Mocha, She Wrote

This is the 13th book in Ellie Alexander's Bakeshop Mystery series, and another wonderful addition. This installment focuses on Andy, who has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup, and naturally, Jules and the Torte gang are there to cheer him on every step of the way. However, things get off to a rocky start when one of the judges spits out Andy's drink, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips. When he is found dead hours after drinking another cup of Andy's honey latte, Andy immediately becomes a suspect in his murder. Jules and Lance team up to clear Andy's name and find the real culprit.<br /><br />I adore this series. When I pick up a new installment, it feels like visiting old friends and seeing what's new in their lives. It's been four years since I discovered this series and it's been a pleasure seeing the characters grow and develop and seeing the bakery flourish. The characters, the friendships, the setting, the storylines, Ellie Alexander has truly bought this series to life and I look forward to seeing what she has in store for readers in future installments. This particular installment was one of my favorite of the series so far. I am a huge sucker for cozy mysteries centered around cooking show competitions, so naturally, I loved the setting in this book. I thought the mystery was pretty strong as well and the killer's identity wasn't obvious. This is a character-driven series and sometimes the mystery tends to take a back seat. However, that wasn't the case with this book.<br />All in all, a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to the next book.<br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

<br />Mocha She Wrote is tailor-made for foodies who love sumptuous, mouthwatering descriptions of food and drink. The beautiful scenery of smalltown Oregon is also a feast for the senses. This is a book for cozy mystery readers who like the atmosphere just as much as the mystery. Readers will find themselves hungry and thirsty when they finish the book, so it’s a good thing that there are recipes included.<br /><br />Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow" href="http://affairedecoeur.com">http://affairedecoeur.com</a><br /><br /><i>Arc copy of book provided courtesy of Saint Martin's Press via Netgalley for review.</i>

Dollycas’s Thoughts <br /><br />It’s summertime and an exciting event is coming to Ashland, Oregon. The West Coast Barista Cup is about to start and Torte’s own Barista Extraordinaire Andy will be competing in the prestigious competition. The Best-in-Brew title is rewarding in itself but the winner also receives a nice cash prize too. The entire Torte staff plans to take turns supporting Andy with Jules attending all the events to cheer him on.<br /><br />Andy gets a bit of a rough start but quickly finds his footing right up until head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy’s signature coffee creation. He rips into Andy saying it is the worst he has ever tasted. The head judge’s drink is clearly different from the other judge’s coffee. Determined to win the judge over he brews another latte and vows to get it to the judge. Hours later Benson Vargas is dead and it appears that he is holding Andy’s second effort. This means Andy is suspect #1 but he is allowed to continue to compete. Jules, with a little assistance from Lance, vows to find out what really happened and prove what she already knows, Andy is innocent and someone else is brewing up trouble.<br /><br />I was so happy to see Andy featured in Mocha, She Wrote. This storyline has been building for a while because Andy is really a genius at blending up some truly terrific coffee drinks, He really knows his flavors and is well known in the area for his expertise. I hated to see him high on the suspect list but we all knew he was innocent of the crime. The camaraderie that has been built by the characters of the Bakeshop Mysteries is heartwarming. With the exception of one character who is such a sad sack, the people within these books really care about each other and that was clearly seen in this story. When I load these books up on my Kindle I feel like I am checking in on old friends and know it is time to get comfortable, and enjoy my visit.<br /><br />I am a huge fan of cooking competition shows on television so I loved the barista cup theme of this story. The judges for the competition seemed true to life. You know there is always one boisterous judge with a differing opinion. Benson Vargas truly fit that bill. He rubbed many people the wrong way and now pushed someone to kill.<br /><br />Ms. Alexander has given readers a well-plotted mystery with a roomful of suspects. Everyone knew Andy was innocent but police including the Professor have to follow the evidence. But he is smart enough to trust Jules eyes and ears. Sabotage and twists run rampant and Jules gets a little diverted at one point. As she and Lance try to pare down the suspects they find it is not an easy task. I had a couple of theories of my own and one turned out to be correct as proven with a very exciting climax to the mystery.<br /><br />The author’s descriptive voice continues to bring each location to life. There have been some changes to Torte that have been very well received. I love the new area and can easily picture myself enjoying a pastry and one of Andy’s concoctions and people watching. The people in the kitchen, and all the people who find their way into this amazing place. For Mocha, She Wrote, she had to create the perfect setup in a local space. Each contestant’s station, the judge’s table, and the audience, some contenders have their own groupies, were all clear in my mind.<br /><br />Mocha, She Wrote is a delightful addition to this series. I really liked this story and can tell you it was A Perfect Escape. The next book in this series, Bake, Borrow, and Steal will be released on December 28.

Mocha, She Wrote is the 13th book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander. I find this series to be very entertaining and is strongly character-driven. Mocha, She Wrote continues this tradition, and fans will certainly be delighted with this installment. My favorite part of this series is the characters. These are well-developed characters that feel like old friends. Jules is such a wonderful main character, but what I really enjoy is how Ms. Alexander highlights one of the secondary characters with a prominent role in a book. This time around it's Andy, but regardless of which character it is, Ms. Alexander has evolved the cast allowing the readers to watch them grow and come into their own. That is the case with Andy and his passion for coffee. <br /><br />The mystery was enjoyable. The victim reminded me of a Simon Cowell (American Idol Judge) type character and as such seemed to have more enemies than friends. Unfortunately, one of those enemies turns into a killer and tries to frame several characters involved with the Barista competition that Andy has entered. Once again, Jules and Lance investigate on their own which leads them to put themselves in the crosshairs of a killer. The mystery concluded with a very satisfactory ending. <br /><br />I find this to be a very entertaining series and I think I gain 5 pounds with each book as I read about the delicious food and baked goods served at Torte and Uva.<br /><br />I will continue to make return trips to Ashland for as long as Ms. Alexander continues to write this series. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, St. Martin's Press, through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the thirteenth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I have read many of the books in the series but not all. It's like visiting old friends when I come back and read this series when a new book is released. I've seen the characters grow in their thoughts and actions and have met new ones along the way.<br />The focus of this book is on Head Barista Andy who represents Torte in the West Coast Barista Cup competition. He's pretty nervous about it but Jules has all the confidence in the world in him.<br />When the main judge spits out Andy's drink in one of the rounds Andy is humiliated but is that enough to make him kill the judge who is found dead with another cup of Andy's specialty latte by his side?<br />Quick paced, I was not expecting who turned out to be the murderer. Lots of yummy drinks and baked goods mentioned in here and so many delicious recipes for you to try in the back of the book.<br /><br />Pub Date 29 Jun 2021 <br />I was given a complimentary copy of this book.<br />All opinions expressed are my own.

Juliet, owner of a coffee shop in Ashland, Oregon, is thrilled when her shop's barista, Andy, is selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup, but when there is a murder, she and her friend Lance are determined to investigate to clear Andy of any suspicion. I hadn't read any of the previous books in this series, but had no problem reading this one as a stand-alone. I enjoyed not only the mystery, but also the descriptions of food, the likable characters, and the friendly small-town atmosphere. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advance copy.

Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander is the 13th A Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Mocha, She Wrote is a lighthearted culinary cozy mystery. It contains good writing with appealing characters. It is the characters that make this series. They are friendly and relatable. I enjoy the descriptions of Ashland. The writer paints a visual picture with her words. There are mouthwatering food and coffee descriptions that will have you heading for your local bakery. Information about coffee and the brewing process are included. It is interesting learning about what goes into making a good cup of java. The whodunit has a loathsome victim that a number of people wished dead. Jules had to interview victims, wade through the clues, and brew up a killer. I wish the mystery had been more of a challenge (it is my favorite part of cozy mysteries). I could easily identify the guilty party early in the story. Jules has become a seasoned investigator so she can handle a more challenging whodunit. The murder did not occur until a third of the way through the book. I like that there is no bloodshed or foul language. This type of cozy is perfect for summer. Mocha, She Wrote is a merry cozy mystery with a vile victim, a cutthroat coffee competition, a potent potion, chilled ice cream, and a keen killer.

Review coming Soon

Visiting Ashland, Oregon again in the 13th Bakeshop Mystery is a joy whether it's your first or you have read them all, is just a joy. Jules and her team at Torte support Andy in his determination to win in the competition for best barista on the west coast. Unfortunately the competition quickly derails into a hotbed of ambition, cheating and murder. Jules and her best buddy, Lance, investigate. Ellie Alexander skillfully balances a well-crafted mystery and the story of the a community of characters you will remember for a long time. Highly recommended. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy the Bakeshop Mystery and this 13th book is just as enjoyable as the others. As the series progressed characters have been added and have taken turns to be central to the story. In this outing, Torte's head barista, Andy, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup. He is nervous, especially as he meets the other competitors. Things start going wrong from the start and Jules begins watching and investigating to see what is going on and who is sabotaging various competitor's entries. When one of the judges dies after drinking one of Andy's coffees, the investigation heats up as Jules tries to prove Andy has no reason to kill him. As in previous books, Jules and Lance team up to clear Andy's name and find the real culprit.<br /><br />This is one of the series that I recommend you read in order. All mysteries are self-contained and solved within each book, but the character development and community itself changes and grows as the series continues. Every book feels like I am getting together with old friends and excited to see what they are up to. I do enjoy stories that are centered around competitions, and this one is fun and interesting. I never thought about who dreams up all the various flavors of those cappuccinos and lattes that I enjoy, so I loved the setting in this book. I thought the mystery was well written, with a few suspects and some red herrings. I did not figure out who the killer was until close to the end of the story. The clues were there and spread throughout the book, with the final one giving me the information I needed. This is a character-driven series and sometimes the mystery is secondary, but not in this one. The mystery drives this book with the ending giving us the comfortable get togethers with family and friends. I definitely enjoyed this one and continue to recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers. This book was narrated by Emily Durante and I have come to recognize her voices for the various characters in this series. She does a wonderful job with expression and emotion to add to my enjoyment of the story. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.