I’ve been a longtime fan of Ellen Byron, who also writes as Maria DiRico, and I’m excited to share with you the cover reveal for the latest book in both her mystery series, coming in 2021 and is up for preorder.
| Title: | Cajun Kiss of Death | It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder |
| Release Date: | August 10, 2021 | October 26, 2021 |
| Publisher: | Crooked Lane Books | Kensington Books |
| Format: | Print and Digital | Print and Digital |
| Series Name: | Cajun Country #7 | Catering Hall #3 |
| Genre: | Cozy Mystery | Cozy Mystery |
| Website: | Ellen Byron | Maria DiRico |
| In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine’s Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns decidedly frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe–in town to open his newest Cajun-themed restaurant–perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat’s dear friend JJ lands in very cold water. Did JJ, proprietor of Junie’s Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie’s mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes? Or was the culprit a local seafood vendor, miffed because Phillippe was somehow able to sell oysters for a remarkably reasonable price, despite an oyster shortage? Maggie had planned to devote her February to art lessons in New Orleans, a present from her sweetheart, Bo. But now she has to focus on helping her friend and her mother cross a murder charge off the menu. Meanwhile, Maggie receives a series of anonymous gifts that begin as charming but grow increasingly disturbing. Does Maggie have an admirer–or a stalker? And are these mysterious gifts somehow related to Phillippe’s murder? Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses–or hearse and lilies–this Valentine’s Day. Recipes Included Purchase Link | Astoria, Queens, is decorated within an inch of its life for the Christmas season, and Mia Carina is juggling her job at the Belle View catering hall with a case of murder. Mia’s busy with a full schedule of events at the family business—among them an over-the-top Nativity-themed first birthday party and a Sweet Sixteen for a teen drama queen. But her personal life is even more challenging. Her estranged mother has returned—and her lifelong friend Jamie has discovered a shocking secret about his past. He’s so angry that he starts hanging out with Lorenzo, who claims to be his long-lost brother—even after it becomes clear that Lorenzo’s story is as fake as a plastic Christmas tree. Then a body turns up among the elves in a Santa’s-workshop lawn display, and amateur sleuth Mia has a buffet of suspects to choose from. Amid the holiday celebrations, she intends to find out who’s the guilty party. Italian recipes included! Purchase Link |
About the author
Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty awards for Best Humorous Mystery. Her new Catering Hall Mystery series, written as Maria DiRico, launched with Here Comes the Body, and is inspired by her real life. Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.
All comments are welcomed.
Love the covers! Congratulations, Ellen!
Thank you so much!!
Double Congrats! 🎉 Fab covers!
Raquel, lol! And thanks! xo
Awesome covers. Love both series! Can’t wait for them to be released!!!
Linda, thanks! Neither can I. 🙂
Thank you so much! LOVE the covers. xoxo
Can’t wait!
Thanks, Christi!
The covers are gorgeous! Congrats, Ellen. I can’t wait to read them.
Great looking covers.
Thanks so much, Annette. xoxo
Congratulations, Ellen! 2021 looks like it’s your year!