søndag den 8. august 2010

Riley Adams, Delicious and Suspicious (2010)

This American cosy mystery is the first in the Memphis BBQ series, written under a pen name by Elizabeth Spann Craig. I bought the book myself.

Yesterday I gave you a taste of the setting, and here you meet the main character, Lulu:

“And right there on Beale Street, you can find the reigning queen of the barbequing art, Lulu Taylor. She´s not back in the kitchen anymore, of course. You´ll find her holding court in the dining room, cutting up with some customers, and buttering up others.”

Just as the setting is of great importance to a cosy, so is the writer´s ability to create interesting and often quirky characters. Lulu is by no means perfect, but she is a headstrong and considerate woman, bustling with energy and initiative.

The story begins when the obnoxious food scout, Rebecca Adrian, shows an interest in Lulu´s barbeque restaurant. Lulu, her family and her host of loyal friends hope it will appear on The Cooking Channel and win the title of best local BBQ. But in a few days Rebecca rubs everybody up the wrong way so when she is found dead in her hotel room, nobody seems to miss her. The only problems are that a case of poison is not a very good advertisment for the BBQ, and that the narrow circle of suspects are all friends or relatives of Lulu. She is not the type who beats about the bush, however, so she plunges into the case to solve it the sooner the better.

There is  a suitable handful of suspects, and though I wondered if the ending would be too predictable over a chapter or two, the writer lived up to my expectations on that score also (I cannot reveal more without spoiling the plot). The delightful and humorous story has everything a cozy mystery needs, and a bit more, and if you should feel very hungry after having read it, Lulu is even willing to share some of her recipes with you. If you like cozies, this one is a must!

11 kommentarer:

Kerrie sagde ...

Sounds good to me Dorte - wish it was available on Kindle to us DownUnder :-(

Anonym sagde ...

Dorte - Thanks so much for this great review. I'm very, very eager to get my copy of this one, as I know it'll be tasty : ). Your review makes me even hungrier for it...

Mason Canyon sagde ...

Enjoyed your review very much. This is a delightful cozy murder mystery. Can't wait to see what Lulu gets into next.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Unknown sagde ...

I have the book on Kindle but I'm kinda a slow reader right now so I haven't got to it yet. It's next on my list though and can't wait to read it.

CD

Kelly sagde ...

Okay.... this one may have to move on up to "next" in my stack!

I'm less than a five hour drive from Memphis and have been through there many times. I love reading books set in places I can relate to! An added plus that it includes food I like, too!!

Dorte H sagde ...

Kerrie: I am sure when we bloggers have made Elizabeth famous enough ... :D

Margot: this is the first time I have ever pre-ordered a book.

Mason: yes, it is tasty indeed.

Clarissa: enjoy!

Kelly: oh, but you are almost neighbours then. I also think it is nice when I am able to judge the setting or the time.

Louise sagde ...

I would like to read this one too. Like books set in Memphis and surroundings.

Byt the way Dorte, do you happen to know what the third Anne Holt/Johann Vik book is called? I have found one which states it is the fourth book, but so far have not been able to find one called the third...

Dorte H sagde ...

Louise: the Danish title is Madam President,the English one Death in Oslo. The funny thing is that Vik/Stubø meet her old protagonist, Hanne Wilhelmsen.

My review: http://djskrimiblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/anne-holt-madam-president-2007.html

Belle Wong sagde ...

I love the title - it's very catchy. This sounds like an enjoyable cozy - I especially like cozies that have to do with food. Thanks for putting this series on my radar.

Louise sagde ...

Thanks Dorte, I have seen that, just thought it was a Hanne Wilhelmsen-story of which I've read a few.

Dorte H sagde ...

Belle: oh, this one will make you very hungry - for barbeque and cozy mystery.

Louise: well, I suppose it is both. They help each other solve the case, using each their skills.