The complete reading guide to Ellie Alexander’s cozy foodie mystery series.
If there’s one cozy mystery series I recommend over and over again, it’s Ellie Alexander’s Bakeshop Mysteries.This was the very first cozy mystery series I ever read from beginning to end, and because of that, it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. At first, I came for the bakery. Then I stayed for the people.
Jules Capshaw isn’t just one of my favorite amateur sleuths—she’s someone I’ve loved watching grow over the course of more than twenty books. Somewhere along the way, Carlos, Lance, Andy, Stephanie, Sterling, Helen, the Professor, Thomas, Ramiro, and the rest of the Torte crew stopped feeling like fictional characters and started feeling like old friends.
Returning to Ashland now feels like coming home.
You can practically smell the fresh bread, buttery pastries, cinnamon rolls, and espresso every time you open one of these books, making Torte one of my all time favorite fictional places to visit.
If you’re looking for cozy mysteries packed with mouthwatering food, lovable characters, gorgeous Pacific Northwest scenery, and mysteries that are clever without ever losing their cozy charm, this is one of my favorite series to recommend.
About the Series
The Bakeshop Mysteries follow Juliet “Jules” Capshaw, a pastry chef who returns to her hometown of Ashland, Oregon, after her life is turned upside down. Working alongside her mother at Torte, the family’s beloved bakeshop, Jules slowly rebuilds her life while repeatedly finding herself wrapped up in murder investigations.
Set against the backdrop of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, every book blends delicious baking, charming small town life, memorable seasonal celebrations, and satisfying whodunits with an incredible cast of recurring characters.
Along the way you’ll meet:
- her husband, Carlos
- artistic director Lance
- barista Andy
- Steph and Sterling
- The Professor
- Thomas
- Kerry
- Ramiro
- and so many other familiar faces who make Ashland feel like home.
More than anything, this is a series about community. Over the course of twenty plus books, the characters grow, relationships evolve, and Torte becomes so much more than a bakery, it becomes a place you’ll never want to leave.
Do You Need to Read the Bakeshop Mysteries in Order?
Yes I absolutely recommend reading them in order.
While each book features its own standalone mystery, the heart of this series is watching the characters grow together. Relationships evolve, friendships deepen, new faces join the Torte family, and Jules’ personal journey unfolds beautifully across the series.
You’ll enjoy every celebration, milestone, and emotional payoff so much more if you begin with Meet Your Baker.
Bakeshop Mystery Books in Order
1. Meet Your Baker ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The perfect introduction to Torte, Ashland, and one of my favorite cozy mystery debuts. The bakery is so vividly described you can practically smell the pastries, and the mystery is tighter and more unpredictable than I expected. Pure comfort reading.
2. A Batter of Life and Death ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
I loved the cozy fall atmosphere and the behind the scenes reality baking competition. It was also fun spending more time getting to know Jules and the growing cast.
3. On Thin Icing ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A snowy mountain retreat, blizzard setting, and plenty of delicious food make this a wonderful winter read. I especially enjoyed the change of scenery while still getting all the cozy Torte charm.
4. Caught Bread Handed ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
I remember becoming much more invested in Carlos and Jules’ history here. Their relationship adds another emotional layer that continues to develop throughout the series.
5. Fudge and Jury ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The annual Chocolate Festival makes this one especially fun for fellow food lovers. Chocolate, springtime in Ashland, and another entertaining mystery make this a solid installment.
6. A Crime of Passion Fruit ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A fun change of pace as Jules heads out on a cruise. I always enjoy the books that temporarily leave Ashland while still keeping the heart of the series intact.
7. Another One Bites the Crust ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
This is where I really fell in love with Lance. The theater setting is so much fun, and his friendship with Jules becomes one of my favorite parts of the series.
8. Till Death Do Us Tart ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Wedding planning, family drama, and midsummer celebrations make this another cozy favorite. I loved all the wedding festivities.
9. Live and Let Pie ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A lakeside discovery and a mystery tied to the past give this installment a slightly different feel while continuing Jules’ personal journey.
10. A Cup of Holiday Fear ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Peak Christmas cozy. Festive food, holiday celebrations, and all the winter charm make this a perfect December read.
11. Nothing Bundt Trouble ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
One of the weaker installments for me simply because so much time is spent in the past. I missed spending more time with the current Torte crew, though it was still an enjoyable read.
12. Chilled to the Cone ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of my favorites in the entire series. I loved the pop up ice cream shop storyline, and Scoops was such a fun addition to the Torte family.
13. Mocha, She Wrote ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Coffee lovers, this one’s for you. Andy gets a much deserved chance to shine, and the barista competition was such a fun backdrop.
14. Bake, Borrow and Steal ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The Shakespeare Festival once again takes center stage, giving readers another fascinating behind the scenes look at one of Ashland’s most unique traditions.
15. Donut Disturb ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A wedding, a slightly grittier mystery, and more time with Thomas and Kerry made this a memorable installment.
16. Muffin But the Truth ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Another entertaining change of scenery as Jules heads out on a wilderness adventure. Camping, river rafting, and outdoor cooking give this one a fresh feel.
17. Catch Me if You Candy ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Perfect fall reading with Halloween celebrations, costume parades, and cozy seasonal vibes throughout.
18. A Smoking Bun ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
A wonderfully atmospheric winter mystery that also gives readers more time with Ramiro and his family.
19. Sticks and Scones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another personal favorite. More Lance, more theater, and another wonderfully entertaining mystery made this an easy five star read.
20. Killing Me Soufflé ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Bittersweet because Steph and Sterling begin their next chapter, but I loved watching Jules support them as they chased their dreams.
21. Laying Down the Latte ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Costa Rica makes for a beautiful setting, and I loved learning more about coffee alongside all the travel vibes.
22. The Whisking Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Returning to Ashland truly felt like catching up with family. I especially appreciated seeing Jules take a slightly different role in the investigation while nearing the end of her pregnancy, and the stormy fall atmosphere made this another wonderfully cozy installment.
Why You’ll Love This Series
🥐 One of the best foodie cozy mystery series I’ve ever read.
👨👩👧👦 The found family cast is what truly makes the series special.
🍁 Every season gets its moment, making these wonderful books to read year round.
🎭 Ashland and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival create one of the most unique settings in the cozy mystery genre.
🧩 Even after more than twenty books, the mysteries stay fresh with new locations, seasonal celebrations, travel adventures, and creative events that keep each installment feeling different.
☕ Returning to Torte always feels like coming home.
⸻
Perfect for Readers Who Love
- Foodie cozy mysteries
- Baker protagonists
- Small town settings
- Found family casts
- Pacific Northwest settings
- Seasonal reading
- Long running character development
- Theater and Shakespeare
- Coffee shops and bakeries
- Cozy mysteries with heart
Upcoming Releases
Description:
Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR!
As autumn settles over the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, ushering in cool, crisp breezes and a stunning show of color, everyone at Torte is keeping warm by whipping up a bevy of fall treats and spicy lattes. Jules is nearing her due date, and the whole town is abuzz—placing bets on when the twins will make their grand debut. Helen and the team are working on a secret surprise baby shower, complete with cupcakes, cookies, and a feast fit for royalty, or maybe just a mother-to-be.
Meanwhile, Lance and Arlo are busy planning their nuptials in what is sure to be as close to a royal wedding as Ashland has ever seen. But when the high-end wedding planner they hired is found dead in the frigid waters of Ashland Creek, what looks like a tragic accident, a slip on an icy bridge, quickly reveals itself as something much more sinister. Jules knows at once—this was no mishap. A killer is loose in Ashland, and they may be ready to strike again.
Description:
Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Mystery Series set in Ashland, OR―now in trade paperback!
After a blissful, extended leave with the twins, Jules is eager to be back in the kitchen. There’s never a shortage of hands willing to tote one of the babies around, from Carlos, who has become a baby whisperer extraordinaire, to Mom and the Professor, who adore being doting grandparents, and their new part-time manny, Ben. It’s great timing because Lance and Arlo’s wedding is mere weeks away, and the team at Torte has been tasked with creating the most elaborate cake to date, as well as a feast fit for kings.
Torte is bustling with preparations and tasting bites―rhubarb brown-butter bars, fresh nectarine and almond tarts, lemon Parmesan-stuffed artichokes, mini grilled cheese with tomato bisque, and wood-fired barbecue chicken pizza with cilantro and hot honey. It’s all hands on deck for the signature statement cake, crafted with luscious layers of sponge and mounds of Italian buttercream and designed to hang upside down like an opulent chandelier.
Everything is going according to plan, until the night of Lance’s stag party, when one of the guests imbibes a bit too much and ends up staggering off a balcony. Only Jules quickly realizes there’s something more sinister afoot than just one cocktail too many. She’s determined to find the killer so that her best friend can walk down the aisle and marry the man of his dreams.
Final Thoughts
Out of every cozy mystery series I’ve read, this one will always be a little extra special because it was the first series I read from beginning to end. What started as a recommendation for foodie mysteries quickly became one of my favorite fictional worlds to escape to.
More than twenty books later, I’m still excited every time Ellie Alexander announces another trip back to Ashland. Jules, Carlos, Lance, Andy, Steph, Sterling, Helen, Ramiro, the Professor, and the rest of the Torte crew have become genuine comfort characters, and every visit feels like catching up with old friends over coffee, pastries, and—because this is a cozy mystery—a murder or two.
If you’re looking for a long running cozy mystery series filled with incredible food, memorable characters, seasonal charm, and mysteries that never lose their spark, I can’t recommend the Bakeshop Mysteries enough.
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