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Mardi Gras Murder–lots of Louisiana flavor in this mystery
Mardi Gras Murder
by Ellen Byron
Mardi Gras Murder takes place in Pelican, Louisiana, as the townsfolk work together to recover from flooding. Maggie Crozat is an artist who works at her family’s B & B as well as a tour guide at Doucet, the plantation that belonged to her mother’s family. The story starts with action as a body no one can identify shows up during the cleanup, but the author, Ellen Byron, also very quickly gives a background introducing many of the characters. It is fortunate that Byron includes a list of characters because I had to refer back to it may times. Families and lineage are very important in determining status in Louisiana, and it seems like everyone is related to or at least knows everyone else in Pelican.
The plot gets complicated as Maggie has to substitute for her grandmother as a judge in the Miss Pelican Mardi Gras Gumbo Queen competition, there is another murder, and Maggie uncovers a lot of local secrets. The storyline is interesting, and I enjoyed the Louisiana setting and a generous sprinkling of Cajun French dialogue. It was also fun to read about the local cuisine, frequently leading me to the Internet for personal searches to learn more. Gopher, a Bassett hound pictured on the cover, attracted me to the book, but he has only a minor presence. All in all, Mardi Gras Murder is an enjoyable read.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: 1. #4 in the Cajun Country Mystery Series. There are a LOT of characters in this book, but the author seems aware of potential issues and manages them well. This was my first foray into the series, but I enjoyed it.
2. A detail that makes a fun side story, but is inaccurate: A cast iron pot used for the gumbo cook-off had been passed down the family line. The seasoning that had accumulated over the years was supposedly ruined when some dogs licked it. Actually “seasoning” does not affect the flavor of foods cooked in the pot. Seasoning makes it nonstick and prevents rusting. The well-seasoned, prized pot need not have been discarded. A simple hand washing, heating to dry, and wiping with lard or oil would have restored the pot quite satisfactorily.
Publication: October 9, 2018— Crooked Lane Books
Memorable Lines:
He made himself sound important, but it came across as someone trying very hard to inflate a small balloon.
“Boy, I had a bad case of SDS back there,” Denise said. She saw the puzzled expression on Maggie’s face. “Southern Door Syndrome, where you take almost as long to say goodbye as you stayed at the party.”
“You know the old cliché, chére. Ninety-nine percent of American families are dysfunctional, and the other one percent is lying about it.”
Expiration Date–cook-off contest ends badly
Expiration Date
by Devon Delaney
I don’t think I ever fully understood the term “foodie” until I read Devon Delaney’s Expiration Date, the story of six finalists in a cook-off sponsored by an organic foods corporation. Sherry Frazzelle and her sister Marla are two of the finalists. One of the three chef judges dies immediately after tasting Sherry’s stuffed pork tenderloin.
Although there is a definite mystery at the core of this book, there is almost no part of the story that doesn’t involve food. At first I thought the food figures of speech like “She overheard audience opinions being dished out like coleslaw at a barbecue” were cute and well-played. They are indeed inventive and well-written. At some point, however, it is just overdone—especially when characters totally unconnected to the food industry begin using them. Another feature that is perhaps overused is Sherry’s father’s favorite sayings.
There are sufficient twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader’s interest, but there is a huge jump in believability in the final scene. The setting is intentionally made dark to enhance the scariness factor, but there is no rationale given for why the character chooses to live that way and why the cook-off finalists would venture into that setting.
If you are a foodie who likes cozy mysteries, you will love this book. Otherwise just approach it as an opportunity for a diverting afternoon and enjoy.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #1 in the Cook-Off Mystery Series
Publication: April 24, 2018—Kensington Books
Memorable Lines:
People were weaving around each other, like the latticework crust created by bakers to top the best fruit pies.
She tried to lift the throbbing arm, but it was as difficult as peeling a butternut squash.
You’re more agitated than a hungry vegan at a pig roast.
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