Live and Let Pie: A Bakeshop Mystery

I jumped into this series on book 8 and this is the next one. I found it to be as delightful as the last one, possibly more so. In this book, Torte's remodel finally gets completed and Jules and her mother are ready to celebrate with their newly expanded team. With Jules' mom (Helen) and The Professor (Doug) back from their honeymoon, they're looking for a new place to live to mark the new life they've started together. In a genuinely heartfelt move, they suggest Jules accept the family home she grew up in as a gift from them both. Between house-hunting with her mom, mulling over what to do about her marriage, and moving Torte to the next step in its growth, Jules has everything she can possibly manage going on. An older murder is discovered just before a new murder occurs and thanks to her other activities, Jules has a lot of information to share with the police. In true bestie fashion, Lance happily drags her deeper into the intrigue as they try to see what they can uncover themselves. I'm going to cry when it's time to finally say goodbye to these characters. New ones are being introduced and have already taken a place in my heart. I truly hope it doesn't end soon. The dialogue remains fun and charming. We see one of the team act out of character and learn more about them, their views of the future, and their fears. Being the 9th book in the series, it should be fairly evident that the world is well established. I definitely recommend this as a read for any cozy fan. Thank you to Ellie Alexander, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for allowing me the chance to read this story and provide my honest thoughts and opinions.

I love this series and Live and Let Pie fits right in with the wonderful characters and complex mystery that Elle Alexander’s novels are known for.The renovations are complete and Torte has an expanded family and oh, how I love that family. Because Ms. Alexander creates dynamic characters, there a few growing pains but overall Jules is thrilled with the expansion and the new larger team. She is still thrilled that her mother and the Professor are married and looking for a new home together so she couldn’t refuse a chance to go look at a house that sounds perfect. One surprising element of the book is that she does not find a dead body. That doesn’t mean that they are lacking though as an old skeleton starts looking like it may have a link to the victim of new murder. The question becomes whether or not the two murders are linked, too. Even with the bakery up and fully running Julie has some major decisions to make and of course, Lance eggs her into investigating the current murder. Life is busy and good for her but as much for others. I received an ARC copy of the book via Netgalley but as all of my friends know, I always share about books that I love.