155 ratings | 68 reviews | avg rating:5.00

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Ellen’s Year In Books

Ellen’s 2025 Year in Books

Take a look at Ellen’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.

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Ellen Byron’s Followers (1,660)

Ellen’s Bookshelves

to-read (43)
currently-reading (37)
read (173)
did-not-finish (0)
bed-and-breakfast-mysteries (7)
bookstore-mysteries (2)
catering-mysteries (3)
cozy-mysteries (12)
culinary-mysteries (11)
louisiana-mysteries (9)
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Ellen’s Friends (182)

Gina Hott

15,920 books | 688 friends

Carol

16,542 books | 2,147 friends

Jody Reads Smut

1,412 books | 777 friends

Isabella Maldonado

46 books | 908 friends

Eden

3,356 books | 144 friends

PamG

9,836 books | 2,496 friends

Karen Charles

629 books | 645 friends

Melisa Dowling Reed

74,073 books | 1,349 friends

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Ellen Byron

Goodreads Author

Born

in New York, The United States

Website

http://www.ellenbyron.com/

Twitter

ellenbyronla

Genre

Mystery, Humor and Comedy

Influences

Agatha Christie, Louise Penny, Jacqueline Winspear, all the Brontes, C ...more

Member Since

May 2013

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Ellen is the bestselling, Agatha and Lefty Award-winning author of the Cajun Country Mysteries, the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, the Catering Hall Mystery series (which she writes under the name Maria DiRico), and the Golden Motel Mysteries.

Ellen is also award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like WINGS, JUST SHOOT ME, and FAIRLY ODD PARENTS. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

She is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America.

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Combine Editions
Ellen Byron’s books

Average rating: 3.94 · 22,679 ratings · 3,790 reviews · 21 distinct works • Similar authors

	Plantation Shudders (Cajun Country Mystery, #1) 3.81 avg rating — 4,124 ratings — published 2015 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bayou Book Thief (Vintage Cookbook Mystery, #1) 3.89 avg rating — 2,604 ratings — published 2022 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Body on the Bayou (Cajun Country Mystery, #2) 4.02 avg rating — 2,433 ratings — published 2016 — 13 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Very Woodsy Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries, #1) 3.45 avg rating — 2,524 ratings — published 2024 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Mardi Gras Murder (Cajun Country Mystery, #4) 4.04 avg rating — 2,051 ratings — published 2018 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Cajun Christmas Killing (Cajun Country Mystery, #3) 4.07 avg rating — 2,004 ratings — published 2017 — 12 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Murder in the Bayou Boneyard (Cajun Country Mystery, #6) 4.12 avg rating — 1,428 ratings — published 2020 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Fatal Cajun Festival (Cajun Country Mystery, #5) 4.10 avg rating — 1,350 ratings — published 2019 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Wined and Died in New Orleans (Vintage Cookbook Mystery, #2) 4.08 avg rating — 1,313 ratings — published 2023 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Cajun Kiss of Death (Cajun Country Mystery, #7) 4.22 avg rating — 1,062 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Ellen Byron…

137 posts
Ellen Byron's Blog

Cover Reveal for A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS!

I'm thrilled to share the cover for A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS! It's my fifth Vintage Cookbook Mystery and will officially release on August 4th but is available for preorder. :-) Drumroll, please! Here's a little bit about the book... It's cozy. It's culinary. It's Mardi Gras madness! it's the fifth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today-bestselling and Aga Read more of this blog post »

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Published on April 15, 2026 13:19

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Series by Ellen Byron

Cajun Country Mystery (7 books)
by

Ellen Byron (Goodreads Author)

4.00 avg rating — 14,448 ratings

Vintage Cookbook Mystery (4 books)
by

Ellen Byron (Goodreads Author)

3.98 avg rating — 5,071 ratings

Golden Motel Mystery (3 books)
by

Ellen Byron (Goodreads Author)

3.55 avg rating — 3,099 ratings

Ellen is Currently Reading

Ellen Byron is currently reading

The Ex-Wives Club (Alibis Collection, #2)

by Sally Hepworth (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 12, 2025 07:44AM

Ellen Byron is currently reading

The Secret, Book & Scone Society (Secret, Book, & Scone Society, #1)

by Ellery Adams (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 12, 2025 07:42AM

Ellen Byron is currently reading

Malicious Intent (Lily Larkin Mysteries, #2)

by Hannah Ellis (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Sep 12, 2025 07:40AM

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Ellen’s Recent Updates

Ellen Byron wrote a new blog post Cover Reveal for A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS! I'm thrilled to share the cover for A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS! It's my fifth Vintage Cookbook Mystery and will officially release on August 4th Read more of this blog post »
7 hours, 32 min ago · 2 likes · like
Ellen Byron rated a book it was amazing Buried in Shamrocks (Irish Bed & Breakfast Mystery, #2) by Lisa Q. Mathews (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
A wonderful Irish American themed mystery Lisa Q. Matthews Has created an irresistible mystery set in a cozy town you wish existed in real life with likable characters And plot twists that keep you guessing. If only a delightful town like Shamrock, Ma ...more
Apr 06, 2026 09:28AM · 4 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Buried in Shamrocks by Lisa Q. Mathews <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron rated a book it was amazing The Jewish Policeman (Adam Lapid Mysteries, #9) by Jonathan Dunsky (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Fantastic addition to the Adam Laid series Powerful, evocative, and deeply moving. Jonathan Dunsky is a brilliant author. I took sick day to finish this because I couldn't stop reading. I cannot wait for the next addition to what is one of my favorite ...more
Mar 19, 2026 05:42PM · 4 likes · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Jewish Policeman by Jonathan Dunsky. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Jewish Policeman by Jonathan Dunsky <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron is now following DonnaRae Menard Author of Murder in the Meadow
Jan 11, 2026 08:19AM · like
Ellen Byron is now following Millicent Eidson Author of Anthracis: A Microbial Mystery (MayaVerse #1)
Jan 11, 2026 08:18AM · like
Ellen Byron wants to read Solid Gold Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery, #2) by Ellen Byron (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2026 08:17AM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Solid Gold Murder by Ellen Byron <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron wants to read Spring Melt by Lori Duffy Foster (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2026 08:16AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Spring Melt by Lori Duffy Foster. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Spring Melt by Lori Duffy Foster <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron wants to read Death of a Codebreaker by Max Folsom (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2026 08:15AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Death of a Codebreaker by Max Folsom. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Death of a Codebreaker by Max Folsom <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron wants to read Imminent Risk: A Kolya Petrov/Alex Feinstein Thriller (The Kolya Petrov Thrillers) by S. Lee Manning (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2026 08:15AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Imminent Risk by S. Lee Manning. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Imminent Risk by S. Lee Manning <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Ellen Byron wants to read Fire And Dalmatian: A Lily Dreyfus Mystery (The Lily Dreyfus Mysteries Book 3) by Darlene Dziomba (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jan 11, 2026 08:14AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Fire And Dalmatian by Darlene Dziomba. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Fire And Dalmatian by Darlene Dziomba <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

More of Ellen's books…

Quotes by Ellen Byron (?)

“Some nasty old fart and his weird wife died, but the airboat swamp tour was awesome.” She”
― Ellen Byron, Plantation Shudders

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“That's what I love about vintage cookbooks," Ricky said. "They're an amazing window into how life was lived in past decades and how our eating habits have changed.”
― Ellen Byron, Bayou Book Thief

tags: herkenning

0 likes

“Something's going on. Something funky.”
― Ellen Byron, A Very Woodsy Murder

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See all Ellen Byron's quotes »

Polls

April 2026 COZY MYSTERY Poll

We ask that you only vote if you are planning on participating in our discussion, should your choice win.

Which COZY MYSTERY would you like to read in April?

Bayou Book Thief by Ellen Byron

13 votes, 48.1%

Peg and Rose Solve a Murder by Laurien Berenson

8 votes, 29.6%

Dairy, Dairy, Quite Contrary by Amy Lillard

6 votes, 22.2%

27 total votes

comments and details

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