I will be writing a longer review of this one.
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.

My Review:
There are certain characteristics most readers expect in cozy mysteries: lovable, amateur sleuths; interesting settings; unexpected plot twists; and undelightful murder victims. In Muffin But the Truth, one of these expectations is not met, which makes it vary from the norm. I won't tell you which one because I don't want to spoil it for you. The event Jules and the Torte team are catering on the banks of the Rogue River should have been so easy given their skills and preparation. However, the corporate employees they're catering to are all a bit too much to handle, whether it's their drinking, attitudes, or spiteful comments. I wanted Jules to walk away, give them a refund, and take the loss, but our intrepid Jules would never consider such a thing.
What I loved most about Muffin But the Truth is the creativity Jules and the team draw from to make the logistics of catering cowboy-style cookout fare for the event seem simple. I also have tried a few of the recipes from the back of the book, and they are delicious! I always try the recipes when I finish each book. It's fun because all the recipes are in the plot somewhere, and Ellie also shares tips and tricks she's learned about baking and cooking: She is a fabulous baker! I love watching her YouTube videos.
Although I recommend reading these books in order, you don't have to do so. I read several out of order before I started at the beginning (the first one I read was Book #5, Fudge and Jury).
Here are the recipes in Muffin But the Truth:
Skillet Cookies
Cowboy Baked Beans
Caramel Apple Strudel
Chicken Pot Pie
Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Ode to September Latte
Lemon Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter (I used unsalted)
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (use whole)
Juice and zest of one large lemon
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 cups fresh blueberries
Procedure:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Cream butter and sugar together in mixing bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, and the juice and zest of one lemon. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together and slowly incorporate flour mixture into the mixing bowl.
Gently toss blueberries with one tablespoon of flour. This ensures that the blueberries don't sink to the bottom of the muffin pan! (Ellie always shares helpful hints like this one.)
Gently fold the blueberries into the batter.
Scoop into greased muffin cups (I grease cupcake liners) and bake for twenty to twenty-five minutes. Take muffins out of tin and allow to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes or so. When left in the tin, they continue to cook!
NOTE: Ellie also includes a recipe for a lemon glaze for these muffins, but since I baked them for breakfast, I opted not to glaze them. If you want the recipe for the glaze, buy the book. You won't be disappointed!
I've enjoyed sharing my favorite cozy mystery series with you. It was comforting reading it during treatment because I love the setting, characters, baking, and the feeling of community.
Do you have a cozy mystery or cozy mystery series you'd like to share with us? Leave a comment and share!
Until next time...
Happy reading!
Ricki Jill