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 |
『Killer Pancake』
A lethally tantalizing novel by the New York Times bestselling author of Sticks & Scones When Goldy, owner of Goldilocks’ Catering, whips up a sumptuous lowfat feast for the Mignon Cosmetics’ company banquet, she discovers just how ugly the beauty biz can be! On the day of the banquet Goldy finds herself confronting an angry mob of demonstrators—“Spare the Hares”—who object to Mignon Cosmetics’ animal-testing policies. As she carries lowfat fare from her van to the mall where the banquet is being held, she hears an ominous squeal of tires and a horrifying thump. Seconds later a Mignon employee lies dead on the pavement. Now Goldy is enmeshed up to her sauté pans in a homicide investigation. Could the murder have had something to do with Spare the Hares—or with the exotic flower found near the dead body? Though busy serving up Hoisin Turkey and Grand Marnier Cranberry Muffins, Goldy starts sleuthing at Mignon’s million-dollar cosmetics counter. Soon the caterer-turned-sleuth knows she’ll be next on a killer’s hit list—and it won’t be pretty. Featuring original recipes for such luscious (and lowfat) dishes as Fettuccine Alfredo with Asparagus, decadent Fudge Soufflé, and irresistible what-to-do-with-all-the-egg-yolks bread!
Author | Diane Mott Davidson |
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Price | $5.99 |
Publisher | Crimeline |
Release Date | Jan 13, 2010 |
Source | Google Books |
『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 |
『State of the Onion』
Introducing White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras, who is rising-and sleuthing-to the top. Includes recipes for a complete presidential menu! Never let them see you sweat-that's White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras's motto, which is pretty hard to honor in the most important kitchen in the world. She's hell-bent on earning her dream job, Executive Chef. There's just one thing: her nemesis is vying for it, too. Well, that and the fact that an elusive assassin wants to see her fry.
Author | Julie Hyzy |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Jan 02, 2008 |
Source | Google Books |
『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 Publishing Corporation |
Release Date | Apr 27, 2021 |
Source | Google Books |
『Dying for Chocolate』
“A classic whodunit . . . the perfect book for food lovers.”—New York Daily News Goldy Bear is the bright, opinionated, wildly inventive caterer whose personal life is a recipe for disaster, with bills taking a bite out of her budget and her abusive ex-husband making tasteless threats. Determined to take control, Goldy moves her business to the ritzy Aspen Meadow Country Club. Soon she’s preparing decadent dinners and posh society picnics—and enjoying the favors of Philip Miller, a handsome local shrink, and Tom Schulz, her more-than-friendly neighborhood cop. Until, that is, the dishy doctor drives his BMW into an oncoming bus. Convinced that Philip’s bizarre death was no accident, Goldy begins to sift through the dead doc’s unpalatable secrets. But this case is seasoned with unexpected danger and even more unexpected revelations—the kind that could get a caterer killed. Praise for Diane Mott Davidson and Dying for Chocolate “You don’t have to be a cook or a mystery fan to love Diane Mott Davidson’s books.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune “A cross between Mary Higgins Clark and Betty Crocker.”—The Baltimore Sun Includes recipes!
Author | Diane Mott Davidson |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Crimeline |
Release Date | Oct 01, 1993 |
Source | Google Books |
『Fudge Cupcake Murder』
Bakery owner Hannah Swensen just can’t keep her hands out of the batter when murder stirs things up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, leaving the sheriff dead, a deputy accused, and a killer on the loose . . . For Hannah, life seems to be lacking a certain flavor lately. Maybe it’s the local sheriff’s election that’s got her down. For years, Sheriff Grant’s been the iron hand in town. But now, Hannah’s brother-in-law, Bill, is giving the old blowhard the fight of his long, dubious career—and Grant’s not taking it well, especially once the polls show Bill pulling ahead. But before anyone can taste victory, Hannah makes a very unappetizing discovery: Sheriff Grant’s body in the dumpster behind the high school where she’s teaching her cooking class. Worse, the poor man still has fudge frosting on his shirt from one of her cupcakes. The number one—and only—suspect is Bill, but Hannah’s not swallowing it. Plenty of people had reason to hate Sheriff Grant. Soon, Hannah’s dishing up scandalous secrets, steaming hot betrayals, and enough intrigue to keep the gossip mill at The Cookie Jar going through several pots of decaf. And the closer Hannah gets to the truth, the closer she gets to smoking out a murderer with a very nasty recipe for silencing people . . . INCLUDES TEN ORIGINAL DESSERT RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY! “For fans of culinary mysteries.”—Library Journal “Scrumptious.”—Publishers Weekly
Author | Joanne Fluke |
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Price | $8.81 |
Publisher | Kensington Books |
Release Date | Apr 11, 2013 |
Source | Google Books |
『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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