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Santa Fe Cafe Mystery #1
Bread of the Dead
Trick or treat—and murder—are on the menu in this first in a new culinary mystery series Life couldn't be sweeter for Tres Amigas Café chef Rita Lafitte, decorating sugar skulls and taste-testing rich, buttery pan de muerto in anticipation of Santa Fe's Day of the Dead bread-baking contest. That is, until her friendly landlord, Victor, is found dead next door. Although the police deem Victor's death a suicide, Rita knows something is amiss. To uncover the truth, she teams up with her octogenarian boss, Flori, the town's most celebrated snoop. The duo begins to sift through long-buried secrets and to take full measure of duplicitous neighbors, but the clock is ticking and their list of suspects is growing ever longer. Just as the clues get hotter than a New Mexican chili, one of their main suspects winds up dead. Rita fears that the killer is dishing out seconds—and her order might be up.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
117 people are currently reading
667 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
June 23, 2025
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the first book in the Santa Fe Cafe Mystery series. The main character is Rita who is a divorce woman and she as a daughter. She working in Café. She finds her landlord murdered, and she thinks there is something wrong, so she tries to find out what is wrong through out the book. This cozy mystery has everything I love in a cozy mystery. I am so happy I finally picked it up. If you love cozy mystery book you should give this one a try.
January 22, 2019
Bread of the Dead by Ann Myers is the first book in the Santa Fe Cafe Mystery series. Tres Amigos Cafe chef, Rita Lafitte, finds the body of her landlord shot dead next door and when the police deem it a suicide, she investigates together with her elderly boss, Flori. A nice start to the series. I loved learning about the food associated with the New Mexican culture and traditions and it sounded delicious. I liked the characters and the descriptions of the setting but thought the mystery was a bit of a let down. Overall an enjoyable book, more for the food and setting.
August 29, 2018
I loved the vibrant New Mexico setting of this story. The mystery is great, the food sounds yummy, and I enjoyed the characters. I learned interesting things about some of the Land of Enchantment’s traditions.
September 30, 2022
Book 1. Rita and her teen daughter Celia moved out of their home with her husband ( because of his cheating ways and his cop thinks he better than anyone attitude) Manny. She really liked her new carista like a cabin ( and New Mexico) and the owner Vic was an Artist and had a building to take in Kids to help them realize their talents. And he help Celia with her Art too. He was a Remarkable guy. His brother Gabe was the opposite. He mostly kept to himself and had a few words to say to Rita. But it helped that Vic was pleasant. Flori Rita boss and older friend was a hoot. She always stuck her nose in mysterious ( live ones) of course making Rita help. Cass her best friend celebrate d the fact that her and Manny finally divorced. At the Restaurant Rita worked for Tres Amigaos. There was a handsome man Jake that always stopped by. Flori told Rita that after her divorce he keeps coming there mostly everyday. It was almost Halloween The Day of Dead Celebration. Sinco Mayo Day. Santa Fell had decked out with manners of The Death decor from painting skills to dancing skeletons. It was the first time that she had been to this celebration. When the dead are celebrated of spirts.. But it is made for the living. It also had a bread contest ( the main food) which the winner will be announced. Flori always entered and won. But since a new woman Gloria came to town she beaten her. Flori started thinking that there was something going on there. Where she bribed the judges or she did not make the breads she claimed and that her cook was who did ( Gloria was a rich woman so she had attempts probably to sabotage the contest). Well anyway Rita went to her new cabin and started talking to Victor so he asked her to come inside to see his Shrine for the Day Of The Dead. When she walked in she was Amazed it was something she never saw before. It was a Stairlike structure of Virgin Mary and other Saints. The other tiers held photographs most were portraits of Victor' s family. His Mom and dad and several other in his bloodline. ( Rita did now seem guilty that she would not even rember her cousins names and most worst if she saw her great gradparents standing a lineup of the police doings she certainly could identify them) Victor was things so she got out of her guity mind. There were all were surrounded by foods, flowers, candles and skulls. Those were offerings for the dead. Every food consists of what his families favorites were. Then Victor gave Rita some New Mexico Hot Chocolate. And oh She love this yummy concotion. She had quite a few of Delicious New Mexico treats from Victor all was great but she believed this hot chocolate to be the best. After awhile Victor seemed like he had drifted to somewhere else. Then they both started hearing screaming in his kitchen. It was Gabe and the next door neighbor Bruffy he was screaming at Gabe telling him he will regret it if he does not give their part of the property up. Long story short the next thing that happened that Victor has died. The cops believed it a suicide but Flori, Rita and Cass did not believe it. Actually this is the 1st book in this series. It is Awesome. I love reading about New Mexico heritage, foods, Celebrations, and all out fun and festivities. I truly like the characters too. It is a long book series. But it was interesting especially about the New Mexico Cultures and such. I will be reading more of hers
October 30, 2021
Well written, likable and oozing cozy, Bread of the Dead has all the ingredients for the perfect mystery!
This book gave me hard core Goldy Bear vibes. The Goldy Bear series by Diane Mott Davidson was one of the first cozy series I read. I was heartbroken when it ended, but this made it feel like I was back in Goldy's kitchen with her. Even the audiobook narrator reminded me of the Goldy Bear narrator. Loved it!
Rita is a transplant from the Midwest to Santa Fe, a recent divorcee with a teenage daughter and a love-to-hate ex-husband (who is every bit of a condescending jackass that Goldy's ex was!) and a position as a chef at Tres Amigas, a café specializing in authentic Mexican food for breakfast and lunch. After her divorce, she rented a casita from her neighbor, Victor, who you (the reader) actually gets an opportunity to "know" - I can't tell you how important it is to me as a reader to have some understanding of who the victim was before they were murdered and getting to know Victor gave his death an impact it wouldn't have had otherwise. I loved the Santa Fe setting and the Día de los Muertos theme (I especially enjoyed the tradition and reverence portrayed by Victor about the holiday and his ancestors!) and the townspeople gave it that extra spice, especially Flori, Rita's boss at the café. The hectic pace of Rita's life kept the story moving along; really, I sometimes felt like I needed a break to have a cup of cocoa and a cookie. How cozy is that?
Very well done mystery, perfect for a Halloween read but just a warning - this book will have you looting the kitchen for snacks after reading about all the delicious foods!
This book gave me hard core Goldy Bear vibes. The Goldy Bear series by Diane Mott Davidson was one of the first cozy series I read. I was heartbroken when it ended, but this made it feel like I was back in Goldy's kitchen with her. Even the audiobook narrator reminded me of the Goldy Bear narrator. Loved it!
Rita is a transplant from the Midwest to Santa Fe, a recent divorcee with a teenage daughter and a love-to-hate ex-husband (who is every bit of a condescending jackass that Goldy's ex was!) and a position as a chef at Tres Amigas, a café specializing in authentic Mexican food for breakfast and lunch. After her divorce, she rented a casita from her neighbor, Victor, who you (the reader) actually gets an opportunity to "know" - I can't tell you how important it is to me as a reader to have some understanding of who the victim was before they were murdered and getting to know Victor gave his death an impact it wouldn't have had otherwise. I loved the Santa Fe setting and the Día de los Muertos theme (I especially enjoyed the tradition and reverence portrayed by Victor about the holiday and his ancestors!) and the townspeople gave it that extra spice, especially Flori, Rita's boss at the café. The hectic pace of Rita's life kept the story moving along; really, I sometimes felt like I needed a break to have a cup of cocoa and a cookie. How cozy is that?
Very well done mystery, perfect for a Halloween read but just a warning - this book will have you looting the kitchen for snacks after reading about all the delicious foods!
May 12, 2021
This is the first book in the Santa Fe café series. Rita is a chef at Tres Amigas Café. Everything is going well for Rita until she finds her landlord and neighbor dead. She starts investigating with Florie, her boss at the café. This was a good start to the series. I liked Rita and Florie as characters. I thought the mystery was okay. I did not like Rita's ex husband. I found him to be rude and judgmental. Overall this was a good book. I give it 3 .5 stars.
December 28, 2016
I have to admit that I DID NOT finish this book. I'm glad I read the second in the series first, because if I had read this one first, I would have never picked up another one.
I didn't find Rita's personally quirks cute or charming, as the author must have intended, but rather annoying, inspiring in me the urge to say "Grow up already!"
That said, the story being set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was very interesting and I enjoyed reading about the food and customs of the locale.
I didn't find Rita's personally quirks cute or charming, as the author must have intended, but rather annoying, inspiring in me the urge to say "Grow up already!"
That said, the story being set in Santa Fe, New Mexico, was very interesting and I enjoyed reading about the food and customs of the locale.
January 14, 2016
Does no one edit anymore? Infelicitous prose, dumb mistakes (apples fruit in the fall not the summer; clamor and clamber are not synonymous) an unpleasant main character (her main emotions seem to be fear & guilt), and and all too clearly telegraphed ending. Why are there no good cozies being written anymore?
August 6, 2019
When Rita Lafitte moved to Santa Fe from the Midwest, it was in hopes of saving her marriage. But her cheating husband never changed, and she decided to call it quits. She and her teenage daughter Celia live in a mother-in-law cottage behind the large home of her landlord Victor. Rita and Victor are also friends, which makes it nicer for her.
While visiting Victor, she's witness to a dispute between his brother Gabriel - who lives in the other half of their sprawling home - and another neighbor, one with a gun and the other armed with a knife. When she convinces the neighbor to put down his knife, all returns to normal. But later that evening she hears her daughter screaming for her, and looking into Victor's window, they see him lying on the floor of his home, obviously dead.
The police are saying it's suicide, but Rita has questions, and she wants answers. That is, unless the killer gets to her first...
I really wanted to like this book and, hopefully, begin a new series, but it lost me shortly into it - right after the murder.
Rita's ex-husband is a tool. Manny states he'll take Rita's statement at the station - no, he won't. She didn't see anything related to the murder, and whatever she has to say can be done right at her home. Any information she gives him - including the aforementioned fight - she can give him right there. I suggest these authors watch Discovery ID programs for a season or two and see how real homicide detectives do it...and how they dress. If he's a homicide detective, he's wearing a suit and not a weapons belt. Street officers wear them - detectives wear shoulder holsters.
Manny also knows she's living in the casita and is the tenant of the owners, so to call her "that woman" to Gabriel is patently ridiculous. Who would do that? Yup, a tool. And then yelling at her to 'Open up!' was over the line. She wasn't under suspicion, so he needed to treat her with respect like he would any witness - knock politely and ask first if she was okay.
But her daughter Celia is an even bigger jerk - and obviously takes completely after her father. She brings the girlfriend of her dad's to her home? Regardless of the fact her mother wanted the divorce, did she ever hear of the word 'respect'? Did she ever ask her mom why she divorced her dad? She has very little intelligence if she thinks because her mom wanted the divorce that everything would be just hunky-dory with her. Actually, she shouldn't even be "besties" with her dad's girlfriend as long as she's living with her mom. She's an ass and I don't like her. Who does this? Just accepts that their dad is seeing someone almost their own age and that's fine with them? She doesn't resent her dad for his part in the divorce? Blames it all on her mom? Fine - she can go live with her dad and drive his car and let him put her through college if she wants to disrespect Rita so much. This alone was enough to make me dislike the book completely.
But I was done with this book when Manny just decided to take Celia home with him "after what she'd seen" and she went, not even caring that her mother had seen it too and might have needed some comfort and support that night. Two selfish, self-centered people that deserved each other.
FYI, any cop worth his or her salt would listen when someone tells them that the victim was left-handed and the gun was in their right hand. How did Manny become detective if he doesn't pay attention to details? Does he hate his ex so much he'd rather railroad an innocent person than pay attention to clues that are presented to him? He should have lost his job over sloppy investigating - or at least get a warning in his file of which the reader should be made aware of.
Nope, I have better things to do than waste my time on a book that is seriously going to tick me off. Or spoiled kids who live off their parents but don’t care about them or their feelings - or ex-husbands who treat them like crap and the kids allow their dad to treat their mom that way. Bottom line: Manny treats her like garbage. Her daughter treats her like garbage. No wonder she's the way she is. She's been beaten down by her family. I didn't finish this book and won't read any more in the series.
While visiting Victor, she's witness to a dispute between his brother Gabriel - who lives in the other half of their sprawling home - and another neighbor, one with a gun and the other armed with a knife. When she convinces the neighbor to put down his knife, all returns to normal. But later that evening she hears her daughter screaming for her, and looking into Victor's window, they see him lying on the floor of his home, obviously dead.
The police are saying it's suicide, but Rita has questions, and she wants answers. That is, unless the killer gets to her first...
I really wanted to like this book and, hopefully, begin a new series, but it lost me shortly into it - right after the murder.
Rita's ex-husband is a tool. Manny states he'll take Rita's statement at the station - no, he won't. She didn't see anything related to the murder, and whatever she has to say can be done right at her home. Any information she gives him - including the aforementioned fight - she can give him right there. I suggest these authors watch Discovery ID programs for a season or two and see how real homicide detectives do it...and how they dress. If he's a homicide detective, he's wearing a suit and not a weapons belt. Street officers wear them - detectives wear shoulder holsters.
Manny also knows she's living in the casita and is the tenant of the owners, so to call her "that woman" to Gabriel is patently ridiculous. Who would do that? Yup, a tool. And then yelling at her to 'Open up!' was over the line. She wasn't under suspicion, so he needed to treat her with respect like he would any witness - knock politely and ask first if she was okay.
But her daughter Celia is an even bigger jerk - and obviously takes completely after her father. She brings the girlfriend of her dad's to her home? Regardless of the fact her mother wanted the divorce, did she ever hear of the word 'respect'? Did she ever ask her mom why she divorced her dad? She has very little intelligence if she thinks because her mom wanted the divorce that everything would be just hunky-dory with her. Actually, she shouldn't even be "besties" with her dad's girlfriend as long as she's living with her mom. She's an ass and I don't like her. Who does this? Just accepts that their dad is seeing someone almost their own age and that's fine with them? She doesn't resent her dad for his part in the divorce? Blames it all on her mom? Fine - she can go live with her dad and drive his car and let him put her through college if she wants to disrespect Rita so much. This alone was enough to make me dislike the book completely.
But I was done with this book when Manny just decided to take Celia home with him "after what she'd seen" and she went, not even caring that her mother had seen it too and might have needed some comfort and support that night. Two selfish, self-centered people that deserved each other.
FYI, any cop worth his or her salt would listen when someone tells them that the victim was left-handed and the gun was in their right hand. How did Manny become detective if he doesn't pay attention to details? Does he hate his ex so much he'd rather railroad an innocent person than pay attention to clues that are presented to him? He should have lost his job over sloppy investigating - or at least get a warning in his file of which the reader should be made aware of.
Nope, I have better things to do than waste my time on a book that is seriously going to tick me off. Or spoiled kids who live off their parents but don’t care about them or their feelings - or ex-husbands who treat them like crap and the kids allow their dad to treat their mom that way. Bottom line: Manny treats her like garbage. Her daughter treats her like garbage. No wonder she's the way she is. She's been beaten down by her family. I didn't finish this book and won't read any more in the series.
October 22, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
It’s been awhile since I had not read a cozy mystery novel, and it’s true that when I came across this novel, I was quickly intrigued. Murders, food and an investigation, what more could we ask for?
We meet with Rita, a young woman working in a restaurant and trying to get her life on trail after breaking up with her husband. Having left her home for a small apartment to accommodate her daughter, she thought she could finally live in peace. Yet all this will change once her owner dies next to her home. While the police (including her husband, the detective in charge) concludes on a suicide, the protests began to rain, including that of Rita and her boss, Flori. Forced to team up together, they will try to understand what happened and to discover the identity of the killer. But the tracks are quite numerous between the neighbors who threatened him the day before for him to leave for his land or his ex-wife who tells everyone that she is the heir and that everything belongs to her now.
I was quickly swept away by the story, I had a good time and it’s true that I was curious to learn the truth about what really happened. We follow with pleasure the assumptions of our heroine, agreeing on her ideas and being surprised by the revelations purposes. I confess that I did not expect at all at the end and I really enjoyed the way the author had directed her history.
I also expected to see a love triangle here with former husband and the new possible pretender, but this is not the case and I admit that it was nice to see Rita focusing on one person. It’s a pretty interesting character who does not hesitate to confront the most dangerous situations to help her friends. But despite that, she takes her role as mother to heart and it was nice to see her interaction with her daughter.
As you can see, there is a good novel, I took pleasure in discovering. To read.
My English review
It’s been awhile since I had not read a cozy mystery novel, and it’s true that when I came across this novel, I was quickly intrigued. Murders, food and an investigation, what more could we ask for?
We meet with Rita, a young woman working in a restaurant and trying to get her life on trail after breaking up with her husband. Having left her home for a small apartment to accommodate her daughter, she thought she could finally live in peace. Yet all this will change once her owner dies next to her home. While the police (including her husband, the detective in charge) concludes on a suicide, the protests began to rain, including that of Rita and her boss, Flori. Forced to team up together, they will try to understand what happened and to discover the identity of the killer. But the tracks are quite numerous between the neighbors who threatened him the day before for him to leave for his land or his ex-wife who tells everyone that she is the heir and that everything belongs to her now.
I was quickly swept away by the story, I had a good time and it’s true that I was curious to learn the truth about what really happened. We follow with pleasure the assumptions of our heroine, agreeing on her ideas and being surprised by the revelations purposes. I confess that I did not expect at all at the end and I really enjoyed the way the author had directed her history.
I also expected to see a love triangle here with former husband and the new possible pretender, but this is not the case and I admit that it was nice to see Rita focusing on one person. It’s a pretty interesting character who does not hesitate to confront the most dangerous situations to help her friends. But despite that, she takes her role as mother to heart and it was nice to see her interaction with her daughter.
As you can see, there is a good novel, I took pleasure in discovering. To read.
May 14, 2016
Rita is anticipating who will be taste testing pan de metro during the day of the dead contest. Then her landlord is found dead and she teams up with her boss Flori the town's snoop to find out who did it. The book seemed to drag and the plot was unclear.
May 30, 2020
Rated 3.5 stars
The best part was all the food and sweets being mentioned throughout the story. LOL
The best part was all the food and sweets being mentioned throughout the story. LOL
March 27, 2022
4.5
Really love the New Mexico setting in this cozy mystery. The author does an amazing job of bring it to life with unique cultural touches. Love the foodie / artsy vibe too. A solid mystery with enough twists to keep me hopping and switching out suspects!
At first I felt like I was starting in the middle of a series, but this is definitely the first book and it's not a spin off from another series. There were just some references to Rita's history of snooping and the volatile relationship with her ex that I felt must have been covered in a previous book but once I got into the story things fell into place and I stopped my wondering. :-)
There's. a bit more longterm angst in Rita's life than the usual cozy mystery. She has a difficult ex who happens to be a detective and he's really awful! Smarmy! And her teenage daughter is giving her some grief as well. But that's offset by her adorably quirky octogenarian boss, Flori, who is an absolute riot! She's the instigator behind their amateur sleuthing and has an opinion about everything including Rita's lack of a love life...which seems to be on the way to being resolved by the end of this first book. :-) Thanks, Flori!
Excellent narration by Cris Dukehart brought the story alive for me. Excited to get started on the next book.
Really love the New Mexico setting in this cozy mystery. The author does an amazing job of bring it to life with unique cultural touches. Love the foodie / artsy vibe too. A solid mystery with enough twists to keep me hopping and switching out suspects!
At first I felt like I was starting in the middle of a series, but this is definitely the first book and it's not a spin off from another series. There were just some references to Rita's history of snooping and the volatile relationship with her ex that I felt must have been covered in a previous book but once I got into the story things fell into place and I stopped my wondering. :-)
There's. a bit more longterm angst in Rita's life than the usual cozy mystery. She has a difficult ex who happens to be a detective and he's really awful! Smarmy! And her teenage daughter is giving her some grief as well. But that's offset by her adorably quirky octogenarian boss, Flori, who is an absolute riot! She's the instigator behind their amateur sleuthing and has an opinion about everything including Rita's lack of a love life...which seems to be on the way to being resolved by the end of this first book. :-) Thanks, Flori!
Excellent narration by Cris Dukehart brought the story alive for me. Excited to get started on the next book.
February 23, 2022
First book in the series, first book by this author for me. Overall I enjoyed it, although it was a bit on the long side. The story was good and I was surprised at the ending and the motive. I liked the characters, especially Flori. I've only been to Santa Fe once but this book made it seem much smaller than I remembered.
November 1, 2015
In some ways this is the coziest of cozy mysteries, full of food and folk art, but in other ways it’s not typical of the genre. The victim is not only important to the amateur sleuth but to the reader. He’s the most deeply appealing and complex character in the story. In a light sort of mystery, the loss of such a person is unusual. It gives the protagonist a strong reason to do that otherwise unbelievable thing—amateur sleuthing—and it also makes the story function on two levels: solving a puzzle with all the usual elements of a cozy; and contemplating life, death and legacy, good works and grieving. The mood and meaning of the Day of the Dead festival—reconnection with the beloved departed—is central to the story and is set beautifully at the beginning.
Myers has a wonderful way with words and uses culinary imagery with flawless precision, true to her narrator’s point of view. Foodies will love this book. The amateur sleuth, Rita Lafitte, is a cook, and the food theme is woven smoothly throughout. Recipes and their meaning to friends and family form a framework that turns the plot in a way that even a kitchen-impaired reader like myself could enjoy.
The Santa Fe setting is rendered in detail that will satisfy any would-be visitor who hasn’t been there yet and wants to take a fantasy trip, and will spark memories for those who have visited before. At times, I felt as if the author had tried a little too hard to fit as much local color in as possible, but overall the portrait of the City Different and its environs was painted well, from Pueblo speed traps to purple taxis to the famous Plaza—and the food, of course.
A few of the characters and events are entertainingly over-the-top, while others are realistic, another aspect of this book’s dual personality. I found the spiritual materialism of Broomer, the irritable owner of an expensive Zen garden, unfortunately true to some aspects of Santa Fe life. The arts center for teens reflects a fictitious version of a real and vital part of the city.
I can’t say why I suspected the real culprit early on, and I was frequently thrown off the trail by other suspects and plausible motives. The final solution and the revelation still came as a surprise, as the various strands of the story came together in one of the most elegantly crafted discovery scenes I’ve read.
If you’re a cook, you’ll enjoy the final section: recipes for foods related to the story, including the Bread of the Dead.
Myers has a wonderful way with words and uses culinary imagery with flawless precision, true to her narrator’s point of view. Foodies will love this book. The amateur sleuth, Rita Lafitte, is a cook, and the food theme is woven smoothly throughout. Recipes and their meaning to friends and family form a framework that turns the plot in a way that even a kitchen-impaired reader like myself could enjoy.
The Santa Fe setting is rendered in detail that will satisfy any would-be visitor who hasn’t been there yet and wants to take a fantasy trip, and will spark memories for those who have visited before. At times, I felt as if the author had tried a little too hard to fit as much local color in as possible, but overall the portrait of the City Different and its environs was painted well, from Pueblo speed traps to purple taxis to the famous Plaza—and the food, of course.
A few of the characters and events are entertainingly over-the-top, while others are realistic, another aspect of this book’s dual personality. I found the spiritual materialism of Broomer, the irritable owner of an expensive Zen garden, unfortunately true to some aspects of Santa Fe life. The arts center for teens reflects a fictitious version of a real and vital part of the city.
I can’t say why I suspected the real culprit early on, and I was frequently thrown off the trail by other suspects and plausible motives. The final solution and the revelation still came as a surprise, as the various strands of the story came together in one of the most elegantly crafted discovery scenes I’ve read.
If you’re a cook, you’ll enjoy the final section: recipes for foods related to the story, including the Bread of the Dead.
September 15, 2021
I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Ann Myer’s culinary cozy mystery, Bread of the Dead, captures perfectly the feel of the historic and vibrant community—the second oldest city in the country, now a mecca for art, music and food lovers from around the world.
Rita Lafitte is a cook at the Tres Amigas café, and is crazy busy right now with all the extra traffic to the restaurant caused by the upcoming Día de los Muertos holiday. But when her good friend and landlord is found dead from a supposed suicide, Rita is sure he wouldn’t have taken his own life. Enlisting the help of her elderly boss—the irrepressible Flori—Rita sets out to unlock the secrets of the adobe town’s residents and find the true killer.
With its well-crafted plot, host of entertaining characters, and mouth-watering descriptions of the local cuisine, this is a terrific debut—the first, I hope, of many more to follow!
Rita Lafitte is a cook at the Tres Amigas café, and is crazy busy right now with all the extra traffic to the restaurant caused by the upcoming Día de los Muertos holiday. But when her good friend and landlord is found dead from a supposed suicide, Rita is sure he wouldn’t have taken his own life. Enlisting the help of her elderly boss—the irrepressible Flori—Rita sets out to unlock the secrets of the adobe town’s residents and find the true killer.
With its well-crafted plot, host of entertaining characters, and mouth-watering descriptions of the local cuisine, this is a terrific debut—the first, I hope, of many more to follow!
May 23, 2019
Wonderful culinary mystery that makes your mouth water! I love the New Mexico setting, and the tasty treats that made me want to try them.
September 8, 2015
Four stars: A cozy murder mystery with Southwestern comfort food and style. A perfect read for the Fall season.
Rita is happily settled into her new life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is recently divorced, but content. Rita especially loves her job at the Tres Amigas Cafe. Things are bustling around the cafe as her boss, Flori, prepares for the upcoming Day of the Dead bread baking contest, where she aims to reclaim her title. After a busy day, Rita returns home to enjoy a cup of delicious hot chocolate with her landlord, Victor. Victor is also preparing for the Day of the Dead with his alter to honor his relatives who have passed on. Their cozy chat is interrupted with the outburst of a heated confrontation between Victor, his brother and their neighbor. It seems their neighbor is disputing their property boundaries. Rita is disturbed by the scene, but she puts it out of her head as she returns home and falls asleep in front of the fire. She is awakened by her daughter's screams for help. Rita rushes outside and sees Victor dead apparently by his own hand. Did Victor really kill himself or was he murdered?
What I Liked:
*For me, a cozy mystery is always perfect for the Fall season. There is something so pleasant about curling up on a crisp, cool day with a book that features a mystery as well as comfort food. Bread of the Dead, is just one of those books. It has a good murder mystery as well as plenty of delicious, Southwestern comfort food. By the end of this book, *I was craving chile pepper dishes and longing to visit Santa Fe. If you are a cozy mystery connoisseur, this is one you don't want to miss.
*The murder mystery is well done. There are plenty of suspects and motives, leading up to the big reveal. Even though I guessed who the culprit was early on, I was still pleased with the way it all played out. I also appreciated that the heroine helped solve the mystery along with the help of her lawyer friend and law enforcement. I liked the the law enforcement was capable and not bumbling and inept.
*Rita, the heroine, is an average forty one year old woman, who is looking to start over after a move and a divorce. She isn't flashy. She is a down to earth, easy to like character who is just trying to find her path.
*The setting steals the show. I loved exploring Santa Fe. I liked learning about the culture, the decor, the customs, the restaurants, and most of all the food. I lived in the Southwest for ten years, and this book had me longing for authentic chile cuisine and all things Southwest. I absolutely loved learning more about The Day of the Dead customs in New Mexico, and I longed to sample some of the Day of the Dead Bread. After reading this book, I was ready to book a flight to Santa Fe.
*I was pleased that the book didn't have a romance. Yes, there is a romantic interest, and the groundwork is in place for the future development of a romance, but for now, the series is romance free, and there aren't any love triangles or ridiculousness that sometimes ensues with cozy mystery romances.
*The ending is fast and a bit chaotic, but everything draws to a satisfactory close. The main story lines are tied up, no cliffhangers.
*At the end, there are some delicious Southwestern recipes to try, including the Day of the Dead Bread recipe. I can't wait to sample some of these for myself.
And The Not So Much:
*While reading this, there were plenty of moments where the author recapped events, such as how Rita got her job at the cafe, her divorce and other things that had taken place in the past. There were so many of these moments that I actually stopped and checked to see if I was reading the second book in the series, because it felt like the author was revisiting things that had occurred in a prior book. That was not the case, this is the first book in the series. I found the recap to be a bit confusing. I honestly wished the author had started the series back at the beginning when Rita first comes to town and starts her job.
*For me, the culprit was apparent early on. I think because the behavior of the person was not what I thought it should be, and I found this person's absence for most of the book noteworthy. It was easy for me to put the pieces together. Not a big issue, but if you are a seasoned cozy mystery reader, you will likely be able to figure it out before the reveal.
*There was a story line that featured the Day of the Dead Bread contest. Flori is convinced her rival is cheating. I was a bit disappointed that it was never revealed as to whether Gloria was actually cheating, it seems so, but I wanted to know for sure.
*The ending was fast and a bit chaotic in comparison to the rest of the book. The Day of the Bread contest gets brushed over in favor of solving the crime, and both events occur at the same time. I wished that more time had been spent on the baking contest as it was a highlight of the book. I also wished that there was a bit more discussion on the how and why of the murder. It was a bit too cursory for my taste.
Bread for the Dead was a satisfying and delightful start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the Santa Fe setting and all the Southwest cuisine. I also enjoyed the likable characters, the mystery and the recipes. This is the perfect book for a crisp fall day. I enjoyed it, and I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Rita is happily settled into her new life in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She is recently divorced, but content. Rita especially loves her job at the Tres Amigas Cafe. Things are bustling around the cafe as her boss, Flori, prepares for the upcoming Day of the Dead bread baking contest, where she aims to reclaim her title. After a busy day, Rita returns home to enjoy a cup of delicious hot chocolate with her landlord, Victor. Victor is also preparing for the Day of the Dead with his alter to honor his relatives who have passed on. Their cozy chat is interrupted with the outburst of a heated confrontation between Victor, his brother and their neighbor. It seems their neighbor is disputing their property boundaries. Rita is disturbed by the scene, but she puts it out of her head as she returns home and falls asleep in front of the fire. She is awakened by her daughter's screams for help. Rita rushes outside and sees Victor dead apparently by his own hand. Did Victor really kill himself or was he murdered?
What I Liked:
*For me, a cozy mystery is always perfect for the Fall season. There is something so pleasant about curling up on a crisp, cool day with a book that features a mystery as well as comfort food. Bread of the Dead, is just one of those books. It has a good murder mystery as well as plenty of delicious, Southwestern comfort food. By the end of this book, *I was craving chile pepper dishes and longing to visit Santa Fe. If you are a cozy mystery connoisseur, this is one you don't want to miss.
*The murder mystery is well done. There are plenty of suspects and motives, leading up to the big reveal. Even though I guessed who the culprit was early on, I was still pleased with the way it all played out. I also appreciated that the heroine helped solve the mystery along with the help of her lawyer friend and law enforcement. I liked the the law enforcement was capable and not bumbling and inept.
*Rita, the heroine, is an average forty one year old woman, who is looking to start over after a move and a divorce. She isn't flashy. She is a down to earth, easy to like character who is just trying to find her path.
*The setting steals the show. I loved exploring Santa Fe. I liked learning about the culture, the decor, the customs, the restaurants, and most of all the food. I lived in the Southwest for ten years, and this book had me longing for authentic chile cuisine and all things Southwest. I absolutely loved learning more about The Day of the Dead customs in New Mexico, and I longed to sample some of the Day of the Dead Bread. After reading this book, I was ready to book a flight to Santa Fe.
*I was pleased that the book didn't have a romance. Yes, there is a romantic interest, and the groundwork is in place for the future development of a romance, but for now, the series is romance free, and there aren't any love triangles or ridiculousness that sometimes ensues with cozy mystery romances.
*The ending is fast and a bit chaotic, but everything draws to a satisfactory close. The main story lines are tied up, no cliffhangers.
*At the end, there are some delicious Southwestern recipes to try, including the Day of the Dead Bread recipe. I can't wait to sample some of these for myself.
And The Not So Much:
*While reading this, there were plenty of moments where the author recapped events, such as how Rita got her job at the cafe, her divorce and other things that had taken place in the past. There were so many of these moments that I actually stopped and checked to see if I was reading the second book in the series, because it felt like the author was revisiting things that had occurred in a prior book. That was not the case, this is the first book in the series. I found the recap to be a bit confusing. I honestly wished the author had started the series back at the beginning when Rita first comes to town and starts her job.
*For me, the culprit was apparent early on. I think because the behavior of the person was not what I thought it should be, and I found this person's absence for most of the book noteworthy. It was easy for me to put the pieces together. Not a big issue, but if you are a seasoned cozy mystery reader, you will likely be able to figure it out before the reveal.
*There was a story line that featured the Day of the Dead Bread contest. Flori is convinced her rival is cheating. I was a bit disappointed that it was never revealed as to whether Gloria was actually cheating, it seems so, but I wanted to know for sure.
*The ending was fast and a bit chaotic in comparison to the rest of the book. The Day of the Bread contest gets brushed over in favor of solving the crime, and both events occur at the same time. I wished that more time had been spent on the baking contest as it was a highlight of the book. I also wished that there was a bit more discussion on the how and why of the murder. It was a bit too cursory for my taste.
Bread for the Dead was a satisfying and delightful start to a new cozy mystery series. I loved the Santa Fe setting and all the Southwest cuisine. I also enjoyed the likable characters, the mystery and the recipes. This is the perfect book for a crisp fall day. I enjoyed it, and I am eagerly looking forward to the second book in this series.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
January 12, 2025
I enjoyed this cozy. The Santa Fe setting--the people, arts, weather, food, all of it-- so well done. I found the main character Rita irritatingly weak at times, but she's likable and got stronger towards the end, so there's hope. Her ex is completely over-the-top obnoxious, but he's not a major player in the story. The other characters, especially her octogenarian boss Flori, are wonderful.
The whodunnit wasn't hard to figure out, but the way Rita discovers the truth surprised me. Did not see that coming!
Overall, the brilliant descriptions of Santa Fe and its amazing cuisine and the great secondary characters encourage me to read the next in series.
Read this for the great descriptions of
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The whodunnit wasn't hard to figure out, but the way Rita discovers the truth surprised me. Did not see that coming!
Overall, the brilliant descriptions of Santa Fe and its amazing cuisine and the great secondary characters encourage me to read the next in series.
Read this for the great descriptions of
reply | edit | delete | flag
October 25, 2020
3.5 stars. This book provides marvelous details about Santa Fe, Day of the Dead food and customs. For me, the mystery had the feel of an old-fashioned melodrama, with bad guys who were very bad. (Listened via Hoopla Digital. Good narrator.)
July 9, 2022
This was an ‘ok’ cozy mystery, but to be honest, I would have found it much more enjoyable had more attention been spent on the murder and less on descriptions of everything that was eaten. I think I’m done reading mysteries that take place in or around bakeries/restaurants.
May 2, 2022
I think this is a series I will like better after I read a couple books as I didn't quite connect with the characters but I loved the location and the overall context.
January 7, 2025
It was a cozy mystery story. I did enjoy all the food that was part of it. That was fun to read about, but the mystery part itself was only okay.
May 3, 2022
3.5⭐️
October 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I have never read a book that made me so hungry, all the description of Mexican food in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The book was well written, the plot, characters, and mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. This book also takes place around Halloween/ Day of the Dead, perfect for this time of year.
October 11, 2015
Summary from Goodreads:
"Trick or treat—and murder—are on the menu in this first in a new culinary mystery series
Life couldn't be sweeter for Tres Amigas Café chef Rita Lafitte, decorating sugar skulls and taste-testing rich, buttery pan de muerto in anticipation of Santa Fe's Day of the Dead bread-baking contest. That is, until her friendly landlord, Victor, is found dead next door.
Although the police deem Victor's death a suicide, Rita knows something is amiss. To uncover the truth, she teams up with her octogenarian boss, Flori, the town's most celebrated snoop. The duo begins to sift through long-buried secrets and to take full measure of duplicitous neighbors, but the clock is ticking and their list of suspects is growing ever longer. Just as the clues get hotter than a New Mexican chili, one of their main suspects winds up dead. Rita fears that the killer is dishing out seconds—and her order might be up."
My Thoughts:
This was such a fun read! I loved it from beginning to end and found myself giggling at different times thanks to Rita's eccentric boss Flori. She was a hoot! I've read a bunch cozy mysteries this year (especially in comparison to years past) and she has to be one of my favorite characters. I loved that I could never guess what she was going to do next. She was a spitfire that wasn't afraid to do what she wanted and when she wanted to. Really I just thought that she was great. I also really enjoyed Rita's character. She is a single mother dealing with a teenage daughter and a ex-husband who I wanted to drop kick multiple times. It just rang true to me as there are so many women out there dealing with similar situations. She didn't have all of the answers, her life wasn't perfect, but she was trying and I couldn't help but like her all the more because of it. I just loved both of these characters and can't wait to see them again in future books!
The setting of this book was another of the things that really made this book stand out for me. I loved how the author used the setting of the story to really add details throughout. The different foods that Rita and Flori would make at the cafe....yum! I would have loved to have tried them all! What is it with cozy mysteries always making me so hungry? They all seem to make me want to improve my cooking skills as well which I am sure my family would appreciate. Ha! This book really made me hungry though because Rita was constantly describing all of the yummy dishes that were made that were authentic to the area that she lived in which is Sante Fe, New Mexico. The author did a really great job of describing the setting in such a way that you almost felt that you were there. I've never been to New Mexico myself but I would love to visit after reading this book. The mystery itself was nicely done and had me guessing until the very end. I had my suspicions on the whodunnit part but it turned out that I was completely wrong. I love when that happens! I also really enjoyed Rita's character. She is a single mother dealing with a teenage daughter and a ex-husband who I wanted to drop kick multiple times. It just rang true to me as there are so many women out there dealing with similar situations. She didn't have all of the answers, her life wasn't perfect, but she was trying and I couldn't help but like her all the more because of it. The ending was nicely done and left me eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.
Overall I really, really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author! With two great main characters and a storyline that kept my attention throughout I couldn't ask for more. Actually I could...that would be the second book in my hands right now. LOL! I managed to read this one in just a few short days as I just did not want to set it down. Yet another new series for me to follow!
Bottom Line: A great beginning to this new cozy series! I want more!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a CBB Book Tour.
"Trick or treat—and murder—are on the menu in this first in a new culinary mystery series
Life couldn't be sweeter for Tres Amigas Café chef Rita Lafitte, decorating sugar skulls and taste-testing rich, buttery pan de muerto in anticipation of Santa Fe's Day of the Dead bread-baking contest. That is, until her friendly landlord, Victor, is found dead next door.
Although the police deem Victor's death a suicide, Rita knows something is amiss. To uncover the truth, she teams up with her octogenarian boss, Flori, the town's most celebrated snoop. The duo begins to sift through long-buried secrets and to take full measure of duplicitous neighbors, but the clock is ticking and their list of suspects is growing ever longer. Just as the clues get hotter than a New Mexican chili, one of their main suspects winds up dead. Rita fears that the killer is dishing out seconds—and her order might be up."
My Thoughts:
This was such a fun read! I loved it from beginning to end and found myself giggling at different times thanks to Rita's eccentric boss Flori. She was a hoot! I've read a bunch cozy mysteries this year (especially in comparison to years past) and she has to be one of my favorite characters. I loved that I could never guess what she was going to do next. She was a spitfire that wasn't afraid to do what she wanted and when she wanted to. Really I just thought that she was great. I also really enjoyed Rita's character. She is a single mother dealing with a teenage daughter and a ex-husband who I wanted to drop kick multiple times. It just rang true to me as there are so many women out there dealing with similar situations. She didn't have all of the answers, her life wasn't perfect, but she was trying and I couldn't help but like her all the more because of it. I just loved both of these characters and can't wait to see them again in future books!
The setting of this book was another of the things that really made this book stand out for me. I loved how the author used the setting of the story to really add details throughout. The different foods that Rita and Flori would make at the cafe....yum! I would have loved to have tried them all! What is it with cozy mysteries always making me so hungry? They all seem to make me want to improve my cooking skills as well which I am sure my family would appreciate. Ha! This book really made me hungry though because Rita was constantly describing all of the yummy dishes that were made that were authentic to the area that she lived in which is Sante Fe, New Mexico. The author did a really great job of describing the setting in such a way that you almost felt that you were there. I've never been to New Mexico myself but I would love to visit after reading this book. The mystery itself was nicely done and had me guessing until the very end. I had my suspicions on the whodunnit part but it turned out that I was completely wrong. I love when that happens! I also really enjoyed Rita's character. She is a single mother dealing with a teenage daughter and a ex-husband who I wanted to drop kick multiple times. It just rang true to me as there are so many women out there dealing with similar situations. She didn't have all of the answers, her life wasn't perfect, but she was trying and I couldn't help but like her all the more because of it. The ending was nicely done and left me eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.
Overall I really, really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author! With two great main characters and a storyline that kept my attention throughout I couldn't ask for more. Actually I could...that would be the second book in my hands right now. LOL! I managed to read this one in just a few short days as I just did not want to set it down. Yet another new series for me to follow!
Bottom Line: A great beginning to this new cozy series! I want more!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher as part of a CBB Book Tour.
November 25, 2016
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Why I read it: I'm a sucker for cozy mysteries, especially when they involve food. There's recipes in the back of this one, which I didn't realise would be there. Bonus! I'm totally going to give the bread a try at some point soon :D
Plot: Rita has recently come out of a divorce and is finding her own way in Santa Fe. She works at Tres Amigas Cafe with Flori, who is a lovely older lady with a mean nose for snooping, and with a Day of the Dead bread baking contest coming up - a great ambition to win back her title.
When Rita's landlord and friend, Victor, is found dead in his home in an assumed suicide, Rita and Flori decide to do their own investigating. There's no way Victor would have taken his own life, and they will do all they can to prove it - even if it does mean stepping on Rita's ex-husband - Manny's - toes!
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! It's by no means groundbreaking, but it's a fun cozy mystery - and those are the best kind!
Rita is in her early 40s and has a moody teenage daughter and even moodier ex-husband to deal with, as well as the mischievous Flori who insists she gets back in the dating game and flirt up a storm with one cafe customer in particular - handsome lawyer, Jake Strong.
I loved Flori, she's always up to something and knows everything, being the giant gossip that she is ;) Rita was a good foil for her antics I thought - although they did always seem to end up in some sort of trouble. Neither of them are convinced that Victor would have killed himself - so they make a list of their suspects and start digging around.
At some point or other, I think I suspected everyone - but I didn't really have any idea until I hit about 80% where I thought 'oh hang on, it's...!' There's plenty of characters that have motive, from Victor's ex-wife, to their neighbour who they were in a property dispute with.
Rita made some rash decisions and got herself into some situations she probably shouldn't have, but I felt it was all believable and I really did like her voice as the main character. There was growth for her and some of her relationships, including that with her daughter, which was nice to see. There's also a hint of romance, though it hasn't really taken off yet (I hope it does with the next book!)
The side-plot with the baking contest is good fun too. And you do not want to read this book on an empty stomach, I was craving Mexican food the entire time - still am, to be honest! I guess that just means I'll have to make something from one of those recipes!
In Brief: A fun and light cozy mystery, with a pretty decent mystery part! I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series in the future.
Why I read it: I'm a sucker for cozy mysteries, especially when they involve food. There's recipes in the back of this one, which I didn't realise would be there. Bonus! I'm totally going to give the bread a try at some point soon :D
Plot: Rita has recently come out of a divorce and is finding her own way in Santa Fe. She works at Tres Amigas Cafe with Flori, who is a lovely older lady with a mean nose for snooping, and with a Day of the Dead bread baking contest coming up - a great ambition to win back her title.
When Rita's landlord and friend, Victor, is found dead in his home in an assumed suicide, Rita and Flori decide to do their own investigating. There's no way Victor would have taken his own life, and they will do all they can to prove it - even if it does mean stepping on Rita's ex-husband - Manny's - toes!
My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! It's by no means groundbreaking, but it's a fun cozy mystery - and those are the best kind!
Rita is in her early 40s and has a moody teenage daughter and even moodier ex-husband to deal with, as well as the mischievous Flori who insists she gets back in the dating game and flirt up a storm with one cafe customer in particular - handsome lawyer, Jake Strong.
I loved Flori, she's always up to something and knows everything, being the giant gossip that she is ;) Rita was a good foil for her antics I thought - although they did always seem to end up in some sort of trouble. Neither of them are convinced that Victor would have killed himself - so they make a list of their suspects and start digging around.
At some point or other, I think I suspected everyone - but I didn't really have any idea until I hit about 80% where I thought 'oh hang on, it's...!' There's plenty of characters that have motive, from Victor's ex-wife, to their neighbour who they were in a property dispute with.
Rita made some rash decisions and got herself into some situations she probably shouldn't have, but I felt it was all believable and I really did like her voice as the main character. There was growth for her and some of her relationships, including that with her daughter, which was nice to see. There's also a hint of romance, though it hasn't really taken off yet (I hope it does with the next book!)
The side-plot with the baking contest is good fun too. And you do not want to read this book on an empty stomach, I was craving Mexican food the entire time - still am, to be honest! I guess that just means I'll have to make something from one of those recipes!
In Brief: A fun and light cozy mystery, with a pretty decent mystery part! I'm definitely looking forward to continuing this series in the future.
January 1, 2016
Full disclosure: I started reading this brand new mystery because it was written by a high school friend. I DO like mysteries, but I'm kind of picky about my cozy mysteries. I prefer a little more professional detective and a little less nosy lady-next-door, although there are many mystery series I've enjoyed that still definitely fit the "cozy" description. What I'm saying, as preface to praise, is that a cozy series really has to have something extra, something special, to draw me in, or I get bored after the first few chapters.
With Ann Myers' new "Santa Fe Café" mystery series, I only got more and more hooked the more chapters I read!
I love the setting. I've never been to Santa Fe, nor even New Mexico, but i loved walking around there, through the pages of "Bread of the Dead" -- the sunsets, the at, the adobe houses, the silver and turquoise jewelry, the unique fashion sense that is part cowboy/part urban/part southwest/part artsy/part post-Beatnik/part Mexican-Spanish/part Native American and is all Santa Fe. I felt I could see the sites, enjoy some of the art, hear the variety of accents, and best of all, smell the food. Don't read this book while hungry! Actually, I was reading descriptions of food at the Tres Amigas Café after I had had a big family dinner, and my mouth was still watering, so just read it, any time, and the read the southwestern recipes at the end. I am planning on trying my luck baking Flori's "Pan de Muerta" some time very soon!
I also loved the characters. This is über-important, I think, in capturing and building a fan base. Consider me a fan. The protagonist and first-person narrator, Rita, grew on me the more I got to know her, not even through her voice so much -- although I liked that, too -- but through her interactions with the other characters and her choices in dealing with situations as they arose. She is funny sometimes (not always intentionally), caring, honest....she is also sometimes over-anxious, clumsy, dippy, and does not always make the best decisions. Overall, I really appreciated how human she was. Not perfect. Not too nice. Not too cranky. I felt she was a good mix of what makes most of us interestingly human, with foibles and strengths, alike. I really liked Flori, too, which was a real coup on Ann Myers' part, because I feel, too often, the "amateur sleuth older lady" character in many cozies is either way too predictable, or too crabby to be likeable.
What surprised me was how much I liked the murder victim. Often the murder victim is just "Mr. Body", a 2-dimensional plot device more than a likeable character. I can't wait for the next book in the series, except I'm sad Victor won't be in it.
Two months feels like too long to wait to rejoin my new friends at the Tres Amigas Café!! Excellent job, Ann!
With Ann Myers' new "Santa Fe Café" mystery series, I only got more and more hooked the more chapters I read!
I love the setting. I've never been to Santa Fe, nor even New Mexico, but i loved walking around there, through the pages of "Bread of the Dead" -- the sunsets, the at, the adobe houses, the silver and turquoise jewelry, the unique fashion sense that is part cowboy/part urban/part southwest/part artsy/part post-Beatnik/part Mexican-Spanish/part Native American and is all Santa Fe. I felt I could see the sites, enjoy some of the art, hear the variety of accents, and best of all, smell the food. Don't read this book while hungry! Actually, I was reading descriptions of food at the Tres Amigas Café after I had had a big family dinner, and my mouth was still watering, so just read it, any time, and the read the southwestern recipes at the end. I am planning on trying my luck baking Flori's "Pan de Muerta" some time very soon!
I also loved the characters. This is über-important, I think, in capturing and building a fan base. Consider me a fan. The protagonist and first-person narrator, Rita, grew on me the more I got to know her, not even through her voice so much -- although I liked that, too -- but through her interactions with the other characters and her choices in dealing with situations as they arose. She is funny sometimes (not always intentionally), caring, honest....she is also sometimes over-anxious, clumsy, dippy, and does not always make the best decisions. Overall, I really appreciated how human she was. Not perfect. Not too nice. Not too cranky. I felt she was a good mix of what makes most of us interestingly human, with foibles and strengths, alike. I really liked Flori, too, which was a real coup on Ann Myers' part, because I feel, too often, the "amateur sleuth older lady" character in many cozies is either way too predictable, or too crabby to be likeable.
What surprised me was how much I liked the murder victim. Often the murder victim is just "Mr. Body", a 2-dimensional plot device more than a likeable character. I can't wait for the next book in the series, except I'm sad Victor won't be in it.
Two months feels like too long to wait to rejoin my new friends at the Tres Amigas Café!! Excellent job, Ann!
November 15, 2015
*Warning: reading this book will cause extreme hunger*
Tamales, posole, carne adovada, these are a few of the delicious Mexican dishes mentioned that will get your mouth watering. Reading Bread of the Dead reminded me what I love most about my culture. The food!!! The descriptions were so clear that I could imagine plates of pan de muertos and bizcochos cookies in front of me. I gained 5 pounds just reading this.
Bread of the Dead has to be one of my favorite cozy mysteries I've read this year, and not only for the food. The story was very engaging, with a plethora of characters that were unique and three dimensional. We had Rita's spunky, eighty-year-old boss Flori, Celia, her teenage daughter, Manny, the obnoxious ex, and many more. Than there was Rita herself. She was unsure and dealt with a lot of anxiety, but she was also mature and thought things through. There were times when she ran headfirst into trouble, but it wasn't bad to the point were you facepalmed yourself. Also her control when faced with Manny's insults was admirable. If I had an ex-husband who looked down on me and treated me like dirt I'd dropkick him into the Rio Grande.
And on to the mystery. Yes it was obvious who the killer was. You'd have to be blind not to see it. I was practically screaming at Rita to hurry and figure it out. Still, all the sleuthing kept me on my toes. I will say there was a twist that truly shocked me, therefore, the mystery was done well. My issue is the unresolved mystery of Gloria's alleged cheating in the pan de muerto contest. Did she or didn't she? It wasn't explained.
If you're interested in learning a little about Mexican culture, especially about the holiday Dia de los Muertos, than check this out.
Tamales, posole, carne adovada, these are a few of the delicious Mexican dishes mentioned that will get your mouth watering. Reading Bread of the Dead reminded me what I love most about my culture. The food!!! The descriptions were so clear that I could imagine plates of pan de muertos and bizcochos cookies in front of me. I gained 5 pounds just reading this.
Bread of the Dead has to be one of my favorite cozy mysteries I've read this year, and not only for the food. The story was very engaging, with a plethora of characters that were unique and three dimensional. We had Rita's spunky, eighty-year-old boss Flori, Celia, her teenage daughter, Manny, the obnoxious ex, and many more. Than there was Rita herself. She was unsure and dealt with a lot of anxiety, but she was also mature and thought things through. There were times when she ran headfirst into trouble, but it wasn't bad to the point were you facepalmed yourself. Also her control when faced with Manny's insults was admirable. If I had an ex-husband who looked down on me and treated me like dirt I'd dropkick him into the Rio Grande.
And on to the mystery. Yes it was obvious who the killer was. You'd have to be blind not to see it. I was practically screaming at Rita to hurry and figure it out. Still, all the sleuthing kept me on my toes. I will say there was a twist that truly shocked me, therefore, the mystery was done well. My issue is the unresolved mystery of Gloria's alleged cheating in the pan de muerto contest. Did she or didn't she? It wasn't explained.
If you're interested in learning a little about Mexican culture, especially about the holiday Dia de los Muertos, than check this out.
November 9, 2016
It is nearing the "Day of the Dead" or, Dia de los Muertos, as this book opens. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, this means festival! There is the famous art and crafts contests and displays. There are venues for music, dancing, and more. However, in this book, the featured event is the Baking contest for 'Pan de los Muertos' or Bread of the Dead.
Newly divorced, Rita Lafitte has managed to get a job at Tres Amigas Café. Two of the Amigas had retired, so Fiori (now in her 80's) looked for a new friend...Rita, not only a credentialed chef/baker, but a natural cook, was a perfect fit.
Rita managed to find a lovely small house to rent (similar to a in-laws apartment,) to share with her teenaged daughter, Celia. Rita also adored her landlord, Victor. The only blot on her new life was that her ex-husband, Manny is a policeman on the Santa Fe P.D. and, yes...he is a...fill in the blank. However, everything is wonderful, that is, until...Victor was found dead by our Rita.
Rita and her boss, Fiori are both natural snoops as well. They are 'positive' that Victor has been murdered. When the police are awaiting the coroner's report, our duo are off on the scent of the killer.
Enter a cast of characters that will have you laughing, feeling sentimental, angry, annoyed, and sensing a new romantic life for Rita, herself.
I am purposely keeping this review vague as I found new surprises in every chapter and I want you to have the fun of discovery for yourselves. Suffice it to say, I have downloaded (for my Kindle,) all three of the series (I hope that is a so-far,) and will enjoy renewing my new friendship with this cast. Recipes follow and you will want to try them.
Newly divorced, Rita Lafitte has managed to get a job at Tres Amigas Café. Two of the Amigas had retired, so Fiori (now in her 80's) looked for a new friend...Rita, not only a credentialed chef/baker, but a natural cook, was a perfect fit.
Rita managed to find a lovely small house to rent (similar to a in-laws apartment,) to share with her teenaged daughter, Celia. Rita also adored her landlord, Victor. The only blot on her new life was that her ex-husband, Manny is a policeman on the Santa Fe P.D. and, yes...he is a...fill in the blank. However, everything is wonderful, that is, until...Victor was found dead by our Rita.
Rita and her boss, Fiori are both natural snoops as well. They are 'positive' that Victor has been murdered. When the police are awaiting the coroner's report, our duo are off on the scent of the killer.
Enter a cast of characters that will have you laughing, feeling sentimental, angry, annoyed, and sensing a new romantic life for Rita, herself.
I am purposely keeping this review vague as I found new surprises in every chapter and I want you to have the fun of discovery for yourselves. Suffice it to say, I have downloaded (for my Kindle,) all three of the series (I hope that is a so-far,) and will enjoy renewing my new friendship with this cast. Recipes follow and you will want to try them.
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