Sunday Salon: Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams

Lip-smackin’ good barbecue to die for.

That could literally serve as the slogan for Aunt Pat’s Barbecue Restaurant. However, owner Lulu Taylor isn’t happy with the dying part, she just wants the patrons to love her barbecue in DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS, a Memphis Barbecue Mystery series.

Aunt Pat’s, located in the heart of Memphis, TN, has the reputation for having the best barbecue around. This title brings Rebecca Adrian, a prominent Cooking Channel show scout, to town to have a taste. But Rebecca has a flare for rubbing everyone the wrong way.

Within a short period of time Rebecca insults or humiliates a number of Aunt Pat’s patrons and staff, including several members of Lulu’s immediate family. With tempers flaring hotter than the oven at Aunt Pat’s, Rebecca is found dead in her hotel room after being poisoned.

While regular customers would never imagine getting tainted food at Aunt Pat’s, suspicion is starting to grow and Lulu decides to take matters into her own hands. She’s determine to find the killer and get a clean bill of health for her restaurant.

As Lulu begins to investigate, the list of suspects also begins to grow. While she’s finding clues, you’re introduced to some unique and lovable characters that frequent the restaurant. Among these will be the Graces, a group of ladies as loyal to Aunt Pat’s as they are to Graceland where they volunteer. Each one of the Graces is a delight, a bit of a character, and most are suspects in the murder.

Lulu quickly learns everyone is hiding secrets including her nine-year-old twin granddaughters.

Another murder causes Lulu to turn up the heat in her investigation after she’s knocked out by the killer minutes after finding the second body. Lulu may not be a spring chicken anymore, but she’s not about to let the killer cook her goose.

While trying to find the killer, Lulu also has time to interfere in her youngest son’s life, help play matchmaker with a couple of restaurant patrons, and go on an overnight outing with the Graces where they get stranded in the middle of a lake.

Author Riley Adams puts together a great mixture of eclectic characters, a wonderful sense of Southern culture, and a strong murder mystery. She sprinkles in the right amount of humor to flavor the story. But the icing on the cake is the twists the storyline takes at the end. Just when you think you know who the killer is, she adds a dash of surprise causing you to shake your head in disbelief and awe.

By the time you finish DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS your mouth will be watering for the savory dishes mentioned throughout the story. For an added treat, a number of the recipes are included in the back of this cozy murder mystery book. Among the recipes is Pulled Pork Barbeque and Sauce, and Aunt’ Pat’s Spicy Corn Muffins.

DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS is author Riley Adam’s first book in the Memphis Barbecue Mystery series. Can’t wait to see what Lulu’s cooking up next. This saucy amateur sleuth will have you coming back wanting more.

Riley Adams is the pseudonym of Elizabeth Spann Craig, who blogs daily at Mystery Writing Is Murder and blogs on Thursdays at Mystery Lovers Kitchen. DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS is scheduled to be released July 6, but can be pre-order now.

Delicious and Suspicious by Riley Adams, Berkley Prime Crime, @2010, ISBN: 978-0-425-23553-9, Paperback, 288 pages

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.