Red Velvet and A Murder: A Kat Calloway Cozy Mystery

by L.B. Dayton

A glittering gala. A dead VIP. And a chef who knows this recipe doesn’t add up.

Rising star chef Kat Calloway is catering Fort Worth’s exclusive Oilman of the Year Gala with her best friend Ben, a make-or-break night that could launch their dream catering business. The champagne is flowing, the red velvet cupcakes are flawless, and everything is going according to plan.

Until the guest of honor is found dead in the parking lot.

Police call it a mugging. Kat calls it wrong.

As whispers ripple through the gala, Kat starts noticing what others overlook. A glamorous wife with secrets to spare. A flirty waitress who disappears mid-service. And her mother’s charming new boyfriend, the man who presented the award, suddenly looks suspiciously half-baked.

With Ben juggling the fallout and her tuxedo cat Tux prowling for clues, Kat digs into a mess of polished lies and carefully staged alibis. Someone at this elegant event had a deadly motive, and they are counting on everyone else believing the easy explanation.

Kat has other plans.

Because when murder crashes the party, she’s not afraid to stir things up and serve the truth.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Kat Calloway Cozy Mysteries series and it is FANtastic. The characters were well written and developed and quirky and mysterious. The plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Overall a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!" ~ H. Smith

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The book is such a wonderful blend of fun, humor, romance, mystery, and emotional issues surrounding Kat's self-doubts. Some of it is really emotional, and had me a bit choked up. Well done." ~ Jeannie

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Well-written with great characters. Several twists and turns of the storyline kept me guessing until the very end." D. Fernandez

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "loved it !! love this series !! love Kat, Ben and Tux.. a fun fast paced mystery... so good !! and red velvet cupcakes !!" ~ Kim

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Red Velvet and A Murder is another great mystery in the Kat Calloway series. L. B. Dayton is one of my favorite authors and she never disappoints. Murder, secrets and twists along with some fun and romance. I love the added bonus of recipes included. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it." ~ BKJ

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Red Velvet and A Murder blends charm, warmth, and quick-witted suspense in a way that feels both comforting and irresistibly engaging. Kat Calloway is the kind of heroine readers will want to follow not just for the mystery, but for the spark, humor, and heart you've layered into every scene." ~ Rebecca

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 4, 2025

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely holiday cozy mystery. Kat and Ben are busy at Larkspur’s while hoping to launch their own catering business at the annual Oilman Award event. Everything is crazy with multiple Christmas events, and Kat obsessively finalizing the menu. Finally everything is ready and the team heads out to Willow Estate, the venue for the Oilman of the Year.

The food and drinks are flowing, the award is given out with a lackluster response from the crowd, the dancing continues into the night. However, when everyone is leaving a body is found in the parking lot. Can Kat and Gramartha solve the crime before Avery’s girlfriend, Kat’s mother’s boyfriend, or another innocent bystander is charged with the crime?

Meanwhile can Kat finally clarify her relationship with Bash or does she manage to merely chase him away with her insecurity?

This is a wonderful addition to the Kat Calloway series that draws the reader into the relationships between the characters, leaving you wanting to know what will happen next and guessing at who the murderer is. A great holiday read that can be done in a weekend or savored to enjoy through the season.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery was such a fun read for me. I loved how it mixed food, family drama, and a murder that kept me guessing until the end. Kat Calloway, is catering a glamorous Year Gala with her best friend Ben. It’s supposed to be their big chance to prove themselves, but things take a dark turn when the award winner is found dead in the parking lot before dessert is even served.

What I enjoyed most was Kat herself. She’s juggling so much, her catering dreams, her complicated relationship with Bash, and her tendency to doubt herself and yet she still throws herself into solving the mystery. The suspects were entertaining and suspicious in equal measure.

The story had a great balance of humour and tension. Kat’s cat, Tux, was my favourite. The investigation kept the pace moving with plenty of twists. I liked how the clues unfolded slowly.

The perfect blend of cozy and suspenseful. Charming, witty, and full of intrigue.

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 4th adventure for Kat but it can be read as a standalone book.

Kat and her friend Ben run Larkspur catering. The Oilman's Award Gala is their opportunity to progress their catering business but not everything goes to plan.

When the Oilman of the Year is awarded to Clive Robertson, the applause is hardly raucous and nobody is rushing to congratulate him.

When Clive is discovered dead in the parking lot by one of Larkspurs temporary staff the police are called to the scene.

Did Crystal really just discover the body?
What had the victim done to be so unpopular at the Awards gala?
Why is his wife lying to the police?
Was robbery the motive or something more sinister?

Kat and Gramartha are there to investigate again but who will be guilty? and will there be any more victims?.

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

[Cathrine Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Velvet and a Murder is an absolute treat from start to finish. L. B. Dayton serves up a perfectly balanced cozy mystery rich with humor, heart, and just the right amount of suspense. Kat Calloway is a sharp, relatable heroine whose instincts (and stubborn streak) make her impossible not to root for, while Ben and the ever-charming Tux add warmth and fun to every scene. The glamorous gala setting, layered suspects, and smart twists kept me guessing until the very end, and I loved how the emotional depth blended seamlessly with the mystery. Add in mouthwatering recipes and witty dialogue, and this book becomes utterly irresistible. A fast-paced, feel-good whodunit that proves this series just keeps getting better. Highly recommended for cozy mystery lovers! 🍰🔍

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Velvet and a Murder is a great story about Kat Calloway a Chef and her clever cat Tux. Kat and her friend Ben host a meal for the staff to try out menu options for a future event. They cater for an Oilman Event but someone is found dead in parking lot. Kat starts to investigate with Gramartha as it could affect Kat's business. They work through the pieces of this puzzle. But can they find all the pieces and find the truth?
Superb story and series that I enjoyed reading very much. I recommend that you read.

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

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat and her best friend Ben are catering the Oilman of the Year Gala which is just so exciting. This event could launch their catering business into the stratosphere. However all of that is blown when the "Oilman of the Year" is found dead in the parking lot. Kat and Ben disagree with the police's determination of a mugging as the clues seem to point to something else. Could it have been his wife? One of the staff working the event? Other business men? So many suspects that Kat, Ben, and her cat Tux have to look at to find the truth. I just love these quirky characters! Fantastic book.

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

[Sarah J · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery read! Kat is trying to solve a murder to save not only a friend, but her business' reputation. It was interesting and kept me reading and guessing about whoduneit. Lots of twists and turns and fun characters!
This is the first one I've read in this series; while I try to read series' in order, if I'm doing an advanced reader copy, I will sometimes read a series out of order and this one was fine as a standalone novel. I am looking forward to going back and reading the other books though! I definitely recommend this one and can't wait to read the whole series!
I received a free advanced copy but the review is my own.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hire the murder caterers

Poor Kat. It’s the holiday rush so she’s already stressed then the event that she and Ben had hoped was going to be the jump off point to finally launching their own business ends with a body. Add in her emotionally distant and judgmental mother tied in via a new boyfriend, some personal drama and her grandma determined to be a super sleuth and she’s a having a time. Bad for her but it makes for a fun read for us! Great holiday vibes in between the whole murder thing. Love the developments with Bash. I even thaw on her mom a bit there at the end. Great cozy read for this or any season!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to the Kat Calloway Cozy Mystery series that hooks you from the beginning. Kat and Ben are catering the Oilman of the year gala which would be a boost to their catering business. But when the Oilman of the Year is found dead, all things go awry. The police called it a mugging, but Kat and Ben think it is murder. With Kat's incredible clue finding cat, Tuxedo, she and Ben dive into an investigation to prove there's a murderer in town. With so many twists and turns, we are taken on a roller coaster ride until the really good ending. I highly recommend this book. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Paul Crome · Rating 5 out of 5]

i found this book to be a thoroughly entertaining read and I really enjoyed it. This is the 3rd book in the Kat Calloway series and I have read all three and they have all been good. Kat and all the other characters in the stories are very well drawn up and interesting and have left me with the desire to continue following them and their adventures throughout the series and I will definitely read the next book when it comes out .
I received this book as an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review which I have given and I do recommend this book as one that is highly enjoyable and well worth reading

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in this fun cozy mystery series; I’ve read and enjoyed all the previous books, but this one could easily stand alone. Kat is a great main character, a chef in Dallas who is starting a catering company with her friends. Problem is, someone always seems to get murdered at their events. Fortunately, Kat is as good at putting clues together as she is at mixing ingredients. She’s able to help the police while staying (mostly) out of trouble. I can definitely recommend this book and series; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.

[Jessica Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just in time for the holidays, we have "Red Velvet and a Murder" in the Kat Calloway Cozy Mystery Series by L.B. Dayton. This time, Kat is cooking at a Oil Businessmen event when the winner of a prestigious award is shot. Not only is Kat working toward solving the murder, but she's also dealing with big changes in her personal life. Not only is the mystery entertaining, but following along with Kat's personal growth and the lives of her personal friends is fun, and I really enjoyed reading this.

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

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat and crew are catering a big bash at the Oilman of the year Gala when the man of the year is found murdered out in the parking lot. One of the staff is originally blamed for his murder. Kat and Granmathra can't have that and start looking into the murder. They find people that are good at hiding behind their money, but between the group the clues are found. Kat and Bash are still dancing around their relationship and catering could be interesting.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun cozy!

An awards banquet is the scene of a murder when the recipient is found dead, and one of Kat's catering crew is the prime suspect. Is it possible to be a successful chef, solve murders, AND have a relationship? Kat Galloway puts it to the test in the latest book in the series.

I love how all the characters describe Kat’s voice and facial expressions for each emotion and mood. I received an advance copy of the book, but my review is honest and voluntary.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of the Kat Calloway Cozy Mysteries series and it is FANtastic.

The characters were well written and developed and quirky and mysterious. The plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Overall a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Nanciann Lamontagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has the perfect blend of characters, with the perfect cat keeping Kat semi-sane. Great flow of the story line, super keeping me on my toes as to who was the killer.

I look forward to this author's books, her integrated cooking and crime solving - with a touch of Kat always overthinking everything, are a joy to read, and very hard to put down.

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

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Kat, Ben and Tux.. this is a catering event and a murder to solve... a fun fast paced mystery... they are catering this event and hoping to get the recognition to do more events like it !! and then, the murder in the parking lot.. the police think it's an accident ... but, Kat and Ben don't... so good !! and red velvet cupcakes !!.

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

[Michelle Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Kat Calloway cozy series and it's a great read. Kat Calloway is a rising chef and along with her best friend Ben they are catering an exclusive gala in Fort Worth. This could be the event that launches her career, but when the award winner turns up dead in the parking lot things go south quickly. Cat doesn't believe the police's theory that it was a mugging gone wrong and investigates.

[G.Terenzio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat and her team give it their all, because Kat and Tom are going into business by themselves so impressing the Oilmen is imperative. All goes well till the winner of the award is found shot in the parking lot.

Kat's feisty grandmother is taking an active interest, her mom is involved with someone who could be a murder suspect and together they are unraveling the truth.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun cozy mystery in this series (all can be read standalone). I just enjoy the characters in this series, they have great interactions, are just quirky enough and they always make you smile. The storyline keeps you guessing, while the book pulls you in from the first page. Just fun to read!.

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

[Patricia Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red Velvet and A Murder is another great mystery in the Kat Calloway series. L. B. Dayton is one of my favorite authors and she never disappoints. Murder, secrets and twists along with some fun and romance. I love the added bonus of recipes included. I couldn’t put it down and highly recommend it.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delicious cozy mystery with a chef and amateur detective who seems to find herself investigating another murder. And her mother is dating a new fellow who might be mixed up in a murder. And ... she's not sure about her future with her boyfriend. Maybe she should just bake something!

[Charli Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

This book was so good. I loved everything about it. It kept me on my toes because I didn’t know what was going to happen next. I really hope there is another book coming out because I want to know what is going to happen next.

[Skater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kats Back!

Death at a catering gig, has Kat and her Gramartha, digging up gossip to help clear the names of two friends. Excellent storytelling, and reality of cooking professionally is so real you’ll think you were there.

[Anne Pyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat, Ben, and company are at it again. Murder, mystery, romance - it has it all!

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked how Kat solves the murder with the help of Gramartha. It is a great addition to the series.

[Lalita R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kat, Tux, and Ben are back at the center of another mystery. It's well-written, intriguing, and I enjoyed the humor. Another great book in the series!