Opening Night Murder: A Wickedly Clever Culinary Cozy Mystery

by Tansy Blackwood

Opening night. A feared critic. Three bites, then collapse.

Chef-owner Fiona Firth aims to get through The Perennial’s first dinner service in one piece, not find a body at the pass. Early tests point to monkshood in her seven-herb blend, and the whispers police name Fiona their prime suspect.

She spots what others a swapped spice jar, sticky residue on a tasting mug, a camera blind spot no one should reach. Miso, her orange tabby, bristles while the lead detective tells her to stand down.

Two others have motive and developer Dale Morrison, whose permits hinge on Fiona’s failure, and rival chef Cassandra Volk, with a public feud and a key to the pass.

As the doors stay locked and rumors spread online, Fiona races to reveal the killer before The Perennial loses its license, her name is ruined, and the real culprit silences her for good.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef Fiona Firth and her talented staff are putting on a grand opening when something happens and a food critic dies will eating her food. The restaurant is closed and Fiona is supposed to not do any sleuthing but of course she starts seeing the problems with her from beyond from her grandmother. She realized during the dinner that someone had messed with her special herb blend and decides to use only fresh herbs in her dish but obviously that wasn't the only problem. They find that the critic is working with someone to close restaurants and getting kickbacks but that isn't the only thing that they find and the cast of suspects changes until there is only one left.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story!

This one has a bit of everything, from a great mystery to be solved, to a great reason for the murder. Added bonus, there’s even a touch of romance. I loved the characters and did feel really sorry for Monica too. Miso is definitely something else and Fiona has some crazy abilities with food. Honestly, this is just a great all-around story. The plot is crisp and keeps moving along, the way Fiona helps solve the murder is very meticulous and her staff are all great too. I can’t wait to see as Fiona becomes more and more a part of her neighborhood.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona, with her cat, Miso (both have magical abilities), are busy in the kitchen on the opening night of her restaurant. Fiona feels something is “off” with a jar of herbs so she uses fresh ones, grinding them for each roulade. The food critic who is in attendance dies! Then things that haven’t been noticed, are noticed! How the security cameras have been moved. There is a lot going on in this book, which quickly got me “hooked”. Fiona is asked to help the police, which she, with help from her friends, does.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opening Night Murder is a story about Fiona Firth who is a Witch Chef and her clever sleuthing cat Miso. On the Opening Night of her Restaurant someone collapses and the mystery begins. Fiona with her friends and staff start to investigate. Any information they find they give to Detective Sergeant Linda Walsh. But is the mystery bigger than they first thought?
Excellent story and series that I highly recommend that you read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witch Chef, Sleuthing Cat: Opening Night Murder
​Fiona Firth, a Witch Chef, and her magical cat, Miso, face a crisis on her restaurant's opening night when a food critic collapses and dies. A bad feeling about a jar of herbs saved Fiona's food, but it marks the start of a deep mystery involving moved security cameras and complex evidence.
​This is a well-developed murder mystery that quickly gets you "hooked." I was actively trying to figure out the killer alongside Fiona, her friends, and the brilliant cat Miso! An excellent story and series—highly recommend.
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[Micki-D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy murder mystery with a Cat companion what’s not to love about a cuddly little feline with magical abilities. Chef Fiona Firth and her staff are doing the grand opening when mysterious a food critic dies. That can’t look to good on your opening night. As always even the MC can’t help but do some sleuthing after she starts seeing the problems from her grandmother from beyond.

Can she figured out how he died? Why he died? Or will she be on the hook for murder?

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun mystery! I loved how Fiona and her friends were able to not investigate but to gather information for Detective Walsh. Despite her edict that Fiona not investigate she appreciated the information that Fiona provided. Also, Miso! What a delightful cat!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good story, it kept me reading there was magic, mystery, murder and touch of romance and of course the supervisor Miso the cat.

​This is a well written murder mystery that quickly gets you hooked and actively trying to figure out the killer.

[Lavena Spade Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well developed murder mystery . Good characters . I got a little bogged down with the very detailed evidence gathering process and theory development . But it was well laid out with an interesting story line. I actually really enjoyed the read and was actively trying to tie the evidence together to discern the murderer! Also loved Miso the cat!