Today I’m joining the blog tour for Dying To Bake. My post is shared with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to the author for providing the extract

Blurb:

Bake Off Wars is back! Get your aprons on and let the sleuthing begin!

BREAKING NEWS Vera Bolt, Queen of Bakes, dies unexpectedly aged 66

In a shocking announcement this afternoon, Vera Bolt’s agent confirmed that the Bake Off Wars judge and national treasure died yesterday. Ms Bolt was in the process of filming the next series of the hugely popular television show at Francis Court, the home of the King’s sister and her family. It’s believed that the renowned pastry chef was stabbed in the heart, and the main suspect is rumoured new royal girlfriend, Summer York.

What am I supposed to do? Lady Beatrice has promised DCI Richard Fitzwilliam that she won’t get involved in the investigation into Vera Bolt’s death. But when her brother’s new love interest, Summer York, becomes the top suspect for Vera’s murder, Fred begs Bea to find out who the real killer is. In a race against time, can Bea navigate a labyrinth of secrets and lies, evade danger, and safeguard her friendship with Fitzwilliam?

The answer may determine not only Summer’s innocence but also the fate of Bea’s and Fitzwilliam’s burgeoning feelings for each other.

Another page-turning British cozy whodunnit with a hint of humour that you wouldn’t be able to put down from Helen Golden.

Extract:

Intro

The hugely popular television show Bake Off Wars is being filmed on site at Francis Court and everyone is buzzing. Everyone, that is, except for amateur royal sleuth Lady Beatrice who is more interested in overseeing the refurbishment of her home, The Dower House. In contrast her best friend and business partner, Perry Juke, is gossip central when it comes to the show. But all is not well on set. Following the exit at the end of last season of the well-liked judge, Mark Jacobs, the remaining judge and national treasure, Vera Bolt, has been making herself unpopular with her critical snipes at both the crew and the new presenters. Insiders report that tensions are running high, and the atmosphere is toxic.

It’s the morning after the first weekend’s recording, and Bea and Perry are on their way to The Dower House discussing Bea’s brother’s budding romance with Bake Off Wars presenter Summer York.

Extract:

“Fred was hanging around the show all day Saturday,” Perry Juke said, dragging Lady Beatrice’s attention back to Bake Off Wars. “He really is rather taken with Summer York, isn’t he?” 

Indeed! Bea smiled. Her elder brother, Lord Frederick Astley, had been smitten with the bubbly presenter of Bake Off Wars ever since they’d first met a month ago when she’d been on-site attending the initial set-up meeting.

“Is it serious?”

Bea gave him a knowing smile. “Well, he invited her to dinner with Ma, Pa, and Grandmama on Saturday night.”

“Ooh…meet the parents and the former queen,” Perry said, wiggling his eyebrows. “That’s a big step.”

Bea ducked her chin, recalling how nervous her normally calm and collected brother had been when he’d begged her and their sister, Lady Sarah, to be there for moral support. She smiled. “Summer charmed Pa easily, and even Ma appeared to warm to her.” Perry raised an eyebrow. Her Royal Highness Princess Helen wasn’t easy to impress. “Grandmama, however, kept inquiring about her parents.” Perry nodded. Queen Mary the Queen Mother was a formidable woman who had very strong opinions on the type of background her grandchildren’s friends should have.

“And did she pass the suitability test?” Perry asked, his eyes twinkling. 

“Well, Summer’s father is a surgeon, and her mother’s the head teacher at a private all-girls school. It’s hard to know if that’s good enough for Grandmama, but it could definitely be worse.” Bea’s thoughts turned to Detective Chief Inspector Richard Fitzwilliam from Protection and Investigation (Royal) Services (PaIRS for short), who was currently recuperating in one of their estate cottages after having been shot during a murder investigation at Gollingham Palace ten weeks ago. Fitzwilliam’s mother lived in a flat in Leeds, and his father had disappeared when he’d been young. What on earth would her grandmother make of that? She frowned. What difference does it make what Grandmama thinks? Admittedly, she and Rich had been spending a fair amount of time together since he’d been released from hospital eight weeks ago and had taken her up on her offer to recover in the tranquillity of the Francis Court estate. And, yes, during their gentle walks around the grounds, they’d got to know each other better. Maybe even a friendship was blossoming. But nothing for her grandmother to worry about. It’s not like we’re dating or anything. She stifled a huff. That would be ridiculous.

“It sounds like they make a lovely couple, but only time will tell if Summer can handle all the attention that comes with being involved with Fred,” Perry pointed out as they approached the large wrought-iron gate that led to the back entrance to the grounds of The Dower House.

“Indeed,” Bea agreed. She hoped for Fred’s and Summer’s sakes that they could keep their relationship from the press for a little longer and enjoy getting to know each other in private. Once it became public, it wouldn’t only be her grandmother who would express her feelings about the king’s nephew dating a TV presenter.

Woof! Daisy spun around and barked again.

Was that a scream? A shiver ran down Bea’s spine as she turned. 

Ana Halsall, the young runner for Bake Off Wars, emerged from the Old Barn, her eyes wide and frantic, searching. She saw Bea and Perry and shouted, “Help!” as she sprinted towards them.

“What on earth?” Bea murmured, exchanging a worried glance with Perry. 

The distressed young woman struggled to catch her breath, her feathered black hair dishevelled as she slowed down in front of them. “I… I don’t know what to do,” she stammered, tears glistening in her eyes.

Bea’s heart jumped. “Take a deep breath and tell us what’s wrong,” she urged gently.

Ana looked rapidly from Bea to Perry, then choked out, “Oh, Perry. There’s…there’s a body.”

Bea’s heart rate increased. No! Not again. Not another death at Francis Court…

“I found her… There’s blood everywhere,” Ana stammered, tears now streaming down her cheeks.

“Oh my giddy aunt!” Perry gasped, his eyes wide as they locked with Bea’s. Without hesitation, they both sprinted towards the Old Barn, Ana and Daisy following close behind them.

Police! “Ana, have you called the police?” Bea shouted over her shoulder.

“No! I didn’t know what to do… I panicked!” Ana cried, her voice shaking.

“Alright, I’ll let them know now,” Bea reassured her, her voice wavering only slightly. Her hand delved into the pocket of her puffa jacket. She fumbled for her two-way radio, her hands trembling as she pulled it out and pressed the call button to contact Francis Court’s head of security. “Adrian? This is Lady Rossex. Over.”

There was a faint click, then a man’s voice crackled back through the static. “My lady, this is Adrian Breen. Is everything okay? Over.”

“We need you at the Old Barn immediately. There’s been an incident. Over.”

“Roger that, my lady. I’m on my way. Over.”

“And Adrian?”

“Yes, my lady?”

“You’d best call an ambulance and the police. Over.”

“Roger that. Out.”

 Bea caught up with Perry and Daisy just outside the building. Perry, panting and out of breath, was leaning against the wall. Bea stopped and inhaled deeply to regain control over her pounding heart. Who? She suddenly realised Ana hadn’t actually told them who she’d found. She turned to Ana, who was breathing hard and furtively glancing towards the entrance of the Old Barn. “Who is it you’ve found, Ana?” Bea asked, keeping her voice steady for the young girl’s sake.

“Vera Bolt…” Ana sobbed, her words barely audible. “And…and she’s dead!”

***

Dying To Bake is available from Amazon.

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