Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Random Things Tours: Murder On the Menu by Alex Coombs

 


Food and crime can be really deadly combinations, and so is the search for a killer in the kitchen. Bestseller author Alex Coombs is offering it all, in the smart debut of The Old Forge Café Mysteries inaugurated by Murder On the Menu

Chef Charlie Hunter, the main character of the book moved to Chilterns in order to create her dream restaurant. As she was intensively thinking about creative tasty dishes, a crime is about to put in jeopardy the tasty bright future. Thus, chef Charlie will put into motion her high skills acquired in the kitchen, trying together with other members of the community to figure out who and especially why murdered the famous local builder found death.

One important part of the book I really loved was the focus on the local alliances and the ways in which small communities can be built under pressure. Those interactions add a very authentic touch to the local spirit of Chilterns, the author´s city of residence, thus the very realistic descriptions and heartwarm ambiance.

Murder On the Menu may look at the first sight as a cosy mystery but it´s nothing cosy about the writing. Coombs build up characters that I can´t wait to hopefully meat again and situations that aren´t easy to solve. It´s hard to leave the book until a solution is in sight. Your mind moves along the solutions and possible suspects, in an exercise of investigation. Bonus if you are really into foodie stories and smart women chefs characters.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Disclaimer: Book offered as part of the book tour but the opinions are, as usual, my own 

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