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Fudge and Jury

(A Bakeshop Mystery #5)

Ellie Alexander (Goodreads Author)

4.04 · Rating details · 1,062 ratings · 161 reviews

Welcome to Torte—a friendly, small-town family bakery where the pastries are delicious…and, now, suspicious.

It’s almost spring in Ashland, Oregon, and the town is preparing for the Shakespeare and the annual Chocolate Festival. Business is cookin’ at Torte, and the store is expanding as Jules’ team whips up crèpes filled with mascarpone cheese and dark chocolate. Torte sta ...more

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Paperback, 304 pages

Published January 3rd 2017 by St. Martin's Paperbacks

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· 1,062 ratings · 161 reviews

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May 30, 2020 LORI (Dollycas) CASWELL rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2020

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Everyone at Torte is excited for the annual Chocolate Festival as the shop will have a featured role at the event. They also are having new ovens installed and a little painting and reorganization taking place while the shop is closed for the festival. So it is all hands on deck to get everything done.

Jules and Helen are handling the festival and are getting their booth set up when chocolatier, Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, is making the rounds of the neighboring booths. Dollycas’s Thoughts

Everyone at Torte is excited for the annual Chocolate Festival as the shop will have a featured role at the event. They also are having new ovens installed and a little painting and reorganization taking place while the shop is closed for the festival. So it is all hands on deck to get everything done.

Jules and Helen are handling the festival and are getting their booth set up when chocolatier, Evan Rowe, of Confections Couture, is making the rounds of the neighboring booths. Soon after he samples a cake at the Torte booth the man keels over dead. At first, it is thought the man died due to his peanut allergy but Jules adamantly states there are no nuts in the cake and there was no cross-contamination. It wasn’t her cake so now she is out to find what killed Evan Rowe before all her plans are fudged up for good.

Each book in I become more engaged and invested in these characters. Helen Capshaw really treats her staff like family and having Jules home working side by side with her mother is so heartwarming. The people they bring in their lives like Thomas, the Professor, and Lance all bring their own personalities to the story. We are also introduced to some eclectic characters unique to this story. All the dialogue rings true and all the interactions are meaningful. Sadly Carlos has returned to his ship.

The mystery this was a puzzler with a whole festival full of suspects. Who had contact with the famous chocolatier? Did they pull off the perfect crime? I was following right along with Jules right up to the big reveal. The whole thing was very well-plotted and written. The pages were literally flying.

There are delightful chocolate descriptions throughout the book. My mouth was watering and I was truly craving chocolate of any kind by the time I reached the end of the book. The author does include recipes in the back of the book and this time she includes a savory one too, Chicken Apple Sausage Quiche, I can’t wait to try.

Fudge and Jury is my favorite book right now in this series as I continue my quest to catch up on this series.

...more

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Dec 28, 2016 DJ Sakata rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, cozy-mystery

Favorite Quotes:

Juliet, you are the worst liar on the planet. I know exactly what you’re thinking and I assure you that I’m thinking the same thing. Evan was clearly hunted down and killed by a crafty baker. Don’t try to pretend that you’re not as delighted as I am…

She reminded me of a writer who was a regular at Torte. He brings his laptop and plants himself by the front windows while he writes and drinks coffee by the gallon. Andy once asked if we should cut him off because customers around hi ...more

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Jul 09, 2017 Jonathan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cruisin-through-the-cozies-2017, favorites, mystery, cozy-mysteries, read-07-17

It’s been a while since I read the previous book in this series, and I have to say that I forgot how readable these books are! The Bakeshop mysteries are truly a joy to read and I will be sticking with this series for many books to come!

Jules is great, I think my main problem with her in the last books was how she acted with Carlos around, and, though she thought about him often in this book, she was much more likable without him around making her act foolish. Her mother is always a delight, and ...more

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Jan 09, 2021 Annu rated it liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery

I liked this better than the previous one. A good cozy read with a side mystery. There's a lot going on with Jules, what with a fest to participate, expanding Torte and the mystery to solve. ...more

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Jan 28, 2017 Jenna rated it really liked it

Shelves: own

Setting: Ashland, Oregon; annual chocolate festival

Characters
Juliet "Jules" Capshaw: Pastry chef, narrator, and co-owner of Torte, a well-loved local bakery and cafe in Ashland

Helen Capshaw: Jules' mother and co-owner of Torte

The Professor: Police chief detective and boyfriend of Helen

Thomas: Police detective, high school sweetheart of Jules

Andy, Sterling, and Stephanie: Members of the staff at Torte

Plot: The annual chocolate festival is a huge opportunity for Torte to expand their business. Eve ...more

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Jan 16, 2017 Amanda McGill rated it liked it

Shelves: netgallery, 2017

Still one of my favourite cozy mystery series!

We are back in Torte and it's time for the Chocolate Festival (mentioned in book 4). Torte is closed for the festival as the kids are painting the kitchen updating the stores, while Jules and her mother are busy with their booth at the festival. One of the vendor's (a famous chef) is found dead after sampling a number of chocolate dishes. Which one of the vendor's is to blame or was it someone close to the chef?

I love reading about Torte and Ashland, ...more

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Dec 26, 2016 Betty rated it really liked it

Shelves: e-books, arc, cozy

In the fifth book of this series Jules and her Mother are attending a Chocolate Festival in Ashland, Oregon. A competitor has a strong allergic reaction and dies just after eating a piece of cake made by Jules before the festival opens. Between overseeing new ovens put into Torte and handling the festival duties, Jules search for an answer. This book is full of cooking and baking instructions and a little romance. Good recipes are included. I recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free cop ...more

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Dec 11, 2016 Karen rated it it was amazing

Oh boy is it fun to read a book about chocolate on a snowy weekend. Ellie Alexander's January release of Fudge & Jury is excellent. The Bakeshop mystery series has quickly become a favorite of mine and Ellie Alexander reminds me of why in Fudge & Jury. Fans of this series, you will want to stock chocolate before you start this book! I had to make brownies while reading it. Mouthwatering food mentions and recipes await you as well as a wonderful mother/daughter relationship and a compelling myste ...more

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Jan 23, 2017 Carrie Schmidt (Reading is My SuperPower) rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary, cozy-mystery, small-towns, family-ties, blog-reviewed, mystery-suspense

Warning: Reading this book will cause chocolate cravings. Not only does the main character run a bakery specializing in chocolate, but they are currently participating in their local chocolate festival! Chocolate galore.

Fudge and Jury is a cute culinary cozy mystery. (How’s that for alliteration?) Though perhaps it leans a bit more toward the culinary & the cozy than the mystery, that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. It’s full of great chocolate and great characters (Lance is so intriguing ...more

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Mar 15, 2019 Nancy H rated it really liked it

I really enjoy these Bakeshop Mysteries. In this story, Jules and her crew from Torte have a space at the Chocolate Festival and they hope to bring home the ultimate award for their chocolate. What they do not expect is a rival chocolatier to fall dead at Jules' feet. When her cake is suspected of being the cause of his death, Jules, her crew, and her friend Lance feel compelled to help the police find the murderer. This is a satisfying, page-turner of a mystery that will keep readers coming bac ...more

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Jan 05, 2017 Karen rated it it was amazing

Book five in the series was even better than I expected!
With the characters I have grown to love, and a great mystery plot, this is the best in the series so far!
I highly recommend it and look forward to more in the series!

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Jun 13, 2017 Cheryl Bradley rated it really liked it

Juliet Capshaw is honored that her family bakeshop, Torte, is to be one of the featured hosts at the Chocolate Fest in her hometown of Ashland, Oregon. While Juliet and her mother are busily preparing chocolate tasting samples, their young staff is gearing up to paint and remodel the bakery kitchen and finally install new ovens. Meanwhile, there is a captivating possibility to expand Torte to the downstairs basement.

In the midst of the chocolate frenzy, Evan Rowe, the conceited and unlikeable ow ...more

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Jan 30, 2017 Diana rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2017, first-read, mystery-read

Book received from NetGalley.

This is a very cute cozy mystery. It takes place in Oregon at a Chocolate Festival. The owners of a local bakery take part and end up embroiled in a murder mystery when one of the other vendors at the festival dies under suspicious circumstances. This is the first book I have ever read in the series, even though it's the fifth book released. It really didn't matter, I had no problem following what was going on and with the bit of explanation about other characters, I ...more

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Jan 02, 2017 Lisa Morin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

A Chocolate Festival sounds like a great idea! Ashland Falls, Oregon is preparing for their festival and Torte, a locally owned bake shop, is excited to be participating.
The delectable chocolate delights will leave your mouth watering and when a local participant drops dead, it seems that Torte needs to prove their innocence.
This book has a lot going on and it is sure to please fans of this wonderful series.
Each book gets better and better and this one is definitely my favorite by far!
I voluntar ...more

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Jan 01, 2017 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: foodies and cozy mystery readers

Shelves: owned-copy, part-of-a-series, adc-reviews, arc, cozy-mystery, baker-or-pastry-artist

This wasn't quite as entertaining as the previous books, but it was still very good. The delicious descriptions of chocolate and yummy goodies had me salivating, and the mystery kept me on my toes.

Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com. ...more

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Jan 11, 2017 Heidi rated it really liked it

Four stars: A terrific cozy, bursting with chocolate, and a surprising twist with the murder.

Spring is right around the corner, and the gang at Torte is busy remodeling and painting as well as preparing decadent chocolate creations for the upcoming Chocolate Festival. Luckily, things seem to be going smoothly, and Jules has her fingers crossed that they can finish painting, install the new ovens and participate in the Chocolate Festival. Everything is going to plan until the unthinkable happens Four stars: A terrific cozy, bursting with chocolate, and a surprising twist with the murder.

Spring is right around the corner, and the gang at Torte is busy remodeling and painting as well as preparing decadent chocolate creations for the upcoming Chocolate Festival. Luckily, things seem to be going smoothly, and Jules has her fingers crossed that they can finish painting, install the new ovens and participate in the Chocolate Festival. Everything is going to plan until the unthinkable happens. One of the participants, Evan Rowe a famous chocolatier, dies after sampling some of the fares. Did someone inadvertently kill him with nuts or is there something more sinister than chocolate being served?
What I Liked:
*Meet Your Baker continues to be a cozy mystery series that I just can't resist. I love the setting, the characters, the food, the mysteries and the delicious recipes. This is a fun series that I find perfect for when you need a light, cozy, escape read. These books are perfect for stormy afternoons, even better for snow days.
*I loved that this one was all about chocolate. My mouth was watering to taste the delicious chocolate creations being served at the Chocolate Festival. Luckily, the author provided a couple of the chocolate recipes at the end to try. Yum!
*The murder mystery was clever, and I loved the little twist as to how the victim actually died. It was a unique and rather uncommon way to murder someone. I also appreciated that there were several suspects with motives and some interesting developments. I did figure out who the killer was, but it wasn't an easy mystery to solve. A good, solid mystery.
*I continue to love the gang at Torte, and I enjoy seeing them grow as they not only develop the business, but their relationships. The characters at Torte function like a nice, little, happy family.
*I liked that this book refrained, for the most part, with the romance. There really isn't movement as far as Jules' romantic life, except that she seems to have settled her heart on one man. I appreciated that this one didn't have romantic drama.
*One thing that I adore about food based cozy mysteries are the recipes. This installment includes some delicious recipes for chocolate truffles, a rich cake with mocha frosting, meatloaf sandwiches, a chicken sausage quiche, a wonderful latte drink, and chocolate pasta with white chocolate sauce. Yum!
*The ending tied up all the main story threads. The remodel of Torte was done, the murder was solved and things were going well for Jules and the Torte gang. No cliffhangers or nagging questions.
And The Not So Much:
*One thing that bothered me a bit was the rather callous way the whole murder was handled. You would think if a world renowned chocolatier was murdered right before the Chocolate Festival that there would be more fall out. Instead, the Chocolate Festival proceeds as normal after a small delay. It just didn't feel realistic to me. Plus, no one seemed upset at all about Evan's death.
*Even though I was glad to get a reprieve from the romantic drama, it kind of bothered me that one of the suitor's was completely AWOL again. No contact until the final pages. What was up with that? I wish things would settle out one way or another.

Fudge and Jury is another delightful installment in one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love the setting, the characters, the food and the mysteries. This book featured an exciting murder mystery with an unexpected twist regarding the murder weapon. I highly recommend this series when you want a light, cozy, mystery. This book was a perfect snow day read.

I won a copy of this book from the author. I was not compensated for this review, and all opinions are my own.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

...more

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Jul 31, 2019 QNPoohBear rated it really liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery

Jules and Helen Capshaw and the staff of Torte are busier than ever. They finally have the money to renovate the kitchen and an opportunity to buy the basement space under the bakery with government grants to improve the infrastructure to keep the basement from flooding. Jules and Helen are also participating in the annual local Chocolate Festival (!!!!!) and samples are needed for the hungry masses. Torte is about to be put on the map or wiped off it at the whims of Master Chocolatier Evan Rowe Jules and Helen Capshaw and the staff of Torte are busier than ever. They finally have the money to renovate the kitchen and an opportunity to buy the basement space under the bakery with government grants to improve the infrastructure to keep the basement from flooding. Jules and Helen are also participating in the annual local Chocolate Festival (!!!!!) and samples are needed for the hungry masses. Torte is about to be put on the map or wiped off it at the whims of Master Chocolatier Evan Rowe and magazine editor Sandi Kramer. When Evan dies eating one of Jules's delectable creations, she's horrified. Jules knows she was careful and had knew nothing of Evan's nut allergy but it seems someone did and wanted Evan dead. The Professor and Thomas are stumped but Jules and Lance are on the case and determined to figure it out.

FINALLY Jules bakes something chocolate! Be still my heart! Chocolate pasta (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and chocolate truffles are on the menu and my mouth was watering the whole time wishing I could try them. Thank goodness there are recipes in the back but I would have liked more chocolate recipes. I wasn't happy when Jules returned to savory baking in the end, claiming she was sick of chocolate. Um what? There's no such thing as TOO much chocolate! I love chai but the tropical flavored drinks were not to my liking.

Storywise this one is really good. I never guessed who did it. The story is a little slow and long, chronicling the renovations to Torte. There's some romantic drama but only a little. I feel all of this is unnecessary. ALL YOU NEED IS CHOCOLATE!!!!!!! Lance manages not to be too terribly annoying during the investigation and even shows some real emotion at the end.

There are a few new characters here. Evan Rowe, a Master Chocolatier, is a nasty man. He is cranky, temperamental and rude. Evan is an egomaniac no one likes. I didn't like Sandi Kramer either. She's ruthless. Bethany of the Unbeatable Brownie is perky, young and eager to please but she seems to have a lot to learn. Bethany needs to develop a thicker skin but she seems nice. Howard, of Howard's Sea Salt is a crusty old seadog. He is unexpected. His bath salts don't appeal to me and I'm not a fan of sea salt on my chocolate and Howard doesn't sound like someone I'd socialize with. I'm not sure he's not a nice person though. Evan's assistant, Carter, has every reason to hate his boss. He seems like a young man eager to succeed and emulate his boss's success. Does that make him a murderer? Who knows!

...more

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May 09, 2017 Carla Johnson-Hicks rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, cozy-mystery

Juliet (Jules) Montague Capshaw lives in Ashland, Oregon. This little town is home to a Shakespearean Festival and this story takes place during the off season. Juliet is her mother's partner in the family bakery/cafe, Torte. She has returned from working on a cruise ship where she met and married Carlos. Juliet is still trying to figure out where her marriage with Carlos stands, but he is back on the cruise ship and she is in Ashland. Jules and her Mother are participating in the Chocolate Fest Juliet (Jules) Montague Capshaw lives in Ashland, Oregon. This little town is home to a Shakespearean Festival and this story takes place during the off season. Juliet is her mother's partner in the family bakery/cafe, Torte. She has returned from working on a cruise ship where she met and married Carlos. Juliet is still trying to figure out where her marriage with Carlos stands, but he is back on the cruise ship and she is in Ashland. Jules and her Mother are participating in the Chocolate Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Jules meets Evan, a famous chocolatier and obnoxious chef to boot, for the first time and is not impressed. When he suffers anaphylactic shock and dies in front of Jules she is extremely upset. Even though she did not like him, no one deserved to die like that. She begins to help the police with the investigation. With all this going on, Torte is undergoing minor renovations with new ovens being put in, Jules' old boyfriend Thomas seems to be attempting to become more than a friend, she finds out that her mother is developing arthiritis, a pastry magazine wants to do a cover story on Jules and Torte, and they are trying to decide if they want to lease the bottom floor of the bakery and do an addition. There is a lot adding stress to Jules' life, can she handle it all? Will they figure out who killed Evan?

This is the fifth book in this series and I love visiting Torte and Ashland. I love the relationship between Jules and her mom, as well the one between Helen and the Professor. The employees at Torte are very different from one another, but they work so well together and they are like a family. The plot moves quickly and kept me reading quickly until reaching the conclusion. The mystery was interesting and I was surprised to see who the killer was, as well as the reason and the method used to do it. This is a fun, interesting series that will leave you wanting more and with your stomach growling. Cozy mystery readers will enjoy this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley. ...more

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Jan 23, 2021 Teena in Toronto rated it liked it

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world. She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school. She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that. She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret. With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out. It's been almost a year and she now happily shares ownership of Tor ...more

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Feb 11, 2021 Linda Smatzny rated it really liked it

Shelves: craving-cozies-challenge-2021

In this story, the town of Ashland,Oregon is hosting the annual Chocolate Festival. Torte is one of the main vendors at the show which means some extra work for the crew at Torte. Also happening Jules and her mother are thinking about bidding on the space under Torte for further expansion. And yes there is a murder at the festival. I enjoy this series because all the characters are so connected in good ways and seem to grow as the series continues. The book was an easy read.

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Jan 20, 2020 Selah rated it liked it

The good: Carlos is gone! The crew at Torte is awesome as ever. The town is still fun. A chocolate fest!! Jules actually got to figure something out.

The bad: The love triangle continues, although it’s in the background. Jules still puts herself in dangerous situations. Now she’s helpless with tech? 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Dec 18, 2020 Eileen rated it really liked it

There is a Chocolate festival going on in the Spring in Oregon. Torte is all excited about possibly winning as Bell of the Ball for the deliciously made Chocolate. When a murder happens suddenly the businesses have to go home and the event is postponed.....All eyes are on Jules as she tries to figure out who could have possibly poisoned the top chocolatier.
I enjoy this author and have many more books to read from her selections.

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Jul 08, 2017 Sandy Todd rated it it was amazing

Shelves: craving-for-cozies-challenge-2017

Thanks so much Ellie for letting us get to know Lance better! Loved his roll in the mystery!

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Mar 23, 2020 Doward Wilson rated it it was amazing

A well plotted and entertaining cozy with wonderful characters and lots of chocolate!

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May 02, 2020 Sandy Kemp rated it really liked it

Jules leaves me a bit cold, but I like the bakeshop and the setting very much. I knew who the killer was fairly early in the book. Not the best in the series, but enjoyable.

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Jan 03, 2017 K.A. Davis rated it it was amazing

Chocolate…my most favorite flavor in all the world! It was with great happiness when I picked up Ellie Alexander’s brand new release in her Bakeshop Mystery series, FUDGE AND JURY, and started reading about Ashland’s annual Chocolate Festival! The author transports us to a world of sweet confectionery with Jules, owner of her family’s bakeshop Torte, the “Queen of Sugar”. I love to bake and spend time in the kitchen and Ellie Alexander beautifully captures the feelings I have being there. She wr Chocolate…my most favorite flavor in all the world! It was with great happiness when I picked up Ellie Alexander’s brand new release in her Bakeshop Mystery series, FUDGE AND JURY, and started reading about Ashland’s annual Chocolate Festival! The author transports us to a world of sweet confectionery with Jules, owner of her family’s bakeshop Torte, the “Queen of Sugar”. I love to bake and spend time in the kitchen and Ellie Alexander beautifully captures the feelings I have being there. She writes those feelings in such descriptive language that I feel like I’m right in Torte’s warm, cozy kitchen. “Food is an expression of art and love” is how Jules puts it and that expression truly shows as the theme is woven into a nice “whodunit” mystery. There are plenty of suspects to keep you guessing with the plot moving along nicely.

However, this series’ greatest strength is the characters and keeps me coming back to see what happens next. Jules and her mother have a tender relationship, even if Jules was quite distant during her ten years away from Ashland. They’ve made up for that time and as a result share a true friendship. Jules has wonderful staff at Torte and each of them have their own story that is touched upon in each book. I’m always eager to see what creative coffee drink Andy, the college-age barrista, will come up. I’m also glad to see that the quirky character, Lance, continues to be a fixture. He adds a dose of levity to each story. And of course Jules is always creating a fabulous yummy dessert to share with her customers.

I’m grateful that Ellie includes some of those recipes at the back of the book because you most definitely will be craving chocolate as you read! I tried her recipe for Mom’s Famous Chocolate Spice Cake with Mocha Frosting...a delicious vegan cake that mixes up right in the pan you bake it in and the frosting is a decadent, fudgy confection that makes this dessert amazing!

I willingly provided a review after receiving a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. ...more

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Dec 30, 2016 Kristina rated it liked it

Shelves: 2016, cozy-mysteries

Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander is the fifth book in A Bakeshop Mystery series. It is March in Ashland, Oregon, and Torte is getting ready for a remodel and Ashland’s Annual Chocolate Festival. Jules and her mother, Helen have finally saved up enough money for new ovens. Before the ovens will be installed, the place will get a paint job (as well as a new register and inventory system installed). Torte is also preparing chocolate samples and cakes for the festival. Torte is one of the four show Fudge and Jury by Ellie Alexander is the fifth book in A Bakeshop Mystery series. It is March in Ashland, Oregon, and Torte is getting ready for a remodel and Ashland’s Annual Chocolate Festival. Jules and her mother, Helen have finally saved up enough money for new ovens. Before the ovens will be installed, the place will get a paint job (as well as a new register and inventory system installed). Torte is also preparing chocolate samples and cakes for the festival. Torte is one of the four showcase vendors. One of the other showcase vendors is Evan Rowe of Confections Couture. Evan states that he will be making a big announcement during the festival. Evan then proceeds to go around and sample the other vendors wares (and making derogatory comments). After sampling Unbeatable Brownies (and condemning the baker’s brownies), he proceeds to taste one of Torte’s delicacies. Evan then begins to choke. Jules recognizes the signs of an allergic reaction and asks if anyone has an EpiPen. Before Evan’s assistant, Carter turns up with Evan’s EpiPen, Evan passes away. Evan was allergic to nuts, but there were no nuts in the sample he tried of Torte’s (but their samples are confiscated). Jules knows it was not Torte’s products that killed Evan (they are very careful in the bakery) and sets out to find out who had it in for Evan (Santa’s naughty list is shorter). Jules also needs decide if she wants to expand Torte. Helen and Jules have a great opportunity, but is this the right time? Jules, Helen and the Torte gang are in for a very busy three days in Fudge and Jury.

Fudge and Jury is an easy novel to read and it is nicely written. While it is the fifth book in the series, it can be read alone. The story has a good pace and interesting characters (especially Lance). Ashland sounds like a lovely town. I relished the description of the Elizabethan looking buildings and the theater (the town is known for the Shakespeare plays performed). There are numerous accounts of chocolate treats provided in the book (so many that if they were excluded this would be a novella instead of a full-length novel). I give Fudge and Jury 3 out of 5 stars. The mystery was uncomplicated. I could identify the killer and method of murder very early in the story (right after the guy hit the floor). The murderer’s method of killing was unique which I really appreciated (has not been used before in any of the mysteries I have read). I was extremely disappointed and disgruntled that the storyline with Carlos, Jules estranged husband, was not resolved in Fudge and Jury. It is long past time to wrap up the story of Carlos and Jules (Carlos needs to go). I am tired of Jules mooning over Carlos’ voice, his appearance, his food, etc. (it is just too sappy for a mystery novel). I sincerely hope that Ms. Alexander will conclude this particular subplot in the next novel in the series.
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Dec 22, 2016 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: oregon-author, mystery, food-fiction

Yummy food (especially chocolate!), hunky love interests (note plural), the fabulous Oregon setting of Ashland, and likeable and appealing characters (except the antagonistic recurring innkeeper although he didn't appear much in this book) all add up to a sweet little mystery series that you will devour.

The first in the series is Meet Your Baker which introduced Juliet "Jules" Capshaw, a young woman returning home from a stint as a pastry chef on a cruise ship to nurse a broken relationship. FU ...more

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Jan 15, 2017 wonderwomand rated it it was amazing

Fudge and Jury, the 5th book in the Bakeshop mystery series, is set in Ashland, Oregon with a picturesque background of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

This series has been one of my favorite series from the beginning. With eclectic characters like Juliet Montague Capshaw (aka Jules), her mom Helen, the Professor (think of Roy Dotrice), Lance (think of Ian Ogilivy), Thomas, and many more, they create a mosaic of stories.

Wonderful phrases by Ellie Alexander like "whimsical chocolate posters promo ...more

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Jan 20, 2017 Lin rated it it was amazing

The stars seem aligned for Jules Capshaw and her mom, Helen. Torte; a well-loved bakery, is getting a make-over complete with new ovens. Mom’s relationship with a certain classy law enforcement officer seems to be on track. Carlos; Jules’s ex is back on the high seas and Tommy, another local officer is still pining for Jules. Ashland is preparing for their Chocolate Festival and Torte is being showcased as one of the “premier” vendors.

What could possibly go wrong? A little rain can’t hurt, right ...more

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About Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander

1,709 followers

Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop Mystery Series (St. Martin's Press), 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.

The 11th book in her Bakeshop Mys ...more