Hazelnuts and Homicide: A Bonne Année Mystery

by N.E. Carlisle

Hazelnuts and Homicide — A Holiday Cozy Mystery

When a food and fiction dinner ends in disaster, bookstore owner Bonne Annee finds herself in a recipe for murder.

In the quirky coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon, Annee's literary supper clubs combine novels, recipes, and community spirit—until one tragic evening turns her latest event into a crime scene. Determined to clear her name, she dives into a tangled web of tampered ingredients, small-town secrets, and holiday rivalries that could ruin more than her business.

With her loyal Bernedoodle Oscar and a cast of warmhearted friends, Annee must solve the mystery before Hazelton’s first Christmas market—and her reputation—are completely cooked.

Hazelnuts and Homicide is a heartwarming holiday cozy mystery filled with culinary intrigue, friendship, and small-town charm—perfect for fans of culinary cozies, amateur sleuths, and bookshop mysteries with recipes.

Murder’s on the menu at Hazelton’s coziest bookshop.

Genres: Christmas, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Thriller

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2025

About the author

N. E. Carlisle writes stories steeped in mystery, community, and a strong sense of place — from small-town bookshops to windswept coastal shores.

She is the author of Hazelnuts and Homicide, the first in the Bonne Année Mystery Series, where food, friendship, and a dash of murder mix in the charming coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon.

Carlisle is also the creator of the Mermaid Eclipse trilogy, a coastal fantasy inspired by myth and transformation, with the sequel Blue Moon Mermaid currently in development.

When she’s not writing, she can often be found by the water, dreaming up new recipes, characters, and twists to the next story.

Reviews

[Sherry James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much N.E. Carlisle for the ARC copy of this book!

This book is a perfect blend of holiday get together, family/small town chaos and mystery! I felt like I was reading a Gilmore Girls ish mystery with all the small town characters, coffee drinking & food mention but I enjoyed every minute of it. A great story with a perfect ending for the town of Hazelton.

If youre looking for a super cozy holiday mystery I highly recommend this one!

[Shannon O'Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cozy calm of a small town gets shattered by an unexpected murder.

Annee is a chef who recently took over her grandmother's inn and turned it into a new business, called the Literary Table. Her business is her passion, where she mixes cooking in with book-themed events. At one event, however, two people experience allergic reactions, one being fatal. All eyes are turned on her, despite her knowing she followed procedures and didn't include allergens. She is faced with insurance issues, a possible shutdown, and her best friend, Alejandro, also being accused. She jumps into investigating the case, sensing that no one else will.

I enjoyed this book. It was a very cozy, winter read. Perfect for the winter season! I thought the romance in the book was well-balanced and cute! I actually enjoyed Annee and Paul's relationship! I also loved the tie-in of all the food! I was basically drooling while reading this book! At the end of the book, there's a bunch of recipes from the book, which I found to be incredibly cute as well!

One thing I wasn't the biggest fan of was how fast the murderer revealed themselves. They walked in an immediately confessed. Yes, it was at the end, but I feel like that isn't really realistic. It felt quite a bit rushed in my opinion. I did like how many different suspects there were. Honestly, I kept changing who I thought the culprit was with evidence being revealed. I also didn't successfully guess who it was, even though they were on my suspect list.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a cozy mystery or a cute winter read!

[CrysTellsReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hazelnuts and Homicide by NeCarlise

Hazelnuts and Homicide is exactly the kind of cozy mystery you curl up with when you want small-town charm, a touch of chaos, and a protagonist who solves crimes in between running a bookshop-adjacent business and hosting supper-club dinners.

Bonne Année is instantly likable—capable, stubborn, and just nosy enough to make her a believable amateur sleuth. She’s a chef who recently took over her grandmother’s inn and turned it into a new venture called The Literary Table, where she blends cooking with book-themed events (honestly, a dream setup). But when an event goes horribly wrong—two guests suffer allergic reactions, one fatally—Année’s entire world tilts. Despite following procedures and avoiding allergens, suspicion lands squarely on her. Cue insurance nightmares, the threat of being shut down, and her best friend Alejandro getting pulled into the accusations, too.

The mystery has all the right ingredients: a festive dinner gone wrong, sabotaged recipes, small-town gossip thick as hazelnut ganache, and a holiday market the town is far too invested in. The plot moves at a steady clip, with enough red herrings to keep you guessing without making it feel convoluted. I also appreciated that the cozy atmosphere remains intact even as the town’s calm is shaken by an unexpected death.

The romance was well-balanced and sweet, and I genuinely enjoyed Année and Paul’s dynamic. And the food descriptions? Incredible. I was basically hungry the entire time. The recipes included at the end were such a fun, charming bonus that fit the story perfectly.

I was gifted both the audio and the e-ARC, and switching between the two was a great experience. Raquel Beattie does a wonderful job with the narration and brought the characters and small-town tone to life.

Also, special mention to Oscar the Bernedoodle—best side character (possibly the main character, honestly). He steals every scene he’s in.

If you’re in the mood for a wintery cozy mystery with culinary flair, bookish vibes, and just the right amount of sleuthing, this is a great pick.

[Andrea Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Charming Culinary Cozy with Heart (4 Stars)

Hazelnuts and Homicide

 is a delightful escape, a cozy mystery that perfectly blends a compelling whodunit with the mouth-watering appeal of a culinary novel. Set in the charming, quirky coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon, the book introduces us to Bonne Annee, a bookstore owner who hosts popular literary supper clubs. The sense of place is strong, making it easy to envision the cozy bookshop and the coastal setting.

The mystery kicks off when a guest at one of Annee's events suffers an allergic reaction and is found dead, a shocking twist that puts Annee's business and reputation on the line. I appreciated how the author, N.E. Carlisle, made the victim's death linked to a tampered ingredient, adding a personal and urgent stake for our protagonist who herself has a nut allergy.

Annee is a warmhearted and determined amateur sleuth, aided by a supportive cast of friends and her loyal Bernedoodle, Oscar. The secondary characters add depth and community spirit, which is a major strength of the cozy mystery genre. The plot unravels at a good pace, filled with small-town secrets and holiday rivalries that keep you guessing without being overly dark or graphic.

My one minor critique, and why it's a four-star instead of a five-star review, is that the final reveal felt slightly rushed after a meticulously built investigation. However, this is a small quibble in an otherwise engaging read. The inclusion of recipes from the dishes described in the story at the end of the book is a lovely, inspiring touch.

Overall, Hazelnuts and Homicide is a satisfying, heartwarming read, perfect for fans of culinary cozies and amateur sleuths. It’s a sophisticated, captivating, and inviting debut to the Bonne Année Mystery Series

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much N.E. Carlisle for the ARC!

"Bravery, as I'd come to understand, was often overrated." pg 7

"No family is perfect..." pg 220

What we get in this story:
- cozy small town during the holidays
- food allergies
- well beloved nosy postal carrier
- murder
- large corporation coverups
- whistleblower
- a smidgeon of a romance
- strengthening of family ties
- recipes at the end of the book

A big theme in this book is food allergies. Bonne Anne loves hosting literary themed dinners/parties but is very careful in what she serves as she has multiple food allergies. Poe is the theme for Thanksgiving. Which of course sets the eerie scene for murder.

With one guest sent to the hospital and one dead, the whole incidence doesn't sit well with Anne so she goes into detective mode to figure out who done it.

The story does keep you guess as to who the murder as there is basically a town full of suspects. The book does end with wrapping up this mystery, however, it does leave the story open for another book that focuses on the mystery of her mothers disappearance.

While this is a cute cozy Christmas mystery, I do wish there was a little more with the Paul and Anne relationship.

I received a complimentary copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Lauren Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖📝My book review on “Hazelnuts and Homicide” by NE Carlisle📝📖

🌊🌲This story takes place in a small town along the Oregon Coast 🌲🌊

🍗The main character Bonne Annee runs an Inn called “The Literary Table” where she hosts dinner parties themed off after famous books and authors🍗

🐦‍⬛ During an Edgar Allan Poe themed event at the Inn, one of the guests who has a nut allergy goes into shock after unknowingly coming in contact with hazelnuts🐦‍⬛

😲This comes as a shock to Annee because she also has a nut allergy and is overly cautious when preparing for events to not have not products integrated into the meals 😲

🧐At the end of the night, they find another guest who also had an allergic reaction and is dead downstairs, which means…something more sinister is at hand 🧐

With the help of her friends Annee uncovers who the mastermind is that the nut products at the dinner party and the motives behind it

⭐️🌟⭐️🌟⭐️I enjoyed it! I’m giving it five stars! ⭐️ 🌟⭐️🌟⭐️

It had a great storyline, but I think the super descriptive imagery alone was worth five stars! I live near the Oregon Coast, so it was easy to see myself there, but with how much detail was given, it would be easy for anyone to feel like they were a part of the story. At the end of the book, the author also included some recipes from dishes that were described in the story as well.

This book came out last month and overall it was a great book to get me ready for the Christmas season

[Maria Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas holiday vibes blending and highlighting different culture foods, with food sensitivity, small town coziness and mystery involving gossip, coverups, big corps trying to come into small towns, family relationships. I love that I haven't read a book like this that tied in someone's love for books and food really well. The mysteries itself made me constantly think who could've been the culprit, which I got wrong at the end. But I did enjoy how everything tied in and unfolded. I do wish we had more details on what happened with certain people at the end, after everything happened.

The only thing I didn't care too much for was the overuse of certain phrases/verbage- "snow crunching beneath our shoes" or the mulitple description of warm lights/twinkling lights on something.

Also, it was nice to have recipes shared at the end, which again, tied in well with the book. I would just liked more insight to what happened with the other characters instead of half the book being the recipes.

Thank you, N.E. Carlisle, for allowing me an ARC of this cozy mystery book. I'm very fortunate that this was my first book from them and definitely looking forward to what else they might have in store.

[antisocial butterfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazelnuts and Homicide is exactly the kind of cozy mystery you curl up with when you want small-town charm, a touch of chaos, and a protagonist who solves crime between running a bookshop and hosting supper-club dinners. Bonne Année is instantly likable—competent, stubborn, and just nosy enough to make her a believable amateur sleuth. Also, her Bernedoodle, Oscar, fully steals scenes like he’s auditioning for his own spin-off.

The mystery has all the right ingredients: a festive dinner gone wrong, sabotaged recipes, town gossip thicker than hazelnut ganache, and a Christmas market everyone is way too invested in. The plot moves at a good clip, with just enough red herrings to keep you guessing without making you feel like you’re untangling a conspiracy board.

My only ding? A couple of side characters felt a little undercooked (pun absolutely intended), and I wanted a deeper emotional payoff in a few spots. But honestly, the atmosphere, the pacing, and the mix of food + fiction + festive murder more than make up for it.

If you want a cozy, holiday-infused mystery that goes down easy and keeps you entertained from start to finish, this is absolutely worth the read. Just don’t trust anyone who brings dessert.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute. I loved all of the food aspects of it, and how each chapter started with a French saying. That was a unique touch. I loved the small town aspect, and especially the little cafe and the Christmas Market. Annee's house sounded like a dream, and the concept of having a bookstore in it, and doing the themed literary events was top notch. I seriously wish there was a place like that near me! I thought that all of those aspects of the book were great. However, I am a very character driven reader, and I unfortunately didn’t feel a connection to the characters. There were several times where something would happen, and just a couple lines later, it would happen again, so it didn’t make sense. Or like in one part where it talks about being beside this other character on a sleigh…but then it says he climbs up into it. How would he just be climbing up into the sleigh, if he was already beside her? I could appreciate the mystery. Overall, it was a pleasant read, but there were quite a few issues that I think further editing could really help. I’m so thankful to the N.E. Carlisle for the ARC ebook for review. Hopefully she will work with an editor to tie up some of those issues, and then I think the story will flow much better.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An interesting start to a promising new mystery series!

Bonne Annee's literary supper clubs are very popular, until someone dies at one. In order to protect herself and her business, she gets entangled in small town intrigue and more than a few secrets. Her friends and her dog Oscar support her as she works to sort out the mystery and save her reputation before Christmas.

Overall, this was a really fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed the small town characters and getting to know Annee and her friends. The food descriptions definitely made me hungry as well!

I think this series has some room to grow still as well, mainly in the pacing. I think future books will require fewer reminders of Annee's allergies, character relationships, etc. and that will hopefully let the mystery be even more of a focus. I am curious to see where the next mystery goes!

Overall, this is a great cozy Christmas mystery and I definitely recommend giving it a go. Perhaps with a cup of cocoa (or coquito) and a fire.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to N.E. Carlisle for the ARC! This was my first read of the holiday season with a mix of small town and cozy mystery and a dabble of romance. It was like a Hallmark movie with a murderous twist!
This was an easy read that kept me guessing until the end. It felt like anyone in the small town of Hazelton was a suspect. I enjoyed how each chapter began with a French idiom that foreshadowed what would happen and how often Oscar, the bernedoodle was a part of the story. Allergies and food were a big component of this story and the author did a great job of representing how important being aware of allergies are and the big role that food plays over the holiday season.
I wish that there would have been a little bit more on Paul and Annee’s relationship and I am hoping that Annee’s story isn’t finished with her mom’s disappearance.
Overall, a wonderful holiday read. The recipes at the end are a bonus!🎅🏼💙

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, thank you so much N.E. Carlisle!
This was such a fun seasonal read! I enjoyed the mystery in this book, and felt like we were going along with the main character to figure it out, never knowing more than she did and it gave a great anticipatory feeling.
I loved the little French sayings at the top of every chapter that gave a cute little quip to lead into every chapter.
However I didn't like that there was a side plot of the main character with her crush, it just didn't feel realistic to me and didn't seem to actually have a place in the book.
I also had a hard time getting into the ending of the book, it felt like we were missing something that led to the reveal of the bad guy. I even had to go back and make sure I didn't skip a few pages because it felt like such a jump from one scene to the next.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book and definitely recommend it, and could see myself reading it again in the future.

[Lavena Spade Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a good time with this book. It was a good read with well developed characters and a good plot and had edge of your seat action . I found the characters interesting and well developed strategy and did I mention there’s an adorable dog?! there is some romance but that is not the basis of the story. And oh the food -it made me hungry just reading it. Our heroine ran a literary event establishment which combined gourmet specialty meals
developed especially for those with food allergies along with gourmet cuisine and books. In fact most of her events were inspired by select literary authors famous lore for which she catered delicious dinner menus.
The author shares the events and recipes at the end of the book. This read was a good time and I would recommend this story to those who love recipes, murder mysteries,and a good time.

This was an advanced copy sent by the author and these are my honest review.

[Kendall Solinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of Hazelnuts and Homicide for free in exchange for a review. Bonne Annee has a pretty cool gig in a small town where she runs a book store and hosts small group literary events where she pairs the menu to the theme, and TBH this job sounds like a dream. Until someone dies at one of her parties. As the title might lead you to infer, our main character suspects there is more to this death than simply an accident. Bonne Annee goes full speed Nancy Drew into this thing to figure out what really happened all while remaining in the holiday spirit with Christmas Markets, the Nutcracker, and candy canes. It’s a little strange to say that a book about a murder is a cozy read, but the setting of Christmas in a small town just makes you want to curl up and read this by your fireplace with your puppy on your lap. Thank you, @necarlisle for this chance to relax with a good mystery. A whodunnit with a culinary spin is never a bad idea.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cozy cute murder mystery that gave me Hallmark mystery vibes. I am a lover of Hallmark movies. I loved the descriptions of foods that were involved in the story. Annee runs a bookstore with theme food events that are fun events drawing in not only the locals but tourist as well. On the night of her Poe-themed Thanksgiving two guests end the night with severe allergic reactions but only one survived. Annee is set on solving the murder as she knows it was no accident for an allergy reaction to happen in her business. A bonus was that the foods described in the events, their recipes were included at end of the book. Gave this a 3 because even though the murder twists were fun discovering, I felt the characters were lacking some. I wanted to like Paul better, but felt I needed more. There were few errors that got missed in the editing, but am confident this author will continue to get better as she continues to write.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonne Année hosts regular dinners with literary themes. As someone who deals with food allergies, she is very careful about keeping potential contaminants out of the menu. So, how does someone attending her dinner die from a food allergy? This unique plot is hosted in a small, quirky Oregon town that had no shortage of potential suspects. Filled with twists and turns to keep the reader engaged and guessing.

There were many things to love about this book: cozy setting, literary themes, small-town intrigue and gossip, etc. Unfortunately, I just didn't enjoy the romance. Something about the male love interest just doesn't feel authentic. I actually suspected him throughout the entire book, so maybe that was my own skepticism, but I just didn't feel any real connection between them.

Outside of the romance, this was a fun cozy mystery and would enjoy reading more with Bonne Année. Thank you N.E. Carlisle for an ARC of your book!

[Carrie R. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wonderful read for the holiday season. All the cozy small town holiday vibes really put me in the Christmas spirit. Also, who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? It was so fun to follow Annee as she unravels clues and investigates her neighbors to find out what really happened at her community gathering.

Food and cooking are a big central theme of this book. Annee and her friends make so many delicious sounding dishes along the way. I wanted to try so many of them! The best part is that there are recipes for each of the dishes at the end of the book so you can try to make them yourself. I thought that was such a wonderful thing to include.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy cozy holiday vibes, a small town murder mystery, an intriguing cast of characters, and delicious sounding dishes that you can make for your next holiday gathering! ❤️

I was lucky to receive an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect holiday comfy cozy mystery. First of all, treat yourself and buy the hardcover book. It is beautifully bound and the cover has a satin finish. Inside you'll find delightful illustrations and clever french expressions that capture the spirit of the chapter. For cooks, there are recipes here and inspiration, especially for those with food allergies and such. Now as for the story, imagine you are the heroine, beautiful and intelligent and finally settling into a life of cooking, running a bookstore and perhaps to some degree, looking for a future husband. As I read the story I could totally see this as a holiday rom com movie. I love how she captures this story book town on the Oregon coast. A well constructed plot line keeps the story moving. By half-way through the novel you feel like a resident getting a sneak peek at a novice sleuth in action. A great read for anytime!

[Ashley Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazelnuts and Homicide is exactly the kind of cozy mystery that sneaks up on you. What starts as a simple small-town story full of quirky neighbors, bakery vibes, and a charming seasonal setting quickly turns into a mystery with real stakes. I loved how Carlisle balances warm, comfort-read energy with a few genuine “wait… WHAT?!” moments.

The characters are engaging, especially the protagonist, who’s juggling community chaos, unexpected secrets, and of course—hazelnuts galore. The clues are sprinkled in without feeling too obvious, and the final reveal lands satisfyingly even if the path to get there meanders a bit. A couple pacing hiccups kept it from five stars, but honestly? I enjoyed every minute of this nut-flavored whodunnit.

If you love cozy mysteries with a dash of humor, a sprinkle of small-town drama, and a twist that feels earned, this is one to add to your TBR.

[Katie from Currently Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

It all starts in the small town of Hazelton, Oregon, where bookstore owner and literary supper-club host Bonne Annee is just trying to run a cozy dinner-and-book night — until a guest suddenly dies from food poisoning. With her reputation on the line, Annee and her close friends dive into some amateur sleuthing and end up uncovering far more small-town secrets than they expected.

This was such a fun read! I loved the French food–related idioms that opened each chapter — they gave a clever little peek at what was coming. As a small-town girl myself, the cozy vibes were totally my thing, and honestly, I’d visit Hazelton in a heartbeat at Christmastime if it were real. The mix of books, food, and mystery was just so charming. The writing felt unique, and the whodunit kept me guessing all the way through.

Perfect for anyone who loves small-town settings, cute who-dun-its, and cozy, light-hearted mysteries.

Thank you to N.E. Carlisle for the ARC — all opinions are my own.

[Mybookish.odyssey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book!!!!
Blurb…
When bookstore owner Bonne Annee ; food and fiction dinner ends in disaster and she finds herself in a recipe for murder.

The book is set in a small coastal town of Hazelton, Oregon, Annee's is known for her literary supper clubs combine novels, recipes, and community spirit—until one tragic evening turns her latest event into a crime scene.
In the pursuit to clear her name, along side her loyal dog Oscar and her super warmhearted friend’s town secrets unfold.

This holiday cozy mystery brings culinary intrigue, the power of friendship, and small-town vibe.
Another element I enjoyed in the book is the various cultural holiday foods mentioned in the book.

This is definitely a book you’ll enjoy this holiday season. Thank you Author N.E. Carlisle for this advance reader copy!!

[Aidita Lo]

Thank you so much to N. E. Carlisle for the ARC Copy with audiobook.
This is a cozy holiday mystery. Annee has a passion for cooking and has infused it with a bookstore that host bookish events. The vividly described decorations, meals, and idyllic small town back drop to the who done it that the reader goes on. At an event, a guest dies and another almost does. This leaves Annee is predicament. Someone close to her seems to have done it, why? Annee can’t believe that someone, so close to her could be a murderer. She then takes upon herself to poke around and find out what really happened and why.
I very much enjoyed the characters and setting. Perfect holiday read! Would recommend for light hearted mystery. And the back of the book gives the recipes to the delightfully described dishes.

[Alix · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Rating: 💙💙💙.5

Thank you so much N.E. Carlisle for the ARC!

My Thoughts: It was definitely a small town cosy/mystery. You had a cute little town, a cute inn hosting fun events and of course a dash killer allergies. It was a fun read and a fun adventure with Bonne Annee.

What I loved:

🎄The literary events! OMG I’m so jealous and I’d die to go to one. The Poe Thanksgiving sounded so much, before the murder and what not.
🎄Bonne Annee going full on detective mode trying to figure out what happened and how it could even happen when she’s so careful.
🎄The adorable dog!
🎄The food! It all sounded so amazing. Towards the end there are recipes to try!

[Megan Beech · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to kick off the start of the upcoming holiday season like a cute cozy mystery! It truly makes me look forward to the holidays and try out the recipes at the end of the book!
Great relatable, charming, and natural characters and a cute little dog to boot! I love how there was a surprise around every corner and how the flow of the story wanted me wanting to read more! It's like a Hallmark holiday movie in the absolute best way possible and I will definitely be re-reading it closer to Christmas time!

I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and I can't wait to read more in the future!

[Spineless In AZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story! A group of friends in a small town turn into amateur sleuths when a dinner party takes a disatrous turn. There is literary foreshadowing and each chapter opens with a french food idiom. Cooking for presentation, comfort, and therapy are all part of the story. We are the lucky recipients of recipes at the end. The cultural exchange aspect makes for a treat. However, even in a big city where ingredients are hard to track down, it made me wonder where she sourced her products. There is a gentle romance but I was ultimately surprised by Annee's choice. I really hope this isn't the end of Annee's journey.

[Yanet Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Hazelnuts and Homicide and absolutely loved it! It’s such a cozy, nostalgic read that totally got me into the Christmas spirit. The foodie moments were my favorite—especially relatable as a Hispanic reader who loves when culture and food mix into the story. The whodunit kept me guessing right up until the very end, and as an added bonus, the recipes mentioned in the story are included in the back of the book! It’s a quick, heartwarming read that’s perfect for anyone wanting to curl up with something festive and fun for the holidays.

[Donna Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good Christmas time story with mystery, friendship and a bit of romance. I could relate to Année as I too am gluten free. She deals with food allergies and the depiction of her feelings regarding them were spot on. I’ve never been to a Christmas market but I like the way it was portrayed. I thought the mystery element was done well. The Literary parties were a great idea and seemed fun to attend. The recipes at the end were a nice touch.
I received an ARC from N.E. Carlisle, so thank you! I enjoyed reading it!

[lindsey's_literary_likes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little small town murder mystery with holiday happenings sprinkled in. The MFC is a book store owner and chef who holds literary dinner events. When one of these events ends in a murder and a severe allergic reaction for two of her guests, Anne sets out to find the culprit and clear the name of her accused friend.

I'd give this 3.5 stars. The story was very adorable and it's definitely a cozy mystery. Since the MFC is a chef, there are bonus recipes listed in the back of the book!!!

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute holiday read with a mystery twist to it. I enjoyed getting to know the characters but at times felt like I was missing information on their relationships. I’m guessing there may be prior books that help bridge that gap, but this was the first one I’ve read by this author. Even without knowing the full back stories, I was able to follow along and enjoyed the storyline. It kept me guessing and trying to figure out the guilty party! I’d love to read more by this author.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much for this ARC! What a great way to kick off the holiday season🌲
This book centers around a woman who likes to host theme dinners and some of her guests end up dead and they must figure out who did it.
I very much enjoyed and appreciated the basis of the book geared towards talking about the importance of food allergy awareness as someone who has a daughter who has dealt with that issue.

Looking forward to hopefully reading more from this author!!