Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am delighted to share my thoughts today about The Whisking Hour: A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander!
The Whisking Hour: A Bakeshop Mystery
Cozy Mystery
22nd in Series
Setting - Oregon
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minotaur Books
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 24, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250410029
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250410023
Kindle
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250410030
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F3WK561Z
Another delicious installment in Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mysteries set in Ashland, OR!
Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, and baker Juliet Capshaw is excited to celebrate the season with a night at the theatre. Lance Rousseau, Ashland’s renowned theater director and one of Jules’ closest friends, has put his own spin on a production of the Broadway classic Perfect Crime, drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment as a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. As the final show approaches, Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.
On the day of the soirée, life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. After the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity. But when an actor is discovered dead in his dressing room, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the real perfect murder.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Oregon Shakespeare Festival's theater artistic director extraordinaire, Lance Rousseau, has brought a Broadway classic to Ashland, Oregon. He has put his own spin on Perfect Crime, and performances are selling out. The performers are getting a little weary with only a few shows left, so Lance hires his BFF Jules and the Torte crew to cater a cast party. With tasty treats ready to serve and a storm coming over the Siskiyou Mountains, Jules learns there has been an actual murder at the theatre. The play director is dead, and the entire cast and crew are now playing the real suspects. Lance quickly decides he and Jules will don their sleuthing caps to be sure this killer didn't commit a "Perfect" murder.
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The characters Ms. Alexander has created for this series are well-crafted and continue to evolve with each new story. Jules and Carlos are excited as the birth of their twins draws near. Her mom, Helen, will be stepping in to cover at Torte, but the team at Torte is well-qualified and the best in the business, so there is no worry there. Lance is turning into a bit of a Bridezilla with his crazy wedding ideas. Arlo is a wonderful man with the patience of a saint who loves Lance to the moon and back. Thomas and Kerry are also awaiting a new arrival. I love how these characters come together for each other, no matter what; it is a real family atmosphere.
The murder mystery was very intriguing. Director Kean Armitage was a horrible man with even crazier ideas than Lance. He was most unlikeable and abhorred by anyone forced to work with him. His death was not going to be solved easily with a cast full of suspects. The Professor, Thomas, and Kerry had their hands full. They, along with Lance and Jules, did their best to eliminate people and try to gain focus on the killer, but were still stymied. Don't worry, Lance had a plan! Oh dear, that usually brings more trouble. Jules did her best to stay out of the fray, protecting herself and her babies. Carlos, still worried. I was on the fence about the guilty party until the very end, but had pared it down to two. The takedown was very satisfying.
To quote the Professor who quoted Rosalind from As You Like It, where she teases Orlando, "I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it." He reframes what it means to waste our time. I agree, there is nothing better than spending time with family and friends.
The Whisking Hour was another fun visit with Jules and all her friends and family. The mystery had a passel of suspects, twists, and turns, along with entertaining subplots. Foodies will love the recipes included in the story. I would willingly waste my time reading anything written by Ellie Alexander. She is an awesome storyteller. This was another Perfect Escape!
Stay tuned! The Pumpkin Vice Cafe is coming September 29, 2026!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About the Author
Ellie Alexander (aka Kate Dyer-Seeley), is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. She is the author of the Bakeshop Mysteries, including Meet Your Baker and A Batter of Life and Death, as well as the Sloan Krause Mysteries, Meg Ryan Mysteries, and the Secret Bookcase Mysteries.
Author Links
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Find all of the Bakeshop Mysteries HERE.Â
Find all books written by Ellie Alexander HERE.Â
Thanks to the publisher, I have 1 Paperback copy of
The Whisking Hour to give away!
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.
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