30 April 2016

Weekend Cooking: 3 Culinary Mysteries for May

Weekend Cooking hosted by www.BethFishReads.comWeekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

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It's been a long while since I wrote about culinary cozy mysteries. Each of the three I feature today will be released next week from Berkley Prime Crime and include recipes that were mentioned in the story. These kinds of light mysteries feature likeable characters and sometimes a little romance, making them perfect for the beach, for an afternoon on the porch with a cup of tea, or for a rainy day by the fireplace.

Hearse and Gardens by Kathleen BridgeKathleen Bridge's newest entry in her Hamptons Home & Garden mystery series is Hearse and Gardens. Our protagonist was once a Manhattan interior designer, but Meg Barrett left the city for the peace and quiet of the Hamptons. She loves the area, but her days are anything but slow. Not only does she have to sort out legal issues before she can buy a beachfront cottage but she discovers a literal skeleton in the closet in a Montauk estate. This mystery takes us into the pop art world, where a Warhol painting, family feuds, and high society all play a role. Reviewers mention that Meg is a smart, capable character and that it's easy to connect to her predicaments. First paragraph:
"You have been served." Four words you never want to hear.
Recipes include Cajun shrimp, and the book also contains a guide to shopping for and using vintage items.

Berry the Hatchet by Peg CochranBerry the Hatchet is the third entry in Peg Cochran's Cranberry Cove mystery series, set in Michigan. Monica Albertson left Chicago to help her brother, Jeff, on his cranberry farm located on the shores of Lake Michigan. In an effort to boost the local the economy, the town decides to hold a late-winter festival. But before the first day is over, someone has died, and the prime suspects are Monica's mother and stepmother. Can Monica and Jeff find the real killer before their family is torn apart? One of the fun things about cozy mysteries is the setting, and reviewers have commented on how much they liked getting to know the small lakeside town and Monica's friends and customers. First paragraph:
Cranberry Cove was in an uproar.
Among the several recipes are cranberry balsamic pork chops and cranberry salsa.

Irish Stewed by Kylie LoganIf you want to get in at the beginning of a series, try Irish Stewed by Kylie Logan, which is the opening book in her Ethnic Eats mysteries. Our hero is Laurel Inwood, a personal chef to a Hollywood bigwig. Well, make that ex-chef. She's now living in a small town in Ohio working in her aunt Sophie's diner. Determined to keep up her culinary standards, Laurel decides to add ethnic dishes to the daily specials. It was a good plan until someone is found dead at their restaurant table. Good food, a cute guy, and delicious clues make this book a lovely way to spend the afternoon. First lines:
"I can explain. . . . It's like this, you see, Laurel."
There is only one recipe at the back of the book, and it's, of course, for Irish stew.

13 comments:

bermudaonion 4/30/16, 7:41 AM  

Culinary cozies are always so fun!

Tina 4/30/16, 8:12 AM  

Usually I like a darker mystery but the reviews from these sound like they are worth the look. Lamb stew is always a favorite for me. I have been reading my Inspector Banks series again and ought to have made a dish mentioned from the last book. I will do that for the next review!

Jackie McGuinness 4/30/16, 8:47 AM  

I'd read Irish Stewed just for the title!

jama 4/30/16, 9:12 AM  

These sound like fun, light reads. Thanks for spotlighting them. :)

Deb in Hawaii 4/30/16, 10:04 AM  

I do love a good culinary cozy and these all sound fun and are new to me. Since I always *need* ;-) to start at the beginning of a series I'm liking that about that last one and the "Ethnic Eats" theme sounds entertaining. Thanks for sharing!

Deb in Hawaii 4/30/16, 10:16 AM  

And in addition to a book review and recipe post I am adding a second entry this week with a food and movie pairing--the Japanese "Ramen Western" Tampopo and Omurice. :-)

Claudia 4/30/16, 11:57 AM  

I love those culinary mysteries and usually have a stack of them oout from the library.

Nan 4/30/16, 3:15 PM  

I like the idea of a series with recipes from different countries!

grammajudyb 4/30/16, 6:37 PM  

Oh, I really like cozies with a culinary twist! Thanks for sharing these.

Katherine P 4/30/16, 7:55 PM  

I pre-ordered Irish Stewed and I'm really excited about the whole series! Hears and Gardens and Berry the Hatchet look good too. I've been trying to actually use the recipes in the back of cozies and I've really been having a good time doing it.

Molly 4/30/16, 7:56 PM  

I love the creativity of the titles. I'd buy Berry the Hatchet just for the giggles :)

Mae Travels 5/1/16, 11:06 AM  

Unlike many readers, I like my mysteries a little more violent than cozy, though I do enjoy detectives with interesting food choices!

At the moment I am enjoying an unexpectedly gourmet tour of Provence, and couldn't resist linking a second weekend post. We're here for birdwatching and learning about art and history, but the meals are selected by a real food lover.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

templarlady 5/15/16, 8:15 PM  

i love culinary cozies! love the title irish stewed

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