Nothing Bundt Trouble: A Bakeshop Mystery

I have enjoyed this series since the very first book and always look forward to the newest in the series. As much as I love this series, I had a hard time getting into this book. Much of the book is told from Juliet's fathers point of view, through a journal Juliet finds in the basement of her family home. Even though the story didn't grip me as quickly as this series usually does, once I got interested in the plot I was hooked and had to see how it ended. The story moved fast once the journal was finished and Juliet and Lance started sleuthing. Even though this wasn't my favorite book in the series, it did have a good cold case story and I enjoyed learning about the start of Torte and the early years of Juliet's family. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and have already pre-ordered it.

I love this series. But this departure is just boring. Three quarters of the book is just her reading her father's journal? There is nothing to keep the reader excited. I gave a three because I love the series up to now. Love the characters. Hoping for a better next book.

Juliet Capshaw is rearranging her life---her bakeshop is expanding and she's moving into the house she grew up in as her widowed mother moves on to a new life with her new husband. In the process, Juliet discovers her deceased father's journal, and it holds more than family memories. So much more than a cold case from 30 years ago drags Juliet into sleuthing around Ashland, Oregon again. This time, she's not only out to find a killer, she's out to make a connection with the father who died when she was young.Alexander's cozies are always favorites for me, as they not only have solid mysteries and engaging characters, but they have a little window into a world I'd like to know more about. In this case, the world of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. This volume also has a neat twist in introducing a crime through an old journal that carries into present time for the main character.I loved the eighties touches that made the cold case come alive and inspired the contemporary characters to host an eighties-themed supper at the bakeshop. The journal trope was a fun and different way of telling the story.

Dollycas’s ThoughtsSpring in Ashland means Juliet Capshaw is getting settled in her childhood home that was given to her by her mother and the Professor after they moved into their new home. While going through boxes in the basement she finds her father’s journal detailing a time in the ’80s when he assisted the Professor on his first case. A hit and run death of a young actor. Juliet’s parents had recently opened Torte and they had taken on a side job provided desserts for a new dinner theatre. This brings her dad into contact with all the players, one of which could be a killer.Juliet is excited to read the journal after losing her dad all those years ago but is surprised the case had not been solved. After going over the case with her step-dad she decides to ask Lance to help her revisit the suspects and the evidence to try to solve the cold case.After reading the first ten books in this series we have gotten to know Juliet and her mom quite well. Now we get to travel back in time to get to know Will Capshaw. We also see how much the city of Ashland has changed and the things that have stayed the same. With the journal, the author takes an interesting approach entwining the past and present with a focus on the same mystery. I really liked the time Doug, aka The Professor, and Jules took reading the journal together. Her father’s words were not only focused on the murder case but expressed the love he had for his wife and their daughter. We learn that Jules is so much like her dad. She has always been inquisitive and curious about what happens around her. The apple did not fall far from the tree. For her to pick up the unsolved case made perfect sense.In the present times, the staff at Torte are also planning a 1980’s themed dinner complete with costumes, a disco mirror ball, music, and recipes including the pineapple inside down cake that was served in many households including mine back in the day. All the ’80’s references brought back a ton of memories, like the mirror ball my graduating class purchased for our school prom, along with the crazy clothes and hairstyles. What a delightful trip back in time.Nothing Bundt Trouble is a unique story that tugged on my heartstrings. This series features some of my favorite cozy characters. It was a real treat to get to know Helen, Jules, Doug, and finally Will’s stories from the past. It makes them more complete. The love story between Helen and Will just shines. Thank you, Ms. Alexander for writing this book. I loved it.

Nothing Bundt Trouble finds us in Ashland, Oregon just as Spring is beginning. Juliet Capshaw and her mom own Torte, a bakeshop, where everything is going according to plan. With the Shakespeare Festival fast approaching they are all busy gearing up for the many tourists who will be arriving in town soon. When Juliet finds an old journal of her dads regarding a long ago police case she turns to her mother's husband, known as the Professor, who is an Ashland police detective for answers. As she travels thru the journal to another era she learns things about her dad and her questions start to get her in trouble. Will Juliet solve the decades old unsolved case? And at what cost to her? I love this series! The characters grow and evolve from book to book. The writing is descriptive which I love. As an added bonus there are some delicious recipes included in the book. I definitely recommend this series and this book! It's a must read for cozy mystery lovers!

I'd read the negative reviews about this book, but wanted to read Juliet's father's journal. At first, I was intrigued, but the more I read, the less convincing the journal sounded. Guys -- Will Capshaw, her late father, and Doug, The Professor, his best friend -- don't talk like that. Read like girlfriends chatting instead of two educated men. And the writing was supposed to be done in the 1980's. Go-go boots died out in the seventies (I know; I was a wearer!). While the unsolved Pastry Case, as the two men dubbed it, sparked some interest, it played out poorly. Especially when Jules and her delightful partner-in-crime solving, Lance, attempt to put an end to the story. Lackluster. Okay, I didn't figure out whodunit, which is a plus, but the story seemed to drag on forever. Would suggest to skip over this one. Sorry, but it's not worth the trouble.

This was a fast pace mystery. The story was different with the cold case but interesting and well plotted. The ending was a bit too easy for the sleuth after so many years later. But I enjoyed it. This is a good series and I'm looking forward for the next one.

dr unk driving has consequences the driver is to blame in this case the police detective is only doing his job juliet is giving support and listening to her friend she becomes closer to her father by understanding what was written in his journal doug solves the mystery with the help of friends

This cozy has it all. Great mystery, I didn’t guess the killer. Great food. It had my mouth watering throughout. And it had a heart warming story woven together by a cast of fun and quirky characters. A definite must read.