A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – Louisiana
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
Hardcover

Synopsis

It’s cozy. It’s culinary. It’s Mardi Gras madness! It’s the fifth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today-bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

Step 1: join a killer krewe

It’s carnival season in New Orleans, and Ricki James-Diaz and her friends from Bon Vee are dressing up for Mardi Gras. They’ve joined the notorious krewe of Chew to support Ricki’s chef boyfriend, Virgil, who is to be crowned this year’s king. It’s all fun, throws, and over-the-top outfits until the krewe’s captain is found strangled with his own medallion.

Step 2: survive the festivities

The prime suspect is Ricki’s friend, the deceased’s wife who discovered he was cheating on her. It seems a straightforward case, but Ricki isn’t so sure. The krewe’s leader had many enemies including his mistress, his krewe co-founder who he ousted, and his college friend whose girlfriend he stole. One thing’s clear, Ricki’s at the center of yet another murder investigation. And if she’s not careful, her first Mardi Gras could also be her last . . .

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, these delightful mysteries bring New Orleans to life with fun characters and delicious recipes. This series is a must-read for culinary cozy lovers!

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Review

I have enjoyed this series from the first book, and I especially enjoy watching Ricki grow as a person, and uncovering her biological past. We learn even more about that in this book.

Someone always dies in a cozy, and it is usually someone who had it coming! However, murder is wrong, and Ricki steps in to help the widow uncover the truth. She does find herself in harms way a few times because of her snooping, but what cozy wouldn’t be without a few near misses? The murderer is well hidden, and I did not suspect how the truth would unfold. While I had a few suspicions, I don’t think I considered this character. There is another twist at the end as well.

This band of characters makes each story interesting, and keeps me entertained until the last page.

We give this book (and really the series) 5 paws up. Give it a try, and venture down to N’awlins during Mardi Gras.

About the Author

Ellen is a USA Today bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico). Her new series, The Golden Motel Mysteries, recently debuted. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

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