Moving back to Crystal Cove, California was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m Jenna Hart. I used to be an ad executive in San Francisco. I happen to be an artist and a creative person, but after a few years, the bloom fell off the rose. You know what I mean, right? You have dreams of doing something great, of influencing the world, but then reality sets in and you realize that it’s just a job. You like the people. You like the clients. But the hours. Sheesh. There were times I would get calls from a client at midnight asking why an ad campaign fell flat. Sometimes my boss, who never slept, would call in the wee hours to brainstorm. My husband, David, didn’t appreciate that very much.
Ah, David. He was the other reason I decided to quit my job and move home. David died. Suddenly. In a boating accident. My heart broke in two and I simply couldn’t return, day in and day out, to the apartment we shared without feeling like a piece of me was missing. My smile left. My get up and go, got up and went.
So I moved home. Crystal Cove is this lovely coastal town south of Santa Cruz, north of Monterey. It’s tucked at the base of the Coastal Range and, like the Tuscan region of Italy, the area has the most delicious weather. Warm but never too warm. Cool but never too cool. There is something about being near the ocean that has given me a new hope. I love the sound of the sea and the ebb and swell of the tide. I adore watching the sun set and hearing seagulls keen overhead. Yes, I could visit the ocean when I lived in San Francisco—it is on a bay, after all—but it was different. I can’t explain why.
Did I tell you that I’m starting up a new store with my aunt? A culinary bookshop. My aunt is my father’s older sister and a hoot of a woman who tells fortunes, on occasion. She’s been like a mother to me. My mother, sadly, passed away the same year as my husband. Tough time for me and my family.
Aunt Vera owns Fisherman’s Village, a quaint shopping area in town. Years ago, she had intended to personally open one of the stores in the village, The Coobook Nook, but for some reason she never did. She cajoled me into returning to town to help her get it on its feet. [Between you and me, I think she saw something dire in my future.]
Now, understand something…I am no cook. Oh, sure I can do the basics, like make meatloaf and toast, and I’m not bad with a cake mix in a box. So, you’ve got to be asking, why did she want me? Well, I am a gourmet. I adore food. I’ve dined on wonderfully exotic food. I’ve eaten everything from eel to chocolate ants. In addition, like I said, I’m an advertising executive by trade. I’m good with marketing. I understand why people buy products and what sparks their interest on television and in magazines. And I have a flair for color. So let’s just say I am having a ball setting up The Cookbook Nook. There’s a café adjacent to the store, too, and my aunt wants it to become the “in” place to eat. We’re on the hunt for a good chef, if you know one.
I hope you’ll drop in to The Cookbook Nook and see what we have in store. Lots of cookbooks and culinary mysteries and literary fiction that include food. We’ll also sell adorable knickknacks for the kitchen, like unique salt and pepper shakers, funky spatulas, and aprons. Oh, and kiddie chef items, too. And who knows? When you stop in, maybe you can help me solve a mystery or two.
* * What is the most delicious dish you’ve ever read about in a mystery? * *
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of FINAL SENTENCE to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. Contest ends July 3; US entries only per publisher’s request.
You can read more about Jenna and her family and friends in Final Sentence, the first book in the new “Cookbook Nook” mystery series.
Meet the author
DARYL WOOD GERBER aka AVERY AAMES pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. As DARYL, she writes A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, featuring a culinary bookshop and café owner. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. As an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl & Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out her recipes on her blog www.mysteryloverskitchen.com And friend her on Facebook.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Every chocolate recipe in the Coffeehouse Mystery Series by Cleo Coyle! YUM! I adore the CheeseShop Mysteries by this author, and would love to try this series as well. Thanks for the chance to win.
Maureen, I know what you mean. Love Cleo’s recipes!
Savor the mystery!
Daryl
I enjoy all of Darryl and Avery’s books, thank you for the chance to win the new one.
Griperang, so good to see you here!
Daryl aka Avery
I can’t choose just one dish. This sound like a good read…Count me in.
Deanna, I’m with you. There are so many good ones.
Daryl
I love culinary mysteries so this sounds great. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Barbara, thrilled to see you here!
Daryl
Just recently read a great coconut custard pie recipe that sounded good. Looking forward to reading this new edition in the cozy mystery category.
Linda, if you like coconut, I recently posted a coconut cloud cookie recipe on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Check it out. Light and fluffy! Yum!
Daryl
This sounds like its going to be a great series! Looking forward to reading book 1!
Kim, I hope you enjoy!
Daryl
One of the best recipes I made from a cozy was for blonde brownie bars–almost like the ones my grandmother made! Yum! Congrats to Daryl/Avery–I enjoy the Cheese Shop mysteries and can’t wait to read about the Cookbook Nook!
Holdenj, thanks for the vote of confidence! Much appreciated. I love blonde brownies!
Daryl
I think it was brownies out of the the Gray Whale Inn series. I can’t eat them now, but I can remember them! I am sooooo looking forward to this series.
Mare, didn’t we talk about gluten-free brownie recipes? Are there other items in a brownie you can’t eat? If not, let me know. I love my GF brownie recipe.
Daryl
It’s release day and I’ve been waiting impatiently for this book! I’m a huge fan of the CheeseShop Mysteries and I can’t wait to enjoy this one!
Jan, impatiently, really? So sweet! Savor the mystery, my friend.
Daryl
Culinary mysteries are what got me hooked on cozies! Thanks for the chance to win!
Kathy, you aren’t the only one. I met a die-hard noir mystery reader recently who made the switch because of culinary mysteries.
Enjoy.
Daryl
Years ago I got a recipe for a Funeral Cake from “Too Late for Angels: An Augusta Goodnight Mystery” (with recipes)
By Mignon F. Ballard Interestingly enough the icing recipe omitted the sugar but easily fixed…. I bake this cake several times a year.
Alicia, that’s funny. It happens. Authors miss things in their books, and even editors miss things in the first and second passes. We’re human! LOL Glad you figured it out.
Daryl
I just started this book and Daryl has a winner on her hands.
My favorite dishes are all those that have me wishing I was a cook.
Oh, yay, Dru, thank you, thank you. You just made my day, and it’s only starting in California! Thank you!
Daryl
Well I love Daryl’s other books and am sure that I will love this one too.
Nancy, sweet, thank you!
Daryl
I can’t wait to visit Crystal Cove, I’m looking forward to reading Jenna’s story.
Rita, thank you. I absolutely love writing about Jenna! (Or is she writing it by herself?? Sometimes I wonder…)
Daryl
I’ve read so many, I really can’t remember any specific one. Probably had chocolate in it though. 🙂
Definitely chocolate. LOL
Daryl
looking forward to it
Cheli
http://chelisshelves.blogspot.com
Just found you! Looking forward to reading your books. Maybe I’ll win this one and begin there!
Martha, super!
Daryl
Never have read pne one of your books. Would love to start now!
Anne, please do. 🙂
Daryl
I just read the coconut custard pie recipe and want to try it . There are so many great recipes in these books, I like to try them all at some time 🙂
Debbie, so much to do, so little time. I know the feeling.
Daryl
The kale chips recipe in a Krista Davis Diva book. I’ve made them several times.
Love Krista’s books!
Daryl
I can’t wait to see the recipes in this book…and read the story. I would love to win!!
I make a peach cobbler recipe from one of JoAnne Fluke’s books.
JoAnne has great recipes, doesn’t she? 🙂
Daryl
I love her books and look forward to a new one.
I am shamelessly seduced by food references in books. I read something and I’m off to the kitchen!
Libby, me, too. I have a counter filled with cookbooks and magazines with sticky things to mark recipes. Someday…
Daryl
I’m going to also have to go with anything in Cleo/Alice’s coffee shop mysteries. It’s a wonder I have any teeth left in my mouth, considering my sweet tooth.
I hope I get lucky and become the winner of this copy of “Final Sentence”.
Noradrienne, I agree. Love Cleo’s recipes, too.
Daryl
Eeeks! Just ONE! I can’t choose, but would love to be entered to win! New author, new series- yeah!
Great review! I enjoy “food” cozies!
I like the chocolate recipes in cozies, ( I’ve seen some in the Joanne Fluke series that look delicious! )
Melissa, thanks.
Daryl
I love the cupcake recipes in Jenn McKInlay’s cupcake bakery series.
My daughter loves these books, thank you for the chance to win this for her.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
Wendy, I hope you’ll try the books along the way, too. 🙂 This is the first in a new series. She’s probably read my CHEESE SHOP mysteries.
Daryl
I’d love a copy of this book. Very fascinating story.
Dorothy, glad you like it. I’m loving writing it.
Daryl
Joanne Fluke has so many good recipes. One of my favorites is her Three-Way Fudge.
mittens0831 at aol dot com
Chocolate…fudge. Love it.
Daryl
Can’t wait to read it! I love all of your books! Thank you from a self-proclaimed mystery addict! And no, I don’t need a 12 step program. I need 12 more mysteries!
Betty, too funny! Well, a ton come out today, so good reading!
Daryl
I don’t believe I have a favorite recipe. What I do enjoy is seeing how busy people manage to slow down enough to spend time in the kitchen creating whatever. I really like to read culinary mysteries (Davidson-Mott, Fluke, McKinlay, Davis, Coyle and others). Historicals also give me insight into how people come to the table.
Judy, the kitchen is where I can totally relax in my brain. I love cooking and getting immersed in a recipe. I also love eating. 🙂
Daryl
Love scones that are in a mystery. So tempting and perfect.
Annie, scones are one of my favorite foods!
Daryl
I found a good recipe for scones in “Bread Alone” a novel by Judith Hendricks that I use quite often. The book wasn’t a cozy, but a good read.
I do love cozy mysteries though. Thanks for the chance to win.
Darlene, you bet. I love that there are recipes in books other than cozies…like cookbooks. 🙂 One of the fun things in the Cookbook Nook is that the owner also includes women’s fiction that revolve around food. Fun selections!
Daryl
Cleo Coyle’s books have had lots of great recipes and recipes by Joanne Fluke are wonderful too. I tend to love the bread recipes or the dessert recipes and one of Cleo’s recipes that I love is her Maple Bacon Muffins. I would love to win Final Sentence as it is the only book of Darryl’s that don’t have. Love all the books that Darryl/Avery has written and it would be a big thrill to win one of her books. Thank you for this lovely giveaway.
Thank you, Cynthia. I sure do love hearing from a “fan.” 🙂
Daryl / Avery
I love you Peanur Butter Apple Pie Sandwich. I also like Joanne Fluke recipes too. To hard to choose .
Kiki, isn’t that the best? It’s like an apple pie sandwich with a twist.
Daryl
I always like to try the occasional new recipe–but I don’t think I’ve ever tried one from a cozy mystery. I must give it a try. I’m just captivated by the cute kitten on the cover of this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Suekey, you are missing out. There are a bunch of us that thrive on putting in recipes. In fact, there’s a group of us, including the fabulous Cleo and Krista (both mentioned today in this thread, on a blog called Mystery Lovers Kitchen. We are a bunch of mystery authors who love to cook up crime. 🙂
Daryl
This sounds like such a fun new series! Laura Child’s scone recipes in her tea shop series always leave my mouth watering. Now living a gluten-free life, my mouth still waters.
Kristin, yes, Laura does a great job. I live a gluten-free life and I make GF scones, so check out my recipes whether in my books or on my website. I have lots of GF recipes and the only thing I really miss is real sourdough bread. Otherwise, it’s pretty easy to maintain. Enjoy!
Daryl
Thanks Daryl for introducing us to Jenna and spending time with us.
I don’t know what I would say would be the best recipe I have read about but this blog entry was the best I have read today. I really want to be where this book takes place! I want to read it and be there, if only for the time that it takes me to read it. I love the California coast and I miss it. Calgon (books) take me away!
I love your cheese shop mysteries! Can’t wait to read the Final Sentence in Your new mystery series. Thanks for th chance to win a free copy of it!
Wow, been wanting to read one of your books. Heard about have great they are.
Love the Gluten Free aspect I have one child that is very affected and does so much better on a Gluten Free diet, look forward to the read!
Good to hear from you and Jenna Daryl!
Haven’t read any recipes in a mystery book
I like reading about cooking, and reading thru receipes, but, I haven’t cooked in 20+ years; my hubby has been doing the cooking! So, I don’t have a favorite – don’t guess we’ve even ever tried one from a cozy mystery. I may have to change that 🙂 .
Really looking forward to this one!
I haven’t encountered this series yet! I’d love a copy!
Key lime pie
I like the recipes in Joanne Fluke’s books. Wacky Cake is a good one. It’s like a W.W. II recipe — no eggs and it uses vinegar instead. I also made the Chicken Tetrazinni in her latest book. It was good and made a ton of food. catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to win the book. It sounds good.
contest is closed.