Chilled to the Cone

Pastry chef Juliet Capshaw opens a pop-up ice cream shop in Ashland's Railroad District, but when The Wizard, a local character known for his poetry and balloon animals, is found dead on the railroad tracks, Jules is thrown into a murder investigation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: St Martin's Press

In the enchanting town of Ashland, Oregon, as the winter season gracefully gives way to the vibrant spring, pastry chef Juliet Capshaw finds herself presented with an unexpected opportunity. The chance to open a pop-up ice cream shop in the up-and-coming Railroad District, a charming neighborhood bustling with excitement. Though she had never envisioned a second space for her beloved Torte bakery, the outdoor venue, with its picturesque setting and the enthusiastic pleas of her staff members, Andy and Sterling, to showcase their unique line of frozen coffee drinks and indulgent, rich custards, proved too irresistible to pass up. As the summer season approached, Torte's operations intensified, gearing up for a successful run. Meanwhile, Jules' handsome and estranged husband, Mark, arrives for an extended stay, taking over the day-to-day operations at their co-owned vineyard, Uva. With Mark managing the vineyard, Jules is free to fully immerse herself in her newest business venture, the pop-up ice cream shop. The garden space, adorned with patio seating and twinkling lights, is a dream come true. It is flanked by a yoga studio, a bike shop, and a vibrant array of food trucks, adding to the local flavor of the Railroad District. While the area may not attract as many tourists as the bustling plaza, it exudes a lively and welcoming atmosphere. One of Ashland's most iconic characters, known as The Wizard, is a regular fixture in the neighborhood. Renowned for his sidewalk poetry and captivating balloon animals, The Wizard traverses the streets daily, wearing his signature cape and cone-shaped hat. However, just as the Torte team prepares to open their new creamy custard shop, a shocking twist unfolds. The Wizard is found dead on the railroad tracks, casting a dark shadow over the neighborhood and throwing Jules into the midst of a chilling murder investigation. As Jules delves deeper into the case, she discovers that the Railroad District is not as idyllic as it seems. Hidden secrets and tangled relationships intertwine, leaving her questioning everyone around her. With the clock ticking, Jules must navigate through a web of lies and deceit to uncover the truth behind The Wizard's murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. As she unravels the mystery, Jules realizes that the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. The murder has not only rocked the community but also threatens to jeopardize her new business venture and the relationships she has built in Ashland. With determination and resilience, Jules embarks on a perilous journey to solve the case and restore peace to the neighborhood. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. From the enigmatic yoga instructor who may have witnessed something suspicious to the bike shop owner who holds a deep grudge against The Wizard, Jules must navigate through a complex network of lies and deceit to uncover the truth. As the investigation unfolds, Jules discovers that The Wizard's murder is not just a simple case of crime and punishment. It is a story of passion, jealousy, and betrayal, where the lines between right and wrong become blurred. With each step forward, Jules becomes more and more aware of the danger she is putting herself in, but she refuses to back down. She knows that the truth must be revealed, no matter the cost. In the end, Jules emerges as a hero, using her culinary skills and determination to solve the murder and bring closure to the community. The Railroad District is transformed, once again filled with laughter and joy, as the residents come together to celebrate the triumph of justice. Jules' pop-up ice cream shop thrives, becoming a beloved landmark in the neighborhood. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the importance of community and the power of forgiveness, inspiring others to embrace the beauty of small-town life and the potential for change within even the most unexpected circumstances. As winter turns to spring in Oregon, pastry chef Juliet Capshaw gets an unexpected opportunity to open a pop-up ice cream shop in Ashland's up-and-coming Railroad District. Though she never planned on a second space for Torte, the outdoor venue is too adorable to pass up, especially with her staff members Andy and Sterling begging her for the chance to showcase their line of frozen coffee drinks and rich, cold custards. As things at Torte ramp up for a successful summer, Jules' handsome and estranged husband arrives for an extended stay, taking over day to day operations at Uva, the vineyard that they co-own, and leaving Jules free to dive in to her newest business venture. The garden space is dreamy and perfect: With patio seating and twinkling lights, the seasonal shop is flanked by a yoga studio, bike shop, and food trucks. While it sees fewer tourists than the bustling plaza, the Railroad District is alive with local flare. One of Ashland's most recognized characters, The Wizard, known for his sidewalk poetry and balloon animals, passes through daily wearing his signature cape and cone-shaped hat. But just as the Torte team prepares to open their new creamy custard shop, The Wizard is found dead on the railroad tracks, casting doubt on all of Jules' new neighbours and tossing her right into a chilling murder investigation.

In the enchanting town of Ashland, Oregon, as the winter season gracefully gives way to the vibrant spring, pastry chef Juliet Capshaw finds herself presented with an unexpected opportunity. The chance to open a pop-up ice cream shop in the up-and-coming Railroad District, a charming neighborhood bustling with excitement. Though she had never envisioned a second space for her beloved Torte bakery, the outdoor venue, with its picturesque setting and the enthusiastic pleas of her staff members, Andy and Sterling, to showcase their unique line of frozen coffee drinks and indulgent, rich custards, proved too irresistible to pass up. As the summer season approached, Torte's operations intensified, gearing up for a successful run. Meanwhile, Jules' handsome and estranged husband, Mark, arrives for an extended stay, taking over the day-to-day operations at their co-owned vineyard, Uva. With Mark managing the vineyard, Jules is free to fully immerse herself in her newest business venture, the pop-up ice cream shop. The garden space, adorned with patio seating and twinkling lights, is a dream come true. It is flanked by a yoga studio, a bike shop, and a vibrant array of food trucks, adding to the local flavor of the Railroad District. While the area may not attract as many tourists as the bustling plaza, it exudes a lively and welcoming atmosphere. One of Ashland's most iconic characters, known as The Wizard, is a regular fixture in the neighborhood. Renowned for his sidewalk poetry and captivating balloon animals, The Wizard traverses the streets daily, wearing his signature cape and cone-shaped hat. However, just as the Torte team prepares to open their new creamy custard shop, a shocking twist unfolds. The Wizard is found dead on the railroad tracks, casting a dark shadow over the neighborhood and throwing Jules into the midst of a chilling murder investigation. As Jules delves deeper into the case, she discovers that the Railroad District is not as idyllic as it seems. Hidden secrets and tangled relationships intertwine, leaving her questioning everyone around her. With the clock ticking, Jules must navigate through a web of lies and deceit to uncover the truth behind The Wizard's murder and bring the perpetrator to justice. As she unravels the mystery, Jules realizes that the stakes are higher than she ever imagined. The murder has not only rocked the community but also threatens to jeopardize her new business venture and the relationships she has built in Ashland. With determination and resilience, Jules embarks on a perilous journey to solve the case and restore peace to the neighborhood. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters, each with their own motivations and secrets. From the enigmatic yoga instructor who may have witnessed something suspicious to the bike shop owner who holds a deep grudge against The Wizard, Jules must navigate through a complex network of lies and deceit to uncover the truth. As the investigation unfolds, Jules discovers that The Wizard's murder is not just a simple case of crime and punishment. It is a story of passion, jealousy, and betrayal, where the lines between right and wrong become blurred. With each step forward, Jules becomes more and more aware of the danger she is putting herself in, but she refuses to back down. She knows that the truth must be revealed, no matter the cost. In the end, Jules emerges as a hero, using her culinary skills and determination to solve the murder and bring closure to the community. The Railroad District is transformed, once again filled with laughter and joy, as the residents come together to celebrate the triumph of justice. Jules' pop-up ice cream shop thrives, becoming a beloved landmark in the neighborhood. She uses her platform to raise awareness about the importance of community and the power of forgiveness, inspiring others to embrace the beauty of small-town life and the potential for change within even the most unexpected circumstances.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 106 x 172 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250214386