Tasty Murder Mysteries discussion

I just checked at Amazon and found new (to me) series. Eek! lol Supper Club mystery series, Eugenia Potter mysteries, and one called Culinary mystery series (how on Earth did I miss THAT one? lol)

That led me to ask what are folks' favorite series (with recipes naturally)?

I love the Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle, the Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanna Fluke, The Teashop Mysteries by Laura Childs

This is my first posted comment. I joined and haven't figured out how to use this site till now.
My favorite series with food has been the Diane Mott Davidson culinary mysteries from caterer Goldie Bear's Catering Service. I have read 5 of the series. I didn't like the Hannah Swenson ones probably because I don't have anything in common with Minnesota or Michigan area. And I do live near the Aspen Hills, Colorado area in Diane Mott Davidson's series.
I also like Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum series but they aren't mysteries--Stephanie just has funny co-workers and family members and boyfriends. And I have nothing in common with Trenton, NJ.
And being a retired elementary teacher I loved the Harry Potter series. I like series that I love the characters and following their friendships and exploits.

Sheri

My favorite is the herbal series with China Bayles, but I also like Joanne Fluke, Joanna Carl, Laura Childs and DMD. I have a ton of lesser known culinary books listed in Shelfari and will be transferring them here slowly.

I started the Isis Crawford "Catered" series. It is about 2 sisters running a catering business and sure enough, something bad is always right behind them. Right now there are 5 books in the series.

My only culinary reads have been DMD and I really like Diane's books. Oh, I did read the Sugar Cookie Mystery by Joanne Fluke and was lukewarm about it. I have just received a Tea shop mystery to read called "Death by Darjeeling". I will be reading that soon. And I have a Chili cookoff mystery to read. I think it is the 27 ingredient Chili mystery. I will have to look to see who it is by.

In addition to the Hannah Swensen series, I've enjoyed the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. There are some recipes posted on the Janet Evanovich's website: http://www.evanovich.com/main_profile...
Click on "reader recipes."

Thanks for the info on Diane Mott Davidson's Goldie Bear series. I'm excited to try that series soon!

I've read several of the JoAnne Fluke books but i've read all the Goldy Schultz books by Diane Mott Davidson. I read Sweet Revenge in August and i loved it! I think the books just get better with each new one...

I love Diane Mott Davidson's books (I've even gotten my mom hooked on them). I've never tried any of the recipes although she did bring cookies from Dark Tort to a book signing I went to.

Another good series are the Heaven Lee books by Lou Jane Temple. She owns a restraunt and I believe the books usually contain a recipe in them.

I have to admit that the idea of the culinary mystery is new to me. A dear friend from the US suggested that I explore them. I'm currently reading Appetite for Murder by Cecile Lamalle and think that it's wonderful.

I have a general question to fans of this genre: are there any boooks for a younger audience? It's for research purposes so if you could point me in the right direction I would be most appreciative.

Best wishes

Dave

To anser Dave's question I first found Joanne Fluke's books in the young adult section. I do find them easy reads so I think young girls would enjoy them.

I think Fluke's Swenson series is also a good choice for a younger audience. Not anything graphic sexually in the content nor does it have overuse of foul language (I can't really recall any language actually that would make them other than PG-13 rated)

My absolute favorite is the Coffeehouse Mystery series by Cleo Coyle.

I also like the Hannah Swensen books by Joanne Fluke and agree that they're appropriate for a young adult audience.

I recently read the first book in the Carolyn Blue series by Nancy Fairbanks and it's one I plan to continue with.

I read all of the ones mentiond and like them all. Being from Colorado, DMD is at the top of the list though.

Does anyone know about any series books that are about bed and breakfast mysteries that share recipes? Everytime I read a "tasty" I think that there should be a B&B with recipes.

Vicki wrote: "I read all of the ones mentiond and like them all. Being from Colorado, DMD is at the top of the list though.

Does anyone know about any series books that are about bed and breakfast mysteries t..."

I have found that this site is really great for finding alot of different cozy mystery authors~
http://www.cozy-mystery.com/
I looked under themes and found this author who
writes about Bed and Breakfast mysteries..
Jean Hager
IRIS HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST Series
Hope this helps!

My favs are:
Susan Wittig Albert - Herb Shop
Miranda Bliss - Cooking Class
Laura Childs - Teashop
Cleo Coyle - Coffeehouse
Sammi Carter - Candy Shop
Jessican Conant-Park & Susan Conant - Gormet Girl
Michele Scott - Wine Lovers

Dianne Mott Davidson
Cleo Coyle
Joanna Fluke

to name a few

Sheri wrote: "This is my first posted comment. I joined and haven't figured out how to use this site till now.
My favorite series with food has been the Diane Mott Davidson culinary mysteries from caterer Gol..."

Sheri, I enjoy Diane Mott Davidson's books also..Im reading Tough Cookie - I enjoy it. Its set in the snowy mountains, just the right frame of mind to think about..when its 100 degrees outside. lol

Cleo Coyle coffee house mysteries are great if you love coffee, and wonder why people drink decaf!

I have read all of the DMD books and just love them. I also tried a couple of the recipes and they turned out well. I just read a Laura Childs (Tea Shop) mystery and it was pretty good. My mom is from Charleston and they have a thing about tea and I thought it was very accurate.

I just started reading Diane Mott Davidson about a week ago with her first book "Catering To Nobody". I'm really liking it a lot. Can't wait to finish it and read the next one. I also like Joanne Fluke's books. Actually, there's so many authors that I just can't name. Reading is my escape.

Barb D

so many choices!?! Here's a few autors and series that i've read and am awaiting the next book...
*Joanna Fluke- the Hannah Swenson Series

*Laura Childs- The Tea House series, the scrapbooking series and the cackleberry club series.

*Lorna Barret- Booktown Mysteries

*Susan Wittig-Albert- The China Bayles Series (I'm currently reading these books and love them!)

*Nancy Cohen- The Bad Hair Day series

*Jennifer Apodaca- The Samantha Shaw series- (she owns a dating service and the series takes place in Lake Elsinore & the Temecula areas of California.)

Shauna,
Don't forget the Cleo Coyle Coffeehouse mysteries. I just love all the Diane Mott Davidson catering mysteries as they take place in Aspen Meadows, COLORADO near where I live in Utah. And there are 12 or more of them. I think Aspen Meadows is a fictional place supposedly near Aspen.
Sheri

I enjoy:
Joanne Fluke-The Hannah Swenson Series
Cleo Coyle-Coffehouse Mysteries1

Robyn,
My favorite culinary series is still Diane Mott Davidson's books with Goldie Schultz and the Goldie Bear Catering. I have read 7 of the series and have not made one of the items but the fudge recipe with cherries that Julian makes is probably closest to the one I would try. The others are too many steps and ingredients. I suppose I love the series as it is based around Aspen, CO and I live in the Rocky Mountain states.

I'll have to try her books, I saw them today at book store and they did look interesting!

Robyn,
Join paperbackswap, (free), and swap for these culinary mysteries. There are many of them on the site and you just post some paperbacks or hardbacks of your own and then you receive points for swapping. You just pay the postage to send yours to someone and request some and you don't pay postage on those. So you have some to read and can relist them and swap to someone else.

Sheri,
I belong to paperbackswap, I'm going to look for some of the books tonight. I really enjoy swaping!

Robyn wrote: "Sheri,
I belong to paperbackswap, I'm going to look for some of the books tonight. I really enjoy swaping!"

Im a member of paperbackswap also~ and thats where I discovered cozy mysteries! I really enjoy them, and have about 15 on my to be read stack!

So Robyn,
What are the cozy mysteries? I have a Eugenia Potter mystery to read this weekend about Chili but don't know what the cozy mysteries are?
Sheri

Sheri,
Cozy mysteries to me are the ones with humor and not a whole lot of suspence. If you've ever read Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson Series that to me is a cozy mystery. The Veiled Deception by Annette Blair is what I call a cozy mystery also.(it's not about food)

My favorite series would have to be Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series. Contrary to popular opinion I really enjoyed the latest one Apple Turnover Murder. I have not tried the recipes yet but I certainly want to.

Sheri wrote: "So Robyn,
What are the cozy mysteries? I have a Eugenia Potter mystery to read this weekend about Chili but don't know what the cozy mysteries are?
Sheri
"
Hi Sheri,
There is a great website called cozy-mystery.com where you can get all kinds of info and book suggestions. This is one of my favorite go to sites for cozies!

Sheri wrote: "So Robyn,
What are the cozy mysteries? I have a Eugenia Potter mystery to read this weekend about Chili but don't know what the cozy mysteries are?
Sheri
"

the Eugenia Potter mysteries are great but I am not sure how long they went on. I know the original author passed away and another author took them on but I am lost as to what was the last book.

As a foodie I have loved all of Diane Mott Davidson's books and eagerly await more. As a former DC resident I can't get enough of Phyllis Richman. She was a long-time restaurant critic there and has three great books out, no recipes but all great food stories. Try: The Butter Did It, Murder on the Gravy Train, and Who's afraid of Virginia Ham. Glad to see more authors named here since I am running out of Fluke and Davidson!

They aren't as mainstream but I like the Gray Whale Inn mysteries. Also the Cleo Coyle. Can't drink coffee much anymore so these are a vicarious thrill.

Dobber wrote: "As a foodie I have loved all of Diane Mott Davidson's books and eagerly await more. As a former DC resident I can't get enough of Phyllis Richman. She was a long-time restaurant critic there and ..."


Have you tried Laura Child's tea shop series. Lots of great recipes at the end.

Tea Shop Series is good, even Scrapbooking series is funny, too.

I like the Faith Fairchild series, fast read, fun, interesting and good recipes.

I like the Carolyn Blue series by Nancy Fairbanks

Sheri wrote: "This is my first posted comment. I joined and haven't figured out how to use this site till now.
My favorite series with food has been the Diane Mott Davidson culinary mysteries from caterer Gol..."

you might enjoy joanne flukes hannah swenson series and if you like harry potter check out rick riordans percy jackson series or any of his series for kids.

Janece wrote: " I just checked at Amazon and found new (to me) series. Eek! lol Supper Club mystery series, Eugenia Potter mysteries, and one called Culinary mystery series (how on Earth did I miss THAT one? lol)..."

I live Kathryn Hall Page's Faith Fairchild series, fun reads and good recipes.

I, too, love Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke. And they're not cozy by any means, but Anthony Bourdain wrote a couple of good food/chef mysteries.

I just joined Goodreads and am thrilled to see so many people excited about books! I look forward to getting to know you and being exposed to new, tasty mysteries.

My husband and I both love Joanne Fluke and Janet E. We rarely have time to read...as the 3 kids get older we have less sit still time. We are going on a trip for his work, without kids, next week. I do believe that I will pick up the coffee house books to read while enjoying the alone time. Coffee can be decaf...Cookies don't come De-cal. I appear to like to taste what I'm reading:)

Robin wrote: "I, too, love Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke. And they're not cozy by any means, but Anthony Bourdain wrote a couple of good food/chef mysteries.

I just joined Goodreads and am thrilled to se..."

Hi Robin, Welcome!
I love cozy mysteries also..with Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke being 2 of my favorite authors.
I also like Monica Ferris,
Miranda Bliss and JoAnna Carl ~ just to name a few..

who are some of your other favorite authors?

Hi everyone!
I am looking for a 'Foodie mystery series' to read monthly at our local library book club.
I am having a hard time trying to decide between all of the above mentioned series/authors. Unfortunately, I haven't read any of them. =(
Which series would you recommend for a small book club?
Thanks!

I have read a few of the Foodie cozy mystery series..
I would recommend the following-
the series by Joanne Fluke,..(there are quite a few in this series )
and the Diane Mott Davidson and Miranda Bliss series.

I have not read the series by Avery Aames yet..but it sounds interesting!
the # 1 book in this series is called The Long Quiche Goodbye ( there are two books in this series..with a third one coming out soon.. )

Thank you Melissa!
I am going to go with Cleo Coyle's "On What Grounds" Since it is a new book club I am serving coffee and dessert and letting the group choose the next month's cozy mystery book based on your suggestions.
Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

Lori wrote: "Thank you Melissa!
I am going to go with Cleo Coyle's "On What Grounds" Since it is a new book club I am serving coffee and dessert and letting the group choose the next month's cozy mystery book ..."

glad to help Lori! =)
I would suggest getting the first book in any of the cozy series that I mentioned unless..everyone has read the first books in the series..
** there are also some great "Halloween and Holiday" cozies..however some of them are part of a series and even though you dont have to read them in order..sometimes it helps.

Your book club sounds like fun!

My favorite series is

Laura Childs - scrapbooking mystery
Elizabeth Bright - card making mystery
Terri Thayer - stamping sisters mystery
Kate Carisle - bibliophile mystery
Lorna Barnett - booktown mystery
Heather Webber - Lucy Valentine mystery

Just to name a few. But I don't think I have read a bad cozy

i just joined this group. Had to rejoin everything because they said I wasn't a member; wrong!

I picked up two of Diane Mott Davidson's books, Sweet Revenge and Dark Tort at my local supermarket book sale.

Should I read the books in order first? Starting with Catering to Nobody?