It's Halloween in New Orleans, and the staff of the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum is busy setting up a fantastic haunted house tour despite all attempts from the next-door neighbor's nasty assistant to put a stop to it all.
Gift shop manager Ricki James-Diaz is in for a shock when, in trying to put a stop to the assistant's machinations, she learns that the new next-door neighbor is none other than popular movie star, Blaine Taggart. Yes, there's a history there between the two.
When the aforementioned nasty assistant's body is found in Bon Vee's prop tomb, everyone at the museum becomes a suspect, and that means Ricki and her friends have a killer to catch.
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French Quarter Fright Night is another enjoyable entry in Ellen Byron's Vintage Cookbook cozy series. I really enjoy the New Orleans setting as well as all the merchandise Ricki finds for her gift shop. I also liked seeing how folks in New Orleans get ready for Halloween.
There's a good mix of characters in this third book in the series. Ricki is likable and smart, and she certainly has an interesting mix of friends. Movie star Blaine Taggart is an interesting addition, often showing how celebrities seem to be from a different planet. Ricki's friend, Cookie the "recovering children's librarian" rapidly became tiresome with all her attempts to flaunt her charms right in Taggart's face, but there are others-- like Mordant "the human Eeyore" and college intern Olivia Felice-- who took my mind right off Cookie.
The mystery is a strong one that kept me guessing, and I liked the continuing search into Ricki's family history. If you like cozy mysteries with a strong sense of place and a good cast of characters, try Ellen Byron's Vintage Cookbook series. The first book is Bayou Book Thief.
French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron
eISBN: 9781448312665
Severn House © 2024
eBook, 256 pages
Cozy Mystery, #4 Vintage Cookbook
Rating: B
Source: Net Galley
Glad you found several things to like in this one, Cathy. I've found that one of the keys to a great cozy is a well-developed set of characters, so I'm glad you thought these were well done.
ReplyDeleteYep. You can't have a good cozy without the right cast of characters. :-)
DeleteNew Orleans is such a great setting! That alone makes me want to give this series a try. And that first line? So funny. :D
ReplyDeleteI've always been drawn to New Orleans, too.
DeleteSecond blog today carrying this book review.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's brand new.
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