10 Best Culinary Mystery Books Unveiling the Secrets of Top Chefs!
We all love a good mystery, right? That heart-pounding suspense, the thrill of the chase, and the satisfaction of fitting together the clues like a tantalizing jigsaw puzzle. Now, add a generous pinch of culinary intrigue to that mix. Yes, you heard that right! It’s time to take a step away from the usual scene of gloomy crime investigation rooms and delve into the fascinating world of culinary mysteries. Think you can handle the heat?
You’ll find yourself woven into stories set in food markets of dreamy French towns to bustling multicultural New York restaurants, solving murder mysteries with a spoon in one hand and a clue in another. These books don’t just set the stage for intense problem-solving; they feed your soul with descriptions of sumptuous gourmet dishes and plunge your senses into the passionate world of culinary arts.
Whether you're a self-proclaimed foodie, an armchair detective, or simply someone who loves a good puzzle, you won't be able to resist these mouth-watering page-turners. We’ve picked out ten of the best culinary mystery books that promise to take you on a gastronomically thrilling whodunit journey. Get ready to tickle your taste buds and sharpen your sleuthing skills! Buckle up, it’s about to get deliciously dangerous!
『Catering to Nobody』
Even though working a wake isn’t Goldy Bear’s idea of fun, the Colorado caterer throws herself into preparing a savory feast featuring Poached Salmon and Strawberry Shortcake Buffet designed to soothe forty mourners. Her culinary efforts seem to be exactly what the doctor ordered . . . until her former father-in-law, gynecologist Fritz Korman, is struck down—and Goldy is accused of adding poison to the menu. Now, with the Department of Health impounding her leftovers, her ex-husband trashing her name, and her business close to being shut down, Goldy knows she can’t wait for the police to serve up answers. She soon uncovers more than one skeleton in the closet, along with a veritable slew of unpalatable secrets—the kind that could make Goldy the main course in an unsavory killer’s next murder. Praise for Diane Mott Davidson and Catering to Nobody “A medley of murder, mayhem, and melted chocolate.”—New York Post “Diane Mott Davidson’s culinary mysteries can be hazardous to your waistline.”—People “Delicious . . . sure to satisfy!”—Sue Grafton Includes recipes!
Author | Diane Mott Davidson |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Bantam |
Release Date | Feb 26, 2002 |
Source | Google Books |
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『Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder』
DISCOVER THE DELICIOUS MYSTERY THAT STARTED IT ALL! No one cooks up a delectable, suspense-filled mystery quite like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke’s dessert-baking, red-haired heroine whose gingersnaps are as tart as her comebacks, and whose penchant for solving crimes—one delicious clue at a time—has made her a bestselling favorite. And it all began on these pages, with a bakery, a murder, and some suddenly scandalous chocolate-chip crunchies. Featuring a bonus short story and brand new, mouthwatering recipes, this new edition of the very first Hannah Swensen mystery is sure to have readers coming back for seconds… Hannah already has her hands full trying to dodge her mother’s attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden’s most popular bakery. But once Ron LaSalle, the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah’s famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, her life just can’t get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer. But if she doesn’t watch her back, Hannah’s sweet life may get burned to a crisp. Includes bonus short story and extra recipes! “A cleverly plotted cozy full of appealing characters and delicious cookie recipes.” —Publishers Weekly
Author | Joanne Fluke |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Kensington |
Release Date | Jul 30, 2019 |
Source | Google Books |
『Lemon Tart』
"--Cooking aficionado turned amateur detective Sadie Hoffmiller tries to solve the murder of her beautiful young neighbor a single mother who was mysteriously lured from her home while a lemon tart was baking in her oven. At the heart of Sadie s search is the woman s missing two year-old child. Whoever took the child must be the murderer, but Sadie is certain that the police are looking at all the wrong suspects including her!"--Page 4 of cover.
Author | Josi S. Kilpack |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Shadow Mountain |
Release Date | Jan 01, 2009 |
Source | Google Books |
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『The Diva Runs Out of Thyme』
FIRST IN THE DOMESTIC DIVA MYSTERY SERIES! Domestic diva Sophie Winston is about to learn that some dishes are best served cold... Few can compete with local celebrity Natasha Smith when it comes to entertaining, but Sophie Winston is determined to try. Her childhood rival may have stolen the spotlight—and her husband—but this Thanksgiving Sophie is determined to rob Natasha of the prize for Alexandria, Virginia's Stupendous Stuffing Shakedown. She just needs the right ingredient. But Sophie's search for the perfect turkey takes a basting when she stumbles across a corpse. And when the police find her name and photo inside the victim's car, Sophie will have to set her trussing aside to solve the murder—or she'll be serving up prison grub... Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!
Author | Krista Davis |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Oct 07, 2008 |
Source | Google Books |
『Key Lime Pie Murder』
The criminally delicious ninth installment in Joanne Fluke's New York Times bestselling Hannah Swensen Mystery series is now in trade paperback with a fun, fresh look! Hannah is busy juggling whipping up treats for the chamber of commerce booth at the Tri-County fair and judging the baking contest. But when Hannah discovers a fellow bake contest judge dead alongside an upended key lime pie, it's up to her to find the murderer before a carnival ride could be her last... It promises to be a busy week for Hannah Swensen. Not only is she whipping up treats for the chamber of commerce booth at the Tri-County fair, but she's also judging the baking contest; acting as a magician's assistant for her business partner's husband; trying to coax Moishe, her previously rapacious feline, to end his hunger strike, and performing her own private carnival act by juggling the demands of her mother and sisters. With so much on her plate, it's no wonder Hannah finds herself on the midway only moments before the fair closes for the night. After hearing a suspicious thump, she goes snooping-only to discover Willa Sunquist, a student teacher and fellow bake contest judge, dead alongside an upended key lime pie. But who would want to kill Willa and why? Now Hannah needs to crank up the heat, hoping that Willa's killer will get rattled and make a mistake. If that happens she intends to be there, even if it means getting on a carnival ride that could very well be her last...
Author | Joanne Fluke |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Kensington |
Release Date | Apr 27, 2021 |
Source | Google Books |
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『Sprinkle with Murder』
Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are finally living out their dream as the proud owners of the Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. But their first big client is a nightmare. She's a bridezilla who wants 500 custom cupcakes for her wedding. When Mel stumbles upon the bride-to-be dead-by-cupcake, she becomes the prime suspect. To save themselves and their business, the ladies need to find the real murderer, before the cupcake killer ices someone else.
Author | Jenn McKinlay |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Mar 02, 2010 |
Source | Google Books |
Now, there you have it, folks! Our selection of ten absolutely intriguing, mouthwatering, and heart-racing culinary themed mystery novels. These books are not just about recipes and food, oh no! They hook you with stories that revolve around food but also take you deeper into multi-layered tales of suspense, danger, and intrigue, all set within the seemingly innocent world of the kitchen. We have everything from local dining spots turned deathly arenas to gourmet chefs leading double lives. What these books remind us is that food is not only about nourishment or the mere pleasure of eating; it's a tale of passion, love, obsession, and sometimes, crime. Cooks and chefs alike weave tales of flavors, and in these books, they also unearth secrets and solve mysteries. So, buckle up, dear readers, for a culinary journey that is as packed with adrenaline as it is with appetizing delicacies. Happy reading! And remember, never underestimate what lies behind those kitchen doors.
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