Ellie Alexander

Annie Murray is excited to host a murder mystery-themed dinner party, but soon the evening takes a deadly turn...When her friend Penny confesses she's struggling to finance the restoration of the historic Wentworth farmhouse, Annie is instantly inspired. The beautiful property has stood empty since the 1970s, but rumors still swirl about the eccentric Wentworth family and their hidden fortune. It's the perfect setting for a spooky, immersive dinner party, and the evening is a roaring success - until neighboring landowner Curtis Wright drops dead at the dining table...Annie knows she didn't add arsenic to the entr e, so who messed with her catering, and why? Everyone in the party had some reason to hate renowned bully Curtis - not least Penny, who was under pressure to sell land to him. Annie realizes she'll need to clear her friend's name fast. Soon, she's in deep, uncovering long-buried family secrets, shady business deals and pitch-black hidden passageways.But as Annie closes in on the truth, the killer is determined to stop her at all costs. Will justice be served in time, or will Annie get a helping of death with dessert...?Packed with twists, turns and charming small-town intrigue, Death at the Dinner Party is a deliciously page-turning, cozy mystery that will keep you guessing. Fans of Lauren Elliott, Tonya Kappes and Janet Evanovich will love the latest tasty treat from The Secret Bookcase series.Readers love The Secret Bookcase Mysteries: "Knocked me out of my seat Loved this first book and I am eagerly waiting the next... Five stars hands down." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Kept me glued to the page as I raced to find out whodunit. A winner "Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"This book was AMAZING A great start to a new series... I can't wait to read more " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Absolutely loved this I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and had no idea whodunit until it was revealed... I love a good twist " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Unputdownable cozy mystery This was such a fun read, I could not get enough. It felt like a classic Hercule Poirot or Benoit Blanc mystery. Perfection " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Ellie Alexander has done it AGAIN As cozy mysteries go this is one of the coziest... So good I devoured it in one sitting." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"What a magnificent read A perfect cozy mystery." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"ELLIE ALEXANDER HAS A NEW SERIES I immediately wanted to hop on a flight to Redwood Grove to take part in the festival and meet Annie, her friends, co-workers, and townspeople. The characters and the setting seemed so real. I'm looking forward to book two..." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A page-turner. Ellie Alexander has once again proven herself as the queen of cozy mysteries." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I have loved every series Ellie has written so far and this one did not disappoint I truly was hooked and I stayed up way too late because I just needed to finish the book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A definite must-read for all book lovers, and fans of cozy murder mysteries." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, OR It's late spring in Juliet's charming hamlet, Ashland, Oregon. Spotted deer are nibbling on lush green grasses in Lithia Park, the Japanese maples are blooming, and Torte is baking a bevy of spring delights--lemon curd cupcakes, mini coconut cream pies, grapefruit tartlets, and chocolate dipped almond Tuiles. Meanwhile, her friend Lance, the artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, is taking center stage with his new theater troupe--the Fair Verona Players. Their performance in Uva's vineyard promises to be a modern, gender-bending twist on "The Taming of the Shrew," but as the curtain rises, so do the strange occurrences. Stage mishaps and internal bickering threaten to derail the production. But as the curtain rises, the real show begins when the leading actor, Jimmy Paxton, meets his final curtain call. Now, Jules is not only in the mix, but she's going to need to craft the perfect recipe for solving this theatrical whodunit.

When bookseller and events organizer Annie Murray invites the glamorous world of Hollywood along to her small-town film festival, she finds herself entangled in a sinister plot as twisted as any big-screen thriller...After the success of her first event, which revived the fortunes of the bookstore she loves so dearly, Annie is excited to launch Redwood Grove's first film festival. But when an infamous film critic plunges to his death during the premiere of a Hitchcock-inspired thriller, Annie's instincts tell her that this was no accident. She soon discovers that many of the cast, crew and guests are harboring dark secrets; from the lead actress with a scandalous past, to a film historian obsessed with protecting his vintage reel collection.Determined to unravel the mystery, Annie must sift through a tangled web of hidden agendas and deception to expose the killer before they strike again. Can she crack the case and save her film festival - or will she find herself in the spotlight?Packed full of plot twists and a colorful cast of characters, A Murder at the Movies sparkles with charm, heart and humor, and will keep cozy mystery fans guessing until the final pages. Perfect fans for Lauren Elliott, Tonya Kappes and Janet Evanovich.What readers say about Ellie Alexander's cozy crime: "Couldn't put it down I couldn't turn the pages fast enough " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"I'm SO happy, this was brilliant Wonderful and exactly what I want in a cozy " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"An exceptional storyteller... just when you think you have it figured out, there's another twist." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"What a great author She draws you in and keeps you engaged from start to finish." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Wow. I didn't see the plot twist coming. I love this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A wonderful cozy mystery " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A gripping whodunit... masterfully intertwines suspense, intrigue, and a love for literature." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"It's official; Ellie Alexander is the undisputed queen of cozy mysteries... this is a book that readers won't be able to put down." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A delightful cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Oh how I love this series This book had me guessing who done it right up until the killer was revealed... I just can't wait to see what's next." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"My favorite cozy mystery series " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Behind the shelves of The Secret Bookcase, where the sun slants through the windows onto rows of classic crime novels, a body lies...Bookseller Annie Murray is thrilled when the mystery-themed book festival she sets up to revive the dwindling fortunes of her workplace and sanctuary seems poised for success. But events take a shocking turn when a body is discovered hidden behind the shelves, and it's revealed that the victim is Annie's old college acquaintance.Determined to ensure the festival's success and save the small town of Redwood Grove from a killer, Annie begins piecing together clues with the help of her friends. But as the list of suspects grows longer - a local boutique-owner, an envious old classmate, a bitter ex-boyfriend - Annie is drawn deeper into the case.With the aid of her old criminology professor-turned-detective, can Annie unmask the murderer before they turn her festival into a real-life whodunit?Full of lovable, quirky characters and small-town charm, The Body in the Bookstore serves up an irresistible blend of intrigue for fans of cozy crime including Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham, M.C. Beaton and Leslie Meier.What readers say about Ellie Alexander's cozy crime: "Couldn't put it down I couldn't turn the pages fast enough " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"An exceptional storyteller.... just when you think you have it figured out, there's another twist." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"What a great author She draws you in and keeps you engaged from start to finish." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Wow. I didn't see the plot twist coming. I love this book." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A wonderful cozy mystery " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A consummate storyteller who makes you feel as though you could book a trip to the area." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A delightful cozy mystery that will keep you turning pages." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Oh how I love this series This book had me guessing who done it right up until the killer was revealed... I just can't wait to see what's next." Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"My favorite cozy mystery series " Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The mountains are calling in Ashland, Oregon, where pastry chef turned amateur sleuth, Jules Capshaw, is baking up a bevy of spiced curry buns and chai cookies for a moonlit snowshoe tour. Ramiro’s family is visiting from Spain and Jules can’t wait to take them up to her beloved Mount A with its charming and rustic lodge, backcountry trails, and star-filled skies that stretch for miles. Their winter wonderland adventure is nothing short of magical and the merry party opts to return to the slope the next day for the Downhill Dummy. The annual competition is a favourite amongst snow lovers. Contestants strap makeshift dummies to skis and send them hurling down a death-defying ski jump in hopes of catching big air. The team at Torte is in the mix this year with their own replica of a tiered cake and a baker who closely resembles their fearless leader. It’s a fun and festive atmosphere as dummies sail past the crowd to huge cheers and applause. Until one of the dummies takes a deadly detour and lands atop Fitz Baskin. Fitz is a guide on the mountain and his icy dealings have made for frosty relationships with everyone he encounters. Suddenly there are more suspects than snowdrifts as Jules dives into the investigation. She unearths a web of secrets and motives that threaten to shake the rustic mountain lodge to its core. Can she catch the killer before they strike again, or will the truth be buried forever under fluffy layers of fresh snow?

Things are getting spooky in Catch Me If You Candy, the next delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series from author Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon Halloween has arrived in picturesque Ashland, Oregon, and all of the ghouls and goblins have descended on Main Street for the annual parade. It's a giant street party and Torte is right in the mix. Jules Capshaw and her team have been baking up autumn delights and trick-or-Torte bags filled with sugar cookie cutouts, spiced cider, and mummy munch. It's the end of the season at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which means that the costumes for the parade are going to be out of this world. The elaborate guises even extend to pets. The grand marshal of this year's parade is no other than a regal pug aptly named King George. Jules is delighted to get to share the experience with Carlos and Ramiro, but things take a dark turn when she discovers a dragon slumped in front of the bakeshop. Jules is distraught when she realizes the dragon is dead. She's also shaken because a few days before the parade, her mother's Mahjong partner Helen discovered a warning note about a dragon in an antique game set. Jules hopes it's just a random coincidence, but as the clues begin to unfold it becomes evident that there's been a murder on All Hallow's Eve. Can Juliet sift out the truth before the killer comes after her?

Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause is back to brewing in this latest installment of Ellie Alexander's popular cozy mystery series, Beer and Loathing. Includes recipes and a travel guide to Leavenworth It's ski week in everyone's favorite Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. Sloan Krause and her brewing partner in crime Garrett Strong are pouring pints of their deliciously decadent obsidian IPA and serving up slices of peanut butter chocolate pretzel bars. The mid-winter has everyone buzzing with excitement, especially Garrett. His family is arriving for a long overdue visit to Nitro. He can't wait to show them around the village, spend afternoons skiing the surrounding alpine slopes, and curling up in front of a crackling fire with a hearty evening stout. But the cozy vibe takes a dark turn when a young doctor has a fatal fall from the ski lift. At first, everyone assumes it was a terrible accident, but Sloan isn't convinced. Hazel Anders had insider information on medical research that could be worth killing for. Now barstool sleuth Sloan is on the case and using her nose for hops to sniff out the murder.

In Muffin But the Truth, Torte's pastry chef and amateur sleuth Juliet Capshaw finds herself in deep water... in another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series from author Ellie Alexander, set in Ashland, Oregon Ashland is known for its Elizabethan charm and touches of Shakespeare around every corner, but the surrounding Rogue Valley draws adventure enthusiasts to its outdoor wonderland of high alpine lakes, mountain ranges, and pristine rivers. Jules Capshaw and the team at Torte have been hired to cater a weekend getaway on the mighty Rogue River. Jules is going to have to put her culinary skills to the test while baking gooey chocolate chip skillet cookies over an open flame and preparing extravagant feasts under a canopy of stars. The executive team at a big city firm will be rafting the Rogue's rapids and gathering around the campfire for spooky stories, but their dysfunction quickly begins to show. Between constant bickering and heavy drinking, Jules wonders how the team can accomplish anything. She's happy for a brief reprieve when they zip up their lifejackets and head out in their boats, but the serenity of the scene quickly vanishes when Jules discovers one of the execs floating face down in the water. She's going to have to uncover the truth before she gets pulled under.

The filling is looking grim for pastry chef and amateur sleuth Juliet Capshaw in Donut Disturb, the next in Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Series. Love is in bloom in Ashland, Oregon. The Shakespearean hamlet is bursting with fresh spring energy. Fragrant lilacs and the sweet aroma of vanilla cake fill the air as everyone in town gathers at Lithia Park for the celebration of the year--Thomas and Kerry's wedding. It's a picture perfect day. Guests gather on picnic blankets in front of the bandshell to watch Kerry walk down the aisle and wed Ashland's favorite detective in training, Thomas. Jules and her team at Torte have been tasked with catering the outdoor reception and everything is going according to plan, until a wedding crasher shows up. The uninvited guest isn't just someone looking to score a free glass of champagne. It's Kerry's estranged father who is supposed to be behind bars. Kerry is distraught. Jules vows to do everything she can to make sure that there are no other surprises on her friend's big day. But when the bassist for Heart Strings, the wedding band, is found stabbed with the blunt end of his instrument Jules's promise takes on new meaning. Now she'll have to slice through the five tiered cake and a bevy of potential suspects in order to track down a killer before they turn the knife on her.

When an editing pen has the power not only to change stories but also to change lives.Book editor Emily Bryant finds herself unexpectedly in the charming town of Cascata on California's Lost Coast, holding the keys to her grandmother's rambling Victorian mansion. While sorting through her grandmother's things, Emily learns that she must edit old manuscripts to inherit the estate. It's a strange request from a family member who was basically a stranger.Emily quickly realizes that there's something different about these manuscripts. Any changes she makes come true. At first, she embraces the gift. She has a chance to help characters find true love or chart a new course for their future. But then things go terribly wrong. Her edits have the opposite effect. The sweet and funky seaside community of Cascata is reeling from the chaos Emily has created. Everything she thought she believed about her family and her past is in jeopardy, and no amount of editing can fix the damage she's done.Then she finds one last manuscript. If Emily can get this edit right, maybe she'll have a chance to create a new narrative for herself and everyone around her.

Ellie Alexander's Bake, Borrow, and Steal, the most delicious installment yet in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, Oregon As the autumnal hues of November fall over the Shakespearean hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, Jules and her team at Torte are working on their biggest event ever. They've been invited to create chocolate showpieces for the gala opening of a new exhibit, Shakespeare's Lost Pages at SOMA. The museum, located on the campus of Southern Oregon University, is getting ready to unveil the Bard's lost manuscript, Double Falsehood, which is being touted as the greatest artistic discovery of modern times. In addition to molding luscious, silky chocolate into magnificent structures, Torte will be serving an authentic Elizabethan feast straight from the pages of a sixteenth century cookbook featuring Lardy cakes, Frangipane tarts, and jellies with chestnut cream. Jules has underestimated the amount of work required to pull off such a culinary feat. She finds herself in the strange position of feeling frazzled and stressed as the day of the gala approaches. However, her team rallies around her and once the massive works of chocolate art are safely installed at the museum, she can finally let out a sigh of relief and revel in the excitement of the grand celebration. But her relief is short-lived. Right before the unveiling, news quickly begins to spread that Shakespeare's lost manuscript is missing. Not only that, but the security guard tasked with keeping the priceless artifact safe has been killed. Is this a case of a heist gone terribly wrong? Or could it be that a killer is lurking in the museum archives?

Amateur sleuth Sloan Krause delves into a murderous winter wonderland in another delightful mystery from cozy writer Ellie Alexander, Without a Brew. It's winter in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington, which for local brewmaster Sloan Krause means lots of layers, pine and citrus-flavored craft beers, and getting the new guest rooms at Nitro into pristine condition before visitors flood in for IceFest--a local tradition filled with fireworks, ice carving, and winter games of all varieties. But Sloan and her boss Garrett quickly learn that being brewkeepers turned innkeepers may not be as idyllic as it sounded. While one couple staying with them seems completely smitten, a flashy group arrives in the evening demanding rooms. Sloan and Garrett are less than impressed, but agree to rent to them anyway. The night takes a turn when brewery patron Liv Paxton finishes her frothy pint and, with no previous plan for an overnight stay in Leavenworth, eagerly takes Sloan up on the offer of sanctuary from the snow--until she has a strange run in with some locals and the other guests. Sloan could be imagining things, but when Liv's room is found trashed the next morning, a hateful message painted on her car, and Liv herself is nowhere to be found, Sloan is convinced another mystery is brewing. With many of the potential suspects hunkering down under Nitro's roof, she knows her co-workers and friends won't be safe until she serves up the killer a hoppy pint of justice.

When a barista competition comes to town, Torte's favorite pastry chef finds herself sleuthing once again--in the next installment of Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Mystery Series, Mocha, She Wrote Summer has ushered in a new season in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Torte is bustling with tourists taking in star-drenched shows at the Elizabethan, setting out to hike in the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains, and sampling the bakeshop's summer lineup of raspberry lemon tarts and mint mojito cold brews. Jules and the team are buzzing with excitement when they learn that Andy, Torte's head barista, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup. The prestigious competition draws coffee aficionados from up and down the coast to Ashland. The winner will not only claim to be best-in-brew, but also be awarded a hefty cash prize. Andy's nervous about his chances, but Jules is confident that her star barista will shine. However, things take a grim turn when head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy's first offering, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips--and hours later, is found dead clutching Andy's creamy latte. Suddenly Torte's favorite barista becomes the number one suspect. There's no roast for the weary. Jules will have to sleuth out whodunit to clear Andy's name and catch a killer before she ends up with one foot in the grounds.

When a barista competition comes to town, Torte's favorite pastry chef finds herself sleuthing once again--in the next installment of Ellie Alexander's beloved Bakeshop Mystery Series, Mocha, She Wrote Summer has ushered in a new season in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon. Torte is bustling with tourists taking in star-drenched shows at the Elizabethan, setting out to hike in the surrounding Siskiyou Mountains, and sampling the bakeshop's summer lineup of raspberry lemon tarts and mint mojito cold brews. Jules and the team are buzzing with excitement when they learn that Andy, Torte's head barista, has been selected to compete in the West Coast Barista Cup. The prestigious competition draws coffee aficionados from up and down the coast to Ashland. The winner will not only claim to be best-in-brew, but also be awarded a hefty cash prize. Andy's nervous about his chances, but Jules is confident that her star barista will shine. However, things take a grim turn when head judge Benson Vargas spits out Andy's first offering, claiming it to be the worst thing to ever touch his lips--and hours later, is found dead clutching Andy's creamy latte. Suddenly Torte's favorite barista becomes the number one suspect. There's no roast for the weary. Jules will have to sleuth out whodunit to clear Andy's name and catch a killer before she ends up with one foot in the grounds.

As winter turns to spring in Oregon, pastry chef Juliet Capshaw gets an unexpected opportunity to open a pop-up ice cream shop in Ashland's up-and-coming Railroad District. Though she never planned on a second space for Torte, the outdoor venue is too adorable to pass up, especially with her staff members Andy and Sterling begging her for the chance to showcase their line of frozen coffee drinks and rich, cold custards. As things at Torte ramp up for a successful summer, Jules' handsome and estranged husband arrives for an extended stay, taking over day to day operations at Uva, the vineyard that they co-own, and leaving Jules free to dive in to her newest business venture. The garden space is dreamy and perfect: With patio seating and twinkling lights, the seasonal shop is flanked by a yoga studio, bike shop, and food trucks. While it sees fewer tourists than the bustling plaza, the Railroad District is alive with local flare. One of Ashland's most recognized characters, The Wizard, known for his sidewalk poetry and balloon animals, passes through daily wearing his signature cape and cone-shaped hat. But just as the Torte team prepares to open their new creamy custard shop, The Wizard is found dead on the railroad tracks, casting doubt on all of Jules' new neighbours and tossing her right into a chilling murder investigation.