of course.
As always, Jules jumps in to help those nearest and dearest to her, even though she is pregnant with twins. It was interesting to see Jules in this new chapter in her life and she seems settled and content. While she is definitely suffering from some of the side-effects of pregnancy, she refuses to let her her young proteges fend for themselves.
As always, a well-paced, twisty mystery
I have always come to expect an entertaining and well-paced mystery from Ellie Alexander, and Killing Me Soufflé is no exception. The twists and turns always keep me guessing and, while guessing whodunnit is always my goal, I usually enjoy the read so much I forget I’m trying to solve a mystery!
One of the things that makes the Bakeshop Mysteries so enduring is that the characters, both primary and secondary, are constantly evolving and growing. People come in, people move out. It’s life, and it has kept this series fresh from Day One. I always look forward to new books because it feels like I’m coming home to visit old friends.
While you can definitely read Killing Me Soufflé on its own, I highly recommend reading the whole series in order so that you can see how much the characters develop and grow over the course of the twenty books. Plus, there are lots of delicious food and drink recipes to keep your mouth watering!
Quote from Killing Me Soufflé
