Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander

Item: Laying Down the Latte
Rating: 5
Author: karenbaron

Posted October 18, 2025 by karenbaron in #BookishRecipe, Mystery, Review, Series / 0 Comments

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Laying Down the Latte

by Ellie Alexander

Series: Bakeshop Mystery #21
Series Rating:

Published by Minotaur Books on August 26, 2025
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Format: Kindle, Paperback
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
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BookBub
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
Also in this series: Sticks and Scones, Killing Me Soufflé

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.

Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander brings Jules, Carlos, and Andy to San Jose, Costa Rica, for the weekend to learn about coffee and to visit an old friend.

Can Jules, Carlos, Andy, and Valentina find the killer before it’s too late?

Jules and Carlos got an invitation from a friend, Valentina, when the three of them worked on a cruise ship to come to Costa Rica and to her coffee farm. The two of them immediately thought about bringing Andy with them so that he could learn more about the craft of coffee making. I still like Jules as a sleuth and even more so when she has help, since she needs it, especially in Costa Rica.

The Mystery

For Jules, Carlos, and Andy, this weekend trip to Costa Rica was supposed to be a relaxing holiday to learn about coffee making and help Valentina get some recipes down for her coffee counter and bakery on her family’s coffee farm. It started that way until they found a dead body in the pulping machine, and then it was to solve a murder. I had a feeling it was the person that it was, but I didn’t quite get the why until the end.

Five Stars

Ms. Alexander always surprises me when she releases a new one, and how she keeps the mysteries, sometimes, away from Ashland. My rating for Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander is five stars, and I do recommend this series. Granted, this is only my third book in it, but I do love it. Ms. Alexander keeps me guessing on who could have done it until the reveal scene. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Ms. Alexander has recipes in the back of the book. They are Peach Cobbler, Torta Chilena with Duce de Leche, Pepito Sandwich, Arroz con Leche, Suspiros Cookies, Empanadas, and Andy’s Pura Vida Latte.

Bakeshop Mystery

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Laying Down the Latte by Ellie Alexander.

Until the next time,

Happy Reading!

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About Ellie Alexander

Hey There

A voracious storyteller and a lover of words and all things bookish. I believe that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over thirty-five published novels and counting, my goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

I love inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and am passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, I guide writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Come on a storyventure with me!

^ got from the author’s bio