Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that highlights books soon to be released, the ones we’re excited about but haven’t read yet. It’s hosted by Wishful Endings, and was formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine. Y’all can check out all of this week’s Can’t-Wait Wednesday posts here.
Title: Wined and Died in New Orleans
Author: Ellen Byron
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publication Date: February 7, 2023
Publisher: Berkley
Synopsis:
It’s hurricane season in New Orleans and vintage cookbook fan Ricki James-Diaz is trying to shelve her weather-related fears and focus on her business, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, housed in the magnificent Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.
Repairs on the property unearth crates of very old, very valuable French wine, buried by the home’s builder, Jean-Louis Charbonnet. Ricki, who’s been struggling to attract more customers to Miss Vee’s, is thrilled when her post about the discovery of this long-buried treasure goes viral. She’s less thrilled when the post brings distant Charbonnet family members out of the woodwork, all clamoring for a cut of the wine’s sale.
When a dead body turns up in Bon Vee’s cheery fall decorations, the NOPD zeroes in on Eugenia Charbonnet Felice as the prime suspect, figuring that as head of the Charbonnet family, she has the most to gain. Ricki is determined to uncover the real culprit, but she can’t help noticing that Eugenia is acting strangely. Ricki wonders what kind of secret her mentor has bottled up, and fears what might happen if she uncorks it.
In the second Vintage Cookbook Mystery, Ricki has to help solve a murder, untangle family secrets, and grow her business, all while living under the threat of a hurricane that could wipe out everything from her home to Bon Vee.
My thoughts:
I loved Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series, and I’m tickled with her new Vintage Cookbook series! I’m a Louisiana girl, and it’s always fun to read stories set in my home state. It’s even more fun when that story is told by Ellen Byron. That means I’m going to get a good, twisty mystery and a solid dose of humor, too. February can’t get here fast enough!
This looks like a fun cozy one!
Thanks, Greg! Ellen Byron knows how to write a good cozy. I expect I’ll love it!
Sounds interesting. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it, Lisa!
Thanks, Cindy!
It always adds a special something when a book is set in your own neighbourhood, or a district you know well:)). I hope this is as much fun as it sounds when you get to read it!
Thanks, Sarah!
This sounds like such a fun mystery! I love that it is set in your home state! I hope that you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it.
Thanks, Jodie!
I’ve been in the mood for cozies lately and this one sounds so good! Thanks for sharing! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
It is the cozy time of year! (Although is there a time of year that’s not good for cozies? I don’t think so!)
I’ve read one book by her. You’re right, she’s good. Didn’t know about the new series. Thanks for sharing. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks, Laura!
I love a good cozy mystery and this sounds like one I would definitely enjoy. 🙂
Give it a go! I’ll review when I get to it (someday!).