Leslie Budewitz Knihy

"Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with a new friend, Merrily Thornton. Fingers point to Merrily after a robbery--until she's found dead"--

As the holiday season lights up Seattle's famed Pike Place Market, Pepper Reece's beloved Spice Shop is brimming with cinnamon, nutmeg, and shoppers eager to stuff their stockings. Add to the mix a tasty staff competition--a peppermint bark-off--along with Victorian costumes for this year's Dickensian Christmas theme, and Pepper almost forgets to be nervous about meeting her fisherman boyfriend's brother for the first time. But when a young woman working in her friend Vinny's wine shop is brutally assaulted, costumed revelers and holiday cheer are the last things on Pepper's mind. Who would want to hurt Beth? Or were they looking for Vinny instead? The vicious attack upsets everyone at Pike Place, but none more than Pepper's own employee, Matt Kemp. At first, Pepper is baffled by his reaction, but his clandestine connection to Beth could hold the key to the assailant's motive. Or perhaps it's Vinny's ex-wife who knows more than she's letting on . . . and what about the mysterious top-hatted man with whom Pepper saw Beth arguing that morning? As the secrets of the market come to light, long-held grudges, family ties, and hidden plans only further obscure the truth. Is it a ghost of the past rattling its chains, or a contemporary Scrooge with more earthly motives? As Pepper chases down a killer, someone is chasing her, and in the end, the storied market itself may hold the final, deadly clue

Pepper Reece never expected to find solace in bay leaves. But when her life fell apart at forty and she bought the venerable-but-rundown Spice Shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, her days took a tasty turn. Now she’s savoring the prospect of a flavorful fall and a busy holiday cooking season, until danger bubbles to the surface . . . Between managing her shop, worrying about her staff, and navigating a delicious new relationship, Pepper’s firing on all burners. But when her childhood friend Maddie is shot and gravely wounded, the incident is quickly tied to an unsolved murder that left another close friend a widow. Convinced that the secret to both crimes lies in the history of a once-beloved building, Pepper uses her local-girl contacts and her talent for asking questions to unearth startling links between the past and present—links that suggest her childhood friend may not have been the Golden Girl she appeared to be. Pepper is forced to face her own regrets and unsavory emotions, if she wants to save Maddie’s life—and her own.

In Jewel Bay, Montana, the merchants are excited to boost winter business with a film festival. However, their plans take a dark turn when a local vendor is murdered, casting a shadow over the festivities. As the community grapples with the threat of a killer among them, the cozy atmosphere of the village is disrupted, leading to a gripping mystery that intertwines the warmth of local camaraderie with the chilling reality of crime.

Set in a small Montana town, the story follows gourmet food market owner Erin Murphy as she strives to showcase local cuisine on a national stage. However, her plans take a dark turn when a murder disrupts the culinary festivities, leading Erin to navigate the investigation while juggling her dreams of culinary fame. This second installment in the Food Lovers' Village mystery series blends delicious food themes with a gripping whodunit, creating a captivating backdrop for intrigue and community spirit.

Erin Murphy, manager of Murphy's Mercantile (aka the Merc), is tuning up for Jewel Bay's annual Jazz Festival. Between keeping the Merc's shelves stocked with Montana's tastiest local fare and hosting the festival's kick-off concert, Erin has her hands full.

Set in the world of culinary arts, this mystery introduces a protagonist who navigates the complexities of cooking while unraveling a gripping crime. As a talented chef, she finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation that intertwines her passion for food with the pursuit of justice. With engaging characters and a richly detailed backdrop, the story blends elements of suspense and gastronomy, making it a delightful read for fans of both mysteries and cooking. This acclaimed debut has won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel.

Set in a charming culinary village, this novella serves as a historical prequel to the acclaimed series, exploring the origins of its beloved characters. With a blend of mystery and culinary delights, it invites readers to uncover secrets that lead to an unholy death, enriching the backdrop of the Food Lovers' Village Mysteries. Celebrating a decade of storytelling, this stand-alone edition offers both fans and newcomers a taste of the series' engaging narrative and intriguing plotlines.