Serving Up the Truth

by Debra Klein

Amanda Knightly, known as the Deli Lady of Oak Hills, hustles behind the grocery deli counter in the cozy Chicago suburb, keeping her smile and her customers delighted…. except for the arrogant young woman who dithers forever before storming off in a huff. When that same young woman is murdered, and a family friend is arrested for the crime, Amanda is shocked. Convinced he’s innocent, she swaps slicing for sleuthing and starts out on a roll.

But things get as stinky as three-week-old potato salad when Amanda gets into big trouble and her list of suspects hits way too close to home. Can Amanda serve up the truth before it’s too late?

284 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2025

About the author

Debra Klein is a lifelong Chicagoan, which is also the setting of her debut cozy mystery, Serving Up the Truth. Her Chicago-themed short story “Ghost of a Chance”, is in Tales From The Golden State of Mind anthology. She serves on the board of her Sisters in Crime local chapter and is a member of Mystery Writers of America. A reader of all genres, for Debra, walking into a book store is like stepping into a chocolate shop – she wants one of each!

Reviews

[Kelley Zerfahs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story to read! Looking forward to Book Club, excited to hear the author will be joining us!

[Mary Baljevich · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Serving Up the Truth” captured my interest in Chapter 1 and intensified with the completion of each subsequent chapter. One can easily relate to each of the characters. Klein successfully builds out their personalities as the story progresses. There are multiple suspects identified in the novel which added a bit of fun and intrigue as I attempted to solve the mystery. Klein had me fooled…nicely done. This mystery novel is a fun read and appropriate for all ages… young adults to seniors. I recommend adding it to your list of books to read!

[Janet Sheffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I move to Oak Hills to be friends with Amanda and Nicki? The murder mystery takes place in the fictitious suburb of Chicago, where everyone knows everyone from the Dark Roast coffee shop and Bob’s Deli. Amanda’s adventures as a sleuth are intermingled with her relationships with her husband, children, and friends. All of the characters are so amusing. Suspense mixed with humor for a very fun reading experience. I look forward to more Amanda Knightly Mysteries to see what “The Sleuth Lady” does next, including the new adventure mentioned in the last pages.

[Lyn Peuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend shared this title from a new author because we both love cozy mysteries. This is the first book in what I hope will be a series set in the Chicago area where we both grew up. I loved the main character who has a generous heart toward her family and friends and persistence to find the truth. I never saw the end coming. It was an easy, enjoyable read.

[Christina Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debra has been a family friend of mine for decades and I loved her book! Her book was well-written but remained a mystery as I kept wanting more as I read! I love how it was based in our Chicago roots and it was truly authentic with the midwestern references. This murder-mystery was not boring and it kept me on my toes for sure! I hope she can write a second book👀

[Talene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really fun, light read. It felt true to the Chicago suburbs in which it takes place and it kept me guessing. You'll want to read it while sipping a mocha latte.

[Sue Shivley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read from a first book author. It kept my interest and I was right in my thought of who committed the murder

[Gina Wirth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery. Not bad for a new author!

[JH BookReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first “cozy mystery” read* and I loved it! Good character development and many potential suspects identified. Protagonist was likable. Surprise ending. Overall an engaging read. I even learned a few interesting “fun facts” about coffee! I also enjoyed it was set in the Chicago area, having previously lived there, I could relate to many of the references and visualize the settings.

*I had to look up the definition of a “cozy mystery” and Klein nailed it! “A cozy mystery book is a sub-genre of crime fiction that features an amateur sleuth solving a crime, typically in a small, close-knit community. These stories emphasize light-heartedness, with minimal violence and no explicit sexual content, making them comforting and enjoyable reads.”

[Roberta Sweet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a break from some serious reading so I chose this cozy mystery. The story kept my attention with a likeable protagonist, subtle humor, and a surprising twist in the end. It's a quick and enjoyable read!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery which takes place in an idyllic Chicago suburb. The story line and characters appeals to all ages. The author keeps you guessing until the end. Looking forward to additional books from this up and coming author.

[G.P. Gottlieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

‎ A charming, well-plotted and fast-moving mystery set in a Chicago suburb with a small town feeling, where everyone knows the protagonist as the “Deli Lady.” What a sweet start to a lovely new cozy series!