Here Today Gone TamaleHere Today, Gone Tamale by Rebecca Adler is the first book in the NEW “Taste of Texas” cozy mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime, December 2015

Reporter turned Tex-Mex waitress Josie Callahan is about to go from serving queso to solving cases. . .

After losing her newspaper job in Austin and having her former fiancé unfriend her on Facebook, Josie Callahan scoops up her Chihuahua, Lenny, and slinks back to Broken Boot, Texas. Maybe working as head waitress at Milagro—her aunt and uncle’s Tex-Mex restaurant—isn’t exactly living the dream, but it is a fresh start.

And business is booming as tourists pour into Broken Boot for its famous Wild West Festival. But when a local jewelry designer is found strangled outside Milagro after a tamale-making party, Josie’s reporter instincts kick in. As suspects pile up and alibis crack faster than taco shells, Josie needs to wrap up this case tighter than her tía’s tortillas—before another victim calls for the check. . .

I like it. This was a lively and light drama that entertained me from beginning to end. I like the comfortable tone and how easy the story flowed from chapter to chapter. The author did a great job in pulling this mystery together with plenty of suspects and it was quite enjoyable watching how this all played out with the revelation of the perpetrator. I love the interaction between Josie, her family and friends who I found to be quirkingly appealing. (Yes, I made up quirkingly). This was a fun read with a lovable cast of characters, engaging dialogue and a small-town atmosphere that was delightfully appetizing. I look forward to more adventures in Broken Boot with Josie and her friends.