A Dish Best Served Dead

A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery #1

by T.C. LoTempio

When a food convention turns fatal, Tiffany Austin will have to cook up a scheme to catch a killer . . .

The national Foodie Fest is in town and food blogger Tiffany Austin is thrilled to report on the event, even if it means crossing paths with an arrogant and annoying chef from her past. The man can’t help boasting of his success, but he also lets slip to Tiffany that he’s publishing a tell-all memoir that will be filled with scandalous secrets about many people in the food industry. It’s a risky career move, and maybe just plain risky, as Tiffany discovers later that day when she finds the chef’s dead body mere steps from the convention center.

With any number of reputations and careers at stake if the chef’s memoir were ever published, Tiffany realizes virtually everyone at the event is a suspect. Wending her way through the convention crowd in her guise as a reporter, she cautiously questions as many of the participants as she can, hoping to unearth a telling clue or a false alibi. Because while everyone has a skeleton or two in the closet, Tiffany knows someone at the food fest has a secret they’d kill to protect—and would kill for again if she gets too close to the truth . . .

Includes scrumptious Foodie Fest recipes!

Praise for the books of T. C. LoTempio, winner of the Firebird Award for Best Cozy

“If you love cozy mystery books with cats, great characters, yummy food descriptions, and twisty mysteries, you will love A Purr Before Dying!” —Christy’s Cozy Corners

“A fabulous addition to the fun cozy mystery series. It can be read on its own but it is so much better if you have read them in order. T. C. LoTempio creates a story that you won't want to put down.” —Books A Plenty Book Reviews

“I hope we get more adventures and mysteries with Nora and Nick. There’s so much intrigue in each book with some hints at a potential romance. I know I’m in for hours of enjoyment when I see a new Nick and Nora book out.” —Socrates’ Book Reviews

“A Purr Before Dying was so entertaining. I hope this series continues for a long time as these characters are some of my favorites.” —Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

About the

T. C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. For more information, check out her and her cat Rocco’s blog at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com and visit her website at www.tclotempio.net.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

Born in New York City, T. C. LoTempio is the national bestselling author of Meow If It’s Murder, the first in the Nick and Nora Mystery series.

She has been a staff reporter at the young adult magazine Susabella Passengers and Friends for more than a decade.

While Toni LoTempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper.

Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic. She lists among her favorite mystery/suspense writers Erle Stanley Gardner, Mary Higgins Clark and James Patterson, as well as EJ Copperman, Steve Hockensmith, Victoria Laurie, Ali Brandon, Rita Mae Brown, Miranda James and Sofie Kelly to name only a few!

Toni is also passionate about her love for animals, as demonstrated with her four cats: Trixie, Princess, Maxx and, of course, ROCCO, who not only provided the inspiration for the character of Nick the cat in the Nick and Nora mystery series, but who also writes his own blog and does charity work for Nathan Fillion’s charity, Kids Need to Read!

Toni’s also devoted to miniseries like The Thorn Birds, Dancing with the Stars, reruns of Murder She Wrote and Castle (of course!).

She (and ROCCO, albeit he’s uncredited) pen the Nick and Nora mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime.

She, Rocco and company make their home in Clifton, New Jersey, just twenty minutes from the Big Apple – New York

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Welcome to Branson, Georgia, and the National Foodie Fest. Food Blogger Tiffany Austin has her press pass and is ready to check out all the event has to offer. When one of the scheduled chefs cancels, another chef steps in. A chef from Tiffany’s past who happens to be writing a tell-all memoir that could impact many in the food industry. He is ready to reveal everyone’s secrets without a care for who they may hurt. Tiffany knew he was putting himself in danger, so finding his dead body wasn’t a total surprise. What is a surprise is that the list of suspects includes almost everyone at the foodie event.

Can Tiffany use her job to sleuth out the killer? She may need a little help. Maybe a Robin to her Batman . . . You can be sure her current beau, Detective Phillip Bartell, will have some input on the matter.

This was a fun read! With events like Last Remaining Chef, Market Games, a food truck competition, vendor booths, chef cookbook signings, and cooking classes, it felt like the Food Network all in one place.

Tiffany Austin is in her element, attending events, interviewing chefs, enjoying the food, and blogging about everything. She receives a significant boost when her boss assigns her a fantastic freelance photographer to handle all the images and reels. They hit it off right away and work together like they have known each other for years. Tiffany’s BFF, Hilary Hanson, is always around to chat and get together for wine and whatever leftovers Tiffany brings from the foodie fest. Tiffany and Detective Phillip Bartell’s relationship is heating up, but he knows they need to have a clear conversation about when he needs to be informed about her investigations and the risks she takes. I enjoy all the characters the author has created for this series. Photographer James (Jimmy) Devane is an excellent addition. I hope he sticks around.

Former chef and food critic Jason Barclay was never known to volunteer for anything, so agreeing to replace the headlining chef was a surprise until it was explained that he needed some “good PR” for himself because his autobiography was going to be “burning hot” and Hollywood was interested in making the movie. He thought he was holding all the cards until he was murdered. I loved that there were suspects everywhere you looked. Tiffany, with Jimmy assisting, juggled so many balls in the air to get everything needed for her blog posts while trying to question suspects, eavesdropping on others, and chasing down clues. As usual for Tiffany, she takes risks and even tries to justify herself when a person she was to meet is killed just minutes before she arrives. She thinks she has everything figured out; she just needs to confirm one more thing. Well, that one more thing put our protagonist in a very dangerous position. Wow, what a takedown!

A Dish Best Served Dead is an entertaining read with a protagonist who has guts but doesn’t think things through before she acts. I continue to have hope that the good detective will reel her in, but to know Tiffany is to love Tiffany, even with all her dangerous antics. She and Jimmy make a great dynamic duo. Foodie cozy mystery lovers will enjoy this book and this series. I am excited to see what Ms. LoTempio has planned next for Tiffany and her friends.

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 Beyond the Page and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am new to this series, and I thank #Netgally for the opportunity to read. Although I started here on book three, it wasn't really hard to catch up, although starting at the beginning would probably add to the story and I enjoyed the book enough to read the first two if I can find the time. Tiffany is a good MC, she is inquisitive, clever, and resourceful. I also really appreciate that while she investigates, she also does her job. It is a big pet peeve of mine when the MC ignores their job or business to investigate. I also really enjoy the whole foodie vibe, the blog, the Foodie Convention, and all the food talk. The murder in this book flows organically, it definitely helps that we get plenty of early evidence that the victim is nasty, and we have plenty of suspects! Tiffany's many contacts with people in the food business, as well as her colleagues and friends, make it possible for her to get answers in a way we can believe. I have one small disappointment with how she handled something in the end, but in general, this is a character and series I am willing to spend time with again. My thanks to #BeyondthePage and the author for an opportunity to read. #ADishBestServedDead #ATiffanyAustinFoodBloggerMystery #TCLoTempio #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Tracy Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Foodie Festival has arrived in Branson, Georgia and food blogger Tiffany Austin is at the front of the queue, press pass in hand ready for five days of fabulous food while getting as many interviews and information for her Bon-Appetempting blog as possible. Unfortunately, before the first day is over, she has found the body of one of the less popular attendees whose death was definitely murder! With an over eager reporter on her tail, Tiffany tries to discover what happened without annoying her detective boyfriend too much! When a second body is discovered, the case takes on a much more sinister feel. Can Tiffany find the killer before she, too, joins the ranks of the dearly departed?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Beyond the Page Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. Book three in T C LoTempio's fun food blogger mystery series is a real treat from Tiffany and her slightly despairing partner, Detective Phil Bartell, who are both easy to cheer for, through the various red herrings successfully applied, to the killer themselves who I didn't work out until it was almost time for the big reveal. Definitely recommended.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Dish Best Served Dead (A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery #3)" by T. C. LoTempio has Tiffany attending a foodie convention to report on for the magazine/website she works for. Of course, being an ex chef herself, she knows quite a few people that show up or they know of her. A couple people she's not too thrilled about either.

One such person is about to write a tell all memoir and possibly have a movie deal made from it. There may be one or two people who don't want their secrets leaked. This leads to the potential author's demise. Tiffany just can't help but investigate to the extreme frustration of her possible boyfriend/detective on the case. Really, there's a few moments that she's boarder line horror movie girl that's too stupid to live. It's not really cute or endearing but more frustrating how she tries to justify herself to him, then keeps doing it. Just not for me as I found it distracting rather than helpful as the reader.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read most books in prior series by this author and loved every page of them. This one, not so much. It took me two weeks to read it. I read it on my lunch at work. I only read it on my lunch break at work because I was so uninterested in what happened I didn't want to read it at home. I never take two weeks to read something if I really like it. I only finally finished up the last bit last night because I just couldn't bear having to keep reading it at work.

Tiffany Austin is a food blogger covering the Foodie Convention in Branson, GA (took me a while to figure out this was not Missouri....). A notoriously unliked food critic is a last-minute substitute for a guest judge and because he is just so delightful, someone kills him. Tiffany feels she has to solve the murder because she is concerned that someone she knows possibly, might be, a suspect, but there is never much confirmation of that.

I will give the author credit for a sneaky red herring but it was still fairly obvious whodunit about halfway through the book and the motive to me seemed incredibly far-fetched.

I will stick to her cat mysteries from now on. My thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


A Dish Best Served Dead by T.C. LoTempio joins Tiffany in solving a murder at a Foodie Convention.

Can Tiffany sift through the many suspects at the convention?

Tiffany hopes to have a normal weekend at this convention and end it with a date with Detective Philip Bartell. All she wants is to have a fun, food-filled weekend.

Tiffany Austin
Tiffany Austin is a retired chef who is now a food blogger for a magazine called Southern Style. I appreciate how Tiffany consistently entertains her readers with engaging posts and ensures they are as informative as possible. Tiffany is an excellent character in how she is trying to do things to the best of her ability while still finding good articles to publish on her blog. She is also a fantastic amateur sleuth in finding out information that helps in an investigation. I do like this character.

The Mystery
Tiffany Austin accidentally stumbles upon the dead body of a guy that no one at the convention seems to like. She realizes then that she had better solve it, as two of her old acquaintances could be considered suspects, and she doesn't think that they could be. Granted, people can change, but not that quickly from the time she left that job to working at Southern Style to now.

I have to admit that I suspected the person who did it, but then wrote them off. I was generally surprised by who did it, but it does make sense now that I'm thinking back on the scenes that the person was in.

Five Stars
My rating for A Dish Best Served Dead by T.C. LoTempio is five stars. I am also recommending this book. I have always loved reading Ms. LoTempio's novels as they always transport me to wherever the setting is, and I just get lost solving the mystery with the sleuth. Getting lost in a story is always my favorite thing.

Ms. LoTempio has two recipes in the back of the book. The recipes are Chef Jeffrey Marki's Chicken Alfredo Lasagna and Chef Adelaide's Hearty Beefy Stew.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Dish Best Served Dead by T.C. LoTempio.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[jasmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately I have to DNF this book.

When I requested it from NetGalley, I didn’t realise it was the third book in a series. I felt that there was a lot of missing exposition that I needed to understand what was actually going on. The incessant references to the previous murder the FMC was involved in and survived really lowered the stakes of the impending murder in this book. The idea that if she solved one murder she can solve all of them is stressed way too heavily.

However, it was the writing that completely put me off from finishing this novel. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced:

« I do believe seating isn't assigned, so if we're one of the first to get in, we can get a good table. I hear it's buffet-style, and several chefs have contributed dishes."
"That sounds interesting," I said. "I've always preferred buffet-style. That way you get to taste a variety." »

This passage in particular felt so unrealistic as a conversation between two people it made me question if a human even wrote this book. I’m not saying every writer needs to emulate George Eliot but at least try to convince me this is a plausible situation.

Don’t waste your time reading this, no matter how interesting the synopsis sounds to you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Katreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A DISH BEST SERVED DEAD by T. C. LoTempio
The Third Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery

The Foodie Fest Convention has come to Branson, Georgia and former chef and food blogger Tiffany Austin is looking forward to checking out all the action. With a food truck competition and a special episode of the TV show Last Chef Standing there's plenty of good food along with innovative cooks and chefs. In fact, Tiffany's ex boyfriend is there representing her former restaurant, along with his fiance. Also there is Jason Barclay, a food critic with an attitude and a rapier sharp pen. Word has it that he's about to publish a tell-all book with movie rights in the works. After a fantastic meal at the opening banquet Tiffany decides to get some air before dessert. Checking out the fountain she saw earlier she notices a shoe sticking out of the water-a shoe attached to the foot of the very dead Jason Barclay. In between interviewing chefs and tasting lots of delectable food Tiffany will start to look into Jason's murder. Lots of people hated the man, but the killer had to be someone whose secrets he was about to reveal. With help from her best friend and new cameraman Tiffany will try to uncover the truth, hopefully before her own secrets are revealed.

I want to attend a Foodie Fest Convention, though preferably one without a murder. I love the ambiance of a culinary gathering. A bit of competition along with greeting old friends makes a fun festive setting with crowds adding to a huge list of suspects.While I like Tiffany, I did want to bop her on the head a few times. Not only does she need to come clean with Phil, she should have provided him with her clues, not hold on and wait until she'd investigated and determine what was relevant. I couldn't believe what she did at the end. No spoilers from me, but it was almost a too stupid to live moment which almost did get her killed.

I loved the variety of suspects and the fact that there were mysterious strangers as well as not so mysterious ones. I enjoyed the addition of Jimmy, a Watson to Tiffany's Sherlock, but with contacts! I liked how so many people were acting suspiciously, even people Tiffany trusted. I didn't and was somewhat surprised by her loyalty.

Scrumptious food, lots of suspects, and murder cook up a delicious entry to this culinary series. I look forward to the next one!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dish Best Served Dead by TC LoTiempo takes us back to the foodie world and back to food blogger, Tiffany Austin. Her very successful blog is going to get a shot in the arm this week with the arrival of top-line chefs to her city for the annual Foodie Fest Convention. It is her plan to interview as many of them as she can and eat as much excellent food as she can. After her first day, taking her own photos, Dale, her editor agreed she needed a photographer and he came up with a gem. Not only was Jimmy a great photographer but he knew everyone. He had done book covers for most of them. The other two primary characters are her best friend Hilary and her “boyfriend” Phil Martell, the police detective. After an unpleasant run-in with Jason Barclay, the most arrogant of arrogant restaurant reviewers. She enjoyed the rest of her first day and was able to take home enough for er and Hilary to feast on. The height of the next day was when Jason was found dead in the fountain by, guess who? The police showed up, lead by Phil, who immediately warned her to stay out of it; it was too dangerous. Who her?

Tiffany had been the assistant chef at an important restaurant in New York City before she abruptly left and came here to be a food blogger. She was having the time of her life, except when her natural curiosity got the better of her. She is clever and quick and not shy about asking questions. Jason was talking a lot about his new tell-all book, which was not an invitation for murder at all. Jimmy had turned out to be the perfect sleuthing buddy and together they tracked down the culprit, plus have some wonderful pictures to augment the reporting on her blog. This book combines a perfectly normal job with a perfectly normal woman and comes up aces. This was a complicated crime, reaching not only into the past, but celebrating all kinds of interesting people in the foodie world. Top notch!

I was invited to read A Dish Best Served Dead by Beyond the Page Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #BeyondThePagePublishing #TCLoTiempo #ADishBestServedDead

[Acantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another highly entertaining cosy murder mystery from T.C.

I haven't read any of the previous books in this series, but it only took a couple of pages to get settled into this world and know who everyone is. It isn't going to break any new ground, you have the tried and tested characters that you've read before - the police boyfriend, the nosy rival, the loyal best friend etc. (And yes, there are pets, its a cosy murder mystery book! But they barely feature, which is a real surprise.)

Tiffany, our main character, is a really engaging one. You can't help but like her, she is really shines. As does her main side kick in this one, Jimmy. They made a very entertaining double act, working together, using their own skills to support each other, both on the case and on their day job.

The food, as ever, made my mouth water and want to taste all of it, sometimes I think the food descriptions go over the top, but here they were just right, just enough to make you hungry but also really play a part in settling the stage, and continuing the plot.

Ok, it went a little bit off the rails near the end, a little over the top when we spun into territory that never quite sits right in these books. No spoilers, but in my mind, cosy murders work best when the motive is small, personal, restricted to the town or location or person. Not the big New York style story that comes in.

But it was still a very entertaining, easy read, the perfect way to spend a few hours in this world, with these characters. Bravo.

~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~

[Vintagebooklvr · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 1/2 stars. An enjoyable popcorn cozy mystery read. This is the third in the series and I haven't read any of the other ones but you don't have to to understand what is going on though I am sure I am missing some nuances.

Tiffany Austin, a food blogger, is attending a foodie convention when she discovers the body of an obnoxious chef who has told everyone he is writing a tell-all of the food industry. There are plenty of people with secrets who don't want this book published and are in attendance. Will Tiffany find the killer before she finds herself the main course for a killer?

Overall, it is enjoyable like many cozies I read. The mystery is satisfying and there are plenty of possible suspects with good motives and opportunities. I guessed fairly early on but I didn't know all twists.

What I did find a bit annoying was that Tiffany kept on trying to justify to herself that she was just gathering information for the police not actually doing any investigating as the police detective--who she just happens to be starting a relationship with--has warned her not to do. Well, if you are going through a hotel room that is not your own with gloves on because you don't want to leave fingerprints you have to know you aren't doing something on the up and up. Just admit to yourself that you want curious and want to investigate. But I can see this being a real issue if the relationship continues to develop between the detective and Tiffany. Also, Tiffany did some things that could easily get her killed. It was just foolish.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Deborah Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dish Best Served Dead

By: T. C. LoTempio

Book 3 of A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery

Publish Date: August 5, 2025

Publisher: Beyond the Page

Cooking, Food and Wine/ Mystery and Thriller

#ADishBestServedDead#NetGalley

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Book Review:

I enjoyed this book and gave it 4 stars. This is the first book in the series that I have read. Likely I was able to follow along and not miss anything. I always suggest that you should read books in order but for cozy mysteries it is somewhat ok if you don’t.

In this book Tiffany is attending a foodie festival. She is able to go anywhere in the area because she has a press release. She is really enjoying herself and is able to taste a lot of food that she normally would not. She used to be a chef until she decided she needed a change and is enjoying having her own blog.

There are some other reporters there along with food critics. One food critic has decided to write a book that is going to tell all. He doesn’t care who he hurts along the way. One night Tiffany comes upon a dead body and who should it be but this food critic. Who killed him and why? Does it have to with this book or something different?

Tiffany is afraid someone she knows is going to be charged with the murder so of course she has to start investigating. She has a couple of people who help her along the way. Her boyfriend who is with the police isn’t too excited that she has yet again got herself involved in the case.

I really enjoy the friendships she has in this book and how she is able to get things done. She also has a dog and cat at home.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: I do enjoy Toni’s books very much, especially the ones in which I appear. For some reason, I missed Tiffany’s debut but it was no problem catching up with all the story lines including her romance with the cop who tries and fails to keep her from investigating and stumbling into danger. The problem is that for all her shenanigans, she does seem to ask the right questions and find many of the answers before the police. But she is prone to act first and think later. She is not a candidate for the Darwin Award but she does do things that are foolhardy and even she admits that maybe she should consider the consequences.

A food critic who bathes in scathing reviews is at the Foodie Festival. And he is telling all who will listen that he has a bestseller with movie rights in the new future. The catch is some of the tell-alls involved other people at the event. So, when Tiffany finds his body in a fountain, the line up of suspects is quite long. As Tiffany reviews the various events for her blog, she is also trying to prove that a potential suspect is not the killer. The story has some delightful twists in it involving the mafia and hit men and an overly ambitious reporter. Tiffany has a close call but she gets the villain in the end. So we know that no matter how much she might realize her actions are risky, she is never going to stop. Four purrs and two paws up.

.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dish Best Served Dead is the 3rd wonderful book in T.C. LoTempio's A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery series. I have read all 3 books and they continue to be really enjoyable. Tiffany Austin is a food blogger and is dating Detective Phillip Bartell. Tiffany is reporting on the National Foodie Fest with chef competitions and food demonstrations. She lucks out and gets cameraman Jimmy who has some contacts, is great to work with, and wants to help find the culprit. She sees one of the judges who she had encountered years ago and he is writing a tell-all book. He obviously makes some enemies and ends up dead. The suspects include the other judges, chefs, and festival personnel. The story is good and kept my interest. As is common with cozy mysteries, Tiffany has to figure out things by herself and doesn't want to bother Phil which is counterproductive and she ends up in a couple of predicaments. Other than that, it is a great book and the mystery has some twists that kept it interesting. I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing and I voluntarily leave this review.
#ADishBestServedDead #ATiffanyAustinFoodBloggerMustery #BeyondThePagePublishing

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Dish Best Served Dead by T.C. LoTempio is a cute cozy mystery. I liked Tiffany, the main character, who is a chef turned food blogger. I liked her cameraman and sleuthing sidekick, Jimmy. The pair make a great team. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering. Tiffany’s bestie was grateful (I’m surprised she did not sit up and beg) for the doggy bags that Tiffany brought home from Foodie Fest (there are recipes for a couple of the dishes at the end of the book). The whodunit involved a man who I was surprised had lived as long as he had (he made a lot of enemies). There is no shortage of suspects. The detective in charge of the case is Tiffany’s love interest who tells her often to stay out of the case, though, he does appreciate the helpful information that she shares with him. I think the mystery could have been more challenging, so it could not be solved so early in the story. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural and forced. A Dish Best Served Dead is the third A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery and it can easily be read as a standalone. I hope that Jimmy will make a return appearance in future books in the series. A Dish Best Served Dead is fun foodie mystery with a conceited chef, an aloof assistant, a pleasant photographer partner, scrumptious cuisine, an admonishing detective, a surplus of suspects, and a killer with a pistol.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany’s friend Hilary always cracks me up when Tif asks her to get some info on a case meaning there was a lovesick coroner in town that Hilary felt bad leading on. The two didn’t sleuth this case out though since Tiffany was covering a foodie convention and had an awesome sidekick named Jimmy, a well-known freelance photographer. Those two did a good job of sleuthing together and Jimmy cracked me up saying he wanted to be the Robin to Tiffany’s Batman. He came in handy whenever there were women he thought he could sweet talk for favors, but that did actually backfire one time, lol.

Even though she had him as her faithful sidekick, Tiffany went alone (yep, again) to what ended up being a showdown with the killer. But as always she used her head and had a little lucky intervention as well. The distraction came from an unexpected source and soon someone official was on the scene hauling the perp away. At least Tiffany got the satisfaction of cracking the case before a nemesis of hers did and I was rooting for Tif, of course! Can’t wait to see what happens in the next book and I hope Jimmy’s a part of it since I really enjoyed his character.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

[Drebbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

“A Dish Best Served Dead” is the nicely done third book in T. C. LoTempio’s Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Cozy Mystery series. In this one Tiffany is covering a Foodie Fest which she stumbles across a murder victim. Tiffany knew the murder victim and knows that several people wanted him dead, including people she knows, so, even though boyfriend Philip Bartell (Chief of Detectives) is on the case, she can’t help investigating the murder herself along with help from her best friend Hilary and new photographer Jimmy. The three make a great team and I hope Jimmy shows up in future books in the series. The description of the food fest is well done (there are recipes in the back of the book) and I wish there was a local Foodie Fest that I could attend! The mystery is well done with plenty of suspects who all had motives, a few surprises, and twists and turns. My one complaint about the book is that Tiffany took far too many chances and did not give the police (including her boyfriend who has more patience with her than I would have) crucial information instead putting herself in danger. It does make for an exciting ending but also almost puts Tiffany in the Too Stupid To Live category.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food blogger Tiffany Austin is covering the National Foodie Convention in Branson, Georgia where she not only has to deal with running into her ex-fiancé and his new fiancée but also arrogant chef, Jason Barclay. When Jason turns up dead in a fountain outside the hotel during a dinner, Tiffany puts on her sleuthing hat, telling herself that she just wants to make sure her ex and his new fiancée are not accused of the murder.
I've not read the two previous books in this series but it didn't matter, this can be read as a stand alone. I liked Tiffany and her temporary photographer, Jimmy. I loved all the food descriptions and would have loved to have been at the Foodie Convention, minus the murder. The mystery kept me guessing and in the end I figured out the murderer just before Tiffany did.

Thank you to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this series. I don’t normally read series books out of order, but this one was fine as a standalone book (though I’m sure I’m missing more character development)!

I really liked the main character, Tiffany. She was motivated, clever, and logical - all while actually doing the job she was there for. It was fun to see the author add a new character who made for a great sidekick.

Don’t read this book hungry! The descriptions of the food sounded amazing. I loved the location of the mystery at a foodie connection, and I think Tiffany’s job as a blogger lends itself beautifully to her being an amateur sleuth.

The mystery had a lot going on with so many suspects, but it was helpful to see Tiffany’s logic explained as she narrowed down suspects. An entertaining and fast-paced read.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BeyondthePagePublishing for an ARC.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Dish Best Served Dead is book #3 in the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery series by Author.

Tiffany Austin is a food blogger who is attending the Foodie Fest in town. An annoying chef is there and slips to Tiffany that he is writing a tell-all book. People don’t want their secrets exposed and it cost the chef his life. There are a lot of suspects for Tiffany to search through and I didn’t figure out if he was guilty until she did. I’m not a fan when the main character is reckless which she can be. Overall, I enjoyed this story and look forward to the next one. I am anxious for the weather to change and cool down so that I can try the recipes at the end of the book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

No points for guessing who the victim would be. He was the classic nasty who was bound to be victimized for a change. No shortage of willing murderers or suspects, but Tiffany has to sort it all out while doing her best as food blogger for the magazine while trying not to run afoul of her detective boyfriend AND the murderer. Good cozy afternoon read.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 05 2025 **** review #goodreads #bookbub #storygraph #librarything
#ADishBestServedDead by T. C. LoTempio #TiffanyAustinFoodBloggerMysteriesBk3 #BeyondThePagePublishing #cozymystery #foodblogger #convention #Amateursleuth #murder #investigations #extortion #NetGalley #tclotempio #cozymysteryreaders📚

[Luis Nuñez · Rating 5 out of 5]

In have read almost every mystery book that Ms. Lo Tempio has written and enjoyed them very much.

As I started to read this book, which is the third one in her new series, but the first that I have read, I was unsure if I would enjoy it. The first third of the book was extremely stressful and tense, and I was not feeling cozy at all. Then the book picked up momentum for me, and I was able to enjoy the rest of it.

I gave this book 5 stars because it deserved it.

Thank you to Net Galley and Severn House publishers for making an advance copy available for me to read and post a personal review, and to Ms. Lo Tempio for writing it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
This is an entertaining, fun read. I enjoyed the mystery and how it played out. The characters are all interesting and entertaining. The mystery captured my attention from the start and held it until the very end. The story is easy to read and get into.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically really enjoy this authors books but this one has a few TSTL moments that felt frustrating. Also, I never understand when the MC is dating the cop, why they don’t share information. She withheld information a few times that felt like obstruction.

But I do love the foodie setting and idea of the completion was very nice and cozy!

[Corryn Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read. A lot of coincidences that would not likely happen in real life to easily solve a murder but still enjoyable.

The characters are relatable and the good descriptions made me hungry.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a foodie, and you love mysteries, this is the perfect cozy series for you! I’ve read the other books by this author, and this one is also well written. Being a foodie myself, I was hooked. Come for the mystery stay for the food.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and T. C. LoTempio for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Dish Best Served Dead coming out August 5, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy this author’s books. I haven’t read this series, but I enjoy the characters. I think culinary type books are really fun. I would definitely check out more books by this author