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Vintage Cookbook Mystery #1
Bayou Book Thief
A fantastic new cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron.
Twenty-eight-year-old widow Ricki James leaves Los Angeles to start a new life in New Orleans after her showboating actor husband perishes doing a stupid internet stunt. The Big Easy is where she was born and adopted by the NICU nurse who cared for her after Ricki's teen mother disappeared from the hospital.
Ricki's dream comes true when she joins the quirky staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the spectacular former Garden District home of late bon vivant Genevieve "Vee" Charbonnet, the city's legendary restauranteur. Ricki is excited about turning her avocation - collecting vintage cookbooks - into a vocation by launching the museum's gift shop, Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware. Then she discovers that a box of donated vintage cookbooks contains the body of a cantankerous Bon Vee employee who was fired after being exposed as a book thief.
The skills Ricky has developed ferreting out hidden vintage treasures come in handy for investigations. But both her business and Bon Vee could wind up as deadstock when Ricki's past as curator of a billionaire's first edition collection comes back to haunt her.
Will Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware be a success ... or a recipe for disaster?
Twenty-eight-year-old widow Ricki James leaves Los Angeles to start a new life in New Orleans after her showboating actor husband perishes doing a stupid internet stunt. The Big Easy is where she was born and adopted by the NICU nurse who cared for her after Ricki's teen mother disappeared from the hospital.
Ricki's dream comes true when she joins the quirky staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the spectacular former Garden District home of late bon vivant Genevieve "Vee" Charbonnet, the city's legendary restauranteur. Ricki is excited about turning her avocation - collecting vintage cookbooks - into a vocation by launching the museum's gift shop, Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware. Then she discovers that a box of donated vintage cookbooks contains the body of a cantankerous Bon Vee employee who was fired after being exposed as a book thief.
The skills Ricky has developed ferreting out hidden vintage treasures come in handy for investigations. But both her business and Bon Vee could wind up as deadstock when Ricki's past as curator of a billionaire's first edition collection comes back to haunt her.
Will Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware be a success ... or a recipe for disaster?
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 7, 2022
283 people are currently reading
7946 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Byron
20 books1,640 followersEllen is the bestselling, Agatha and Lefty Award-winning author of the Cajun Country Mysteries, the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, the Catering Hall Mystery series (which she writes under the name Maria DiRico), and the Golden Motel Mysteries.
Ellen is also award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like WINGS, JUST SHOOT ME, and FAIRLY ODD PARENTS. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.
She is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 353 reviews
June 5, 2022
Ellen Byron’s new cozy mystery resonated with me.
Bayou Book Thief
is the first book in the Vintage Cookbook mystery series that features twenty-eight year old widow Ricki James. Her husband died doing a stunt and her boss was a criminal (unbeknownst to her) so she decides to move from Los Angeles to New Orleans, the city of her birth.
Ricki turns her avocation of collecting vintage cookbooks into a job by establishing a gift shop in the late home turned museum of Genevieve (Vee) Charbonnet, who ran one of the city’s finest restaurants before she died. Her gift shop will feature vintage cookbooks and kitchenware. Finding the body of a museum employee who had been exposed as a book thief, Ricki decides to investigate.
Ricki is a likeable person that makes friends easily, but she has trust issues due to her backstory. That backstory also gives readers insight into Ricki’s thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others. There are a large number of characters, but there is a character list at the front of the book for reference. With quirky characters intermixed with dangerous characters, who is which?
Diverse characterization, great world-building details, and the internal dialogues deepened the conflict and pulled this reader into the inner world of the characters. The author captures the characters, as well as the cultural lifestyles and traditions of New Orleans and brings them to life. There are unpredictable moments in the story and some red herrings. I enjoyed how the author twists the plot points.
The well-plotted and beautifully executed story gradually builds momentum until it reaches the astonishing conclusion. The slower pace and background allow readers to become familiar with the characters and to have a good foundation for the rest of the series. I enjoyed the humor that was interspersed within the novel and admired how multiple threads were brought together effortlessly. However, the very ending was a little too much “tell” versus “show” for me. The Epilogue sets up a thread for the next novel in the series. At the end of the book are some recipes from a variety of vintage cookbooks. Themes include murder, theft, family, friendship, starting over, and much more.
Overall, this was an engaging novel with humor, suspense, action, and the possibility of romance. If you enjoy sleuth mysteries, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in New Orleans and I want to check out this author’s other series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Ellen Byron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 7, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-----------------------------
Review to be posted the first week of June per publisher guidelines.
Ricki turns her avocation of collecting vintage cookbooks into a job by establishing a gift shop in the late home turned museum of Genevieve (Vee) Charbonnet, who ran one of the city’s finest restaurants before she died. Her gift shop will feature vintage cookbooks and kitchenware. Finding the body of a museum employee who had been exposed as a book thief, Ricki decides to investigate.
Ricki is a likeable person that makes friends easily, but she has trust issues due to her backstory. That backstory also gives readers insight into Ricki’s thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others. There are a large number of characters, but there is a character list at the front of the book for reference. With quirky characters intermixed with dangerous characters, who is which?
Diverse characterization, great world-building details, and the internal dialogues deepened the conflict and pulled this reader into the inner world of the characters. The author captures the characters, as well as the cultural lifestyles and traditions of New Orleans and brings them to life. There are unpredictable moments in the story and some red herrings. I enjoyed how the author twists the plot points.
The well-plotted and beautifully executed story gradually builds momentum until it reaches the astonishing conclusion. The slower pace and background allow readers to become familiar with the characters and to have a good foundation for the rest of the series. I enjoyed the humor that was interspersed within the novel and admired how multiple threads were brought together effortlessly. However, the very ending was a little too much “tell” versus “show” for me. The Epilogue sets up a thread for the next novel in the series. At the end of the book are some recipes from a variety of vintage cookbooks. Themes include murder, theft, family, friendship, starting over, and much more.
Overall, this was an engaging novel with humor, suspense, action, and the possibility of romance. If you enjoy sleuth mysteries, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next in New Orleans and I want to check out this author’s other series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Ellen Byron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for June 7, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-----------------------------
Review to be posted the first week of June per publisher guidelines.
August 13, 2022
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron is the first book in the new cozy Vintage Cookbook Mystery series. As with most cozy mysteries each book of the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series will contain it’s own mystery to be solved so they can be read as a standalone if choosing to do so. There will be character development that carries over from book to book however for those who follow the series from the beginning.
At twenty eight Ricki James never expected to find herself a widow but that is exactly what she is. Ricki’s husband had died doing a stupid internet stunt so now she had decided to begin again by moving from Los Angeles to New Orleans where she was born.
Ricki has opened her own shop, a gift shop in the museum for Genevieve (Vee) Charbonnet who had run a restaurant in the city before passing. Ricki loved that she could turn her passion of collecting vintage cookbooks into a business but she never expected to find a body at her business, that of a former Bon Vee employee who had been fired for being a thief, so now Ricki needs to find a murderer before it’s too late.
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron certainly brought the city of New Orleans to life as I began this new series with the author doing a great job with the setting of the story. I did find it a little tough to keep track of all the secondary characters in this opening as there were quite a few but I did enjoy getting to know the lead along the way. Definitely a series that has that mix of quirky humor to go along with a solid mystery leaving this opener at three and a half stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
At twenty eight Ricki James never expected to find herself a widow but that is exactly what she is. Ricki’s husband had died doing a stupid internet stunt so now she had decided to begin again by moving from Los Angeles to New Orleans where she was born.
Ricki has opened her own shop, a gift shop in the museum for Genevieve (Vee) Charbonnet who had run a restaurant in the city before passing. Ricki loved that she could turn her passion of collecting vintage cookbooks into a business but she never expected to find a body at her business, that of a former Bon Vee employee who had been fired for being a thief, so now Ricki needs to find a murderer before it’s too late.
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron certainly brought the city of New Orleans to life as I began this new series with the author doing a great job with the setting of the story. I did find it a little tough to keep track of all the secondary characters in this opening as there were quite a few but I did enjoy getting to know the lead along the way. Definitely a series that has that mix of quirky humor to go along with a solid mystery leaving this opener at three and a half stars for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
February 13, 2022
Life can be intense sometimes; when your husband does something foolish and leaves you at the end of your rope, what's a girl to do? Start back over again in The Big Easy, where you were born and have some of your fondest memories. That's exactly what Ricki James does, and from the moment she arrives and secures a job at an historic and adored culturally significant home in New Orleans. After getting to know a few of her colleagues and bosses while she sets up her new shop, Ricki unexpectedly discovers someone among the staff is a thief. And it ain't the rare birds wandering the estate (though they do make the best characters!). Unfortunately, in the process of locating the missing rare book, Ricki also discovers a dead body, and it's clear the person was murdered. What happened to Ricki's fresh start in life? Is Death stalking her?
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron is the first installment in her new Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and it perfectly captures the authentic flavor and eclectic atmosphere of a cherished southern city that's always felt more European than anywhere else in the US. I've previously read two of the author's other series, and it's clear that she undeniably shines when it comes to immersing the core beauty and life of a city and its unique culture into her books. From local tour guides who understand the city's secret history and flair for over-the-top personalities to prim-and-proper society matrons who garner the respect of all, Byron has breathed life into every character in the book. I enjoyed the education on historical cookbooks and mouthwatering food recipes that are sure to delight readers who want to feel like they've stepped into a famous world simply by cooking up dishes in their own kitchens.
As a mystery, it's full of clever red herrings, curious plot twists, and multiple side stories that eventually weave together to create a connected and entertaining story. Ricki's personal life is also beginning to take center stage, especially as she asks a few questions about her birth parents and meets a man who gives her hope for falling in love again. Getting to know all the women (and one or two men) who work at Bon Vee Culinary House Museum has been a treat. So many varied personalities and quirky relationships help cement the cast and setting without burdening the reader by sharing too much backstory. Thankfully, the author's actively working on the second book, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. For now... I'll settle with sharing this book with others. Maybe it's time for a trip to New Orleans to visit all the places Byron's told us about!
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron is the first installment in her new Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and it perfectly captures the authentic flavor and eclectic atmosphere of a cherished southern city that's always felt more European than anywhere else in the US. I've previously read two of the author's other series, and it's clear that she undeniably shines when it comes to immersing the core beauty and life of a city and its unique culture into her books. From local tour guides who understand the city's secret history and flair for over-the-top personalities to prim-and-proper society matrons who garner the respect of all, Byron has breathed life into every character in the book. I enjoyed the education on historical cookbooks and mouthwatering food recipes that are sure to delight readers who want to feel like they've stepped into a famous world simply by cooking up dishes in their own kitchens.
As a mystery, it's full of clever red herrings, curious plot twists, and multiple side stories that eventually weave together to create a connected and entertaining story. Ricki's personal life is also beginning to take center stage, especially as she asks a few questions about her birth parents and meets a man who gives her hope for falling in love again. Getting to know all the women (and one or two men) who work at Bon Vee Culinary House Museum has been a treat. So many varied personalities and quirky relationships help cement the cast and setting without burdening the reader by sharing too much backstory. Thankfully, the author's actively working on the second book, and I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. For now... I'll settle with sharing this book with others. Maybe it's time for a trip to New Orleans to visit all the places Byron's told us about!
June 20, 2022
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
BAYOU BOOK THIEF (Vintage Cookbook Mystery Book #1) by Ellen Byron is an enjoyable contemporary cozy mystery set in New Orleans with everything I am looking for in a cozy mystery, wonderful characters, well-paced plot, and writing that gives colorful visual imagery of the setting.
Miracle “Ricki” James-Diaz is a twenty-eight-year-old widow who is beginning a new life in the place of her birth, New Orleans. She is excited to land her dream job of running a gift shop featuring vintage cookbooks and kitchen gadgets in the former home of a New Orleans legendary restauranteur at Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.
While opening several boxes of donated books to Bon Vee, Ricki and Cookie are shocked to find the dead body of a recently fired tour guide who was caught stealing books from the gift shop. Ricki decides to put her research skills to work investigating the death when one of her new friends is considered a suspect. Will Ricki be able to find the killer without getting herself in hot water?
This is a perfect cozy mystery read to me! I loved the main character, Ricki and all her quirks and her messy background. The cast of secondary characters are all fully fleshed and realistic window dressing to the city of New Orleans. The plot builds steadily to the climax, and I was guessing right up to the end. Ms. Byron uses her characters, red-herrings, and plot twists to full advantage to keep me turning the pages. New Orleans lifestyle and culture is seamlessly woven into the story without slowing the pace. An all-around enchanting cozy.
I highly recommend this cozy mystery and I am looking forward to revisiting these characters in the next book in the series!
BAYOU BOOK THIEF (Vintage Cookbook Mystery Book #1) by Ellen Byron is an enjoyable contemporary cozy mystery set in New Orleans with everything I am looking for in a cozy mystery, wonderful characters, well-paced plot, and writing that gives colorful visual imagery of the setting.
Miracle “Ricki” James-Diaz is a twenty-eight-year-old widow who is beginning a new life in the place of her birth, New Orleans. She is excited to land her dream job of running a gift shop featuring vintage cookbooks and kitchen gadgets in the former home of a New Orleans legendary restauranteur at Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.
While opening several boxes of donated books to Bon Vee, Ricki and Cookie are shocked to find the dead body of a recently fired tour guide who was caught stealing books from the gift shop. Ricki decides to put her research skills to work investigating the death when one of her new friends is considered a suspect. Will Ricki be able to find the killer without getting herself in hot water?
This is a perfect cozy mystery read to me! I loved the main character, Ricki and all her quirks and her messy background. The cast of secondary characters are all fully fleshed and realistic window dressing to the city of New Orleans. The plot builds steadily to the climax, and I was guessing right up to the end. Ms. Byron uses her characters, red-herrings, and plot twists to full advantage to keep me turning the pages. New Orleans lifestyle and culture is seamlessly woven into the story without slowing the pace. An all-around enchanting cozy.
I highly recommend this cozy mystery and I am looking forward to revisiting these characters in the next book in the series!
February 9, 2023
I loved Ellen Byron's first series "Cajun Country Mysteries". The setting in the bayou area of Louisiana was just wonderful and the characters quirky. This new series is set in New Orleans and it revolves around a young widow who is trying to reinvent her life. The setting is not quite as evocative, but I really enjoyed the restaurant settings. The characters are not quite as quirky, but they do have their moments. Our amateur sleuth does a great job of stirring the pot.
Ricki James, a twenty-eight-year-old widow, has moved from LA (Los Angeles) to LA (Louisiana) to reinvent herself in the place she was born, New Orleans. Her husband died performing a stupid stunt and her wealthy boss was arrested. Ricki just wants to start with a clean slate. She gets her chance at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum in the historic home of famed restaurateur, Genevieve "Vee" Charbonnet. Ricki will manage the Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware Gift Shop.
When a body is found in a trunk thought to contain donated vintage cookbooks the eclectic employees quickly become murder suspects. Ricki is quickly cleared of the murder of the nasty tour guide, but she still is not convinced the police are following up on every lead, so Ricki decided to lend a hand and winds up a target too.
Ricki James, a twenty-eight-year-old widow, has moved from LA (Los Angeles) to LA (Louisiana) to reinvent herself in the place she was born, New Orleans. Her husband died performing a stupid stunt and her wealthy boss was arrested. Ricki just wants to start with a clean slate. She gets her chance at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum in the historic home of famed restaurateur, Genevieve "Vee" Charbonnet. Ricki will manage the Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware Gift Shop.
When a body is found in a trunk thought to contain donated vintage cookbooks the eclectic employees quickly become murder suspects. Ricki is quickly cleared of the murder of the nasty tour guide, but she still is not convinced the police are following up on every lead, so Ricki decided to lend a hand and winds up a target too.
June 25, 2022
Ricki James-Diaz joins the New Orleans Charbonnet Family as she’s hired to organize and run “Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook & Kitchenware Shop” in the Historic Bon Vee Culinary House Museum located in the Garden District. Ricki is surrounded by an eclectic group of people, plus two peacocks! Eugenia Charbonnet Felice is President of the Bon Vee Foundation Board; a lovely person; and she has the last word on all decision making. When murder strikes close to the Bon Vee Museum, a thief is revealed, and the employees and volunteers are left wondering who the killer could be…
This is such a great cozy mystery debut! Realistic characters; the fun and colorful New Orleans setting; tons of yummy food and drinks; interesting vintage cookbooks and kitchen antiques mentioned; and a sensational plot to pull the whole whodunnit together! There are *multiple* mysteries and murders in the story and they’re all fascinating.
I feel like the main characters are already my friends, and I want to visit with them again, soon. They like books, dogs, children, great food and fellowship, good friends, and are hard workers. I thought the characterization was awesome and that’s why I took to the characters so quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing romance develop between Ricki and Virgil. I also adored German and Noisett. And, the murderer? They’re right there, in plain sight, but I didn’t catch on until Ricki did. The ending is very memorable. I’m eagerly anticipating the next story. I highly recommend this cozy mystery to readers.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
This is such a great cozy mystery debut! Realistic characters; the fun and colorful New Orleans setting; tons of yummy food and drinks; interesting vintage cookbooks and kitchen antiques mentioned; and a sensational plot to pull the whole whodunnit together! There are *multiple* mysteries and murders in the story and they’re all fascinating.
I feel like the main characters are already my friends, and I want to visit with them again, soon. They like books, dogs, children, great food and fellowship, good friends, and are hard workers. I thought the characterization was awesome and that’s why I took to the characters so quickly. I’m looking forward to seeing romance develop between Ricki and Virgil. I also adored German and Noisett. And, the murderer? They’re right there, in plain sight, but I didn’t catch on until Ricki did. The ending is very memorable. I’m eagerly anticipating the next story. I highly recommend this cozy mystery to readers.
I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Berkley Publishing. All opinions are my own. Thank you.
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August 19, 2023Thrilled the book is on several BEST of 2022 lists!
May 23, 2022
Cozy mystery books are my comfort reads! Whenever I want to get lost in something easy, breezy, and fun I generally pick up a cozy. Sometimes I go back to old series that I love (I’m slowly reading them because I don’t want them to end) and other times I grab a book from an author I’ve never read before like this one. Ellen Byron is a new to me author and I’m so thrilled to have finally read her books! I’ve heard her Cajun Country mysteries were really good so when I saw this one on netgalley I grabbed it! Like her other series, its set in New Orleans and showcases all the wonderful food, historical venues, and charm. In particular though it mainly focuses on the main characters new business venture of opening a gift shop with vintage cookbooks and cookware. I’ve never read something like this and was really intrigued by all the cool things she found and used in her shop!
Readers of Bayou Book Thief can also be sure that they’ll get an intriguing mystery out of the story with a set of interesting side characters and a killer who is hard to figure out! Personally, I wasn’t even thinking about who the killer actually was because I was so mesmerized by the setting and our MC Ricki, so it shocked me when he or she was revealed! Now that’s great writing!
If you’re a cozy mystery reader, then this is a must read to add to your list of books! I’m so excited to follow Ricki and the gang in the next book, Wined and Died in New Orleans which releases on February 7, 2023! While I hate to wait that long I think it’ll be worth it!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mysteries
• Vintage Cookware and Cookbooks
• Books that take place in New Orleans
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Readers of Bayou Book Thief can also be sure that they’ll get an intriguing mystery out of the story with a set of interesting side characters and a killer who is hard to figure out! Personally, I wasn’t even thinking about who the killer actually was because I was so mesmerized by the setting and our MC Ricki, so it shocked me when he or she was revealed! Now that’s great writing!
If you’re a cozy mystery reader, then this is a must read to add to your list of books! I’m so excited to follow Ricki and the gang in the next book, Wined and Died in New Orleans which releases on February 7, 2023! While I hate to wait that long I think it’ll be worth it!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mysteries
• Vintage Cookware and Cookbooks
• Books that take place in New Orleans
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 18, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Born in New Orleans and abandoned immediately by her teenage mother Miracle “Ricki” Fleur di Lis James was adopted by the NICU nurse who took care of her. She now packs up her life in Los Angeles after her husband dies while trying to do an internet challenge and returns to New Orleans to start over.
That new start happens in a big way when she can combine her love for vintage cookbooks with her new job at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the home of the city’s legendary restaurateur, Genevieve “Vee” Charbonnet. Ricki will be opening the museum’s new gift shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks, and Kitchenware.
After being open just a few days she discovers an employee of the museum is stealing books and they are fired for the crime.
Trying to put the matter behind her she is excited to learn she has received a steamer trunk and two oversize boxes of donated books. Worried about keeping the shop fully stocked the donation arrives at the perfect time. Ricki along with a couple of employees set out to sort through the donations before the museum opens but the trunk didn’t contain any books. Inside was the very dead body of Franklin Finbloch . . . the recently fired . . . book thief.
Being a fan of Ellen Byron’s Cajun County Mysteries I was sad to see that series end so I was ecstatic to learn of this new series again set in Louisiana.
Readers are introduced to a wonderful quirky cast of characters led by Miracle “Ricki” Fleur di Lis James who has a very interesting backstory that just starts to unfold within the pages of this story. She comes across already as a very strong protagonist with some great sleuthing skills.
We also meet several members of the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum including Eugenia Charbonnet Felice who is the president of the Bon Vee Foundation Board. She oversees everything at the museum. She works hand in hand with the Executive Director, Lyla Brandt. We also meet Cookie Yanover, the Education Program Director. She and Ricki become fast friends. In fact, all of the employees for the most part get along very well and welcomed Ricki with open arms.
Away from the museum we meet Ricki’s landlord, Kitty Kat Rousseau and she is a hoot. Ricki’s AC has been out for days in the steamy New Orleans heat and Kitty is trying to get it fixed but Ricki believes something shady is going on.
Speaking of the heat, Ms. Byron’s detailed descriptions will have you sticky and sweating, wait, this takes place in the south, perspiring and glistening, and turning on your own air conditioners. She also paints a clear picture of Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks, and Kitchenware and places in and around the museum including the staff’s favorite hangout, the Bayou Backyard. It was easy to visualize every scene and this author does it without getting overly wordy.
The mystery that Ms. Byron put forth was plotted with intricate precision. It flitted in and out with varied subplots perfectly. Filled with clever twists and a red herring or two it wasn’t hard to get completely engaged by everything happening in the story. I did find it hard to truly pin down the killer. I was astonished when the guilty party started to be revealed. The ending was exciting and a bit comical as Ricki gets some awesome assistance from an unlikely duo.
Bayou Book Thief has set this series off to an excellent start. Diverse characters, a fun location, and a puzzling mystery have me declaring this book A Perfect Escape. And the cliffhanger introduced in the Epilogue has me excited and intrigued about Ricki’s future. Wined and Died in New Orleans is set to be released on February 7, 2023.
Born in New Orleans and abandoned immediately by her teenage mother Miracle “Ricki” Fleur di Lis James was adopted by the NICU nurse who took care of her. She now packs up her life in Los Angeles after her husband dies while trying to do an internet challenge and returns to New Orleans to start over.
That new start happens in a big way when she can combine her love for vintage cookbooks with her new job at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, the home of the city’s legendary restaurateur, Genevieve “Vee” Charbonnet. Ricki will be opening the museum’s new gift shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks, and Kitchenware.
After being open just a few days she discovers an employee of the museum is stealing books and they are fired for the crime.
Trying to put the matter behind her she is excited to learn she has received a steamer trunk and two oversize boxes of donated books. Worried about keeping the shop fully stocked the donation arrives at the perfect time. Ricki along with a couple of employees set out to sort through the donations before the museum opens but the trunk didn’t contain any books. Inside was the very dead body of Franklin Finbloch . . . the recently fired . . . book thief.
Being a fan of Ellen Byron’s Cajun County Mysteries I was sad to see that series end so I was ecstatic to learn of this new series again set in Louisiana.
Readers are introduced to a wonderful quirky cast of characters led by Miracle “Ricki” Fleur di Lis James who has a very interesting backstory that just starts to unfold within the pages of this story. She comes across already as a very strong protagonist with some great sleuthing skills.
We also meet several members of the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum including Eugenia Charbonnet Felice who is the president of the Bon Vee Foundation Board. She oversees everything at the museum. She works hand in hand with the Executive Director, Lyla Brandt. We also meet Cookie Yanover, the Education Program Director. She and Ricki become fast friends. In fact, all of the employees for the most part get along very well and welcomed Ricki with open arms.
Away from the museum we meet Ricki’s landlord, Kitty Kat Rousseau and she is a hoot. Ricki’s AC has been out for days in the steamy New Orleans heat and Kitty is trying to get it fixed but Ricki believes something shady is going on.
Speaking of the heat, Ms. Byron’s detailed descriptions will have you sticky and sweating, wait, this takes place in the south, perspiring and glistening, and turning on your own air conditioners. She also paints a clear picture of Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks, and Kitchenware and places in and around the museum including the staff’s favorite hangout, the Bayou Backyard. It was easy to visualize every scene and this author does it without getting overly wordy.
The mystery that Ms. Byron put forth was plotted with intricate precision. It flitted in and out with varied subplots perfectly. Filled with clever twists and a red herring or two it wasn’t hard to get completely engaged by everything happening in the story. I did find it hard to truly pin down the killer. I was astonished when the guilty party started to be revealed. The ending was exciting and a bit comical as Ricki gets some awesome assistance from an unlikely duo.
Bayou Book Thief has set this series off to an excellent start. Diverse characters, a fun location, and a puzzling mystery have me declaring this book A Perfect Escape. And the cliffhanger introduced in the Epilogue has me excited and intrigued about Ricki’s future. Wined and Died in New Orleans is set to be released on February 7, 2023.
December 31, 2022
Bayou Book Thief is the first book in the Vintage Cookbook mystery series by Ellen Byron. I have enjoyed Byron’s Cajun Country series, so I was excited to see she had a new mystery series.
Ricki James has moved back to New Orleans. She lands a dream job running a gift shop at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum in the Garden District. The shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware, is housed in the former home of a Vee, a late New Orleans restaurateur.
While going through boxes of donated books, Ricki finds the body of a recently fired employee of Bon Vee. The employee was exposed as a book thief and let go. Ricki puts her research skills to the test, and investigates the murder. She is especially interested in finding the killer, after one of her new friends is considered a suspect.
Bayou Book Thief has quirky characters, an enchanting setting, and a well-plotted mystery. This was a delightful start to a new cozy mystery series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ricki James has moved back to New Orleans. She lands a dream job running a gift shop at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum in the Garden District. The shop, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbooks and Kitchenware, is housed in the former home of a Vee, a late New Orleans restaurateur.
While going through boxes of donated books, Ricki finds the body of a recently fired employee of Bon Vee. The employee was exposed as a book thief and let go. Ricki puts her research skills to the test, and investigates the murder. She is especially interested in finding the killer, after one of her new friends is considered a suspect.
Bayou Book Thief has quirky characters, an enchanting setting, and a well-plotted mystery. This was a delightful start to a new cozy mystery series.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2022
This book is everything you'd expect from a cozy mystery by Ellen Byron. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
June 3, 2022
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron is the debut of A Vintage Cookbook Mysteries. This is a cute, lighthearted Southern cozy mystery. There is a cast of unique characters. Miracle “Ricki” Fleur di Lis James has left her life in Los Angeles behind for a fresh start in New Orleans where she was born. Ricki comes up with the idea for Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop which is to be housed in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. She is fortunate that the idea is approved. One morning, Ricki is opening donations that arrived that morning with help from other workers at Bon Vee. They open an old trunk to find disgraced former docent, Franklin inside. Ricki is worried when the staff and volunteers come under suspicion. She feels the police are not working quickly enough to solve the crime, so Ricki decides to do a little investigating on her own. Ricki uncovers what she believes could have been the motif. She needs to follow the thread and see if it leads her to the killer. Bayou Book Thief contains Ellen Byron’s fun writing style. She provides us with quirky characters and plenty of Southern charm. I enjoyed the descriptions of New Orleans, the vintage cookware, and the cookbooks. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that will have readers chuckling. The whodunit was entertaining. No one was sad to see Franklin end up dead in a trunk. The man was not liked. The more Ricki learns about the man, the more she can see why someone murdered him (just surprised it did not happen sooner). Detective Nina Rodriguez is nice and accepts information from Ricki. She does give her a warning about sleuthing on her own. There are clues to help readers solve the mystery before the reveal. I enjoyed the takedown scene (it will have you laughing). There is a secondary mystery involving an air conditioning repairman. I do not know how Ricki put up with the heat and humidity. I would have gone out and purchased a window unit rather than a swamp cooler. Southern heat along with the humidity can be brutal. There is a large cast of characters so it can be difficult to keep them all straight. It will get easier as the series progresses. There are delectable food descriptions that will have you craving a po’ boy, beignets, and shrimp etouffee. I loved the ending. It has me eager for the next A Vintage Cookbook Mystery. There are recipes at the end of the book as well as a preview of Wined and Died in New Orleans. Bayou Book Thief is finer than a frog hair split four ways with a man who is as useless as a screen door on a submarine, a bounty of books, a vile victim, a diligent detective, an artful air conditioning repairman, warm weather, and a riled Ricki.
May 13, 2022
What a fun read with a fabulous cast of characters! Lots of twists and turns will keep you guessing right up to the hilarious end. Beware reading while hungry. The food descriptions will make you want to book a ticket to New Orleans today.
June 2, 2022
Oh my goodness, this series is just what I was hoping for that helps fill the void left when the author ended her Cajun Country series! I absolutely loved all these regular characters and the whole Louisiana/Cajun food vibe that I used to love in the other series. I gotta admit, it was a little harder warming up to Ricki than it had been Maggie, but she finally worked her way into my heart along with the others.
I just love Madame's character, and I really liked Eugenia the minute I met her. I could tell she was going to be one of the "proper" locals from a good family but still fair enough to her employees that they were all on a first name basis with her--and the lady knew a good idea when it was presented to her. That Cookie was a great comic relief character, and I loved Zellah as a new bestie for Ricki. The ladies made for a fun work trio, and Lydia wasn't so bad either, just a little bit harried from being mom to a crazy teen.
The overall camaraderie of the Bon Vee crew was pretty awesome, and I thought it was so cool how they all gathered at their favorite place, Bayou Backyard for just hanging out or going over the case. Maybe I enjoyed it even more because of the comparisons I could make between the two series since I thought about the BB as being a lot like JJ's place only with an outside part to it.
I sure never saw the whodunit coming but in the explanation at the end, it made a lot of sense. The dinner Eugenia treated them all to was a lot of fun and really cemented these characters for me. The next day was even better, but you'll have to read the book to find out what fun happened then. I liked that the epilogue added a bit of intrigue to hopefully the next book. I gotta admit I'd toyed with the idea put out there a few times while reading! If you loved Cajun Country Mysteries, you won't wanna miss this series! I absolutely can't wait for the next one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases June 7, 2022.
I just love Madame's character, and I really liked Eugenia the minute I met her. I could tell she was going to be one of the "proper" locals from a good family but still fair enough to her employees that they were all on a first name basis with her--and the lady knew a good idea when it was presented to her. That Cookie was a great comic relief character, and I loved Zellah as a new bestie for Ricki. The ladies made for a fun work trio, and Lydia wasn't so bad either, just a little bit harried from being mom to a crazy teen.
The overall camaraderie of the Bon Vee crew was pretty awesome, and I thought it was so cool how they all gathered at their favorite place, Bayou Backyard for just hanging out or going over the case. Maybe I enjoyed it even more because of the comparisons I could make between the two series since I thought about the BB as being a lot like JJ's place only with an outside part to it.
I sure never saw the whodunit coming but in the explanation at the end, it made a lot of sense. The dinner Eugenia treated them all to was a lot of fun and really cemented these characters for me. The next day was even better, but you'll have to read the book to find out what fun happened then. I liked that the epilogue added a bit of intrigue to hopefully the next book. I gotta admit I'd toyed with the idea put out there a few times while reading! If you loved Cajun Country Mysteries, you won't wanna miss this series! I absolutely can't wait for the next one!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Berkley Publishing via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own. This book releases June 7, 2022.
January 19, 2022
For a cozy mystery set in New Orleans, I expected more vibrancy, but, unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat for me. Ricki is likable enough, and her backstory certainly has compelling potential, but the other characters all muddled together for me. All of the Bon Vee employees were introduced in quick succession and there were so many that they all blended together a bit for me, despite some unique names. I did, however, really appreciate the diversity in the cast of characters which is rarely seen in cozy mysteries. The characters’ races were not focal points of the story but rather incidental in that they were just existing in the world (and making the setting feel more authentic as New Orleans has such a diverse population). Particularly given the cliffhanger, I would certainly pick up a next in series.
April 30, 2023
4.5 stars
I enjoyed this cozy mystery very much. It had great characters, well-developed plot, and New Orleans as the setting. There were tidbits about New Orleans's history and cuisine that made it even more interesting. Overall, a fantastic start to the series by a new-to-me author.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery very much. It had great characters, well-developed plot, and New Orleans as the setting. There were tidbits about New Orleans's history and cuisine that made it even more interesting. Overall, a fantastic start to the series by a new-to-me author.
December 23, 2022
I love this new series by Ellen Byron. It is set in NOLA and you can tell the author knows the iconic city well. Ricki ( short for Miracle ) is a delightful MC. The mystery plot is solid but it is it cast of characters that moves this cozy to the top on my “Must read all in the series!” list. (Format: Audiobook)
June 14, 2022
This author is always one of my favorites, and this new series is off to a superb start that I greatly enjoyed. Ricki is a wonderful character as are the others we get to meet throughout the book. There's also a fun tease in the epilogue that promises a continuation of Ricki's future.
January 9, 2023
A decent enough mystery, and as a New Orleans native I enjoyed the realistic portrayal of the city and its inhabitants.
The mystery was decent, and I was surprised by the culprit, even though there were clues along the way. Had I been smarter, I might have been able to figure it out.
What I didn't enjoy was the romance elements. I spent a good amount of time seeing as connection between Ricki and the detective actually. They had great chemistry and their conversation flowed so well. In opposition to the chef across the street. Who barely had a personality until the dog rescue conversation, and even then the interactions felt forced and stilted. When the detective reacts harshly to Ricki's teasing, it seemed so sudden and jarring, I had to rewind to see if I missed something. It was nothing like the previous conversations they'd had, or even the conversation they were in the middle of having- where the detective herself was teasing Ricki. It was just weird, and following that with the weird conversation Ricki has with the chef- "I'm straight!" Like... it was so forced and almost felt like the author was saying "I know you THINK you see a connection over there, but I want the romance to be here" and just did whatever she wanted with no thought to the progression of the characters before then.
It felt very shoe horned.
I won't be reading the second book when it comes out.
The mystery was decent, and I was surprised by the culprit, even though there were clues along the way. Had I been smarter, I might have been able to figure it out.
What I didn't enjoy was the romance elements. I spent a good amount of time seeing as connection between Ricki and the detective actually. They had great chemistry and their conversation flowed so well. In opposition to the chef across the street. Who barely had a personality until the dog rescue conversation, and even then the interactions felt forced and stilted. When the detective reacts harshly to Ricki's teasing, it seemed so sudden and jarring, I had to rewind to see if I missed something. It was nothing like the previous conversations they'd had, or even the conversation they were in the middle of having- where the detective herself was teasing Ricki. It was just weird, and following that with the weird conversation Ricki has with the chef- "I'm straight!" Like... it was so forced and almost felt like the author was saying "I know you THINK you see a connection over there, but I want the romance to be here" and just did whatever she wanted with no thought to the progression of the characters before then.
It felt very shoe horned.
I won't be reading the second book when it comes out.
January 14, 2022
This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series set in New Orleans. I did enjoy this book and with the cliff hanger ending I will definitely be watching for the next book in this series
January 21, 2025
Oh how I adored this book. The idea of Ricky’s shop full of vintage cookbooks and cookware is somewhere I would immediately visit and the whole New Orleans setting was incredibly cozy and welcoming. I really want to visit Bon Vee - these are the type of fun historical places that I love to visit. It seems like my NOLA trip might be coming sooner than I anticipated.
The mystery, the characters and the twists were fantastically plotted. There were so many different things going on, but it was easy to follow along all the drama. I am proud of Ricky for not only trying to succeed with her new business, but also to look out for neighbors and put in effort to deal with less charitable colleagues. She is level headed, smart, savy, and someone I can't wait to follow for more sleuthing. I need to know more about Ricky's past. I already cannot wait to return to Bon Vee!
The mystery, the characters and the twists were fantastically plotted. There were so many different things going on, but it was easy to follow along all the drama. I am proud of Ricky for not only trying to succeed with her new business, but also to look out for neighbors and put in effort to deal with less charitable colleagues. She is level headed, smart, savy, and someone I can't wait to follow for more sleuthing. I need to know more about Ricky's past. I already cannot wait to return to Bon Vee!
May 17, 2022
"Bayou Book Thief" is a cozy mystery. Ricki stumbled across a lot of crime, not all of it related to the murder. Since her last boss had been (unknown to her) pulling off a scam, she's more aware of the possibility now. She's a friendly, easy-to-talk-to sort of gal, and she's good at tracking a clue down to its source. The detective was overworked so didn't mind the tips. But she told Ricki to run the scenarios that her vivid imagination came up with through a logic test to see if her ideas were really reasonable before reporting them to the police. This was a clue-based puzzle mystery. As there were several crimes, I'll just say that some whodunits were more obvious while others needed a longer accumulation of clues to guess.
There was no sex. There were only a couple of uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
There was no sex. There were only a couple of uses of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
July 7, 2022
Bayou Book Thief Earns 5/5 Vintage Recipes…Clever & Entertaining Gem!
Ellen Byron has taken readers deep into The Big Easy in an exciting first book in her Vintage Cookbook Mystery. Thanks to an internet challenge gone wrong, Ricki James is a “too young to be” widow, and thanks to how her employer funded his first edition collection, she’s also unemployed. Fresh start is required, so she heads home to New Orleans to open a vintage cookbook and kitchen gadgets gift shop in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. Businesses, of course, are always on the look out for the occasional shoplifter, but what do you do when the shoplifter is an employee? Fire him! What do you do when the same book thief is found dead? Investigate! What do you do when it opens a can of worms? Watch your back!
Ellen Byron’s descriptive writing and strong narrative has made me a fan. Her entertaining style developed well a clever, complex mystery exploring several avenues with diverse characters (Refer to Cast of Characters info) and all wrapped up in vintage cookbooks and kitchen accessories. The Big Easy plays a prominent role with its heated climate, eclectic natives, and fascinating culture and places of interest. The lead character, Miracle Fleur di Lis James, “Ricki” for obvious reasons, has a complex background which explains some trust issues, yet she seems to still emerge with a strong, talented personality. Her co-workers are a bit of comic relief and the relationship that develops between Ricki and Detective Rodrigues offers a fascinating yin/yang dynamic.
Fascinating insights into vintage cookbooks are incorporated throughout the story, and at the end recipes are included: easy-to-follow, some multi-cultural, inspired by actual recipes from some of Byron’s own vintage cookbooks. Each recipe has a brief insight into the vintage cookbook from which her inspiration came for French Pancakes a la Gelee, Swedish Salad, Daisy Canapes, Old-Fashioned Gingerbread, Coconut Patties, and Crawfish Etouffee.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Berkeley thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Ellen Byron has taken readers deep into The Big Easy in an exciting first book in her Vintage Cookbook Mystery. Thanks to an internet challenge gone wrong, Ricki James is a “too young to be” widow, and thanks to how her employer funded his first edition collection, she’s also unemployed. Fresh start is required, so she heads home to New Orleans to open a vintage cookbook and kitchen gadgets gift shop in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. Businesses, of course, are always on the look out for the occasional shoplifter, but what do you do when the shoplifter is an employee? Fire him! What do you do when the same book thief is found dead? Investigate! What do you do when it opens a can of worms? Watch your back!
Ellen Byron’s descriptive writing and strong narrative has made me a fan. Her entertaining style developed well a clever, complex mystery exploring several avenues with diverse characters (Refer to Cast of Characters info) and all wrapped up in vintage cookbooks and kitchen accessories. The Big Easy plays a prominent role with its heated climate, eclectic natives, and fascinating culture and places of interest. The lead character, Miracle Fleur di Lis James, “Ricki” for obvious reasons, has a complex background which explains some trust issues, yet she seems to still emerge with a strong, talented personality. Her co-workers are a bit of comic relief and the relationship that develops between Ricki and Detective Rodrigues offers a fascinating yin/yang dynamic.
Fascinating insights into vintage cookbooks are incorporated throughout the story, and at the end recipes are included: easy-to-follow, some multi-cultural, inspired by actual recipes from some of Byron’s own vintage cookbooks. Each recipe has a brief insight into the vintage cookbook from which her inspiration came for French Pancakes a la Gelee, Swedish Salad, Daisy Canapes, Old-Fashioned Gingerbread, Coconut Patties, and Crawfish Etouffee.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Berkeley thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
April 2, 2022
“Bayou Book Thief” the first instalment in A Vintage Cookbook Mystery series by Ellen Byron set in New Orleans. What a great start to a new series!
I absolutely loved this story, and it has made me want to visit the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum and New Orleans. I really like Ricki, Zellah , Lyla, Madame Noisette, and Virgil almost makes you wish you were part of their little community. The interaction between Ricki and Detective Rodriguez I found entertaining as well.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down. I also liked how the author left the ending making us wait in anticipation for book 2 .
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Berkley Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I absolutely loved this story, and it has made me want to visit the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum and New Orleans. I really like Ricki, Zellah , Lyla, Madame Noisette, and Virgil almost makes you wish you were part of their little community. The interaction between Ricki and Detective Rodriguez I found entertaining as well.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had plenty of twists to keep engaged right to the very end. I kept guessing and second-guessing myself but I was right on who the killer was. The story moves at a steady pace, and I had a hard time putting it down. I also liked how the author left the ending making us wait in anticipation for book 2 .
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends. I can’t wait for book two!
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Berkley Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 5, 2022
The main character in this book, Ricki James-Diaz is looking for a fresh start in New Orleans. Ricki is happy for the chance to put her past behind her and make new friends. She loves her job selling vintage cookbooks and cooking accessories in Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, housed in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, but when a difficult co-worker is murdered, Ricki launches her own investigation into his death.
I really enjoy other series written by this author and I immediately loved the setting of this book. However, I didn't warm up to Ricki right away. She seemed to switch between being wise for her years and really immature. I did admire her persistence in looking for clues to solve the murder, as well as how quick she was to help others. The murder investigation had an unexpected resolution, so it was nice being surprised. The ending also has another big surprise, and I am definitely looking forward to the second book in this series to find out what happens next.
I really enjoy other series written by this author and I immediately loved the setting of this book. However, I didn't warm up to Ricki right away. She seemed to switch between being wise for her years and really immature. I did admire her persistence in looking for clues to solve the murder, as well as how quick she was to help others. The murder investigation had an unexpected resolution, so it was nice being surprised. The ending also has another big surprise, and I am definitely looking forward to the second book in this series to find out what happens next.
August 24, 2022
Ok, wow. LOVED IT. If you enjoyed Ellen Byron's Cajun series you will also enjoy this one. If you haven't read the Cajun series, read this!!.. then read the Cajun series. 😉 I am adding New Orleans to my bucket list && moving it towards the top. I loved the heart of the main character Ricki. Because of her past she really wants to make sure that nobody is getting ripped off. She looks out for those around her. How fun would it be to work in a store that sells vintage cookbooks & kitchen items?? I totally guessed wrong on the killer, but it made it that much more fun. I cannot wait for the next book.
March 17, 2022
Fun and quirky, this book will entertain most readers. I didn't find I really connected to anyone in this story and I found myself skimming the pages. This doesn't mean I will give up on this book, I just may have to read it at another time.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#BayouBookThief #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#BayouBookThief #NetGalley
May 14, 2025
Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron is a cozy mystery novel and the first installment in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series. The story follows Ricki James-Diaz, a young widow who returns to her hometown of New Orleans to start fresh. She takes a job at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, where she opens a gift shop selling vintage cookbooks and kitchenware. Her new venture takes a dark turn when a body is discovered in a trunk donated to the museum — and the corpse turns out to be a Bon Vee employee.
Living in Louisiana and being familiar with the New Orleans area, I was thrilled that Bayou Book Thief was chosen as the group read for the Mardi Gras Readathon I cohosted with my friend Laurie. Ellen Byron does a fantastic job of visually capturing the atmosphere and culture of New Orleans. There are plenty of characters (most well-developed and a bit quirky), a well-plotted mystery filled with secrets, and culinary nostalgia. I enjoyed getting to know the main character Ricki, who is a genuinely nice person, fair-minded, and knowledgeable when it comes to books and business. I also enjoyed the friendships she develops with the other Bon Vee employees.
Bayou Book Thief blends humor, local flavor, and lighthearted sleuthing which I think appeals to fans of cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place. Since I had such a good time reading this charming novel, I plan to continue reading the rest of the series.
Living in Louisiana and being familiar with the New Orleans area, I was thrilled that Bayou Book Thief was chosen as the group read for the Mardi Gras Readathon I cohosted with my friend Laurie. Ellen Byron does a fantastic job of visually capturing the atmosphere and culture of New Orleans. There are plenty of characters (most well-developed and a bit quirky), a well-plotted mystery filled with secrets, and culinary nostalgia. I enjoyed getting to know the main character Ricki, who is a genuinely nice person, fair-minded, and knowledgeable when it comes to books and business. I also enjoyed the friendships she develops with the other Bon Vee employees.
Bayou Book Thief blends humor, local flavor, and lighthearted sleuthing which I think appeals to fans of cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place. Since I had such a good time reading this charming novel, I plan to continue reading the rest of the series.
Want to read
August 9, 2025The Cozy Mystery Book Club Read Bayou Book Thief!
The YouTube Livestream Discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8Za...
The YouTube Livestream Discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL8Za...
June 8, 2022
Cookbooks and thieves and murder, OH MY! That's what you'll get when you dive into the first book in Ellen Byron's new cozy mystery series.
From the eclectic characters to the well planned mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, I can already tell this series is going to be another favorite of many cozy mystery lovers.
Also, the author has generously provided some fun "extras" such as a Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book (helps me keep all of the characters straight) and some vintage cookbook recipes (which are always fun to read)!
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
From the eclectic characters to the well planned mystery that kept me guessing until the very end, I can already tell this series is going to be another favorite of many cozy mystery lovers.
Also, the author has generously provided some fun "extras" such as a Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book (helps me keep all of the characters straight) and some vintage cookbook recipes (which are always fun to read)!
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!
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