ARC Review: Mousse and Murder by Elizabeth Logan

Mousse and Murder
Author: Elizabeth Logan
Series: An Alaskan Diner Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Berkley (May 5, 2020)

Description: A young chef might bite off more than she can chew when she returns to her Alaskan hometown to take over her parents' diner in this charming first installment in a new cozy mystery series set in an Alaskan tourist town.

When Chef Charlie Cooke is offered the chance to leave San Francisco and return home to Elkview, Alaska, to take over her mother's diner, she doesn't even consider saying no. After all--her love life has recently become a Love Life Crumble, and a chance to reconnect with her roots may be just what she needs.

Determined to bring fresh life and flavors to the Bear Claw Diner, Charlie starts planning changes to the menu, which has grown stale over the years. But her plans are fried when her head cook Oliver turns up dead after a bitter and public fight over Charlie's ideas--leaving Charlie as the only suspect in the case.

With her career, freedom, and life all on thin ice, Charlie must find out who the real killer is, before it's too late.

My Thoughts: Charlie Cooke is back home in Elkview, Alaska, running her mother's Bear Claw Diner, After an argument with the head cook about some changes to the menu, Charlie is surprised to leatn that Oliver has been discovered dead. She is worried that her argument might make her a suspect. She decides to help the local police solve the crime.

Once she starts investigating, she realizes how little she knows about the man who has cooked at the diner for more than twenty years. With the help of local reporter Chris Doucette, she begins trying to learn more about Oliver.

She has quite a few suspects including his sister who seems suspiciously eager to have him buried and a mystery man who was seen arguing with him. She also briefly suspects the employee who has now become the head cook at the diner.

This story was a love letter to the state of Alaska because Charlie is a huge fan who knows all sorts of trivia about the state and its attractions. It will also be quite satisfying to any cat owner since Charlie is enthralled with her pet cat Eggs Benedict, more commonly known as Bennie.

I found it to be a pretty run-of-the-mill cozy mystery. There were a number of characters who were briefly described and mostly notable for some personality quirk. I didn't feel I ever really got to know Charlie and was surprised when those around her commented on her quick temper since I hadn't seen much evidence of it.

Fans of culinary cozies may enjoy this one and will welcome the recipes that are included.

Favorite Quote:

Come to think of it, I hadn't sorted through the envelopes I'd retrieved from the wastebasket that day. My head hurt from having to remember so many details. I needed a spreadsheet. Or a secretary. Or to give up trying to play detective.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from Edelweiss. You can buy your copy here.