I have lived a good life. A long one—I won’t tell you just how long, because a man’s got to keep some things to himself. I miss my wife and my son every minute of every day, but my heart just about bursts when I think of my two girls—they’re past fifty, each of ’em, but they’ll always be my girls. And my granddaughters—well, there aren’t finer young women around.
Cayenne is named for the ingredient that counts in Tabasco sauce. Lordy, did we miss the stuff when we moved from Louisiana out to Seattle in the 1950s, the way you could smell it on the air. Now you can buy it everywhere, and it’s still good, but it’s even better to have my own reminder, right here in the family. That girl can cook just about anything. She’s an even better cook than her grandmama, and that’s saying a lot.
I thought Cayenne ought to cook in a restaurant, but she said no, she’d rather use her knowledge helping people make their own good food at home. She hired on at the Seattle Spice Shop in the Pike Place Market, working for Pepper Reece. Cayenne and Pepper—can you believe it?
That Pepper, she’s a fiery one. Smart, thank goodness, because she just can’t seem to keep her nose out of trouble. That’s how I met her—she and her dog, Arf, were nosing around in my neighborhood, after a woman got killed. Arf’s one of them Airedales—they call ’em the King of the Terriers—I heard all about it on that TV show, Planet of the Animals, I think it’s called. Anyway, a woman got killed in one of those artists’ studios across the way, and Pepper knew her from way back, and she—well, I won’t tell you what she did, but she found the killer, I’ll tell you that.
This neighborhood sure has changed a lot since me and my beloved moved in. Raised our three kids here. Lost our boy in the war. Bonnie, the woman what got killed, was a potter. She came over to introduce herself and give me a coffee mug she made. I gave her flowers from my backyard. She saw his picture on the sideboard, with his flag and medals. The sight of him bothered her a lot. I learned some things about her later that weren’t too flattering, but I’ll tell you, the way she looked at his picture and let me go on about him, that meant a lot to me. And it told me she was good in her heart.
I like to think most people are good in their hearts, though sometimes you gotta wonder. Especially these days. Now my wife, she would tell me “Lou, you’re being ornery again,” and shake her finger at me to shape up. If I groused about the kids who hang around outside the bakery across the street, their pants half falling down, she’d point out the young dance students and the artists and talk about all their hard work and passion. And she’d be right.
Cayenne and Pepper and the others who work at the Spice Shop, they remind me that people really is good in their hearts. And when they cook good, too, why that makes me happy I’ve lived this long.
Now pass the Tabasco, would you kindly?
Killing Thyme is the third book in the Seattle Spice Shop mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, October 2016.
In Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece is savoring her business success, but soon finds her plans disrupted by a killer in the latest from the national bestselling author of Guilty as Cinnamon.
Pepper Reece’s to-do list is longer than the shopping list for a five-course dinner, as she conjures up spice blends bursting with seasonal flavor, soothes nervous brides fretting over the gift registry, and crosses her fingers for a rave review from a sharp-tongued food critic. Add to the mix a welcome visit from her mother, Lena, and she’s got the perfect recipe for a busy summer garnished with a dash of fun.
While browsing in the artists’ stalls, Pepper and Lena drool over stunning pottery made by a Market newcomer. But when Lena recognizes the potter, Bonnie Clay, as an old friend who disappeared years ago, the afternoon turns sour. To Pepper’s surprise, Bonnie seems intimately connected to her family’s past. After Bonnie is murdered only days later, Pepper is determined to uncover the truth. But as Pepper roots out long-buried secrets, will she be digging her own grave?
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About the author
Leslie Budewitz blends her passion for food, great mysteries, and the Northwest in two national best-selling series. Killing Thyme, her third Spice Shop Mystery, set in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, was released on October 4. Death Al Dente, first in the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, set in Jewel Bay, Montana, won the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. The immediate past president of Sisters in Crime, she lives and cooks in NW Montana.
Find her online at LeslieBudewitz.com and on Facebook. More about Killing Thyme, including an excerpt here.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Killing Thyme. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends October 16, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
I love this wonderful series & can’t wait to read this newest addition. Thanks for the great post & giveaway.
I haven’t read any in this series as of yet. Thanks for running this giveaway. Appreciate all your posts!
So many good books.
I haven’t read any of these but the sound awesome!
I really enjoy this series and I look forward to reading Killing Thyme. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Terrific series!
Love the idea of the spice shop mysteries. Spices are truly the ‘spice of life’. I would really like to get started on this series. Am so hoping this will be the beginning. They look so intriguing.
This sound like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win.
I haven’t read any of the Spice Shop Mysteries et but they sound great. Thank you for this chance.
I’d love to try this series. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Sounds like another wonderful book from Leslie! Thanks for bringing it to my attention Dru Ann> Thanks Leslie for the chance to win a copy. It is a definite to be read asap!
Wonderful series and great giveaway. Thanks.
I love this cover, thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book.
wfnren at aol dot com
Great review love it thanks, Penney
I love this series! Sounds like a wonderful addition.
I love this series. It is one of my favorites.
I’ve enjoyed the other books in this series and looking forward to meeting Pepper’s mother Lena. Thank for the chance to win this book..
A fun series with great characters! Thank you for the chance!
Would love to read this! Parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
I would love to win this book looks like a very good book thank you for the chance
Nice to hear some things from Louis’ point of view! Looking forward to this, thanks for the chance to win!
This would be awesome if i could win this book. It is one i do not have. I will keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for giving a chance to win a new book.
Sounds like a great read.
I love this series !! I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance!
I love books by Leslie Budewitz!!!!!! Her writing always draws me into the story and won’t let me go!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I love this series and can’t wait to read Killing Thyme! Thanks for this interesting post and giveaway! aleonardi (at) my.com
I really enjoy this series, I can almost smell the spices while I’m reading.
This sounds like a fun series—-I love the names.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Lou certainly tells it like it is. I know Killing Thyme will be as wonderful as Assault and Pepper, which I am reading now, I can’t wait to read it! Thanks Dru and Leslie for the giveaway!
Love this series but I haven’t had a chance to get this one yet!!
Killling Thyme is a book that’s on my TBR list and I look forward to reading it.
Can’t wait to read this one! Thanks for the contest. 🙂
Thanks for hosting Mr. Adams and me today, Dru Ann, and thanks to all you lovely readers for the kind words!
Great POV of your narrator here.
This book is definitely on my TBR list. Congratulations to Leslie on her new book.
Haven’t read any of Leslie’s books. This should be a fine time to start.
I have this book on my TBR list. I would love to win a copy. What a great series.
Thanks, Vicki — fingers crossed for you!
This is a great series and I can’t wait to read “Killing Thyme”. Thanks for the chance.
I am not familiar with this series but I’ve added it to my list of books to check out. Thanks for including it on your blog and also for the giveaway.
Looks really interesting! I’d be happy to win and read it!
Can’t wait to read this book!! Many thanks for the opportunity to win!!
This looks SO good.
Seems like everyone wants to get their paws on this book! I wonder why?? Oh that’s right… it’s an amazing series with a TON of potential and great characters. Love the Seattle setting (Leslie does a great job recreating the city and Pike Place Market) and it’s obvious she knows her stuff when it comes to spices. Please include me in the drawing to win the third book so I can catch back up with Pepper and of course Arf!! Thanks Dru Ann!
Good morning, lovely readers! It’s a rainy day in Seattle — a great time, or thyme, to read a favorite book. Thanks for including me on your TBR lists!
This author is new to me but it sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a great book, thanks for the drawing.
I’m reading Guilty as Cinnamon right now. I love this series!!!
Ooh, love that little book! Enjoy, Amanda!
I love discovering new authors, and new series! Thanks for sharing!
A must-read for me!!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
After reading Guilty as Cinnamon, the new book is a must!
I really enjoyed book one in this series and can’t wait to read others. This was a really nice write up and it makes me more anxious than ever to get Leslie’s latest book. I would love to be considered for a copy of Killing Thyme very much. Thank you. Thyme to make dinner now. :
Cynthia B.
If Mr. Adams existed, I think he’d be both a bit embarrassed and deeply gratified to hear all your comments about him and the Spice Shop books. Thank you, all!