Muffin but the Truth by Ellie Alexander is the sixteenth A Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The author provides all the needed background information on Juliet “Jules” Capshaw and the secondary characters she encounters at work and home. I thought Muffin but the Truth was easy to read. The author has a conversational writing style that is reminiscent of friends having a gabfest. Jules has a come a long way since the first book. She is happily running Torte, her marriage to Carlos is on solid ground, and the pair have Carlos’s son, Ramiro living with them for the school year. We get to catch up with the other characters as well. Sterling’s skills keep improving. Jules knows it is only a matter of time before he will be scooped up by a restaurant. Bethany promotes Torte on the social media platforms. She is making a name for herself. What will happen when a not to be missed opportunity comes her way? Jules has agreed to cater a leadership retreat for the top executives of Bamboo. The group will be glamping along the Rogue River. Jules and Carlos will be cooking the food over an open fire. Jules soon regrets taking the gig. There is no pleasing Josie Jones, the owner and CEO of Bamboo. Miller Redding, her personal assistant, is wound a little tight (I bet his blood pressure is through the roof). Jules wakes up early on the first full day in the great outdoors. She heads down to the water where she finds one of the Bamboo executives floating in the river. Jules is quick to holler for help and jump into the river to get the individual to shore. It is a good thing the Professor came along on the trip since it is soon evident that the person was murdered. When Jules returns to Ashland, Lance is quick to find her. He is thrilled that they have a new case to solve (it is impossible to say “no” to Lance). Jules and Lance ask questions and look for clues. The whodunit is a cinch to solve. I wish the author would create a more complex mystery. The executives from Bamboo were an unbearable bunch and the big boss was insufferable. I felt that the background information was lacking (severely). I believe more time was devoted to cooking, baking, and eating than the mystery (do we really need to know all the steps in how to make different baked goods—though, the bread Jules made sounded delicious). The motive for the murder was a tad farfetched. There are a couple of details that are off in the story (a detail regarding the pink life vest and the creator of Superman are two examples). The story has an upbeat ending. Muffin but the Truth is a lighthearted cozy mystery with a teen transplant, a jumpy PA, white water rafting, a pretty pink life vest, an eliminated executive, a slew of suspects, and a bevy of bakers. ( )

I voluntarily agreed to read and honestly review this book.
This is my first book by Ellie Alexander, and now I need to go find the series to start from the beginning. Even though I knew it was a Cozy Mystery, it was a lot more enjoyable than others I have read in the past. The descriptions of the murder weren’t over the top, but there were some tense moments in the storyline. ( )

Jules, Carlos and Ramiro are glamping and catering a corporate team-building event. When one of the executives' bodies is found floating in the river, it seems like an accident. But the Professor soon rules it murder, and they must find the killer before they strike again. ( )

This latest offering in the Bakeshop Mystery series features Juliet and her family catering a team event for a high end company. Despite the beautiful forest setting and the comfortable accommodations in the woods, troubles abound as the dysfunctional team members engage in spiteful behaviors. Things heat up for the group when one of their members is found dead. Juliet again involves herself in trying to solve the crime.

This book contains a lot of descriptions of how food is prepared, even though the recipes are included at the end. Readers who enjoy this kind of reading will probably gobble this one up, although the endless descriptions can become tedious. (I skipped over them.) This novel seemed to drag out the investigation and did not seem to offer many clues to help readers puzzle out the mystery. Although this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Readers who are returning to this series will find familiar characters and settings. The novel contains no vivid descriptions of violence, no swear words, and no descriptive intimacy.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

This 16th installment in the Bakeshop Mystery series is only the third one I've read but I had no trouble whatsoever keeping the expanded Torte staff members straight.

Another very enjoyable mystery from Ellie Alexander, this one featuring a corporate team bonding river/camping excursion. Lots of nature atmosphere, plus the usual interesting characters, and a clever plot.

This cozy is one I'd highly recommend to cozy mystery fans.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )