A Fatal Feast

Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery #6

by Kathleen Bridge

Tensions are high on the eve of the grand opening of Privé, an exclusive gourmet dining club that interior designer Meg Barrett played a large part in decorating. With just the well-heeled owners, the kitchen staff, and Meg gathered for the pre-opening feast, it seems that everyone in the small group is airing their grievances, with their most venomous attacks directed at the notorious sous chef. But it still comes as a shock when the young woman is found dead the following morning, and Meg knows she’ll have to go into sleuthing mode to discover who had murder slated for the main course.

The most obvious suspect is the bitter winery owner next door, who’d been forced to sell her family’s French farmhouse to the owners of the dining club. But rumors are swirling of an affair between the victim and one of the owners, and clues begin to surface suggesting that the young woman was holding something over the owners’ heads. With the Hamptons elite closing ranks, Meg begins to think she may be out of her depth—and next on the killer’s list—because money can make for a powerful motive, and there are some secrets a person will kill to protect . . .

Includes tantalizing recipes and classic vintage decorating tips!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction

217 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 21, 2021

About the author

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Bridge, national bestselling author of The Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery Series and The By The Sea Mystery Series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America. Kathleen is also an antiques and vintage dealer and lives on the Central East Coast of Florida. www.kathleenbridge.com

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Barrett (interior designer), and Elle Shoner (antiques dealer) are one of my favorite best friend duo’s. Elle is a newlywed married to Detective Arthur Stoner. Meg’s in a relationship with reclusive, best-selling author Patrick. In this sixth installment of the Hamptons Home & Garden cozy mystery series, Meg and Elle become involved in a murder at Prive, a new gourmet club Meg has just finished decorating. All of the club owners and the employees act suspicious, in my opinion. I thought I knew who the murderer was by halfway through the story, but the author cleverly steered me off the right track.

I like that Meg and Elle are strong, smart, tough, and hard-working women. I always enjoy Meg’s hidden room in her beach cottage—I always get my Nancy Drew feels when she goes in there! I find all the vintage items that she discovers and Elle’s closet full of endless vintage clothes and accessories fascinating. The murder mystery is good, and the killer reveal and explanation is satisfying. The ending is surprising. I recommend this cozy series to readers who enjoy beach settings, antiques, re-furbishing furniture, and a cozy mystery.

I honestly reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and Books Go Social. All opinions are my own. Thank you.

[BonnieM☂️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all the books in this series. A Fatal Feast was really good and I enjoyed it very much. It takes place in Montauk, NY. Meg Barnett is the main character along with her best friend, Elle Shoner who is married to Detective Arthur Shoner. Meg is dating Patrick Seaton who is an author. The old farm house that has been in Bethany Garrier's family has been sold to three partners, Jackie and Noah Fairchild and Leland Cutler who plan to make it into a private dining club called Prive, Meg's company Cottage By The Sea decorated Prive. This is where the story gets interesting through the supporting characters. Sasha Morgan, a sous chef is found dead in the walk-in freezer by Kelsie Stevens, the chef of Prive. When Elle's best childhood friend, Bethany, owner of Garnier Vineyards is brought in for questioning, Elle along Meg set out to prove Bethany did not kill Sasha, The story takes many turns from what is going on at the eating club that has not opened yet to what Exotica is behind closed doors, To throw the reader off in another direction Jackie's show horse, Black Jack is stolen and a ransom is asked for. The story does have a nice ending with some surprises thrown in.

I look forward to the next adventure in the Hamptons Home and Garden series. It will be fun to see what Meg and Ellie get into. I am hoping in the next book Meg and Patrick's romance blossoms into something more than just friends.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read book in this series before. Throughout this book are descriptions the restaurant atmosphere, which made the plot exciting for me and wanting to read it in the first place, I appreciated Meg's intelligence and strength despite her hearing disability saying amateur sleuths are not without flaws or disabilities. It was also fascinating to see her relationship with her best selling author, Patrick, who carries his own baggage.
Reading more about Meg's interior design business and her love for vintage furniture was also enjoyable. I was not expecting the murderer to be who he was, but I was still intrigued.

Thank you Beyond the Page and Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a honest review.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fatal Feast by Kathleen Bridge the 6th instalment in the "Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series, although this can be read as a stand-alone I do recommend you read from the beginning.

I found myself engrossed in this story, I like the setting of the Hamptons and the overall feel of the place. I really enjoyed catching up with the main character of Meg, and her bff Elle.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, full of twists and turns. I can’t say I guessed who the killer was but I was starting to lean towards them.

I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

[Mint · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Fatal Feast is a fun, yet dramatic mystery. If you enjoy culinary cozies, interior design, and/or vintage furniture, this might be the cozy for you!

The plot was my favourite part of this book. The dynamics and relationships of the restaurant world are well integrated into the mystery - or the gourmet dinner club world, as some characters in this book might prefer to call it.

I'm someone who highly values the mystery component of a cozy mystery and this one didn't disappoint. I thought it was a clearly-written and gripping mystery. Lots of scandal and intrigue!

I also enjoyed reading more about Meg's interior design business and her affinity for vintage furniture. The setting of this book was especially vivid. It was as if Bridge transported me to the Hamptons.

Many of the characters have fun and juicy backstories that contribute to the novel's many twists and turns. However, I found the dialogue to be somewhat unnatural. This was especially true when the characters were introducing facts about their backgrounds or other characters.

Sometimes, I felt that the characters were only discussing certain topics or speaking about certain things because Bridge wanted to introduce something into the story. This ​sometimes took me out of the immersion of the book. Unfortunately, it also negatively impacted character development; at times, I found some characters to fall somewhat flat.

This is a fun cozy mystery that food and vintage furniture lovers will enjoy. However, readers who are more interested in a character-driven mystery may not be as satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Sue Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner in the Hamptons Home and Garden Series. At the pre-opening of Privé, an exclusive gourmet club, Meg Barrett is shocked by a vehement attack by a supposed friend on her participation in the redecorating of the club. Other tensions and disagreements explode and the sous chef is found dead the following morning. Meg and her bestie, Elle, negociate the privileged world to investigate the death. Both characters and pacing are lively leading to a most enjoyable read. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fatal Feast Earns 5/5 Glasses of Whine…Engaging & Clever!

Bethany Garnier, owner of Garnier Vineyard and Winery, is furious that her family’s home was not sold to a family, but instead to investors and renovated as an exclusive gourmet dining club, Privé (French for “private”). Meg Barrett, owner of an interior design business, is the target of her rant since she had been the chief decorator for the project. Bethany herself had filed plans to open a full-service restaurant, and after accusing the Privé owners of collusion, she added they must also have bought off the zoning commission. Yet, when Bethany learns that Sasha Morgan is Privé’s sous chef, a woman with whom she has her own contentious past, she happily gloats that the new “not a restaurant” is doomed. Meg ignores Bethany’s whining and focuses more on being invited to an exclusive pre-opening dinner with the three owners and kitchen staff the only ones in attendance. The multiple-course culinary masterpiece far exceeded Meg’s expectation and being asked to act as waitress and busgirl may have been odd, but the least of her worries: sniping in the kitchen, threats, ultimatums, awkward vibes among the guests, and…another dead body!

Bon appetit! Kathleen Bridge has penned her sixth engaging cozy in her Hampton’s Home & Garden Mystery series with a compelling murder mystery made totally engaging with multiple suspects to ponder and motives of which karma might just sanction the felonious actions: embittered competition, disgruntled lovers, blackmail, and secrets worth keeping at any cost. The varied characters have well-developed personalities, challenges from past tragedies, and respond in a reasonable fashion to situations…realism, I enjoy that. Kathleen’s writing style is always entertaining and compelling, easy to read with vivid descriptions to make the Hamptons all what you’d expect, characters you enjoy following, informative banter illustrating mood and tone, and a reveal that is always a satisfying surprise. Kathleen also provides marvelous recipes as a bonus: Coq ah Vin, a traditional French-inspired treat from Meg’s father Jeff Barrett, four of Meg’s Compound Butter Recipes, and for something sweet, Patrick’s Molten Chocolate Cakes. She also includes “Meg & Elle’s Think Outside-the-Box Guide to Cozy Decorating” with great ideas using everyday items in a creative manner to spruce up one’s home decor and tips when searching for vintage treasures. Don’t miss out on this cozy page-turner gem!

Disclosure: I received an ARC from Beyond the Page Publishers thru NetGalley. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th release in the charming "Hamptons Home And Garden Mystery series. " I highly recommend this series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. This is another 5 star release in this delightful series.

A exclusive dining club that Meg Barrett managed the decorating of is opening. A lot of animosity is in the air and no one is getting alone. The sous chef is the subject of much dissention in the kitchen. When she is murdered the next day Meg must investigate to solve this murder. Clues and red herrings abound in this case and soon secrets of the victim arise that lead Meg in many directions. . Soon Meg and her friends are in danger as they grow closer to the suspect.

This series has strong charcters that are charming. I enjoy returning to this series and love the well plotted sleuths that keep me guessing to conclusion. The atmospheric descriptions by the author are fun and add to the series. This is a series I highly recommend for your reading enjoyment.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found so much to love about this mystery! Meg Barrett is a decorator in the Hamptons who specialising in vintage and antique design. It's the eve of the grand opening of an exclusive gourmet dining club, Privé. A small group are present for a feast at the pre-opening but one of them is found dead...

This is the 6th book in Kathleen Bridge's Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series and it doesn't disappoint. The main character, Meg is appealing and there is a variety of suspects to choose from with motives. A Fatal Feast has ignited a keenness to read the previous instalments while awaiting book seven.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg Barrett has completed decorating Prive, an exclusive gathering place for food connoisseurs.
The night before the grand opening, emotions are riding high and not everyone is pleased about this new venture.
When the sous chef is found locked in the walk in, the celebration turns to mourning, as her death is considered a murder.

I really enjoy this series, the characters are fun and colorful and the stories always keep me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

#AFatalFeast #NetGalley

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow to the best installment of the series! A Fatal Feast was fun, brainy, sophisticated, and suspenseful. The characters were refreshingly elegant and realistic in this installment. Thank goodness for author Bridge's sharpening skills.

From this post forward, I will stop writing lengthy and gushing reviews of 5 star books. They're time-wasters. A sentence or two is enough. The author's good writing always speaks for itself.

5 stars

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable mystery in this series. This is one of my core cozy series because the characters are likable, and the mysteries are good. This latest installment had me guessing throughout the story.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The problem here is that there's not much in the way of mystery. So there's padding instead. There's a subplot involving a cast member selling antiques from the ongoing historical drama first mentioned in Manor of Dying (2019). Then there is a kidnapped race horse. And finally there's the question of whether or not a particular character is related to Black Jack Bouvier.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen Bridge is one of those almost rare authors who writes several series and I eagerly await whichever one is next. They never fail to pull me in. This time it's back to her Hampton series featuring Meg and Elle, BFFs and business partners. Meg is an interior decorator and Elle specializes in antiques. In this mystery, Meg has finished the job of decorating a gourmet dining club name Prive, housed in a refurbished barn. Expecting a nice evening out with her boyfriend, Patrick at the Garnier Winery she is confronted by a very angry Bethany, former owner of the barn in question. She then adds to her rage when she finds out who the sous chef will be. Bethany has her own plans to open a restaurant and the combination of competition and having it housed in a barn with strong emotional ties to it is too much. Sasha, the sous chef, referred to as a tramp by Bethany, will work at Ptive. She will also turn up dead in the walk in freezer, victim of a killer.
Meg goes into sleuth mode when the police focus on Bethany as their prime suspect. Sasha had secrets and may have been having an affair with one of the owners of prive. Or was there somebody else she had crossed? The clues abound and even a few red herrings spice things up as Meg and Elle set out to track down a killer.
The setting of the Hamptons is perfect and the friendship between Meg and Elle is the kind we all desire but probably without investigating the occasional murder. As for the puzzle, I was sure at one point that I had figured out it out but I guessed wrong. Just the way I like my mysteries.
My thanks to the publisher Beyond the Page and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: In preparation for their grand opening of Prive, an exclusive ultra gourmet dining club, a select group of guests have been invited to sample the fine fare including Meg. She has been instrumental in getting the place ready as she has handled the interior design and decoration. The food is exemplary. But there is more on the menu than fine food. There is vitriol by the bucket between the three owners and also between the chef and her sous chef. There are some shady things going on but it is not until Meg and Kelsie the chef, discover the body of the sous chef the next day that Meg realizes there was one more item on the menu. Murder.

Meg’s friend and partner Elle decide they need to get involved. Winery owner Bethany has a myriad of reasons to dislike the victim. But once the ladies start asking questions and digging deeper, they discover more things bubbling away in the pot. Affairs, questionable ethics, rivalries and more have Meg wondering who did the deed and why.

Set in the Hamptons, the description of some very pricey real estate is fun reading how the other 1 per cent lives. It has the feel of an old time 1930s mystery with some great relationships and characters. Meg is spunky and smart and while she can get into tight situations, she is not blatantly reckless. I do, however, object to how she describes Jo, a Maine Coon. We are big kitties and deserve more respect from our humans.
I will forgive her. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fatal Feast
A Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery #6
by Kathleen Bridge
Pub Date 21 Sep 2021
Beyond the Page Publishing
Home & Garden | Mystery & Thrillers


I am reviewing a copy of A Fatal Feast through Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley:



On the eve of the grand opening of Privé, tensions are high an exclusive gourmet dining club that interior designer Meg Barrett played a large part in decorating. With just the wealthy owners the kitchen staff, and Meg gathered for the pre-opening feast, it’s as if ever in the small group is airing its grievances but the most vicious of the attacks are directed at the notorious sous chef. It still as a shock when the young woman is found dead the following morning, and Meg knows she’ll have to go into sleuthing mode to discover who had murder slated for the main course.




The person that is most suspected is the winery owner next door because she had been forced to sell her family’s French farmhouse to the owners of the dining club. But there are rumors swirling of an affair between the victim and one of the owners, and clues begin to surface suggesting that the young woman was holding something over the owners’ heads. With the Hamptons elite closing ranks, Meg starts to think she may be out of her depth, and she maybe next on the killers list, because money can make for a powerful motive, and there are some secrets a person will kill to protect . . .



I give A Fatal Feast five out of five stars!



Happy Reading!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is Labor Day weekend in the Hamptons and interior designer Meg Barrett is putting the finishing touches on a Prive, a private dinner club with a membership only business model. The owners of the restaurant club all seem to have very chaotic and dramatic lives. When the sous chef is found murdered in the walk in freezer, anyone of the owners could be the murdered. But when the most likely suspect is a friend of Meg's best friend Elle, they are both on the case to try to prove that she is innocent.

This is the 6th book in the Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery series. Prior to this one I haven't read a title from this series before. For the most part it wasn't difficult to become engrossed with the characters and the plot. A lot of the characters personal growth has already been fleshed out in previous installments, but that just makes for more enjoyable dialogue amongst the main players. If Kathleen Bridge continues the series I would most definitely continue to keep going with the series. Sometimes when I come to a series late I genuinely want to go back and start from the beginning. Personally, that is not something I would do with this series. Coming to a series later really gets rid of the will they, won't they scenarios which makes for a more streamlined reading experience. That is a personal choice however.

Thank you to Beyond the Page publishing for providing me with an ARC for review.

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Barrett has completed the new Prive restaurant and is quite pleased with her design work. What she isn’t pleased with is the way her friend, the new chef for the private club, is acting. She’s never been this rude or off, but something has changed and not for the better.

When the sous chef is found dead in the walk in freezer and it is declared a murder, Meg finds herself sleuthing again when a friend of her BFF is the prime suspect. Meg can’t write off the chef and a few others, but she needs proof before she can take any of it to the police. Meg finds out more than she bargained for when she goes sleuthing late at night. Now she just has to hope she can get the evidence she needs before she becomes the next victim served on on a silver platter.

I enjoy Kathleen Bridge’s writing and love both her By the Sea series and this one as well. I think this one is a wee bit more a favorite since I can relate to Meg with hearing aids and some of her other life aspects. Each of her books can be read as a stand alone, but there are enough in each series to allow yourself a little binge reading to catch up and be ready for her net release.

[Danielle D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg has just finished decorating a new gourmet-dining club in the Hamptons and is inviting to a very exclusive dinner before the opening. Little does she know that this invitation will lead her to investigate the murder of the despised sous-chef.

Kathleen Bridge made a well-written mystery that not only your eyes can feast upon, but also your senses. Check the back of the book for recipes; I am looking forward to trying a few out. The story was engaging and she threw in red herrings to keep you off the scent of the killer.

I was in a reading slump as I was not a fan of the last couple of books I had picked. I am so glad I decided to go with “A Fatal Feast” for my latest read. It was an absolute delight! This was my first book of the Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery’s and I definitely want to go back and read more from the series.

I want to thank NetGalley, Kathleen Bridge and Beyond the Page Publishing for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries, and Kathleen Bridge offers up a charming one in the book, A Fatal Feast. Meg Barrett is an interior designer who just finished the designs of an exclusive dining club. Things are already off to a rocky start when Bethany, the owner of the nearby winery and restaurant feels slighted over her family's home being taken over. Things get even more complicated when Sasha, who was working at the exclusive dining club - and the former employee of Sasha turns up dead. The police focus on Bethany, but when Meg and her friend Elle start to investigate on their own, they wonder if Bethany really is the killer.

Filled with fun, food, and delightful characters as well as an exciting mystery, A Fatal Feast was a great cozy mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed. The author does great with food details (one of my favorite aspects of cozy mysteries!) and it really made me hungry as I read. Definitely would recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book 6 in the series.

I really like this series. Meg is always entertaining. That said, she had a few Too Stupid to Live moments in this book, which always annoys me, and resulted in me downrating the book.

Overall, the story was a good one that kept me reading. It was a fast read, I finished it in a day. I love the setting, and the bits and pieces of interior design Meg and Elle throw in, along with the descriptions of most of the food.

There were a few things that seemed a bit convoluted and out there, but I won't go in to that because I don't want any spoilers.

I am looking forward to more mysteries with Meg and Elle.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, via NetGalley.*

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wasn't sure which obnoxious character was going to become a corpse as there were several choice prospects. Turns out that it was the overdrinking sous chef that no female wanted around. Meg is 33 and has worn hearing aids since her childhood in Detroit. Now living in the Hamptons and surrounded by good friends, she provides interior decor items as her business and has the contracts for a fancy food venue, an unusual retreat, and the sets of a television series. Good sleuthing, great characters, and lots of irony. Excellent read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series leaves me with questions.

While I enjoy the series in the characters I’m left with questions about the inconsistencies. For instants what happened to the older cat between box 4 and five? Meg took it home after the housekeeper was arrested but there was no mention of the cat and the next book. Also the character of Elie is confusing, in
the first book I was left with the impression she was about 10 years older than Meg. As the books progress she seems to be getting younger and younger. I wonder how at 33 she could have accomplished everything she’s supposedly done in life.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good addition to this series I love.
It's a complex mystery, full of twists, and it kept me hooked till the end.
A compelling and highly entertaining read that made me travel to the Hamptons and enjoy the descriptions of the places, food and antiques.
Meg is a clever and relatable woman, Patrick is an intersting character with plenty of baggage.
The characters are fleshed out and the plot flows.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A grand opening has Meg busy with decorating the place. A preopening feast has more than quibbling staff airing their airs will soon be more as a woman is found dead the next morning.

Suspects galore as Meg will once again use her sleuthing skills to solve the case. A fun read to feast upon.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Fatal Feast by by Kathleen Bridge is book six in the A Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series. This is only the second in the series I have read.
This well written story has great characters, plenty of plot twists and suspects, romance, friendship, and loveable pets. There are also references to antiques. You will not want to put it down.
I was given an ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGa;lley for an honest review.

[Cherry London · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being verbally abused by Bethany, Meg now finds herself involved with her best friend Elle, investigating the mysterious death of the sous chef, and trying to prove that Bethany was innocent of the said murder. Meg couldn’t resist a murder mystery, no matter who it was, even if the accused didn’t deserve her help. It was interesting with some eye-popping revelations, making this book quite intriguing.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good installment in the series. Definitely better to read in order and previous plot lines are discussed. This book is good for foodies and equestrian lovers. As always vintage clothing and decor are discussed in abundance as well
The mystery has a secondary mystery weaved into the plot line as well. The guilty party wasn’t necessarily a surprise but the motives were quite intriguing

[zoe Hitchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great cozy mystery!
Meg has completed decorating a private gourmet dining club , and not everyone is happy about the clubs existence and then the sous chef is found dead.
The main characters are amiable and the plot is competently written and flows well.
An enjoyable read and I look forward to the next in the series .

Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this series. End thoughts: not sure I agree with Megs feelings about Cole. I think she strung him a long wasn’t clear with him that she was not exclusive and then she was upset that he potentially wasn’t either. I like Patrick, I like when the partner of the MC is not police force but helps her with her crime solving.