Of Mushrooms and Matrimony

December 1, 2022
The murder of a much-hated chef leaves investigators with too many suspects. Tish Tarragon is in a tizzy. Both her book-themed cafe and her catering business are on hold until she can find new quarters after her vengeful ex-boyfriend evicted her. Luckily, her best pal, television weatherman Julian Davis, and her new love, Sheriff Clemson Reade, are there to support her as she caters a wedding and searches for a venue for her business and a place to live. Unfortunately, the perfect spot is beyond her means. The wedding is being held at Abbingdon Green, a lovely Victorian B&B where most of the guests are staying. A guest unconnected to the wedding is obnoxious Gunnar Randall, a television host renowned for insulting and demeaning chefs hoping for a good review as they present their meals to him. Inn owner Glory Bishop's willingness to make the irate Randall a mushroom omelet when he misses breakfast puts her on the suspect list when he's found dead and the coroner suspects mushroom poisoning. Tish, who has a nose for murder, pitches in to help Reade develop a list of suspects that grows and grows as they realize that Randall's nasty personality had alienated everyone, from his put-upon assistant to the network bosses who were considering pulling the plug on his show. They slowly work their way through the list in search of the one person who could not take it anymore. Foodies and cozy lovers will enjoy both the puzzle and the recipes.

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January 1, 2023

Tish Tarragon is already in trouble before she even caters a wedding weekend at a local B&B. Her ex-boyfriend, who is also her landlord, has evicted her. She is homeless and without her caf� as her base. At least she's working out of Abbingdon Green, where the wedding party is staying, for the weekend. She and her new love interest, Sheriff Clemson Reade, are on site when TV chef Gunnar Randall verbally attacks the B&B's owner. Glory Bishop is scared that the powerful celebrity, known for his scathing reviews, will destroy her business. But within two days, Gunnar is dead. He's been poisoned, the victim of a deadly mushroom, which could have been served by a half-dozen chefs in the area, all with reasons to hate the obnoxious chef. As a consultant for the sheriff's department, Tish sits in on the interviews with subjects and learns how hated Gunnar was in the foodie world. VERDICT Those who read Krista Davis's "Domestic Diva" mysteries for the close-knit cast will enjoy the supportive group of friends in Meade's charming follow-up to From Ladle to Grave.--Lesa Holstine

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April 14, 2023
Tish Tarragon, owner of the Cookin' the Books caf� in Hobson Glen, Virginia, is closing up shop, thanks to her landlord and former boyfriend evicting her. As she searches for a new site, she is preparing for a final catering event, a literary-themed wedding at a nearby B&B. While she is setting up, Tish sees a guest threaten the staff and owner, who assuages him with a custom-cooked mushroom omelette. The guest is Gunnar Randall, a celebrity chef in the area to film his TV show critiquing local restaurants. The next day, he is found dead, with the cause determined to be mushroom poisoning. As Tish and her current beau, Sheriff Clemson Reade, retrace Randall's steps, they learn that the restauranteurs, each hoping for a rare positive review from Randall, served him dishes with locally sourced mushrooms, and, worse, he had past disagreements with more than one of the chefs. Sixth in the series, this one will appeal to fans of foodie mysteries, such as those from Sarah Fox, Joanne Fluke, and Laura Childs.

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