Reviews

A Smoking Bun by Ellie Alexander

chymerra's review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

Important details about A Smoking Bun

Pace:  Medium

POV: 1st person (Jules)

Series: A Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the previous books to understand backstories and relationships.

Trigger Warnings: A Smoking Bun contains themes that include alcohol consumption, blood, dead bodies, fire & arson, explosions, and murder & attempted murder.

Language: There is mild swearing in A Smoking Bun. There is also language used that might offend some people.

Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in A Smoking Bun.

Setting: A Smoking Bun is set in Ashland, Oregon.

My Review

After several weeks of reading books that were often difficult to read (because of the content), I was ready to read something lighter. When I saw that A Smoking Bun was next on my TBR, I initially had an “Oh no” reaction. I had thought this would be another book with heavy subject matter. But, since I have a weekly reading schedule, I started reading. I was pleasantly surprised! A Smoking Bun was a perfect balm to a mind that previous books had overloaded.

A Smoking Bun is the eighteenth book (yes, I had the same reaction you did when I saw the number) in the A Bakeshop Mystery series. Because I hadn’t read the previous books, I was expecting some confusion over the characters, their backstories, and how they related to the storyline I was reading. Again, I was pleasantly surprised. There was minor confusion, but the author quickly explained the characters’ relationships to Jules. The explanations occurred within the two to three chapters, and the author moved on after the explanations were given. The focus was solely given to the mystery.

The storyline of A Smoking Bun centers on Jules and her investigation into the murder of Fitz Baskin. Fitz was horrible, with many people who didn’t want him around. The author hones the focus on four main suspects: two former clients of Fitz who he left on the side of the mountain, off the trail and in subzero temperatures, on purpose, an outspoken member of the ski rescue team, and the owner of the ski chalet/resort. All four suspects had the motive and opportunity to kill Fitz. Jules started looking into the case when one of her employees begged her to (plus, she was there, along with most of the town, when the body fell off the sled during the dummy run). His best friend was one of the four, and her employee was sure he had nothing to do with it.

I am fond of mysteries set in restaurants, bakeries, and other food stores. I enjoy reading about the delicious food that these fictional places make. I also appreciate the recipes usually included at the end of the book. I don’t know if this is because I got an ARC copy; none was included here. There were some recipes included that I would have loved to copy down.

The mystery angle of A Smoking Bun was well written. It was predictable, but overall, I enjoyed it. Jules had a unique way of looking into the case. She also had a connection with the suspects and used that to ferret out clues. Now, I was surprised at who the killer was and why that person killed Fitz. The killer was on my list of suspects, but there wasn’t enough for me to go, “Yes, it is that person.” So, when everything was revealed (and it was revealed dramatically), I was astonished.

The end of A Smoking Bun was your typical mystery ending. The author wrapped up that storyline in a way I liked but left an opening for book 19.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Paperbacks, NetGalley, and Ellie Alexander for allowing me to read and review this ARC of A Smoking Bun. All opinions expressed in this review are mine.

 

bexellency's review against another edition

2.5

Alright.  A bit slow moving.  And how many times can you say “ski patrol” in one novel?  The resolution

of the mystery feels odd, that they take so quickly to the new comer who really owns the lodge.  Seems strange for a tight knit community and given that they’ve known the other owner for so long that there’s almost no hesitation at rejecting her after her misdeeds.  A sentence of remorse and that’s it?  Also, it was painfully obvious from early on that ther was something going on with development and the lodge owner.  

But Inpick these up for something cozy and light, not for stellar literary matter.

kleingang11's review

Couldn't get into it. At least as far as I got, too much of it just seemed like I was reading someone's agenda. 

justkeyreads's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I’m been waiting on this release and we’re back with Jules and the crew as her favorite crew as they try save the ski lodge. Not only did we try to figure out the mystery, but we also got to see a look on the secondary plot on meeting Carlos’s son family. 

bethfishreads's review

3.0

The 18th entry in a well-crafted cozy mystery series set in Ashland, Oregon.

I know that the best way to enjoy a cozy mystery series is to start with book 1, but sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me. Fortunately, Alexander didn't leave me, a newcomer to her Bakeshop Mystery series, hanging--she provided just enough background information to keep me from feeling lost.

This novel had all the things I love about a culinary cozy mystery: community, friendship, family, a little drama, and good food. 

Our hero is Jules Capshaw the owner of a bakery shop/cafe, who has an interest in solving crimes. She also has an interest in her business and family, so we (thankfully) don't see her abandoning her life and responsibilities to suss out the bad guy. She's also smart and remembers to keep the police in the loop when she uncovers a clue or important information.

As expected, there's a handful of suspects and a few red herrings. The mystery itself is well plotted and has an interesting (in a good way) solution.

I enjoyed meeting Jules's people: family, friends, and co-workers. I liked the overall feeling of the Torte (the bakeshop); it seems like the perfect local cafe. As a bonus, the novel includes a few kitchen and baking tips and, of course, some recipes.

Though I'm kind of sorry I didn't start from book 1 -- because I would have loved to have watched these characters grow and develop -- I'm very happy to have discovered a new series. You can bet I'll be reading the next in series.

Thanks to St. Martins Paperbacks for the review copy.

dollycas's review

lighthearted mysterious

5.0

Dollycas's Thoughts

Winter in Ashland Oregon means there are all kinds of fun things to do, especially if you go up on Mount A where you will find a rustic lodge, backcountry trails, skiing, a moonlight snowshoe tour, and this weekend, the annual Downhill Dummy Competition. Jules is excited to share everything with Ramiro's family as they arrive from Spain.

Jules has prepared a meal of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour but their evening doesn't end the way Jules had hoped. The group is still planning to return to see the Downhill Dummy Competition the next day. Several groups including Jules' Torte staff have created an entry for the event. It has been kept a secret from Jules but she is delighted to see the tiered cake with a baker who looks just like her attached to skis hit the ski jump and come flying down the hill.

The last entry hits the slope but it barrels down the hill and lands on top of Fitz Baskin, a guide on the mountain who has ruffled more than a few feathers. Jules finds herself in the thick of the investigation into who caused the dummy to go off course and kill the man. She finds plenty of suspects, secrets, and motives that could change everything on her beloved mountain.

Can Jules find the killer? or will the winter wonderland loved by so many be gone forever?

____

All my favorite characters return in this 18th Bakeshop Mystery with fun and interesting things happening in their lives. They have all enjoyed having Ramiro for the school year but now his mother, Sophia,  stepfather, Luis, and twelve-year-old sister, Marta, are coming to Ashland to ring in the new year. Jules was a bit nervous but she and Sophia's friendship has grown as they have been communicating regularly about Ramiro, his school activities, and how much it has meant to have him be able to spend so much time with his dad and Jules. Jules has such a big heart so the way she welcomed them, made them feel at home, and planned fun things for them to do was not unexpected. Ms. Alexander has created such genuine characters that is very easy to get invested in their lives.

The author blended an intriguing mystery with what was happening in the community and Jules's life. 

The mystery was interesting but harder to solve as the suspect's backgrounds are revealed slowly throughout the book. One character felt off to me from the start and as I continued reading my suspicions became more firm. Then, a nice twist lead to the big reveal where all my clues slid right into place. This was a fun one with so many things happening over the course of just a few days.

I always enjoy my little trips to Ashland and all the events. With the theatre dark for the winter, the murder and mayhem moved to the mountains. The Downhill Dummy, sans the murder, and the Moonlight Snowshoe Tour both sounded like good times. Of course, a lot of yummy food was made and eaten.  Good thing the calories don't transfer from the book, but they do give me cravings for things to try here at home. This time cheesecake was calling my name loudly.

I enjoyed the ending so much. Friendship and fellowship always stir up good feelings. Jule's thoughts for the new year were heartwarming with things always evolving in her life. She feels changes coming and she realizes that she is ready for whatever that means as long as she is surrounded by family and friends. Something I find very true in my life.

A Smoking Bun was a captivating cozy mystery filled with characters that feel more like old friends with each book in this series. I am excited to return to Ashland to see what Ms. Alexander has planned for Jules and her friends and family next. Sticks and Scones is set to be released on August 20, 2024.

cgonya1's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

5.0

Smoking Bun is number 18 in Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries. 

Jules Capshaw is preparing for the rest of Ramiro’s family from Spain to arrive in Ashland, Oregon. With the holidays and plenty of “powder” on Mount A, Jules and Carlos plan for a moonlit snowshoe tour. Except the plan goes awry when another tour group needs to be rescued. Jules is introduced to Fitz Baskin, a shady individual with a reputation to boot. Whom Jules was not impressed by. The midnight tour is cut short, but there’s always the Downhill Dummy Competition to bring back the excitement.

And the last dummy entry does just that, when it lands on top of Fitz. Then a member of the ski patrol is accused of murder, and Jules is pulled into investigating. 

I liked this novel! I was really excited to see more of Ramiro’s family, and that Jules is thinking of her own. It’s been 18 novels of where do they go from here, and it's nice to finally see more personal character progression. 

I figured out the murderer early, but I also read a lot of mysteries. The motive was kept very close to the vest, meaning it wasn’t actually revealed until the final thirty pages. 

Overall, I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars. 

cj_mo_2222's review

informative lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is the 18th book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Jules Capshaw is taking some time-off from the day-to-day management of the family bakery in Ashland, Oregon. Her stepson's family is visiting from Spain and Jules has several fun activities planned, including a moonlight mountain top snowshoe trip. The beauty of the night is dimmed when an obnoxious skier leads an unauthorized ski tour requiring an emergency rescue. When that skier is killed at a community event on the ski slopes the next day, there are many suspects and possible motives, including the best friend of one of Jules' employees. 

Jules and her best friend, Lance, are on the case and their scenes are so entertaining and always have me wishing for more. Since Jules is on vacation, there are some nice scenes with her, Carlos, and her family enjoying the sights of Ashland, but not as many of her and her team at the bakery. There are many scenes that foodies will appreciate with Jules putting together different desserts. I was surprised by the solution to the crime and a few things mentioned at the end of the book already have me anticipating the next book!

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. 

marcirenee1974's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love this series! I hopped into it with book 17 and now want to read the entire series! I love Jules' & Ramiro's relationship and can't wait to see where it goes and if they end up having kids. I also really enjoy the fact that her stepdad who is a police officer appreciates her sleuthing instead of trying to discourage her.  Can't wait for the next installment!

#ASmokingBun
#NetGalley 

kelli7990's review against another edition

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for sending me a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! I’ve decided to DNF this book after reading 91 pages. I’m not connecting with the characters and I can’t get into the story. I also haven’t read the other books in the series so that’s probably why I can’t connect with the characters but either way, I don’t think this book is for me.