Of Mushrooms and Matrimony

by Amy Patricia Meade

Overview

"A charming cozy with plenty of suspects for the romantically inclined sleuths to winnow out'" Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

Tish Tarragon is catering for a wedding, but the weekend goes from sweet to sour when a guest at the venue is poisoned.

Literary caterer and owner of Cookin' the Books café Tish Tarragon is pushing thoughts of her impending eviction aside to prepare an appetising welcome buffet for a wedding weekend at Abbingdon Green Bed and Breakfast. While there, Tish witnesses one of the guests, controversial TV chef and restaurant critic, Gunner Randall, threatening staff after missing breakfast and making do with a mushroom omelet.

When Randall is found dead the following day, it soon becomes clear that poisoned mushrooms were behind his demise. With no shortage of potential suspects and motives, can Tish and her new beau, Sheriff Clemson Reade, uncover who was enraged enough with the unsavoury star to silence him for good?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781448306541
Publisher:	Severn House
Publication date:	01/03/2023
Series:	A Tish Tarragon mystery , #6
Edition description:	Main
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Amy Patricia Meade is a native of Long Island, NY. Now residing in Bristol, England, Amy spends her time writing mysteries with a humorous or historical bent, and is a member of Sisters in Crime and The Crime Writers' Association.

Editorial Reviews

11/28/2022

Meade’s delightful sixth Tish Tarragon mystery (after 2021’s Ladle to the Grave) opens with Tish, owner of the Cookin’ the Books literary café in Hobson Glenn, Va., about to be evicted from her premises by her landlord and former boyfriend, Schuyler Thompson. Her last catering job until a new, affordable location can be found is a book-themed wedding weekend at Abbingdon Green Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately for all concerned, overbearing celebrity chef Gunnar Randall, host of Taste of America, one of the most popular shows ever to air on the Food Channel, is also staying at the B&B. Worse still, he is producing an episode of his show, which means no one is safe from his scathing criticism. When he’s poisoned, there’s no dearth of likely suspects. Tish, an official consultant for the local sheriff’s department, works hand in hand with Sheriff Clemson Reade to resolve the mystery. Surrounded by a lively cast of friends and possible foes, Tish is the ideal cozy heroine—clever and sensible, with just the right amount of daring. Fans will appreciate the new developments in her life. Agent: Jessica Faust, BookEnds Literary. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

01/01/2023

Tish Tarragon is already in trouble before she even caters a wedding weekend at a local B&B. Her ex-boyfriend, who is also her landlord, has evicted her. She is homeless and without her café as her base. At least she's working out of Abbingdon Green, where the wedding party is staying, for the weekend. She and her new love interest, Sheriff Clemson Reade, are on site when TV chef Gunnar Randall verbally attacks the B&B's owner. Glory Bishop is scared that the powerful celebrity, known for his scathing reviews, will destroy her business. But within two days, Gunnar is dead. He's been poisoned, the victim of a deadly mushroom, which could have been served by a half-dozen chefs in the area, all with reasons to hate the obnoxious chef. As a consultant for the sheriff's department, Tish sits in on the interviews with subjects and learns how hated Gunnar was in the foodie world. VERDICT Those who read Krista Davis's "Domestic Diva" mysteries for the close-knit cast will enjoy the supportive group of friends in Meade's charming follow-up to From Ladle to Grave.—Lesa Holstine

Library Journal

2022-11-16
The murder of a much-hated chef leaves investigators with too many suspects.

Tish Tarragon is in a tizzy. Both her book-themed cafe and her catering business are on hold until she can find new quarters after her vengeful ex-boyfriend evicted her. Luckily, her best pal, television weatherman Julian Davis, and her new love, Sheriff Clemson Reade, are there to support her as she caters a wedding and searches for a venue for her business and a place to live. Unfortunately, the perfect spot is beyond her means. The wedding is being held at Abbingdon Green, a lovely Victorian B&B where most of the guests are staying. A guest unconnected to the wedding is obnoxious Gunnar Randall, a television host renowned for insulting and demeaning chefs hoping for a good review as they present their meals to him. Inn owner Glory Bishop’s willingness to make the irate Randall a mushroom omelet when he misses breakfast puts her on the suspect list when he’s found dead and the coroner suspects mushroom poisoning. Tish, who has a nose for murder, pitches in to help Reade develop a list of suspects that grows and grows as they realize that Randall’s nasty personality had alienated everyone, from his put-upon assistant to the network bosses who were considering pulling the plug on his show. They slowly work their way through the list in search of the one person who could not take it anymore.

Foodies and cozy lovers will enjoy both the puzzle and the recipes.

Kirkus Reviews