Jane Reads: A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander

Saturday, June 24, 2017

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander | Review

**The author of Fudge and Jury is back, with another Bakeshop Mystery!**

The Blurb

Torte ― everybody’s favorite small-town family bakeshop ― is headed for the high seas, where murder is about to make a splash. . .

Jules Capshaw is trying to keep her cool as Torte gets set to make its transformation from quaint, local confectionery café to royal pastry palace. Meanwhile, Jules’s estranged husband Carlos is making a desperate plea for her to come aboard his cruise ship and dazzle everyone with her signature sweets. She may be skeptical about returning to her former nautical life with Carlos but Jules can’t resist an all-expense-paid trip, either. If only she knew that a dead body would find its way onto the itinerary . .

A warm and inviting atmosphere, friendly and likable main characters, and a nasty murder mystery to solve! ― Fresh Fiction

Now, instead of enjoying tropical drinks on deck between whipping up batches of sea-salted chocolates and flambéing fresh pineapple slices in the kitchen, Jules is plunged into dangerous waters. Her investigation leaves her with more questions than answers: Why can’t anyone on board identify the young woman? And how can she help Carlos keep passengers at ease with a killer in their midst? Jules feels like she’s ready to jump ship. Can she solve this case without getting in too deep?

A perfect mix for fans of Jenn McKinlay, Leslie Budewitz, or Jessica Beck. ― Library Journal

A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander

Series: A Bakeshop Mystery, #6

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Culinary Mystery

Publication Date: June 27, 2017

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages

ISBN-10: 1250088070

ISBN-13: 978-1250088079

e-Book File Size: 1387 KB

ASIN: B01MRU56AS

The Review

I just read a really good book, y'all — A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander, the sixth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. Let me tell you why.

I love the cover of A Crime of Passion Fruit. It's so colorful and detailed, and sets the scene for the book. Most of the action is aboard the Amour of the Sea cruise ship, where Juliet is filling in as Pastry Chef for five days. This imaginative situation makes for an interesting and entertaining plot.

Juliet and the supporting characters are engaging and easy to like. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the Torte staff — barista Andy, sous chef Sterling, and baker Stephanie — which was enhanced by the addition of Bethany (introduced in Fudge and Jury). I love the "something special" that occurred for two characters at the end of the book.

A Crime of Passion Fruit is fun and fast-paced, with a mystery which kept me guessing. The Bakeshop Mystery series is one I will definitely continue to read. I'm looking forward to Book #7, Another One Bites the Crust.

I recommend A Crime of Passion Fruit to all cozy mystery fans, especially those who are also theater buffs, Shakespeare fans, cruisers, Oregonians, and/or fans of the Pacific Northwest Mysteries by Kate Dyer-Seeley.

I really enjoyed A Crime of Passion Fruit by Ellie Alexander, and hereby grant it Four Kitties!

Four out of five kitties

Note: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of A Crime of Passion Fruit.
All opinions shared are 100% my own.

The Author

About Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby.

When she's not coated in flour, you'll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research.

The 7th book in the Bakeshop Mysteries, Another One Bites the Crust, comes out January 2018. And a new series debuts fall 2017 with Death on Tap!