Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed A Smoking Bun: A Bakeshop Mystery (A Bakeshop Mystery, 18) on + 704 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Winter in Ashland Oregon means there are all kinds of fun things to do, especially if you go up on Mount A where you will find a rustic lodge, backcountry trails, skiing, a moonlight snowshoe tour, and this weekend, the annual Downhill Dummy Competition. Jules is excited to share everything with Ramiro's family as they arrive from Spain.
Jules has prepared a meal of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour but their evening doesn't end the way Jules had hoped. The group is still planning to return to see the Downhill Dummy Competition the next day. Several groups including Jules' Torte staff have created an entry for the event. It has been kept a secret from Jules but she is delighted to see the tiered cake with a baker who looks just like her attached to skis hit the ski jump and come flying down the hill.
The last entry hits the slope but it barrels down the hill and lands on top of Fitz Baskin, a guide on the mountain who has ruffled more than a few feathers. Jules finds herself in the thick of the investigation into who caused the dummy to go off course and kill the man. She finds plenty of suspects, secrets, and motives that could change everything on her beloved mountain.
Can Jules find the killer? or will the winter wonderland loved by so many be gone forever?
____
All my favorite characters return in this 18th Bakeshop Mystery with fun and interesting things happening in their lives. They have all enjoyed having Ramiro for the school year but now his mother, Sophia, stepfather, Luis, and twelve-year-old sister, Marta, are coming to Ashland to ring in the new year. Jules was a bit nervous but she and Sophia's friendship has grown as they have been communicating regularly about Ramiro, his school activities, and how much it has meant to have him be able to spend so much time with his dad and Jules. Jules has such a big heart so the way she welcomed them, made them feel at home, and planned fun things for them to do was not unexpected. Ms. Alexander has created such genuine characters that is very easy to get invested in their lives.
The author blended an intriguing mystery with what was happening in the community and Jules's life. The mystery was interesting but harder to solve as the suspect's backgrounds are revealed slowly throughout the book. One character felt off to me from the start and as I continued reading my suspicions became more firm. Then, a nice twist lead to the big reveal where all my clues slid right into place. This was a fun one with so many things happening over the course of just a few days.
I always enjoy my little trips to Ashland and all the events. With the theatre dark for the winter, the murder and mayhem moved to the mountains. The Downhill Dummy, sans the murder, and the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour both sounded like good times. Of course, a lot of yummy food was made and eaten. Good thing the calories don't transfer from the book, but they do give me cravings for things to try here at home. This time cheesecake was calling my name loudly.
I enjoyed the ending so much. Friendship and fellowship always stir up good feelings. Jule's thoughts for the new year were heartwarming with things always evolving in her life. She feels changes coming and she realizes that she is ready for whatever that means as long as she is surrounded by family and friends. Something I find very true in my life.
A Smoking Bun was a captivating cozy mystery filled with characters that feel more like old friends with each book in this series. I am excited to return to Ashland to see what Ms. Alexander has planned for Jules and her friends and family next. Sticks and Scones is set to be released on August 20, 2024.
Winter in Ashland Oregon means there are all kinds of fun things to do, especially if you go up on Mount A where you will find a rustic lodge, backcountry trails, skiing, a moonlight snowshoe tour, and this weekend, the annual Downhill Dummy Competition. Jules is excited to share everything with Ramiro's family as they arrive from Spain.
Jules has prepared a meal of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour but their evening doesn't end the way Jules had hoped. The group is still planning to return to see the Downhill Dummy Competition the next day. Several groups including Jules' Torte staff have created an entry for the event. It has been kept a secret from Jules but she is delighted to see the tiered cake with a baker who looks just like her attached to skis hit the ski jump and come flying down the hill.
The last entry hits the slope but it barrels down the hill and lands on top of Fitz Baskin, a guide on the mountain who has ruffled more than a few feathers. Jules finds herself in the thick of the investigation into who caused the dummy to go off course and kill the man. She finds plenty of suspects, secrets, and motives that could change everything on her beloved mountain.
Can Jules find the killer? or will the winter wonderland loved by so many be gone forever?
____
All my favorite characters return in this 18th Bakeshop Mystery with fun and interesting things happening in their lives. They have all enjoyed having Ramiro for the school year but now his mother, Sophia, stepfather, Luis, and twelve-year-old sister, Marta, are coming to Ashland to ring in the new year. Jules was a bit nervous but she and Sophia's friendship has grown as they have been communicating regularly about Ramiro, his school activities, and how much it has meant to have him be able to spend so much time with his dad and Jules. Jules has such a big heart so the way she welcomed them, made them feel at home, and planned fun things for them to do was not unexpected. Ms. Alexander has created such genuine characters that is very easy to get invested in their lives.
The author blended an intriguing mystery with what was happening in the community and Jules's life. The mystery was interesting but harder to solve as the suspect's backgrounds are revealed slowly throughout the book. One character felt off to me from the start and as I continued reading my suspicions became more firm. Then, a nice twist lead to the big reveal where all my clues slid right into place. This was a fun one with so many things happening over the course of just a few days.
I always enjoy my little trips to Ashland and all the events. With the theatre dark for the winter, the murder and mayhem moved to the mountains. The Downhill Dummy, sans the murder, and the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour both sounded like good times. Of course, a lot of yummy food was made and eaten. Good thing the calories don't transfer from the book, but they do give me cravings for things to try here at home. This time cheesecake was calling my name loudly.
I enjoyed the ending so much. Friendship and fellowship always stir up good feelings. Jule's thoughts for the new year were heartwarming with things always evolving in her life. She feels changes coming and she realizes that she is ready for whatever that means as long as she is surrounded by family and friends. Something I find very true in my life.
A Smoking Bun was a captivating cozy mystery filled with characters that feel more like old friends with each book in this series. I am excited to return to Ashland to see what Ms. Alexander has planned for Jules and her friends and family next. Sticks and Scones is set to be released on August 20, 2024.
