The Bun Also Rises: A Snooty Foodie Mystery with a Pinch of Magic

by Jane Elzey

Small-town sleuthing, ghostly sidekicks, and crave-worthy recipes.

The Bun Also Rises is Book 1 in the fun, flirty paranormal cozy Snooty Foodie series, where a hexed chef, three ghostly gourmet ancestors, and a Florida beach town with dangerous secrets make for a deliciously cozy read.

Vivianna Marston graduated from culinary school, but she still can’t cook without disastrous results and fire alarms. When she inherits a house in Crystal Bay, she’s hoping the gourmet ancestors will help her break the hex, but they seem more interested in popping in with unsolicited advice about food and firefighter heartthrob Jake Palmer.

Banned from the kitchen, Viv reinvents herself as the Snooty Foodie columnist for the local newspaper. But when she stumbles upon a crime scene, she becomes the prime suspect. Now she needs more than an alibi from three gourmet ghosts to clear her name. Sleuthing soon leads to the discovery that some people in Crystal Bay have history, secrets, and maybe something worth killing for.

Can Viv solve the mystery before the truth gets buried once again? Can she break the hex before it ruins her career? A pinch of magic is a recipe for mischance.

If you love paranormal mysteries and culinary cozies, you’ll love Snooty Foodie Mystery with a Pinch of Magic. Jane Elzey is the author of the Cardboard Cottage Mystery series.

Genres: Mystery

205 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Jane 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.

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy…

✨ Cozy mysteries
✨ Small beach town charm
✨ Slow burn, sweet romances
✨ Delicious descriptions of food
✨ Quirky ghost side characters

This book is for you!

Viv is well on her way to culinary greatness, when the unthinkable happens. A mysterious hex causes spontaneous kitchen fires to occur the moment Viv tries to cook with any form of heat. Forced to pivot, Viv moves into her aunt’s old home and takes up a gig writing the local culinary review column as the “The Snooty Foodie”. Incredibly discouraged, three ghostly “Gourmet Ancestors” are summoned from the ether to help her find answers. On her way home and just trying to be a good citizen, Viv stumbles upon a VERY dead body. The twist, this is not Viv’s first time seeing this body. Just days before, she noticed this man while reviewing a new local bakery. Who killed this man? What dark secrets are hiding in this cozy beach town? And who is this cutie pie Firefighter with talent for making Ceviche?

📋 Rating: ⭐️3.5/5 | 🌶️1/5 | ⚠️ Murder

This book hits the cozy trifecta: small town charm, a mystery, and a romance that begins with an adorable meet cute. The finishing quirky touch are the “Gourmet ancestors” who enjoy adding inconvenient commentary to the main characters daily life. I totally pictured them as the two grumpy muppets hecklers Statler and Waldorf (only there are three ancestors). The author’s absolutely gorgeous descriptions will have you quickly falling for Crystal bay and its residents. I also strongly recommend having a snack nearby as all the mouth-watering descriptions of food (and there are MANY) will leave you feeling peckish. The “Snooty Foody” newspaper columns provide clever transitions to move time forward. With that said, there is a LOT going on in this book and it takes a minute to get everything straight. I also wish more time had been given to addressing the main character’s Hex but I also recognize this is book one in a series. Overall, a quick and cozy read if you are in the mood for a quirky culinary mystery.

Thank you so much to Jane Elzey and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ARC.

[Jennifer Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚The Bun Also Rises
✍🏻Jane Elzey
Blurb:
A hexed chef. Three ghostly gourmet ancestors. A murder in a Florida beach town. Crystal Bay could be the fresh start Viv needs if she can tame the flame.

Perfect for foodies who love ghostly sidekicks, crave-worthy recipes, and small-town sleuthing.

When Vivianna Marston enrolls in culinary school after a family showdown about her future, she never expected this. She’s a chef hexed by fire. She’s also haunted by three ghostly gourmet ancestors who pop into her food unannounced.

Uncle Floyd, Aunts Clara and Earlene claim they’re here to help her break the curse, but the task is harder than they thought. Then Viv stumbles onto a murder scene and becomes the A.1. Sauce suspect. Clearing her name will take more than an alibi from three gourmet ghosts.

Viv hoped that moving into Crystal Bay and the home she inherited from her namesake aunt was going to be the remedy she needed. It isn’t. Whenever she applies heat, the kitchen goes up in flames. Stove, oven, Crock-Pot, toaster. Heat is off-limits.

Enter Jake Palmer, volunteer firefighter and local heartthrob, who’s keeping a close eye on Viv. He knows fire, and the flames in her kitchen don’t behave like they should.

Banned from cooking, Viv reinvents herself as the Snooty Foodie columnist for the local newspaper. It’s the perfect cover for sleuthing. She soon discovers her Crystal Bay neighbors have history, secrets, and maybe something worth killing for.

Can Viv solve the mystery before the retiring detective makes Viv his last arrest? Can she break the hex before it ruins her career? Is Jake an ally or a distraction?

The Snooty Foodie Mystery series blends small-town sleuthing, ghostly sidekicks, and culinary chaos with a pinch of magic.
My Thoughts:
What a delightful, cozy read, Viv is well on her way to culinary greatness, when the unthinkable happens. A mysterious hex causes spontaneous kitchen fires to occur the moment Viv tries to cook with any form of heat.Forced to pivot, Viv moves into her aunt’s old home and takes up a gig writing the local culinary review column as the “The Snooty Foodie”. Incredibly discouraged, three ghostly “Gourmet Ancestors” are summoned from the ether to help her find answers. 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.
Thanks NetGalley, Scoripus Carta Press and Author Jane Elzey for the complimentary copy or 'The Bun Also Rises" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#ScoripusCartaPress
#TheBunAsloRises
#JaneElzey
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warning:Violence, Murder

[Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

📱📖 Read as an ebook
📃 216 pages
⏱ 3 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Scoripus Carta Press
✨ ARC provided by NetGalley

The premise had me curious from the start. Gourmet ghosts is such a fun hook. The idea that Viv’s three ancestors only appear when food is served and basically critique her culinary life from beyond the grave is peak paranormal cozy mystery energy. The vibes are undeniably cute. The small-town sleuthing, the culinary chaos, the ghostly sidekicks floating into dinner service like they own the place. Jane Elzey stirs together culinary charm, a sprinkle of humor, and a haunted-family dynamic that’s equal parts endearing and exasperating.

That said, I struggled to stay fully engaged. For a book this short, the pacing could’ve used more spice. The concept of a hexed chef and gourmet ghosts is deliciously unique, but the execution felt under-seasoned. I liked the concept a lot more than I liked the execution though. The pacing felt uneven, and I caught myself drifting out of the story more often than I wanted to. Even speed reading didn’t fully fix that disconnect. The mystery itself is cozy and serviceable, but it didn’t quite grip me.

Still, the quirky small-town setting had its appeal. Crystal Bay felt like a perfect background for budding romance, meddling spirits, and culinary mayhem. I can absolutely see this series finding its audience among readers who adore light supernatural mysteries with foodie flair. I just wasn’t the right diner for this particular dish.

Would I recommend it?
If you love foodie cozy mysteries with a dash of magic, ghostly sidekicks, and small-town drama, this might be your flavor. The concept is creative and definitely unique in the cozy mystery space. Personally, it didn’t quite satisfy my literary appetite (too slow in parts, even with speed-reading) but the concept is genuinely clever.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bun Also Rises is exactly the kind of cozy mystery that feels like slipping into a sunny kitchen—if that kitchen occasionally bursts into flames and is haunted by three opinionated gourmet ghosts. Vivianna Marston is an instantly lovable heroine: determined, a little chaotic, and trying her best to build a culinary career despite being hexed into setting every appliance ablaze. Her ghostly ancestors popping in and out of her dishes add such a fun, whimsical energy, and their bickering guidance made me smile every time they appeared.

Crystal Bay, Florida, is the perfect backdrop for Viv’s misadventures—quirky locals, small‑town secrets, and a murder that tangles everyone together in the most entertaining way. I loved watching Viv pivot from aspiring chef to “Snooty Foodie” columnist, using her new role to poke around town while trying to clear her name. The mystery has just the right amount of intrigue without ever losing its cozy charm.

And then there’s Jake, the laid‑back volunteer firefighter with a heart of gold and a talent for ceviche. His chemistry with Viv is sweet and slow‑burn, adding a lovely romantic thread without overshadowing the mystery.

This book is playful, comforting, and full of personality—a perfect pick for readers who enjoy culinary cozies with a sprinkle of magic, a dash of humor, and a heroine you can’t help rooting for. I had such a good time in Crystal Bay, and I’m already hungry for the next Snooty Foodie adventure.

With thanks to Jane Elzey, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Eilis Dunne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little bit mad from page one. There was a lot to try to juggle in terms of plot - Viv is a chef who has been recently hexed so she can't cook with heat in any capacity (including even making a coffee) or the food/appliances burst into flames, she has recently moved to a new town and has to find another career path, she can see some of her deceased ancestors inside random food items, she finds a dead body that leads her into a murder mystery where she is the main suspect, and add in a budding romance on top for fun.

It's a lot to get your head around and made it difficult to follow at times. But it was short, light hearted and fairly fun. I wish some of the characters had been more fleshed out, but I think this might have been due to it being the first book in a series and it helped keep us suspicious of everyone initially. I'm intrigued by the hex mystery, but a little disappointed there was no movement on it in this book - is do worry that may be a mystery that continues unanswered throughout the series but hopefully not!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! Vivianna Marston is a delightfully relatable protagonist, a chef who can’t cook, haunted by her hilarious and helpful ghostly ancestors. The mix of magic, mystery, and mouthwatering food kept me hooked from the very first page. The writing is sharp, witty, and full of charm, making Crystal Bay feel like a town I could actually visit (and maybe fear for my own kitchen).

The plot is perfectly paced: kitchen disasters, a sizzling romance with Jake, and a murder mystery that had me guessing until the very end. The blend of humor, suspense, and magical realism is seamless, and the characters, both living and spectral, are memorable and fun. I loved being along for Vivi’s chaotic culinary journey and her quest to lift the hex.

This is a clever, cozy, and absolutely delicious read. Five stars without a doubt!

[Jessi L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy, spellbinding, murder mystery, small town romance. This is a magical tale, following Viv, who is haunted by the ghosts of 3 ancestors. Viv's dream is to be a chef, a dream that turns into a nightmare when everything she tries to cook goes up in flames... literally. Due to a hex placed on her, she is like a character from the Sims, with no cooking skill catching a bowl of cereal on fire. Keeping out of the kitchen Viv becomes the local foodie columnist for the local paper.

Things heat up out of the kitchen once a body is discovered and now Viv finds herself as a suspect. Viv must solve the mystery behind the murder, and who hexed her while getting cozy with volunteer fire fighter, Jake.

The Bun Also Rises is a cute and fun cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters and the story was a fun and wild ride.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I’m switching up my reading habits this new year, I am looking for books that fit my new parameters, and I requested this book. I was immediately drawn into the book, and I immediately connected with the main character Viv. She is a little sad, but she still keeps her outlook up about not being able to cook. I did not connect with who I think is her love interest. He annoyed me for some reason, and I’m not sure I liked him. In addition, I wasn’t really sure I liked her ancestors popping up in food at first. I did think it was amusingly unique, so I gave it a chance. I liked it more at the end, and I am ready for more of Viv’s adventures and to find out who has is out for her. Overall, this is a fun, well-written cozy with an interesting cast of characters. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Danielle Rice · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little bit to get into this one. You know those foodie mysteries that spend time setting the scene and building the foundation before hitting you with a random death. This was one of those.

The beginning felt a little dry, but I pushed through, and things definitely picked up once the murder investigation started unfolding. When the FMC becomes implicated, she's pushed to figure out who the culprit is, and on top of finding out why she's hexed in the kitchen. All the secrets start to come out a little over halfway through the book. So stick through it.

I'm glad I stuck with it because there was a lot more going on than I initially expected. A fun mystery with secrets, twists, and a little something extra.

[Madison Bice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quirky, funny, & entertaining. I really enjoyed the mystery part of this book. Of course it was predictable but that’s the way I like my mysteries. I liked the element of her ancestors popping in, that added a lot of comedic relief in some of the more tense scenes. I didn’t feel super attached to the characters some seem almost a little too quirky and unrealistic. I feel like this could’ve been a 4 star cozy mystery for me, but the dark magic and hexing was a little much for me and my personal convictions. Overall a quick and entertaining read!

Thank you NetGalley & Jane Elzey for the ARC copy.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘No one wants to get dragged into something that horrible.’

All Viv wants is to be able to cook, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for her anytime soon since she’s been hexed. Or at least according to her three gourmet ancestors that pop up (literally) at the most inconvenient times. In the mean time she’s surviving on raw foods and lunch meat, stumbling over a dead body, catching the eye of a local firefighter and trying to appear not too crazy while trying out her new career as a food writer. It’s a hysterically funny new series that you can’t miss!

[Brenda Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first in a new series. There's magic, murder, and mayhem galore.

Viv is new to the area, hexed in the kitchen, and has the gourmet ancestors who pop in to try to help her figure things out. Things really pick up when she finds a dead body in the park. She not only has to find out who hexed her, she also needs to clear her name as a murder suspect.

This book was fun to read and there were lots of twists to keep me guessing. I can't wait for the next book to see what happens next.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up this book. However, it was surprisingly good. I love the concept of the hex that Viv has been cursed with. It fits perfectly with her training and in the storyline. The way she approaches each column that she writes talking about her grandmother really endeared to me even more. I’m looking forward to many more in this series.

[George Fencl]

A fanciful murder mystery taking place in a fictitious quirky Florida coastal town, present day. Be prepared for elderly ghosts appearing in your oatmeal or ceiling fans, a budding romance between an aspiring young writer and a sea-faring hunk and plenty of laughs when the ghosts of her family tree grow roots in her personal life.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting cozy mystery that I took a chance on.
I liked the story but I just couldn't connect with any of the characters.
I do give it a 3.5 star rating, because I did enjoy the story.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I live in the same town that Jane Elzey does and told her today that while I enjoyed this book I like the other series better. I hope she goes back to that series next.