Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
by Tina Kashian
About Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder
(A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – New Jersey
Publisher: Kensington (September 29, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1496726073
ISBN-13: 978-1496726070
Digital ASIN: B082WR6DMT
Not even her impending nuptials can keep Lucy Berberian, manager of her family-owned Kebab Kitchen, from the Jersey Shore’s annual Polar Bear Plunge. But her dive into the icy ocean is especially chilling when she finds a fellow swimmer doing the dead man’s float—for real . . .
Who would kill a man in cold blood during Ocean Crest, New Jersey’s most popular winter event? When Lucy learns the victim is Deacon Spooner, the reception hall owner who turned up his nose—and his price—at her wedding plans, she can’t help wondering who wouldn’t kill the pompous caterer . . .
Perhaps the culprit is the wedding cake baker whose career Deacon nearly destroyed? Or the angry bride whose reception he ruined? With her maid of honor, Katie, busily planning Lucy’s wedding without her, Lucy will have to get to the bottom of this cold-hearted business in time for Kebab Kitchen’s mouthwatering Christmas celebration—and before her hometown’s holiday spirit washes out to sea . . .
Recipes included!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Bundle up for this one. Lucy Berberian and her BFF Katie are taking part in the Polar Bear Plunge to raise money for the renovation of the Senior Center. They plunged into the frigid ocean waves along with about 40 other Ocean Crest residents and business owners and it did not go swimmingly. One plunger didn’t make it out alive. Reception hall co-owner Deacon Spooner’s dead body washed up on the beach from an apparent drowning. It wasn’t the chill in the air and water that took the man down, no, it was MURDER and one of Lucy’s friends is the prime suspect. Wedding cake baker Susie Cutie had a beef with the man but would she murder him? Lucy doesn’t think so. She met the man once and while not wishing him dead, she couldn’t stand him. He must have pushed someone else over the edge. She just needs to find out who . . .
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder is the 5th book in the series and the characters feel like old friends. Lucy and Asad are now engaged to be married and Kate is trying her best to get Lucy’s wedding planning on track like any good Matron of Honor would do. Her parents, Angela and Raffi, now retired still help out at the restaurant when needed and Lucy’s cooking lessons with her mom continue. It’s the holiday season so all of them are making plans for the Christmas party at the Kebab Kitchen for all the Ocean Crest merchants. These characters are so genuine and engaging, people I would like to meet and spend more time with. I grew up in a family-run restaurant business and everything sans the murders rings true to life. I am also loving the relationship between Lucy and her landlord Eloisa, her infatuation with Azad, and the way he handles it is so funny.
Ms. Kashian has a great descriptive writing style. She takes us to the Jersey Shore with its snow-covered sand, the frigid temperatures of the ocean, the sound of a band playing under the boardwalk, the food at the Kabab Kitchen, a lovely Victorian B&B, and more. The food, moussaka to cupcakes and pies, the party attire, and a certain wedding dress are so easy to visualize.
The murder mystery was very well-plotted. Deacon Spooner was not a nice man so there were several viable suspects. I had pared down my guesses to two when the tension really picks up. The big reveal was very exciting and Yes! one of my guesses turned out to be right!
I look forward to each and every visit to Ocean Crest, New Jersey. Lucy and her family never fail to keep me totally entertained. Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder sure didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed every bit of this story. Will the next book include a wedding? I can’t wait to find out!
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About Tina Kashian
Tina Kashian is an attorney and mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. She is the author of the popular Kebab Kitchen Mediterranean cozy mystery series for Kensington Publishing. Tina spent her childhood summers at the Jersey shore building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business, as her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two daughters. Please visit her website at www.tinakashian.com to join her newsletter, receive delicious recipes, enter contests, and more!
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Great Escapes Praise for Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)
by Tina Kashian
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder is a feast for the senses – yummy food to make your mouth water, sea breezes to appease the beach lovers among us, the sights & sounds & aromas of a bustling boardwalk, family, friends, humor, heart, and a puzzling mystery to unravel.
~Reading Is My SuperPower
Mistletoe Moussaka and Murder, with its spot-on plotting and developed characters, is ideal for any cozy mystery book lover, especially for those who enjoy a bit of the foodie element!
~The Cozy Pages
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder is a cheery cozy mystery with holiday house hop, matrimonial machinations, Christmas cheer, a polar plunge, seashells, seagulls, and snow.
~The Avid Reader
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing, and through most of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all the action taking place, whether it was plunging into the ocean or checking out wedding venues.
~MJB Reviewers
Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder by Tina Kashian is an excellent book. It seems as I can never figure out the motive for these books. I have to say that it is good for Ms. Kashian.
~Baroness’ Book Trove
A big BRAVA to Tina Kashian for another well plotted, believable mystery filled cover to cover with twists and turns, false leads, and an all-around entertaining storyline that got better with every turn of the page.
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
I love this series! Thank you for this chance to win,
Anything she writes is so good, and I absolutely love this cover!
What a great book for the holidays!
Sounds like a wonderful book that I would have fun reading.