Books
Death Al Dente

by Leslie Budewitz
Berkley Prime Crime, August 2013, $7.99

Is there a cozy lover among us who could resist a new series boasting the label "A Food Lover’s Village Mystery"? Read on if you would like to indulge in a healthy helping of Death Al Dente, Leslie Budewitz’ scrumptious new series opener introducing Erin Murphy, the newly minted manager of the family busy, a gourmet food shop in Jewel Bay, Montana. Murphy’s Mercantile—popularly known as “the Merc”—is undergoing a facelift of sorts, as Erin showcases products made in Montana, thereby providing a niche for the shop in Jewel Bay, designated “A Food Lovers’ Village.” In order to unify and promote the town, Erin decides to organize Festival di Pasta, featuring local culinary delights, including classic pasta specialties prepared by Erin’s mother, Fresca. Alas, the festival turns grim when the body of Fresca’s former employee, Claudette, turns up in a nearby alley. Since Claudette left her job without giving notice in order to run off to Vegas with another woman’s husband, suspicion falls upon Fresca. To complicate matters further, Claudette had allegedly been accusing Fresca of stealing recipes from her, a rumor that, if substantiated, would have destroyed Erin’s business. So, what’s a dutiful daughter to do? Why, investigate, of course! During the course of her sleuthing, Erin suspects the philandering husband and/or his wronged wife, discovering at last that the murderer is—but I can’t ruin the suspense. Instead, I encourage you to savor this new culinary mystery that offers a unique taste of Montana. Author Budewitz has created an engaging character, a charming town, and a whole new perspective on the state.

Lynne Maxwell

Is there a cozy lover among us who could resist a new series boasting the label "A Food Lover’s Village Mystery"? Read on if you would like to indulge in a healthy helping of Death Al Dente, Leslie Budewitz’ scrumptious new series opener introducing Erin Murphy, the newly minted manager of the family busy, a gourmet food shop in Jewel Bay, Montana. Murphy’s Mercantile—popularly known as “the Merc”—is undergoing a facelift of sorts, as Erin showcases products made in Montana, thereby providing a niche for the shop in Jewel Bay, designated “A Food Lovers’ Village.” In order to unify and promote the town, Erin decides to organize Festival di Pasta, featuring local culinary delights, including classic pasta specialties prepared by Erin’s mother, Fresca. Alas, the festival turns grim when the body of Fresca’s former employee, Claudette, turns up in a nearby alley. Since Claudette left her job without giving notice in order to run off to Vegas with another woman’s husband, suspicion falls upon Fresca. To complicate matters further, Claudette had allegedly been accusing Fresca of stealing recipes from her, a rumor that, if substantiated, would have destroyed Erin’s business. So, what’s a dutiful daughter to do? Why, investigate, of course! During the course of her sleuthing, Erin suspects the philandering husband and/or his wronged wife, discovering at last that the murderer is—but I can’t ruin the suspense. Instead, I encourage you to savor this new culinary mystery that offers a unique taste of Montana. Author Budewitz has created an engaging character, a charming town, and a whole new perspective on the state.

Teri Duerr
3300

by Leslie Budewitz
Berkley Prime Crime, August 2013, $7.99

Budewitz
August 2013
death-al-dente
7.99
Berkley Prime Crime