I have always been fond of mysteries. Being able to piece together clues and discover who is the murderer is a fun challenge. Now if you combine mysteries with my love of cooking, then it is a winning combination. Both of these things bring me comfort and joy.
That is why I enjoy seeing characters cook their favorite dishes despite all of the chaos that surrounds them. It brings them comfort and sometimes even helps them solve a crime or two.
If you are a person who enjoys food and mysteries, sit down and get your favorite food. Take time to read some of my favorite books. Some are new finds that are on my current Wishlist. Others are old standards that I have read more than once. Just sit back, read, and have a bite or two.
Contains affiliate links and widgets from Booksamillion and Collective Voice in which I earn a small commission for you clicking and or purchasing any of these items. Thank you for your support!
The images are also from Booksamillion. I am affiliate of it.
This first book was recommended to me by someone. I am very familiar with this series but there are so many books, I have not read yet. This is one of them.
It is now time for the Tri-county summer Solstice to come to Hannah Swenson's hometown. She decides to make her famous Pink Lemonade Cake to take to the Summer Solstice.
At the event a dead body is discovered. The deceased is a former MLB baseball player. Rumors start swirling trying to figure out who murdered him. There is a long list of suspects because the deceased ticked a lot of people off.
One of those people is Hannah's mother. Delores has a grudge because she is publicly embarrassed by the dead man. Now Hannah must clear her mom's name. She also has to deal with a recent surprise announcement.
This book features over a dozen recipes including Pink Lemonade cake. I always enjoy the recipes here because they are simple to make. The recipes are not fancy cuisine, but they still are tasty.
Find Here: Lemonade Cake Murder
Another book from the Hannah Swenson series.
This book is more of a flashback to a past Christmas that Hannah experienced. Hannah is becoming one of the top bakers in her hometown.
It is the holiday season, and she is as busy as ever. She is catering the Christmas Ball for an elderly woman, named Essie Granger. She ends up reading one of Essie's notebooks. In the book, Essie describes how a lady escaped from New York because of danger.
Hannah assumes that this is a fictional story written by Essie. Later on, Hannah finds out it is a true story. Now she has to solve another crime and open up her new bakery.
It gives the reader a background into Hannah's early years and how she started her bakery the Cookie Jar. You also get into how things were after Hannah's father died. I like how they discuss her favorite's favorite cookies.
I was a little disappointed when I first realized it was a prequel. I wanted to know what would happen after the cliffhanger in the previous book. But I got over it once I was able to get into a few chapters.
I did enjoy the Ultimate Lemon Bundt cake recipe and the Anytime Peach Pie included in the book.
Find Here: Christmas Cake Murder
This book is actually three books in one. Gingerbread Cookie by Joanne Fluke. Hannah finds her neighbor dead. Ernie Kusak's head was bashed in. It seems that a lot of people could not stand Ernie. Hannah of course has to solve his murder.
The second book is by Laura Levine. The main character is Jaine Austen. She is helping the local retirement center with a Christmas Play. The star is the Christmas Play is killed.
The third book is from Lesie Meir. Leslie finds the body of Rick Juergens. She later discovers that his 5-year-old son.
All of these books are good, but my favorite was the Gingerbread Cookie. I like how they provided background about the victim. Especially background into his marriage.
I also enjoyed the recipes that were included i the book. The Chocolate Frosting is different than what I am used to making but it is simple to do. I always wanted to try the Double Chocolate Drop Cookies.
Find here: Gingerbread Cookie Murder
Hannah Swenson is involved in another fundraiser. This time she feels that she may be over her head. Especially when her ex-lover is murdered. She soon discovers that her sister also went out with the same man.
Most of the books center only around Hannah's romance. It was nice to see her sister's past and romance being brought up. It was kind of weird that both sisters had a romance withe same man. But is not surprising since man with that kind of job usually do things like that.
As far as the recipes go, I was really interested in the apple turner over recipe. It did not disappoint. To me this book seemed to have more recipes than the others.
Find Here: Apple Turnover Murder
Sold here
Body and Soul Food: Books and Biscuits
Body and Soul are about two fraternal twins: Keaton and Koby. They were orphaned at the age of two and then separated. They reunite now they are adults.
Keaton and Koby are opening a new bookstore and cafe called Books and Biscuits. While opening their new business, Koby's foster brother is murdered.
His murder seems impossible to solve but Koby and Keaton will try to find out who did it.
I am looking forward to reading this book because it mentions soul food. Food I ate as child as still enjoy to this day. Within the first chapter the two main characters are talking about collards, cheesy grits with big shrimp in them.
I find myself hooked and remembering all the tasty things I ate growing up. I am looking forward to seeing recipes about biscuits, rolls, and many other southern staples.
Find Here: Body and Soul Food: Books and Biscuits
Sold here
Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery
Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family. This way she can do what she loves and give back to her community.
There are not that many recipes in this one compared to the other books. One of the recipes included is currant rolls.
Find Here: Against the Currant
Maddy is trying to continue the legacy of her great aunt Olivia. It is not easy to be as great as she was. Maddy is quite inexperienced in the kitchen. But she is determined to put her bakery Baby Cakes on the map.
However, she is receiving scathing reviews. On top of that a new bakery is opening up. The cunning owner CJ Davenport will stop at nothing to be the top bakery. Even if it means backstab his competition, which is Maddy.
CJ Davenport however is the one that ends of stabbed. Davenport is found dead with a Baby Cake's knife in his back. With support from her community and her new boyfriend, she is determined to discover the real murderer.
I had to do a little research to find this book. I wanted to find some books I never read before. I thought this would be interesting because it seems similar to Hannah Swensen Books.
Find Here: Murder is a Piece of Cake
Sold here
Kimber Breeze is a reporter broadcasting from the hotel balcony during a parade. Carmela Bertrand the owner of the Memory Mine, scrapbooking shop is waiting next to be interviewed by Kimber.
While on the balcony someone sneaks behind Kimber and strangles her with a cord.
Carmela starts receiving postcards from the dead woman. Now Carmela and Ava are trying figure who killed the late reporter and who is sending the cards.
I like this book because it reintroduces a Kimber Breeze, who was not a very well-liked character in the series.
There are recipes in this book as well as scrapbooking tips. This book many deals with recipes you can find at tea party. But they are still good.
Find Here: Postcards from the Dead
Conclusion:
Good food and mystery books are things that I like and enjoy. If you enjoy these two things, I think you will enjoy these books. For those who are avid mystery readers you can remind other books that you like that include food or recipes. Please let me know in the comments.
Shop
More Books: