Cozy Mysteries discussion

I thought I would list some culinary mysteries. I know there are more out there, so please add to the list. Some culinary mysteries feature recipes included, some don't.

This is the list of Edible Fiction that my library came up with. It's a place to start.

AUTHOR - TITLE/SERIES

Peter E. Abresch - Elderhostel mysteries
M C Beaton - Agatha Raisin mysteries
Patricia Cornwell - Kay Scarpetta mysteries
Cleo Coyle - Coffeehouse mysteries
Diane Mott Davidson - Culinary mysteries
Katie Fforde - Second Thyme Around and Thyme Out
Joanne Fluke - Hannah Swensen mysteries
Joanne Harris - Five Quarters of the Orange
Judith Ryan Hendricks - Baker's Apprenctice and Bread Alone
J. Lynne Hinton - Hope Springs Trilogy
Kay-Marie James - Cooking for Harry
G. A. McKevett - Savannah Reid mystery
Tamar Myers - Pennsylvania Dutch mysteries with recipes
Melany Neilson - The Persia Cafe
Katherine Hall Page - Faith Fairchild mysteries
Nancy Pickard & Virginia Rich - Eugenia Potter mysteries
Phyllis Richman - The Butter Did It and Murder on the Gravy Train
Linda Shepherd - Potluck Club mysteries
Lou Jane Temple - Heaven Lee mysteries and The Spice Box mystery

I would have never considered Cornwell's Scarpetta series or McKevett's Savannah Reid books as culinary mysteries. In both series the main characters are accomplished cooks and there are great descriptions of some of the things they make, but the books don't have recipes. Though Cornwell did put out a cookbook called SCARPETTA'S WINTER TABLE a few year ago.

A book doesn't have to have recipes included to be a culinary mystery. Just a mystery involving around food, a chef, etc. I must admit though, that list was compiled by my library and I havn't read most of them.

Briansgirl "Master Book Sale Huntress" wrote: "A book doesn't have to have recipes included to be a culinary mystery. Just a mystery involving around food, a chef, etc. I must admit though, that list was compiled by my library and I havn't read..."

I haven't read a Scarpetta books in a few years. The series started out great and was a favorite of mine for awhile, but along about book #8 they started a really bad decline. As I mentioned, Kay was a very good cook, but that was such a small thing in the scheme of these books that I find it difficult to think of them as culinary in any way. The Savannah Reid books maybe, but not the Scarpettas.

I would think Laura Childs' Tea Shop and Cackleberry Club series should be added to this list. Theodosia, the main character in the Tea Shop series owns a tea shop in Charleston, SC, around which a large part of the stories revolve and the books include some great sounding recipes and tea info. And the Cackleberry Club books have 3 lead characters, Suzanne, Petra & Toni, who own a restaurant called The Cackleberry Club and they also include some great recipes!

By all means, add to the list. This was just a starting point. I'm sure there are many many more books and series we can add to the list as themed books seem to be popular lately.

I have a few to add:

Miranda Bliss - Cooking Class Mystery
Jessica Conant-Park & Susan Conant - Gourmet Girl Mystery
Sammi Carter - Candy Shop Mystery

I don't really think of it as a culinary mystery, since the mysteries aren't food related, but each Aunt Dimity book (by Nancy Atherton) has a recipe in the back and the recipe in question was made by someone in each book in the story.

A couple more:
Jessica Beck - A Donut Shop Mystery
JoAnna Carl - A Chocoholic Mystery


Might be pushing the definition a bit, but there is always lots of food mentioned and I am totally jealous how she puts on an amazing table with practically no notice - Krista Davis - A Domestic Diva Mystery

So my question is, has anyone made any recipes from these books and how are they?

I've made a couple of the cookie recipes from Joanne Fluke's books. Her chocolate chip crunch cookies are now my go-to for chocolate chip cookies.

Here are some others:
Paige Shelton - A Farmers Market Mystery
B.BHaywood - A Candy Holliday Mystery
Josi S. Kilpatrick - A Culinary Mystery
Melinda Wells - A Della Cooks Mystery
J.B. Stanley - A Supper Club Mystery

Diane (deebotte) wrote: "So my question is, has anyone made any recipes from these books and how are they? "

I made Beth's Oatmeal Cookies from Aunt Dimity's Death. Best oatmeal raisin cookie recipe I've found. Kids love them.

Good question Diane! I have not made any of the recipes, but always want to know if they are worth the effort! p.s. Is on the list? I am reading it right now.

Diane (deebotte) wrote: "So my question is, has anyone made any recipes from these books and how are they?

I've made a couple of the cookie recipes from Joanne Fluke's books. Her chocolate chip crunch cookies are now m..."

We have an abundance of mint in our garden, so when I saw China's recipe for Mint Nut Bread by Susan Wittig Albert I decided to give it a try. I know it sounds a little out there, but it has quickly become a family favorite that is requested often. http://www.abouthyme.com/China/TeaRoo...

Diane (deebotte) wrote: "So my question is, has anyone made any recipes from these books and how are they?

I've made a couple of the cookie recipes from Joanne Fluke's books. Her chocolate chip crunch cookies are now m..."

My husband likes the Blue Blueberry Muffins from Fluke's BLUEBERRY MUFFIN MURDER and I love the brownie recipe from Davidson's DYING FOR CHOCOLATE. Also made the Blonde Bombshell's from SPRINKLE WITH MURDER. YUM!!

Is a culinary mystery?

Heidi wrote: "Is a culinary mystery?"

Probably so. Since they talk about ice cream alot and it has recipes, too.

Another addition:

Isis Crawford - "Catered" series

I'd also add The hemlock Falls mysteries by Claudia Bishop

And some of Philip Craig's mysteries contain recipes. I've made his coq au vin recipe. It's good and easy.

This thread is making me hungry!

I just found a reference to Alexander Campion's Capucine Culinary Mystery. Book 1 is The Grave Gourmet.

I really liked Janet Laurence's Darina Lisle series. Darina was a cookbook author and caterer, series was set in England (where Laurence is from).

I also like the Carolyn Blue food writer series by Nancy Fairbanks

Maddie Bean, Caterer series by Jerrilyn Farmer

Jane Lawless, Restaurant Owner by Ellen Hart also by Hart is the Sophie Greenway, food columnist series.

Kate Cavanaugh, caterer series by husband and wife team, Cathie John

Only two books in the "series", Mary Ryan, Pastry Chef by Claire M. Johnson

Another good one by Peter King is the Goodwin Harper, food consultant series.

I knew there were alot of culinary mysteries out there. I just didn't know all of them to list. I'll have to keep an eye out for some of these.

Ok, this is old and out of print but it definitely is a culinary mystery (and pretty good reading if you can handle the 70s vibe/swinging).

Someone Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe

I'm reading one that the main character is a cake decorator. She owns a business in her home. It doesn't include recipes though. As of right now there are only two in the series. The first is called Murder Takes the Cake by Gayle Trent.

Diane (deebotte) wrote: "Ok, this is old and out of print but it definitely is a culinary mystery (and pretty good reading if you can handle the 70s vibe/swinging).

Someone Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe"
One of the funniest books ever!

Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts.

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I've seen those and was tempted .........

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

They're at my TBR... but I don't know at which place *sigh*

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I've read them all and liked most of them. They take place in a small Colorado mountain town which is pretty easy to identify as a place not far from Denver. That may add to my enjoyment of them since I'm familiar with where they "take place". I haven't tried any of the candy recipes, but have been tempted.

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I've read the first four and like them well enough to keep going. I haven't made any of the recipes though.

Courtney wrote: "I'm reading one that the main character is a cake decorator. She owns a business in her home. It doesn't include recipes though. As of right now there are only two in the series. The first is c..."

Thanks for reminding me that I've got this one buried on my shelf ;) Hope you like it!

Thanks Melodie and Diane for your input, guess I'll request them through the library.

Kaye - I've read the Sammi Carter books as well and I enjoyed them.

Would also add Nancy Fairbanks' Carolyn Blue series - the woman decided she didn't want to cook anymore so she (and sometimes her husband as well) travel around the country and around the world and she writes reviews about food. Good recipes but I rarely cook since it's hard for one. (Don't want to eat the same thing for a week!)

Caroline wrote: "Kaye - I've read the Sammi Carter books as well and I enjoyed them.

Would also add Nancy Fairbanks' Carolyn Blue series - the woman decided she didn't want to cook anymore so she (and sometimes ..."


Ooh, thanks for the suggestion. I've never read Fairbanks but they sound good.

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I really like that series. The characters are great, the mysteries have all intrigued me, the setting is fantastic and the recipes sound delish!

I know this comment is late in the game but Kaye Scarpetta books are great, but not culinary. They have no recipes and although she cooks alot, she is a coroner, so a lot of the content is pretty cring-worthy.

Chris Cavender. Pizza shop owner, don't remember any recipes.

Michele Scott. Set in the wine country, California, with recipes.

Livia J. Washburn She does the "Fresh Baked" series, with recipes.

Kerry Greenwood. The Corinna Chapman series, baker, no recipes.

Julie Hyzy. White House chef mystery. I honestly can't remember if there were any recipes.

Joanne Pence. Angela Amalfi mystery.

Karen MacInerney. Innkeeper in Maine, with recipes.

Laura Childs Tea Shop mysteries. So much of the action in these books is centered on the tea shop and what they are serving... recipes included :)

Oh yes, Shay! I love the Fresh Baked series! I forgot to say that one.

@Caroline. Don't remember which book it was in, but I made the pumpkin cake, shaped like a pumpkin for my son's school. Very cute, very easy. Except her instructions to tint the frosting are off!!! Just buy orange and green food dye which they sell everywhere during Halloween.

Shay wrote:"Don't remember which book it was in, but I made the pumpkin cake, shaped like a pumpkin for my son's school."

That sounds like one of the Livia J Washburn books A Fresh-Baked Mystery 'Murder By The Slice'. I remember Phyllis, the main character making a shaped pumpkin with orange frosting for a cake contest...the recipe was there too...

I've made several from Fluke's books. I love the chocolate chip crunch cookies. Also thanks to her I discovered the wonders of a grilled cream cheese sandwich. Sadly now, with my change in eating habits none of them fit my diet. I've also made several of Diane Mott Davidson's recipes as well. She has one for a chocolate cook dipped in white chocolate that is wonderful. I make it every year for the holidasy.

Diane (deebotte) wrote: "So my question is, has anyone made any recipes from these books and how are they?

I've made a couple of the cookie recipes from Joanne Fluke's books. Her chocolate chip crunch cookies are now m..."

Jenn McKinlay has a new series: The Cupcake Bakery. I've read the first one Sprinkle with Murder and would love to try some of the cupcake recipes.

Beverly wrote: "Jenn McKinlay has a new series: The Cupcake Bakery. I've read the first one Sprinkle with Murder and would love to try some of the cupcake recipes."

The Blonde Bombshell cupcakes are very good!

I wrote this somewhere else, but do not make the Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies (Joanne Fluke)! It was in one of the Christmas books. Odd consistency, flat, waxy, unappealing looking. Odd tasting too, the kids wouldn't eat them.

One of my favorite recipes from a mystery book was from Michele Scott, Gorgonzola Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing. It also had carmelized walnuts, yum. My kids beg me to make this salad.

I made a chicken recipe from one of Diane Mott Davidson's books (can't remember the exact name of the recipe or the book!). It was a huge effort - I had 4 burners / 4 pans of stuff going at the same time - i.e. steaming veggies, grilling the chicken, making a sauce, toasting seeds, etc. After all that the recipe was just okay. Definitely NOT worth the effort.

This book isn't a mystery, but it has some of the best cupcake recipes I've ever seen - The Icing on the Cupcake: A Novel. I've not tried any yet as I hate to bake during the summer. I live in a really cool, old apartment and the window air conditioner can't cope with a hot oven going. :)

My TBR shelf is growing

Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I loved these books! I keep looking for new ones to come out!

Ms. J wrote: "Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I loved these books! I keep looking for new ones to come out!"

I'm pretty sure I read on the Cozy Mystery group that the Candy Shop series was done.

Ms. J wrote: "Kaye wrote: "Has anyone read the Sammi Carter Candy Shop series? If so, what were your thoughts."

I loved these books! I keep looking for new ones to come out!"

She's not writing these anymore. I liked them, too.