Chilled to the Cone

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.