Hi, I’m Tegan Potts, best friend of Allie Catt. Together we own Feast for the Eyes bookshop in Bramblewood, North Carolina, a charming town near Asheville. I own a majority of the shop because my aunt bequeathed it to me when she passed—rest her soul—but she gave my mother (her sister) a portion because she adored her, and she gave Allie a portion because Allie, like me, is a true book lover. Allie is also a caterer, so she keeps me and many of the townsfolk sated with delicious goodies. Yum!

So what’s coming up at the bookshop next? A literary dining party! Woot! I love putting these on. Allie, my half-sister Vanna, and I came up with the brilliant idea of hosting them. What do they entail? Well, we ask attendees to read the same classic book, and then we invite them to dress in costumes and dine on delicacies from the time period. Our first party featured Pride and Prejudice because it was my aunt’s favorite book. The party wasn’t exactly a “party.” It was her memorial, but it went off so well, and my aunt’s friends and our customers were so delighted with the result, we decided to offer more of them.

Right now, we’re preparing to discuss The Great Gatsby. Swoon! It’s one of my all-time favorite books. I love the Roaring 20’s. The gowns. The music. The delicious cocktails. But most importantly, I adore the book. Jay Gatsby is the quintessential antihero, in my humble opinion. Though he possesses some admirable qualities, like his unwavering love for Daisy and his ambition to achieve the American Dream, his way of going about it, to say the least, is deeply flawed. But isn’t that what a great character possesses? Flaws? He’s dishonest. He engages in shady dealings. He’s fixated—and I mean fixated—on wealth and status. So was my ex-husband, may he remain in Ohio forever. We were never a good fit. But Gatsby, to his credit, is handsome and charming and, in some ways so unassuming and naive that it’s endearing.

I have a flaw. I would like to manage my mother’s life. I don’t do it to aggravate her. I love her, and I worry about her. Tragically, she lost my father—her second husband—and after that, she didn’t date . . . until she did, and she fell for the wrong guy. I mean wrong with a capital W. So, of late, I’ve been sticking my nose into her business. She’s real pleased with me . . . NOT. Right now she’s remodeling the inn that she owns in nearby Montford. It’s quaint, and people from all around stay there. I worry that the contractor will gouge her. Allie reminds me that my mom is young and savvy, but a daughter has the right to worry.

I have another flaw. I can be impulsive. Ever since I met Allie, some twenty plus-years ago, I have often led her into some iffy situations. Sure, she could say no and not join me, but she never has. I’m not bossy, just persuasive. I would never intentionally put her in harm’s way. What we do is in fun . . . for the most part. Today, for example, we’re going on a picnic near the Linville Caverns, northeast of town, to do some sleuthing. There can’t be any harm in that. I mean, it’s not like a murderer knows we’re going there to dig up dirt. At least I hope not.

Note to self: Don’t tell anyone where you’re going.

MURDER BY THE MILLIONS – A Literary Dining Mystery, Book 2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: October 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

In the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, caterer and personal chef Allie Catt serves up mouthwatering, literary-themed dinner parties inspired by her clients’ favorite books. Her next event is sure to be a roaring success—if a murderer isn’t a killjoy . . .

If it were true that the best thing a girl can be in this world is a fool, then Allie Catt would be out of luck. Fortunately, Allie’s business is a smashing success. And following her Pride and Prejudice event, grander plans await . . .

Feast for the Eyes bookstore manager and Allie’s best friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club soiree and wants it to be a glittering affair based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic Jazz Age-set novel, The Great Gatsby. Soon, Art Deco table settings and visions of flappers are dancing the Charleston in their heads. Even Tegan’s prickly sister, Vanna, is on board. And surely, Allie’s tuxedo cat, Darcy, thinks it’s the cat’s meow.

Amid the planning, charismatic developer Jason Gardner arrives in town to buy some historic buildings on Main Street. He, too, has plans: to create a modern mall. Allie is more than concerned. She even wants to protest. But when Jason invites her to cater a lavish party, she finds him surprisingly likable. Then she’s summoned to his estate for a meeting—and finds him dead.

Once again Allie’s landed in the middle of a crime scene.

About the author
Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries and Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense novels, including the well-received Accidental Murder, The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams trilogy. Daryl has published a standalone Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays, and her short stories have appeared in numerous anthologies. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: DarylWoodGerber.com.