Crescent City Christmas Chaos - (A Vintage Cookbook Mystery) by Ellen Byron (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Ricki James-Diaz gets the best present ever when her parents arrive in New Orleans for the holidays. Not only is it a chance to catch up, it's also an opportunity to jog her mom Josepha's memory about Ricki's adoption. The details have always been shrouded in mystery. And Ricki understands why when she learns her mother was blackmailed for years, simply for not wanting to lose her precious daughter. But digging into the past soon lands the James-Diaz clan in water hotter than a big pot of gumbo! When the woman who extorted Ricki's mom is found dead at her home, Josepha becomes the primary suspect. Now Ricki has another murder to solve, and tracking down a killer in Crescent City is going to take a miracle. Luckily, 'tis the season! And Ricki has all the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum on hand to help. Can she prove her mother's innocence and have the case wrapped up in time for Christmas?"--

Book Synopsis

It's Christmas. It's cozy. It's culinary. It's chaos! It's the fourth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron.

Have yourself a merry little . . . murder?

Ricki James-Diaz gets the best present ever when her parents arrive in New Orleans for the holidays. Not only is it a chance to catch up, it's also an opportunity to jog her mom Josepha's memory about Ricki's adoption. The details have always been shrouded in mystery. And Ricki understands why when she learns her mother was blackmailed for years, simply for not wanting to lose her precious daughter.

But digging into the past soon lands the James-Diaz clan in water hotter than a big pot of gumbo! When the woman who extorted Ricki's mom is found dead at her home, Josepha becomes the primary suspect. Now Ricki has another murder to solve, and tracking down a killer in Crescent City is going to take a miracle.

Luckily, 'tis the season! And Ricki has all the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum on hand to help. Can she prove her mother's innocence and have the case wrapped up in time for Christmas?

Review Quotes

[A] fantastic whodunnit . . . will keep you guessing late into the night-- "J.C. Kenney, bestselling author of the Elmo Simpson Mysteries, on French Quarter Fright Night"

A cast of exceptional supporting characters, all as quirky as the city . . . Bayou Book Thief is the start of what I am sure will soon become one of my favorite series and I can't wait for my next visit-- "Vicki Delany, National Bestselling author on Bayou Book Thief"

A spooktacular Halloween romp-- "Tina Kashian, author of the Kebab Kitchen Mysteries, on French Quarter Fright Night"

Byron, author of the award-winning 'Cajun Country' mysteries, combines setting, vintage cookbooks, recipes, and family drama in another delectable cozy-- "Library Journal on Wined and Died in New Orleans"

Byron's love of New Orleans, its people, its history, its culture, its food, shines in every page in this charming book. California transplant, the delightful Ricky heads a cast of exceptional supporting characters, all as quirky as the city in which they're lucky enough to live. Bayou Book Thief is the start of what I am sure will soon become one of my favorite series and I can't wait for my next visit-- "Libby Klein, bestselling author of the Poppy McAllister mysteries on Bayou Book Thief"

Fans of Byron's award-winning 'Cajun Country' mysteries will enjoy her return to New Orleans with an engaging, fun cast of characters-- "Library Journal on Bayou Book Thief"

Plenty of suspects and plenty of fun-- "Kirkus Reviews on Wined and Died in New Orleans"

Standard cozy fare served up Crescent City style-- "Kirkus Reviews on Bayou Book Thief"

The characters feel like old friends. Everything about this story keeps the reader invested . . . you won't be disappointed. This book will keep fans excited and looking forward to the next installment-- "thecozyreview.com on Wined and Died in New Orleans"

The Big Easy rolls across the pages of Ellen Byron's latest Vintage Cookbook mystery. French Quarter Fright Night is rich and full, and I couldn't put it down-- "Olivia Matthews, author of the Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries, on French Quarter Fright Night"