Apple Pie and Arsenic

by C A Phipps

  Thanks

  Thanks so much for reading Apple Pie and Arsenic the first book in the Maple Lane Mysteries series. If you enjoyed it you might like Book 2 - Bagels and Blackmail (I’ve added an excerpt) and Book 3 - Cookies and Chaos, and Book 4 - Doughnuts and Disaster.

  Plus, don’t forget to pick up your free recipes at the end of the book!

  Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to hear when the next book, is available. There’s a free recipe book waiting for you.

  You can also visit me on Facebook

  C.A. Phipps Author

  By the way, I’d love your review. Your opinion matters to me.

  Recipes

  These recipes are ones I use all the time and have come down the generations from my mum, grandmother, and some I have adapted from other recipes. Also, I now have my husband’s grandmother’s recipe book. Exciting! I’ll be bringing some of them to life very soon.

  Just a wee reminder, that I am a New Zealander. Occasionally I may have missed converting into ounces and pounds for my American readers.

  My apologies for that, and please let me know—if you do try them—how they turn out.

  Cheryl x

  Easy Maple Syrup Cookie Recipe

  Ingredients

  1/2lb / 250g butter (cut into small pieces, softened)

  5oz / 140g caster sugar

  10oz / 300g sifted all-purpose flour

  1 egg yolk

  4 tsp maple syrup

  Instructions

  1Mix the butter and sugar together until it’s light and fluffy-looking.

  2Break the egg and separate the yolk and white, keep the yolk and add it to the butter and sugar mix.

  3Mix in the maple syrup.

  4Add half the flour and mix well, then add the rest and mix slowly until you’ve got a nice dough that’s not too wet.

  5Knead the dough into a ball. Leave it in the bowl and put it in the fridge for half an hour to chill.

  6Roll out the dough to about the thickness of your finger.

  7Cut circles with the rim of a clean glass, or use cookie cutters (gran uses maple leaf) to make shapes.

  8Grease a baking tray or use baking paper and lay out the cookies with a little gap between them.

  9Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C / 350°F (gas mark 4) for 12 to 15 minutes.

  10Don’t forget that they will harden more when they’ve cooled so take them out of the oven when they are still a little bit soft.

  11Carefully slide them off the tray and cool on a rack.

  12Decorate them with frosting, and share with love!

  Store in an air-tight container.

  Gran’s Apple Pie

  Ingredients

  8oz / 250g sifted all-purpose flour

  5oz / 150g margarine or butter

  4 tablespoons granulated sugar

  1 large egg mixed with 3/4 of a cup of milk

  5 cooking apples

  Instructions

  1Preheat the oven to 200 C / Gas 6.

  2Peel and core the apples, then chop them up into fairly large chunks. Put into a medium saucepan, add 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar and a half cup of water. 3Cook on medium to high heat, stirring constantly until the apples are stewed. Set aside to cool a little.

  4Put flour, sugar and butter in a large bowl. Rub the mix until it looks like breadcrumbs. Make a hole in the mix, then add the egg and milk.

  5Cut the mix with a knife until it forms a dough. Add a little more milk if you need to.

  6Knead the dough for a couple of minutes. Cut it in half, leaving one half to the side. Knead the first half a little more, then roll out with a rolling pin. Dust a pie plate with some flour, then place your rolled-out dough on the plate and trim the edge.

  7Roll out the second ball of dough and leave to one side.

  8Place the stewed apples in your prepared pie dish, then put your rolled-out second half of dough on top and trim around the edge to take the excess dough away.

  9Make several cuts on the top of the pie. Seal the edges with a fork. This is less sticky if you dip your fork in some flour in between.

  10If you have leftover pastry, you can make shapes to decorate. (Gran likes her maple leaf, but you can use any shape you like.)

  11Place pie on the middle shelf in the oven. Baking takes around 20-25 minutes. The pie should be golden brown.

  12Remove and eat hot or leave to cool. Either way, you can add a dollop of cream or ice cream. Gran likes to sprinkle confectioner’s sugar (icing sugar) over the top like snow.

  Tip: Roll the dough over your rolling pin to help place it on the pie dish, which will help you avoid cracking or tears.

  Bagels and Blackmail

  Throwing on an old cardigan, Maddie ran downstairs the moment she got up. She wrenched open the back door and went out into the garden. Pursing her lips she whistled softly. Unlike her dream, Big Red hadn’t come home in the middle of the night.

  With a sigh she went back upstairs to shower and dress. She’d managed to sleep in a little, but had tossed and turned most of the night, which was hardly refreshing. A brisk walk might help.

  She found she couldn’t stomach breakfast, so after a quick cup of tea she headed down Plum Place which ran along the back of the block of four shops, of which hers was the end one. Two doors down was Angel’s Salon.

  There were three things about Angel that were a given.

  1. She was without a doubt, the prettiest woman in town.

  2. Angel loved food (which made her the perfect best friend for a baker).

  3. She also loved her sleep.

  Like Maddie, she lived above her shop. Unlike Maddie, she woke with just enough time for her hair and make-up before starting work. She worked six days most weeks and they were long days, apart from Saturday when she tried to finish at noon.

  In this respect they were also a good match, because most Saturday afternoons and Sunday’s they merely wanted to relax, and rarely went out at night mid-week. It should bother a couple of twenty-eight year-olds, but right now they were doing what they’d dreamed of and happy enough with that. It would have been nice if they both had more free time and that might happen when the newest members of staff got more comfortable.

  Maddie stopped at the end of the row, which was the butcher shop, a favorite haunt of Big Red’s when he wasn’t keeping guard of his own garden at the back of the bakery or visiting Gran.

  Half a mile down the end of the street was Gran’s cottage where Maddie grew up, after her mom decided that raising a child wasn’t the best thing she could do with her life. She had long gotten over the feeling of rejection, because if she was honest it had been a relief. Gran was the best parent/grandparent a person could have and her late Grandad had been just as awesome.

  The cottage was and always had been a haven should she or anyone else ever need it. It had also been Big Red’s first home. Now, instead of living with Gran, Laura did. Which made perfect sense—Laura needed a place to stay and Gran had company.

  Being Saturday the butchers was closed, so it had been a hopeful thought as opposed to anything else that her cat would be hovering around there. She carried on down to Gran’s enjoying the fresh air despite her anxiety. She walked most days because after baking, being outside in nature was her favorite place to be. But this was more than a social call.

  The door was wide open, the rocking chair empty of Gran or Big Red who usually sat precariously on the back of it whenever he visited. She walked on through the old cottage which had been in the family for three generations.

  Gran was in the huge garden with Laura, their heads bent over the same bed of vegetables. Maddie’s heart did a little flip, at the red-head so close to the gray, and she allowed herself to acknowledge internally that she was a little envious. This used to be her and Gran out here together, but time wouldn’t allow for more than tending to her own small patch at the back of the bakery.

  Since they lived in the same house, it was natural
the two of them would spend time together, especially when Gran was so caring. In fact, she was the go-to person in Maple Falls for many of the residents and helped them in one way or another.

  They were all lucky to have her and it was only right to share the love and it really wasn’t so bad. She was able to spend a lot of time with Gran in the kitchen most days, and Laura deserved family time with people who didn’t judge her. Having parents who had dictated her whole life until recently, Laura had been a bundle of neurosis when she came to town and put her hat in the ring for the mayoralty.

  With Gran in her life and the rest of Maddie’s friends to gently push her, she was blossoming into someone who was more self-assured and capable. Heck, even Maddie had found a place in her heart, and that was saying something. The two of them had been at loggerheads from day one, and it had taken Angel, their best friend to get them together. Check for repetition.

  Maddie shuddered. She would not think about the death of Denise on this beautiful autumn day.

  Laura looked up and smiled. The sun glinted off her vibrant red hair and Maddie couldn’t help noticing that being happy made her so much more attractive.

  “Did you have a relaxing morning, Maddie?”

  “I did, thanks. Doesn’t it make a difference not getting up at five?”

  “It sure does. Gran and I had a lazy morning and haven’t long had breakfast, so we thought we’d better do something the day’s gone.”

  “I’m glad both of you managed a bit more rest and the good news is, I’ve decided to hire a young man called Luke Chisholm, which should make things easier on all of us.”

  “I wasn’t really complaining.” Laura’s smile was replaced by worry.

  Maddie hated that Laura was still so insecure. “I know, but I feel bad that you two have to work so hard for my dream.”

  Gran brushed dirt from her gloves and tutted. “Don’t talk silly, child. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t want to.”

  Laura nodded. “And, you know I’m loving every minute of it. The baking especially.”

  “All right, I won’t slump into depression then.”

  They all laughed until Maddie remembered her main reason for being there.

  “Did either of you happen to see Big Red this morning?”

  Gran’s smile vanished. She took off her gardening gloves and put them on top of a basket where an array of vegetables lay. “Not since yesterday. That cat has a mind of his own, he could be anywhere.”

  She was trying to put a positive slant on it but Maddie could see she wasn’t as convinced as she sounded. Gran was good friends with Mr. Clayton and no doubt they had discussed more missing pets than just his Sissy.

  “I know he likes to wander, but it’s not like him to miss breakfast. Perhaps he was annoyed I slept in and he’s gone to find his own.” She said it as much for herself as for the other two.

  “Like a bird?” Laura asked.

  Gran and Maddie snorted. Not only did they look alike, or had done at the same age, but they had the same sense of humor.

  “Big Red would never expend the energy to catch anything. I don’t think he could get his butt off the ground for a start, and actually, he’s just plain lazy. He’d rather go sit on someone’s doorstep until they cave in and feed him. He’s not fussy either. A piece of meat or a croissant is all the same to him.” Gran wiped the corner of her eye.

  “He certainly is a big cat.” Laura admitted warily, not always appreciating their teasing.

  Maddie smiled. “To be honest, I believe he thinks he’s a dog.”

  “That makes sense, since he’s certainly big enough to be one.” Gran tucked her arm through Maddie’s. “All this talk is making me thirsty. Tea anyone?”

  “Can a duck swim.” Maddie could always drink tea.

  “I have cupcakes ready to ice, if you’re hungry?”

  “You baked on your day off?”

  “I love to bake, no matter the day. You know that.”

  It was true, and Maddie shouldn’t be surprised since she was often guilty of doing exactly that. When you had nothing pressing, it proved to be the perfect time to try out a new recipe or two. They headed into the kitchen which looked out over the garden with the dining room opened up to see in both directions.

  “Shall I frost the cupcakes? I could do with the practice.” Laura asked.

  “Yes, please,” Gran answered as she made the tea in a pot showcasing the royal couple, Prince William and Kate.

  Maddie collected three tea-sets from the shelves, each one a little different. Anyone lucky enough to be invited for tea on a regular basis was designated a particular set which included a side plate. This was a necessity since tea was always accompanied by something from Gran’s repertoire of baking which changed with the seasons to coincide with what fruit was available and what she felt like baking.

  Her set had a delicate pink rose depicted on two sides. Gran’s had lilacs and now that Laura was a living here, she had been given the blue wisteria pattern. When Suzy was around she had a set with orchids which were white with pink centers.

  The sets were not randomly given. Gran insisted that each flower told something of the personality of the person using it. Loving to tease her Girlz, she never divulged what that might be and many hours had been spent trying to guess.

  Maddie sat down at the table, feeling lazy and a little edgy that she wasn’t out scouring the streets for Big Red, but it was nice to be with family and friends. No wonder Laura was coming along in leaps and bounds in her techniques at the bakery. With Gran as a private mentor she had already perfected a couple of recipes.

  Cupcakes instead of breakfast was not the best as a rule, but on her day off the rules did not apply and therefore she had two. “Very nice, Gran, and superb frosting Laura. Is this a new recipe?”

  “It is. Coffee and maple syrup.”

  “Mmmm. Delicious. The frosting too?”

  Laura nodded shyly. “Cupcakes are a good seller at the bakery aren’t they?”

  “Everyone likes cupcakes.” Maddie had to agree.

  “You have a great selection of sweet things,” she hesitated.

  Maddie could see she had something on her mind. “Any ideas are welcome, we’re a team after all.”

  Laura beamed. “There’s been several queries about making bagels. Apparently they’re a healthier option and you can add savory or sweet toppings.”

  “Bagels? I have made them of course, but I’m not sure how well they’ll do in Maple Falls. When I initially chose which items to bake I didn’t include them for that reason. People here like their fresh breads and buns. Still, they did do extremely well in Manhattan, and we’re not as stretched for time now we have our new staff member.” She winked at Laura. “And another about to start. If you like, we could give them a try.”

  “Wonderful, I can’t wait. I love bagels, and Virginia Bolton was asking about them too.”

  Maddie choked on a mouthful of tea at hearing the real estate broker was wanting to eat her food when she had denigrated the bakery not so long ago.

  “I can’t say that’s an incentive to bake them.”

  Gran patted Maddie’s hand as she passed her a napkin. “Now, now. She’s paid her dues. Poor woman has been ostracized by the whole town for long enough, and her business is almost non-existent.”

  Maddie wiped her face on a napkin, her anger warring with compassion over the fear and drama Virginia had helped cause. “It’s only been a few weeks. I can’t say that I blame anyone for steering clear of her.”

  “Maddie, that’s not how you were raised.”

  She dropped her head over the steaming cup at Gran’s censure. “I know, but I’m still angry with her. We could have all been killed.”

  Virginia had helped the murderer up to a point, and insisted she didn’t know how far Ralph Willis was prepared to go to get what he wanted.

  “But we weren’t. Remember, she had a mother she was protecting. Her reasons were valid to her.”

&n
bsp; “I know, but it’s hard to let go of what might have happened if she hadn’t come forward when she did.”

  “There you go. When it was needed she did the right thing. That’s all anyone has to do in this life.”

  There was no way to fight that kind of optimism, so she changed the subject.

  “Like I said, we can try making bagels and see how they go, but no promises to keep them on the schedule,” she told both of them. Finishing her tea she stood. “I’m going to have another look around for Big Red. If either of you see him, could you give me a call?”

  “We sure will. Have a lovely day and see you here for dinner?”

  “Of course.”

  She left them with a heavy heart. It was sometimes hard living up to Gran’s code of fairness, but there was no point trying to argue with it because once you gave it some thought she was usually right. Plus, her grandmother lived by that code every single day. Maddie shook her head with a small smile as she kept her eyes peeled for any sign of Big Red.

  She called him several times, walking around the block and down to the green which was adjacent to the side of her shop, but he was nowhere to be found. It was still too early for most people to be out and about, and Maple Falls with its canopy of large Maple trees creating dappled light everywhere, was quiet and peaceful on a Saturday morning, unless there was a market happening.

  The yoga group would be there soon and Maddie wondered for the umpteenth time if she should join them.

  When she got back to her gate something shining in the grass caught her attention. Instantly she knew what it was. Bending she picked up Big Red’s collar. Nobody would be calling her if someone found him because without this they wouldn’t know where he belonged. Although, most of the town would have heard of Big Red, he was after all memorable.