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A Mystery with Recipes #1
A Catered Murder
Bernadette Simmons wasn't sure what to expect when she left L.A.--and her no-good, cheating boyfriend--to move back in with her family in New York. And her sister Libby had no idea what she was in for when she hired Bernie to work for her catering business. But in between cutting up canapes and dishing up desserts, the two find themselves in the midst of a mystery they can really sink their teeth into. . .
It's only been a few days since Bernie and Libby started working together at A Little Taste of Heaven, and already they've got their hands full--baking cookies and slicing rare beef tenderloin to serve at a high school reunion. The dinner has a "Dracula" theme and a very strange guest of honor: Laird Wrenn, a New York Times bestselling author of vampire novels. Libby and Bernie know this will be an evening unlike any other. And they're proven right when Laird pours a glass of water, takes a long sip--and drops stone-cold dead. . .
Now, with murder on the menu and Libby under suspicion, the sisters will have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit--in a mystery that promises to be deadly to the very last bite.
It's only been a few days since Bernie and Libby started working together at A Little Taste of Heaven, and already they've got their hands full--baking cookies and slicing rare beef tenderloin to serve at a high school reunion. The dinner has a "Dracula" theme and a very strange guest of honor: Laird Wrenn, a New York Times bestselling author of vampire novels. Libby and Bernie know this will be an evening unlike any other. And they're proven right when Laird pours a glass of water, takes a long sip--and drops stone-cold dead. . .
Now, with murder on the menu and Libby under suspicion, the sisters will have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit--in a mystery that promises to be deadly to the very last bite.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
370 people are currently reading
3331 people want to read
About the author
Isis Crawford
28 books268 followersIsis Crawford was born in Egypt to parents who were in the diplomatic corps. When she was five, her family returned to the States, where her mother opened a restaurant in Upper Westchester County and her father became a university professor. Since then Isis has combined her parents’ love of food and travel by running a catering service as well as penning numerous travel-related articles about places ranging from Omsk to Paraguay. Married, with twin boys, she presently resides in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, where she is working on the next Bernie and Libby culinary mystery.
A pseudonym used by Barbara Block
A pseudonym used by Barbara Block
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
September 23, 2020
Bernadette moves from Los Angeles to New York and goes to work in her sister's catering business. Unfortunately, a guest dies at one of their events. And a friend of Bernadette's sister is one of the suspects.
Crawford delivers an enticing plot, relatable characters and a nice twist ending.
A fun read.
Crawford delivers an enticing plot, relatable characters and a nice twist ending.
A fun read.
November 1, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Bernadette Simmons escaped from Los Angeles leaving her cheating ex behind along with most of her belongings to return home to New York. There she starts working with her sister Libby at A Little Taste of Heaven, a store and catering company. They have been hired to cater a high school reunion with a Dracula theme. The guest of honor, author Laird Wrenn, even arrives with his own coffin. Sadly, before the night ends he is going to need it because after a big drink of water he keels over dead. Since Libby provided the bottled water she becomes a prime suspect but everyone at the reunion had access to it so the suspect list is wide open and Bernie and Libby are going to find who sucked the life out of the popular vampire . . . author.
I found the family dynamic interesting in this first book of this series. The sisters are as different as night and day but both seem to attract jerks and deserve better. In addition to working together, they are also taking care of their father, Sean, the former police chief. He is in a wheelchair but no real story as to why as been revealed as yet. Truthfully the author has not given any of the core characters much depth so there is a lot to be revealed in subsequent books. I did like the interactions between the sisters and with their father. They came across as realistic and true.
The girl’s investigation into the murder was fun to read. Taking along treats when visiting the suspects did loosen some tongues. In fact, the heat was soon off Libby and onto one of her friends. I also liked that they talked things over with their dad to get his expert opinion. His replacement at the police department is a real tool and needed to be put in his place. I was able to pull all the clues together before Bernie and Libby and the police but enjoyed following along to the end.
This story was good but I wish the characters were more fleshed out so that I would feel more invested in them. I identified a bit with Sean because I too spend a vast amount of time in a wheelchair but want to know more of his story. We did learn Bernie has an eidetic memory which can be annoying and Libby is a really hard worker but again I wanted more.
For me, the book is A Satisfactory Excursion, but I am not writing the series off. I have book #2, A Catered Wedding on my Kindle so I will be giving this author another chance. It is a long-running series, book #15, A Catered New Year’s Eve was just released so I am assuming the flaws I found in this story have all be ironed out.
Bernadette Simmons escaped from Los Angeles leaving her cheating ex behind along with most of her belongings to return home to New York. There she starts working with her sister Libby at A Little Taste of Heaven, a store and catering company. They have been hired to cater a high school reunion with a Dracula theme. The guest of honor, author Laird Wrenn, even arrives with his own coffin. Sadly, before the night ends he is going to need it because after a big drink of water he keels over dead. Since Libby provided the bottled water she becomes a prime suspect but everyone at the reunion had access to it so the suspect list is wide open and Bernie and Libby are going to find who sucked the life out of the popular vampire . . . author.
I found the family dynamic interesting in this first book of this series. The sisters are as different as night and day but both seem to attract jerks and deserve better. In addition to working together, they are also taking care of their father, Sean, the former police chief. He is in a wheelchair but no real story as to why as been revealed as yet. Truthfully the author has not given any of the core characters much depth so there is a lot to be revealed in subsequent books. I did like the interactions between the sisters and with their father. They came across as realistic and true.
The girl’s investigation into the murder was fun to read. Taking along treats when visiting the suspects did loosen some tongues. In fact, the heat was soon off Libby and onto one of her friends. I also liked that they talked things over with their dad to get his expert opinion. His replacement at the police department is a real tool and needed to be put in his place. I was able to pull all the clues together before Bernie and Libby and the police but enjoyed following along to the end.
This story was good but I wish the characters were more fleshed out so that I would feel more invested in them. I identified a bit with Sean because I too spend a vast amount of time in a wheelchair but want to know more of his story. We did learn Bernie has an eidetic memory which can be annoying and Libby is a really hard worker but again I wanted more.
For me, the book is A Satisfactory Excursion, but I am not writing the series off. I have book #2, A Catered Wedding on my Kindle so I will be giving this author another chance. It is a long-running series, book #15, A Catered New Year’s Eve was just released so I am assuming the flaws I found in this story have all be ironed out.
February 8, 2017
This is a very enjoyable mystery series, but I recommend skipping book 1. I began reading this series in December 2016 and chose to read the book 3 which is set at Christmas first. I'm so glad I didn't start with the first book. I have read 4 books in the series and this is my least favorite selection. It's not terrible, but just not a memorable book. The murder takes place at a book party which is essentially a high school reunion. There are too many characters in this town to follow throughout the book. I read the book in 3 days and can't imagine how you would keep track of everyone if you read the book slower! The ending felt rushed and it is unlikely you will guess the solution in advance. Start the series with book 2 and you will really enjoy these catering sisters, their retired cop father, their friends, their town, and the cozy mysteries they solve. Enjoy!
June 28, 2022
A cozy mystery I really liked, good writing not to fluffy with no filling if that makes sense. It's enough to make me want to read more.
March 14, 2019
A quick, easy read. Could have done with some editing but otherwise a good mystery. Looking forward to the next in the series. 3.5*
April 9, 2011
I love mysteries. Cozies are my favorite mysteries to read. I'm hooked. Hooked.
I always enjoy getting my hands on a new series, new author ~ new author to the publishing world or new to me.
I get a kick out of being the first to scoop up the latest. I consider myself a cozy devotee.
Sadly, A Catered Murder did zip, zero, nada for me. Nothing. I was bored. I found excuses not to read it. I read other books instead.
I wondered how on earth this book got published. Did it win a contest? Was it nepotism?
Was the editor @ Kensington about to embark on a cruise & said, " Oh, what the heck? " or did s/he win the lottery & give them a shot @ making their dream come true?
I am one of those people who has to finish a book ~ no matter what.
I am slowly learning to stop being so anal & read the incredible books waiting to be read.
Instead of slogging through the drivel, I have decided to toss the books I can't digest aside.
I have allowed myself to read the first 50 pages a` la Oprah, but have come up w/ my own reader meter ~ 25 pages.
So, what was it about this book that was so foul tasting?
Ingredients:
Zzz
Characters too over the top
Grammatical errors
Predictable plot
Dialogue too problematic to follow
Typing errors
Snore Syrup
Lack of Sense Sauce
Isis Crawford’s previous experience was as a food writer.
Hmmm... maybe the recipes are worth the read, but I didn't bother. I walked away... ok, sprinted.
A Catered Murder is the first of the Mystery with Recipes series & just because it isn't for my palate... you may enjoy this serving.
I always enjoy getting my hands on a new series, new author ~ new author to the publishing world or new to me.
I get a kick out of being the first to scoop up the latest. I consider myself a cozy devotee.
Sadly, A Catered Murder did zip, zero, nada for me. Nothing. I was bored. I found excuses not to read it. I read other books instead.
I wondered how on earth this book got published. Did it win a contest? Was it nepotism?
Was the editor @ Kensington about to embark on a cruise & said, " Oh, what the heck? " or did s/he win the lottery & give them a shot @ making their dream come true?
I am one of those people who has to finish a book ~ no matter what.
I am slowly learning to stop being so anal & read the incredible books waiting to be read.
Instead of slogging through the drivel, I have decided to toss the books I can't digest aside.
I have allowed myself to read the first 50 pages a` la Oprah, but have come up w/ my own reader meter ~ 25 pages.
So, what was it about this book that was so foul tasting?
Ingredients:
Zzz
Characters too over the top
Grammatical errors
Predictable plot
Dialogue too problematic to follow
Typing errors
Snore Syrup
Lack of Sense Sauce
Isis Crawford’s previous experience was as a food writer.
Hmmm... maybe the recipes are worth the read, but I didn't bother. I walked away... ok, sprinted.
A Catered Murder is the first of the Mystery with Recipes series & just because it isn't for my palate... you may enjoy this serving.
November 21, 2017
It was nice to see how it all started out. I had only read the last book in the series that is out. Just like that one it was a nice mystery. Yet again I didn't know who it was. Which is always nice. There are 11 more for me to read in the series. I hope they all continue to be good.
September 23, 2022
Lots of minor mistakes, with 2 rather ditzy sisters, trying to solve a murder, then another. If you don't mind female characters that aren't really dumb, but seem to lack any common sense, you will probably enjoy these books. Start with this one, tho, because you have to be there in the beginning of their quest for justice.
November 14, 2017
I can't say that I was very impressed with this book. I don't feel like I know the characters very well and I'm not sure if it was the writing or just me, but I had a hard time following everything. The characters and dialogue when it was happening was kind of hard to follow who was talking. The plot was easy enough follow and there were a lot of interesting scenarios thrown out from the girls trying to solve the murders. While the true murderer was unexpected I can't say there was really any 'wow' factor because she wasn't a character I thought much about or had gotten to know throughout the book anyway. I can hope that things get better as the series goes on, but I'm not sure if I'll continue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2011
Overall, the story was a fair distraction during a mourning period when I desperately needed distracting. The execution of the story, however, was frustrating. There were too many times I had to stop reading to figure out who was speaking or how/why someone was performing an action (sitting, standing, opening something) when they'd done that just ten lines earlier.
June 24, 2016
Well done first book in the series. Good mystery and I was just as lost as to who the culprit was as Libby and Bernie were. Looking forward to more.
November 1, 2017
Murder with Recipes I'll start with I loved the recipes. I did make copies of the cake recipe. My kids loved it. This was the first book in the series and there were moments where I felt like looking at the end to see who did it. Lots of suspects, lots of "sisterly" nonsense and just seemed longer than it needed to be. I did continue and it was a pretty good story. I am going to try another book from the series and see how I feel after it.
June 3, 2022
This was just MWAH, perfect.
Maybe I jus have a soft spot for middle-aged catering ladies, but I got hooked and didn't stop 'till I reached the end.
The vintage air of it all, I'm in love with everything about this book. Sisterly bond, food, murder, it's got everything I like!
Maybe I finally found the way to scratch the itch that has been bothering me for so long, so expect a lot more ramblings about this series.
Maybe I jus have a soft spot for middle-aged catering ladies, but I got hooked and didn't stop 'till I reached the end.
The vintage air of it all, I'm in love with everything about this book. Sisterly bond, food, murder, it's got everything I like!
Maybe I finally found the way to scratch the itch that has been bothering me for so long, so expect a lot more ramblings about this series.
January 5, 2021
I really liked her style. Can't wait to read the next one.
February 5, 2024
A Catered Murder by Isis Crawford is the first book in A Mystery with Recipes series. Bernadette Simmons returns home to New York after walking out on her cheating boyfriend and joins her sister Libby at A Little Taste of Heaven. They are catering a vampire themed school reunion when the guest of honour, vampire writer Laird Wren is poisoned with Libby falling under suspicion. An excellent culinary mystery and a nice start to the series. It was nice to meet the two sisters and their wheelchair bound ex-policeman father. An interesting, light, fun cozy mystery.
March 2, 2014
Exploring the 'cozies' type of mystery I came across this series. Recipes and mysteries?! Sounds awesome! Now, I haven't tried the recipes yet, but I did finish the book and I have to say, I didn't love it. I think that reading Pure used up all my good book karma this past week. Out of the last 5 books I've read I loved Pure, A Fatal Grace was okay, hated Evernight and Killer and this one were just meh.
But it happens, right?
**slight spoilers ahead**
The killer ultimately was a surprise because they weren't even offered up as a suspect and there was no backstory given on them. When revealed though, it didn't really feel like a 'wow' twist. It felt like a 'what the heck?' out of left field kind of twist. I like to be able to have a chance to figure out the mystery and wonder how they pulled it off.
And the killer's motive was an interesting one so it's kind of sad it wasn't elaborated much.
I also didn't care for Libby much. Control yourself a bit woman! Food, her emotions, nothing. She would just blurt out the absolute wrong thing to say all the time. Then there were things like Bernie saying to herself how she truly believes people can change. Then 5 pages later Libby is asking Bernie if she thinks people can change and she says 'absolutely not'. Huh?
I will read the second book because there was enough her, enough about Libby, Bernie and their father for me to be interesting in finding out more. And the book wasn't horrible it was just okay. Maybe it will get better? Plus, I got the second book for free and that's why I had to find this one at the library.
So I reserve judgement on the series until I finish at least the next one. Stay tuned....
But it happens, right?
**slight spoilers ahead**
The killer ultimately was a surprise because they weren't even offered up as a suspect and there was no backstory given on them. When revealed though, it didn't really feel like a 'wow' twist. It felt like a 'what the heck?' out of left field kind of twist. I like to be able to have a chance to figure out the mystery and wonder how they pulled it off.
And the killer's motive was an interesting one so it's kind of sad it wasn't elaborated much.
I also didn't care for Libby much. Control yourself a bit woman! Food, her emotions, nothing. She would just blurt out the absolute wrong thing to say all the time. Then there were things like Bernie saying to herself how she truly believes people can change. Then 5 pages later Libby is asking Bernie if she thinks people can change and she says 'absolutely not'. Huh?
I will read the second book because there was enough her, enough about Libby, Bernie and their father for me to be interesting in finding out more. And the book wasn't horrible it was just okay. Maybe it will get better? Plus, I got the second book for free and that's why I had to find this one at the library.
So I reserve judgement on the series until I finish at least the next one. Stay tuned....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2015
So I read this book to back-track after reading "A Catered Halloween," which is further along in the series. I am pleased to say that this book is more enjoyable than the Halloween one, but it still lacked some basic information about the characters, and the mystery wasn't readily solvable.
I am curious as to what happened to their father, and how much damage he has from the injury. Obviously he is paralyzed or stuck in the wheelchair, but it just seems like there's more that could have been mentioned since the author alludes to his emotional problems but not really giving us any details.
I liked the sister relationship and see that the stereotypes in cozy mysteries are really like a checklist. One sister is the suave diva, while the other sister is the frumpy one with relationship issues that never seem to go away (although it seems like this one will hopefully end with the first book). At least the dialogue is nice, though it's peppered with weird actions like a bee on an arm being brushed off followed by a flying ant. The constant talk of the recipes got a little tiring. It's not bad in the flow, but I don't think people discuss pastries as much as these characters do while discussing murders.
Definitely not the best series I've read, but also good enough to make me curious about the next installment.
I am curious as to what happened to their father, and how much damage he has from the injury. Obviously he is paralyzed or stuck in the wheelchair, but it just seems like there's more that could have been mentioned since the author alludes to his emotional problems but not really giving us any details.
I liked the sister relationship and see that the stereotypes in cozy mysteries are really like a checklist. One sister is the suave diva, while the other sister is the frumpy one with relationship issues that never seem to go away (although it seems like this one will hopefully end with the first book). At least the dialogue is nice, though it's peppered with weird actions like a bee on an arm being brushed off followed by a flying ant. The constant talk of the recipes got a little tiring. It's not bad in the flow, but I don't think people discuss pastries as much as these characters do while discussing murders.
Definitely not the best series I've read, but also good enough to make me curious about the next installment.
April 18, 2021
Two sisters become a team in a store and catering
business plus as amateur sleuths.
Bernadette Simmons arrives at home in New York
after fleeing a cheating boyfriend in Los Angeles
with just the clothes on her back.
She turns to her sister, Libby who runs A Little
Taste of Heaven store and catering business while
caring for their father who is wheelchair bound.
Bernadette joins Libby helping at a catered reunion
party. All is going along fine til the host takes a
drink of bottled water then drops over dead.
The sisters will work together to find the culprit who
spoiled the event.
Another murder occurs....is it related to the first? If
so how?
Come along with the delicious treat giving sisters
as they interview a cast of hometown, quirky, well
defined suspects.
Love the relationship between the sisters and the
caring they gave their Dad.
Recipes at the end for: Caviar Mousse, Tomato
Aspic, Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese, Blood
Oranges, and Toasted Almonds in a Balsamic
Vinaigrette Dressing, Midnight Beef (Black
Pepper-coated Beef Tenderloin), Au Gratin Potatoes,
Finger Bone Cookies (Kranserkaker) and Devil’s
Food Cake with Chocolate Mocha Frosting.
business plus as amateur sleuths.
Bernadette Simmons arrives at home in New York
after fleeing a cheating boyfriend in Los Angeles
with just the clothes on her back.
She turns to her sister, Libby who runs A Little
Taste of Heaven store and catering business while
caring for their father who is wheelchair bound.
Bernadette joins Libby helping at a catered reunion
party. All is going along fine til the host takes a
drink of bottled water then drops over dead.
The sisters will work together to find the culprit who
spoiled the event.
Another murder occurs....is it related to the first? If
so how?
Come along with the delicious treat giving sisters
as they interview a cast of hometown, quirky, well
defined suspects.
Love the relationship between the sisters and the
caring they gave their Dad.
Recipes at the end for: Caviar Mousse, Tomato
Aspic, Mesclun Salad with Goat Cheese, Blood
Oranges, and Toasted Almonds in a Balsamic
Vinaigrette Dressing, Midnight Beef (Black
Pepper-coated Beef Tenderloin), Au Gratin Potatoes,
Finger Bone Cookies (Kranserkaker) and Devil’s
Food Cake with Chocolate Mocha Frosting.
May 25, 2015
I got this ebook for practically nothing & I am glad because it is not worth full price or any price. I am a fast reader & this book took forever to read. I found excuses to not read it--cleaning, cooking, shopping, even an agonizing medical procedure over this book. It has potential & I kept thinking that something good would happen but no because I usually toss the bad ones out pretty quick. I like the characters Bernie, Libby & Sean but they lacked background info that adds to the story. I liked that they did investigate not like other cozies that the characters do nothing & fall into finding the killer. Not sure if I will read the next one--maybe if free or under a dollar. Not impressive but it gives me hope that if crap like this can get published maybe I can???
April 12, 2014
I was surprised by the low ratings I saw. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought that it was unique in the fact that we don't have just one sleuth but two. A sister team that has two distinctive personalities but actually care about each other, unlike some that I've read. I love how Bernie starts rambling about any info that she has stored in her brain, sometimes driving people crazy. The only drawback I had was when it was figured out who did it, I was a little lost. I don't know if I missed some clues, or if they just weren't there. Still it was a fun read and I will continue on with the series.
November 29, 2013
Walked by this new series (to me) in the library.... Liked the description, loved the fact that it was a Tasty Murder Mystery..... Too bad my like for the book stopped there. The characters are so poorly developed and out of place it's frustrating. Doubt I will read more of this series. Note: at one point I had to write out the characters mentioned and started to read the book again to figure out when they we're introduced so I could figure out who they were. Sadly, several were just thrown in all of a sudden.
September 14, 2014
I gave up. It felt very dated and just didn't keep my interest. Nothing really happened. In addition, I found the fluctuating viewpoint hard to follow.
May 14, 2024
Taken from the book, "Bernadette Simmons wasn't sure what to expect when she left L.A.--and her no-good, cheating boyfriend--to move back in with her family in New York. And her sister Libby had no idea what she was in for when she hired Bernie to work for her catering business. But in between cutting up canapes and dishing up desserts, the two find themselves in the midst of a mystery they can really sink their teeth into. . .
It's only been a few days since Bernie and Libby started working together at A Little Taste of Heaven, and already they've got their hands full--baking cookies and slicing rare beef tenderloin to serve at a high school reunion. The dinner has a "Dracula" theme and a very strange guest of honor: Laird Wrenn, a New York Times bestselling author of vampire novels. Libby and Bernie know this will be an evening unlike any other. And they're proven right when Laird pours a glass of water, takes a long sip--and drops stone-cold dead. . .
Now, with murder on the menu and Libby under suspicion, the sisters will have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit--in a mystery that promises to be deadly to the very last bite."
The above sounds like a good who done it with a couple of interesting characters. I did find the characters interesting would have liked for them to be more developed and calm down a bit. The story itself was all over the place for me, at times boring, other times I felt lost, other times stupid dialog but here and there interesting enough to finish the book. I will give the next book in the series a try. I am hoping this is a set up book and next will be better.
It's only been a few days since Bernie and Libby started working together at A Little Taste of Heaven, and already they've got their hands full--baking cookies and slicing rare beef tenderloin to serve at a high school reunion. The dinner has a "Dracula" theme and a very strange guest of honor: Laird Wrenn, a New York Times bestselling author of vampire novels. Libby and Bernie know this will be an evening unlike any other. And they're proven right when Laird pours a glass of water, takes a long sip--and drops stone-cold dead. . .
Now, with murder on the menu and Libby under suspicion, the sisters will have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit--in a mystery that promises to be deadly to the very last bite."
The above sounds like a good who done it with a couple of interesting characters. I did find the characters interesting would have liked for them to be more developed and calm down a bit. The story itself was all over the place for me, at times boring, other times I felt lost, other times stupid dialog but here and there interesting enough to finish the book. I will give the next book in the series a try. I am hoping this is a set up book and next will be better.
August 7, 2022
I usually enjoy cozies-- they are quick, easy reads and I use them a a kind of palate cleanser between heavier or longer books. So I don't want to have to work to read them. This was work. I struggled to get into this book. It just did not hold my attention at all, and I am not even sure why. It got better after the murder finally happened, but it seemed to take so long (it didn't, but it felt that way). Then, I immediately guessed who did it.
I can forgive typos, but there were times that the author seemed to mix up the sisters, causing me to question what I had just read. Here is an example:
Bernie watched Libby adjust the heat under the pan. “How about I talk to him and the Enterprise people and you talk to the neighbors,” she said. Libby nodded.
Seems pretty straightforward, except on the next page Libby went to Enterprise and Bernie went to talk to the neighbors (even though it specifically mentioned Libby would talk to them because she knew them). This wasn't the only time I had to doublecheck which sister was talking vs. which sister I thought should actually be talking. Very confusing.
I did like end up liking the main cast of characters. I just don't know if I would want to read further in this series.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I can forgive typos, but there were times that the author seemed to mix up the sisters, causing me to question what I had just read. Here is an example:
Bernie watched Libby adjust the heat under the pan. “How about I talk to him and the Enterprise people and you talk to the neighbors,” she said. Libby nodded.
Seems pretty straightforward, except on the next page Libby went to Enterprise and Bernie went to talk to the neighbors (even though it specifically mentioned Libby would talk to them because she knew them). This wasn't the only time I had to doublecheck which sister was talking vs. which sister I thought should actually be talking. Very confusing.
I did like end up liking the main cast of characters. I just don't know if I would want to read further in this series.
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
September 15, 2019
I had trouble getting through this, it was slow and boring. I will read the next in the series to see if it picks up. Also- the author really should have picked better names for the characters, they were all literally starting with L's! Libby, Lydia, Lucy, Lionel, the list goes on. She had two characters that went by two different names, and she kept shifting back and forth, and it confused me as to who was who. She even had a Bree and a Bernie!
Read
January 27, 2018Just an entertaining "beach read". Although it has been freezing cold here!
June 13, 2018
A quick, light mystery. The culprit was a surprise. I had no idea how it would end. I liked finding out how this series started, since I started with the twelfth book. I also liked all the food and recipes in this story.
May 28, 2022
Good intro to a new-to-me culinary cozy mystery series.
April 26, 2024
A good mystery with interesting characters
June 4, 2015
Review Originally Posted At: FictionForesight
I was excited to read the first in this series by Isis Crawford, because I had already read A Catered Halloween around Halloween time last year. I was left feeling a desire to know more, as Crawford decided to leave further introductions and background out of that book, making the assumption that the reader had read her previous installments.
I’m pleased to say that A Catered Murder was definitely worth the read. Two sisters, the ever direct and responsible Libby and the street smart fashionista Bernie, have a family reunion as Bernie runs away from relationship trouble in Los Angeles. Libby owns a catering business and asks for Bernie’s help with the largest event she has ever done- their High School reunion. There we meet Lionel, a man who feels that he is so good at writing about vampires that he actually may be one. His abrasive ways draw discontent from everyone attending, until he drops dead while giving a speech after drinking water supplied by Libby. Suddenly, Libby and Bernie are thrust into the murder investigation because Libby’s childhood friend, Tiffany, is a prime suspect and certainly not helping her own case. After quite a few twists and turns, we end up with one of the sisters in the hands of the killer, unsure if someone will come save her before it is too late.
The Good:
Crawford gives her characters some bite. I like the sarcastic one-liners from Bernie and the very direct responses from Libby. There is the usual list of suspects, and they happen to connect in a way so that the reader had to be paying attention to get the killer before he/she was revealed. The sisters are fun characters to follow and have independent storylines that bring to light their ways of thinking. The mystery itself is so-so, but I like the way the killer as revealed and the method of death was certainly not something I would have guessed.
The Bad:
The writing itself is average. I am not going to say that this will really make anyone sit down and think about the book for too long. There are no deeper meanings, it is straightforward whodunit action.
While I like the characters, many of them are not as well fleshed out as they could be. The father, Sean, has some kind of debilitating injury. I really wish that Crawford would just give me a paragraph outlining what his limitations are and why, then be done with it. Finding out what he can’t do in minute blurbs is frustrating at best. Sure, you end up pitying the guy, but Crawford really needs to decide if she wants the book to be about him as a third protagonist and give him more screen time, or if she wants to use him as a plot device with background.
There is also a lot of reference to the catering company, which is fine, but it really starts to hinder the plot when important discussions are interrupted by talk of specific culinary terms. I would rather read the important discussions sans culinary interruptions.
Finally, and this is entirely opinion, but I don’t like the fact that both women have to have relationship problems. Like, the biggest jerks around happened to find each sister, and cause problems. I am just tired of cozy mysteries in general relying on dissing men to give a female sleuth strength. The good news is that it doesn’t look like the relationships continue into the second book, but you can never tell with those.
Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend this to anyone trying to get their foot in the door for cozy mysteries, or someone who wants to read a murder mystery without graphic violence or explicit material. It isn’t going to be the novel that changes your life, but it will definitely be a fun beach read or something to read after work to clear your mental palate.
(www.FictionForesight.com)
I was excited to read the first in this series by Isis Crawford, because I had already read A Catered Halloween around Halloween time last year. I was left feeling a desire to know more, as Crawford decided to leave further introductions and background out of that book, making the assumption that the reader had read her previous installments.
I’m pleased to say that A Catered Murder was definitely worth the read. Two sisters, the ever direct and responsible Libby and the street smart fashionista Bernie, have a family reunion as Bernie runs away from relationship trouble in Los Angeles. Libby owns a catering business and asks for Bernie’s help with the largest event she has ever done- their High School reunion. There we meet Lionel, a man who feels that he is so good at writing about vampires that he actually may be one. His abrasive ways draw discontent from everyone attending, until he drops dead while giving a speech after drinking water supplied by Libby. Suddenly, Libby and Bernie are thrust into the murder investigation because Libby’s childhood friend, Tiffany, is a prime suspect and certainly not helping her own case. After quite a few twists and turns, we end up with one of the sisters in the hands of the killer, unsure if someone will come save her before it is too late.
The Good:
Crawford gives her characters some bite. I like the sarcastic one-liners from Bernie and the very direct responses from Libby. There is the usual list of suspects, and they happen to connect in a way so that the reader had to be paying attention to get the killer before he/she was revealed. The sisters are fun characters to follow and have independent storylines that bring to light their ways of thinking. The mystery itself is so-so, but I like the way the killer as revealed and the method of death was certainly not something I would have guessed.
The Bad:
The writing itself is average. I am not going to say that this will really make anyone sit down and think about the book for too long. There are no deeper meanings, it is straightforward whodunit action.
While I like the characters, many of them are not as well fleshed out as they could be. The father, Sean, has some kind of debilitating injury. I really wish that Crawford would just give me a paragraph outlining what his limitations are and why, then be done with it. Finding out what he can’t do in minute blurbs is frustrating at best. Sure, you end up pitying the guy, but Crawford really needs to decide if she wants the book to be about him as a third protagonist and give him more screen time, or if she wants to use him as a plot device with background.
There is also a lot of reference to the catering company, which is fine, but it really starts to hinder the plot when important discussions are interrupted by talk of specific culinary terms. I would rather read the important discussions sans culinary interruptions.
Finally, and this is entirely opinion, but I don’t like the fact that both women have to have relationship problems. Like, the biggest jerks around happened to find each sister, and cause problems. I am just tired of cozy mysteries in general relying on dissing men to give a female sleuth strength. The good news is that it doesn’t look like the relationships continue into the second book, but you can never tell with those.
Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend this to anyone trying to get their foot in the door for cozy mysteries, or someone who wants to read a murder mystery without graphic violence or explicit material. It isn’t going to be the novel that changes your life, but it will definitely be a fun beach read or something to read after work to clear your mental palate.
(www.FictionForesight.com)
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