4.25 stars
Brooklyn's sister Savannah, a world renowned Chef, is being featured in a new restaurant being opened by an old friend. As a thank you to him, she wants Brooklyn to fix up an old cookbook so she can give it to her friend as a gift. In fact, it was a book he had once given her, back in their culinary school days. Savannah is trusting and a little naive, but Brooklyn knows her "friend" Baxter is not a good person. So it is not surprise to us that he ends up murdered in his own restaurant. The suspects? All of his old culinary school "friends". Or are they really friends? We quickly find out that there are long histories between Baxter and all the characters...and he is truly a manipulative and calculating guy. Though none of them can believe that one of their friends is a killer....someone must have murdered him. And why?

Brooklyn of course jumps at the chance to investigate to help clear Savannah's name. She is reluctant to believe any of the culinary friends are the murderer, but she efficiently looks into each one as a suspect. I wish Derek was by her side for more of her investigating, because I LOVE HIM. I also adore her family, I would love to visit Dharma and live with them. I would happily take a protection spell from her mother.

I was actually not very surprised by the identity of the killer.

Spoiler

Raoul seemed almost too good to be true. To nice, too emotional, too upset by all the deaths. It actually seemed in character for him to commit these acts to protect his family...in his mind the only way to do so.

I also liked how the mystery revolved someway around the cookbook and learning more about it's secrets.

This is one of my favorite series because of the awesome characters. Brooklyn is funny and strong and I love learning more and more about old books and book binding. Derek and her family and friends are amazing recurring characters and I feel like I really know many of them. I can't wait to continue this series

There are some parts of this series that just come together too perfectly, or maybe too weirdly, for them to sit well once you finish the book. The relationships are getting a little unbelievable at this point on certain levels, and other reviewers here have talked about it. And there are also just a few too many details that have essentially nothing to do with the plot that are giving a LOT of time and attention, only to literally have nothing to do with anything and could easily have been eliminated (outside of being kind of interesting).

I enjoy this series, but some other titles seem to be stronger to me than this one.

I am really enjoying this series and glad I finally moved it up on the TBR pile. It is amazing that one person can discover so many dead bodies. The characters are really entertaining. Brooklyn and Derrick are a fun couple. Their relationship seems to be progressing and they do make a good team when solving mysteries. We get a chance to see more of Brooklyn's sister Savannah and as an added bonus we get to meet one of Derreck's brothers. The mystery kept me engaged and guessing until the end. I was surprised by the killers identity as well as the motive. I've already pout the next book on hold at the library.

Quick, fun mystery with good plot.

These books are perfect for a lazy Sunday (just like today).