by: Ellie Alexander
Series: Bakeshop Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: June 29, 2021
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
When a barista competition comes to town, Torte's favorite pastry chef finds herself sleuthing once again—in the next installment of Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Mystery Series, Mocha, She Wrote!
Summer has ushered in a new season in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Torte is bustling with tourists taking in star-drenched shows at the Elizabethan, setting out to hike in the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains, and sampling the bakeshop’s summer lineup of raspberry lemon tarts and mint mojito cold brews. Jules and the team are buzzing with excitement when they learn that Andy, Torte’s head barista, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup.
The prestigious competition draws coffee aficionados from up and down the coast to Ashland. The winner will not only claim to be best-in-brew, but also be awarded a hefty cash prize. Andy’s nervous about his chances, but Jules is confident that her star barista will shine. However, things take a grim turn when head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy’s first offering, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips—and hours later, is found dead clutching Andy’s creamy latte. Suddenly Torte’s favorite barista becomes the number one suspect. There’s no roast for the weary. Jules will have to sleuth out whodunit to clear Andy’s name and catch a killer before she ends up with one foot in the grounds.
Jules the co-owner of Torte Bakery and the rest of the staff couldn’t be more excited and proud of Andy. While nervous, Andy is confident he has a chance. Andy’s confidence is shattered when in the first round, on the first-day head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy’s coffee creation, declaring it dreadful. Benson is highly respected in the coffee community, and his word carries a lot of weight. Wanting to prove that he knows coffee and deserves to be competing at the cup, Andy presents another latte to Benson. Later that evening, Benson is found dead with Andy’s latte nearby. Once it’s determined Benson was murdered, Andy moves to the top of the suspect list.
It’s a good thing that Jules’ stepfather, The Professor, is the head detective of the Ashland PD and knows Andy well enough to know that he wouldn’t kill anyone. The Professor knows Jules has superb observation skills and asks her to pay attention to things while she’s watching Andy compete. With her best friend and partner in crime solving, Lance, Jules does just that and starts to uncover more than she thought imaginable.
Ellie has once again written a really good mystery, filled with just enough misdirects to keep you guessing until the big reveal. The premise of the next book in the series is also revealed and it promises to shake Ashland.
~ Favorite Quote ~
“Love all, trust few, do wrong to none.”
**Received a copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed the book.**
Rating: 4.5
Purchase Mocha, She Wrote from:
The Bakeshop Mystery Series:
On Thin Icing ~ Review
Caught Bread Handed ~ Review
Fudge and Jury ~ Review
A Crime of Passion ~ Review
Trouble is Brewing ~ Review
Another One Bites the Crust ~ Review
Till Death Do Us Tart ~ Review
Live and Let Pie ~ Review
A Cup of Holiday Fear ~ Review
Nothing Bundt Trouble ~ Review
Chilled to the Cone ~ Review
Muffin But the Truth releases December 27, 2022
Meet the characters of the Bakeshop Mystery Series here.
You can read Jules’ profile post here.
When not writing, you can find her testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouse or brewpubs nearby. You’ll also find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of “research”.
Ellie loves hearing from readers and interacting on social media. Be sure to follow her to learn about her writing process, upcoming books, special events, giveaways, and more!
Places to find Ellie Alexander:
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