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LIVE AND LET PIE, the ninth book in the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander, is another charming addition to a sweet series! Protagonist Jules Capshaw, owner of the newly expanded and remodeled Torte Bakeshop in Ashland, Oregon, is an easy to love character. She is the type of person you’d want to hang out with and get to know… and if you’re lucky, sample all the yummy goodies she creates in her bakery kitchen! I love the friendships she has developed with her employees and how she freely mentors them to enhance their talents. She also has a very close relationship with her mother which is endearing. The story starts out after the marriage of Jules’ mother to the town’s detective, The Professor. Jules wasn’t sure about her mother moving forward but has learned to love and respect her new stepfather. I enjoy how the author continually gives the characters new learning experiences to expand their personal growth and I find it touching how emotional interaction is brought to some of the scenes.
While the delightful characters bring readers back to the series again and again, Ms. Alexander also provides a compelling murder mystery to intrigue us. She does provide a lot of setup before the cold case murder is brought to light but once Jules’ investigation starts, the plot moves forward with many twists and turns. She creates an interesting scenario with the connection between the decades-old victim and the murder victim that happens right after the first gruesome discovery. Jules’ investigation uncovers surprising conflicts surrounding the lack of housing and land available in the town. Ms. Alexander also touches on the plight of homelessness, especially homelessness affecting families. This hidden social issue is heart wrenching but the author treats the subject with sensitivity.
The reader will savor the descriptions of yummy foods coming from the kitchen of Torte and thankfully Ms. Alexander provides several recipes at the back of the book. I was drawn to the Raspberry Bars because you can use either frozen or fresh raspberries, making this an ideal dessert year-round. The crunchy brown sugar crust is layered with simple raspberries and then topped with a gooey-chewy nut and coconut layer for a satisfying treat!
Amazon Synopsis
Life is sweet once you step into Torte, everybody’s favorite small-town bakeshop. But what happens when it becomes the scene of a crime?
The heat is on for pastry chef, family business operator, and unlikely sleuth Jules Capshaw. Just when she thought she could enjoy some time away from the kitchen, Jules manages to discover a skull during a picnic by the lake. As if unearthing remains that may be connected to a missing-persons case from the 1960s isn’t enough on her plate, Jules must contend with the unsolved matter of her own marriage while her estranged husband Carlos sails the open seas, awaiting a verdict. Then there’s Jules’s bitter landlord Edgar, who is intent on making a sweet deal on a vacant lot down the block from Torte―until he turns up dead. If only Jules could find a recipe that would let her bake her cake and eat it, too…
A special thanks to Ellie Alexander for providing a winner with a print copy of LIVE AND LET PIE plus some Torte swag. Contest ends Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1-1/4 cups flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 1-1/2 cups brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1-1/3 cup coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1 package frozen raspberries (thawed and drained). If fresh raspberries are in season, Jules highly recommends using them!
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Sift 1-1/4 cups flour, baking powder, and salt.
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Cream butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. Stir in lemon juice.
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Add to flour and mix until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Press into a greased 7" x 11" baking pan.
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Bake for 15 minutes. Allow to cool.
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In a new mixing bowl, combine eggs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and vanilla. Stir in nuts and coconut.
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Spread raspberries over cooled crust and then pour the egg mixture over the raspberries.
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Bake for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
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I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I like to make a lot of things homemade. I love raspberries, these look goid!
I love to bake! I have several go-to crust recipes that I use. I have, though, used bought crusts in a real pinch!
Thank you for this book giveaway! I have been waiting for this new book to come out!
I always make my own pie crusts.
I always make homemade pie crust.
I normally make my own.
Buy already made pie
I’ve tried to make pie crust, but I’m not very good at it. Trader Joe’s pie crusts are good. I’ll probably try a homemade pie crust again at some point.
Depends on how much time I have and how I’m feeling. Prefer to make my own. Love raspberries so your recipe looks and sounds delicious!
I make my own.
I’ll admit when I’m baking a pie for a non-blog post, I will most often use Pillsbury refrigerated pie dough instead of making my own. It received the highest rating from America’s Test Kitchen and most people can’t tell, unless they’re eating two pies side-by-side. But, if the blog recipe calls for a homemade crust, I try to follow the recipe exactly as written… and have made some utterly delectable crusts!
My husband is the pie maker, and he buys crusts.
I don’t make my own pie crust- I use the refrigerated kind!
I use already made pie crusts because I am not much of a baker. If I make cobblers I can make simple top crusts, nothing fancy. I will try this recipe. Thanks.
I do not bake
When it comes to pie crusts, there’s nothing like Pillsbury!
I go for convenience. I think I made one pie crust a very long time ago and well, we just won’t discuss that LOL! I’m more of a fan of eating pies than making them! 😉 Awesome looking recipe!
I but ready made crusts
I no longer bake.
Usually make my own, but have on occasion used ready made
I prefer to use ready-made pie crusts, but do make my own crusts for cheesecakes. Thanks so much for featuring Live and Let Pie on your blog and for the giveaway!
I buy ready made pie crusts.
I used to make pie crusts from scratch, but now I use the frozen ones.
I really like Marie Callendar lie crusts
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homemade pie crust is the best
I’m definitely a make from scratch type gal. Learned it from my Mom who learned it from her Mom. We are a family of bakers. Thankfully I am also blessed with a hubby who loves to bake as well. I knew he was a keeper when he didn’t mind doing clean up. 🙂
The recipe for Raspberry Bars sounds YUMMY!
Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “LIVE AND LET PIE”. Thanks for the wonderful chance to do so with the giveaway as well as to win some Torte swag!
My pie crust depends on my time and children’s needs
I buy ready made crusts. Thanks for the yummy recipe and for the chance to win a copy of
of the book.
I am really not much of a baker… I honestly have never made a pie before, but if I was to attempt it, I would definitely use store bought .. until I mastered it??❤️
I make my own pie crust. Thank you for the consideration.
Mmm, this sounds delicious. I perked up as soon as I saw the title “Raspberry Bars”!
I’m not fond of large quantities of coconut. Do you think I could replace some with oats?
Kim?
Yum! Yes I do bake and make my own pie crusts. Will do this raspb treat!!!Thanks so much!
I make homemade
Rasberries are not in season right now so I defrost frozen and let them drain! I cannot make pie crust or bisquits my hand is too heavy and it comes out hard!
Raspberry —-my favorite fruit for pastry
I totally fail at making pie crusts from scratch so I use frozen dough.
I use purchase pie dough since my homemade pie crust could be used for shoe leather. I’ve never
been able to make pie crust eventhough my mother and mother-in-law tried time and time again to
teach me. lol!
Probably about 50-50. Depends on the pie.
I usually make my own pie crust.
Can’t wait to try the Raspberry bars. Yum!
I use convenience products, they are so much quicker and taste good!
My daughter makes her own piecrust — I’m a convenience person! I would have to use peach or blueberry instead of raspberry due to the seeds! But they sound great!! 🙂
What an unusual raspberry bar recipe, can’t wait to try it! I have hot hands and have never tried to make my own pie crusts.
I use ready-made. I prefer my mom’s homemade crust, but I usually am pressed for time.
I buy the ready made pie crusts
I buy ready made crusts and make the filling. Thank you for the recipe raspberry is a big favorite at my house. I’d love to get this book. Here’s hoping. Thank you for the chance.
I use frozen dough, I suck at making my own!
I make my own, but in a quick pinch I will use store bought.
I usually buy my pie crust. Thanks for the chance!
I do homemade pie crust. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of Live And Let Pie.
I haven’t made a homemade crust in years—the store bought ones are fine w me.
That looks good!!!!!
I purchase the frozen pie crusts.
I always make homemade. Store bought crust doesn’t taste good! Thanks for the chance to win your book!
I usually buy the crust, but I should try to make one next time. Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve never had good luck making my own pie crusts, so I use store bought pie crusts.
Not homemade!! Now my Mother would not be happy!! 🙁
I love homemade pie crust, but I never take the time to make it. I think I’ve made 2 in my whole life. I do love raspberry bars though – they’re one of my favorite desserts. And my cousin and I are crazy about pie!
I have never been able to master a pie crust. So for me – store bought!
I always make my own crusts. I discovered a wonderful recipe that makes 3 double crusted pies at one time and it never fails! Throw everything into my kitchen aide and viola! it’s done. I’ve even won prizes for my pies.
I love raspberry anything.
Due to numerous food allergies, I try to make everything myself but when I’m strapped for time or get une pected coany I usually have a package of pie crust to use to save time. I normally brush my crusts with milk or beaten egg and almost always use raw sugar for crunch. So even bought crusts taste pretty good!.
Both. It depends on the pie I’m making & how much time I have available.
I use premade as much as possible! Thanks for chance!
I cheat and use bought pie crusts!
I suck at making pies, especially the crust, so when I do make a pie I use store bought. I can bake a thing else like a champ, not pie ?
I buy ready made but also make my own depending on time and what I’m baking.
Found my crust not the best, so will let the Doughboy help. If a graham cracker crust like for lemon pie, I will make those.
“Pie crust: do you always make homemade or do you use convenience products?” We’ve used readymade graham cracker crusts, but they’re not remotely as good as a homemade graham cracker crust!
I used to make my own crust, but I dont really bake any more.
I can’t wait to Veganize this recipe & yes, we always make HOMEMADE pie crust ?
I always make homemade pie crust. Thank you for the chance.
I sometimes used pre-made if I do not have much time – but prefer homemade.
I wish my crusts came out good. I need to try harder.
I love raspberry anything, and a good book, so this really caught my eye. Can not wait to get a copy and read the book.
I buy rolled pie crust at the store, so much easier to do. Thanks for this amazing chance at this book.
I use convenience crusts. Really I haven’t found a difference between the two.
Great review! Thanks!
I can’t do better than Marie Callendar frozen pie crusts!!!