The Whisking Hour

Bakeshop Mystery #22

by Ellie Alexander

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.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Food, Adult

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Ellie is a voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over forty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie and her books by visiting her website at: http://www.elliealexander.co/ or following her on social media—
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexa...
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexande...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexande...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elliealexand...
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/elliealexan...

Reviews

[Christie Guillory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great cozy mystery perfect for those who enjoy baking and/or the theatre. The main character runs a bakery, and she and her husband are theatre patrons as well. The mystery of "who done it" is enough to keep you guessing for a while, and the conclusion was most satisfying. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the ARC, and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is always fun to visit Jules, Torte, and the gang. I still love the setting, the theater, and the characters. Being a foodie, I always enjoy the food descriptions, the recipes, and processes involved and whatever the themed food event is going to be. I do think the mysteries are starting to get a little stale, Lance and or Richard will often get on my last nerve, although I have to say Richard added a little levity and a strangely fun mini twist in this one, and I wonder how the author will handle the changes that dual pregnancies will bring to the series. The mystery here was very blah a character involved in one of Lance's shows is murdered after it has been established that everyone connected to the show hates him. There are some supposed stage tricks and traps set, but it just wasn't very compelling, maybe because all the potential murderers were just as unlikable as the victim! Thanks to #Netgally, #MinatourBooks, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheWhiskingHour #TheBakeShopMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Whisking Hour (A Bakeshop Mystery Book 22)" by Ellie Alexander has Juliet still pregnant with twins. Seriously, still pregnant. How long is this plot line going to go. It's the fourth book now I think. She better have those babies at the very beginning of book 23. It's just crazy considering how much they've had going on.

The other thing for me is that I was thinking they were getting this one solved pretty quick with less Juliet involvement because the babies would be born. When the director of Lance's current play is found dead there's a lot going on. Fingers can be pointed at several people. However, my first suspect was right on target. I did get bounced around a bit though before the final reveal. Still no babies though.

[Ashley Cwiklewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for sending me an advanced copy of this book. I feel honored to have recieved it. I have never read any of this authors books before, but funny enough, I picked up one at the thrift over the summer that is on my list to read. I had to give this book 3 stars. It was fine. Was not the worst book I have ever read and was not the best
Book I have ever read. It was a cozy mysetery. I did like the characters a lot. And i love a good bake shop. The ending was just nothing super exciting as in most like this style. The chapters were a bit long for me in my prefrence of them. I finished it so fast because I skimmed a lot that was extra details. I will still read the other book I have from this author, and I am hoping that it includes these same
Characters.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Whisking Hour is filled with delicious food being prepared at Torte bakery. The words and food are coming off the page and will make you drool. The Bakeshop mysteries are like visiting friends because I have grown to love all the characters, especially Lance my favorite. Lance has delivered a great new show for the OSF once again. However, these actors might be taking their roles too seriously. She is very pregnant, and Jules is surrounded by her friends and family - including Lance and her fellow bakers. Behind the scenes of this murder-themed play, there is a real murder taking place. As soon as I thought I knew who did it and why there was someone who had the real killing instinct, I realized I was wrong but that did not stop me from enjoying this book.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. This is an honest review.

[Lisa]

RTC
Publication date: February 24, 2026

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always feel a bit like I've overeaten at a scrumptious meal and shared lots of hugs, laughs, and good times with wonderful friends by the time I finish a book in this series. Seriously, don't even think of sitting down to read while you're hungry. I'm not even remotely a foodie but you'll almost feel like the aromas and tastes of the meals and treats being prepared throughout almost seep out of the pages. Given that my usual move is to stick something in the microwave and be done with it, that's high praise from this not-even-pretending-to-be-a-cook reader. It's been a delight to follow the saga of Juliet Capshaw over this series and I've come to think of the characters as old friends. Even those physically missing, such as Carlos' son Ramiro, who was a fun ingredient over the last few books but has returned to Spain for his final school year before college, gets space. Of course, it's always extra fun with the way over the top Lance Rousseau gets to share the spotlight with Juliet/Jules. Oh, boy, wait till you hear some of Lance's ideas for his upcoming wedding. Then there's Jules' mother, Helen, and Shakespeare quoting step-dad Doug, hardly what one expects when contacting the police, as well as officers Thomas and Kelly. And, of course, the entire crew at Torte, Jules' family's amazing bakery. Again, if you weren't hungry when you started the book, you'll be by the time you finish.

So, while I'd say it's the characters that keep me coming back book after book, but Ellie Alexander always offers up an interesting mystery to be solved, too. It was actually quite refreshing to see Jules not rushing off to confront potential murderers or putting herself deliberately in harms' way, something that we can't always say of many amateur sleuths. Maybe that has something to do with the fact Jules' is pregnant with twins and has become more aware of the need to take care of herself. Thus, while wildly curious about the "perfect murder" at the end of a performance of a Lance produced play, we get to see several others take the lead in chasing down not just the clues but suspects. Well, sorta. Nope, not telling. Let's just say that murder party had an unexpected ending and the cast is, well, let's say, all rather weirdly suspicious. True crime podcasts and even AI get their moments, as does some weird method acting. I never quite settled on my choice for whodunit, I have to admit, though. One of those where my best guess kept changing until the end, nearly the very end, in fact.

Bottom line, it's surely obvious I'm a fan of the series and loved the maturity Jules showed in not being the proverbial "too stupid to live". Thanks #StMartin'sPress - #MintaurBooks for the early peek at how Jules' pregnancy and life is going, not to mention whether Lance has driven them all crazy with his impulsive ideas for his wedding. You'll also learn that running a bakery isn't all about bakery. Planning and being able to go with the flow of events, even bad ones, not to mention all the paperwork. Ugh, paperwork doesn't sound at all appetizing. The ending is a delight, too, highlighting the sense of community and family. I'm already ready for the next in the series.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Feb. 24, 2026

“The Whisking Hour” is the twenty-second book in “The Bakeshop Mysteries” series by author Ellie Alexander.

Bakery owner, and head baker, Juliet Capshaw is preparing for a murder-themed party, celebrating a new theatre production, with Juliet’s best friend, Lance, as the theatre director. But what she doesn’t expect is the tension between the actors, and most of it is directed toward the show’s director, Kean, and it takes everything Juliet has to just try and stay out of the drama for the party. Of course, this doesn’t work out so well when Kean’s body is found, thrusting all of the actors and stage crew in a different kind of spotlight. Although Juliet knows the police are doing all they can, she can’t help but look into herself, and what she discovers is not at all what she expected.

“Hour” was my first book by Alexander, and my first foray into this series in general. The characters were all new to me, but I was still able to keep up and remain engaged throughout. It is obvious that character relationships have developed throughout the series, and the details of those were shared in other books, but this particular storyline was focused on a stand-alone mystery, and less on the character relationships, which made it easier for a newbie like me to keep up with.

Juliet is a baker, so expect lots of sweet treats, as well as how she crafts them, to show up often and regularly. She continues to run her bakery, even though her pregnancy will soon have her leaving the bake shop to take maternity leave, but she seems to have a decent set of workers to support her, as the funny and quirky backup characters were a perfect complement to Juliet.

The mystery itself was well developed, but I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending. The final pages revealed the suspect, but it seemed forced and rushed, and the explanation around this discovery was brushed over. I would’ve liked to have known more of the specific details on how this particular suspect committed the crime, but at least the ending provided an answer to most of the questions.

“Hour” is a murder mystery that takes place while a murder mystery is being performed on stage, with a delicious and delectable backdrop of absolutely mouth-watering treats and delicacies. I enjoyed the fast-paced storyline and Juliet was a relatable and likable protagonist. The ending was satisfying, even if I wanted a bit more detail, and I’m invested enough in Juliet and her crew to pick up the next novel in the series.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Alexander’s The Whisking Hour is the literary equivalent of wrapping yourself in a soft sweater while chaos politely unfolds nearby and someone, inevitably, ends up dead.
St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books, thank you so much for my gifted ARC via NetGalley, which I happily devoured with zero crumbs left behind.

This installment drops us straight into peak fall in Ashland, Oregon, and I could practically hear the rain tapping the windows while I read. There’s theatre drama, literal stage drama, and the kind of stormy atmosphere that makes you feel like something terrible is not only possible but scheduled. Jules is gearing up to cater a murder-themed cast party for a production of Perfect Crime, which is already flirting with irony before the body even drops. Add flickering lights, theatrical egos, and a cast full of secrets, and you’ve got a setup that feels both cozy and ominous in the best possible way.

Let’s talk about the food, because wow. If you read this book hungry, that’s on you. The descriptions of baked goods and savory treats are borderline aggressive, and I mean that as a compliment. Panna cotta eyeballs, cheese fingers, pumpkin sauces, comfort food layered with just enough macabre flair to fit the theme. The kitchen scenes are some of my favorites, not just because they made me crave carbs, but because they highlight how much Jules trusts her team now. There’s a real sense of growth and stability here that longtime readers will appreciate.

Jules herself is heavily pregnant in this book, and I loved that this actually mattered. She’s not sprinting into danger or ignoring common sense. She’s thoughtful, cautious, and aware of her limits, which was honestly refreshing. The mystery unfolds around her rather than because of reckless choices, and it made the story feel grounded without losing momentum.

The theatre setting adds an extra layer of fun. Everyone is already pretending to be someone else, so figuring out who’s lying feels like part of the performance. The suspect pool is solid, motives are layered, and just when I thought I had it figured out, the story nudged me sideways again. It’s not wildly shocking, but it doesn’t need to be. This is comfort reading with a pulse.

What really got me, though, was the emotional payoff. Beneath the murder and the pastries, this book is about community, friendship, and showing up for one another when it counts. The ending leans into that theme hard, and yes, it absolutely got me misty. I blame hormones. And good writing.

“Autumn comes with pumpkin spice, cinnamon rolls, and a heaping tablespoon of murder.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars



#TheWhiskingHour #EllieAlexander #ABakeshopMystery #CozyMystery #BookReview #NetGalley #ARCReview #MysteryBooks #CozyReads #FallReads

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules is expecting! Ashland is a hub of activity as usual with an exciting new play at OSF, lots of catering events at Torte, and Lance deep into planning the wedding of the century to fiancé Arlo but Juliet is trying to take it easy as she prepares for maternity leave. Though Juliet knows she shouldn't be digging into any crimes with not one but two buns in the oven, she can't help herself when her murder-themed after party becomes a bit more true to theme than anyone planned.

This series is a favorite of mine. In general I read cozies in the order of release but this series I started with book 17, Catch Me If You Candy, then read book 18, A Smoking Bun, before going back to the beginning and binge-reading the first books. I was supposed to be reading them as part of a group series read but I couldn't pace myself and read them one after another long before I was supposed to read them. I might have gotten a bit more out of the later books if I'd read the series in order and seen the evolution of the characters in real-time but I don't think I enjoyed the books any less. The setting it so perfect, the characters so lovely, every visit to Ashland is a true pleasure.

There were some bittersweet things in this book, as can happen with a series you get really invested in. Ramiro has gone back to Spain and Jules misses him terribly. She's excited to welcome her two babies but their impending birth is also bittersweet because her own father won't be there to meet his new grandbabies. But while there was a hint of sadness there was also so much love. The entire community is reaching out to support Jules and Carlos and Torte, helping them make sure Torte stays up and running while Jules is on maternity leave and Jules and Lance even go so far as to attend Richard Lord's viewing of his new reality show to show their support for a man who's done nothing but cause them headaches. Because that's what you do in Ashland.

The mystery in this book was also really interesting, centering around the cast of a new play. All the actors are sus and Jules can't help but allow Lance to pull her into things, though everyone is keeping a very close eye on their favorite baker and her precious cargo. The only thing I will say about the mystery is that it all came together... until Thomas was explaining to Jules what had happened. And it didn't make any sense. As the truth was revealed previously I was on board and everything was clear but when Thomas started explaining things he added some details that didn't fit in with anything else. But easy enough to shrug off and move on.

This is definitely a series that any cozy fan needs to read!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[PamG · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Whisking Hour is the twenty-second book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. This cozy mystery is set in Ashland, Oregon and features Jules Capshaw, her husband Carlos, best friend Lance, his significant other, Arlo, and the team at Torte. Torte is the bakery started by Jules’s parents.

This story is centered around theater artistic director Lance’s production of a murder mystery that has been getting terrific reviews. The play is about a group of suspects and the so-called perfect murder. Jules and her team have been asked to cater a cast party with a murder theme. Unfortunately, a member of the crew is found murdered.

Jules is expecting twins in a few weeks. She’s a great mentor to the staff and has recently promoted some of them as she prepares for maternity leave. Carlos is a supportive and loving husband. He runs their winery. Lance is some-what over-the-top, but a dedicated artistic director. He’s tenderhearted, but has an inclination for theatrics. His ideas for his and Arlo’s wedding and reception are hilarious. The early chapters allow readers to catch up with repeat characters.

The story starts at Torte with readers being introduced to many of the staff, but it takes until chapter eight before the mystery gets fully underway. There are plenty of twists and turns and several suspects. The cozy small-town atmosphere and worldbuilding is great. A big positive for this book is the relationships. However, there are long segments with talk about food, Jules’s pregnancy, and her family, friends, and neighbors. This makes the murder take a back seat when it should have been the focus.

Overall, this is an entertaining and fun small-town cozy mystery that focuses more on food, friendship, family, community, and helping others than the mystery itself.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Ellie Alexander provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 24, 2026.
-----------------------------------
My 3.27 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒅𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒅𝒂𝒅 𝒊𝒔𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎."

Ellie Alexander delivers another cozy, satisfying installment in the long-running Bakeshop Mystery series. This time around, life in Ashland is busy as ever, with Juliet juggling the demands of her family bakeshop Torte, community events, and yet another murder that disrupts the town’s otherwise charming rhythm. When a local figure turns up dead during a local production of of the Broadway classic 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝑪𝒓𝒊𝒎𝒆, Juliet can’t help but get drawn into the investigation once again, even though her twins are getting ready to make their own debut performance.

One of the biggest pleasures of this book is how comfortable it feels to step back into this world the author has created while still noticing how much it’s grown. As the 22nd book in the series, this installment benefits from a well-established cast of beloved characters who feel like old friends. The relationships are richer, and Juliet’s instincts both as a baker and a sleuth show clear evolution. The author does a great job rewarding longtime readers with character continuity and emotional depth, without making newcomers feel completely lost if they happen to jump in mid-series.

There’s also a warm undercurrent of anticipation running through the story thanks to the imminent arrival of Juliet and Carlos’s twins. That looming life change adds tenderness and urgency to the narrative, grounding the mystery in something deeply personal. It’s refreshing to see a cozy series allow its characters to age, change, and take on new roles while still delivering the comforting storylines long-time readers expect. Many thanks to St. Martins Press for the early copy. Look for this one February 24, 2026.

[boogleloo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars: This Alexander's twenty-second entry in the Bakeshop Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Oregon. Featuring a pastry chef and bakery owner, who's heavily pregnant with twins, as she finds herself turning sleuth to uncover the person behind the fatal stabbing of a controversial play director after a cast party. With a cast full of suspects and to many clues, she'll have to work fast to unravel the killer before she becomes next on the deadly call sheet.

With plenty of twists and turns, Alexander has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Alexander's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.

• Includes plenty of drool worthy food descriptions throughout and several delicious recipes to try for yourself.
• Features Alexander's classic small-town charm with plenty of cozy, comfy vibes.

Alexander takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Meet Your Baker. This is a favorite series; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5STARS As the 'Baking Bookworm', this cozy mystery series, centred around a small-town bakeshop, sounded right up my alley. I recently read the first book in the series (Meet Your Baker) to get a feel for the main character and set up before jumping into this 22nd book of the series.

In The Whisking Hour there's the requisite murder (that doesn't happen until one-third of the way in), a few potential culprits and small-town happenings and characters that long-time fans of the series will enjoy seeing again. But the mystery fell flat for me and felt quite secondary in the main story with Jules (surprisingly) only superficially involved in solving the crime.

Instead, it felt like a lot of page time was spent on small-town life, Jules awaiting the birth of her twins and long descriptions of baking techniques and running the bakery. I love a good recipe, but I'd have preferred the mystery to take centre stage, especially since readers can enjoy the recipes at the end of the book.

Ellie Alexander has written quite a few series, and her Sloan Krause series remains my favourite of the bunch. I very much enjoyed the brief mention of one of the characters from the Krause craft beer cozy mystery series towards the end of this book and suspect she'll be making an appearance in book 23!

While this was a miss for me, I think fans of the series (who didn't jump from book 1 to 22) will enjoy going back to Ashland, Oregon with its small-town inhabitants, bake shop filled with delectable descriptions and a side of murder.

Disclaimer: My thanks to Minotaur Books for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WHISKING HOUR is the twenty-third book in the Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander. Protagonist Jules Capshaw, owner of Torte, the highly successful bakeshop in charming Ashland, Oregon, is expecting twins with her husband Carlos. Despite being heavily pregnant, she’s still hands-on in both her business and in investigating the murder of the director in the local Perfect Crime stage production. Except instead of jumping in without consideration for her safety, Jules takes a more thoughtful approach with deliberate contemplation in putting the clues together as provided to her by safe conversations. And she relies more on her best friend, Lance, to do more of the active investigation. This might have slowed down the pacing a bit, but it gave the book a more realistic feel in that a mother-to-be was more invested in protecting her unborn child/children than running directly into danger.

The mystery is well-done and there are clues for the reader to follow. Yet it’s the character-driven story and the heartwarming relationships between them that are forefront with the strong sense of close family and friends, and how it’s the most important thing. One of the ways Jules and Carlos express their love for each other and for those around them is through the language of food… and food there is. Be prepared to feast on the delicious descriptions mentioned throughout the book! This is one of those series where I’d recommend starting at the beginning of the series (or picking up where you’ve left off) since there are a lot of changes that happen to Jules and Torte over the course of the books. It’s worthwhile reading every single one of them.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Whisking Hour
Author: Ellie Alexander
Series: A Bakeshop Mystery #22
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: February 24, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 rounded up
Pages: 320


Ashland, Oregon’s awesome baker Juliet Capshaw better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop. Jules is very pregnant as she and hubby are expecting twins. Additionally they are both theatre patrons they are excited about an upcoming 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, where he has the audience in a New York apartment where the perfect crime is committed.
Only in real life the show's director, who everyone seems to hate, is discovered dead and many have as a motive,
Read on as to whodunit!

’ I call myself an Ellie Alexander fan however have only read a few in this series. As you cozy readers know a ‘Cozy mystery in addition to a murder mystery centers around food or books. This is one is food and theatre lovers!
Have to admit I am not a foodie – but definitely am an avid reader so prefer the book theme.

I loved Ms. Alexander’s ‘The Secret Staircase’ series and read all of them including the first in the new spin off series.

A nice cozy is always a ‘stress free’ enjoyable read for me. So even though I am not a foodie, I did enjoy this story as well as the characters.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 24, 2026

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Juliet Capshaw, better known as Jules, and her husband, Carlos, run the family bakeshop, Torte. Jules has agreed, despite the short time frame, to host a crime scene cast party for “Perfect Crime.” the hit show directed by her friend, Lance Rousseau.

Everything comes together and the party seems to be a success . . . and then one of the actors, Kean Armitage, is shot. Who killed the actor? And why?

=========

Twenty-second in the author’s Bakeshop Mysteries series, readers will find most of the expected characters in place as the baking crew find themselves involved in another mystery. Well-drawn characters that readers care about, interesting background, and a captivating mystery all work together to keep the reader involved in the telling of the tale.

Some unexpected twists and multiple suspects keep readers guessing as the unfolding story keeps them yearning for some of the delicious-sounding treats whipped up by the bakeshop crew. It’s nice to see Jules take a step back from solving the mystery as she is, in this story, pregnant with twins and wisely keep her involvement to a minimum.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, especially those filled with yummy-sounding dishes, and charming characters who care about each other will find much to appreciate in this delicious story.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheWhiskingHour #NetGalley

[S Mille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall, Ashland, Oregon: Baker Juliet Capshaw is eagerly waiting the upcoming birth of her twins, when her good friend Lance Rousseau asks for her to cater a dinner for the cast of Perfect Crime. As it’s a mystery play, he’s asked her to come up with lots of gory themed dishes. He has two goals with the party: one to reward the cast for all the hard work they’ve put in to make Perfect Crime a success and two, to try and reduce some of the tension between the director and the rest of the cast. The director, it seems, believes in making his actors as uncomfortable as possible in order to get the best performance out of them. But when he’s found shot to death in one of the dressing rooms, he may have been too successful.

There’s a cast of characters (pun intended) that had motive and opportunity ranging from the soon to be ex-wife to the former friend who’s been loaning the director money and wants to be repaid. Meanwhile, Jules and friends are getting ready for the babies while trying to tame Lance’s most outrageous ideas for his wedding.

This is one of those cozy series where the lives of the characters are as important as the crime itself. And it does a fabulous job with it, rotating out characters, adding new ones while keeping tabs on the old ones. There’s a huge sense of community and family that adds to the delight of the book.

Even though this is number 22 in the series, there’s enough background details for it to work as a standalone.

Highly Recommended! I received a copy of this from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily chose to review.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliet Capshaw, owner of the bakery, Torte, is hosting a soiree for Lance, her good friend who works with the local theater group. Lance is producing a production of a Broadway play called "Perfect Crime". Right before the soiree is to begin, the director of the play, Kean Armitage is shot and killed. Kean is not well liked, he asks his actors to be in the mind of the character to the point of obsession, he belittles his leading lady, and is overwhelming disliked by many. Who killed him? His ex-wife, Vera? His leading lady or one of the other actors? His supposed friend, Casey? Luckily, Juliet is an amateur sleuth and with help from her friends, including Lance, her staff at the bakery and her family, including the Professor, her mother's husband, a retired police detective. Add in the yummy food references mentioned throughout the book and you have a delicious mystery.

Fun, fun read. Very enjoyable, from the descriptions of food (don't read while hungry) to the characters and their relationships, not to mention, a intriguing murder mystery, this book is a delight from the first chapter. This is my first book by Ellie Alexander, but I plan on reading more by her. If you enjoy a friendly community setting, a community full of support, delicious food descriptions/pairings, and a good mystery to boot, then pick up this book and enjoy!

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is never a dull moment in Ashland, Oregon, and it seems murder is always on the menu.

When a murder occurs at Lance's beloved theater, chaos ensues. It doesn't take long to see the suspect list will be long because this guy is awful. The killer could be anyone he came in contact with.

The fine detectives of Ashland are always hard at work, but you can also count on Jules and Lance to do their own amateur sleuthing as well. Jules is not quite as energetic as usual since she is very pregnant carrying twins. I love how the author has let Juliet's character grow into the successful wife and soon to be mother as I have been reading this series from the beginning.

This series is always fun to read just because the cast of characters are so likable. It feels like I am seeing old friends that I have not seen in a while. Even though the mystery is always great, one my favorite parts to read about is the descriptions of the food and drinks they prepare at Torte. Just reading about them is enough to be make you drool, and wish you could jump into the book and try a bite. Cozy mystery fans will eat this up.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bones99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute read and I need to go back and read the others in this series. I absolutely loved the main character and her friend Lance. I could see living in Ashland and having this group of friends. I was a bit confused about her relationship with Carlos but that is because I came in mid series, but caught up quickly. My point being that these function within the series and standalone, so don't feel like you can't start it because you haven't read the others, just go for it. I was a bit surprised by the ending of this book. Not the killer but the explanation of how they got there, I would have probably done it a little differently but it made sense and wrapped up nicely. If you are a baker they give you details of how items are made and you could probably try to make them. If your a novice the ingredients are included but not the quantity. Reminds me a bit of the pumpkin spice series that give you recipes to try. If you ever watched the Hallmark series Murder, She Baked you will love this book (I did, and I do). Thank you to #NetGalley, #minotaur_books, and
#stmartinspress for letting me read and advanced reader copy.

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Whisking Hour” is an amusing cozy mystery. Juliet the heavily pregnant baker and Lance the artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF) make for an interesting pair of amateur detectives. The mystery surrounds the death of Kean Armitage, the director of “Perfect Crime”, which is currently being staged at OSF. While he manages to get great performances from his actors, his methods are rather toxic. He has numerous enemies among the cast and crew, as well as his soon-to-be ex-wife. The story has plenty of twists as specific characters are considered the primary suspect until the behaviors and lies of other characters, as well as established alibis, switch the focus to someone else.

In addition to the murder mystery aspect, the story focuses a lot on Juliet and her family bakery, Torte, its staff, the food they serve and the inspiration behind the recipes, the changes Juliet and her husband will experience with the pending birth of twins, and connections and interactions with other family members and friends. There are a collection of close-knit relationships and a strong sense of community and belonging.

[Vanda Boyd · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Whisking Hour had all the ingredients for a cozy mystery I should have loved, but it didn’t quite come together for me. I usually enjoy Ellie Alexander’s series, and I was excited for another comfort read, but this one fell a bit flat.

There were just too many long, detailed descriptions, especially of baking. I'm not opposed to food focused mysteries, but the level of step‑by‑step detail started to feel like padding rather than atmosphere, and I found myself wishing those bits had been moved into actual recipes at the back instead. That would have been more helpful and a better fit for how much page time the baking got.

I also struggled with Juliet as a main character in a mystery. She felt kind of “mystery adjacent,” hovering around the investigation instead of driving it, which is odd in a cozy where the protagonist is usually the one actively solving the crime. Between that and the dense descriptions, I never fully clicked with the story. I’ll keep reading Alexander’s other series, but this one probably isn’t a world I’ll be rushing back to.

This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules Capshaw is eagerly awaiting the birth of her twins in this 22nd Bakeshop Mystery. It's fall and the OSF is putting on a murder mystery. Her friend Lance who is the theater director is busy planning his wedding and calls upon a noted New York director to put on this show.

When the director is murdered and found in the lead actress's dressing room, Lance with Jules very reluctant help begin their own investigation. Jules would be more than happy to leave the investigation to the very competent Ashland Police Force.

Even a cursory investigation provides lots of suspects. The lead actress has been bullied by the producer. The director's almost ex-wife has her own reasons for wanting him dead. One of the other actors has been pushed by the director into stalking other cast members. The female understudy is trying to gather evidence that the director has a history of hitting on his pretty female cast members. Even the props guy has reasons to want the director dead.

Besides the various villains and searching for the clues, the food Jules and her staff create all sounds amazing. Unlike many culinary cozies, this one doesn't have selected recipes in the back.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Do not read this book while hungry! So many delicious foods were made during this book and I wanted to eat them all! Juliet is asked by her friend Lance to cater a murder themed party for the cast and crew of the play he's working on. The director is killed the night of the party and everyone is a suspect.
I've not read anything in this series before but I am a fan of Ellie Alexander. The main character is pregnant with twins and does the right thing by not doing too much to investigate and she doesn't put herself in harm's way. So often you see the main character run head first into a situation so it was nice to see one think before acting. There were plenty of motives and opportunities to keep you guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would appear. When Juliet and Carlos are watching the play I was on the edge of my seat right along with them. I will be adding the previous books in this series to my TBR list!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and Minotour Books for the ARC.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This long running cozy series set in a bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon is a favorite. While we have come to know the different characters and ensemble personalities over the years, I think you could comfortably read this as a standalone because a lot of background information is provided.

Owner Juliet and husband Carlos are expecting twins and are trying to prepare themselves for the transition ahead. Meanwhile Juliet's best friend Lance, artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare festival, has his hands full with cast problems for their upcoming mystery production.

The cast is in such disarray that it's not a major surprise when one of them is murdered. There are too many suspects to count. Juliet happens to be on the scene catering the cast party and so gets involved.

These books and this series are an enjoyable read, nicely plotted, and with great character development and an appealing setting. A bonus is the mouth watering food descriptions from the bakery. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jessica Bellemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Alexander has whisked up another delightful addition to the Bakeshop Mystery series.

Jules Capshaw is nervously preparing for the birth of her twins, getting her bakery Torte in tip-top shape for her maternity leave. When she agrees to cater the cast party for bestie Lance's play Perfect Crime, she gets more than she bargained for when a dead body turns up.

Ellie Alexander has beautifully crafted a world in Ashland, Oregon through the Bakeshop Mystery series, with characters who now feel more like friends than fiction. Lance is my favourite character in the series, and I love when he gets to be Jules' right-hand man to solve a crime (especially one that's in his own company).

Having the murder intertwined with the crime-based play is genius, and I loved all of the ways that the two meshed together. As always, the theme of food bringing us together as family hits me right in the heart in the best way possible.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press I Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved slipping back into Ashland and catching up with this familiar, charming cast of characters. Honestly, if Ashland were a real place, I’d be there in a heartbeat—coffee in hand, settling in for a good meal and soaking up the small-town atmosphere. It’s one of those settings that just feels like home.

The mystery kicks off strong and keeps you turning pages, though I did have a pretty good idea of who the killer was right from the start. There was something about it early on that just clicked. Still, that didn’t lessen my enjoyment at all—in fact, I was kind of delighted to be proven right when everything came together at the end.

What really makes this book shine is the cozy vibe, the relationships, and the ongoing storylines that keep me invested. I’m already looking forward to the next installment, especially to see what’s next and when the twins will finally make their appearance.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware, do not start this book if you are hungry,
The author tantalizes with descriptions of bakery items, breakfast treats, luscious lunches and delectable dinners.
Oh, and not in the least a “Perfect Crime.”
Juliet/Jules in anticipation of the birth of her twins is delegating more of her tasks in her bakery. But when Lance, her friend and the artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival implores Jules to cater a party for the cast and crew of “Perfect Crime”, she can’t say no. Especially since Lance is hearing some unrest among the crew and is hoping the party will help.
But when a real murder happens, all is put on hold while the police investigate. But as we all know, even with red herrings, revelations and twists, the murderer must be caught and the show must go on!
An entertaining and lively entry to this enjoyable series.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book without remuneration and this review is my own opinion.

[E Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book in this series and by this author. I was instantly drawn to a cozy mystery surrounding a bakery. I love to cook and bake, and I really love cozy mysteries. That said, this is probably the coziest mystery I have ever read. I found myself wondering when the mystery would really start, and it wasn't until around the 40% mark.

Jules is a lovely character, and I really got a great feeling for Ashland, OR. I liked all of the Shakespeare references, and the surrounding characters were enjoyable.

My main complaint about the book is that the mystery was practically non-existent. I feel like the story was more focused on Jules, her pregnancy, and her community. It was a lovely story and quite cozy, but I feel like I was missing out on the murder mystery a bit.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it was a bit too cozy for my taste.

Thanks to Net Galley for the book to review.