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A Recipe for a Stalker: A Kat Calloway Cozy Mystery

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A surprise birthday party. A BFF returns from Paris. And a stalker with a deadly trail behind him.

Chef Kat Calloway should be celebrating. Her catering business is finally taking off, and her friends have thrown the surprise birthday party of a lifetime. Then Kat’s BFF, Doll walks through the door carrying a pastry box and a one-way ticket home.

Giving Kat something she never thought she'd get her best friend.

For one perfect evening, everything is exactly as it should be.

Then Doll spots a familiar face outside Kat's house.

Days later, the same man appears at Kat's first high-profile catering event.

Terrified, Doll finally confesses the truth. She left Paris to escape Luca Ferrante, a man who spent months stalking her and refusing to take no for an answer.

But he followed her to Dallas.

Now Kat uncovers a chilling pattern. A missing woman who looks unsettlingly like Doll. Two dead wives. And a predator determined to claim what he believes belongs to him.

With Ben, Bash, Gramartha, Javi, and one very opinionated tuxedo cat by her side, Kat races to uncover the truth before the danger closes in.

Because this time, the mystery isn't just threatening her future. It's hunting someone she loves.


The Kat Calloway Cozy Mysteries are warm and twisty culinary cozies filled with delicious food, quirky suspects, loyal friends, found family, a touch of romance, plenty of humor, and one clever tuxedo cat who always seems to know more than he’s telling. Each mystery can be enjoyed as a standalone, but you may find yourself wanting to stay for another course.

What Readers Are Readers love the fast-paced mysteries, growing suspense, and twists that keep them turning pages long past bedtime. They especially enjoy Kat’s close-knit circle of friends, her relationship with Bash, the unforgettable Gramartha, and, of course, Tux. And the recipes waiting at the end are always a delicious bonus.

Author’s This cozy mystery is human developed and human written, with a promise of clean, page-turning fun. You’ll find no profanity, no graphic violence, and no explicit bedroom scenes, just mystery, friendship, found family, a little danger, and recipes from Kat’s kitchen waiting at the end.

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2026

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About the author

L.B. Dayton

21 books55 followers
Graduate 73 and 75 from The Ohio State University with a BFA in Painting, Drawing and Graphics and a BAE in Art Education.

National Exhibition Director and National President of The Colored Pencil Society of America 1997-2004.

Yoga Teacher E-RYT500 2006-present

Competes in Ballroom Dancing

Lives with her husband in The Woodlands

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5 stars
68 (71%)
4 stars
18 (18%)
3 stars
7 (7%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
699 reviews8 followers
August 2, 2026
Chef Kat's friends have thrown her a surprise birthday party complete with the surprise visit from her best friend Doll who has been living in Paris. The visit goes sideways when a stalker from Paris shows up in Dallas. With the help of her friends Ben, Bash, Gramartha and Javi and her cat Tuxedo, can Kat uncover the truth about Doll's stalker before something happens to Doll? A cozy mystery with a touch of a thriller! Great characters and a unique storyline had me hooked and I couldn't put it down!
Profile Image for Brenda.
225 reviews
July 30, 2026
This is yet another, unable to put down cozy mystery by this author that I enjoyed very much. I enjoyed all of the characters in the story, including Grandmartha, and Tux the cat. I was glad to see that Kat’s friend Doll came back to town because they have such a great friendship going on. I enjoyed the way the characters came together to try to solve the chilling mystery of the stalker who came to town from Paris and no one could figure out why or which person they were after. The friendships in this story make me wish I had that type of friendship myself. Just a really great cozy mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Leona.
48 reviews
July 24, 2026
What a unique & unforgettable birthday surprise for Kat!!

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! "Hail hail, the gang's all here!" And then some!!
A surprise birthday party at Kat's home comes with two or three more surprises in this PHENOMENAL BOOK!!!
An author friend suggested this series, and this is the first book from L.B. Dayton that I chose to read, not aware it is actually the seventh out of nine!
HOWEVER, it turned out to be an AMAZING THRILLER READ with multiple surprises - even an extra surprise at the end!!
There was no way I could possibly put this book down, because it was/is THAT PHENOMENAL!! Therefore, I am giving it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for the main creative birthday party surprise, the great camaraderie of the fascinating characters, all the unique pop up surprises within the storyline, all the scary & terrifying drama, as well as perfectly placed humor points!!!!!
Now I have another new author added, and I look forward to reading more about Kat & her friends/family!!
Thank you, Ms. Dayton, for this exciting & PHENOMENAL READ!!
Leona E.
[This is my Amazon & Goodreads Review]
Profile Image for Lynda.
1,315 reviews10 followers
July 16, 2026
Kat Calloway is having a birthday and her boyfriend Bash is cooking her dinner. He texts and says there's a problem at his house but he can still do it at her house, of course that's what he does. He just doesn't tell her it is a surprise party, and the biggest surprise is her best friend Doll arriving to celebrate all the way from Paris. Kat is blown away that she is there but when she talks about the fact that she had a stalker in Paris and she has just seen him outside Kat's house throws everyone. So, Kat and crew decide to look into it while they are doing food at the Larkspur and doing catering jobs. What they find scares everyone a bit. Things go from bad to worse and they are working against time to figure everything out and with Detective Avery get the bad guy.
I received an arc and this is my review.
Profile Image for Shannon Binegar-Foster.
3,314 reviews31 followers
August 1, 2026
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
This time around Doll is the target when a mysterious man starts showing up in the shadows at Kat’s surprise birthday party. Can Kat and the gang get to the bottom of the stalker issue before it is too late?Very entertaining read. Loved it.
293 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2026
This was a great read. Tux always adds so much to the story. Kat and the gang have a personal mystery to solve this time. This one is a matter of life and death. The characters are great, and the storyline is excellent. I enjoyed this book.
1,092 reviews14 followers
July 17, 2026
Kat has a surprise birthday bash but something unexpected happens. Her best friend Doll is in Dallas with a stalker who has followed her from Paris. Kat together with Gramartha, Ben, Bash, and Javi make plans to counter the stalker. Gramartha has her multipurpose skillet ready. A well crafted culinary mystery with loveable characters and lots of humour.
208 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy
July 7, 2026
Just gets better and better!

I wish I had more stars available....

I pretty much knew this would be a 5 star rating. I adore this series. Love love love the characters, and the relationship between Kat and Bash, and in fact with all her friends, too (and can't forget Gramartha and Tux) !

Yes, it can be read by itself, but don't. Start at the beginning if you can, because then you'll have an even greater appreciation of the people and relationships.

The book reads fast and furious, with a ton of humor. I usually dislike when authors "explain" what something is "like", but with these books, from Kat's perspective, it totally works.

In this book, Kat's BFF Doll is in Dallas, and is being stalked by someone who seems to have followed her from Paris. What it's REALLY about is love and friends who are family and are just there for you. And it had me with a big smile on my face, even through the sad parts, and at some point, that smile just kept getting bigger and bigger, with some tearful emotion added it.

Seriously, I found this book SO hard to put down, and keep telling myself "one more chapter before I really have to stop".

I can't wait for book 8!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,881 reviews33 followers
July 15, 2026
This book is a great addition to the Kat Calloway cozy mystery series. You get hooked from the beginning. Kat's catering business has taken off and she is excited to having a private dinner with her boyfriend, Bash for her birthday. Although she is not fond of surprises, Bash has arranged a surprise birthday party when she walked into her house. Everyone was there. But the special surprise that she was thrilled to have was that her very best friend, Doll has come in from France to celebrate with her. But things get a little serious when Doll sees her stalker, Luca Ferrante, who spent months stalking her and refusing to take no for an answer has followed her from Paris. So of course Kat, Bash and all her friends, Ben, Javi, of course, Grandmartha and one very opinionated tuxedo cat all dive in .to find out who the stalker is and why does he want Doll? And when they find this was not the first time he stalked someone, it gets more important to dig and and find out what is going on while keeping Doll safe. This is a fun, fast paced book with some added humor that keeps you guessing right to the end. Not only do I recommend this book, but I highly recommend the entire series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,924 reviews23 followers
August 3, 2026
Stalking across countries

Trigger warning: this story is about stalking. It’s intense and detailed and please be aware of this before you read.
As a woman I think this is one of two greatest fears. Stalking is deeply and seriously disturbing and this story treats it in the manner in which it deserves. It all starts with a surprise birthday party for Kat special guest Doll. When she share some very unpleasant and unexpected news about a man that triggered her warning instincts Kat and the group mobilize around her. They work round the clock and discover the pattern that no one wanted to see or take seriously. A state of affairs I would say is all too common. While the material is well sorry to be repetitive disturbing the story is also heartening because Doll isn’t alone. She has Kat, Ben, Thomas, Bash, Javi, Gramartha, Alvarez, a PI in Florence and everyone is working together to get the guy.
This book for sure has a darker tone than others in the series but topically appropriate. There were good things and a very nice happy ending for all. Not gonna spoil that thought. A bit heavier than your average cozy but treated with respect. I’m not sure enjoy is the proper word but this was a very good book.
Profile Image for Kara Marks.
526 reviews85 followers
July 16, 2026
This is the seventh book in one of my favorite cozy mystery series; I’ve read all the previous books, but this one could stand alone well. I love all the different characters, especially Kat, the main character. She’s the chef at a fancy Dallas restaurant, but she’s also starting a catering business with her friend Ben, and things are going well. Her boyfriend, grandmother and friends throw her a surprise birthday party, and the biggest surprise of all is her best friend Doll not only showing up from Paris, but she’s considering moving back to Dallas. Kat is thrilled, but it becomes clear right away that Doll’s semi-stalker from Paris who has added to her feelings of isolation in Paris has now followed her to Dallas and is acting increasingly stalkerish. Kat has solved several previous mysteries and she is determined to protect her friend. This is a great book in the series and I definitely recommend it. I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
472 reviews5 followers
July 16, 2026
This novel combines a culinary mystery with a story about friendship and trust.

The plot moves from a birthday celebration to a stalking investigation while keeping the mystery clear and the stakes consistent.

Kat, Ben, Doll, and Gramartha drive the story through their relationships and their teamwork.

The dialogue gives each character a distinct voice and supports both the mystery and the humour.

The culinary setting adds interest and gives the investigation a clear backdrop.

The strongest aspect of the book is the way the central group works together to solve problems through planning and observation rather than chance.

The fundamental weakness comes near the end. The explanation of the antagonist’s history depends on a sequence of phone calls instead of unfolding through the investigation itself.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy culinary mysteries, found-family stories, and amateur investigations with capable characters.
Profile Image for Sandy.
73 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 5, 2026
It’s Kat’s birthday and there is more than one surprise waiting for her. When one of them turns out to be someone stalking her closest friend, Kat is determined to keep her friend safe and stop the stalker. Of course Kat’s circle has to become involved too, Ben with his spreadsheets, Thomas with his contacts, Bash and Javi with their presence and Gramartha with her skillet. To find if they can stop the stalker before someone gets hurt or worse, you’ll need to dive into the story.

This is a quick enjoyable read that can be done in a weekend or savored over a couple of weeks. The author has a gift for drawing in the reader, making them feel part of the circle of friends, and cheering them on to solve the mystery before the police.
937 reviews8 followers
July 29, 2026
A Recipe for a Stalker is a Superb story and series about Kat Calloway a Chef , Tux her very special cat, Ben her Business Partner and Chef, Bash her Boyfriend and Pastry Chef who arranged a Surprise Birthday Party for Kat with help from Gramartha. Her friend Doll a Pastry Chef arrives from Paris. Doll tells them about a stalker who is outside Kat's home has followed her. Kat contacts Detective Alvarez for help and they begin to search for information with friends and family so they can keep Doll safe. But what will they uncover?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book and series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Johanna.
6,767 reviews122 followers
July 30, 2026
Book 7 of Kat Calloway Cozy Mysteries.

'Now Kat uncovers a chilling pattern. A missing woman who looks unsettlingly like Doll. Two dead wives. And a predator determined to claim what he believes belongs to him.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and complicated and compelling. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building continues to excel and impress. Another great addition to the series. Enjoyed immensely 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.
2,977 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy
July 14, 2026
Danger from overseas.

Kat Calloway does not like surprises, especially surprise birthday parties. This one isn’t so bad, because it brings her best friend with it. Unfortunately, Doll has an unwelcome shadow. Doll thought she would be safe when she left Paris, but danger has followed her. As Kat and her friends work to protect Doll, they discover frightening clues about the stalker. Doll isn’t the first victim!

This is an exciting mystery filled with drama and danger. The recipes at the end of the book are amazing. I received an advance copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
401 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2026
There are quite a few surprises at Kat’s Surprise Birthday Party! I only planned to read for an hour, but I couldn’t put it down since I really like this series with Tux the cool cat, Kat, her boyfriend Bash, best friend Ben & her grandma Gramartha. And as a bonus, I got 4 fantastic recipes at the end of the book! I made the Surprise Margarita, Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers, Beef Wellington & Cake Batter Chocolate Chip Cookies last weekend and all of them were a hit! I received this nice cozy culinary mystery as an ARC & am leaving an honest review.
410 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 1, 2026
Wow!
While still staying within a cozy format, this leans heavily into the suspense territory as a methodical stalker focuses his attention on capturing MC Kat’s best friend Doll.

Kat and her entire posse surround Doll while they strategize on how to stay safe while turning the tables on a monster masquerading as person of culture and sensitivity.

Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Author 29 books7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 3, 2026
It was a good continuation of the series, and it had funny and engaging writing.

Yes, Kat! Actually celebrate your birthday!

Stalkers are some of the worst creeps. And I too have seen the police not take it seriously…Everyone in this book got badbutt under the pressure of the situation, though!

And haha: the listening device joke is one that my family members have (half)-jested about to one another many times, too…!
50 reviews
August 1, 2026
A Recipe for a Stalker had me hooked from the very beginning. A surprise birthday party, friends, family and a stalker to catch. Life is never dull for Kat and the gang. The characters are awesome….love each of their strengths and quirks. Gramartha is the absolute best….fierce, loving, loyal and provides the comic relief without meaning to. Never underestimate Gramartha and a cast iron skillet! I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Jessica Forbes.
525 reviews4 followers
August 25, 2026
This one was extra scary! I hadn't expected this one to hit so close to the group until I read the summary, and it was a thrill ride from beginning to finish. I don't want to spoil too much, but it is a reminder of, among other things, how stalking is never taken seriously enough until it's too late for many people, and I think it was handled very well. Loved this and highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,106 reviews32 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 14, 2026
Another investigation for Kat and the team. All the usual characters take part. And Doll is in Dallas! Surprise - it’s Kat’s birthday. But all is not well! Doll has a stalker who has followed her from Paris. What is going on? Follow Kat and friends as they keep Doll safe. A great addition to the series.
1,026 reviews7 followers
July 30, 2026
Another wonderful cozy mystery in this series (all can be read standalone). I enjoy the characters with their quirkiness that will make you laugh out loud at times. The storyline pulls you right in and won't let you go until the very end. Wonderful to read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
30 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2026
This is the latest book in the Kat Callaway series and I found it a great read and I really enjoyed it immensely I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading a good story. I have read all of the previous books in this series and they have been excellent as well. I will definitely be reading all future books in this series. I am looking forward to the next one coming out already.
20 reviews
August 18, 2026
I came across L.B. Dayton's cozy mysteries through providence. I didn't begin reading believing that I'd enjoy this genre (I like the kill 'em all spie novels for casual reading). But I really do love these stories.

Dayton's writing is so smooth and quite enjoyable.

Sometimes I feel like I know exactly what will unfold, but this one didn't happen the way I'd anticipated.
Profile Image for Shannon Foudray.
86 reviews3 followers
July 23, 2026
Another fantastic Kat mystery. This time the stakes are even higher when the target is her best friend Doll who’s freshly back in town from Paris.
9 reviews
August 23, 2026
Perfect Ending

Super enjoyed this last book, I think, in this amusing and delightful cozy mystery series. Thought it the most interesting and best mystery!
22 reviews
October 14, 2026
interesting FunnySuspenxe

Enjoyed this spin around a kitchen. A bakery ND A FOREIGN LAND. WHAT GREAT FAMILY OF MISFITS THAT get a JOB DON IN AN UNORTHODOX WAY. WHAT A FUN READ,
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews