Another One Bites the Crust

In the midst of a massive renovation to Torte, Juliet Capshaw is also helping plan her mother's wedding. In Another One Bites the Crust by Ellie Alexander, Ashland prepares for another series of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

This season begins with Antony and Cleopatra, but there is more drama offstage than on. Antony, whose real name no one knows, has argued with everyone and has tried to alienate the artistic direction Lance from the Board.

Lance is not his usual fastidious self. He seems on the verge of break down and Jules is worried. He wants to throw an extravagant opening night party, complete with Elizabethan desserts. Just what Jules needs - complicated desserts on top of everything else she is handling. When he and Antony nearly come to blows at the party, Jules fears Lance is about to collapse.

In the middle of the night, Lance lands on Jules' doorstep covered in

what looks like blood, hiding a dagger under his cloak. He explains he found Antony's body with the dagger sticking out of his abdomen in the park. He cannot explain why he took the dagger.

When the police arrive at Lithia Park, there is no body, leading them to search the grounds and finally the pond. Eventually they discover Antony's body and arrest Lance.

Naturally Lance begs Jules to find the killer, as if she doesn't have enough to do with the renovation and the wedding.  And Lance, in his exasperating typical self, leaves out an essential detail that might help Jules investigates.

I love this bakery and shop. I wish it were in my town. I laughed when I recently read that Ellie Alexander actually moved to Ashland, Oregon.  Good for her. I hope it is as wonderful a place as she imagines.

Another One Bites the Crust is on sale today, January 2.