The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook

March 15, 2015

White (If Looks Could Kill), former editor in chief of Cosmopolitan, celebrates the relationship between food and fiction in this appetizing collection of recipes pulled from the pages of best-selling mystery novels. In sections divided by course (e.g., breakfast, soups and salads, entrees, desserts), White compiles submissions from more than 100 authors and darkly points out the many ways foods can become murder weapons. Recipes such as Lea Wait's murderously good Maine chowdah, James Patterson's Grandma's killer chocolate cake, and Deanna Raybourn's March wassail punch include introductions that reveal tantalizing details about plot twists, characters, and reader reactions. For instance, in her recipe for Sugarloaf Cafe Sweet Rolls, J.A. Jance reveals that the once-fictional treats are now served every week at a restaurant in Tucson. VERDICT This book will attract not only mystery fans but also readers looking for culinary tie-ins for murder mystery dinner parties, book clubs, film screenings, and author events.

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