Liver Let Die by Liz Lipperman is the first book in the new “Clueless Cook” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), October 2011
Jordan McAllister dreams of becoming a popular sports columnist, not a food critic. But here she is in the small town of Ranchero, Texas, critiquing local fare when the only thing she knows how to cook up is trouble.
Jordan McAllister doesn’t know the first thing about food, but filling in for the culinary reporter at the Ranchero Globe is better than writing personal ads. She’s convinced the weekly Kitchen Kupboard report will bring her closer to the coveted sports column—as long as she doesn’t let on that she can’t cook herself out of a macaroni and cheese.
Her first assignment is reviewing the new steak house in town. But she never should have ordered that foie gras—or hidden it in her purse. Back home she finds that she has ruined her friend’s handbag, but that’s nothing compared to finding her waiter from the steak house murdered outside her door—with her name and number in his pocket. Now Jordan is the prime suspect, as well as the main course on the murder menu.
What an enjoyable debut. The engaging plot with a mystery that caught me unaware of the killer’s identity flowed very easily with each turned page, as I could not put this book down. The setting provided a local flavor to the story that made me feel like I was right there in Ranchero, Texas solving the crime with Jordan. With refreshing dialogue, likeable quirky characters and delicious recipes, I look forward to more adventures with Jordan and the gang in this attractive and charming debut series.
FTC Full Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book, in hopes I would review it.