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The Bun Also Rises: A Snooty Foodie Mystery with a Pinch of Magic
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 26When Vivianna Marston enrolls in culinary school after a heated family debate about her future, she never expected this could happen. Not only is she hexed––she’s attracted three ghostly gourmet ancestors who pop into her food unannounced.
Uncle Floyd, Aunts Clara and Earlene may have been summoned from the ether to help Viv find the hexer and the remedy. But the task is proving more difficult than they thought. Whenever Viv applies heat, she sets the kitchen on fire. Stove, oven, Crock-Pot, or toaster. They are all off-limits.
A chef who can’t cook. A chef with a hex. A chef who sets everything on fire. How could it get any worse?
How about a murder? And Viv is the A.1. Sauce Suspect!
When Viv moves to Crystal Bay, Florida, and the house she inherited from her namesake aunt, her kitchen fires become infamous. Enter volunteer firefighter Jake Palmer, a beach-loving dude who makes the best ceviche in the county. He seems concerned about her unusual mishaps in the kitchen, but when Viv becomes the suspect, she needs more than an alibi and three gourmet ghosts.
Banned from the kitchen by the hex, Viv becomes the Snooty Foodie columnist for the local newspaper, the perfect cover for a nosing about town. While the victim may have been an out-of-towner, his connections aren’t. As Viv meets the characters of Crystal Bay, she discovers they all have history, secrets, and maybe something worth killing for.
Can she unscramble the mystery before the retiring detective makes Viv his last arrest? Will she find a de-hex recipe to save her career? Is Jake boyfriend material or a distraction? Viv braves the be-dazzling truth in this delightfully delicious Snooty Foodie mystery with a pinch of magic.
Uncle Floyd, Aunts Clara and Earlene may have been summoned from the ether to help Viv find the hexer and the remedy. But the task is proving more difficult than they thought. Whenever Viv applies heat, she sets the kitchen on fire. Stove, oven, Crock-Pot, or toaster. They are all off-limits.
A chef who can’t cook. A chef with a hex. A chef who sets everything on fire. How could it get any worse?
How about a murder? And Viv is the A.1. Sauce Suspect!
When Viv moves to Crystal Bay, Florida, and the house she inherited from her namesake aunt, her kitchen fires become infamous. Enter volunteer firefighter Jake Palmer, a beach-loving dude who makes the best ceviche in the county. He seems concerned about her unusual mishaps in the kitchen, but when Viv becomes the suspect, she needs more than an alibi and three gourmet ghosts.
Banned from the kitchen by the hex, Viv becomes the Snooty Foodie columnist for the local newspaper, the perfect cover for a nosing about town. While the victim may have been an out-of-towner, his connections aren’t. As Viv meets the characters of Crystal Bay, she discovers they all have history, secrets, and maybe something worth killing for.
Can she unscramble the mystery before the retiring detective makes Viv his last arrest? Will she find a de-hex recipe to save her career? Is Jake boyfriend material or a distraction? Viv braves the be-dazzling truth in this delightfully delicious Snooty Foodie mystery with a pinch of magic.
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 2, 2026
3 people want to read
About the author
Jane Elzey
7 books251 followersJane Elzey writes Southern humorous mysteries for women who like their friendships fierce, their secrets messy, and their murders (kind of) funny. Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Jana DeLeon, and Tonya Kappes.
Jane Elzey’s Cardboard Cottage Mystery series follows four unlikely friends whose game night leads to laughter… and a murder. Her newest series: A Snooty Foodie Mystery with a Pinch of Magic, launches 2026 with The Bun Also Rises. Jane's novels celebrate strong female friendships, small-town life, and quirky Southern sass. It’s the perfect score for readers who like their cozy mysteries clever, funny, and a teeny bit daring.
A former journalist and editor turned novelist, Jane Elzey writes with a storyteller’s heart, creating settings and characters so authentic they seem real. Readers describe her as “Evanovich with a Southern drawl.” Wit, humor, and heart together in a classic whodunit that's part murder, part mischief, and entirely entertaining.
Jane lives in the Arkansas Ozarks with her feline family, where she’s either writing, digging in the garden, or plotting her next killer game.
Join Jane's VIP Mystery Club at JaneElzey.com.
Jane Elzey’s Cardboard Cottage Mystery series follows four unlikely friends whose game night leads to laughter… and a murder. Her newest series: A Snooty Foodie Mystery with a Pinch of Magic, launches 2026 with The Bun Also Rises. Jane's novels celebrate strong female friendships, small-town life, and quirky Southern sass. It’s the perfect score for readers who like their cozy mysteries clever, funny, and a teeny bit daring.
A former journalist and editor turned novelist, Jane Elzey writes with a storyteller’s heart, creating settings and characters so authentic they seem real. Readers describe her as “Evanovich with a Southern drawl.” Wit, humor, and heart together in a classic whodunit that's part murder, part mischief, and entirely entertaining.
Jane lives in the Arkansas Ozarks with her feline family, where she’s either writing, digging in the garden, or plotting her next killer game.
Join Jane's VIP Mystery Club at JaneElzey.com.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy
A fun read with an intriguing pair of mysteries: who hexed budding chef, Viv Marston, preventing her from pursuing her culinary career, and who killed the fellow she finds draped across an anchor statue in a nearby park? Why, is course the natural follow-up question to both these mysteries.
First in a new series, readers will be amused and perhaps also charmed by the trio of "gourmet ancestors", Clara, Floyd, and Earlene, who manifest themselves in Viv's meals, refrigerator, and pantry, providing mostly helpful advice as she navigates her way through the hex on her culinary dreams and the murder mystery in her new hometown.
First in a new series, readers will be amused and perhaps also charmed by the trio of "gourmet ancestors", Clara, Floyd, and Earlene, who manifest themselves in Viv's meals, refrigerator, and pantry, providing mostly helpful advice as she navigates her way through the hex on her culinary dreams and the murder mystery in her new hometown.
January 11, 2026
Jane Elzey has done it again. The first in her Snooty Foodie series, this book was so much fun to read! Funny and clever with a mystery that kept me curious all the way through. Her characters are interesting and entertaining, especially the Gourmet Ancestors. Fun characters, a mystery to solve, and a little bit of magic make for a great read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A deliciously cozy read! I absolutely loved this charming and delightful cast of characters including the gourmet ancestors-what a fun and magical addition to a cozy mystery. Everything about The Bun Also Rises was baked up on point-the cozy murder, the quaint town, the cast off red herrings, and most of all, the protagonist Viviana Marston. Never have I wanted a story arc to evolve and settle quickly for a main character as much as I did for Viv.
This cozy has all the ingredients for a satisfying escape. It will also make you hungry.
I can’t wait for more of the Snooty Foodie.
This cozy has all the ingredients for a satisfying escape. It will also make you hungry.
I can’t wait for more of the Snooty Foodie.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is the first book in a new series, and I truly hope there will be many more. I really enjoyed the storyline, the characters, the fun gourmet ancestors, and the touch of magic. It’s a wonderful mix that makes for a very enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving and voluntary review.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving and voluntary review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Excellent series starter! Viv is a fun protagonist and I very much enjoyed getting to know her. I was extremely entertained by the gourmet ancestors! This series is great for those who like a strong female lead, quirky characters, magic, mystery and a bit of romance. I’m excited to read the next installment! These are my thoughts after enjoying an early copy of this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews