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LAYING DOWN THE LATTE

Laying Down The Latte, September 2025
Bakeshop Mystery #21
by Ellie Alexander

St. Martin's Press
Featuring: Carlos; Jules Capshaw; Andy
304 pages
ISBN: 1250326222
EAN: 9781250326225
Kindle: B0DNXD61FM
Paperback / e-Book
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"Murder on the Menu in Costa Rica’s Coffee Country"

Fresh Fiction Review

LAYING DOWN THE LATTE
Ellie Alexander

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel
Posted August 23, 2025

Mystery Culinary | Mystery Cozy

When a friend invites them to Costa Rica for a little work and a little R&R, Jules and her husband Carlos can’t wait. Valentina owns half of a coffee farm. Jules is excited to see her old friend and talk shop. This could be the last vacation they have together as Jules is expecting twins. Andy tags along to learn more about life on a coffee farm.

When they arrive, the farm is in chaos. Valentina confides that her cousin is interested in selling the farm to a big conglomerate. Valentina isn’t interested in selling. Everyone on the farm is desperately trying to change Miguel’s mind.

While giving their guests a tour of the facilities, someone falls into machinery and dies. Given the circumstances, the authorities believe his death was not accidental. With everyone wanting to stop the sale of the farm, there are a large number of suspects. Can Jules solve the murder before her long weekend is up?

LAYING DOWN THE LATTE is the 21st book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. While only three characters are directly involved with the murder, communication back home allows readers glimpses of the rest of the characters. Lance texts several over-the-top ideas about his wedding. Another fun read in this mystery series that leaves readers hungry for more. I’m already looking forward to the big changes coming to Torte and this fantastic group of characters.

 

 

 

Learn more about LAYING DOWN THE LATTE

SUMMARY

Another delicious installment in the Bakeshop Series set in Ashland, Oregon!

Baker Jules Capshaw, along with her husband, Carlos, and Torte’s resident barista, Andy, are packing their bags and preparing for the ultimate coffee excursion in Costa Rica. A fortuitous invitation from one of Carlos’s former colleagues, Valentina, has them venturing to the coffee capital of the world for a tasting tour and an immersive weekend at her family\'s organic coffee farm.

They soak in the tropical breezes, the vibrant colors, the sounds of morning birdsong, and the sweeping views of the historic coffee farm. Valentina is the ultimate host, offering them traditional meals and thrilled to have their input as she’s preparing to open a coffee counter and bakery on the farm.

The getaway is just what Jules needed. A chance to relax and unwind, curl up with a book and iced latte by the pool, and tinker in Valentina’s kitchen, dreaming up new recipes to bring home. Except her tranquil weekend quickly turns into a nightmare when one of Valentina’s employees is found dead in the pulping machine. Now, Jules will have to put her vacation on hold to try and uncover the murderer before one of Torte\'s beloved workers becomes the next body thrown into the mix.

EXCERPT

No excerpt available.

BOOK SERIES

Bakeshop Mystery

Meet Your Baker
MEET YOUR BAKER
#1.0 • January 2015
A Batter Of Life And Death
A BATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
#2.0 • July 2015
Caught Bread Handed
CAUGHT BREAD HANDED
#4.0 • July 2016
A Crime of Passion Fruit
A CRIME OF PASSION FRUIT
#6.0 • July 2017
Another One Bites the Crust
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE CRUST
#7.0 • January 2018
Till Death Do Us Tart
TILL DEATH DO US TART
#8.0 • July 2018
Live and Let Pie
LIVE AND LET PIE
#9.0 • January 2019
A Cup of Holiday Fear
A CUP OF HOLIDAY FEAR
#10.0 • October 2019
Nothing Bundt Trouble
NOTHING BUNDT TROUBLE
#11.0 • July 2020
Chilled to the Cone
CHILLED TO THE CONE
#12.0 • January 2021
Bake, Borrow, and Steal
BAKE, BORROW, AND STEAL
#14.0 • January 2022
Muffin But the Truth
MUFFIN BUT THE TRUTH
#16.0 • January 2023
Catch Me If You Candy
CATCH ME IF YOU CANDY
#17.0 • September 2023
A Smoking Bun
A SMOKING BUN
#18.0 • February 2024
Sticks and Scones
STICKS AND SCONES
#19.0 • August 2024
Laying Down The Latte
LAYING DOWN THE LATTE
#21.0 • September 2025
The Whisking Hour
THE WHISKING HOUR
#22.0 • March 2026

 

 

 

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