Mocha, She Wrote

Mocha, She Wrote by Ellie Alexander is the 13th A Bakeshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Mocha, She Wrote is a lighthearted culinary cozy mystery. It contains good writing with appealing characters. It is the characters that make this series. They are friendly and relatable. I enjoy the descriptions of Ashland. The writer paints a visual picture with her words. There are mouthwatering food and coffee descriptions that will have you heading for your local bakery. Information about coffee and the brewing process are included. It is interesting learning about what goes into making a good cup of java. The whodunit has a loathsome victim that a number of people wished dead. Jules had to interview victims, wade through the clues, and brew up a killer. I wish the mystery had been more of a challenge (it is my favorite part of cozy mysteries). I could easily identify the guilty party early in the story. Jules has become a seasoned investigator so she can handle a more challenging whodunit. The murder did not occur until a third of the way through the book. I like that there is no bloodshed or foul language. This type of cozy is perfect for summer. Mocha, She Wrote is a merry cozy mystery with a vile victim, a cutthroat coffee competition, a potent potion, chilled ice cream, and a keen killer.