I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d want to kill someone. But that day has come. I have met a man who has worked my very last nerve.
My apologies – I jumped in without even introducing myself. I’m Ninette Crozat, wife to Tug, mother to Maggie. Along with my delightful mother-in-law Charlotte, Maggie’s grand-mere, we run Crozat Plantation Bed and Breakfast, the Crozat’s family’s ancestral home in Pelican, Louisiana – town motto, “Yes, We Peli-CAN!” I do the B&B’s cooking for our guests, providing meals that focus on local Cajun dishes. Many of the recipes have been handed down in my family through decades – even centuries. Which is why I have to restrain myself from doing bodily harm to a certain “star” chef, Philipe Chanson. (Whose real name is Philip Singer, that. . . that. . . What would my daughter call him? A poser. Yes, that’s it. That poser.)
Not to boast – which of course means I’m about to boast – but I’m considered by many to be an excellent cook. I give all the credit to my heirloom recipes, which I tightly guard. Then along comes Mister “Famous as Emeril Lagasse or Paul Prudhomme” Celebrity Chef with his buckets of charm, luring me into making him my famous calas rice balls. Why, that man went and figured out the secret ingredient in my recipe so he could serve my calas in his fancy new Pelican restaurant, Chanson’s Cajun Kitchen! I blame myself for falling for his act. But to steal a recipe from a fellow chef – who does that? A lot of big-time chefs, I’ve learned, much to my displeasure. Because most recipes aren’t legally protected from theft, don’t ask me why.
I’m a simple person. All I ever needed was a loving husband and daughter, a respectable home and business. . . and my recipes. Each generation makes small changes to reflect our times, then we pass them down to the next generation. The recipes are a living history. We take great comfort knowing that when we’ve moved on from the physical world, a part of us lives on through them, maybe forever.
There’s an old saying – I’m so mad I could chew nails and spit spikes. That’s how I feel about the lack of respect that Mister Big Shot Chef Philipe Chanson has showed me and my family. I tell you, I am mad enough to kill. Not that I would.
Or would I?
Oh, dear. I best stop talking before I get myself in trouble. But if you’re curious about the secret ingredient in my calas rice balls. . . well, I did share the recipe with author Ellen Byron, and you’ll find it in Cajun Kiss Of Death.
Cajun Kiss of Death, A Cajun Country Mystery #7
Genre: Cozy
Release: August 2021
Purchase Link
The next shot from Cupid’s bow may be fatal in USA Today bestselling, Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron’s hearty and delightful seventh Cajun Country mystery.
In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine’s Day has a way of warming the heart, despite the February chill. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns decidedly frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe–in town to open his newest Cajun-themed restaurant–perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat’s dear friend JJ lands in very cold water.
Did JJ, proprietor of Junie’s Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie’s mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes? Or was the culprit a local seafood vendor, miffed because Phillippe was somehow able to sell oysters for a remarkably reasonable price, despite an oyster shortage?
Maggie had planned to devote her February to art lessons in New Orleans, a present from her sweetheart, Bo. But now she has to focus on helping her friend and her mother cross a murder charge off the menu. Meanwhile, Maggie receives a series of anonymous gifts that begin as charming but grow increasingly disturbing. Does Maggie have an admirer–or a stalker? And are these mysterious gifts somehow related to Phillippe’s murder?
Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses–or hearse and lilies–this Valentine’s Day.
About the author
Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty awards for Best Humorous Mystery. She writes the Catering Hall Mystery series, which is inspired by her real life, under the name Maria DiRico. Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. She’s written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. Ellen is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America. Visit Ellen at ellenbyron.com.
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Ellen has generously offered to give away one print copy of Cajun Kiss of Death. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends August 11, 2021. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Thanks Ellen and Ninette for dropping by the blog today.
Thank you for having me!
This is one of my favorite series! I love the Crozat family.
Thanks so much, Christi!
I haven’t read any books in this series, but they sound like fun. Can you start anywhere, or do you have to go in order?
There’s a stand-alone mystery in every book but the characters’ relationships progress. You can read them out of order, though. And then work your way backwards!
Sharon, if you read on Kindle or Book Nook, there are two e-deals on PLANTATION SHUDDERS, the first book in the series, this week. Tomorrow (Tuesday – launch day!) the book will be $1.99 as a Kindle Daily Deal. From 8/10-8/17, it will be a Book Nook deal at $1.99.
This book sounds wonderful. I’ve been meaning to start this series. The covers are adorable. I love basset hounds so much.
Thank you! Lucy was our basset rescue. I made her a boy in the series for some reason. We still miss her.
I’ve really enjoyed this series and look forward to reading Cajun Kiss of Death – it sounds awesome ~
Hi, Celia! Thanks so much. Hope you like it!
Love the Crozats!
Thanks, Mary!
I love how this mystery series has progressed, enemies, frenemies, friends and lovers!
Aww, Pat, thank you! “Dupuy.” How have I not used that name in the series?!
Can’t wait to see what happens next for the Crozat family! (Also, kudos to Ellen for getting that secret recipe!)
LOL, thanks, Jen!
Sounds like this will be the best one yet!
There is a LOT going on, Alicia!
My favorite series! Can’t wait to read about the wedding! Looking forward to reading the book.
I love Mama Ninette!! I can’t wait to read it.
xo, Emily – hope you enjoy it!
I love Louisiana mysteries.
I hope you enjoy mine!
I love this series and your new one. Looking forward to reading the new book.
Thanks so much, Sally!
New author and series for me, sounds good!
Welcome to my world, Teresa!
Your books take me right to Pelican, La and all the adventures there. Thank you. I can’t wait to read this one.
Mae, what a beautiful thing to say. Thank you so much.
I love this series–all of the descriptions of the South, La and the food–looking forward to the next installment
Thank you so much, Rochelle. xo
Thanks for stopping by. I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series
I love this series!!! What a great interview, too! Thank you for the chance!
Good luck, Jamie! And thank you!
I love this series that always has an interesting mystery to solve and laughs along the way. This new one is already on my kindle for me to read. Thanks for what I know will be a entertaining read.
Sounds entertaining. Hope to read it!
Loved hearing from Ninette Crozat, Can’t wait for the opportunity to read “Cajun Kiss of Death”.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy which would satisfy my great desire to read it sooner than later. Shared and hping to be the very fortunate one selected.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I would love to win a copy
**** WINNER ****
Cajun Kiss of Death is Kay Garrett
Congratulations!
Sounds awesome, another book for my tbr. I really need more reading time.