Murder by the Millions

Literary Dining Mysteries #2

by Daryl Wood Gerber

In the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, caterer and personal chef Allie Catt serves up mouthwatering, literary-themed dinner parties inspired by her clients’ favorite books. Her next event is sure to be a roaring success—if a murderer isn’t a killjoy . . .

If it were true that the best thing a girl can be in this world is a fool, then Allie Catt would be out of luck. Fortunately, Allie’s business is a smashing success. And following her Pride and Prejudice event, grander plans await . . .

Feast for the Eyes bookstore manager and Allie’s best friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club soiree and wants it to be a glittering affair based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Jazz Age-set novel, The Great Gatsby. Soon, Art Deco table settings and visions of flappers are dancing the Charleston in their heads. Even Tegan’s prickly sister, Vanna, is on board. And surely, Allie’s tuxedo cat, Darcy, thinks it’s the cat’s meow.

Amid the planning, charismatic developer Jason Gardner arrives in town to buy some historic buildings on Main Street. He, too, has to create a modern mall. Allie is more than concerned. She even wants to protest. But when Jason invites her to cater a lavish party, she finds him surprisingly likable. Then she’s summoned to his estate for a meeting—and finds him dead.

Once again Allie’s landed in the middle of a crime scene.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Literary Dining Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries.

In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.

She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!

Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment in the Literary Dining Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber. When you focus on books, murder, family, and desserts, it's a fun-filled event, minus the unfortunate death. And this time, it was a good guy! I am enjoying the series, and Vanna's character is definitely growing on me. Gerber always brings tons of flavor and family dynamics to the table... can't wait for the third in the series next year.

[BONNIE SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this is my new FAV cozy mystery series for sure! I cannot wait to share with my mother, she loves these types of series and it will be perfect for her book club.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

We are back in Bramblewood, North Carolina, just in time for a Book Club Soriree at Feast for the Eyes Bookstore, based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Fabulous foods of the era will be served. Ladies will be wearing timely flapper dresses, and men will be attired in colorful vested tuxedos. Allie’s tuxedo cat, Darcy, will fit right in with the Art Deco decorations.

While Allie, Tegan, Vanna, and Chloe are firming up the details, and Lillian, owner of Puttin’ on the Glitz, sources the costumes, the town has a very important visitor, developer Jason Gardner has some big plans for Main Street, intending to buy up some historic buildings. He wants to erect a modern mall, and Allie is troubled about how his plan will affect the rest of the merchants and residents. The problem is he’s a nice guy who seems to have good intentions, and he wants her to cater an extravagant party.

Shortly after their meeting, he texts her to come to the estate he is renting and says it’s “urgent”. When she arrives, she finds him dead, and evidence is found, putting her in the crosshairs of the investigation. Everyone thinks she needs to use the sleuthing skills she used to save Tegan to save herself. But she knows sleuthing could go very wrong and lead to her demise.

I really love this Literary Dining Mystery theme. This time, each chapter begins with a quote from The Great Gatsby, many of which fit so well with what happens next in the story. The story is also filled with details of throwing a Gatsbyesque party. The author’s descriptions bring it all alive, from the costumes, decorations, music, and food, including one of my favorites, which I have not had in a long time, Pineapple Upside Down Cake. (Recipe included in the book.)

The author has created a strong cast of characters for this series. Allie Catt is a wonderful protagonist, following her dream with her catering business, Dream Cuisine, and delivering “tasty treats to the good people of Bramblewood”. She is smart, determined, and a really good friend. She received a small percentage of the bookstore when Tegan’s Aunt Marigold died, so most days, you will find her helping out at the bookstore, stocking shelves, and brainstorming ideas for upcoming literary events. Allie is also teaming up with Tegan’s sister, Vanna, on some catering jobs. Junior clerk Chloe is like the Energizer bunny at the bookstore. Lillian Bellington floats in and out of the bookstore with beautiful dresses on her arm for the Gatsby event. Allie had tried dating Bramblewood police detective Zach Armstrong, but it really didn’t work out, and now they are thrown together again by another murder. He can’t truly think she killed a man . . . or does he? A great group of supporting characters joins the core cast, including several suspects.

The mystery in Murder by the Millions is very well-plotted with a manageable number of suspects, but both Allie’s Clue Crew and this reader had a hard time pinning down the guilty party. Every twist and turn sent us in different directions. Even Zach was spinning his wheels. It took some contemplation for the clues to come together and for Allie to know who set her up, and she had the killer talking. I enjoyed the reveal. It answered almost all my questions, and the killer was in custody before the Gatsby event at Feast for the Eyes. There, the answers to the rest of my questions were revealed.

Murder by the Millions is a marvelous mystery with a great theme and great characters, including a very clever cat. The story was totally entertaining and A Perfect Escape! It may be time to reread The Great Gatsby. I am eager to see which literary tome will be featured in book 3. Until next year . . .

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy Mystery Review Crew October 28, 2025

I've enjoyed reading other books by this author. Particularly the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. This was my first time reading one from the Literary Dining Mystery series. I loved the thought that Allie is a caterer, but also works in a bookstore with her best friend. The main characters were all likable, but I was a little annoyed that Allie's love interest was suspicious of her when she was framed for murder. I liked the actual mystery and liked that I didn't guess the murderer until near the end. This is a good cozy mystery series. The setting is nice and makes me want to read more of the series.

I received a free ARC from the author and the Cozy Mystery Review Crew. I voluntarily wrote a review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie and Tegan are hosting a book club party based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby.Visions of art deco, flapper dresses, the Charleston, and all foods the Roaring 20’s brings to mind are what the girls have in mind for this big soirée. While plans for the gathering and book discussion are under way Allie is also offered a catering job for the new developer in town, Jason. Jason may be charming and attractive but not everyone is thrilled for his plans of building a mall in the cozy town. When Allie stumbles over Jason’s body after a mysterious text asking her to meet him she needs to prove her innocence and stay out of the killer's clutches.

Author Daryl Wood Gerber once again does a fantastic job penning the perfect literary escape. This mystery is well plotted with plenty of twists and turns. Allie makes a great amateur sleuth with her smarts and likability; she can get answers where the police can’t. If you are a Gatsby fan you will love the quotes at the beginning of each chapter as well as the reference to the book and era. Fans of the Roaring 20’s, the descriptions of the clothes, decor, and food bring the era to life. Speaking of food, if you're a foodie there are recipes included at the back of the book. This is a fun cozy mystery to which I look forward to more in this series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love the characters in this series and this book just cements that love in place! This is book 2 in the series and I am here for it! Great plot with a murder mystery that will keep you guessing even when you think you have it figured out! Allie, the main character, and friends are putting on a Great Gatsby night at the bookstore so lots of Gatsby references and quotes are peppered throughout the book that are intriguing and interesting how they play back into the plot. It is also fun to see a classic book that many of us read in high school or college and haven't picked it up since bringing a bit of nostalgia and fun into the book. The author writes characters with unique personalities and great humor to keep you delightfully entertained as you unravel the clues to the murder. If you're like me, and think you have it figured out fairly quickly, it'll be fun to see the clues drop to help reinforce your deduction or blow it out of the water! A completely fun cozy mystery that I can't wait to get more of soon!

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the success of her first ever literary-themed event, caterer Allie Catt is excited to begin preparation for the second at Feast for the Eyes, the bookstore she part owns with best friend, Tegan, this time based around the F Scott Fitzgerald classic The Great Gatsby. When successful developer, Jason Gardner, who grew up in the small town of Bramblewood before relocating to California returns to build a shopping mall where three historic houses stand, Allie is devastated but Jason Gardner is friendly, charismatic, and handsome so when he hires her to cater a lavish soiree at his new estate she is also secretly delighted and not a little smitten! After Jason messages requesting she meet him at his home, she instead finds a dead body and clues which lead directly to her! Now she has to once again find a killer, but this time, she also has to clear her own name before it's her wrists the cuffs are being fastened around!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. The second book in Daryl Wood Gerber's Literary Dining mystery series is an easy, fun read, adds a lot to the back story of all the main protagonists, and has some delicious sounding recipes, including gluten free alternatives at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this, had no idea whodunnit, and would love a book shop like Feast for the Eyes near me. Recommended.

[Melanie Mckinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a food lover, small town lover, and a lover of cozy mysteries? Then this book is for you! Allie Catt is hosting a book club event based on The Great Gatsby. While hosting this event a new developer, Jason Gardner, comes to town and is interested in Allie catering an extravagant party for him. Allie really wants to say yes to this request but she is having a hard time with his plans to suddenly replace historic buildings with a mall. This will no doubt impact the small town businesses and the resident’s livelihoods. Jason is charming and uses that charm to persuade her to do the party. Allie is convinced that Jason isn’t a bad guy after all. He texts her to inform her that he needs to see her quickly at his estate one night. Of course she hurries over to find that he is suddenly murdered. Allie quickly finds herself as the main suspect. Grudgingly Allie has to look into Jason’s past to see who may have wanted to kill him and why. This book has many twists and turns and will keep you on your toes till the end. Just when you think you have the plot figured out a twist occurs.

Murder By the Millions is set in a small town near Asheville, NC. Having been to Asheville, NC to visit family I was easily able to picture what the backdrop looked like with this small town. This is the second book in the Literary Dining cozy mystery series. I didn’t yet read the first book but this was a great second book in the series. With me not reading the first book I wasn’t lost with the characters at all as the author did a great job of letting me know who everyone was in the book. This murder mystery was very intriguing. It had a great story line. I love that the author included the recipes at the end of the book. I am excited to try some of these recipes.

[Autumn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Murder by the Millions” is the second in Daryl Wood Gerber’s Literary Dining Mystery series. Caterer and part-time bookstore owner Allie Catt is continuing her tradition of throwing literary themed parties. This time it’s a Great Gatsby themed party, sponsored by the bookstore Feast for the Eyes. A developer, Jason Gardner, comes to town wanting to buy historic buildings and build a mall, which Allie opposes, although she can’t help liking Jason once she gets to know him. One night, in the process of planning a party for Jason, she is summoned to his house via a text and when she arrives, she finds Jason stabbed and dying. Evidence points to Allie, so she investigates.

There is something in this mystery for everyone. Author Daryl Wood Gerber describes the process of planning the Gatsby-themed bash along with the mystery. Fashionistas and costume addicts will love the detailed descriptions of the clothes that Lillian, a local boutique owner, sources for the party. Allie does a deep dive into the foods that were popular in the 1920’s. There are explanations as to the origins of some of the foods and even better, recipes are included for some, such as pineapple upside-down cake. Book lovers will delight in the scenes in the bookstore when Allie, her best friend Tegan (also owner of the store), and Chloe, bookstore clerk, recommend books for their customers. There are sure to be one or two recommendations to add to your TBR. Finally, each chapter begins with a quote from The Great Gatsby. Fans of the book will likely enjoy the quotes and have fun spotting the parallels to The Great Gatsby that are included in the mystery.

The mystery itself is well plotted. There are plenty of suspects and good clues and I did not guess who the killer was. Allie is an extremely likable character, as is Tegan. Tegan’s sister Vanna has softened a bit from the first book. And of course, Allie’s tuxedo cat Darcy steals every scene he’s in.

I look forward to Allie’s next adventure and am anxious to see what book will provide the next theme.

[PugMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder by the Millions is the second book in A Literary Dining Mystery by master cozy writer Daryl Wood Gerber. The protagonist, Allie Catt, is delightfully engaging as a caterer, personal chef, and now part book store owner, who creates literary themed dinner parties. This fun concept blends together some popular interests such as books and food, but unfortunately for Allie, also murder! Another killer is on the loose and Allie and her best friend Tegan are on the case. So many suspects, so little time, and the killer attempts to frame Allie for the murder! With some likable characters returning from the first book in the series, a charming setting, and well-planned mystery that keeps you guessing to the very end, this cozy mystery automatically gets 5 stars from me. If you're still not convinced, check out the recipes at the end. They are to DIE FOR! Also, kudos to the author for including a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. I love when they do that!

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who loves books, especially the Great Gatsby in this volume, good food, small towns, and great friends, this book will be right up your alley! Allie and Tegan are at it again, this Literary production features quotes, costumes, and food from the Era of the Great Gatsby. Feast for the Eyes will be hopping with flappers and debonair gentlemen, while getting everything together and taking care of her catering customers Allie also finds herself at odds with a handsome new to town businessman who wants to take four historic downtown properties and turn them into a mall. When she gets a weird and urgent phone call from the developer who has offered her a catering job, she shows up to find him dying and herself now the chief suspect in his murder. What follows is a literary, culinary romp through clues as the ladies try to keep their event moving. Anyone who loves books and food will be very happy here. My one minor pet peeve is that Allie does too many not bright things in pursuit of answers for a person who is obviously smarter than that!
Many thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for an opportunity to read. #MurderbytheMillions #ALiteraryDiningMystery #DarylWoodGerber #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie is thrilled that her business has become such a success, and she revels in planning themed parties, especially for her friend and bookstore manager, Tegan. While they’re busy planning, a developer arrives in town, hoping to buy some of the historic buildings – and turn them into a mall. Allie is appalled, but when he invites her to his home to plan the catering for a lavish party, she finds him taking his last handful of breaths. She and her team are determined to figure out who killed him… and why.

This is a fun series by one of my favorite cozy authors. I like that most of the story is centered around a bookstore, a kitchen or both. The recurring characters are mostly good people, with relationships between them that are still growing and changing. I love the idea of a Gatsby-themed party and was easily able to envision the décor, imagine the costumes and hear the music.

The identity of the murder victim wasn’t surprising, although there were a couple of other characters who I thought might have been the victim instead. At first there were only a few possible suspects, but as they learned more about the victim, more names were added to the list. Although I suspected the person ultimately revealed as the killer, I didn’t have that name at the top of my list until it became obvious in the book. Given who the culprit was, the motive made sense.

I am really warming up to this series and look forward to reading the next book when it is released.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Lori Bonkoski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. Allie and Tegan are planning a Great Gatsby event and the whole community is excited. A developer comes to town and has a plan to replace some historical homes with a mall. He's charming, but there are many who oppose his ideas. When he ends up dead, Allie becomes the main suspect and seems to be being framed. A twisty plot, plenty of suspects, but Allie manages to figure it out. Fun side plots include the fashion from the 1920s and the food of the era. Well written and I look forward to the next adventures of these characters!

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allie Catt is back to cater a second literary themed event in Murder by the Millions. Will the great Gatsby themed event be her last as she discovers a body and becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Now the amateur sleuth must clear her own name before it's too late.

Murder by the Millions is a fun, fast read full of twists. The quirky characters and excellent writing keep the pages turning. Daryl Wood Gerber never disappoints. I highly recommend Murder by the Millions to all cozy mystery readers.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Catt runs a ghost kitchen and is supportive of her BFF Tegan who runs Feast for the Eyes bookstore with her mom, aunt, and sister. A developer is in town planning changes to a historic area and is hosting a Gatsby themed soiree with Allie doing the catering. But he is murdered and Allie is the one who found him dying. Compelling read.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected electronic galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Avail Oct 28, 2025 ***** #review #goodreads #bookbub
#MurderbytheMillions by @darylwoodgerber #LiteraryDiningMysteriesBk2 @kensingtonbooks
#ghostkitchen #recipes #caterer #bookshop #BFF #gatsbysoiree #cozymystery #murder #localcops
#amateursleuth #framed #petcat #suspense

[Liz Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allie Catt is preparing for another literary dinner at her best friend’s bookstore. In walks a developer who has plans to develop a block with three historic buildings, a plan Allie strongly opposes. But she finds herself actually liking Jason and agrees to meet with him to discuss another event. When she arrives, she finds him dying on the floor. Now she has to find the killer before she’s arrested!
Gerber’s characters and community are well written and easy to like. They actually evolve, even BFF Teagan’s sister. It’s nice to watch the growth of the people and their community.
There are plenty of twists and turns, and this is a very entertaining book, with some history, fashion and literature thrown in. I look forward to the next one!

[Kristine Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS is a mélange of culinary and literary delights served with a liberal portion of mystery. A bookish friend of mine recently introduced me to the term “potato chip mysteries,” and I think MURDER BY THE MILLIONS fits solidly in that category. You want to just keep reading in this world.

Though I think I’d have had an easier time had I started with the first book in Daryl Wood Gerber’s Literary Dining Mystery series, MURDER BY THE MILLIONS, the second installment, certainly stands alone. Part of my struggle was figuring out the ages and connections of many peripheral characters – and there are MANY peripheral characters. Happily, Gerber provides a “Cast of Characters” section at the beginning of the book, and I referenced it frequently (though two were notably absent from the list. Intentionally? Hmmm.)

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS builds up towards a big (and getting bigger by the minute) Gatsby-themed dinner, and starting each chapter, there’s a telling quote from The Great Gatsby. I liked seeing similarities between that novel and the unfolding stories within MURDER BY THE MILLIONS. I was expecting that the party would be where the big reveal and turning point occur, but that is just one of the several guesses I had wrong in reading MURDER BY THE MILLIONS.

Author Daryl Wood Gerber provides a carefully researched and interesting history of not only the 1920s fashion, food, and flair, but the goings-on and architecture around Asheville, North Carolina, where MURDER BY THE MILLIONS is set. She excels at providing grand descriptions and using precise words to convey the scenes and attitudes of the characters, though admittedly, I had to look up a more than a few words to get their exact meanings. (Context clues are there, but inquiring minds want to know more!) I read an ARC of the book and expect any typos and errors I noticed will be cleaned up for the final version for purchase.

Regarding character diction, for some characters, the language and vocabulary didn’t seem authentic to the ages of the characters (says the mom of five quite intelligent children ranging from twenty-eight to thirty-five). Along the same lines, the situations of these twenty-somethings aren’t realistic but they’re certainly idyllic. But what better place than fiction to have so many young women owning successful small businesses and being homeowners, with no struggles in life other than personal ones (like dating and dead bodies)? I’m all in for this kind of fanciful town (minus the murders, of course).

Foodies will enjoy the play-by-play of main character Allie making delectable dishes for her business, Dream Cuisine, and there’s an extensive list of recipes of said dishes at the end of MURDER BY THE MILLIONS. As someone who just wants to know what time it is and not how the watch works, these scenes aren’t very appealing -- though the menus sure are, and I can appreciate the effort that goes into them. Bookish people will enjoy the time in the bookstore Allie co-owns, Feast for the Eyes, with the behind-the-scenes peeks, the book talking, and the sprinkling of well-known titles. It’s clearly the community’s third space, as it should be in a perfect world.

“If Dream Cuisine continued to grow, I would have to curtail my time at Feast for the Eyes or give up reading.” – Allie Catt

As someone who’s been in a similar quandary to Allie’s and who found the only viable option to having time to read was to retire, I’m again happy that the universe of the Literary Dining Mystery series is a fictional one. In that world, I expect that Allie will find a way to balance two businesses, a needy cat, a budding romance, and the occasional untimely mysterious death. And readers will get to ride along for the fiction, food, and the neatly tied endings. Score!

This full review and more special features are on Hall Ways Blog.

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder mystery cleverly mirrors many aspects of THE GREAT GATSBY.

Murder by the Millions is the second book in author Daryl Wood Gerber's unique Literary Dining Mystery series, and with its welcome returning characters, new faces, and a myriad of parallels with the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic, THE GREAT GATSBY, it is a stellar new addition. From contentious business rivalries to disappointments in love to the scrumptious mentions of baked treats and well-researched historical recipes, this book has a little something for every fringe of cozy mystery fandom.

Allie Catt and her two business partners, half-sisters Tegan Potts and Vanna Harding, are well along in their plans and preparation for their next big literary dinner, this time based on The Great Gatsby, when a newcomer to town, handsome developer Jason Gardner, swans into town, upsetting a whole swath of the folks of Bamblewood, North Carolina. Jason had bid on and been awarded the purchase of a row of four historic homes along the far end of Main Street with the intention of demolishing them and building a shopping mall in their place. While the town council is slated to approve his plans, many others, including Allie, are vocal in their opposition. Still, she wants to maintain an open mind, especially after spending some time with him as he explained his vision. But later, when Allie discovers Jason stabbed in the back with a spearpoint like one from her own collection, she becomes the police department's prime suspect. Someone is trying to frame Allie, and they have gone to great lengths to do a good job.

Allie is the busiest young entrepreneur in town, with her catering business growing in leaps and bounds and her daily work at her best friend Tegan's bookstore, where she has a small financial interest. She is also finally finding some personal time to socialize and enjoy the perks of having an entire bookstore at her disposal. Her relationship with Police Detective Zach Armstrong seems to have permanently veered into the friend zone, and his assignment as the lead detective on the murder investigation isn't going to improve it. She's driven and energetic, so despite being warned off, she takes a hands-on approach to clearing her name.

Many of the residents of the small town frequent the bookstore daily, so it was fun reading all the book titles and author names discussed over the course of the book as they come in for their next read. However, I've never encountered such widespread enthusiasm, nor such a deep understanding of The Great Gatsby's themes, or even knowledge of the plot as it's depicted in the book, in real life. Everyone LOVED it. But after reading about the literary dinner and dress-up —the culmination of all their plans, preparation, and anticipation —I could understand why the patrons there studied up before participating; it sounded amazing. I especially enjoyed the numerous parallels between the murder victim, Jason Gardner, his life and circumstances, and the fictional Jay Gatsby.

The murder occurs after the victim's relationships with many of the townspeople have been vividly established, which results in plenty of potential suspects for Allie to check out and eliminate from her list. There are some really good red herrings to distract her and readers from pinpointing the actual perpetrator too soon, and of course, there are some awkward as well as perilous encounters on the way to the final resolution. I enjoy these characters, with their quirks and, sometimes, fractious, messy relationships, a lot, and was well entertained from start to finish.

I recommend MURDER BY THE MILLIONS to cozy mystery readers, especially those who enjoy literary-themed storylines.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

When contemplating what to write about Murder by the Millions what immediately came to mind was that this book hits it out of the park! The book pulls you in from the start and very quickly provides a summary of book one as the new story is woven together - Allie Catt is a caterer who owns a portion of the bookstore Feast for the Eyes, having received it as an inheritance when her best friend Tegan's aunt passed away. Tegan owns and runs the bookshop, while her sister Vanna is a caterer currently helping Allie with her own catering business. The list of characters at the front of the book is always welcome, as it does an excellent job helping the reader recall the first book in the series or it introduces you to the main characters in the current book without having to read the first - love this feature of the author's books!

There is a lot going on in the little town of Bramblewood, but pertinent to this story is that a developer, Jason Gardner, has purchased several historic homes and plans to knock them down to build a mall. This has many in the town in an uproar, including Allie. Of course, the reader quickly dislikes Jason because of what this change appears to mean to Bramblewood, but his actions and conversations with Allie and her friends begin to change their attitudes. So, when Jason is murdered, you almost regret that he is the victim! Unfortunately, due to evidence and some missing texts, Allie becomes a prime suspect for the murder and she, along with her 'Clue Crew' set about trying to identify who the real murderer is. In the end, it is her cat Darcy who helps Allie pull all the pieces together and solve the murder.

The literary theme for the book is "The Great Gatsby" - Feast for the Eyes is throwing a Gatsby-themed book club and has everyone purchasing copies of the book, looking for appropriate attire to wear and decorations for the event. Peppered throughout are quotes from the book and as Allie plans the food for the event the reader is treated to a variety of foods from the era, recipes for many of which can be found in the back of the book. One of the things I love about this author is that she includes many recipes in her book including adaptations for gluten free versions.

This book has so much to recommend it -- from the setting of a sleepy town outside of Asheville, NC, to the small town atmosphere created throughout the book, the friendships between Allie, Tegan, Vanna and Chloe, Allie's developing relationship with police detective Zach Armstrong, and meeting the 'town folk' you almost forget that there is a murder to solve! The potential suspects are few, and there are many twists, turns and red herrings, making clearing Allie of the murder all the more difficult, but by the end of the story and before the true murderer is revealed a careful reader will be able to put two and two together.

Murder by the Millions is a very well-written book, is a very enjoyable read, it makes you want to read it in one setting, and you are very disappointed when it ends! I highly recommend this book, as well as the first in the series. This author is one that never disappoints!

[Ryo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free in a Goodreads giveaway.

Cute mystery in a small town, where a bookstore owner who's a part-time caterer also plays amateur sleuth. It's the second in a series, so I wasn't familiar with the main character and her friends before this, but this book made it easy enough to catch up without feeling lost. There's a bunch of plausible suspects that are set up well, but there's also some clues that are revealed rather unnaturally that I wish were done better.

Allie Catt owns a bookstore in her small town with her best friend Tegan, and on the side, Allie also works as a caterer, making a bunch of baked goods for various businesses and events. Jason Gardner, a property developer, comes into town wanting to buy some historic buildings to create a mall. Allie doesn't want him to destroy the historic buildings, so she's opposed to him, but she also softens when she realizes how charming he is, and Jason also asks Allie to cater a party he's planning. But then she suddenly gets texts from Jason saying that she has to come to his estate immediately, only to find him murdered, and she becomes the prime suspect. The small-town atmosphere is captured well, and even without reading the first book in the series, the setting is described well and Allie's personality comes through. She's clearly very curious and impulsive, while at the same time very hard-working and friendly, which helps in gathering clues about the murder.

The cast of characters is also set up well as potential suspects, with many of them plausibly having some motive and opportunity for the murder. There's a colorful group of small-town residents that seem to naturally fit into the atmosphere, and they're pretty distinct and memorable. Allie has extra motivation to figure out the murder, since she is the prime suspect initially, and she resourcefully, with the help of some friends, gets important clues about many people's motives and alibis. Some of these clues come about a little too conveniently, though, and I wished that they came about more naturally. One particularly egregious example that comes to mind is when a random person literally shows up at the bookstore and finds Allie to provide an alibi for one of the suspects, and that is the only time we even see or hear about that character. And Allie just believes them without questioning it. Surely there was a more natural way to introduce an alibi than this.

But I did quite enjoy this book overall. It kept me interested throughout its twists and turns, with Allie getting new information gradually about various suspects in her small town. I liked the cozy, small-town atmosphere with the friendly people Allie interacts with. There are some clues that she happens upon quite unnaturally during the course of her investigation, but I enjoyed how the book wraps up and the guilty party is revealed, with a satisfying explanation for everything.

[Kim Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS is the second book in the Literary Dining Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber. With a book club gala theme of The Great Gatsby planned, caterer Allie Catt has the opportunity to pull out all the stops to showcase her growing business, Dream Cuisine, and in the process attract new clients. It’s a win-win for her and for her best friend, Tegan, owner of Feast for the Eyes bookstore and hostess of the event. The author does a marvelous job of bringing the theme of The Great Gatsby to life on the pages. Each chapter starts with a quote from the book, and she manages to make the quote pertinent to what happens in the story. Then there are the enticing descriptions, bringing each scene to life—from glittering costumes, to delectable food, to table settings, to music, each working to enhance the Gatsby mystique. I also enjoyed the character of Allie Catt and the friendship she has with Tegan. And while Allie may be at odds occasionally with Tegan’s sister, Vanna, there is character growth between the pair, which adds to the appeal.

While in the midst of planning the Gatsby event, Jason Gardner, a developer, comes to town and asks Allie to cater an extravagant party. While the business would be good for her, she’s troubled by his plans to replace historic buildings with a mall, no doubt impacting the small town’s businesses and the residents’ livelihoods. Still, Jason is charming, and Allie is finally convinced he’s not a bad guy at all. When he texts her it’s urgent she meet him at his estate late one night, she shows up only to find him murdered… and she’s been implicated in the crime! Reluctant but knowing she doesn’t have much choice, Allie starts asking questions and digging into Jason’s past. The mystery is well-plotted, and the story moves at a fast pace. There were twists that kept me guessing and turns that kept me glued to the pages until I’d read the very last word. The reveal answered all my questions, and the concluding festivities proved to be highly satisfying and quite dreamy!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[dnsyl57 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Murder By The Millions" is book #2 in the "Litterary Dining Mysteries" my Daryl Wood Gerber.

In this second book of the series, the featured book for the dinner party is "The Great Gatsby" so Allie, Tegan and Vanna are looking at decor, food, music and fashion of the 1920's. Of course in the time leading up to the party, wealthy developer Jason Gardner is trying to close a deal on some property to build a mall. There is opposition to the deal as it would mean destroying some homes that could be considered for herritage status. Some people like the idea of the mall but others are strongly opposed. Did someone who opposed decide to silence him permanently or was there another reason?

Allie and Tegan work well together both professionally and as friends. Tegan's half sister Vanna who is a personal chef could drive a person crazy with some of her comments and ideas for recipe "improvements" but she does mean well. There was some tension between Allie and "could be" boyfriend Detective Zach Armstrog. A vast array of other supporting characters added to the mix to fill out the various storylines of the story. At the beginning of the book, there is a "cast of characters" list which may be helpful to some, but I found it a bit overwhelming to have that many names and their relationships/occupations thrown at me before the story even started. I should have skipped that section as I prefer just being introduced to them as they come into the story.

As for the murder, there was suspicious behaviour by several people but sussing out their secrets took some careful sleuthing on the part of Allie and her friends. A few surprising revalations came to light while trying to prove/disprove alibis!

In the end, I did figure out who killed Jason a short while before Allie put all the pieces together but it was a deliciously fun read getting there!

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by the Millions by Daryl Wood Gerber

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Murder by the Millions is the second book in the A Literary Dining Mystery series set in a small mountain town near Asheville, North Carolina. With a wonderful setting, a well-plotted mystery, lots of interesting twists and turns, as well as great characters, Murder by the Millions is an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery!

Allie is a caterer and personal chef who hosts book-themed dinner parties inspired by her client’s favorite book. Allie’s friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club event and wants it to be based on The Great Gatsby. In the midst of planning, real estate developer Jason Gardner buys some historic buildings on Main Street and wants to create a modern mall. Allie is concerned and wants to protest. Then she’s invited to Jason’s estate for a meeting and finds him dead. Allie is in the middle of a crime scene and is the main suspect. She has to give it her all to solve this mystery as soon as possible.

Murder by the Millions is a delightful cozy mystery full of wit, drama, and intrigue in a small-town setting. Allie’s determination and savvy approach to sleuthing, as well as all of the supporting characters make this an interesting read. Engaging, clever, and fast-paced, this is a great read for fans of cozy mysteries!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder by the Millions by Daryl Wood Gerber has Allie Catt and Allie’s best friend and partner in the bookstore, Tegan, planning a Great Gatsby themed party. Unfortunately, a murdered real estate developer put a crimp in their plans especially when the evidence points to Allie as the killer. I have read every book that Daryl Wood Gerber has written, and I always look forward to her new releases. I like the author’s friendly writing style which makes her stories easy to read. There is a quote from The Great Gatsby before each chapter, and I liked seeing similarities to the story. Allie is a likeable character as is Tegan and Chloe, their bookstore clerk. We get to learn what goes into planning a themed party. I loved the descriptions of the clothes that Lillian, a local boutique owner, obtained for the guests to wear to the party (there are some beautiful gowns). Allie researched the foods that were popular in the 1920s and she talks about the delectable treats she is going to whip up for the guests (recipes for some of the items at the end of the book). The whodunit has Allie at the top of the suspect list. Allie with help from her “Clue Crew” set out to identify the real killer. There are a handful of suspects, pointed clues, some twists and turns, and a red herring or two. There is a good reveal that nicely wraps up the whodunit. I love solving mysteries (keeps the brain sharp). I identified who I thought was the guilty party early in the story, and I could not wait for the reveal to see if I was right (my mother says that I have read too many mysteries). I enjoyed my visit to Bramblewood, and I was sorry when it came to an end. Murder by the Millions is a delectable cozy with party planning, a dead developer, flapper fashions, curious clues, tasty tidbits, a maddening detective, and a book bash.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had such a great time reading this cozy mystery. It’s the second book in the Literary Dining Mystery series, and I was instantly drawn in by the unique idea of combining books, food, and murder. Allie Catt, is a caterer and part-owner of a bookstore, and she’s planning a big event themed around The Great Gatsby.

The setting in the small town was charming, and I loved how the author brought the Gatsby theme to life. From the costumes to the food and decorations, everything was described so well that I could picture it all. Each chapter even starts with a quote from The Great Gatsby, which added a nice literary touch.

Just as Allie is preparing for the event, a developer named Jason Gardner shows up with plans to build a mall, which would replace some historic buildings. Allie isn’t thrilled, but she tries to keep an open mind. Things take a dark turn when Jason invites her over late one night and she finds him murdered. Worse, the evidence points to her.

I really liked how Allie didn’t just sit back. She starts investigating to clear her name, and the mystery kept me guessing the whole way through. There were plenty of suspects and twists, and I didn’t figure out the killer until the end. The side characters, especially her tuxedo cat Darcy, was my favourite.

This book had everything I enjoy in a cozy mystery great characters, a clever plot, and a setting I’d love to visit. I’m already looking forward and curious to see which literary theme comes next.

[Kimberlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved absolutely everything about "Murder by the Millions", which is no surprise, as Daryl Wood Gerber is one of my favorite authors.

This book has all you could wish for in a cozy mystery: a strong, likeable protagonist, a delightful best friend, a literary theme, good food (with recipes) and a lovable pet (Darcy the cat).

This time around, Allie is helping her friend with a Great Gatsby-themed dinner party. This premise was lots of fun. I enjoyed all the descriptions of the ideas and preparations, especially the period costumes and food for the event. And YES, recipes are included! Having read Gatsby several times, I liked seeing how Allie went about creating a modern-day event paying homage to the book and era it represented.

Of course, there's also a murder. A developer who wants to tear down some lovely historic buildings in order to build a mall. How could that ever be a good idea? So it's no surprise when he turns up dead. Allie investigates, and it was fun watching her follow the clues and try to figure things out. The mystery is well-plotted, with plenty of suspects, clues, and red herrings. Once all is revealed, everything fell into place and I wondered how I hadn't figured it out before the end.

Honestly, the premise and lead characters of this series are so good I would read it even without the mystery element. The literary-themed parties make the perfect backdrop. I can't wait for the next installment!

5 perfect slices of Provolone!

[Cindy Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second book in the Literary Dining series keeps up the great work in the first book. Allie Catt is a caterer and part owner of a bookstore, and in this story she and her best friend/fellow bookstore owner Tegan are putting together another literary catering event. This time it is based on The Great Gatsby, which means there are quotes from The Great Gatsby at the beginning of each chapter—which I loved, and made me want to reread Gatsby!

The storyline in Murder by the Millions focuses on the death of a very rich man who wanted to tear down some historical houses to build a mall. There’s some question about the man’s intent—does he just want to build a monstrous mall to make money? Or does he want to create something beautiful and meaningful that will help the community? Once he’s murdered, we learn there are multiple people who might want him dead. Unfortunately, Allie is one of the prime suspects. As she and her friends investigate to clear her name, she keeps getting on the wrong side of Zach, the detective who may be just her friend, or who may be something more.

This is a fun read, with lots of quirky small-town characters and a solid mystery. Any echoes of The Great Gatsby might add to the pleasure of reading, but you certainly don’t need to remember that book to enjoy this book!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in the series does not disappoint! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Murder on the Page, and was glad to head back to North Carolina and this happy little bookstore run by Tegan, and Allie's catering business.

Allie seems to find herself in the thick of things when she discovers Jason Gardner dead in his home. To top it off, the murder weapon might have come from her home. Is someone setting her up to take the fall? There was an incident at her home involving the cat that set off my spidey senses, telling me something was amiss. But the truth is slowly revealed, leaving me guessing at every turn.

I thought the idea of a Great Gatsby party was fun. They went all out in the planning, giving me ideas should I want to replicate something similar. I appreciate the author's attention to detail, including the foods served in that era. 

There is still tension between Allie and Vanna, but it is a more amicable relationship compared to the first book. That doesn't mean there aren't potential issues. Allie's friendship with Zach is put to the test in this book, only because everything points to her as the killer...and we know that can't be true!

This book left me guessing as I tried to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. I nearly had it!

Check out this series, but start with the first book so you know all of the players.

We give it 5 paws up.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in this cozy series is as good as (maybe even better than!) the first.

Allie and her friends try to solve the murder of a real estate developer while also planning a fancy Great-Gatsby-themed dinner party. The author includes lots of info about 1920s outfits and food as part of the party planning, and recipes are included at the back of the book.

We get more character development for Allie and Tegan and learn more about their lives. Vanna (Tegan's sister) seems to have evolved a bit since the first book and is less irritating (to both the other characters and to me) this time.

The mystery was great, with plenty of suspects and red herrings for Allie to try to sort out. I enjoyed the way she investigated, talking to as many people as possible, and going to places related to the case to see what she could learn. When she finally figured it out (about the same time I did), all the clues made sense, and the culprit and motive were logical. As a bonus, neither of us solved the case until near the end of the book.

Allie is a great character with plenty of personality, and I enjoyed getting to know her. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her in the next book, and to seeing what theme the next party will have!

Thank you to the author and the Cozy Mystery Review Crew on Facebook for providing me with a paper copy to read.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy other books by this author, especially the Cookbook Nook series with Sophie Winston. This is the first in this series that I have read. I thought it was well-plotted and some of the characters I found interesting. The detective who is also the love interest came across as annoying, especially if I was on the receiving end of his attitude.

I find it interesting that books being published in the same year may have the same theme but with different twists. This is the second or third book in the past few months I read that have The Great Gatsby as the theme. Another popular theme this year is ghost kitchens which Allie runs one. Job well done by all the authors.

I enjoyed the setting, the camaraderie of Allie, Tegan, Chloe, and Vanna, and the combination of their work endeavors. Allie and Vanna share a commercial kitchen. Allie and Tegan share a bookstore, Feast for The Eyes.

It wasn’t hard for me to figure out who killed Jason early on. I did enjoy the red herrings and misdirections in the book.

The book has recipes that include gluten free versions after the main recipes at the end of the story.
I was given an advanced readers copy of the book and these are my own opinions.