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Bayou Book Thief: 02/27/23
Wined and Died in New Orleans by Ellen Byron and Amy Melissa Bentley (Narrator) (2023) is the second book in the Vintage Cookbook mystery series. It's hurricane season and during repairs on the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, crates of well preserved, expensive wine bottles are unearthed. This treasure trove brings out extended family, all wanting in on the haul. But then, one of them ends up murdered and evidence points to Ricki's boss. I like how Ellen Byron ties the weather to the mystery. The hurricane alerts and ultimately the hurricane that does hit New Orleans, brings a similar tone to Mardi Gras Murder (2018). The weather provides a backdrop and a sense of urgency to the events. An interesting side plot, one that's continued from Bayou Book Thief (2022), is Ricki's background. She's originally from New Orleans, a baby abandoned by her birth mother. It was implied in the first book that she is related to the family that owns and runs Bon Vee. This book confirms her ties to the family but doesn't answer the question of who her birth parents were. As of writing this review, there's not a third volume announced. I'm hoping there is one planned. I will certainly continue with this series. Five stars Comments (0)
1997-2025 Sarah Sammis |
