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To Kill a Cook
Tender at the Bone meets Finlay Donovan is Killing It in this hilarious, fast-paced mystery about a feisty food critic in 1970s NY who finds her chef friend murdered and realizes she might be the only one to find the killer.
Nobody in Manhattan eats better than Bernice Black. It’s 1972, and she is the city’s busiest restaurant critic, juggling her fiance and his two young sons with demands of fine dining. Bernice talks fast, walks faster, has a razor-sharp wit and no patience for anything--or anyone--that gets in her way.
When she stops by the famed restaurant of her favorite chef and mentor, Laurent Tirel, early one morning, she stumbles across a horrific scene in the Laurent's severed head, perfectly preserved in a flawless mold of jellied aspic.
Her meeting with the cops assigned to the case proves only one thing–they know nothing about food or the seedy underworld that BB Black has made her home. With layoffs looming, Bernice makes the gamble of her career—she promises her editor she can catch Laurent’s killer before the week is out.
To Kill a Cook is a delicious, witty, fast-paced mystery with a lovable, unforgettable protagonist at it center.
Nobody in Manhattan eats better than Bernice Black. It’s 1972, and she is the city’s busiest restaurant critic, juggling her fiance and his two young sons with demands of fine dining. Bernice talks fast, walks faster, has a razor-sharp wit and no patience for anything--or anyone--that gets in her way.
When she stops by the famed restaurant of her favorite chef and mentor, Laurent Tirel, early one morning, she stumbles across a horrific scene in the Laurent's severed head, perfectly preserved in a flawless mold of jellied aspic.
Her meeting with the cops assigned to the case proves only one thing–they know nothing about food or the seedy underworld that BB Black has made her home. With layoffs looming, Bernice makes the gamble of her career—she promises her editor she can catch Laurent’s killer before the week is out.
To Kill a Cook is a delicious, witty, fast-paced mystery with a lovable, unforgettable protagonist at it center.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 3, 2026
33 people are currently reading
10791 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 2, 2025
I just wrote a review where I said that I usually love food-centered horror or thriller novels and then I promptly read one that I didn't like at all. Just my luck. The book started out promising, though. Of course I am intrigued when the main character finds a severed head in aspic in the very first chapter. The 1972 New York setting sounded interesting too and I was ready for a historical, culinary murder mystery starring a food critic turned investigator. But well, I liked nothing about it in the end. Not the characters, not the humor, not the writing. Especially not the writing. It was kinda messy and vulgar, constantly referencing things that I didn't understand and often switching topics from one sentence to the next. Maybe that's the authentic New York way of speaking, but I wouldn't know and it was not enjoyable to read. It also made me despise the main character, Bernice Black. I guess she was supposed to be a strong, independent woman doing whatever she wants in 1972, but she was honestly just annoying. It's also impossible to forget the year, because it's mentioned multiple times throughout the book and it's always people thinking to themselves that this is the year 1972 or talking to someone else about how the year is 1972. I honestly don't know either. It was also rather unnatural how long passages about Bernice's parents or friends were thrown in at random times. After I was so turned off by the writing and the main character, I wasn't able to care at all for the murder mystery that started out promisingly. Bernice finds the body of a famous chef and good friend of hers and I'm told that she is sad and grieving, but the writing doesn't transport these emotions at all. It's supposed to be a humorous book, fair, but don't tell me that she is upset when she decides right away to make some money off his death. Bernice starts to investigate the murder and wants to write about it, and by investigate I mean that she speaks to a bunch of characters that feel like caricatures. I really didn't care which one would turn out to be not only over-the-top and silly, but also a murderer. The book was overall way too unserious for me. Every time the author tried to handle more serious topics, like sexuality or grief, the whole discussion totally fell flat. I'm sure that it can be an enjoyable book for other readers, but I kinda got off on the wrong foot with it and never really recovered during the entire time I was reading it.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Fun read. Non-stop action. Loved the food themes and glimpse into the backrooms of the restaurant world. Bernice is a smart and tenacious character.
February 8, 2026
What a fabulous standout debut cozy mystery set in 1972 New York that follows Bernice Black, an engaged bisexual food critic reporter who is set on figuring out who murdered her mentor, famous restauranteur chef, Laurent Tirel.
Trekking across the city investigating various foodie suspects, former lovers and new love interests all while also trying to balance being a stepmother and planning her fiancee's birthday/engagement party.
This was full of humor and nostalgia for a New York City of old and is perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan or the Sister Holiday cozy mystery series. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book! Many thanks to @phraudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Trekking across the city investigating various foodie suspects, former lovers and new love interests all while also trying to balance being a stepmother and planning her fiancee's birthday/engagement party.
This was full of humor and nostalgia for a New York City of old and is perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan or the Sister Holiday cozy mystery series. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book! Many thanks to @phraudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️
This didn’t really work for me at all. The book constantly reminded the reader it was 1972, to the point of distraction rather than atmosphere. The main character had little reason to be involved in solving the case beyond her being a recently unemployed friend, and she was a client of, which felt weak. As a mystery, there were no real clues or hints for the reader to follow, making it hard to stay engaged. I don't need my hand to be held, but red herrings every so often to nudge me along and keep me guessing? That's how you keep me engaged.
Interesting premise, but disappointing execution.
Received an advanced copy from netgalley for an honest review. I just wish it was a better one!
This didn’t really work for me at all. The book constantly reminded the reader it was 1972, to the point of distraction rather than atmosphere. The main character had little reason to be involved in solving the case beyond her being a recently unemployed friend, and she was a client of, which felt weak. As a mystery, there were no real clues or hints for the reader to follow, making it hard to stay engaged. I don't need my hand to be held, but red herrings every so often to nudge me along and keep me guessing? That's how you keep me engaged.
Interesting premise, but disappointing execution.
Received an advanced copy from netgalley for an honest review. I just wish it was a better one!
February 5, 2026
Thanks to the publisher, via Netgalley, for an advance e-galley for honest review.
The highlight of this one is the depiction of 1970s New York City and the food scene of that era. The mystery, for me, relied too much on its shock value instead of a solid investigation.
The highlight of this one is the depiction of 1970s New York City and the food scene of that era. The mystery, for me, relied too much on its shock value instead of a solid investigation.
February 6, 2026
It’s 1972, and restaurant critic Bernice Black is working hard to have it all. She works at the Sentinel magazine, writing about restaurants and chefs in New York City. Her nights are spent eating, and her days are spent writing (and sleeping). She is also engaged to Toru, a novelist with two young sons. So she’s also trying to be the best stepmom ever, by helping with school drop-offs and pick-ups. And her fiancé's birthday is coming up, so she’s working hard to perfect her Charlotte Russe for his party.
She decided to come to New York to write about restaurants when she was a kid. She saw a magazine interview with French chef Laurent Tirel, saw photos of his restaurant Laurent and his food, heard about the celebrities who ate there, and she knew she wanted to be there. When she was in college, she saved up her money to take her roommate and herself to his restaurant to try out the French food for herself and ended up having dinner with the chef himself. She considered him a friend ever since.
But the menu Laurent had come up with for Toru’s upcoming birthday party was unacceptable to Bernice. She was wanting some of his old school French (he was one of the original “Butter Boys,” the chefs who moved from France to the U.S. to open restaurants here). What she got was dull and uninspired. Bernice had stopped by the restaurant on her way to the magazine to talk to him about it. She let herself into the restaurant, and what she found stopped her in her tracks.
Bernice started yelling for Laurent as soon as she got in. She didn’t see him anywhere, and he didn’t answer. She made it to the kitchen, where a perfect stock sat on the stove, reduced to the point it would be perfect for aspic. So she checked the refrigerator, and that’s where she found the famous chef. Or part of him anyway. His head was preserved in a perfect aspic.
After calling the police and getting questioned by detectives, Bernice realized that she would have to find Laurent’s killer herself. Not just any chef could create such a perfect aspic, a jellied dish that takes a lot of skill. Bernice knows that she has the unique understanding of chefs and food to figure out who could have done that, and she is determined to find out who killed her friend. As she follows clues through the restaurant scene of New York City, she finds great food, big personalities, shady characters, sex, drugs, alcohol, and a much needed toothpick flag of Andorra. But will she find the answers she’s looking for before the killer tries to cook her goose?
To Kill a Cook is a creative murder mystery that brings 1970s New York City to life, with all its artistry and its depravity. From the smaller family restaurants to the upscale restaurants with lines of limousines out front, this story ran me all over the city and made me hungry for all sorts of food. This is not a book for those with delicate sensibilities. There is no hiding from the blood and guts of cooking, or of murder.
I love to read about the history of American cooking, so I was fascinated by everything in this story. I loved the restaurants, the chefs, the dishes. But this was also a smart, well-plotted mystery, if you’re just here for the whodunnit. And on top of that is the struggle of Bernice in her personal life, where she is trying to be a good stepmother while being good at her job as well as struggling with her attraction to women. She has a lot to juggle, which felt genuine to me, especially for that time. I loved that she had a strong voice, she wasn’t afraid to hold others accountable for their actions, and she took responsibility for her shortcomings. She was a strong character, and I loved being with her through this story. Her intelligence and her heart make this story.
Egalleys for To Kill a Cook were provided by Putnam through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
She decided to come to New York to write about restaurants when she was a kid. She saw a magazine interview with French chef Laurent Tirel, saw photos of his restaurant Laurent and his food, heard about the celebrities who ate there, and she knew she wanted to be there. When she was in college, she saved up her money to take her roommate and herself to his restaurant to try out the French food for herself and ended up having dinner with the chef himself. She considered him a friend ever since.
But the menu Laurent had come up with for Toru’s upcoming birthday party was unacceptable to Bernice. She was wanting some of his old school French (he was one of the original “Butter Boys,” the chefs who moved from France to the U.S. to open restaurants here). What she got was dull and uninspired. Bernice had stopped by the restaurant on her way to the magazine to talk to him about it. She let herself into the restaurant, and what she found stopped her in her tracks.
Bernice started yelling for Laurent as soon as she got in. She didn’t see him anywhere, and he didn’t answer. She made it to the kitchen, where a perfect stock sat on the stove, reduced to the point it would be perfect for aspic. So she checked the refrigerator, and that’s where she found the famous chef. Or part of him anyway. His head was preserved in a perfect aspic.
After calling the police and getting questioned by detectives, Bernice realized that she would have to find Laurent’s killer herself. Not just any chef could create such a perfect aspic, a jellied dish that takes a lot of skill. Bernice knows that she has the unique understanding of chefs and food to figure out who could have done that, and she is determined to find out who killed her friend. As she follows clues through the restaurant scene of New York City, she finds great food, big personalities, shady characters, sex, drugs, alcohol, and a much needed toothpick flag of Andorra. But will she find the answers she’s looking for before the killer tries to cook her goose?
To Kill a Cook is a creative murder mystery that brings 1970s New York City to life, with all its artistry and its depravity. From the smaller family restaurants to the upscale restaurants with lines of limousines out front, this story ran me all over the city and made me hungry for all sorts of food. This is not a book for those with delicate sensibilities. There is no hiding from the blood and guts of cooking, or of murder.
I love to read about the history of American cooking, so I was fascinated by everything in this story. I loved the restaurants, the chefs, the dishes. But this was also a smart, well-plotted mystery, if you’re just here for the whodunnit. And on top of that is the struggle of Bernice in her personal life, where she is trying to be a good stepmother while being good at her job as well as struggling with her attraction to women. She has a lot to juggle, which felt genuine to me, especially for that time. I loved that she had a strong voice, she wasn’t afraid to hold others accountable for their actions, and she took responsibility for her shortcomings. She was a strong character, and I loved being with her through this story. Her intelligence and her heart make this story.
Egalleys for To Kill a Cook were provided by Putnam through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Can a food critic solve her chef friend's murder?
Sharp-tongued Bernice Black's life was seeming pretty good, all in all. She is the restaurant critic for the magazine section of a New York newspaper, which means that she eats really, really well seven days a week on someone else's dime. She lives with her kind and supportive fiancé Toru, a Japanese-American man who is father to two sons who live with Bernie and Toru - which is proving a challenge, but she is determined to be a Great Step Mother - and knows everyone who is anyone on the NYC food scene. Then comes the day when everything starts to crumble. She goes to visit her friend and mentor, the celebrated chef Laurent Tirel, and finds him dead. Well, technically she finds his severed head covered in aspic...only when the police come is the rest of his body discovered. Then her editor tells her that the newspaper is shutting down the magazine section and Bernie will be out of a job (at a time when the job market is not exactly brimming over with opportunities). Desperate to prove to the newspaper that they should keep her on in some capacity, and convinced that the NYPD is not up to the task of finding Laurent's killer, Bernie promises her editor that she will solve the murder (and write a doozy of an article about it) before her employment ends in a week. Who wanted Laurent dead, and why? Her best clue may be the aspic (not just anyone can make a really good one); can her knowledge of the movers and shakers on the culinary scene help her track down a killer and save her career?
To Kill a Cook is part murder mystery and part food glorification with throwback '70's vibes, and features a delightful, zany protagonist in Bernice Black. She has a bit of a potty mouth and is trying to ignore the growing signals that she is attracted to women as well as men, but she knows her food (and the reader gets to vicariously experience all of the food she samples along the way). The story is fast-paced, with plenty of quirky characters, witty banter, and a look at the New York dining scene from 50 years ago. There are plenty of twists along the way, and even if clues as to the identity of the killer aren't terribly forthcoming and there may be a few too many sub-storylines going on - the quest for stepmother perfection, the birthday party planning for Toru, the questions about her sexuality - it was a highly entertaining and funny read, one likely to appeal to readers of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich and Peter King as well as those who enjoy food writers like Ruth Reichl and Anthony Bourdain. My thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me access to this madcap mystery in exchange for my honest review.
Sharp-tongued Bernice Black's life was seeming pretty good, all in all. She is the restaurant critic for the magazine section of a New York newspaper, which means that she eats really, really well seven days a week on someone else's dime. She lives with her kind and supportive fiancé Toru, a Japanese-American man who is father to two sons who live with Bernie and Toru - which is proving a challenge, but she is determined to be a Great Step Mother - and knows everyone who is anyone on the NYC food scene. Then comes the day when everything starts to crumble. She goes to visit her friend and mentor, the celebrated chef Laurent Tirel, and finds him dead. Well, technically she finds his severed head covered in aspic...only when the police come is the rest of his body discovered. Then her editor tells her that the newspaper is shutting down the magazine section and Bernie will be out of a job (at a time when the job market is not exactly brimming over with opportunities). Desperate to prove to the newspaper that they should keep her on in some capacity, and convinced that the NYPD is not up to the task of finding Laurent's killer, Bernie promises her editor that she will solve the murder (and write a doozy of an article about it) before her employment ends in a week. Who wanted Laurent dead, and why? Her best clue may be the aspic (not just anyone can make a really good one); can her knowledge of the movers and shakers on the culinary scene help her track down a killer and save her career?
To Kill a Cook is part murder mystery and part food glorification with throwback '70's vibes, and features a delightful, zany protagonist in Bernice Black. She has a bit of a potty mouth and is trying to ignore the growing signals that she is attracted to women as well as men, but she knows her food (and the reader gets to vicariously experience all of the food she samples along the way). The story is fast-paced, with plenty of quirky characters, witty banter, and a look at the New York dining scene from 50 years ago. There are plenty of twists along the way, and even if clues as to the identity of the killer aren't terribly forthcoming and there may be a few too many sub-storylines going on - the quest for stepmother perfection, the birthday party planning for Toru, the questions about her sexuality - it was a highly entertaining and funny read, one likely to appeal to readers of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich and Peter King as well as those who enjoy food writers like Ruth Reichl and Anthony Bourdain. My thanks to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam's Sons for allowing me access to this madcap mystery in exchange for my honest review.
February 18, 2026
4.5 stars
What a fantastic, fun book this was! I just stumbled upon it and was completely hooked. And, of course, I’m hungry now, too!
“This is part of what I love about eating in restaurants. Every course is its own adventure, and even when the food is lousy there’s always the suspense of what’s coming next.”
New York City, 1972. Bernice “B.B.” Black is a restaurant critic. It’s a job she absolutely loves. She’s been obsessed with food and restaurants since she was 19 and had her first fancy meal at a famed French restaurant.
One morning she stops by Laurent’s, the French restaurant that birthed her love of food. The chef, Laurent Tirel, is a friend and mentor, and he’s agreed to cater her fiancée’s birthday party. But when B.B. arrives, she is horrified to find that Laurent has been murdered, and his severed head is the centerpiece of a mold of jellied aspic.
She is utterly devastated but at the same time, B.B. is determined to figure out who murdered Laurent. And there are lots of suspects, including Laurent’s son, several of his employees, a mob boss…and it doesn’t seem like the police have a clue. But can she solve the murder before she winds up cooked?
I can’t get enough of books about chefs, cooking, and restaurants, so this was right up my alley. B.B. is a feisty, complex character, juggling a lot of personal issues as she’s trying to find a killer. I loved how well W.M. Akers captured 1970s NYC, too. Hope this is the start of a series!!
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
What a fantastic, fun book this was! I just stumbled upon it and was completely hooked. And, of course, I’m hungry now, too!
“This is part of what I love about eating in restaurants. Every course is its own adventure, and even when the food is lousy there’s always the suspense of what’s coming next.”
New York City, 1972. Bernice “B.B.” Black is a restaurant critic. It’s a job she absolutely loves. She’s been obsessed with food and restaurants since she was 19 and had her first fancy meal at a famed French restaurant.
One morning she stops by Laurent’s, the French restaurant that birthed her love of food. The chef, Laurent Tirel, is a friend and mentor, and he’s agreed to cater her fiancée’s birthday party. But when B.B. arrives, she is horrified to find that Laurent has been murdered, and his severed head is the centerpiece of a mold of jellied aspic.
She is utterly devastated but at the same time, B.B. is determined to figure out who murdered Laurent. And there are lots of suspects, including Laurent’s son, several of his employees, a mob boss…and it doesn’t seem like the police have a clue. But can she solve the murder before she winds up cooked?
I can’t get enough of books about chefs, cooking, and restaurants, so this was right up my alley. B.B. is a feisty, complex character, juggling a lot of personal issues as she’s trying to find a killer. I loved how well W.M. Akers captured 1970s NYC, too. Hope this is the start of a series!!
Check out my best reads of 2025 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2025.html .
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5/5 stars: This Akers's stand-alone Historical Mystery set in New York, 1972. Featuring a feisty restaurant critic who finds herself turning sleuth after stopping by her favorite chef and mentor's famed restaurant only to discover his severed head perfectly preserved in a flawless mold of jellied aspic and his body's found next to couple thousand dollars worth of heroin. Juggling her fiance, his kids, the demands of her job and her bisexual awakening, she has no patience for anything – or anyone – that gets in her way. And that includes the cops assigned to the case, who know nothing about food or the seedy underworld that she's made her home. With layoffs looming, she makes a gamble – she promises her editor she can catch the killer before the week's out. Now she'll have to work fast if she doesn't want to be next on the killer's deadly menu.
With plenty of twists and turns, Akers has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Witty and heartfelt, Akers's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. The historical research Akers's done is evident and well done without overshadowing the overall mystery plot and providing a sense of time and place perfectly.
Akers takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. I loved this – not only is the mystery and MC great but it's a culinary food lovers feast. I really hope this isn't a stand-alone; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Akers has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects and weaves in plenty of clues and red herrings that will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Witty and heartfelt, Akers's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced. The historical research Akers's done is evident and well done without overshadowing the overall mystery plot and providing a sense of time and place perfectly.
Akers takes on some sensitive issues; so take care and check the CWs. I loved this – not only is the mystery and MC great but it's a culinary food lovers feast. I really hope this isn't a stand-alone; Highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
February 7, 2026
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗦
It’s 1970, New York City, and Bernice Black finds her best friend murdered. And not just murdered; he’s been decapitated and his head is floating in a perfect mold of aspic. Yanno.
As a magazine food writer, not only has she eaten some of the best (and worst) food in Manhattan, she also believes that with her connections and an overworked police department, it’s up to her to find his killer.
Hers is a small circle fulls of chefs, bartenders, front of house, the mob, and socialites. And one of them did it.
She’s got a week to find the killer, save her relationship, and turn in the story of her career.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
I mean, the head is floating in aspic, a savory gelatinous blob that normally contains eggs or veggies or seafood, so you know it’s gonna be a wild, madcap ride to find the guilty party!
It moves fast and is chock full of hilarity. I also loved țhe 70s vibes that were all over this book from food to fashion to vernacular.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Finlay Donovan in a different (better, fight me) decade but make it wackier and based in food culture.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
I think this one will hit right for people who love mysteries and characters making vaguely stupid choices, but with a heart of burnished gold.
I found BB to be engaging and ridiculous and I loved her independence!
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦
@putnam share this finished copy with me! It’s out now.
3.5⭐️
It’s 1970, New York City, and Bernice Black finds her best friend murdered. And not just murdered; he’s been decapitated and his head is floating in a perfect mold of aspic. Yanno.
As a magazine food writer, not only has she eaten some of the best (and worst) food in Manhattan, she also believes that with her connections and an overworked police department, it’s up to her to find his killer.
Hers is a small circle fulls of chefs, bartenders, front of house, the mob, and socialites. And one of them did it.
She’s got a week to find the killer, save her relationship, and turn in the story of her career.
𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦
I mean, the head is floating in aspic, a savory gelatinous blob that normally contains eggs or veggies or seafood, so you know it’s gonna be a wild, madcap ride to find the guilty party!
It moves fast and is chock full of hilarity. I also loved țhe 70s vibes that were all over this book from food to fashion to vernacular.
𝗩𝗜𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞
Finlay Donovan in a different (better, fight me) decade but make it wackier and based in food culture.
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗
I think this one will hit right for people who love mysteries and characters making vaguely stupid choices, but with a heart of burnished gold.
I found BB to be engaging and ridiculous and I loved her independence!
𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦
@putnam share this finished copy with me! It’s out now.
3.5⭐️
December 28, 2025
This ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It comes out February 2026.
It is 1970’s New York and the underbelly of the restaurant industry is an ugly place. Bernice Black is struggling to juggle her new self appointed role as “Greatest Stepmom in the World”, being a supportive finance, as well as chasing her dreams to be the best food critic in NYC when she accidentally discovers one of her favorite chef’s dead body. His severed head actually. Preserved in what seems to be the perfect aspic.
Meanwhile Bernice learns her job is on the line and in order to save it she may just have to solve not one but two murders in the NY chef scene and deliver the cover story to the failing magazine she currently works for. As she uses her culinary knowledge,and sometimes Brooklyn street smarts, to put together the pieces of the puzzle hilarity and danger ensue.
Bernice definitely gives Finnelay Donavan vibes toting a toddler in a stroller with her at times. Feisty, dramatic, and witty….but I was missing the sorrow or grief over the death of a close friend. Overall I flew through the book and was invested in finding the killer with her. And now I want to do a food tour in NYC. Although I’ll skip the aspic.
It is 1970’s New York and the underbelly of the restaurant industry is an ugly place. Bernice Black is struggling to juggle her new self appointed role as “Greatest Stepmom in the World”, being a supportive finance, as well as chasing her dreams to be the best food critic in NYC when she accidentally discovers one of her favorite chef’s dead body. His severed head actually. Preserved in what seems to be the perfect aspic.
Meanwhile Bernice learns her job is on the line and in order to save it she may just have to solve not one but two murders in the NY chef scene and deliver the cover story to the failing magazine she currently works for. As she uses her culinary knowledge,and sometimes Brooklyn street smarts, to put together the pieces of the puzzle hilarity and danger ensue.
Bernice definitely gives Finnelay Donavan vibes toting a toddler in a stroller with her at times. Feisty, dramatic, and witty….but I was missing the sorrow or grief over the death of a close friend. Overall I flew through the book and was invested in finding the killer with her. And now I want to do a food tour in NYC. Although I’ll skip the aspic.
January 22, 2026
3/5
This is a tough book to really rate as a whole, there was definitely stuff I liked but also others that just didn’t work for me.
I think it captured the atmosphere of old New York well, with dirty streets and seedy people as well as glamor and food to paint over it all. But it was also very heavy handed with it that it felt a little too claustrophobic. The writing was fuzzy and hard to really follow as it was both meandering and too fast at the same time.
There were also so many named characters that it was hard to keep track by the end. I think it did scope down to a core group in the last 1/3 but before that it was hard to know who the major players really were. It could have used a bit more development in that area.
The mystery itself was definitely overshadowed by the vibes of the book which is a shame. I like to try to actually follow along and guess who the killer was but it was very difficult in this book. There weren’t any real hints or clues and so the final solution felt more like it was trying to be clever and not like it was actually a murder mystery the reader could solve themselves.
Overall the atmosphere was solid but it needed more refining to really make it good.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
This is a tough book to really rate as a whole, there was definitely stuff I liked but also others that just didn’t work for me.
I think it captured the atmosphere of old New York well, with dirty streets and seedy people as well as glamor and food to paint over it all. But it was also very heavy handed with it that it felt a little too claustrophobic. The writing was fuzzy and hard to really follow as it was both meandering and too fast at the same time.
There were also so many named characters that it was hard to keep track by the end. I think it did scope down to a core group in the last 1/3 but before that it was hard to know who the major players really were. It could have used a bit more development in that area.
The mystery itself was definitely overshadowed by the vibes of the book which is a shame. I like to try to actually follow along and guess who the killer was but it was very difficult in this book. There weren’t any real hints or clues and so the final solution felt more like it was trying to be clever and not like it was actually a murder mystery the reader could solve themselves.
Overall the atmosphere was solid but it needed more refining to really make it good.
Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Audiobook/Book Review 🔪👩🏽🍳
thank you so much partner @putnambooks #putnampartner @prhaudio for the gifted copy + audiobook!
To Kill a Cook
by W. M. Akers
Read By Mozhan Navabi
out now!
Nobody in Manhattan eats better than Bernice Black. It’s 1972, and she is the city’s busiest restaurant critic, juggling her fiance and his two young sons with demands of fine dining. Bernice talks fast, walks faster, has a razor-sharp wit and no patience for anything--or anyone--that gets in her way.
When she stops by the famed restaurant of her favorite chef and mentor, Laurent Tirel, early one morning, she stumbles across a horrific scene in the kitchen: Laurent's severed head, perfectly preserved in a flawless mold of jellied aspic.
Her meeting with the cops assigned to the case proves only one thing–they know nothing about food or the seedy underworld that BB Black has made her home. With layoffs looming, Bernice makes the gamble of her career—she promises her editor she can catch Laurent’s killer before the week is out
🍴 My thoughts:
This was such a fun and clever murder mystery, and I absolutely loved it. I switched between the audiobook and the physical book, and both formats were fantastic! The audio especially brought Bernice’s sharp wit and personality to life. The mystery felt fresh and inventive, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I especially loved the restaurant industry setting because it added such a unique flavor to the story and quickly became one of my favorite aspects. The behind the scenes look at food, kitchens, and the cutthroat world of fine dining made everything even more engaging. Witty, entertaining, and packed with great characters, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you love clever mysteries with a unique setting, this one is definitely worth reading!
For Fans of 👇🏽
🍴 Restaurant/food industry
🔪 Murder Mystery
🔍 Cozy mystery
Happy reading 📖🎧🔪🍴
thank you so much partner @putnambooks #putnampartner @prhaudio for the gifted copy + audiobook!
To Kill a Cook
by W. M. Akers
Read By Mozhan Navabi
out now!
Nobody in Manhattan eats better than Bernice Black. It’s 1972, and she is the city’s busiest restaurant critic, juggling her fiance and his two young sons with demands of fine dining. Bernice talks fast, walks faster, has a razor-sharp wit and no patience for anything--or anyone--that gets in her way.
When she stops by the famed restaurant of her favorite chef and mentor, Laurent Tirel, early one morning, she stumbles across a horrific scene in the kitchen: Laurent's severed head, perfectly preserved in a flawless mold of jellied aspic.
Her meeting with the cops assigned to the case proves only one thing–they know nothing about food or the seedy underworld that BB Black has made her home. With layoffs looming, Bernice makes the gamble of her career—she promises her editor she can catch Laurent’s killer before the week is out
🍴 My thoughts:
This was such a fun and clever murder mystery, and I absolutely loved it. I switched between the audiobook and the physical book, and both formats were fantastic! The audio especially brought Bernice’s sharp wit and personality to life. The mystery felt fresh and inventive, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. I especially loved the restaurant industry setting because it added such a unique flavor to the story and quickly became one of my favorite aspects. The behind the scenes look at food, kitchens, and the cutthroat world of fine dining made everything even more engaging. Witty, entertaining, and packed with great characters, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. If you love clever mysteries with a unique setting, this one is definitely worth reading!
For Fans of 👇🏽
🍴 Restaurant/food industry
🔪 Murder Mystery
🔍 Cozy mystery
Happy reading 📖🎧🔪🍴
November 25, 2025
So I wanted a good murder mystery, and the synopsis seemed to catch my interest, so I grabbed this one.
The first few chapters certainly held my interest, but I started to become less and less attached to Bernice as the pages turned. If her good friend and "mentor" shows up deceased in the gruesome way she found him, I would have expected more emotion, less clinical reporting/investigating/ digging from her - and my feelings for her kept moving south from there. Add to that, unfortunately (for me) I am not a lover of NYC, and this is very city based. I think if you love the city and it's boroughs and energies (and you are a foodie at heart) you might really get attached to the settings in this one. I didn't really follow the storyline well, and called it quits around 75%. Additionally, I found the sentences and chapter structures not to my liking, and labored to turn the pages.
All of this is absolutely a ME problem, but in the interest of honesty, I probably shouldn't have selected this read. I am not the reader for this writer.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read this, thank you Netgalley for my ARC, and my opinions are my own.
The first few chapters certainly held my interest, but I started to become less and less attached to Bernice as the pages turned. If her good friend and "mentor" shows up deceased in the gruesome way she found him, I would have expected more emotion, less clinical reporting/investigating/ digging from her - and my feelings for her kept moving south from there. Add to that, unfortunately (for me) I am not a lover of NYC, and this is very city based. I think if you love the city and it's boroughs and energies (and you are a foodie at heart) you might really get attached to the settings in this one. I didn't really follow the storyline well, and called it quits around 75%. Additionally, I found the sentences and chapter structures not to my liking, and labored to turn the pages.
All of this is absolutely a ME problem, but in the interest of honesty, I probably shouldn't have selected this read. I am not the reader for this writer.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read this, thank you Netgalley for my ARC, and my opinions are my own.
February 10, 2026
Probably the best use of first person narration since PRETTY AS A PICTURE by Elizabeth Little, and right up there with everything by Raymond Chandler. Mr. Akers writes a descriptive passage like no one's business, creating fully-formed characters in your mind and transporting readers to the garbage-strewn streets of 1970s New York City. His use of food and wine almost requires its own Zagat guide and makes you want to eat, eat, eat. Didn't know what charolette russe was before this, but it sounds DE-LISH! The writing is insanely cinematic, a dream collaboration between Martin Scorsese and the late, great Nora Ephron. The pages burn quicker than butter in cast iron pan. It's an unputdownable murder mystery with a pinch of violence, a soupçon of heart, and about one hundred pounds of humor. Read it now!
February 13, 2026
Murder can be hungry work…especially with some of the foodie descriptions in this mystery…
To Kill a Cook by W. M. Akers is a period piece set in 1972 New York about a food critic…and the murdered chef whose body she finds…
Bernice “BB” Black has high hopes…as a semi successful food critic and with a wedding coming up…
Unfortunately while paying a special visit to the restaraunt of a friend, she finds that friend murdered and cooked…literally…
With restaraunt rivals, employees, shady gangsters, and even his own son as possible suspects, it’ll require a lot of work to get to the bottom…
The mystery was fun, and the food explanations and descriptions managed to whet my appetite significantly…
To Kill a Cook by W. M. Akers is a period piece set in 1972 New York about a food critic…and the murdered chef whose body she finds…
Bernice “BB” Black has high hopes…as a semi successful food critic and with a wedding coming up…
Unfortunately while paying a special visit to the restaraunt of a friend, she finds that friend murdered and cooked…literally…
With restaraunt rivals, employees, shady gangsters, and even his own son as possible suspects, it’ll require a lot of work to get to the bottom…
The mystery was fun, and the food explanations and descriptions managed to whet my appetite significantly…
February 7, 2026
The first chapter paints a very vivid picture when the food critic MC finds the head of her favorite chef in an aspic mold. When her interview with the investigating detectives does not leave her with a warm fuzzy......she'll make a desperate pitch to keep her job by predicting she can solve the murder before the police. WM Akers' Bernice Black does indeed give off Finlay Donavon vibes....in a good way. AS BB tries to keep up with her everyday life, she'll find some clues that lead her into situations that require her to use every trick she's learned as a critic that is not always welcome. I enjoyed this mystery way too much!!!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Well, apparently the food scene in New York during the 1970s was pretty wild. Now, I remember the 70s, but I'm from Chicago, so I don't think there was the same vibe there as there was in NYC. But I wouldn't know much about the culinary journalism scene from back then, either. I trust Akers did his research, so I'm hoping that bit was okay. But note that Akers does throw a lot at you in this book - maybe a bit too much!
You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/01/2...
You can read my full review here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2026/01/2...
October 19, 2025
In 1972 New York City is filthy and crime-ridden, but to restaurant reviewer Bernice Black it is heaven. Until the terrible day she finds her friend's decapitated head encased in aspic, her job about to go down the tubes and her personal life falling apart. If she can just find the murderer among the city's chefs maybe she can pull it all together. Great fun and full of real insight into NYC in the '70s and into the dark underbelly of the restaurant biz. Loved it!
November 9, 2025
As much as I love a food based mystery, whether of the cozy variety or just suspenseful, I had a difficult time getting into this story. I love that this takes place in New York during the 1970s but for some reason, it just isn't the right story for me. Nothing against the writer but it just wasn't the right fit.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
February 3, 2026
To Kill a Cook was an excruciating reading experience. While it started off well, it quickly fell apart. There seemed to be too many things happening around the narrative of the maniac narration from B.B. Black, a food critic that finds the severed head of her friend in his kitchen's fridge. I was hoping the ending would redeem the story, but for me it didn't.
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam for a copy in exchange for review consideration.
November 13, 2025
I picked up this book because it mentioned Finlay Donovan is killing it and you know what? It was a wise decision. The story started with a bang right out of the gate and kept me engaged and hooked the entire way through. I definitely have a new series added to my list of must read authors. I absolutely adored this one.
February 11, 2026
A really fun read! It delivers on the necessary components of a whodunnit (a set piece murder scene, an unlikely but somehow incredibly well suited investigator, a climactic reveal with all of the suspects in the same room), but goes absolutely bonkers in the details of Bernice Black’s world that makes it a one of a kind mystery.
February 12, 2026
If you want To Kill A Book then you’ll do a lot of telling instead of showing and unfortunately that was the majority of this book to me. It also seemed like there was a lot of unnecessary stories added in. I loved the food facts and NYC setting but it was not the book for me due to the execution.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 5, 2025
A pleasing and satisfying read. This novel was delectable, clever and fun. Absolutely one of the best novels I have been given the opportunity to read this year. Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy of To Kill a Cook. These thoughts are my own and freely given.
Read
October 16, 2025Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for this eARC and exchange for my honest opinion.
I found this to be a fun and clever read. It was a refreshing take within the mystery genre. Overall I enjoyed this book.
I found this to be a fun and clever read. It was a refreshing take within the mystery genre. Overall I enjoyed this book.
November 17, 2025
A crazy romp through the food scene in the '70s. An entertaining fast read. However, there were too many characters and none really developed, so the who done it part of the story left me not caring who the murderer was.
December 5, 2025
Difficult for me to follow and enjoy. The gappy, stream of consciousness writing style is not my preference but may appeal more to others who prefer a looser, less structured story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the opportunity to read this ARC.
January 3, 2026
A gritty but funny story set in the NYC restaurant in the 1970s. Overall a fun listen, just felt they could have pulled back a bit on all the different directions/ elements pulling on the main character.
February 9, 2026
Intriguing story of Bernice a food writer obsessed with trying every food in NewYork and her unlikely friendship with celebrity chef Laurent. By the time I got to the end I wanted to move to NYC and join Bernice in her food hunt. Great mystery
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