Bakeshop #20
Killing Me Soufflé is the 20th addition to Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop mysteries. Juliet, baker and owner of Tort bakery, is facing a lot of new changes in her life – being pregnant with twins, adjusting to decaf coffee, losing two of her valued employees and friends, Sterling and Stephanie, and hiring their replacements. While she regrets the loss of her friends in the shop, she knows that it is important for their own futures for them to take advantage of this new opportunity. Becoming head of the SeaBreeze Bistro at Whaleshead Resort could be Sterling and Stephanie’s big chance to make a name for themselves in the culinary world. However, what seemed like a fantastic opportunity with nothing but potential quickly turns into a nightmare.
Management can make or break not only a business, but also the morale of the entire team. The manager of the Whaleshead Resort, Erik Morton, is the ‘break’ kind of manager. He is aggressive and demeaning to staff, as well as unreliable and flaky. Very toxic traits to try and work around, but Sterling and Stephanie are both determined to not let him ruin their chance to make SeaBreeze Bistro into something great that also reflects who they are. Juliet is pleased to be invited to not only attend the SeaBreeze Bistro opening night, but also to get to spend some time back in the kitchen with Sterling and Stephanie. Taking her husband Carlos and his son Ramiro, Juliet is ready for a little vacation away from Tort to enjoy her friends success and some sun.
Despite nightmare managers, it appears that Sterling and Stephanie have things pretty well in hand at the restaurant and opening night should be a success. When nightmare manager turns into murdered manager, things get a little more complicated, as any and every one working in or around the Resort has motive. While opening night does progress despite the tragedy, the Professor, Juliet’s mom, Lance, and his paramour Arlo, also arrive to enjoy it. With a murder on the scene the Professor is happy to assist local Detective Mars, whose methodical and calm demeanor also impress Juliet. Lance also ensures that Juliet isn’t going to just sit back and let the authorities handle things, after all two of their dear friends are in the crossfire. The two of them quickly get up to their usual, and sometimes eccentric, investigative antics.
For long time readers of the Bakeshop Mystery series, Killing me Soufflé is a welcome addition to the series. It’s nice to see Juliet out of her home element and also trying to enjoy a little time off, even if she still can’t help but sneak into the kitchen to help out every now and again. New readers will enjoy Killing me Soufflé, as Ellie Alexander is always quite thorough at introducing characters, as well as their interpersonal relationship dynamics. However, to really appreciate how far Juliet has come and the full scope of the story, I do highly suggest reading more of the series. Reading Killing me Soufflé will entice readers to read more and luckily there are 19 other books in the series to enjoy. – Carla Schantz