A Taste for Murder

By Camilla Chafer

When Candice earns a spot in the finals of a televised baking competition, she’s determined to win, not least because the winner’s prize could help fund the bakery she yearns to open. But as the baking gets under way, tragedy strikes. First, one body is found, then two.
With suspicions rife, and tensions high, Candice can’t help but view everyone on the set with distrust.
Employing the help of her friends, and celebrity judge, Leo Finley, Candice is determined to find out just who wants to kill off her competition, and why, before she’s next.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Camilla Chafer
• Release date: Mar 28, 2024
• ISBN: 9781909577282

Camilla Chafer

USA Today bestselling author Camilla Chafer is the author of the Lexi Graves Mysteries, the Deadlines Mystery Trilogy (a spin off from Lexi Graves), Calendar Murder Mysteries, and the Stella Mayweather urban fantasy series. She is also the author/editor of several non-fiction books and has written for newspapers, magazines and websites internationally.Visit www.camillachafer.com for all the latest news. Sign up for her mailing list to be in the know when the next book comes out.

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A Taste for Murder

Copyright: Camilla Chafer

Published: March 2024

ISBN: 978-1-909577-28-2

The right of Camilla Chafer to be identified as author of this Work has been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.

Visit the author online at www.camillachafer.com to sign up to her mailing list and for more information on other titles.

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Contents

Copyright

Synopsis

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

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A Taste for Murder

When Candice earns a spot in the finals of a televised baking competition, she’s determined to win, not least because the winner’s prize could help fund the bakery she yearns to open. But as the baking gets under way, tragedy strikes. First, one body is found, then two.

With suspicions rife, and tensions high, Candice can’t help but view everyone on the set with distrust.

Employing the help of her friends, and celebrity judge, Leo Finley, Candice is determined to find out just who wants to kill off her competition, and why, before she’s next.

Chapter One

It was hard to imagine the tiny, abandoned, shop with the rental sign in the window as a bakery but if I squinted hard and used my imagination, I could see it take shape. The pale blue walls were pretty enough already, although maybe they needed a fresh coat of paint, and there was just enough space for the two sets of pretty, bistro-sized tables and chairs discarded by the previous owner. Plus, if I tilted my head, did the doorstep look like a cupcake with its half-moon shape?

As I gazed at the shop front, I could imagine a long bakery counter with transparent tiers for all the cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and treats I planned to bake, display, and sell. Behind the counter would be a tall display cabinet piled high with paper bags and cardboard boxes printed with white lace doilies and Candice’s Bakery over the top in a fancy font. I could even smell the scent from the swanky coffee maker I would install, perfectly complementing the sugar and honey from the baked goods. I licked my lips, tasting it already, even though I was only a few steps towards achieving my dream.

Vanessa Wright had designed the logos in return for a dozen iced donuts and her boyfriend, Nate’s birthday cake, and I loved the pretty lace design that would top the pale blue boxes. When she’d told me to look closer at the motif, I found the lace cutout design was actually tiny cookie-cutter shapes. Then she’d shown me seasonal concepts; February with hearts, October had tiny bats and Jack O’Lanterns, while December featured snowmen and snowflakes. Each design was every bit as charming and whimsical as I envisaged. But would the locals like it? I needed a lot more sales than the assurances I received from my friends and family.

Yes, if I breathed deeply enough, I could smell sugar… although maybe… that was just me? I’d baked two dozen chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, and two large brownie batches for the Coffee Corner Café this morning, rising long before my roommate, Jay or my boss, Jaclyn so I could mix, bake, and deliver the goods on time.

Candice? Are you ready to sign the lease? asked Gwendolyn Cooper. She was smiling, watching me get lost in the plans I could see so clearly. I can see you liked the second viewing.

I… I’m not, I said despondently, after a long pause, my shoulders sagging. I so wanted the answer to be yes but I just couldn’t commit to signing the two-year lease the landlord wanted, not yet. Of course, Gwendolyn knew all that. I’d discussed my plans with her when I’d first seen her listing in the window of the vacant shop a few months ago. Of course, I wasn’t ready then but the thought of it had kickstarted my ideas. I had most of the financing in place, I just needed that extra little bit of ready cash so my business loan wouldn’t swallow up my entire first year’s anticipated profit. I was so close to being ready to sign, I could taste it.

Normally, I wouldn’t tell you this, but I like you, Candice, I really do. I think you’ll make a terrific business by opening a bakery here, she said as she deposited the keys in the lockbox by the door. So, here’s the thing, there haven’t been any other offers since the original one fell through. The landlord is starting to realize he’s asking too much rent, plus, the town council made it clear they don’t want to see an empty shopfront indefinitely. I think he can be persuaded to come down in price, and maybe I could even get you a shorter lease, but once he does that, I’m certain there will be more interest from other parties. I’d like to give you the right of first refusal.

If the price is reduced, can you give me until the end of the month? I asked, hardly daring to look at the realtor in case she thought I was being cheeky by asking for a couple weeks more time. I’ve got a great business plan and I’m nearly there, I promise.

I have no doubt about that. I’ll talk to the landlord and see what I can do. She patted my arm warmly, then started to walk away. After taking a few steps, she stopped and turned back to me. I believe you can do this, Candice. You just need to believe in yourself too.

Thank you, I said, grateful for her kind words.

When a cool breeze whipped past me, so uncharacteristic for the warm July weather, I shivered. Was it a sense of foreboding I felt? Or something else? If I lost this opportunity, would I get another?

Main Street was the hub of Calendar, our quaint, little mountain town. Crammed with restaurants, cafés, and the kinds of boutiques and shops that appealed to the locals and regular influx of tourists alike, the one thing it really lacked was a bakery. This shop, crammed between Sparkes’ Bookshop, one of the oldest businesses in town, and a wine vendor, was a little too small for most retailers, yet still prime real estate. It didn’t have enough seating for it to become a dine-in café, enough floorspace for racks of clothes, or adequate wall space to display items, yet it was perfect for my needs.

The double window frontage would be ideal for the abandoned bistro table sets, just far enough away from the in-and-out foot traffic of a bakery; and the back room was the precise size for twin ovens, a large refrigerator and my collection of baking items. There was enough counter space for mixing bowls and baking sheets. I could even imagine expanding my regular baking to include special occasion cakes once I got on my feet.

I just needed to be sure I could afford it.

"You have my number. Let’s talk soon. Oh, and Candice, I’m so excited to see you on All Star Bakers. That could be the perfect launchpad for your new business. You’re lucky this shop came back on the market when it did." Gwendolyn pointed at the shop and winked before heading towards her car, leaving me standing on the sidewalk, facing the site that could soon be mine.

Me too, I agreed to myself, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. Whether that was nerves or excitement, I couldn’t quite tell. What had I gotten myself into? First the business plan, then the TV show, and now the perfect shop available for rent… well, good things came in threes, didn’t they?

Candice! I thought I saw you! exclaimed my friend, Holly Sparkes as she stepped out of Sparkes’ Bookshop and made a beeline towards me. I had the feeling she might have been lurking somewhere behind the window’s summer book display, waiting for Gwendolyn to leave. Have you signed that lease yet?

I shook my head and tried to hold back a sigh. No.

What are you waiting for? You said it was perfect.

The prize money, I said, thinking about the big check the winner from the baking show would receive, "and Gwendolyn thinks the lease might be reduced. If those two things happen, then Candice’s Bakery is open for business." I said it far more decisively than I felt. Could I win the competition and its fat check? It was a lot to pin my hopes on.

Holly hooked her arm through mine as we faced the empty shop together. I can’t wait. I can see it all now. You’re going to have a queue around the block the first day you open, she said, her hand waving across the empty sidewalk. "Kids are going to beg their parents to take them to Candice’s after school, tourists will insist on bringing boxes home to their friends, and I’m going to have a standing order for one cookie every day to go with my morning latte."

I couldn’t help the smile on my face. Have I told you how much your enduring faith means to me?

Reward me with cookies, said Holly, giggling.

What if it all goes horribly wrong?

The bakery? Holly snorted her derision.

The TV show.

"It won’t. You’re already one of the final contestants in All Star Bakers, out of hundreds of entries! Thousands! Holly squeezed my arm. That means you’re the best. And the best don’t let things go horribly wrong. Unless you spend too much time staring at dreamy Leo Finley and over-bake your treats." She winked.

I smacked her hand. I won’t be staring at him at all. I’ll only have eyes for my macarons. That was a lie because I’d already spent plenty of time sneaking peeks at Leo when he wasn’t looking. Not that it mattered. With his good looks and talent, he could date anyone… and probably was!

Missed opportunity, tutted Holly. He’s gorgeous.

And he knows it, I replied with a roll of my eyes. Instantly, I felt mean. Leo Finley was one of three judges for the final competition, and all the finalists had met him and the other two judges the previous day when the production crew were setting up in town. Of course, I’d met him and the lead judge, Rebecca Kurtz also during the initial heats and every time I’d met Leo, he’d been sweet and funny and kind. He couldn’t help being handsome! Or the incessant fawning all over him!

Of course, I already knew the guest judge. Jack Harper was the sous chef at Belle Rose, the restaurant at the far end of Main Street, but he was now getting better known for his new cookbook, which had recently hit the bestseller list. Handsome, charming, and exceptionally talented, All Star Bakers had snapped him up for a guest spot.

Leo will be enchanted by everything you make. Mark my words, Candice Dalton, you’re going to be too big for this town soon.

So what you’re saying is, I shouldn’t open a bakery here? I should head to San Francisco? Or Chicago. Or… or… maybe Paris? My mind raced to find somewhere glamorous and fantastical.

Holly pouted. "Maybe it’ll take time. Your flagship store has to be here. This is where it all begins, she added with a nod to the empty shop. Of course, being next door to me so I’ll get to see you every day is just the icing on top."

We’ll know in two weeks, I decided, sounding more confident than I felt. Right now, I need to prepare for the show. Can you believe we start shooting tomorrow?

Yes, because I’ve been counting the days on my calendar. I can’t wait to watch when they film the finale. It’s so exciting!

I have several rounds to get through first and all the other contestants could outshine me. I might not even get to the finals, although it’s the live audience that scares me the most.

Not the heat flopping your custards? asked Holly, purposefully ignoring my self-doubt.

No. My heart skipped a beat.

Not sickening gorgeous Leo Finley with an over-salted caramel brownie?

I gulped. No?

Not…

Okay, you’re scaring me! Everything about it scares me and you’re the worst. I stuck my tongue out at Holly but she simply laughed. I wish I could stand here all day and plan, but I need to practice my meringues.

Practice? Pah! You’ve never let a single meringue overcook yet. Holly checked her watch. "I should get back to the shop. I totally over-ordered several boxes of cookbooks, hoping everyone in town goes into a baking frenzy once they realize All Star Bakers are filming live here. Jack is going to come by and sign his books too. Isn’t that generous of him?"

Very, I agreed.

Do you think Rebecca Kurtz will sign hers?

Maybe? It’s good publicity although… I trailed off. As a huge fan of the celebrity chef, and All Star Bakers’ head judge, I knew I would treasure a signed copy of any of her books to add to the several I already owned.

Although what?

She isn’t quite as approachable as the others, I said as diplomatically as I could. I didn’t want to dash Holly’s hopes. Sure, Rebecca had always been courteous to me but as head judge, with years of experience as a celebrity chef and cookbook author under her belt, I got the impression she wasn’t too interested in the lesser people. During filming, she’d barely interacted with the contestants beyond what was necessary and polite. I’d found her cold and aloof, and some of her comments were downright cutting.

"I guess I’ll just have to ask and if she says no, that’s okay. I’m sure the books will sell anyway since people will see her around town and The Calendar Times ran that big feature about the filming. I’m going to set up a table right in front of the doors so none of my customers can miss them. And no panicking despite my teasing, okay? You’ve got this, Candice." Holly punched the air as she left and I couldn’t help smiling again at my good fortune to have such a supportive friend. All my friends had been encouraging when I started sharing my plans and word had quickly gone around about my intention to open a bakery.

I’d told Jaclyn first, since she was my boss at the Coffee Corner Café, and I was most worried about her reaction. Instead, she’d simply said, About time! and made me promise to keep supplying the café with cookies and brownies. Then I’d told Holly, who’d been so reassuring. My roommate, Jay, promised to be my first customer, along with his girlfriend, Bridget. Every person I’d told promised they would be first in line! Of course, I couldn’t rely on my friends as my sole clientele but I was more than pleased not one of them thought I was crazy.

I took one last look at the shop that could be my bakery and turned on my heel. Since I’d completed the café’s order this morning, I now had the whole week off work to dedicate to the filming. Before that began, I had a few other things to do. I wanted to browse the stylish clothes in Blake’s and see if there were any nice dresses just in case I happened to make it to the final show. I didn’t want to be presumptuous—every one of my competitors had won their heats—but I also wanted to aim high. Someone had to win; so why not me?

After my shopping trip, and the meringue practice, my apartment needed tidying. I also needed to raid my closet for nice outfits suitable for filming, and it wouldn’t hurt to practice my custard tarts one more time, just in case that challenge were issued, although I wasn’t sure I could persuade my roommate to eat yet another.

Blake’s stood at the far end of the street, just beyond the café, and I enjoyed meandering my way there, stopping to look at all the July 4th decorations in the shop windows before they were replaced with other summer displays. I could imagine my bakery next year with faux display cakes iced in red, white and blue, and special trays of cupcakes on sale for the festivities. Perhaps I would even pipe cookies shaped like fireworks!

Excuse me, snapped a woman as I turned away from the display in New Treasures and, without looking, almost collided with her.

Sorry! I said automatically, glancing towards the woman and then holding back a sigh.

Oh, well, hi, Candice, she said, giving me a long look from head to toe, just like she used to do back in school, even though she was two years younger than me. I tried not to shrink under her gaze as she cast a protective hand over the arm of the man she clutched.

Hi, Toni. Hi, Doug, I said, wondering how fast I could get away from the pair.

I heard you’re going on TV, said Toni, blocking my path. She swapped her purse from one arm to the other, making sure to flash the designer monogram towards me.

I refused to shrink under her gaze, even though I was sure that was exactly what Toni wanted me to do. As for Doug… well, I didn’t have anything to say to him at all! That’s right. Filming starts tomorrow, I said as if I were being entirely casual about it.

And this is how you’re presenting yourself? She lifted her hand to waggle a finger at me, not trying very hard to disguise biting back a smile. Little Miss Twee on TV.

I looked down at my cream and red dress with its patchwork pockets. I like my dress.

It’s a little more kindergarten story hour than professional chef. Toni snorted a laugh, apparently finding her observation very funny, before smoothing an imaginary wrinkle from her sage green, ankle-length pants. Paired with a cream blouse, a big bow tied at the neck, and kitten heels, she looked very stylish. Not that I would tell her that. Especially not while she was trying to make me feel two inches tall. Still, you’re hardly Rebecca Kurtz. Toni chuckled meanly.

We should get going, said Doug, looking away awkwardly.

Lunch date, said Toni, wrinkling her nose in a way that she probably thought was cute, but looked more like she’d smelled something bad. Maybe if you tried wearing a cap, that’d help. Her pointing finger lifted higher and waggled towards my hair.

Self-consciously, I reached for one of the long brown tendrils hanging over my shoulder after spending the past few months growing it, then I dropped it. I knew what Toni was doing and I refused to play into her trap.

Ignore me. There’s nothing you can do to fix that mess, she said, her tone cloyingly sympathetic as I reddened. "But you could, at least, brush it."

Doug coughed. Toni, we should…

Oh, of course, honey. Us professionals don’t get long for lunch. Although you probably realized that from every time you handed me my lunch order. Sniggering, Toni stepped around me, tugging Doug along with her.

Good luck with the show, Candice, said Doug softly, looking over his shoulder as she gave him a firm pull.

The thanks died on my lips when Toni muttered loudly, She’ll need it.

Glancing at the shop window, my reflection gazed back at me. My aunt had made my dress last summer using material left over from some of her other projects. It had a button-down front, and big pockets that were perfect for stashing my waitressing notepad or a pen as I made notes on recipes I tried out. Maybe the hem was a little crooked? And perhaps the waist had become a touch looser… Who was I kidding? I did not look like I should be on television! I’d look like a country bumpkin next to Rebecca Kurtz!

I heard that, said a voice behind me. Spinning around, I was surprised out of my self-criticism by the tall, blonde woman who had come to a stop close by. If Toni looked chic, she was nothing compared to the effortless style of Meredith Blake.

Heard what? Had I spoken out loud? My cheeks reddened further. Meredith was so calm and self-assured; she must have thought I was crazy!

That rude woman who was trying to make you feel bad. Meredith took a deep breath as she examined me with her eyes and I wondered if she privately agreed with Toni’s jibes. Don’t tell me you’re taking any of that nonsense to heart, she said with a sympathetic tilt of her head.

I couldn’t help it. My jaw wobbled. My nose wrinkled. Then a hot tear spilled from the corner of my eye.

Don’t you dare, said Meredith, grabbing me by the hand and propelling me forwards, away from Doug and Toni who’d strode away with barely a second glance. Although Doug had flashed an apologetic look. Or was it pity?

Within minutes, we were through the door of Blake’s and Meredith was pressing a tissue into my hand. That kind of snark isn’t worth crying over, she said, ushering me onto one of the big velvet pouffes she’d positioned next to a long mirror. The shop was empty except for us and Meredith’s new sales clerk, Poppy Minoso. I was grateful for her quick thinking to get me out of the street before I turned into a sniveling wreck.

What happened? cried Poppy, rushing over to us, an armful of clothes over one arm.

Some woman was being unkind to Candice, said Meredith.

Toni Warring, I said, and she was with Doug.

Oh, said Poppy, nodding, although I wasn’t sure if she knew either of them.

My ex, I said for Meredith’s benefit as I dabbed my embarrassed tears. He dumped me right before Valentine’s Day, then I saw him take Toni to the restaurant we’d made reservations for. On Valentine’s Day!

And you’re crying over that? asked Meredith. She sat on the opposite pouffe and waited. So, it wasn’t the insult? she asked gently.

Wait, what? asked Poppy. This Toni girl insulted you?

She implied I was going to look dreadful on TV, I said as I dabbed my eyes. My aunt made this dress!

Sounds more like jealousy to me, said Meredith. She got your ex, and a reservation that was made for you, and now you’re all anyone is talking about in town.

I think it’s jealousy too, agreed Poppy. "All Star Bakers is an amazing show and you beat thousands of people to get that spot. Toni could burn a salad."

You can’t burn a salad, I said between big, hiccuppy sobs. Do you know her?

Exactly! snorted Poppy as she shifted the weight of the clothing over her arm. And no, I don’t think I do, but I know her type. Mean girls spend their lives always competing for the attention of a man. If she can steal him from another woman, even better.

And a man who treats a woman like Doug did you is nothing to cry over either, said Meredith. Good riddance to him. You know what you need?

I patted my eyes. A glow up, I said with a sigh as I caught sight of myself in the mirror. The breeze had ruffled my hair and not in a good way. I sighed again and a piece of hair slid over my face. I puffed it out of the way.

I don’t know what that is, said Meredith.

It’s what the kids call a metamorphosis, explained Poppy. She needs a makeover. When Candice goes on TV tomorrow, she needs to look every bit as confident and glamorous as her cakes.

Hmmm, said Meredith, rocking backwards on her heels and looking thoughtful.

I was going to buy a new dress today, I said. I thought something pretty for the finals would help me work harder to get there.

"I have an appointment with the head stylist at A Cut Above after work. Why don’t you take it? suggested Poppy. I can rebook easily so you wouldn’t be putting me out at all."

I inspected the ends of my hair, noticing the splits. I spent so often with my hair tied back, I hadn’t even realized. Really?

Absolutely. I can make another appointment. And there’s a manicurist too. She’s great, added Poppy with a tempting flutter of her pale pink nails, "and she was only telling me last time I was there how excited she was to watch the live taping of All Star Bakers. I’m sure she could fit you in if you tell her that’s why you need a manicure."

I looked at