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Cajun Country Mystery #7
Cajun Kiss of Death
The next shot from Cupid's bow may be fatal in
USA Today
bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron's hearty and delightful seventh Cajun Country mystery.
In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine's Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns decidedly frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe--in town to open his newest Cajun-themed restaurant--perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat's dear friend JJ lands in very cold water.
Did JJ, proprietor of Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie's mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes? Or was the culprit a local seafood vendor, miffed because Phillippe was somehow able to sell oysters for a remarkably reasonable price, despite an oyster shortage?
Maggie had planned to devote her February to art lessons in New Orleans, a present from her sweetheart, Bo. But now she has to focus on helping her friend and her mother cross a murder charge off the menu. Meanwhile, Maggie receives a series of anonymous gifts that begin as charming but grow increasingly disturbing. Does Maggie have an admirer--or a stalker? And are these mysterious gifts somehow related to Phillippe's murder?
Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses--or hearse and lilies--this Valentine's Day.
In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine's Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns decidedly frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe--in town to open his newest Cajun-themed restaurant--perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat's dear friend JJ lands in very cold water.
Did JJ, proprietor of Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie's mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes? Or was the culprit a local seafood vendor, miffed because Phillippe was somehow able to sell oysters for a remarkably reasonable price, despite an oyster shortage?
Maggie had planned to devote her February to art lessons in New Orleans, a present from her sweetheart, Bo. But now she has to focus on helping her friend and her mother cross a murder charge off the menu. Meanwhile, Maggie receives a series of anonymous gifts that begin as charming but grow increasingly disturbing. Does Maggie have an admirer--or a stalker? And are these mysterious gifts somehow related to Phillippe's murder?
Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses--or hearse and lilies--this Valentine's Day.
Audiobook
First published August 10, 2021
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About the author
Ellen Byron
21 books1,652 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 234 reviews
April 3, 2022
Ca c'est bon! 😘💝🥂
I wish I had some advance warning. Nothing official, but a lot happened here and my take ... it's a wrap, cher. 😭
I read Cajun Country Mystery from the beginning and enjoyed the characters, writing, and atmosphere. Set in Pelican, Louisiana from New Year to Valentine, and after. There are tremendous amount of food references Cajun and Creole. Maggie Crozat is a local artist and daughter of B&B owners. Her husband Bo Durand is a detective, as in most cases in Cozy mysteries. 😊
Cajun Kiss of Death features weddings, restaurant rivalry, and a mystery when a new-in-town celebrity chef is murdered. There is plenty of suspects, ex-wife, sous chef/girlfriend, established local restaurant owners even the oyster shucker guy seems suspicious. I'm happy to say my prediction was correct this time.
I love the audiobook for this series. Louisiana French is like music to my ears. But if you want to try the recipes in the back of the book, you'll probably want a print copy as well. I got them both from Hoopla.
🍸🍽️Six recipes: 1. Maggie's Beer Bread 2. Cajun Country Mystery Cocktail 3. Baked Catfish Po’ boy With Quick Remoulade Sauce 3.1. Remoulade Sauce 4. Gooey Pineapple Pecan Cake 5. Calas (Rice Balls or Fritters) 6. Butter Beans and River Shrimp
I wish I had some advance warning. Nothing official, but a lot happened here and my take ... it's a wrap, cher. 😭
I read Cajun Country Mystery from the beginning and enjoyed the characters, writing, and atmosphere. Set in Pelican, Louisiana from New Year to Valentine, and after. There are tremendous amount of food references Cajun and Creole. Maggie Crozat is a local artist and daughter of B&B owners. Her husband Bo Durand is a detective, as in most cases in Cozy mysteries. 😊
Cajun Kiss of Death features weddings, restaurant rivalry, and a mystery when a new-in-town celebrity chef is murdered. There is plenty of suspects, ex-wife, sous chef/girlfriend, established local restaurant owners even the oyster shucker guy seems suspicious. I'm happy to say my prediction was correct this time.
I love the audiobook for this series. Louisiana French is like music to my ears. But if you want to try the recipes in the back of the book, you'll probably want a print copy as well. I got them both from Hoopla.
🍸🍽️Six recipes: 1. Maggie's Beer Bread 2. Cajun Country Mystery Cocktail 3. Baked Catfish Po’ boy With Quick Remoulade Sauce 3.1. Remoulade Sauce 4. Gooey Pineapple Pecan Cake 5. Calas (Rice Balls or Fritters) 6. Butter Beans and River Shrimp
February 25, 2021
Cajun Kiss of Death is the latest Cajun Country Mystery written by Ellen Byron, set to launch in August 2021. Maggie and Bo are newly married, and they are remarking how they've had way too many murders in Pelican, Louisiana the last few years; they never should've talked about it. Soon after, a competitor to Junie's restaurant opens and causes havoc around town. When the celebrity owner is found murdered, several locals looks guilty, given how the man had treated them. Maggie knows it was an outsider, but how can she prove it?
Byron always brings in the flavor. You will feel like you're in Louisiana, savoring the delicious food and soaking in the culture. Her family is present, especially since Gran was also just married. The newcomers are a mixed crew; some are nice, several are rude and insensitive. The cast is varied and gives us a lot to work with. I enjoy the balance the author brings in providing such diversity and humor in all the relationships. The background is well worth it... you learn and get to take a trip from your home (and that's important in today's world).
As for the mystery, it's a classic case of new chef/owner grates on several people's nerves. He steals recipes; he has an ex-wife and a new girlfriend. His friends seem like they suck up to him but dislike him. An angry author is writing a book that's being whitewashed. Which one had it out for the guy? I thought I knew, but then that person end up dead too... so there was an additional layer of suspense. Toss in Maggie's foray back into artistry and her two-day stint in waitressing, and you've got a well-rounded book to enjoy.
Stop reading my review here if you don't want a spoiler about the end. I'm not revealing the killer but I might be saying more than you want to know... okay... last chance... given how this book ended, I assume it means it will be the last in the series. In the epilogue, we flash-forward two decades and learn what's happened to our favorite Crozat crew. I'd seen an article somewhere that mentioned it was the last book but I didn't believe it, as the author is popular and only just started a second series. Either way, it was a nice way to end the collection, but I will definitely miss the Cajun Country mysteries. There is room to write more, yet I can also see the author wanting to keep up sharing a new cast of characters. Kudos to her for making me a fan since the beginning.
Byron always brings in the flavor. You will feel like you're in Louisiana, savoring the delicious food and soaking in the culture. Her family is present, especially since Gran was also just married. The newcomers are a mixed crew; some are nice, several are rude and insensitive. The cast is varied and gives us a lot to work with. I enjoy the balance the author brings in providing such diversity and humor in all the relationships. The background is well worth it... you learn and get to take a trip from your home (and that's important in today's world).
As for the mystery, it's a classic case of new chef/owner grates on several people's nerves. He steals recipes; he has an ex-wife and a new girlfriend. His friends seem like they suck up to him but dislike him. An angry author is writing a book that's being whitewashed. Which one had it out for the guy? I thought I knew, but then that person end up dead too... so there was an additional layer of suspense. Toss in Maggie's foray back into artistry and her two-day stint in waitressing, and you've got a well-rounded book to enjoy.
Stop reading my review here if you don't want a spoiler about the end. I'm not revealing the killer but I might be saying more than you want to know... okay... last chance... given how this book ended, I assume it means it will be the last in the series. In the epilogue, we flash-forward two decades and learn what's happened to our favorite Crozat crew. I'd seen an article somewhere that mentioned it was the last book but I didn't believe it, as the author is popular and only just started a second series. Either way, it was a nice way to end the collection, but I will definitely miss the Cajun Country mysteries. There is room to write more, yet I can also see the author wanting to keep up sharing a new cast of characters. Kudos to her for making me a fan since the beginning.
December 8, 2021
After having visited other worlds in my previous book read, we here land in contemporary Louisiana where the term live to eat is a bon vivant's sacred motto. In this book the weddings, the restaurants, the boutiques, the houses, the B & B at Crozat, even the Sheriff's office remind us of food. And it is not fast food, but the best local and home brewed and stewed cuisine.
Peppered through all these pages are the plot and the intrigues and also the rumors. The author doses her narrative well by introducing the new characters who will be the suspects after their boss called Chanson is dead.
I found myself involved in the proceedings despite my initially skeptic mind. This cozy harks back to what was a cozy golden age for me. I used to read a book in 2 days. Each book was invariably 320 pages, and I'd read 160 pages per day. These books helped me rekindle my love for reading. Most of them would sound awful to me now, but I'm still grateful to them.
As for Cajun Kiss of Death, it is strong in its colourfulness, its traditions, its colloquialisms. It is weak in its plotting but not to the extent that it harmed my reading experience. I do not consider this a spoiler but here goes nothing; this is the last book in the series. I had been rating it 4 stars before knowing what would happen. But yes, it is the last book, and it felt special right from the start.
Peppered through all these pages are the plot and the intrigues and also the rumors. The author doses her narrative well by introducing the new characters who will be the suspects after their boss called Chanson is dead.
I found myself involved in the proceedings despite my initially skeptic mind. This cozy harks back to what was a cozy golden age for me. I used to read a book in 2 days. Each book was invariably 320 pages, and I'd read 160 pages per day. These books helped me rekindle my love for reading. Most of them would sound awful to me now, but I'm still grateful to them.
As for Cajun Kiss of Death, it is strong in its colourfulness, its traditions, its colloquialisms. It is weak in its plotting but not to the extent that it harmed my reading experience. I do not consider this a spoiler but here goes nothing; this is the last book in the series. I had been rating it 4 stars before knowing what would happen. But yes, it is the last book, and it felt special right from the start.
August 10, 2021
3.5 stars
In this 7th book in the 'Cajun Country Mystery' series, amateur sleuth Maggie Crozat helps investigate the murder of a restaurateur. The book can be read as a standalone with respect to the mystery, but it's best to start at the beginning if you want to follow the characters' arcs.
*****
Maggie Crozat is a thirtysomething artist who lives in Pelican, Louisiana.
There Maggie helps her parents run the Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast; works as the art manager for the Doucet Plantation tourist attraction; and is newly married to Sheriff's Department Detective Bo Durand.
Maggie is stepmother to Bo's eight-year-old son Xander, who's an art prodigy with Asperger's syndrome.
Pelican has had two popular eateries for years: Abel's Home Cookin'.....
.....and Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall.
In addition, the Crozat B&B dining room, Fais Dough Dough bakery, and Bon Bon Sweets add to the town's culinary treats. The gastronomic choices are expanding, however, with the addition of the high-end Chanson Restaurant.....
.....run by celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson.
As the Chanson Restaurant is opening, some of the personnel are staying at the Crozat B&B, where Maggie can sense tension among the staff. This is especially true of Philippe's ex-wife Kate - who manages the Chanson group, and Philippe's current girlfriend Becca - who's the sous-chef.
Also present is a ghostwriter named Dyer Gossmer, who's penning Philippe's autobiography, but is forbidden to put in any juicy stuff. This galls the author, who's hoping to revive his declining career.
The other restaurateurs in Pelican soon learn that Philippe is an unscrupulous man who steals recipes and uses unethical tactics. This becomes clear when Chanson Restaurant starts serving the fillet-of-catfish po'boy featured at Abel's Home Cookin'; and when Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall is framed for health code violations. Even Maggie's mother Ninette - who's the chef for the Crozat B&B - is a victim when Chanson Restaurant starts offering her calas (fried rice fritters) dessert.
All three wronged chefs are angry at Philippe, and publicly voice their dismay.
Thus, when Philippe is murdered the suspects include Abel, JJ (owner of Junie's), and Ninette. Maggie is determined to clear their names, and inveigles herself into Chanson's staff to investigate.
As this is going on, Maggie is taking art lessons with renowned painter Vi De Lavallade; getting ready for Valentine's Day; curating a wedding gown exhibit; dealing with an anonymous stalker; and helping plan a fundraiser for the Doucet Plantation. The fundraiser will be a gala with delicious food, a silent auction, music by Gaynell and the Gator Girls, and a senior citizen talent show organized by Maggie's grand-mère Charlotte....
.....who's part of a Rosie the Riveter song and dance troupe.
The series' recurring characters make an appearance as well, adding to the fun of the story.
If you want to sample the taste of southern Louisiana (literally, because the books contain recipes), try this series.
Thanks to Netgalley, Ellen Byron, and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of the book.
Recipes in the book include:
Maggie's Beer Bread
Baked Catfish Po'Boy
Gooey Pineapple Pecan Cake
Calas (Rice Fritters)
Butter Beans and River Shrimp
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
August 5, 2021
Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.
I enjoy a good cozy series and I have really loved this one. It is set in a part of the country that I am hoping to visit some day in the not to distant future. The book also contains real Cajun recipes that are just fantastic. I love the heroine, the hero and every character in the series, they all make the reading such a pleasure. There were hints that this may be the last book in the series. I really hope not. I'm not ready to let the good characters of Pelican, Louisiana go.
Maggie Crozat got her HEA in the last book. Right now all she wants is to settle into that HEA with new husband, Bo. But, of course, that is not likely to happen given her track record. Murder seems to have a way of finding her, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. Celebrity chief, Phillippe Chanson, has come to Pelican, Louisiana to open a new restaurant and things have not gone smoothly there.
The chief has made a few enemies and someone hated him enough to put an end to him, leaving Maggie's friend JJ and her mother, Ninette, as suspects. Several restaurant owners and other chefs are suspect because Phillppe liked to lift recipes he liked for use in his own restaurants and kept his restaurants stocked with oysters when they are in short supply everywhere else.
When Maggie seems to have picked up a Valentine's Day stalker who is leaving presents with a nasty twist, she and Bo have more than enough on their newlywed plate. Bo gifts Maggie a series of private art lessons with a visiting painter, but Maggie just can't seem to find her "It". Maybe she is spending to much time tracking down a murderer.
I enjoy a good cozy series and I have really loved this one. It is set in a part of the country that I am hoping to visit some day in the not to distant future. The book also contains real Cajun recipes that are just fantastic. I love the heroine, the hero and every character in the series, they all make the reading such a pleasure. There were hints that this may be the last book in the series. I really hope not. I'm not ready to let the good characters of Pelican, Louisiana go.
Maggie Crozat got her HEA in the last book. Right now all she wants is to settle into that HEA with new husband, Bo. But, of course, that is not likely to happen given her track record. Murder seems to have a way of finding her, no matter how hard she tries to avoid it. Celebrity chief, Phillippe Chanson, has come to Pelican, Louisiana to open a new restaurant and things have not gone smoothly there.
The chief has made a few enemies and someone hated him enough to put an end to him, leaving Maggie's friend JJ and her mother, Ninette, as suspects. Several restaurant owners and other chefs are suspect because Phillppe liked to lift recipes he liked for use in his own restaurants and kept his restaurants stocked with oysters when they are in short supply everywhere else.
When Maggie seems to have picked up a Valentine's Day stalker who is leaving presents with a nasty twist, she and Bo have more than enough on their newlywed plate. Bo gifts Maggie a series of private art lessons with a visiting painter, but Maggie just can't seem to find her "It". Maybe she is spending to much time tracking down a murderer.
April 30, 2021
Newlywed Maggie is an artist from the small town of Pelican, Louisiana. A fancy new restaurant is opening in town, and some people think that the chef, Philippe, is stealing some treasured local recipes. Local establishments worry that their restaurants will be put out of business. There is a murder disguised as an accident during the grand opening, and when a second death is discovered, Maggie decides to help her police officer husband by investigating. Meanwhile, she is also being pursued by someone calling themselves a secret admirer, whose intentions seem sinister. I liked the New Orleans/Louisiana ambiance of the novel, and the Cajun recipes included were intriguing. Even though I was new to the series, I had no trouble reading this as a stand-alone. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
August 23, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- Bittersweet review.
This is by far my favorite cozy mystery series, so I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. Everything about this series just ticks all the boxes for me. Excellent writing. Fantastic setting. Wonderful and well developed characters. Well executed plots that always keep you guessing. And a plethora of yummy sounding recipes at the end of each book. I will miss these characters and their crazy lives in Pelican, Louisiana.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
This is by far my favorite cozy mystery series, so I am truly sad that this is the last book in the series. Everything about this series just ticks all the boxes for me. Excellent writing. Fantastic setting. Wonderful and well developed characters. Well executed plots that always keep you guessing. And a plethora of yummy sounding recipes at the end of each book. I will miss these characters and their crazy lives in Pelican, Louisiana.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
August 28, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Love is in bloom in Pelican Louisiana. Maggie and Bo, Gran and Lee, Rufus and Sandy all got married on New Year’s Eve just before the clock hits midnight. Their reception was catered by JJ, of Junie’s Oyster Bar and Dance Hall. But soon JJ is going to have some real competition, famous chef Phillippe Chanson is opening Chanson’s Cajun Kitchen, the newest addition in his Chanson Restaurant Group. He hopes his “fancy” eatery will become a “destination restaurant”. The locals are split on if this is a good thing or a bad thing for Pelican. JJ definitely is not happy and knows it could be a very bad thing for him.
A few weeks later most of the new restaurant’s staff is calling the Crozat B&B their temporary home and Phillippe is visiting some of the locals. He does have an ulterior motive. He has an excellent palate and he is putting it to use. He has them make their finest dish and is stealing their recipes. This trickery has him at odds with JJ and Maggie’s mother Ninette. The arrogant chef also has big plans to kick off his grand opening.
Sadly that event ends with a blazing fire and the demise of Phillippe Chanson. The man had made a few enemies including some of his staff but also includes Ninette and JJ and who knows who else.
With Valentines Day right around the corner, Maggie has made some plans of her own but with another dead body and her mother and her friend entwined in the case, she knows there can be no celebrating until she clears their names. She also has another mystery to solve . . . someone is sending her romantic gifts and the mystery man is not her beloved husband. When things take a creepy turn she knows she doesn’t have a secret admirer . . . she has a stalker and she may need help to get them off her tail.
I just love the characters in this series and having six of them have one of the happiest days of their lives together really warmed by heart. But you can’t have a trip to Pelican with drama and murder and Ellen Byron encases these characters in another fantastic mystery.
In Cajun Kiss of Death, the egotistical chef is killed in a way the damages the bridge on the main thoroughfare in and out of Pelican. That brings a wonderful opportunity to bring the ferry back to get people across the Mississippi. We have a ferry nearby that we try to take at least once each summer. With COVID and our busy family, we have not had the pleasure the last couple of years and I really miss it. It was a bit of a hassle for the people of Pelican but Maggie grew to enjoy it and I bet others did too.
The murder investigation had a lot of moving parts and with some of the staff saying at the B&B Maggie and her family were able to get a greater insight into their lives. This also gave Maggie a unique opportunity she may not have had otherwise. I really enjoy the way the whole family got involved in trying to bring a killer to justice, especially after another murder. The clues were unique and the big reveal was masterful. I felt like a fly on the wall and was completely entertained.
In addition to the main mystery of the book, there were a plethora of subplots and when I got to the epilogue I knew why. Sadly this 7th installment is the final book in this series but the author gives her readers a terrific mystery and her characters one heck of a send-off. There are many happily ever afters but one thing is very clear . . . “Crozat will always be there . . . for however long forever lasts”.
I will miss my virtual trips to Pelican and I will genuinely miss these characters but I bid them a fond farewell. I also want to thank Ellen Byron for sharing them with us for 7 marvelous mysteries. Reading them was time well spent and brought me hours of enjoyment. I hope they bring as much joy to future readers. I highly recommend them all. For me, they were all Perfect Escapes.
Love is in bloom in Pelican Louisiana. Maggie and Bo, Gran and Lee, Rufus and Sandy all got married on New Year’s Eve just before the clock hits midnight. Their reception was catered by JJ, of Junie’s Oyster Bar and Dance Hall. But soon JJ is going to have some real competition, famous chef Phillippe Chanson is opening Chanson’s Cajun Kitchen, the newest addition in his Chanson Restaurant Group. He hopes his “fancy” eatery will become a “destination restaurant”. The locals are split on if this is a good thing or a bad thing for Pelican. JJ definitely is not happy and knows it could be a very bad thing for him.
A few weeks later most of the new restaurant’s staff is calling the Crozat B&B their temporary home and Phillippe is visiting some of the locals. He does have an ulterior motive. He has an excellent palate and he is putting it to use. He has them make their finest dish and is stealing their recipes. This trickery has him at odds with JJ and Maggie’s mother Ninette. The arrogant chef also has big plans to kick off his grand opening.
Sadly that event ends with a blazing fire and the demise of Phillippe Chanson. The man had made a few enemies including some of his staff but also includes Ninette and JJ and who knows who else.
With Valentines Day right around the corner, Maggie has made some plans of her own but with another dead body and her mother and her friend entwined in the case, she knows there can be no celebrating until she clears their names. She also has another mystery to solve . . . someone is sending her romantic gifts and the mystery man is not her beloved husband. When things take a creepy turn she knows she doesn’t have a secret admirer . . . she has a stalker and she may need help to get them off her tail.
I just love the characters in this series and having six of them have one of the happiest days of their lives together really warmed by heart. But you can’t have a trip to Pelican with drama and murder and Ellen Byron encases these characters in another fantastic mystery.
In Cajun Kiss of Death, the egotistical chef is killed in a way the damages the bridge on the main thoroughfare in and out of Pelican. That brings a wonderful opportunity to bring the ferry back to get people across the Mississippi. We have a ferry nearby that we try to take at least once each summer. With COVID and our busy family, we have not had the pleasure the last couple of years and I really miss it. It was a bit of a hassle for the people of Pelican but Maggie grew to enjoy it and I bet others did too.
The murder investigation had a lot of moving parts and with some of the staff saying at the B&B Maggie and her family were able to get a greater insight into their lives. This also gave Maggie a unique opportunity she may not have had otherwise. I really enjoy the way the whole family got involved in trying to bring a killer to justice, especially after another murder. The clues were unique and the big reveal was masterful. I felt like a fly on the wall and was completely entertained.
In addition to the main mystery of the book, there were a plethora of subplots and when I got to the epilogue I knew why. Sadly this 7th installment is the final book in this series but the author gives her readers a terrific mystery and her characters one heck of a send-off. There are many happily ever afters but one thing is very clear . . . “Crozat will always be there . . . for however long forever lasts”.
I will miss my virtual trips to Pelican and I will genuinely miss these characters but I bid them a fond farewell. I also want to thank Ellen Byron for sharing them with us for 7 marvelous mysteries. Reading them was time well spent and brought me hours of enjoyment. I hope they bring as much joy to future readers. I highly recommend them all. For me, they were all Perfect Escapes.
May 28, 2025
It was a good mystery. I didn’t realize it was the end of a series. I think I’ve read one more of these previously ! Lots of good recipes.
August 12, 2021
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and the town of Pelican, Louisiana, is buzzing about the new restaurant getting ready to open. It’s the latest from celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson, and this one will have an emphasis on Cajun food. However, Phillippe isn’t ingratiating himself with his new community, and several people have fights with him, including Maggie Crozat’s friend, JJ, the owner of a popular local restaurant, and Maggie’s own mother. The night of the restaurant’s official opening is more explosive than anyone planned, and in the aftermath, someone is dead. Will Maggie figure out what is going on?
It’s always a pleasure to return to Pelican. I absolutely love the characters, and the growth we’ve seen in them and their relationships continues here. There are several sub-plots, so something is always going on, and I had a hard time putting the book down. Since this is the last book planned in the series (at least for now), we get a wonderful epilogue that will leave fans very happy. As usual, there are recipes and a few notes on the reality behind the fiction at the end. Fans will be delighted with this visit, and if you haven’t met the characters yet, you need to fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
It’s always a pleasure to return to Pelican. I absolutely love the characters, and the growth we’ve seen in them and their relationships continues here. There are several sub-plots, so something is always going on, and I had a hard time putting the book down. Since this is the last book planned in the series (at least for now), we get a wonderful epilogue that will leave fans very happy. As usual, there are recipes and a few notes on the reality behind the fiction at the end. Fans will be delighted with this visit, and if you haven’t met the characters yet, you need to fix that today.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
February 9, 2021
I enjoy this series, and I was not disappointed with this book. Maggie and Bo finally tie the knot, but its not long before they find themselves wrapped up in another murder investigation.
I was surprised by the ending, it appears that this is the last book in the series.
I was surprised by the ending, it appears that this is the last book in the series.
December 28, 2021
The end of the series kind of crept up on me a little bit but, all in all, this was a nice and comfortable cap on a nice an comfortable cozy series.
August 5, 2021
CAJUN KISS OF DEATH, the seventh book in the Cajun Country Mysteries by Ellen Byron, ends the series with a bang. A longtime favorite series of mine, Ms. Bryon pulls out all the stops with a topnotch mystery, characters that will linger in my memory, and the drool-worthy bayou setting of Louisiana in addition to a jaunt in New Orleans. With a strong descriptive voice, the author takes the reader on a ride where you can see, taste (oh, especially taste!), feel, smell, and hear all the things the setting has to offer. Starting the book already knowing that this will be the last one, left me with a bittersweet feeling. That said, I appreciate that Ms. Byron allows the reader to experience joy alongside protagonist, Maggie Crozat, as she settles into life with her new husband and charming stepson. She also does an admirable job of wrapping up and bringing closure to all the core characters from the series so the reader isn’t left dangling with a “whatever happened to so-and-so”.
The mystery itself is expertly woven into the fabric of the characters and the setting. When a celebrity chef ventures into the small town of Pelican to open a new restaurant, tempers fly both at his arrogance and his theft of cherished recipes from local eateries. His tragic death proves to be a murder and Maggie’s own mother becomes a suspect. Maggie’s perseverance for finding the truth gives the book a fast pace while several subplots kept the action going. With plenty of suspects around who hated the celebrity chef, by locals and out-of-towners alike, I was surprised at the Agatha Christie-style reveal – I didn’t guess the culprit in the least. And just as I thought the story was wrapping up, another heart-stopping conclusion came along. Ms. Byron has proven, once again, to be an expert storyteller!
With so many mouthwatering dishes mentioned throughout the story, I was practically drooling on the page and couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book to check out the delicious recipes the author includes.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mystery itself is expertly woven into the fabric of the characters and the setting. When a celebrity chef ventures into the small town of Pelican to open a new restaurant, tempers fly both at his arrogance and his theft of cherished recipes from local eateries. His tragic death proves to be a murder and Maggie’s own mother becomes a suspect. Maggie’s perseverance for finding the truth gives the book a fast pace while several subplots kept the action going. With plenty of suspects around who hated the celebrity chef, by locals and out-of-towners alike, I was surprised at the Agatha Christie-style reveal – I didn’t guess the culprit in the least. And just as I thought the story was wrapping up, another heart-stopping conclusion came along. Ms. Byron has proven, once again, to be an expert storyteller!
With so many mouthwatering dishes mentioned throughout the story, I was practically drooling on the page and couldn’t wait to get to the end of the book to check out the delicious recipes the author includes.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 22, 2021
A cozy mystery filled with good food, good art, good history and good characters to keep you entertained for hours! Add in a bit of Cajun flair since the book is set in a small town outside of New Orleans and you have the makings of a good time! The author brings to life authentic characters that feel so real you expect to look up and see them in the room with you and woven amongst the characters are not only the details of daily life, but a few intriguing events as well. In this book you have a stalker, an embezzlement and of course a murder all wrapped around Valentines Day! The perfect layering of plots to keep the book pages turning with excitement and entertainment! While you don't necessarily have to read the entire series to enjoy this book, you will miss out on a lot of entertainment and backstory that leads to this book so I do recommend the entire series!
July 27, 2021
I loved this book, right up until I saw the epilogue and realized this was the end of the series! NOOOOOOO! I love these people! Maggie, Bo, Xander, Rufus, Tug, Nina, Grand-mere... I need more!
Rant aside, I really did love this book. Very well written, lots of twists and turns. Very enjoyable! And I really did love the ending. I finished it last night and I still have all the feels.
Rant aside, I really did love this book. Very well written, lots of twists and turns. Very enjoyable! And I really did love the ending. I finished it last night and I still have all the feels.
August 7, 2021
A new restaurant is coming to Pelican, Louisiana and with it comes a lot of drama which quickly becomes deadly. Newlywed Maggie Crozat promptly becomes involved trying to help a good friend clear his name from the suspect list and comes up with a creative way to use her artistic skills to try and figure out who is really guilty of murder.
This is an engaging cozy with lots of action that will keep you guessing and a setting that will immerse you in all things Louisiana. This is the 7th book in the series but could be read as a stand alone. It will just take you a bit to figure out the large cast of characters. Thanks to Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is an engaging cozy with lots of action that will keep you guessing and a setting that will immerse you in all things Louisiana. This is the 7th book in the series but could be read as a stand alone. It will just take you a bit to figure out the large cast of characters. Thanks to Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
July 27, 2021
The Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron is the seventh book in the Cajun Country Mysteries, and while you can jump in and read it without having read the previous ones, you don’t want to. This cozy mystery series is one where you come to love the characters and look forward to each new book because you want to find out what your friends have been up to.
It starts off with a wonderful life event for many of the characters and a bit of calm in Maggie’s life before the first dead body shows up. Even with that and the craziness of the new restaurant staff that are opening a new Cajun eatery, the Valentine theme and love of friends and family shines through.
Byron is a master at showcasing the history, food, and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. After reading any of the books in this series I think most people will want to add New Orleans to their bucket list… I know I did! Byron also keeps this series up with the times, which is apparent when the doughnut maker is questioned by the police. This really made me happy to see.
Although this appears to be the last book in the series, since the ending tells us what is going on with the clans 20 years later, there’s always a chance of novellas or a restart of the series in the future. Until then, I’m looking forward to seeing what characters and location Byron will be writing about next.
It starts off with a wonderful life event for many of the characters and a bit of calm in Maggie’s life before the first dead body shows up. Even with that and the craziness of the new restaurant staff that are opening a new Cajun eatery, the Valentine theme and love of friends and family shines through.
Byron is a master at showcasing the history, food, and culture of New Orleans and Louisiana. After reading any of the books in this series I think most people will want to add New Orleans to their bucket list… I know I did! Byron also keeps this series up with the times, which is apparent when the doughnut maker is questioned by the police. This really made me happy to see.
Although this appears to be the last book in the series, since the ending tells us what is going on with the clans 20 years later, there’s always a chance of novellas or a restart of the series in the future. Until then, I’m looking forward to seeing what characters and location Byron will be writing about next.
January 31, 2022
I totally hate that the series has ended! Will miss the family and friends in Pelican!
June 23, 2021
Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron is the 7th book in the Cajun Country Mystery series, and another fun read. Not only is this book really funny, I often found myself laughing out loud, it has a great mystery too. There are twists and turns around every corner, which kept me reading page after page. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. Unfortunately this appears to be the last book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries with quirky characters, I highly recommend this book and series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
February 11, 2021
It’s always sad when a series you love comes to what appears to be an end. Sometimes you are disappointed with the ending and sometimes you are left fulfilled and saddened. I will say this one left me fulfilled, saddened and shedding a few tears.
I recommend this series to EVERY cozy lover and could not have asked for a better ending to this series. But who knows, maybe the author will be given an order for more books after some time apart from her own beloved fictional town of Pelican. With that, I will say, “J'espère te revoir bientôt” I hope to see you again soon. xoxo
I recommend this series to EVERY cozy lover and could not have asked for a better ending to this series. But who knows, maybe the author will be given an order for more books after some time apart from her own beloved fictional town of Pelican. With that, I will say, “J'espère te revoir bientôt” I hope to see you again soon. xoxo
April 13, 2022
I have read this series from the start and it was one of my favorites; however, something seemed very off about it from the beginning. Almost, like someone else wrote it. It didn't flow like the other books. Bo and Maggie's marriage was disappointing. The art instructor was irritating and Maggie's response was dumb. Didn't suit her character at all. All of the usual characters seemed blah. I couldn't even finish it was that bad. Sad for what may have been the last in the series. *I was provided an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2021
This was a highly enjoyable cozy mystery. The plot was full of diabolically written characters/red herrings that made me try to figure out whodunnit, but I was surprised in the end. The main characters are very likeable and every time I read this series, it's like I'm visiting old friends. I love reading about the state of Louisiana, it makes me want to visit there someday.
August 4, 2021
Maggie Crozat and Bo Durand are newlyweds and are looking forward to spending their first Valentine’s Day together as a married couple. Things are busy at her family’s Louisiana Bed and Breakfast because of some high maintenance guests - celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson and his staff who are opening a new Cajun restaurant in town. Not everyone is thrilled with the way Phllippe conducts his professional or his personal business so when the arrogant chef perishes in a boat crash, there are plenty of people with motives. When law enforcement zeroes in on Maggie’s friend JJ, owner of a competing restaurant, Maggie puts romance aside to track down the real killer.
This is the seventh book in the Cajun Country Mystery series and from the author’s note, it looks like this will be the final installment for quite a while. The author is going out on a high note because I feel this book is one of the best in the series. The generous, hard-working Maggie is a unique and likable character and I have enjoyed reading about her romance and now marriage to Sheriff’s Department Detective Bo. They have chemistry as well as mutual respect for each other. There are a lot of different subplots going on in the book including Maggie taking art lessons from an artist she admires, helping out at various restaurants in town, working her regular job, organizing fundraisers, and dodging the attention of an increasingly creepy stalker. However, all of the elements help create a fast-paced and entertaining story. I was surprised by the outcome of the murder and thought the solution of the stalker was stretching things a little, but overall, really enjoyed this book. An author’s note gives interesting background about some of the elements of the story and the recipes at the back seem like they would be tasty.
I rate this book 4.5 stars and highly recommend this book to anyone who has been following this series. The story itself would work fine as a standalone for new readers. However, there is a very detailed epilogue at the end that gives a glimpse at the characters several years in the future, so new readers may want to read prior books before this one. I love the book and the series and am hopeful by the author’s comment in her note that while this is the end of the series, she won’t completely rule out a book or short story in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. This review will also appear on the Smitten Review Site and Blog.
This is the seventh book in the Cajun Country Mystery series and from the author’s note, it looks like this will be the final installment for quite a while. The author is going out on a high note because I feel this book is one of the best in the series. The generous, hard-working Maggie is a unique and likable character and I have enjoyed reading about her romance and now marriage to Sheriff’s Department Detective Bo. They have chemistry as well as mutual respect for each other. There are a lot of different subplots going on in the book including Maggie taking art lessons from an artist she admires, helping out at various restaurants in town, working her regular job, organizing fundraisers, and dodging the attention of an increasingly creepy stalker. However, all of the elements help create a fast-paced and entertaining story. I was surprised by the outcome of the murder and thought the solution of the stalker was stretching things a little, but overall, really enjoyed this book. An author’s note gives interesting background about some of the elements of the story and the recipes at the back seem like they would be tasty.
I rate this book 4.5 stars and highly recommend this book to anyone who has been following this series. The story itself would work fine as a standalone for new readers. However, there is a very detailed epilogue at the end that gives a glimpse at the characters several years in the future, so new readers may want to read prior books before this one. I love the book and the series and am hopeful by the author’s comment in her note that while this is the end of the series, she won’t completely rule out a book or short story in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased. This review will also appear on the Smitten Review Site and Blog.
December 9, 2021
I have really enjoyed the Cajun Country Mystery series, but sadly, this is the last book. It's coming up to Valentine's Day, but things are not all hearts and flowers. Celebrity Chef Phillippe Chanson has checked into the Crozat Plantation B&B, with plans to open a restaurant in Pelican, Louisiana. The problem is that once he tastes a dish, he is able to replicate it and he has managed to steal some of the favourite menu items from both JJ, proprietor of Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall and Ninette, owner and cook at Crozat Plantation. When he dies in a fiery boat crash that turns out to be sabotage, both become persons of interest. Maggie had planned to spend time taking art lessons and working on her paintings, but now she needs to help solve the crime to get her friend and mother off the hook. While all this going on, Maggie has a stalker leaving her strange gifts counting down to Valentine's Day and fiancé Bo, is worried that she is in danger. Planning a wedding, solving a crime and evading a stalker all have Maggie on her toes in Cajun Kiss of Death.
Reading this book was bittersweet as I knew it was the last in the series before I began it. It starts off with three weddings, and is action packed until the end. This was a well-written and plotted story with several storylines that all come together at the end, tying up all loose ends. I will say I was worried about Maggie a couple of times as the stalker was a bit dangerous and neither Maggie or this reader, knew who it was. I definitely loved the descriptions of all the delicious food. One of these days I am going to Louisiana to sample true Cajun cooking. I loved Maggie's plan to catch the culprit and was glad the stalker was also captured. There is so much happening that I was glued to this one from start to finish. Ellen Byron includes an epilogue that flashes forward 20 years to let us catch up with our favourite characters and give great closure to the series. This is one of favourite series (I know I say that often, but it is a good one) and I do recommend you read this one from the beginning. If you are looking for a great cozy mystery series to read, pick up Plantation Shudders and start your adventure with Maggie Crozat and her friends and family. I did a read/listen with this book narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley. She does a great job with the various voices in this series and I have enjoyed her performances throughout the series.
Reading this book was bittersweet as I knew it was the last in the series before I began it. It starts off with three weddings, and is action packed until the end. This was a well-written and plotted story with several storylines that all come together at the end, tying up all loose ends. I will say I was worried about Maggie a couple of times as the stalker was a bit dangerous and neither Maggie or this reader, knew who it was. I definitely loved the descriptions of all the delicious food. One of these days I am going to Louisiana to sample true Cajun cooking. I loved Maggie's plan to catch the culprit and was glad the stalker was also captured. There is so much happening that I was glued to this one from start to finish. Ellen Byron includes an epilogue that flashes forward 20 years to let us catch up with our favourite characters and give great closure to the series. This is one of favourite series (I know I say that often, but it is a good one) and I do recommend you read this one from the beginning. If you are looking for a great cozy mystery series to read, pick up Plantation Shudders and start your adventure with Maggie Crozat and her friends and family. I did a read/listen with this book narrated by Amy Melissa Bentley. She does a great job with the various voices in this series and I have enjoyed her performances throughout the series.
August 23, 2021
All good things must come to an end as they say but I'm not ready to let Maggie, Bo, and the gang go quite yet!
I didn't realize this book was the last for this series until I got to the end where the book jumps 20 years into the future and the author wraps up the characters and what has happened over that time frame. I appreciated the closure considering some interesting tidbits that were dropped near the end of the book regarding the family.
Ok, now that I am over my sadness that the series is over (well sort of over it anyway), this has been one of my favorite series due to the location. I have family that are Cajuns in Louisiana, so many times I felt like this was a glimpse into their lives, well sort of since I don't think they are going around solving murders! But I loved all of the references to cajun/creole food, music, and the history that surrounds that area.
Maggie and Bo finally tie the knot in a triple wedding with Grandma and Vanessa. It was cool to see how it all came together since we saw a few snippets in the last book. Grandma is just as crazy as always but manages to dispense timely advice when the situation warrants her insight.
Of course, it wouldn't be a cozy without someone dying/murdered. In this case, it is a no-good, recipe stealing chef for a new restaurant in town. To top everything else, he and his crew don't seem to fight fair and are out to decimate the little competition there is in town which includes JJ's restaurant Junie's. Maggie is not ok with this and does her best to poke her nose into the situation and uncover the killer but not without putting herself in harm's way in the process. There is even a stalker and there is no way to know who it could possibly be, but Bo and the police force are on the case. The answer will surprise you, at least it did me!
There are several moving parts outside of solving the murder including a Gala for the Doucet museum, art lessons, and a ferry brought back into service for a short period of time which is an adventure unto itself. All of these minor storylines just add to an already robust book.
While this book can be read on its own, it is highly suggested that you read the series in order to watch the characters grow and come to know them and their quirks.
We give this book 5 paws up and while we don't expect another book, we can always hope!
I didn't realize this book was the last for this series until I got to the end where the book jumps 20 years into the future and the author wraps up the characters and what has happened over that time frame. I appreciated the closure considering some interesting tidbits that were dropped near the end of the book regarding the family.
Ok, now that I am over my sadness that the series is over (well sort of over it anyway), this has been one of my favorite series due to the location. I have family that are Cajuns in Louisiana, so many times I felt like this was a glimpse into their lives, well sort of since I don't think they are going around solving murders! But I loved all of the references to cajun/creole food, music, and the history that surrounds that area.
Maggie and Bo finally tie the knot in a triple wedding with Grandma and Vanessa. It was cool to see how it all came together since we saw a few snippets in the last book. Grandma is just as crazy as always but manages to dispense timely advice when the situation warrants her insight.
Of course, it wouldn't be a cozy without someone dying/murdered. In this case, it is a no-good, recipe stealing chef for a new restaurant in town. To top everything else, he and his crew don't seem to fight fair and are out to decimate the little competition there is in town which includes JJ's restaurant Junie's. Maggie is not ok with this and does her best to poke her nose into the situation and uncover the killer but not without putting herself in harm's way in the process. There is even a stalker and there is no way to know who it could possibly be, but Bo and the police force are on the case. The answer will surprise you, at least it did me!
There are several moving parts outside of solving the murder including a Gala for the Doucet museum, art lessons, and a ferry brought back into service for a short period of time which is an adventure unto itself. All of these minor storylines just add to an already robust book.
While this book can be read on its own, it is highly suggested that you read the series in order to watch the characters grow and come to know them and their quirks.
We give this book 5 paws up and while we don't expect another book, we can always hope!
September 17, 2021
My beloved series has come to an end with this last book in the series. I am so very very sad.
This one starts off with three weddings and one of those was Maggie and Bo and all Maggie wants is to just get use to being married, she hopes there will be no more murders.
Things were going well for a while but then a celebrity chef decides to open a Cajun restuarant in Pelican and that would have been okay but he wasn’t a very nice man. He stole recipes, sabataged JJ’s restuarant, one of the local favorites all in trying to make sure his was the best. But during a fancy fireworks opening and him coming down the river in a boat ends up in the chef’ death there are plenty of suspects, but when JJ becomes their number one suspect, Maggie puts on her sluething hat again.
Because he was a celebraty there are more than just the local police involved and even if Bo thinks that JJ is innocent the other police don’t and so he is okay with Maggie doing a bit of sluething as long as she stays safe and tells him about anything she finds. Also going on is the fact that Maggie seems to have a Valentine stalker that is really freaking her out and Bo is taking it very seriously and doing the investigating on that one himself.
I have always loved my time in Pelican with Maggie and her family at the B&B or at Maggie’s other job at another plantation that is used as a muesuem. I have loved follow along with Bo and Maggie’s relationship and how sweet she has always been to his autistic boy who had a talent for art. Maggie is an artist and seen his great talent and helped him with it. So it was very bittersweet to see this one end, but I have to say I really liked how she ends the series which is why I know for sure it was ending, she had a nice epilogue that if you have read the who series you would know all the characters mentioned, etc. I am also going to miss Gopher and Jolie the dogs! The author has a new series starting next year and I just hope I enjoy it as much as I have this one!
I highly recommend this for fans of cozy mysteries!
This one starts off with three weddings and one of those was Maggie and Bo and all Maggie wants is to just get use to being married, she hopes there will be no more murders.
Things were going well for a while but then a celebrity chef decides to open a Cajun restuarant in Pelican and that would have been okay but he wasn’t a very nice man. He stole recipes, sabataged JJ’s restuarant, one of the local favorites all in trying to make sure his was the best. But during a fancy fireworks opening and him coming down the river in a boat ends up in the chef’ death there are plenty of suspects, but when JJ becomes their number one suspect, Maggie puts on her sluething hat again.
Because he was a celebraty there are more than just the local police involved and even if Bo thinks that JJ is innocent the other police don’t and so he is okay with Maggie doing a bit of sluething as long as she stays safe and tells him about anything she finds. Also going on is the fact that Maggie seems to have a Valentine stalker that is really freaking her out and Bo is taking it very seriously and doing the investigating on that one himself.
I have always loved my time in Pelican with Maggie and her family at the B&B or at Maggie’s other job at another plantation that is used as a muesuem. I have loved follow along with Bo and Maggie’s relationship and how sweet she has always been to his autistic boy who had a talent for art. Maggie is an artist and seen his great talent and helped him with it. So it was very bittersweet to see this one end, but I have to say I really liked how she ends the series which is why I know for sure it was ending, she had a nice epilogue that if you have read the who series you would know all the characters mentioned, etc. I am also going to miss Gopher and Jolie the dogs! The author has a new series starting next year and I just hope I enjoy it as much as I have this one!
I highly recommend this for fans of cozy mysteries!
August 14, 2021
A few weeks later just before Valentine’s Day, Celebrity Chef Phillippe Chanson is opening a restaurant in Pelican. The haughty chef has quite a stir in the town with his attitude, competitive drive, and recipe thievery. The chef dies with fanfare on the opening night of his restaurant leaving behind a surfeit of suspects including a beloved local restaurant owner and Maggie Crozat’s own mother. Maggie lays down her paint brush to don her sleuthing cap. Can Maggie paint the killer into a corner for the local police before Valentine’s Day? Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron is the 7th A Cajun Country Mystery. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading this delightful series in order. It will allow you to get to know the characters and the town of Pelican, Louisiana. The characters are what make A Cajun Country Mysteries. I have loved watching these characters develop over the course of the series. Maggie has come a long way since Plantation Shudders. Maggie has a great family that is loving, welcoming, big hearts, and a wonderful sense of humor. Maggie’s grandmere is one feisty woman (her granddaughter is a chip off the old block). Cajun Kiss of Death has an opening that will delight fans of the series. There is food, family, fireworks, and fun. The whodunit was well plotted and a great one to solve. There is a surplus of suspects in this mystery with a plot twist or two along the way. I love how the author includes the history, culture, and cuisine of Louisiana. Ellen Byron brings Louisiana alive with her vivid descriptions. It is a place I want to visit. A Cajun Kiss of Death was over far too quickly. Based on the epilogue, Cajun Kiss of Death is the final book in this charming Southern series. I am glad the author provided the epilogue which gives those who love the series a contented conclusion. Cajun Kiss of Death is finer than a frog’s hair with purloined recipes, a jubilant New Year’s Eve gathering, flaring fireworks, stinky trash, stalker secret admirer, and a Valentine’s Day revelation.
October 4, 2021
Cajun Kiss of Death Earns 5/5 Fireworks…Engaging & Clever!
Ethically-challenged celebrity chef and restaurateur Philippe Chanson is flambéed. An ex-wife, current girlfriend, and a slew of disgruntled colleagues, vendors, and competitors have motive. Maggie’s mother Ninette as well as her best friend JJ have motives, too. Maggie is receiving ominous gifts. And…recipes! Just another delightful cozy from favorite author Ellen Byron set in the Cajun south offering vivid descriptions, witty banter, diverse characters (all introduced in the “Dramatic Personae” for easy reference), quirky personalities, southernisms, a clever mystery to challenge one’s inner detective, and wonderful Cajun recipes, each with entertaining introduction to bring Cajun home: Maggie’s Beer Bread, Cajun Country Mystery Cocktail, Baked Catfish Po’ boy with Quick Remoulade Sauce, Gooey Pineapple Pecan Cake, Calas (Rice Balls or Fritters), and Butter Beans and River Shrimp.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Crooked Lane thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Ethically-challenged celebrity chef and restaurateur Philippe Chanson is flambéed. An ex-wife, current girlfriend, and a slew of disgruntled colleagues, vendors, and competitors have motive. Maggie’s mother Ninette as well as her best friend JJ have motives, too. Maggie is receiving ominous gifts. And…recipes! Just another delightful cozy from favorite author Ellen Byron set in the Cajun south offering vivid descriptions, witty banter, diverse characters (all introduced in the “Dramatic Personae” for easy reference), quirky personalities, southernisms, a clever mystery to challenge one’s inner detective, and wonderful Cajun recipes, each with entertaining introduction to bring Cajun home: Maggie’s Beer Bread, Cajun Country Mystery Cocktail, Baked Catfish Po’ boy with Quick Remoulade Sauce, Gooey Pineapple Pecan Cake, Calas (Rice Balls or Fritters), and Butter Beans and River Shrimp.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from Crooked Lane thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
February 6, 2021
Loved reading this book and series. Sad its the last one
April 27, 2021
I enjoy reading this series. The characters are well-developed, they are smart, observant, strong, likable, and realistic. The mystery is well-written, entertaining, with several twists and turns, and no shortage of suspects. The ending took me by surprise. If you are a fan of this series this is a book you can't miss.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
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