What do you think?
Rate this book
Traveling Cook Mystery #1-4
The Jenny Starling Mysteries Books 1–4
Please note these books were first published under Faith Martin's pen name Joyce Cato.
In this four-book box set:
BOOK 1: THE BIRTHDAY MYSTERY
Jenny Starling is catering a birthday bash at a lavish country house. But a young man drowns before the guests have even arrived. Incredibly, the party goes ahead as planned. Until everyone gathers for a midnight toast and one guest drops down dead. Out of a long guestlist of suspects, who wanted them dead? Jenny Starling won’t stop until the murderer is found.
BOOK 2: THE WINTER MYSTERY
Jenny finds herself snowed-in for Christmas. But the family she’s cooking for are not full of festive spirit. In fact, they hate each other. When one of them is found dead — sprawled over the kitchen table — they all assume Jenny is behind it. Can she find the real murderer in time to clear her name?
BOOK 3: THE RIVERBOAT MYSTERY
Jenny gets a job on a luxury paddle steamer. Her boss is a wealthy businessman. All she has to do is cook for his small number of guests. But things quickly turn sour. Then Jenny discovers the body of one of the passengers in the store cupboard. Who wanted him dead and why?
BOOK 4: THE CASTLE MYSTERY
Jenny nets her dream job cooking for Lord and Lady Avonsleigh in a genuine castle. Then one of the help is found dead, stabbed through the heart with a bejeweled dagger. Lady Avonsleigh begs Jenny to help unravel the mystery. But how can she when none of the witnesses remember seeing a thing?
In this four-book box set:
BOOK 1: THE BIRTHDAY MYSTERY
Jenny Starling is catering a birthday bash at a lavish country house. But a young man drowns before the guests have even arrived. Incredibly, the party goes ahead as planned. Until everyone gathers for a midnight toast and one guest drops down dead. Out of a long guestlist of suspects, who wanted them dead? Jenny Starling won’t stop until the murderer is found.
BOOK 2: THE WINTER MYSTERY
Jenny finds herself snowed-in for Christmas. But the family she’s cooking for are not full of festive spirit. In fact, they hate each other. When one of them is found dead — sprawled over the kitchen table — they all assume Jenny is behind it. Can she find the real murderer in time to clear her name?
BOOK 3: THE RIVERBOAT MYSTERY
Jenny gets a job on a luxury paddle steamer. Her boss is a wealthy businessman. All she has to do is cook for his small number of guests. But things quickly turn sour. Then Jenny discovers the body of one of the passengers in the store cupboard. Who wanted him dead and why?
BOOK 4: THE CASTLE MYSTERY
Jenny nets her dream job cooking for Lord and Lady Avonsleigh in a genuine castle. Then one of the help is found dead, stabbed through the heart with a bejeweled dagger. Lady Avonsleigh begs Jenny to help unravel the mystery. But how can she when none of the witnesses remember seeing a thing?
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
913 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2021
1004 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Cato
13 books100 followersJoyce Cato is a pen name of English author Jacquie Walton. She also writes under the pen names Jessie Daniels, Faith Martin and Maxine Barry.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 29, 2023
Thoroughly Enjoyable
Jenny Starling, traveling cook, was a delightful character with a sharp mind. I enjoyed these mysteries and her cooking too.
Jenny Starling, traveling cook, was a delightful character with a sharp mind. I enjoyed these mysteries and her cooking too.
January 22, 2024
Books one to four are all good reads, there is intrigue and mystery, humour and sadness. But and this is what I like most, no nasty gory details to sicken ones stomach. If you want that look elsewhere or use your imagination. I have read those graphically detailed tales of horror, blood and guts earlier in my life now at 77 I like the 'Cosy Murders' as bedtime reading, they don't give me nightmares. It one or two instances in this Jenny Staling series you can begin to spot the clues and you just might get to the same conclusions and solve the muder just before Jenny Starling reveals all. Enjoy I'm sure you will.
July 13, 2021
SPENT DAY AND NIGHTS READING
This author surely knows how to keep one reading! I could not put these books down. Whether you read all of them or not (I do suggest you read the whole series) you are never disappointed in trying to figure out "who dunnit". It is not until the very last chapters that you find out who the culprit is. There is also a great bit of humour to lighten up the in between moments. I highly recommend these books and other writing from this author. She has it all!
This author surely knows how to keep one reading! I could not put these books down. Whether you read all of them or not (I do suggest you read the whole series) you are never disappointed in trying to figure out "who dunnit". It is not until the very last chapters that you find out who the culprit is. There is also a great bit of humour to lighten up the in between moments. I highly recommend these books and other writing from this author. She has it all!
July 20, 2021
Couldn't bear the writing!
If you are into cutesy poo "English" mysteries, perhaps you might like these. I got through about three pages and was ready to barf. The author is "half in love" with adjectives, adverbs and any other descriptive modifier she can find to flesh out her nouns and verbs. Maybe it is quaint to some but people don't really talk that way in the UK. Give me a terse, brooding Nordic Noir any day!
If you are into cutesy poo "English" mysteries, perhaps you might like these. I got through about three pages and was ready to barf. The author is "half in love" with adjectives, adverbs and any other descriptive modifier she can find to flesh out her nouns and verbs. Maybe it is quaint to some but people don't really talk that way in the UK. Give me a terse, brooding Nordic Noir any day!
November 10, 2021
Just a wonderful series.
The series is really wonderful because there is murder, mystery, and food, a lot of cooking food. Jenny is a very good character. The staff that works with her is always different but always very well developed characters. The stories are always rather involved which makes it interesting to say the least. I hope there are lot more Jenny Starling mysteries.
The series is really wonderful because there is murder, mystery, and food, a lot of cooking food. Jenny is a very good character. The staff that works with her is always different but always very well developed characters. The stories are always rather involved which makes it interesting to say the least. I hope there are lot more Jenny Starling mysteries.
Read
April 20, 2023I enjoyed reading the first four books in this series. Each novel reminded me of the 'Golden-Age' of English detective novels and they were all very entertaining. The character of Jenny Starling is a great addition to the author's list of detectives and I hope that FM will write more novels with Jenny as the main character. She reminds me of a bugatti driving, cigar smoking no nonsense woman of immense charm that I once knew in real life!
July 18, 2024
What a great series!
Jenny Starling, travelling cook, is hired all over the country, however, wherever she lands, there is murder.
Jenny is a likeable character - intelligent, smart, kind and a superb cook. Whether it be a boat or a castle, she manages her job extremely well alongside reluctantly helping to solve a mystery.
Well-written, engaging and entertaining.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy this genre.
Jenny Starling, travelling cook, is hired all over the country, however, wherever she lands, there is murder.
Jenny is a likeable character - intelligent, smart, kind and a superb cook. Whether it be a boat or a castle, she manages her job extremely well alongside reluctantly helping to solve a mystery.
Well-written, engaging and entertaining.
Highly recommended to those who enjoy this genre.
Read
July 7, 2021Pleasant read😊
I enjoyed these 4 books. By the middle of the fourth one I'd figured it out, but it didn't make me want to quit reading until I actually read the end.
My only negative comment and (it's really a silly thing) is the amount of sighing that was noted. Not just by Jenny. But I will look for more of Jenny Starling!
I enjoyed these 4 books. By the middle of the fourth one I'd figured it out, but it didn't make me want to quit reading until I actually read the end.
My only negative comment and (it's really a silly thing) is the amount of sighing that was noted. Not just by Jenny. But I will look for more of Jenny Starling!
July 28, 2021
Excellent Series
Jenny is a top chef who cooks for special occasions. She has a mind for details and is a deep thinker. Her abilities are far superior to the police involved in the solving of each case. The series is numbered incorrectly, number 1 should be number 4, so read from the last story through to the first, as the first references details from the other 3 books.
Jenny is a top chef who cooks for special occasions. She has a mind for details and is a deep thinker. Her abilities are far superior to the police involved in the solving of each case. The series is numbered incorrectly, number 1 should be number 4, so read from the last story through to the first, as the first references details from the other 3 books.
December 2, 2022
Jenny Starling Mysteries
Jenny Starling is a more than excellent cook taking on short term contracts. It seems that she attracts murders to her. She has a reputation with the police for being an amateur sleigh who gets in the way. In fact she never takes credit from the locals.A gentle and agreeable set of books much different to Faith Martin a usual fare!
Jenny Starling is a more than excellent cook taking on short term contracts. It seems that she attracts murders to her. She has a reputation with the police for being an amateur sleigh who gets in the way. In fact she never takes credit from the locals.A gentle and agreeable set of books much different to Faith Martin a usual fare!
April 17, 2024
Rambunctious entertainment
I thoroughly enjoyed these books. They have a joviality about them akin to that of Agatha Christie, lots of twists, and some excellent descriptions of people. Although I did get a little fed up of how Jenny was described, repeatedly, as juno-esq in the first two books.
They also left me feeling rather hungry!
I thoroughly enjoyed these books. They have a joviality about them akin to that of Agatha Christie, lots of twists, and some excellent descriptions of people. Although I did get a little fed up of how Jenny was described, repeatedly, as juno-esq in the first two books.
They also left me feeling rather hungry!
July 10, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed all four books…
This was a great series. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the books. I especially luved Jenny. The murderers were for the most part easy to pick, but why and how not nearly so. All of the cooking and food references also totally enjoyable as I am, if I say so myself, a pretty fair country cook. I hope there will be another in the series.
This was a great series. I thoroughly enjoyed each of the books. I especially luved Jenny. The murderers were for the most part easy to pick, but why and how not nearly so. All of the cooking and food references also totally enjoyable as I am, if I say so myself, a pretty fair country cook. I hope there will be another in the series.
April 25, 2021
It was a very interesting read. I could not put it down until I had finished all four books. I looked up every recipe she cooked. Who would ever think about a six foot female cook being a new MS Marple.
April 29, 2021
Totally enjoyed these.
I love the sharp-thinking cook who puts all the clues together while making fabulous-sounding dishes. These are not your kitschy cookbook mysteries; they have well rounded characters and intricate plots.
I love the sharp-thinking cook who puts all the clues together while making fabulous-sounding dishes. These are not your kitschy cookbook mysteries; they have well rounded characters and intricate plots.
May 11, 2021
Brilliant Books and soooo clever!
Oh I am so glad I purchased this boxed set of books by Faith Martin. Great leading character. Plots which I defy anyone to work out the how, even if the who is likely. Love, love, love them. On with the next instalment.
Oh I am so glad I purchased this boxed set of books by Faith Martin. Great leading character. Plots which I defy anyone to work out the how, even if the who is likely. Love, love, love them. On with the next instalment.
May 15, 2021
An enjoyable series of murder mysteries
Well written with believable characters. Jenny Starling cooks her big way across the Country while solving baffling murders. Her sharp mind sorts out the mysteries ahead of Police Detectives.
Well written with believable characters. Jenny Starling cooks her big way across the Country while solving baffling murders. Her sharp mind sorts out the mysteries ahead of Police Detectives.
May 22, 2021
Brilliant!
This series is really a very brilliant murder mystery escapade!! If you've read any of Faith Margins other series you will already know how magically she reveals the culprit.....This series does not disappoint ..it keeps you completely intrigued until the end ! Enjoy
This series is really a very brilliant murder mystery escapade!! If you've read any of Faith Margins other series you will already know how magically she reveals the culprit.....This series does not disappoint ..it keeps you completely intrigued until the end ! Enjoy
Read
May 28, 2021This was a good book which I hope to read many more of them in the fur so please let me as soon as po
All my family and friends and colleagues at the bowling club as I'm sure they will be happy to collect them
All my family and friends and colleagues at the bowling club as I'm sure they will be happy to collect them
June 7, 2021
A real page turner and great stories
Absorbing read, very much in TherAvada
Very absorbing, very much in the Miss Marple vein with a fascinating character. and cleverly and clearly written, most enjoyable
Absorbing read, very much in TherAvada
Very absorbing, very much in the Miss Marple vein with a fascinating character. and cleverly and clearly written, most enjoyable
June 15, 2021
Wonderful mystery book
Such beautiful reading. Love Faith Martin's style it's addictive and gentle and gripping. So I love her Jenny Sterling mysteries. Start reading of you don't know her...well done Faith Martin
Such beautiful reading. Love Faith Martin's style it's addictive and gentle and gripping. So I love her Jenny Sterling mysteries. Start reading of you don't know her...well done Faith Martin
July 12, 2021
Oh my!!
I just love our traveling cook!
I missed her, having been introduced to her sometime ago!
This is a must read especially if you know you might have to spend time waiting on an appointment!!
Ah, the British never disappoint
I just love our traveling cook!
I missed her, having been introduced to her sometime ago!
This is a must read especially if you know you might have to spend time waiting on an appointment!!
Ah, the British never disappoint
August 12, 2021
Lovely Story, Enjoyed All 4 Books
Fun to read, love the plus-sized cook/ amateur detective. Quick read, great story lines and characters. Interesting cases, I wish there were more!
Fun to read, love the plus-sized cook/ amateur detective. Quick read, great story lines and characters. Interesting cases, I wish there were more!
November 23, 2021
Too short for something so good
Glad there were four separate stories here so I could remain with
Jenny longer. Very interesting idea. Great characters and enough humor to keep a smile while reading. I could read a great many of
these!
Glad there were four separate stories here so I could remain with
Jenny longer. Very interesting idea. Great characters and enough humor to keep a smile while reading. I could read a great many of
these!
March 31, 2022
Love this writer and this set of books. Each book kept you guessing as to who committed the murders until the cook Jenny Starline laid it all out at the end of the book. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, I am sure you will enjoy these just as much.
June 20, 2022
Great place to start Faith Martin books
Jenny Starling is a lovable character surrounded by plenty of believable characters dealing with life. Murder, of course, titilates the reader's intellect, or why bother? I'm off to DI Greene next for grittier mysteries.
Jenny Starling is a lovable character surrounded by plenty of believable characters dealing with life. Murder, of course, titilates the reader's intellect, or why bother? I'm off to DI Greene next for grittier mysteries.
June 22, 2022
Fabulous cook, brillant detective
So fun to watch Miss Jenny solve murders so creative that the police cannot figure them out. And her food, it made me hungry just to read about her meals. Highly recommend.
So fun to watch Miss Jenny solve murders so creative that the police cannot figure them out. And her food, it made me hungry just to read about her meals. Highly recommend.
December 6, 2022
Very entertaining and enjoyable, good who done it mysteries!
I really enjoyed reading the Jenny Starting series. So many twists and surprises. Enjoyable characters, good suspense and her cooking made me hungry as I read!
I really enjoyed reading the Jenny Starting series. So many twists and surprises. Enjoyable characters, good suspense and her cooking made me hungry as I read!
July 27, 2023
Very easy to read cosy mysteries, mostly quite difficult to work out who committed the murder. The main Character Jenny doens't change much in the series, but the characters and settings in each are very well developed.
May 2, 2021
Miss Marple on steroids
If you are a Miss Marple or a Poirot fan these books will be heaven. Excellently written as all Faith Martin books are. A bit old fashioned.
If you are a Miss Marple or a Poirot fan these books will be heaven. Excellently written as all Faith Martin books are. A bit old fashioned.
May 3, 2021
Great stories, poorly described
There are great plots here but overuse of words like "junoesque" and "statuesque"totally spoiled them for me. Good descriptions of scenes, though.
There are great plots here but overuse of words like "junoesque" and "statuesque"totally spoiled them for me. Good descriptions of scenes, though.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews