I first want to say a big “thank you” to Dru for inviting me here again to chat with everyone. I’m Talia Marby, owner of a deep-fried eatery in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. I’m thrilled to be back here, except . . . well, I’m afraid there’s been another murder! I often hear people say that “three times is the charm.” Well, for me, three times was a curse.
It all started when I entered a cooking/baking contest sponsored by a national food conglomerate. Not that it was my idea. Crystal Galardi, co-owner of the recently opened Fork and Dish, talked me into it. The contest was sponsored by Steeltop Foods, whose CEO claimed to have ties to the Berkshires. That in itself was odd, since no one seemed to remember him. Anyway, the company arranged to have the contest held at our town’s annual summer festival. For my entry, I chose my mini deep-fried apple pies—a dessert I’d been testing on all my family and friends. Made with rounds of pie dough filled with scrumptious Cortland apples, sugar, and spices, they’re positively delectable when they come out of the deep fryer. Sprinkle one with powdered sugar and you’ve got yourself a yummy dessert!
I ended up being one of six semi-finalists, an honor I would later regret. I didn’t win the contest, but that wasn’t the bad part. Only a few hours after Norma Ferguson was awarded first prize for her flaky-top chicken stew, she was found dead—and not of natural causes.
Poor Norma. I’ll never forget her expression that day after her name was called. She’d sat there, frozen, as if her feet were glued to the makeshift stage. She looked like someone who’d been sentenced to the guillotine instead of a woman who’d just won a cool twenty-five grand. Not long after she accepted the prize money, she was found in her cooking station, dead. It was almost as if she knew a killer was on her trail . . .
Thinking about it makes me shiver all over again. The worst part is that the police have set their sights on the wrong person—someone I know could never have committed murder. I’m trying to prove it, but everywhere I turn I bump into a roadblock. The main roadblock being one Detective Patti Prescott, who thinks I poke my nose where it doesn’t belong. Luckily, I have some terrific helpers in the eatery, so I can sneak away every so often to try and track down the real killer.
If you’re in the Berkshires, stop by Fry Me a Sliver and enjoy a deep-fried treat. The ambiance is cozy, the AC is pumping out chilled air, and the deep fryer is sizzling. And as for the local gossip . . . once again it’s all about murder.
You can read more about Talia in A Frying Shame, the third book in the “Deep Fried” mystery series.
A cooking contest becomes a fry to the finish in the new Deep Fried Mystery from the author of Out of the Dying Pan.
Fry another day.
The town of Wrensdale is abuzz with excitement when Steeltop Foods sponsors a contest to promote its new Flavor Dial. With a $25,000 prize at stake, Talia Marby, owner of Fry Me a Sliver, hopes her mini deep-fried apple pies will win her the money to pay off the recent renovations on her restaurant.
But when Norma Ferguson wins with her flaky-top chicken stew, the tensions dial up even more. After Norma is found dead at her cooking station, the police suspect a losing contestant got a bit too hot under the collar. Now Talia must work to catch the killer before another cook gets burned . . .
# # # # # # # # # # #
About the author
Armed with a degree in Criminal Justice, Linda Reilly once contemplated a career in law enforcement. But life took a twist, and instead she found her niche in real estate closings and title examinations, where the dusty tomes in the Registry of Deeds enticed her into solving mysteries of a different sort. Retired from her day job, Linda lives in New Hampshire with her husband, where she loves solving mysteries of the cozy type. When she’s not pounding away at her keyboard, she can usually be found prowling the shelves of a local bookstore or library hunting for a new adventure. Connect with Linda at lindasreilly.com, on Facebook, on Twitter and on Pinterest.
All comments are welcomed.
A Frying Shame is available at retail and online booksellers booksellers or you can ask your local library to get it for you.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of A Frying Shame. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends April 7, 2017. Good luck everyone!
This sounds fun! Cooking contests are always a hot competition!
Thanks for stopping by, SueAnn! Good luck ~
I want a deep-fried apple pie. I also want to know why Norma was so scared by being the winner. Hope I win. Fingers crossed. New author and series which have been added to the top of my TBR list. Thanks for the chance.
Thanks for adding “Deep Fried” to your list, Vicki. Best of luck!
This book looks so good! Thanks for the chance to win it! lindaherold999@gmail.com
Best of luck in the giveaway, Linda ~
Sounds like another good series I have missed! Thanks Dru Ann for the introduction. 😉 Thanks to Linda for her generous opportunity to win a copy as well! 😁 Another must read series.
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. Good luck!
I read the earlier book in this series and it was so good! Thanks!
Thank you for the kind words, Donna. Good luck!
I’ve been waiting for this book! I love the series. It’s always fun to see what Talia will decide to deep fry next. The deep fried apple pie sounds great!
So glad you enjoy Talia, Christi. Good luck!
Deep fried apple pies, Tim! Wish I could try some of Talia’s food! I can’t wait to read this one, great series and setting. Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for commenting, and good luck in the giveaway!
This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of A Frying Shame.
Thanks, Peggy, and good luck!
A Frying Shame would be delightful. Thanks.
Best of luck, Ellie ~
Deep fried is my secret vice. Looking forward to reading this.
What a great vice to have! Best of luck in the giveaway.
It’s a very cute series and I’d love to win this latest title. I own the first two and enjoyed them very much.
Toss my name into your magic hat please Dru.
So glad you enjoyed the first two, Nora. Good luck!
This sounds like a great book, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Wishing you luck, Wendy !
Did the cover really shock me. Without the brown spot on the cat’s nose, it is a picture of a friend’s cat.
Berkley’s cover artist, Dan Craig, did a great job keeping the cat’s markings the same on all three covers! Best of luck, Nadine ~
I love the new story! I didn’t know you had a degree in CJ. My son got an AA in CJ but was unable to get his BS because of finances so he switched his career goals and is now a dog groomer. He loves it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
So glad your son enjoys being a dog groomer — it’s a great career! Best of luck in the giveaway ~
One of the best titles I’ve seen! I’d love to win it.
Thanks, Amy. I love the title myself! Best of luck ~
I’m so happy there is a new book out in this series. Thanks for posting it on your blog today. My fingers are crossed I am the chosen person to win this book. robeader53(at)yahoo.com
Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck in the giveaway !
Love this series can’t wait to read it!!!
yellowwyytch@yahoo.com
Thank you, Taryn, and good luck!
Love cooking competitions.
Cooking competitions make fun mysteries! Thanks for entering, Mary ~
This sounds so good, I love cooking contests (reading and watching them on tv that is). I loved the first in this series and just realized I hadn’t read the second yet, I’ll have to correct that, so many good books and so little time.
Thank you, Debbie! Good luck in the giveaway ~
love this series and cooking competitions so I have def got to read this title. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy!
Thanks for stopping by, Johnna — and good luck in the giveaway!
Love the cover. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Thanks, Elaine! Good luck in the giveaway ~
Love the blurb for the book. Cannot wait to read.
Thanks, Bobbi! Best of luck in the giveaway ~
Great series! I’m looking forward to reading “A Frying Shame”. It sounds like an amazing read.
Thank you, Dianne! Best of luck ~
Sounds like winner.
Thanks, Karen! Good luck in the giveaway!
All this is making me hungry. I wonder if there are recipes included in this culinary mystery. I enjoy trying new ones.
Yes, there are recipes! Best of luck in the giveaway ~
Both the book and the contest bakery entry sound tasty.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Good luck in the drawing!
Thanks for the interesting post & giveaway!
Thank you, Doward! Best of luck in the giveaway ~
Yippee Skippee…Hip Hip Hooray…I am so super duper thrilled that there is a new third book in this awesome and exciting series by the awesome and beautiful Linda Reilly!! I loved, loved, loved the first two books and can’t wait to read this one!!!! Oh and the cover is so awesome too!!!! You can’t go wrong reading a Linda Reilly cozy!!! Sure would love to win a copy of this new book! Thanks so much dear Dru and Linda for the chance to win!!! God bless you beautiful girls!!!!
Aw, thanks Bev! You’re a sweetheart! Good luck in the giveaway ~
I love the expression on the kitty’s face! Thank you for the contest!
Aw, thanks Bev! You’re a sweetheart! Good luck in the giveaway ~
Thank you, John — good luck in the giveaway!
I have been enjoying thing series. Happy to see a new one. TY for the review
Glad you like the series, Kari. Good luck!
A new series for me and it sounds delicious!
Best of luck in the giveaway, Karen ~
Looking forward to reading this latest book in the series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Fun series!
Thanks so much, Patty. Good luck!
I have the first book in the series. I love the covers (and cats too!).
Thank you, Michelle! Good luck in the drawing!
**** WINNER ****
of A Frying Shame is Christi King
Congratulations!