Fried Chicken Castañeda

Couriers #1

by Suzanne Stauffer

It’s January, 1929. Prudence Bates, a librarian at the Cleveland Public Library, attends a public meeting promoting the Fred Harvey Southwestern Indian Detours. She is utterly entranced with the romance of the West. She determines to join the next training course for Couriers, or guides, at the La Fonda in Santa Fe in June. Six months later, she leaves for Santa Fe aboard the California Limited from Chicago, stopping in Las Vegas, New Mexico for a week to soak up local culture. On the train, she meets a charming Navajo school teacher, Jerry Begay, a product of the Indian Boarding school system. They feel an instant rapport, but he’s going on to Gallup, so it’s a brief encounter between two strangers on a train. In Las Vegas, she is befriended by Martha, a Harvey Girl at the Hotel Castaneda, her brother Tom, a local bootlegger, Clara, the desk clerk at the hotel and her boyfriend John, Anne, another Harvey Girl, and her boyfriend, Mike, Gene, and Liz, the daughter of the richest man in the area. Shortly afterward, Tom’s is found murdered. Is it because of his bootlegging activities? And was that really Jerry Begay whom Prudence saw meeting with Tom in secret the day before he was murdered?

Genres: Mystery

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

With a father in the military, my childhood was rather peripatetic. I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and within a year we had moved to Columbus, Ohio. Shortly after that we moved to Puerto Rico, then El Paso, Texas, back to northern Utah, then Oklahoma, and finally, Utah again. Family vacations were often spent in one or more of the many national parks in southern Utah, and I spent several summers with cousins in Holbrook, Arizona and environs. I graduated in 1978 with a B.S. in psychology, earned an MLS in 1986, and a Ph.D. in Library & Information Science in 2004. Somewhere in there I lived in Spain for close to 18 months. I lived and worked as a librarian in and around New York City for 10 years. I have lived in Baton Rouge with my darling husband and our rat terrier since 2006.

Reviews

[Connie Whitcomb]

Absolutely loved this book. It was all about places that I know and recognized. Aside from this, it was a very good story. The Harvey Girls and Castaneda Hotel history were very interesting.

[LORI CASWELL]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Cleveland, Ohio, January 1929 – Librarian Prudence Bates’ life is in a rut. When she attends a presentation about Fred Harvey Southwest Indian Detours, she feels being a Courier for the company may be the kick her life needs. She convinces her mom and friend Wally that it is something she needs to do, and boards a train and heads West. Traveling by train is very interesting. Prudence meets some intriguing people, but she and handsome Navajo school teacher, Jerry Begay, really hit it off. They part when she gets off the train at her stop, while he continues on to his destination.

After arriving in Las Vegas, New Mexico, she checks into the Fred Harvey Castaneda Hotel, where she plans to stay a week, getting to know the lay of the land before she travels on to hopefully begin her Courier training. It doesn’t take her long to make a few friends, Castañeda Hotel Harvey Girls, Martha, Anne, and Clara. They invite her along to see the local hot springs and dances. Well into her stay, Martha’s brother, Tom, is found dead. Prudence had witnessed some of his questionable behavior and wondered if that had gotten him killed.

With a bit of time on her hands, Prudence is free to do a little sleuthing, but will this put her right in the killer’s path? Will she survive to board the train to her next stop?

I love old movies, and after reading the synopsis of Fried Chicken Castañeda, it reminded me of the movie starring Judy Garland that was produced long before I was born. Despite its age, I have watched it several times. The film wasn’t centered around tours, but focused on new waitresses working at the Harvey House restaurants and their journeys along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway through the American Southwest. This connection made me eager to read Fried Chicken Castañeda, and Ms. Stauffer’s storytelling didn’t disappoint.

Twenty-five-year-old Prudence Bates stands out as an adventurous and brave character. Her previous travels only took her as far west as Chicago, accompanied by her mother. Now, Prudence embarks on this new adventure alone, facing uncertainty about what lies ahead in her travels and in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She approaches the experience with confidence and a willingness to learn. Her curiosity leads her to ask questions, which quickly help her make friends with Martha, Anne, and Clara, who invite her to share in some memorable experiences.

Prudence also witnesses the harsher aspects of Las Vegas and gains valuable insights into the unique culture of the Southwest during the Prohibition era. Indians are dying from drinking poisoned liquor, and she suspects Martha’s brother, Tom, is involved. The situation intensifies when Tom disappears and is later discovered murdered, thrusting Prudence into the center of a mystery. Even with everything going on, she finds a little time to squeeze in a bit of romance.

The author’s thorough research on the time period is evident throughout the novel. Her vivid descriptions of each character, their attire, and the various scenes helped me visualize everything clearly. I appreciated learning about the Couriers, the railroad, and aspects of Native American culture. Additionally, the story provided thoughtful perspectives on some of the pressing issues of the 1920s.

Fried Chicken Castañeda has set this series off to a great start with the first part of Prudence’s journey. It’s an entertaining mix of a coming-of-age story and a cozy mystery. I am anxiously awaiting the October release of French Toast a la Santa Fe to continue with Prudence on her adventure.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author and Artemesia Publishing, LLC for providing me with an ARC.

[MICHELE]

An enjoyable, quick and cozy mystery. Set in 1929 in Las Vegas, NM, I found it especially delightful because I have visited there and stayed at the Casteneda after its restoration.

[Jan]

From a library in Cleveland to Fred Harvey Indian Detours in New Mexico, Prudence is off on a real adventure involving bootlegger, mob ties, murder, new lifestyles, new friends, and more. The story is fun, riveting, enlightening, and does the mystery/investigation very well. I hope that it really is book one of a series because it was also very descriptive of everything.
I won a print copy from Artemesia Publishing in a LibraryThing Giveaway. Then I needed to buy a digital copy because my eyes weren't cooperating and I REALLY wanted to finish it!
#FriedChickenCastañeda by Suzanne Stauffer #ArtemesiaPublishing @ibpalovesindies @kobo
@bookbub @goodreads #storygraph @librarythingofficial #historicalcozy #amateursleuth #1920s #historicalresearch @barnesandnoble #cozymystery #bootleggers #newmexico #murderinvestigation
#recipe #librarian #wentonadventure #diversity #tourguides @USsouthwesthistory #friendship

[Karen Siddall]

A great start to this new historical cozy mystery series.

Fried Chicken Castañeda marks the debut of author Suzanne Stauffer’s compelling new Historical Culinary Cozy Mystery series and the introduction of a sweet, serious, and courageous young amateur sleuth, Miss Prudence Bates, a former librarian from Cleveland, Ohio. Set in 1929, Prudence is bored with her life and staid career and is bitten by the adventure bug when she attends a lecture about the Southwestern Indian Detours and the young women who guide them. Determined to broaden her life experiences before settling down, she decides to pursue her interest by applying for the program and by making a temporary change in profession. After a long train journey to Las Vegas, New Mexico, she checks into the Castañeda Hotel, where she’ll join one of the tours to reach her training location, making friends with several of the young women, the Harvey Girls, working there. But when the brother of one of her new friends is murdered, she is compelled to help identify his killer.

I so enjoyed the main character, Prudence Bates, and found her engaging and quite relatable in her longing to finally live her life for herself. She’s smart but has limited experience with life beyond her own circumstances, and her eyes are gradually opened to what others are dealing with in the country at this time. She’s resourceful as she tries to uncover the truth behind the murder.

The author packs a lot of punch into this first book in the series, and I felt I learned so much about an unusual and little-known topic. Her vivid descriptions and use of unique settings made this time period (1929 and Prohibition) and location (a railroad town deep in the Southwestern U.S.) really come to life as she developed the foundation for the series, so much so that I didn’t realize until later that the murder didn’t occur until past the halfway point of the story. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of action going on, though, as Prudence explores the small New Mexico town, discovers a vast array of culinary delights, and sees a different side of society than what she’s accustomed to as the mixed cultures clash.

I recommend FRIED CHICKEN CASTAÑEDA to readers of historical and culinary-themed cozy mysteries, especially those with an interest in the Southwestern Indian Detours and couriers and settings in the Southwestern United States.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

[Deena]

I might have rounded up from a 2.5 to a 3 - until I read the incredibly weak ending. The whole thing wasn't great, but the ending was a sloppy attempt to shoehorn in a little more research and not have to make any decisions about most of the main characters.

One of the biggest weaknesses was the lack of difference between the characters. The fact that you've given them different coloring, or religions, doesn't differentiate them from each other. Our MC was supposed to have already finished graduate school and worked in a library - but her voice was essentially indistinguishable from the handful of undergrads with whom she hangs around - which was also a stretch. We are told about the romantic feelings Prudence & Jerry have for each other, but we're certainly never shown why that developed, or when - they spent a couple of hours together through the course of the entire book.

The author's attempts to reckon with the socio-political & geographical nuances of the time are as shallow and single-note as the characters. Lots of loose ends, none of the plot strands really resolved on any deeper level... Very disappointing.

[Amelia.S]

Fried Chicken Castañeda by Suzanne Stauffer is a delightful blend of historical fiction, mystery, and romance. Set in the vibrant and bustling Castañeda Hotel of 1920s New Mexico, the story follows Prudence Bates, a spirited young woman who finds herself swept up in intrigue, murder, and unexpected romance.

Stauffer skillfully captures the era with vivid detail, from the glamorous Harvey Girls to the shadowy world of bootleggers. Prudence’s determination to uncover the truth about a local murder while navigating personal connections and the hotel’s social scene creates a compelling and immersive narrative. The mix of romance, suspense, and historical charm makes this novel appealing to fans of cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and character driven stories.

[Joanne]

The informative and accessible historical background in this excellent “cozy” is unobtrusively woven throughout. It’s 1929, and twenty-five year old Prudence Bates, a Cleveland public librarian, is in a rut. After hearing a lecture she takes a figurative deep breath and travels by train to Las Vegas, NM, where she meets a lovely group of Harvey Girls and a few young men and becomes involved in a murder and a mystery. Well plotted with realistic dialogue and gorgeous descriptions of the landscape. Added bonus: a recipe at the end. Projected as the first in a series, I can’t wait to see what happens to Prudence and her new friends.

[Sarah]

This was such a fun adventure that I read in one sitting! I adore historical mysteries and when I saw this one featured a librarian I knew I was in. And I’m so glad I picked this up.

Prudence is such a great character – determined and unafraid to adventure out on her own which seemed especially brave given the 1929 time period. I love how she knows no stranger and is a quick friend-maker. This quality makes her the perfect sleuth.

The setting is vividly written, and I could easily picture the sights and sounds of the Southwest. Taking them in through Prudence’s eyes made me feel as though I was right there with her. I did not know about the Harvey Girls until earlier this year when I picked up a book featuring this program, and it was so much fun to learn even more about a part of history totally new to me. The research that went into this story was detailed and woven in seamlessly. I never felt like I was reading a dry history book.

I did not solve the mystery ahead of time and there is a scene towards the end that had me sitting straight up, gasping. Excellent pacing made this a fast-paced read.

I do hope we see more of Prudence soon.

[Charles Vane]

This cozy mystery takes the reader on a leisurely stroll through prohibition-era Las Vegas, New Mexico, where the heroine learns many lessons about the unique culture and style of the Southwest, as well as its racial divides. Prudence’s quest for adventure has her easily making new friends and welcoming new experiences, both of which stand her in good stead when it comes to solving a murder. She even stumbles across love (or is it lust?) in this charming story. An easy read, chock-full of details, Fried Chicken Castañeda allows you to soak up the historical flavor of the timeframe.

[Floyd McLain]

I loved this book and cannot add much more than what other reviewers have about its great story line. I did want to mention one thing that may become a trademark for Suzanne, and that is her eye for fashion and how she is able to describe what the different characters are wearing as if she were a journalist for Vogue or the society page for a major newspaper. I cannot wait for the next book in the series and highly recommend it since it covers so many different genres and has a little something for everyone. Happy Reading!

[Romalyn Tilghman]

A positively delightful read! Prudence, a feisty heroine on an adventure, a librarian at that, encounters a lively set of characters. The book serves as an introduction to little-known history of the Couriers, who led Detours from the Santa Fe Railroad depots in the West, to explore Native American art and culture. The plot is cozy; the details of the clothes and food and landscape are so much fun!

[Kent]

This is as fine a cozy as you could hope to read. Stauffer tells a compelling yarn supported by sound research and peopled with three dimensional characters. As I read the story for its interesting plot, I noticed that the author deftly and subtly invited me to contemplate important themes, like burgeoning feminism in the 1920s, racism, wealth inequality, and cultural diversity.

[Jodell Larimer]

I am guessing this is the first in what is to be a series. Excellent ending to lead into a second book. Enjoyed the history of the Harvey girls, the geographical and cultural bias and times of the late 1920s and early 30s in America.
If I were grading, I would give this a solid B - with some focused editing to tighten up the storylines, I would give it an A. Look forward to the next adventure.

[Rachael Gathercole]

The story of a young librarian who wants to lead South Western detours. This tells of her stay in Las Vegas see her explore new foods, make friends and get involved in new cultures. As she is already interested in murder mysteries she can't help but ger involved with a local disappearance and bootlegging mysteries.

[Annaleigh]

I was so excited to read a book by a local author about the Harvey Girls. It did not disappoint. This could be recommended to an older teen as it does have depictions of murder, talk of sex, heavy petting, and drinking. I look forward to the next book.

[Melliott]

This is a good one! Read my review:
https://bookadept.com/2025/06/01/cozy...

[Sara Kreps]

This is a clean historical fiction story that I greatly enjoyed. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be a cozy mystery; it is more of a coming-of-age story with a mystery thrown in. There are two questions: who's selling poisoned bootleg liquor to the Indians (it takes place during prohibition) and who killed him? There is never much of a question regarding the first, just lack of proof. The second is solved in a bit of poetic justice but not by the protagonist, although she claims to have settled on the culprit when the police announce it.
My favorite part is the history. While I have seen The Harvey Girls, I didn't realize 1) they were real and 2) they were so widespread. It really makes me want to learn more about this aspect of rail culture, and look up photos. The two complaints I have are ones that maybe won't apply if this becomes a series. While there was a lot of diversity represented, the lesbian character was only there to check that box - she appeared just long enough to establish her sexual identity then disappeared for the rest of the book. I don't care too much either way about such inclusion but I dislike when it's done solely for the purpose of virtue signalling. The whole epilogue was also pointless to the story; it didn't add anything new. Again, it might become relevant if there's a sequel (I hope there is) but the ending was tight enough that that isn't a given.

[Lorie Ayers]

The author didn't do well to manage the sociopolitical & cultural nuances of the time frame. The characters are not deep, and the ending felt rushed or hurried.

[Cheryl]

Fried Chicken Castaneda is a great entrée for a cozy mystery series with the authentic flavor of the American Southwest. Cozy historical mysteries succeed when the author has done deep research into the time and place, and in this story we are immersed in 1929. There's a lot of glorious historical detail as the story follows Prudence from Cleveland to Las Vegas, New Mexico. Suzanne Stauffer gives the reader a grand tour of all things Harvey House and Pullman train travel, with lush descriptions of the sights (like Union Station in Chicago and descent down the Raton Pass in New Mexico), along with tastes of the food (Harvey Girl special thin orange pancakes), the dances (Black Bottom, anyone?), the fashions (from cocktail dresses to custom-made Western wear, Prudence has it all), and a tour of the dusty streets of small New Mexico town where she first learns how much she doesn't know about real life in the Southwest.
Writing light fiction about this period in Southwest history can be problematic, because the Harvey tours were commodifying Indian life for well-off white tourists. And the entire Harvey ecosystem was a kind of "accidental tourist" experience, insulated from the people who lived in the railroad towns. The best part of this book is that the author broadens the lens so that we (through Prudence) get to meet the many different people who live in New Mexico and work for the railroad and Harvey. The book is an antidote to the muzzy pop-culture historical memory of Judy Garland dancing and singing "On The Atchison, Topeka & the Santa Fe."
I originally read the book as a NaNoWriMo draft, and even in that rough form, the characters were vivid and I wanted to know more about them. I was glad that she tells so much more about everyone Prudence met along her way west, and that she has hinted at the return of some of them in future books. Prudence and her love interest, Navaho teacher Jerry Begay, face the classic dilemma of a romantic pair in a detective series. This introductory book lays out the real difficulties they face in reconciling their attraction for each other with the huge cultural divide between them. And the gulf between themselves and their own families. I look forward to knowing them better, but even more so to discovering the other people who Prudence will encounter on her further Detours in New Mexico and Arizona.