Release date: February 24, 2026
Publisher: Minotaur
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Synopsis:
Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. As with everything, Lance has put his own spin on the long-running Broadway classic, opting for an intimate staging and drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment on a stormy fall night where a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.
Life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains on the day of the soirée, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. But Jules and Lance are not to be deterred. After all, the show must go on. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. Once the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity, but when the lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the perfect murder.
Review:
The Whisking Hour by Ellie Alexander is the twenty second installment in a truly beloved cozy mystery series, and while you can technically hop in anywhere, this is absolutely one of those series that rewards long term reading. I binged the entire series over December and January, and at this point, returning to Ashland feels like catching up with family. Jules Capshaw and the Torte crew have become such comfort characters for me, and every visit back to Oregon is layered with warmth, growth, and history that longtime readers will especially appreciate.
This installment leans beautifully into fall vibes—stormy skies over the Siskiyou Mountains, a theatrical production of Perfect Crime, and a cast party catered by Torte featuring delightfully macabre treats (panna cotta “eyeballs,” anyone?). When life imitates art and a lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, the mystery kicks into gear with all the classic whodunnit fun the series does so well. It’s a solid, engaging case wrapped in atmosphere, community, and of course, mouthwatering descriptions that once again made me wish Torte was a real place I could visit for just one bite of whatever Jules is baking.
One element I especially appreciated was Jules being in her final trimester of pregnancy. Instead of diving headfirst into danger like she often does, she pulls back and allows others to take on more of the sleuthing. It felt realistic and refreshing, she’s still involved and sharp as ever, but not recklessly putting herself in harm’s way. That balance gave the story a slightly different energy while maintaining the strong sense of coziness and community that keeps this series so special. It’s always a joy to be back in Ashland.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 