Brooklyn Wainwright restores antique books. She lives with her ex-British now American security husband in a converted warehouse condominium. She has eclectic neighbors and an extensive family, due mostly to her commune upbringing and ever-loving parents.

Brooklyn’s sister, Savannah, (all sibs names for point of conception) has moved back into the general area and opened a high end vegetarian restaurant. When another culinary school classmate opens his own eatery, the alumni are invited to join in celebration. A valuable cookbook, previously given to Savannah by said alumni, is given to Brooklyn for a proper restoration. Upon inspection, she realizes the book has a 200 year history. This deters her sister not and she insists on returning the book as a congratulatory gift.

The new chef is murdered, Savannah is found kneeling over his bloodied body, holding a bloody knife and the cookbook has disappeared. Brooklyn tasks herself to prove her sister’s innocence and find the real culprit.

Henceforth, the mystery of the cookbook, with its symbols in the margins, and the super chef murder expands like a rising loaf of bread. Add in another murder and attempt, a cast of culinary suspects and it’s a tasty mystery... with recipes included at the end.

These would be such good books if it weren’t for the cutesy dialogue and over-the-top lovey-dovey adoration of Brooklyn & Derek.