DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS

DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS
by Riley Adams
Berkley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguingroup.com
ISBN: 9780425235539

Lulu Taylor is matriarch of a family that runs Aunt Pat’s barbeque restaurant, a favorite eatery in Memphis, TN. Hoping to win a spot on the Cooking Channel show, Lulu intends to wow the show’s scout, Rebecca Adrian, when she visits. But Rebecca is arrogant, rude, and not so easily impressed with the food or colorful characters gracing Aunt Pat’s. Rebecca manages to insult most of the people she meets, and when she’s found dead in her hotel room from food poisoning, all eyes turn to Aunt Pat’s, the last place she ate. In hopes of saving her restaurant’s reputation, Lulu turns amateur sleuth, but suspects keep adding up, most of whom are patrons of Aunt Pat’s, some of whom are members of Lulu’s own family.

Readers who enjoy eccentric characters will not be disappointed with Adams’ first book in her Memphis BBQ mystery series. Adams places the series against an appealing backdrop: Memphis, Tennessee, with its gentle Southern charm, charming vernacular and mouth-watering food. Although the plot at times takes a second seat to a plethora of zany characters, Adam’s witty narrative and dialogue move the story along in a fun, entertaining way. An added bonus: great recipes at the end of the book.

THE COLLARD PATCH BY MARY LOU CHEATHAM AND PAUL ELLIOTT

THE COLLARD PATCH
By Mary Lou Cheatham and Paul Elliott
Blue Moon Books
207 N. Service Rd. E. #213
Ruston, LA 71270
ISBN: 097419123X
Paperback, 288 pages, $22.97
Genre: Cookbook

One wouldn’t think collards would be such an interesting subject, but this cookbook is filled with plenty of fascinating facts, including a detailed description of this vegetable and its amazing health factors, the best way to grow them, how to treat infestations, how to harvest them, and on to the best way to cook them. All this followed by recipes that look to be not only delicious but nutritional. Included in the book are Southern anecdotes which are entertaining and will be appreciated by all. A valuable cookbook for any kitchen, Southern or not.

FLAVORED WITH LOVE BY JANE RILEY

FLAVORED WITH LOVE
By Jane Riley
Blue Moon Books
207 N. Service Rd E #213
Ruston, LA 71270
ISBN: 0974191221
Paperback, 320 pages, $22.97
Genre: Cookbook

Flavored with Love is much more than the quintessential cookbook, offering its readers wonderful, heartwarming tales about the people whose recipes are included within. There’s plenty of advice offered about the best ways to prepare food (including how to make pork sausage), along with recipes that made this reviewer’s mouth water. But this cookbook doesn’t limit itself to Southern recipes, there’s a vast assortment of cuisine presented, from Italian recipes to Thai, and everything in between. Recommended for every kitchen.