From Publishers Weekly
In her assured debut, Crawford, a caterer with many travel-related articles to her credit, introduces an appealing family trio: tender-hearted Libby Simmons, owner of a catering business, A Little Taste of Heaven, in Longely, N.Y.; her wisecracking sister, Bernie, a refugee from L.A. and a disastrous marriage; and Sean, their wheelchair-bound father, a retired police chief. Nasty Laird Wrenn, a best-selling author of vampire fiction, plans to celebrate his success with appropriate menu (Bloody Marys, devil's food cake) and decor to match (black roses, a coffin) at a reunion dinner to be held at the local high school. When Laird drops dead at the dinner after drinking a glass of water, a slew of ill-wishers, including Libby's close friend Tiffany, whom Laird was stringing along, become suspects in his sudden demise. A naturally flowing narrative, lively and likable characters, and plenty of clever word play amid the foul play set this first novel above the common run of cozies.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Product Description
Bernadette Simmons wasn't sure what to expect when she left L.A. - and her no-good, cheating boyfriend - to move back in with her too close for comfort family in New York. And her sister Libby had no idea what she was in for when she hired Bernie to work for her catering business. But in between cutting up canapes and dishing up desserts, the two find themselves in the midst of a mystery they can really sink their teeth into...It's only been a few days since Libby hired her sister Bernie to help out at A Little Taste of Heaven, and already they've got their hands full - baking cookies and slicing rare beef tenderloin to serve at a high school reunion. The dinner has a "Dracula" theme and a very strange guest of honour: Laird Wrenn, a New York Times best selling author of vampire novels. From the minute he sweeps into the school cafeteria - decked out in a cape, accompanied by some truly odd hangers on - Libby and Bernie know this will be an evening unlike any other. And they're right. During his after dinner speech, Wrenn pours a glass of water, takes a long sip - and drops stone cold dead...Now Libby and Bernie will have to put their heads together to figure out whodunit - in a mystery that promises to be deadly to the very last bite. ..
