What do you think?
Rate this book
A Memphis BBQ Mystery #2
Finger Lickin' Dead
When an anonymous food critic blasts several local restaurants- including Aunt Pat's-Lulu Taylor and her customers are biting mad, especially when they learn that Eppie Currian is the pen name of their friend Evelyn's cheating boyfriend. When "Eppie" gets his own fatal review, the list of suspects is longer than the list of specials at the best BBQ place in Memphis.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 22, 2011
31 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Riley Adams
17 books121 followersElizabeth Spann Craig/Riley Adams writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/Signet, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink. She blogs at Mystery Writing is Murder, which was named by Writer’s Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers for 2010-2013.
Riley’s latest book is Rubbed Out: book four of the Memphis Barbeque mysteries. Her next book, Quilt Trip (written as Elizabeth Craig) releases December 2013. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. Find out more about her books on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com .
Riley’s latest book is Rubbed Out: book four of the Memphis Barbeque mysteries. Her next book, Quilt Trip (written as Elizabeth Craig) releases December 2013. Elizabeth writes the Memphis Barbeque series for Penguin/Berkley (as Riley Adams), the Southern Quilting mysteries for Penguin/NAL, and the Myrtle Clover series for Midnight Ink and independently. Find out more about her books on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com .
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
January 27, 2020
I had a hard time following this book because there was so much going on ... but the end was certainly a surprise. There were just so many suspects, all of whom could have easily been guilty, I could not figure out who it was.
March 14, 2019
The blurb on the back of the book drew me in, but in the end, I was disappointed.
Lulu runs Aunt Pat's BBQ in Memphis Tennessee. Her dear friend Evelyn has taken back up with one of her ex-husbands (she has 7) and he is a scoundrel. He leaches money off her, plays around, and horror of horrors, it turns out that he is the person behind the restaurant critic 'Eppic Currian'. Eppie only leaves scathing reviews, even to restaurants where Adam (that's Evelyn's ex) eats regularly.
So when Adam turns up dead, it's no surprise, And there is no shortage of suspects.
The first part of the book is setting the stage for the murder of Adam and who all the suspects might be. The second part of the book revolves around a whole lot of things, including solving the murder, but that seems to take a back page to a lot of other things. There's no active policeman involved in the case, so we don't ever get the perspective of what the investigation is yielding.
I admit that this is book 2 in the series and I had not read book 1, but I felt that the number of characters and who they are all being thrown at us in the first few pages was confusing. And I just couldn't care too much about them. There was little to define their individual characters; nothing where I could identify with any of them.
And to make things worse, at the end of the book (page 244) there's an editing error where Elvis Presley's name is misspelled Pressley. Shame!!
Recipes at the end. I won't be seeking out any others in the series.
Lulu runs Aunt Pat's BBQ in Memphis Tennessee. Her dear friend Evelyn has taken back up with one of her ex-husbands (she has 7) and he is a scoundrel. He leaches money off her, plays around, and horror of horrors, it turns out that he is the person behind the restaurant critic 'Eppic Currian'. Eppie only leaves scathing reviews, even to restaurants where Adam (that's Evelyn's ex) eats regularly.
So when Adam turns up dead, it's no surprise, And there is no shortage of suspects.
The first part of the book is setting the stage for the murder of Adam and who all the suspects might be. The second part of the book revolves around a whole lot of things, including solving the murder, but that seems to take a back page to a lot of other things. There's no active policeman involved in the case, so we don't ever get the perspective of what the investigation is yielding.
I admit that this is book 2 in the series and I had not read book 1, but I felt that the number of characters and who they are all being thrown at us in the first few pages was confusing. And I just couldn't care too much about them. There was little to define their individual characters; nothing where I could identify with any of them.
And to make things worse, at the end of the book (page 244) there's an editing error where Elvis Presley's name is misspelled Pressley. Shame!!
Recipes at the end. I won't be seeking out any others in the series.
January 16, 2016
A Berkley Prime Mystery
A Division of Penguin Publishing
A Memphis BBQ Mystery
Second in the Series
ISBN-10: 0425241912
ISBN-13: 978-0425241912
An anonymous food critic is blasting the local Memphis restaurants with horrible reviews, some restaurants have even gone out of business because of the scathing remarks. Aunt Pat's BBQ has not even avoided the wrath of this critic who hides behind the name Eppie Curian (one with fine taste).
When the true identity of the critic is revealed to be Evelyn's cheating boyfriend, and daily visitor to Aunt Pat's, the restaurant owners and patrons are hotter than any BBQ grill. They want revenge and someone delivers him his own fatal review. The list of suspects is vast, including an fuming restaurant owner, two ex-wives and even someone from Aunt Pat's BBQ Restaurant.
Lulu finds herself on a mission to make sure the fire is put under the right culprit and contain her loved ones grilling to the kitchen.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
Aunt Pat's is a family run restaurant located in heart of Memphis on Beale Street. It is known for it's fine Southern cooking and each visit there is a delight. I love not only the food, (Recipes are in the back of the book.) But the characters and the mystery too.
I really enjoyed Derrick coming out of his shell a bit and the way the whole group cared so much to snoop in on his date.
There are parts of this book when I found myself laughing out loud. The characters are true friends to help each other, spunky enough to keep everyone on their toes and their compassion resonates clearly to all.
This book has the perfect amount of seasoning and sauce to tempt everyone's taste buds. A mystery to be savored with a glass of sweet tea and a little peach cobbler.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
A Division of Penguin Publishing
A Memphis BBQ Mystery
Second in the Series
ISBN-10: 0425241912
ISBN-13: 978-0425241912
An anonymous food critic is blasting the local Memphis restaurants with horrible reviews, some restaurants have even gone out of business because of the scathing remarks. Aunt Pat's BBQ has not even avoided the wrath of this critic who hides behind the name Eppie Curian (one with fine taste).
When the true identity of the critic is revealed to be Evelyn's cheating boyfriend, and daily visitor to Aunt Pat's, the restaurant owners and patrons are hotter than any BBQ grill. They want revenge and someone delivers him his own fatal review. The list of suspects is vast, including an fuming restaurant owner, two ex-wives and even someone from Aunt Pat's BBQ Restaurant.
Lulu finds herself on a mission to make sure the fire is put under the right culprit and contain her loved ones grilling to the kitchen.
I LOVED IT!!!!!
Aunt Pat's is a family run restaurant located in heart of Memphis on Beale Street. It is known for it's fine Southern cooking and each visit there is a delight. I love not only the food, (Recipes are in the back of the book.) But the characters and the mystery too.
I really enjoyed Derrick coming out of his shell a bit and the way the whole group cared so much to snoop in on his date.
There are parts of this book when I found myself laughing out loud. The characters are true friends to help each other, spunky enough to keep everyone on their toes and their compassion resonates clearly to all.
This book has the perfect amount of seasoning and sauce to tempt everyone's taste buds. A mystery to be savored with a glass of sweet tea and a little peach cobbler.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Berkley Prime Crime, A Division of Penguin Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
June 18, 2019
A quick, light cozy murder mystery - the sort I enjoy all-the-more because the "victim" had it coming. Lots of food references through-out and recipes are included (peach cobbler - yum!).
December 21, 2015
An easy comfortable read mostly about nice people doing the right thing.
Whether this was author's choice, or indifference to facts and figures, some of the scenarios are not only hard to swallow, but positively, physically and practically not possible.
Take the approaching wedding for 250 guests. Two weeks before the wedding date the bride and her mother realise they can't afford it. They only learn this when the suppliers start asking them for a deposit. Two weeks before the wedding day the wedding suppliers are beginning to ask for a DEPOSIT?
This casual overlooking the real world happens on a number of different occasions. As far as the wedding details are concerned, perhaps only a Marriage Celebrant like myself who has actually conducted weddings and has written books about weddings, might find the sheer nonsense of it off-putting. It certainly does not interfere with the interesting murder mystery.
At the end of the book the author has included a number of recipes. However, having already caught out the author with fabrications, I'm inclined to take the recipes with a grain of salt.
I mean, 'shrimps in peach glaze'? Is the author for real or is she yet again pulling our leg?
Whether this was author's choice, or indifference to facts and figures, some of the scenarios are not only hard to swallow, but positively, physically and practically not possible.
Take the approaching wedding for 250 guests. Two weeks before the wedding date the bride and her mother realise they can't afford it. They only learn this when the suppliers start asking them for a deposit. Two weeks before the wedding day the wedding suppliers are beginning to ask for a DEPOSIT?
This casual overlooking the real world happens on a number of different occasions. As far as the wedding details are concerned, perhaps only a Marriage Celebrant like myself who has actually conducted weddings and has written books about weddings, might find the sheer nonsense of it off-putting. It certainly does not interfere with the interesting murder mystery.
At the end of the book the author has included a number of recipes. However, having already caught out the author with fabrications, I'm inclined to take the recipes with a grain of salt.
I mean, 'shrimps in peach glaze'? Is the author for real or is she yet again pulling our leg?
June 25, 2011
THis is the second in Memphis BBQ Mystery series by Riley Adams.
Lulu Taylor oversees the running of Aunt Pat's. There is alwaya a good crowd at Aunt Pat's to enjoy the great BBQ and assorted side dishes.
The story starts with Aunt Pat's getting a less than favorable write up in a local paper from mystery food critic Eppie Currian. (I love that name) Before long it is learned that Eppie is none other than the cheating boyfriend of Lulu's friend and frequent customer, Evelyn. Evelyn has previously been married to Adam(Eppie). Adam is presently legally seperated from his wife. Soon, Lulu's granddaughter finds Adam dead from a gunshot. Naturally suspicion points toward Evelyn. But wait, there is the current wife, could she have done it. But still, maybe a restaurant onwer who had recieved a bad review. So Lulu's plate is full of possible suspects. Throw in a wedding at Graceland, that Lulu is helping her friend Peggy Sue plan in which nothing is go right. Mix this all togehter and you have a very meaty story.
Lulu Taylor oversees the running of Aunt Pat's. There is alwaya a good crowd at Aunt Pat's to enjoy the great BBQ and assorted side dishes.
The story starts with Aunt Pat's getting a less than favorable write up in a local paper from mystery food critic Eppie Currian. (I love that name) Before long it is learned that Eppie is none other than the cheating boyfriend of Lulu's friend and frequent customer, Evelyn. Evelyn has previously been married to Adam(Eppie). Adam is presently legally seperated from his wife. Soon, Lulu's granddaughter finds Adam dead from a gunshot. Naturally suspicion points toward Evelyn. But wait, there is the current wife, could she have done it. But still, maybe a restaurant onwer who had recieved a bad review. So Lulu's plate is full of possible suspects. Throw in a wedding at Graceland, that Lulu is helping her friend Peggy Sue plan in which nothing is go right. Mix this all togehter and you have a very meaty story.
March 21, 2014
Cozy mystery with BBQ restaurant owner as the amateur sleuth....YUM! Second in the series I've read and glad to come back to visit. I love that the main character is an older woman and she has a business that she runs with family and friends. Nothing is neglected because of Lulu's sleuthing. That can be a bothersome issue with me if the main character has a business or kids or whatever and those fall back to the back burner. That doesn't happen here.
And the sleuthing is fairly natural in occurring. A food critic that slammed local watering holes and BBQ restaurants for absolutely no viable reason other than to be mean gets murdered. And some of the suspects are friends and family of Lulu, so off she goes.
FAB recipes in the back of the book, too!! Off to copy down Tommie's Peach Cobbler and Tommie's Pecan Pie....
Go read this book and this series! YUM! and FUN!
And the sleuthing is fairly natural in occurring. A food critic that slammed local watering holes and BBQ restaurants for absolutely no viable reason other than to be mean gets murdered. And some of the suspects are friends and family of Lulu, so off she goes.
FAB recipes in the back of the book, too!! Off to copy down Tommie's Peach Cobbler and Tommie's Pecan Pie....
Go read this book and this series! YUM! and FUN!
June 29, 2011
This one just did not do it for me. I'm going to blame my mood and not the book itself. Story was not bad and the writing was good. Characters just got on my last nerve. Like I said....lousy mood! I really need this holiday weekend coming up!
May 26, 2024
Even more rushed of an ending, less fun than the first. Has all the elements but they are not brought together smoothly, uneven pacing and coverage. Many characters thrown into the mix, but none calmly included. The whole reads like plot point paragraphs. (Did I cover this? Oh, we have to mention that...) So that the reader is being told something happened, instead of being present for it.
Includes new yummy-looking recipes from the story. That's fun, but it makes one wonder, why isn't there more description about them in the story? "Grits casserole" sounds and reads like a weird porridge or a bread. Seems like a line or two about it wouldn't hurt , e.g. "Tommie, how do you do this so the eggs are still prominent?" or "Why sausage instead of bacon?" If the food is important enough to title the series, and to mention specifically in the stories, shouldn't a bit more of its 'character' be revealed? There's barely any discussion about food in this one. "It was good, I liked it, I'll have to learn how to make it." and "I have mild sausage as well as spicy" barely qualify as cameos.
Some writers have trouble using first-person narratives, and add omniscient author sections. This is almost the opposite - third-person voice telling the whole store from one character's point of view. Its less fun for the reader, learning everything third-hand, through Lulu's filter. The readers don't get to go on the date, or hear conversations, or feel the other characters' experience. Lulu has to experience or explain everything. It's like the author put herself in the position and thought no further.
Includes new yummy-looking recipes from the story. That's fun, but it makes one wonder, why isn't there more description about them in the story? "Grits casserole" sounds and reads like a weird porridge or a bread. Seems like a line or two about it wouldn't hurt , e.g. "Tommie, how do you do this so the eggs are still prominent?" or "Why sausage instead of bacon?" If the food is important enough to title the series, and to mention specifically in the stories, shouldn't a bit more of its 'character' be revealed? There's barely any discussion about food in this one. "It was good, I liked it, I'll have to learn how to make it." and "I have mild sausage as well as spicy" barely qualify as cameos.
Some writers have trouble using first-person narratives, and add omniscient author sections. This is almost the opposite - third-person voice telling the whole store from one character's point of view. Its less fun for the reader, learning everything third-hand, through Lulu's filter. The readers don't get to go on the date, or hear conversations, or feel the other characters' experience. Lulu has to experience or explain everything. It's like the author put herself in the position and thought no further.
October 25, 2020
This one was better then the first. Still cute but not among my favorite of cozy mysteries. It is cute that the main character lulu has her granddaughter kind of assist her with gathering information from people. The granddaughter is able to be in small places and eavesdrop on peoples conversations without them knowing about it. What really upset me was one of the characters that’s under suspicion of murder is more worried about her not continuing her lifestyle of manicures and pedicures and spa days then going to prison. Really?! Other then that this was a decent read.
June 7, 2021
This is a new author and series for me. I did not read the first one in the series. I didn't really feel lost by not reading the first book of the series, but (as another reviewer noted) there are a lot of characters and a lot going on.
I will say that the author did create quite a few suspects all of whom had motive to kill the deceased. I did not figure out which one did it--but I don't usually so your experience may be different.
There are some recipes at the end of the book also.
I will say that the author did create quite a few suspects all of whom had motive to kill the deceased. I did not figure out which one did it--but I don't usually so your experience may be different.
There are some recipes at the end of the book also.
May 8, 2019
2nd time reading Riley Adams had no idea who they were just got these books from Thriftbooks they sounded good. Great fun new place for murders in a memphis bbq place, who would have thought of that. I read this in 3 hours could not put it down. great stories and there are 3 more I think in the series I need to read. Loved it.
May 22, 2018
I never really got into it, so I skipped much of the second half of the book, read the last few chapters just to find out what happened. The characters didn't click for me, I couldn't relate to them
November 9, 2019
Granny Lulu seems like a comfortable friend to all who read about her. I was constantly changing my mind about whodunit, and then i was surprised and satisfied when i found out. The scene where we discover the truth is hilarious. Two thumbs up. I’d give more if I had more to give.
September 19, 2020
3.5 An anonymous food critic, Eppie Currian, gives Aunt Pat's a really bad review all of her regulars are up in arms. When Eppie is found dead, there are many suspects. A fun, quick cozy read with likeable characters.
August 9, 2017
What a hoot!! Great read, suspense, and murder.
Good series, you'all
Good series, you'all
August 22, 2017
Great Read
A great read that has a bunch of interesting characters and a neat twist at the end. Another great book from Riley Adams.
A great read that has a bunch of interesting characters and a neat twist at the end. Another great book from Riley Adams.
September 12, 2017
Kindle
June 12, 2019
I enjoyed this one much better than the first. I think Lulu and her friends are growing on me.
October 5, 2019
Cute plot and characters but not very well-written.
October 26, 2019
Fun story with enjoyable characters. A "guess who" mystery.
August 5, 2022
Just fun!
June 23, 2025
This was a great sequel to delicious and suspicious. loved it and what a great mystery.
September 25, 2025
Just okay.
October 27, 2025
Cute, lighthearted cozy mystery with an interesting cast of characters.
November 27, 2016
Very good storyline. My only issue was some loose ends not discussed at the end.
December 4, 2011
Ok, so foodie mysteries are pretty awesome. And despite the fact that I was barely into the book and already knew who was going to die and who killed them, I actually still enjoyed this book. Having read the first one, it was kind of nice to return to these characters too. But don't worry, you don't have to read the first book in order to enjoy the second.
Lulu is up to her investigating ways again. The owner of Pat's BBQ Lulu always seems to find herself in some sort of mystery. This time, one of her friend's boyfriend has just turned up murdered. It doesn't help that he was just exposed as an especially ruthless food critic, and a cheater on many women, so there's a lot of people wanting him dead who have a lot of motive. And considering some of the people are very close to Lulu, she knows she needs to get to the bottom of this and quick. But with everyone keeping secrets and changing stories, it certainly is hard to solve a crime and run the best bbq restaurant in town at the same time.
Lulu is great. She's a warm character who looks out for her friends and runs a successful business. She's an inspiration to any foodie. Although her getting herself into mysteries can be a little far-fetched at times. There area lot of other unique characters too, but I noticed that they weren't quite used to their full potential like they were in the first book. This one mainly stuck with Lulu and her friend Evelyn and while we still got to see some of the other characters, I would have liked them to appear more. The bad guys in this book weren't quite as menacing either.
Since this could be considered a cozy mystery it definitely shares more elements of food and friendship than a crime novel. And I like that. Its still gives the reader something to look forward to but is more gentle. And it reads quick and light and is great brain candy when you just want to relax. But its the foodie in me that really appreciates this sort of book. Just reading about bbq is enough to make my mouth water, and the fact that they included some recipes in the back, even better. In fact, that's what made the whole book for me was the chance to get my hands on some new recipes.
So an average mystery novel that can be solved pretty easy, but an outstanding book when it comes to the foodie realm. I can't wait to read the next one.
Finger Lickin Dead
Copyright 2011
250 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at ifithaswords.blogspot.com
Lulu is up to her investigating ways again. The owner of Pat's BBQ Lulu always seems to find herself in some sort of mystery. This time, one of her friend's boyfriend has just turned up murdered. It doesn't help that he was just exposed as an especially ruthless food critic, and a cheater on many women, so there's a lot of people wanting him dead who have a lot of motive. And considering some of the people are very close to Lulu, she knows she needs to get to the bottom of this and quick. But with everyone keeping secrets and changing stories, it certainly is hard to solve a crime and run the best bbq restaurant in town at the same time.
Lulu is great. She's a warm character who looks out for her friends and runs a successful business. She's an inspiration to any foodie. Although her getting herself into mysteries can be a little far-fetched at times. There area lot of other unique characters too, but I noticed that they weren't quite used to their full potential like they were in the first book. This one mainly stuck with Lulu and her friend Evelyn and while we still got to see some of the other characters, I would have liked them to appear more. The bad guys in this book weren't quite as menacing either.
Since this could be considered a cozy mystery it definitely shares more elements of food and friendship than a crime novel. And I like that. Its still gives the reader something to look forward to but is more gentle. And it reads quick and light and is great brain candy when you just want to relax. But its the foodie in me that really appreciates this sort of book. Just reading about bbq is enough to make my mouth water, and the fact that they included some recipes in the back, even better. In fact, that's what made the whole book for me was the chance to get my hands on some new recipes.
So an average mystery novel that can be solved pretty easy, but an outstanding book when it comes to the foodie realm. I can't wait to read the next one.
Finger Lickin Dead
Copyright 2011
250 pages
Review by M. Reynard 2011
More of my reviews can be found at ifithaswords.blogspot.com
October 9, 2011
Review contains spoilers:
The second visit to "Aunt Pat's" was even more exciting than the first. Riley Adams writes so descriptively that I feel like I can inhale the pages and smell the BBQ. Which causes distraction when I look around my Western (not Southern or even Midwest) surroundings and realize there is no excellent BBQ here. And I was raised in Kansas, lived in Alabama so I know good BBQ.
So after a trip to the store I settle back down with a cole slaw covered BBQ sandwich to read and am once again distracted. This time by the characters. In the first book the characters were so well written I felt as though I lived in the town. It seemed like I was visiting Aunt Pat's catching up with old friends and outraged that they could be suspect in the deaths of book 1's victim. I had to finish book 1 to make sure my "friends" were cleared of the crime.
In "Finger Lickin' Dead" Riley's descriptions were too good. I loathed Adam, couldn't stand him and therefore didn't care who killed him. (I can't stand manipulative adulterers). I plodded along reading the book with the hope of congratulating the killer for making Aunt Pat's world better without a lying food critic in it. (How dare he write a less than stellar review about Ben's cooking)!
I adore the twins and am glad to see Ella Beth continuing in her role as a Trixie Beldon wannabe. I hope to see more of her sister, Coco, in future books. Derrick (whose parents need beaten) gained my protective maternal affections in the first book and brought tears to my eyes by the end of the second. I'm so glad he has a girlfriend (at least I hope Peaches becomes his girlfriend, if she breaks his heart I'll cross Aunt Pat's Southern world with the Southern world of Fried Green Tomatoes and mentally revenge myself on her "secrets in the sauce" style).
I'm not much of a cook so don't try many of the recipes in the books I read about (just fantasize about how they would taste). However if a recipe has peaches or coconut in it I am so there. That said I tried the recipe for Tommie's Peach Cobbler (substituting coconut milk for milk) and got a wonderful finish to the book and the bbq I've eaten.
The second visit to "Aunt Pat's" was even more exciting than the first. Riley Adams writes so descriptively that I feel like I can inhale the pages and smell the BBQ. Which causes distraction when I look around my Western (not Southern or even Midwest) surroundings and realize there is no excellent BBQ here. And I was raised in Kansas, lived in Alabama so I know good BBQ.
So after a trip to the store I settle back down with a cole slaw covered BBQ sandwich to read and am once again distracted. This time by the characters. In the first book the characters were so well written I felt as though I lived in the town. It seemed like I was visiting Aunt Pat's catching up with old friends and outraged that they could be suspect in the deaths of book 1's victim. I had to finish book 1 to make sure my "friends" were cleared of the crime.
In "Finger Lickin' Dead" Riley's descriptions were too good. I loathed Adam, couldn't stand him and therefore didn't care who killed him. (I can't stand manipulative adulterers). I plodded along reading the book with the hope of congratulating the killer for making Aunt Pat's world better without a lying food critic in it. (How dare he write a less than stellar review about Ben's cooking)!
I adore the twins and am glad to see Ella Beth continuing in her role as a Trixie Beldon wannabe. I hope to see more of her sister, Coco, in future books. Derrick (whose parents need beaten) gained my protective maternal affections in the first book and brought tears to my eyes by the end of the second. I'm so glad he has a girlfriend (at least I hope Peaches becomes his girlfriend, if she breaks his heart I'll cross Aunt Pat's Southern world with the Southern world of Fried Green Tomatoes and mentally revenge myself on her "secrets in the sauce" style).
I'm not much of a cook so don't try many of the recipes in the books I read about (just fantasize about how they would taste). However if a recipe has peaches or coconut in it I am so there. That said I tried the recipe for Tommie's Peach Cobbler (substituting coconut milk for milk) and got a wonderful finish to the book and the bbq I've eaten.
June 7, 2011
Aunt Pat’s Barbecue Restaurant in the heart of Memphis (Tenn.) feels a bit of a hit when an anonymous food critic gives it a bad review. Famous for its ribs and spicy cornbread, Aunt Pat’s takes the bad press much better than another restaurant that closes its doors after a bad review.
Lulu Taylor, owner of Aunt Pat’s, is more worried about one of her close friends and loyal customers, Evelyn. It seems Evelyn is blinded by the love of her former husband who has cheating ways and always looking for money.
When it’s learned that Evelyn’s ex (Adam) is the anonymous food critic, things heat up hotter than the Fourth of July. Before long Adam is found dead and the list of suspects begins to grow. Was it his ex-soon-to-be again wife, was it his soon-to-be ex-wife, one of the restaurant owners he blasted in a review, or just a loyal restaurant customer upset over his take on the delicious food?
When a second person turns up dead, the situation gets as sticky as the sauce on Aunt Pat’s lip-smackin BBQ ribs. As Lulu tries to sort through the list of suspects, she gets a little too close to the killer. Meanwhile, the gang pulls together to help out one of their own with a most unusual wedding at Graceland.
Author Riley Adams has created a group of characters that will have you laughing, crying and shaking your head. If you live in the South, her take on Southern charm will remind you why you love it so. This is a story about family, friendship, loyalty, and Southern charm, not to mention murder, mystery, mayhem and intrigue.
FINGER LICKIN’ DEAD is the second installment in the Memphis BBQ Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. An added bonus is several of the delicious recipes are included in the back of the book.
Once you pick up FINGER LICKIN’ DEAD, you won’t be able to put it down until you find out whodunit and how the wedding turned out.
Lulu Taylor, owner of Aunt Pat’s, is more worried about one of her close friends and loyal customers, Evelyn. It seems Evelyn is blinded by the love of her former husband who has cheating ways and always looking for money.
When it’s learned that Evelyn’s ex (Adam) is the anonymous food critic, things heat up hotter than the Fourth of July. Before long Adam is found dead and the list of suspects begins to grow. Was it his ex-soon-to-be again wife, was it his soon-to-be ex-wife, one of the restaurant owners he blasted in a review, or just a loyal restaurant customer upset over his take on the delicious food?
When a second person turns up dead, the situation gets as sticky as the sauce on Aunt Pat’s lip-smackin BBQ ribs. As Lulu tries to sort through the list of suspects, she gets a little too close to the killer. Meanwhile, the gang pulls together to help out one of their own with a most unusual wedding at Graceland.
Author Riley Adams has created a group of characters that will have you laughing, crying and shaking your head. If you live in the South, her take on Southern charm will remind you why you love it so. This is a story about family, friendship, loyalty, and Southern charm, not to mention murder, mystery, mayhem and intrigue.
FINGER LICKIN’ DEAD is the second installment in the Memphis BBQ Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. An added bonus is several of the delicious recipes are included in the back of the book.
Once you pick up FINGER LICKIN’ DEAD, you won’t be able to put it down until you find out whodunit and how the wedding turned out.
September 18, 2013
Once again Aunt Pat's BBQ restaurant is under a critical eye, this time by an anonymous food critic. Soon there is nothing but bad reviews flying around town and Lulu and her family are not happy one bit about it. They get even more spitting mad when they find out who the "anonymous" critic is...a no good cheating boyfriend of Evelyn's. Soon this same man they were all spitting mad at is found dead and once again suspicion clouds the air of Aunt Pat's. Sure, he wasn't liked, but who would hate him enough to kill him? More people than you may think that's who. Will Lulu be able to sift through the clues to find the truth of the matter? Does she really want to?
I must say I think I liked the first book better in this series. This one was good, but I didn't think it was quite as good as the first one. It was a quick and easy read that I did enjoy though. The characters, once again, were my favorite part and a part that I could relate to at times also. They just are such great characters who are so well developed that you can't help but love them and want to read on to see what they do. The setting was once again a really soothing part of the book, being set in the south with a hospitable feel to it. Adams did a good job once again with the pace of the book, being that it had no lull points and was never a "chore" to read. This book was full of great sounding food, so well described you could almost smell it while reading...which made me hungry at times, not a bad thing though. The plot, characters, food, mystery, and everything in between was simply fantastic. I would recommend this book, as well as the first book in the series, as I loved that one too.
4/5 Stars!
I must say I think I liked the first book better in this series. This one was good, but I didn't think it was quite as good as the first one. It was a quick and easy read that I did enjoy though. The characters, once again, were my favorite part and a part that I could relate to at times also. They just are such great characters who are so well developed that you can't help but love them and want to read on to see what they do. The setting was once again a really soothing part of the book, being set in the south with a hospitable feel to it. Adams did a good job once again with the pace of the book, being that it had no lull points and was never a "chore" to read. This book was full of great sounding food, so well described you could almost smell it while reading...which made me hungry at times, not a bad thing though. The plot, characters, food, mystery, and everything in between was simply fantastic. I would recommend this book, as well as the first book in the series, as I loved that one too.
4/5 Stars!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews