Killing Me Soufflé: A Bakeshop Mystery (A Bakeshop Mystery, 20)
“They say that moving on is part of life. I knew that to be true, but it didn’t mean it was easy.”
And so Elie Alexander opens her latest Bakeshop Mystery, thus encouraging her fans, new and old, to move on and see what, exactly, is changing.
Her main character, Jules Capshaw, owns Torte, a popular bakeshop. The change is watching two of her most talented team members, Sterling, a sous chef, and Steph, lead cake designer, take off on their own.
Whaleshead Resort desperately needs chefs for SeaBreeze Bistro, and it is just the opportunity Sterling and Steph crave. “SeaBreeze Bistro had been through a variety of chefs and managers, none of whom could find a way to revive the failing venture.”
To ensure that they start off on the right foot, they ask Jules, their mentor, for help. “Sterling and Steph had invited us [Jules and Carlos] to help them celebrate the grand reopening of SeaBreeze Bistro . . .”
The resort staff includes Erik Morton, who is the new manager of the resort, and he is deeply disliked. “Erik appeared to take pleasure in making people uncomfortable.”
Jess, the receptionist, is personally involved with Erik, and no one knows exactly how that is going, but she shares a rumor about Erik mismanaging funds. “Hoff, the head of maintenance, has been here the longest, but he and Erik hate each other.” Travis, the local fisherman who provides the restaurant with the fish-of-the-day, has a falling out with Travis who threatens to stop supplying fish.
Lucy Clarke, the local real estate agent, is trying to convince the owners to sell the resort, but discussions are not going well, and Erik is being difficult. Mary Beth Wells is an artist who lives at the resort and has her gallery there. Her feelings for Erik are not good, as she will lose her home if the resort is sold. ”He’s the reason this ship is sinking, and I’m done letting him get away with it. . . . let me warn you. If Erik is left to his own devices, there’ll be nothing left of this resort.”
As Jules works to prep for opening night, she hears a scream in the distance. She runs along the path toward the sound. “Around the next bend, a bench carved from driftwood invited weary hikers to pause and take in the majestic views.” One look over the bench and down the cliff, and here is where the story picks up steam. “Sprawled out below me is Erik’s body.”
Hoff and Lucy are near the scene; one of Travis’s towels is found next to the bench. And the motives and clues begin to mount.
Not to be left alone, other characters come along to do whatever they can, or can’t! Soon to appear are Jules’ mom and her husband, the professor, an ex-police officer, who appear to add support to the grand opening. As the event arrives, Jules and Carlos see two more familiar faces, Lance and his partner, Arlo.
As Detective Mars arrives to take control of the scene, the professor offers his help, which is quickly accepted. But not to be outdone, Jules begins her own investigation. She is joined by Lance, who sees himself as a strong clue follower.
Their investigation draws out more motives than they expect. The obvious dislike for Erik and his behaviors puts the entire staff in the crosshairs. But as expected, the final scene brings the guilty party to the forefront.
The SeaBreeze Bistro is a success, and Jules, Carlos, and their team of investigators return to normal. Well, if getting pulled into more murders is anything normal.
Alexander is good at drawing out her stories, bringing her readers to a satisfactory conclusion. There are times, however, when her detailed description of creating a recipe becomes distracting. It should be noted, however, that the recipes at the end of the story are quite intriguing!