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Now Serving: Truffles & Poison: A New Zealand North Island Cozy Mystery

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Why did Chelsea have to die on the most important night of Dani Sites' culinary career? If her gown weren't enough to die for, the truffles would surely do the trick.
______ Working for the most affluent family in Raglan, New Zealand, Dani was about to make a name for herself in the community as the most prestigious chef on the North Shore. On the night of the highly anticipated Spring Equinox Soirée, fate would have it that the moment billionaire Bennett Bowing emerged from the shadows, breaking his silence since his late wife's passing almost a decade ago, Chelsea, who may have become his next wife, is murdered. Dani not only needs to save her reputation as a top chef and clear her name, but she also needs to keep her eyes off of the billionaire's son, who just happens to adore her runt Kunekune pig, Potts, so she can solve Chelsea's untimely death that is keeping her out of the kitchen. With a strong cuppa flat made by her best friend, Oaklee, too many tator tots to count, and her fellow co-workers, Sue, who thinks all rich people are incorrigible members of society, and the house-keeping twins who want to nab some local millionaires, Dani learns that she's got a knack for dishing out clues. The only thing stopping her is the tantalizing allure of the coveted truffles that Inspector Kooe confiscated, claiming they poisoned poor Chelsea. Dani will do anything to get the black diamond back for the ultimate trufflized gourmet dish as she listens to her favorite crime Criminal Conundrums, Deadly Deeds, & Killer Khronicles.

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2023

6 people are currently reading
34 people want to read

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Peyton Stone

20 books308 followers

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5 stars
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20 (29%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Short, Sweet and Cozy.
1,507 reviews
October 26, 2023
Truffles & Poison is a new cozy mystery with likeable characters and the mystery kept me guessing. I have read other books by Peyton Stone and was looking forward to this new book. It started off slow with all of the character introductions but it was good overall. Danika (Dani) is a Chef at a mansion for the Bowing family - Bennett, son Brooks, daughter Cami, and Bennett's twin brother Bryan. Also working there is Chelsea, Micha, Meeka, Sue, Oaklee, and Fritz. I liked the mansion setting. They are getting ready for the Equinox Party which signals Spring in New Zealand. The author used a lot of local terms but provided a list explaining them. One of the people at the party dies. Dani is curious and loves crime podcasts so she tries to find the killer, putting herself in jeopardy. A second person dies. Overall, this was an enjoyable cozy mystery. I received an advance copy from Book Sirens for free and I voluntarily leave this review. #Truffles&Poison #BookSirens
Profile Image for Jane litherland.
4,164 reviews75 followers
October 26, 2023
Dani / Danika Sites has been working for the Bowing family , Twin brothers Bennett and Bryan and Bennett’s twin children Cami and Brooks of Raglan, New Zealand as their head chef only a few short weeks. She has a love for Crime solving podcasts , never missing an episode, her pet pig Potts is with her all the time and follows her around much like a faithful dog would. Other staff members are Chelsea , twins Micha and Meeka ,Sue ,Oaklee and Fritz . She has a penchant for using truffles in her most exquisite dishes and she has a special one she’s been saving for the important dinner ..It’s the night of the Spring Equinox Soirée, Dani has been run off her feet in preparation including the traditional Equinox punch . It’s the anniversary of his wife’s death and to Bennett/ Mr B. honouring her at this time is apt. When there’s a death witnessed by Dani out in the gardens , she becomes prime suspect too. Constable Heckenlaible enter stage wrong! So she sets out to solve the murder and save her reputation while trying to keep herself out of danger. Peyton Stone has been thoroughly mindful of the reader’s full enjoyment of the book adding a list of New Zealand slang at the beginning of the book. This is the start of an epic series by her prolific pen, it’s a well structured story with a solid background, the characters are relatable ,realistic and good humoured, the setting is great (a sort of modern Downtown Abbey meets Cluedo) and the story flows fluently. It’s totally immersive and a feel good , compelling experience.
I read a free copy of the book and my review is in my own words and voluntary.
Profile Image for kate.
93 reviews12 followers
November 21, 2023
First off, this book has convinced me: I need a Kune Kune Pig! I love a good animal sidekick, and Peyton Stone creates some of the best human/animal sleuthing teams! With Truffles and Poison, Stone does an amazing job of creating a world that I want to dive into - this New Zealand North Island world is lush and full of scents and flavors. Our sleuth is an interesting woman with a curious mind and easy to like. An absorbing mystery and a robust cast of characters kept me alert and reading.

For me, however, it is these very things that contributed to my review of 3 stars. Unlike Stone's other excellent books, Truffles and Poison has too much going on. I had a hard time keeping the enormous amount of characters and their connections organized in my head. I was often confused and could have used some character flashcards to keep up! I had a similar struggle with locations and events - the world building is almost too involved and elaborate that it overshadows the actual plot. I often felt like I was missing information and would have enjoyed the mystery more if things had been streamlines a little more.

That being said, if our sleuth Dani is back for another mystery in Now Serving: Book 2, I will read it. I know Peyton Stone can do this world justice, it just was too much on my plate for Book 1.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cozy Reader Lady.
1,163 reviews127 followers
October 27, 2023
"Now Serving: Truffles & Poison (A New Zealand North Island Cozy Mystery #1) by Peyton Stone was a bit different of a cozy mystery than I'm used, in a good way. Being that this one was set in New Zealand that meant that the September/October months are the start of Spring, not Fall. This is also the first cozy mystery set in New Zealand that I've read and I appreciated the slang reference chart at the start of the book, though the context around the words were typically enough for me to figure out what was meant.

The book and mystery start out at an equinox party. Chelsea (a top ranking employee in the household and appreciate the old English spelling of the name) collapses in front of our main character, Dani (the household Chef and caterer for the party). We get the bumbling detective throwing out wild accusations (most of which have some truth) and a whole slew of people who were mad at the victim. However, there was one Character I felt was a tad bit ignored and that made me suspect them. In the end it all made sense and was entertaining to read.

Plus, piggy pet! Pots, the truffle hunting runt was always entertaining. I could totally picture everything she did. Though, for her supposedly being sensitive about being the runt of her littler it sure gets brought up a lot at the beginning that she was the run and small for her size.
338 reviews6 followers
November 9, 2023
An interesting new mystery from New Zealand.
I had a slow start with reading this book as there was much detail about the food menu and Potts , Cef Dani's pet pig. However once the story got rolling and the nasty lady died the attention to detail was greatly appreciated. Many complex characters made this a mystery that you weren't able to see the end of ahead of the heroine. As this is the first in a series there was much character development that helped keep you interested, and a first rate plot strewn with red herrings and legitimate clues woven into the story and flawed rather than perfect characters I look forward to a second story from North New Zealand.
Disclaimer
If you did not purchase this book, add this (or something similar) to the end of your review. It is a requirement by the FTC and sites like Amazon and Goodreads. More importantly, readers should know you received this book for free.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
18 reviews
November 3, 2023
This was another cute read!! Peyton Stone out did herself
I found this an enjoyable read & another book I can tell my granddaughter about so she can put it on her Christmas List.

Dani the Chef is cooking for the people she is working for in New Zealand, but she's cooking things up for an important event being held there
So she's nervous and wanting everything to go perfect and her sidekick is a pig yep, you read it right a Pig
So of course it doesn't go smoothly
She's got a murdered guest and she's not allowed near her kitchen
It has lots of twist and turns and a twist you don't see coming!
This was cute and a very delightful read
I can't wait to read the next mystery Dani and her pig get involved in!
So get your copy you won't wanna miss this🤗
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Gèlynn (Lydia).
63 reviews
November 15, 2023
Food and mystery…

Dani is a chef who loves her job and her pet Potts. She is working for a rich family and is preparing food for a huge event when one of the guests gets murdered and She is the witness. When she is banned from entering her own kitchen, she must rely on her favorite podcast to solve the murder and end the suspicion surrounding her.

This is a fun and cozy mystery that will make you hungry for more. The author creates a vivid world of food and characters that you will enjoy. The descriptions of the dishes are mouth-watering and the translation of Potts's thoughts is adorable. The characters are all unique. The New Zealand slang is easy to understand with the help of the glossary at the start.

I am delighted to have the privilege of reading the ARC of this book and leave my honest review.
137 reviews
November 26, 2023
I love stories set in New Zealand, it's such a unique country and culture and the author brought this to us. When a guest dies at an exclusive spring equinox party, the detective who comes to investigate the death is dogged and at times, very focused on specific family members. We also follow Dani, chef to the family that hosted that exclusive party, as she begins her own investigation based on what she knows of the family she has worked two years for and her knowledge of the party for which she prepared the menu. There are great twists and turns in both investigations and they also cross paths. This is a great read for the criminal aspects and also for the family dynamics in this story. I hope we hear more from them! I received this book as a member of an ARC team and this is my voluntary and honest review.
455 reviews5 followers
October 26, 2023
Truffles and Poison is a great read for cozy mystery readers and foodies. Dani cooks up more than food in her kitchen. Part of what made this so enjoyable was the other characters in the book. Everyone needs a good posse if they are going to solve murders. Ms Stone makes me drool with her descriptions of the food Dani creates. The murder is complicated and more is involved than first meets the eye. Taking inspiration from her favorite podcast Dani finds clues and puts things together to solve more than the mystery. Everything is nicely set up for more to come in the next story. Romance, the next mystery and the best side kick in Potts are all in place and I am eagerly awaiting the next adventure. And I hope at some point Dani publishes a cookbook so we can all cook like she does.
Profile Image for Sarah.
274 reviews24 followers
October 31, 2023
This Cozy Mystery’s main character is Dani who is a Chef with a KuneKune pig. She works for the Bowing Family and has several friends and co-workers. There was some attempt at romance but it didn’t feel authentic to me. At a big event organized by Dani, someone is murdered and at one point she is the prime suspect. Dani wants to solve the mystery so she is cleared. The story was entertaining and expertly leads you along to different suspects. As it was an ARC, there were editing errors that should be rectified before printing. They didn’t deter from my enjoyment. I felt too much time was devoted to talking about Dani’s culinary skills and what she planned to prepare.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Homerun2.
2,729 reviews19 followers
October 23, 2023
This cozy has a New Zealand North Island setting with main character Dani and her companion pig Potts. Animal lovers will appreciate Potts' constant presence and interaction.

Dani is a chef for a rich family, and when someone dies during a major event she has catered, she is a witness. The family is squirrelly, featuring widowed father and his twin brother, and two grown children.

Dani, friends and staff are looking into the death and there are lots of red herrings. A pleasant enough read with some delectable food descriptions but with a bit of plot murkiness, particularly at the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,234 reviews11 followers
November 2, 2023
In this New Zealand mystery, Dani is a chef with a Kunekune pig for a pet, gifted to her from her late aunt. She is preparing a feast for the Bowing brothers for celebration of the Spring Equinox Party when Chelsea, Bennett Bowing’s next wife to be, drops dead! There goes her reputation as a renowned chef! So Dani, along with her best friend Oakley, investigates to restore her reputation and solve the murder! As quick-paced mystery where I learned a lot about truffles (the kind that grow in the ground). Inspector Kobe confiscated her rare black truffles and Dani wants them returned! But can they do it?
1,769 reviews24 followers
November 22, 2023
A mystery with a taiste of murder the array of vibrant, colorful, quirky and sullen characters will draw you in then have you running in circles trying make it through the intrigue of lies, secrets, betrayal and murder.With to little clues and to many suspects your little grey cells are going to have to work hard to figure out the answers before you reach the unexpected and climatic conclusion. This mystery wouldn't let me go until I'd read from beginning to end in one sitting and I learned so much about New Zealand quasean. Acquire " Truffles &Poison " for hours of intriguing and enjoyable entertainment.







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Profile Image for Delphia  Von Heeder .
1,741 reviews51 followers
October 25, 2023
Now Serving Truffles and Poison is book 1 in the Now Serving series by Peyton Stone. I thought the author did an outstanding job of laying a foundation for the characters and the series… Potts, Dani's pig, is my favorite character. I thought that the murder was well written and the the pace was quick but not rushed. This series is set in New Zealand and I really liked having a vocabulary list so I would understand the New Zealand slang. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to see what happens Dani and Potts. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.
1,688 reviews27 followers
October 26, 2023
Oakley owned her own bakery Cuppa Plats and Fluffs ,Chef Dani Sites were excited about the Spring Equuinox party where many wealthy Raglanites were invited .Chelsea Welshman was her grumpy self but suddenly she dies . Brooks wants to helpwith the investigation as he feels there is a lot of secrets about his father Bennett. Then Johnny is killed too. Dani is determined to find the real culprit. A very exciting read to the finish. I received this book via booksirans and leave a honest review. I recommend this book to other readers.
76 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2023
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I finished it over two days, because it was interesting enough that I kept wanting to come back to read (even if that meant neglecting my housework a bit). I think the author did a great job of explaining a culture that I knew nothing about so I never felt confused (which has happened before with books placed in the UK or Ireland) and the slang was well explained or framed in a way that was understandable. Nice cozy read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
435 reviews3 followers
Read
November 6, 2023
Dani, a chef working for a rich family on the North Shore of New Zealand, is organizing a party at the Bowing mansion. However, during the party, the owner's fiance is poisoned and fingers start pointing to Dani. She's forced to take it upon herself to find out who the true murderer is or lose her job and freedom. Dani and her pet pig, Potts, take us on a twisty search for the truth that includes the discovery of multiple red herrings and a hint of danger. Overall, this quick cozy mystery was entertaining.

I'm a member of the ARC team and have left an honest review voluntarily.
11 reviews
November 7, 2023
This book is such a classic, cute cozy mystery! I loved the main character, Dani, and her pet pig Potts. Potts was the perfect animal companion, so different than the usual cat or dog which was very refreshing!
Dani's love of food is so obvious it made me hungry while reading! And the twist at the end was perfect. Loved the characters, the location was very nice and new, and have added this book to my top Cozy Mystery List.




I received an ARC of this book and leave this review freely!
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,912 reviews9 followers
October 29, 2024
Now Serving: Truffles & Poison is book #1 in the A New Zealand North Island Cozy Mystery series by Peyton Stone.

Just as Dani is about to make a name for herself, there is a murder. Her truffles are blamed for the murder so Dani jumps in to investigate. I like Dani and Potts. The descriptions were detailed making it easy to picture the scene and I loved the New Zealand setting. This was a great start to a new series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
273 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2025
Great mystery! Best character is Potts! Dan's pet 🐷is a diva who although she's able to graze at will has everyone under her control ~ there's an understanding that all must carry a bounty of treats for her. So cute! With all the dishes being prepared and served sure woulda liked a few recipes❣️
For the mystery itself ~ there are multiple angles that need solving as they thread through a complex web of deceit and lies! Peyton is genius at writing mysteries ~ recommend highly you read them all! They make great gifts as well for any occasion!
1,612 reviews32 followers
Read
October 26, 2023
Now Serving Truffles and Poison is the first novel in the Now Serving series by Peyton Stone. This series is set in New Zealand, and the author teased the reader with the local slang and helped us out with a vocabulary list - Thank Goodness! Stone did an excellent job of laying out another "who done it" story, keeping the reader guessing and following the clues. I received this novel from BookSirens.
This is my true and honest review.
Profile Image for Trina Jones.
2,711 reviews41 followers
October 26, 2023
This was a great story. I was so excited to read it loved it. It was a page turner and the suspense was an intense thriller. I was on the edge of my seat and so couldn’t put it down. There many twists and turns in this story. Will the mystery be solved or the killer be revealed in time for detective Dani. I highly recommend this book and you won’t regret reading it. I received a copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest review. Trina Jones
Profile Image for Pallas.
248 reviews16 followers
October 26, 2023
My first Kiwi Kozy (sorry, couldn’t help myself), I want to read a cozy from every country on earth but… I digress.

I like the setting, really fitting for a cozy. The MC and her love for crime podcasts feels like most readers can relate to. Fun start to a new series, Potts was adorable. And I want to try some truffles, never tasted them.

Favorite character: Potts.
Did I solve it? Kind of, I was paying attention.
278 reviews1 follower
October 27, 2023
Dani is the head chef at a New Zealand mansion and is preparing together with her staff delectable and elaborate food for a big Equinox party, which is thrown in honour of the owners late wife.

Everything goes smoothly till Dani and her adorable Kunekune pet pig Potts stumbled upon an executive employee who is having breathing difficulties and dies shortly afterwards.

What looks like an accident, turns out to be calculated murder.

I received an ARC and that is my honest opinion.
213 reviews4 followers
October 29, 2023
Truffles an be poison. Peyton stone
Dani, chef who works for millionaires, was in charge of food for a high society event at a mansion she worked at. Her pet pig found one of the guest dead at the charity event and police discover it is poison. Inspector Kooe is always asking her questions which leads her to trying to find killer on her own as she suspects he is trying to pin it on her.
Very good and suspenseful book. Keeps you entertained right up to the very end.
Profile Image for Carol.
1,093 reviews11 followers
November 2, 2023
New Zealand isn't a setting that I'm familiar with, so having the slang cheat sheet was incredibly helpful. I enjoyed the new to me setting of this book and I enjoyed the characters I was introduced to. I particularly enjoyed Potts, the truffle hunting pig. The story started a little so for me, but quickly picked up the pace and kept me interested. I'll look forward to the next book in this series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Lori.
551 reviews2 followers
November 8, 2023
This book had several very interesting things in it that was different from your basic cozy mystery. I love the fact that there's a pig in the story! Also, I can't remember any other book I've read that's set in New Zealand, so the language was new but the definitions helped - I learned all kinds of new words! Murder, lots of suspects, nutty police, lots of friends to help led to a good cozy mystery. Definitely going to be reading the second book if one comes out!
286 reviews8 followers
November 8, 2023
I really enjoyed this intriguing mystery. There were a lot of suspects with seemingly sufficient means and motive all in the same family.
The description of the scenery in New Zealand was tantalizing but even more tantalising was the food mentioned as our sleuth is a chef.
Her pet pig is very cute and makes an original sidekick
All in all, this was a really satisfying read.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Gail.
664 reviews26 followers
January 9, 2024
Intriguing mystery set in New Zealand. The list of suspects ranged from family, to the “help”, to distant acquaintances. Everyone could have committed to murder. Truffles played a big part in the chef’s cooking. A Kunekune pig is an integral part of the Chefs life and goes everywhere with her. Lots of pampering of the pig. Layers of deception need to be peeled back to determine who did it and why! I received an advanced copy. I have a feeling the story will become a series.
Profile Image for Brenda Chavers-martin.
228 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2025
Truffles and Poison

I love a good who running! The pet pig was great. Amateur sleuths with their very interesting pets are what make a great cozy read. There were so many wonderful characters. Our main character is a very complex character and I found myself wishing she would find the killer at the mansion and her aunt. Please do a next in series with her personal love life and to solve mystery of her aunts murder.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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