DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS
by Riley Adams
Berkley Prime Crime
375 Hudson Street
New York, NY 10014
www.penguingroup.com
ISBN: 9780425235539

Lulu Taylor is matriarch of a family that runs Aunt Pat’s barbeque restaurant, a favorite eatery in Memphis, TN. Hoping to win a spot on the Cooking Channel show, Lulu intends to wow the show’s scout, Rebecca Adrian, when she visits. But Rebecca is arrogant, rude, and not so easily impressed with the food or colorful characters gracing Aunt Pat’s. Rebecca manages to insult most of the people she meets, and when she’s found dead in her hotel room from food poisoning, all eyes turn to Aunt Pat’s, the last place she ate. In hopes of saving her restaurant’s reputation, Lulu turns amateur sleuth, but suspects keep adding up, most of whom are patrons of Aunt Pat’s, some of whom are members of Lulu’s own family.

Readers who enjoy eccentric characters will not be disappointed with Adams’ first book in her Memphis BBQ mystery series. Adams places the series against an appealing backdrop: Memphis, Tennessee, with its gentle Southern charm, charming vernacular and mouth-watering food. Although the plot at times takes a second seat to a plethora of zany characters, Adam’s witty narrative and dialogue move the story along in a fun, entertaining way. An added bonus: great recipes at the end of the book.