Thank you to the authors, publishers, and/or NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The recipe review and food pairings found on my Instagram feed are of my own doing.
A Murder Most Fowl
A Food Truck Mystery Series Starter
Carmela Dutra
Crooked Lane
What a great start to a new cozy series. Carmela Dutra should be strutting like rooster after writing such a clever cozy mystery based on a family food truck business. I was instantly hooked because I love a good culinary cozy with a slightly snarky, slightly silly sleuth. Beth (Bethany) Lloyd starts out this adventure by getting arrested, in a chicken costume, for assaulting another food truck owner's truck. I know that I am going to like her right away because she introduces herself to the reader and states that nothing she does is subtle. The snark shows up right away as illustrated by her nickname for the arresting officer, Officer Pretty Boy. Yep, that comes back to peck her in the face when it turns out that he is really Detective "Pretty Boy" Kane.
Beth isn't alone in this adventure though, she has her BFF (best female friend) Rylie Cortes, and her womb-mate/twin brother and lawyer-to-be, Seth. And what an adventure it is going to be since their food truck, Kluckin' Good, has been selected for the reality food show/contest The Food Truck Showdown and a chance to win $50,000 not to mention the fantastic publicity just from being a part of the show. Unfortunately, a local rival and nemesis, Benji Mayhews, owner of The Dog House food truck is a contestant as well. So, of course, Benji is a victim, and Beth is a suspect who is questioned not once but twice by Detective Pretty Boy. Their playful banter is highly entertaining, and almost as good as the twins back and forth about who is older.
The easygoing light-heartedness is perfect to counterbalance the over-the-top reality TV drama and keeps the reader entertained and interested. The contestants, all unique, and all offering some great food, are all suspects, even though they have received threatening serial killer like magazine cutout messages. What cozy sleuth can ignore a food related threatening message created out of magazine bits? Beth and Rylie are true crime fans, so of course Beth intends to use all her knowledge to get to the bottom of the strange goings on. There are plenty of clues to be followed and scenarios to be sorted out. Interestingly enough, Detective Kane is happy to listen to Beth’s theories and does his best to warn her to stay out of his investigation. I am looking forward to seeing how that relationship progresses as the series continues.
I found this story to be as appetizing and as original as the menu items and daily specials that are described in great detail. Speaking of food, there are two recipes, The Kluckin' Greek wings and Mac and Cheese Poppers included at the conclusion of the story that I cannot wait to make and enjoy.
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