Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
I am delighted to share my thoughts with you today about
Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber!
Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery)
by Daryl Wood Gerber
About Murder on the Page
Murder on the Page (A Literary Dining Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – North Carolina
Publisher : Kensington Cozies (October 22, 2024)
Hardcover : 336 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496748174
ISBN-13 : 978-1496748171
Kindle ASIN : B0CTDKHJ4G
Featuring twin hooks that cozy readers can’t get enough of—classic books and delicious food—this new series from the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of several much loved series, including the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the French Bistro Mysteries, is a delicious treat for mystery lovers, especially fans of Ellery Adams, Krista Davis, and Lauren Elliott.
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a genuinely top-notch party must be in want of a theme. Allie Catt, caterer and personal chef in the beautiful mountain community of Asheville, North Carolina, has devised a winning formula by using her clients’ favorite books as inspiration. Her first themed event is based on Pride and Prejudice (Allie’s cat, Darcy, approves), and it’s so popular that soon she has grand ideas for future parties based on Rebecca, The Great Gatsby, Babette’s Feast and more.
Business is booming, and a rival catering company is fuming. But there’s a sting in the tale when the aunt of one of Allie’s clients and best friends, Tegan, is murdered. Tegan is the victim’s sole heir, and quickly becomes the main suspect. Allie has no doubts about her friend’s innocence, but how to prove it?
Once again, her love of literature comes to the rescue, and with some guidance from her favorite fictional detectives, including Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes, Allie sifts through the clues.
With a little luck—and the kind of pluck that would make Elizabeth Bennett proud—she may be able to stop a killer from serving up a second course of murder . . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Ms. Gerber has set this series in Asheville, North Carolina so before I can even start my review I have to state my heart goes out to the people of Asheville and all the others who have been affected by Hurricanes Helene and the terrible aftermath that his hindered getting these people the aid they desperately need. They have a long road ahead and we need to help in any way we can to bring it back to the town described in this book.
Asheville caterer and personal chef Allie Catt escapes into books and hosts book clubs giving her a unique idea for the themes of her parties. She gets her inspiration from her clients’ favorite books. Pride and Prejudice is the theme for her first event. With a cat named Darcy, you know the book is a fave of Allie’s as well as her client, plus she has a ton of ideas for future parties.
Allie’s best friend Tegan’s Aunt Marigold has hired her to serve a tea at her A Feast for the Eyes bookshop. Marigold is very involved in the community and one of Allie’s favorite people but she has been having some spells that worry her family and friends. When Allie arrives at the shop to set up the tea, it is closed with a line of people is waiting to get in. When another employee opens the door, they find Marigold on the floor but this time there is no helping her. Marigold was dead. Tegan appears to be the only heir which puts her at the top of the list of suspects. Allie knows she needs to prove her BFF had no part in her aunt’s death. She is going to need a little literary assistance and who better than Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot to help her work through all the clues?
With a new series comes a new cast of characters. I appreciate that the author gives us a list at the beginning of the book. It enabled me to escape into the story easily.
Allie is a great protagonist, thoughtful and tenacious. She had an unusual upbringing and was devastated by a bad breakup. However, that breakup allowed her to follow her dream. Her best friend Tegan works for her aunt at the bookstore and she is in the middle of a breakup herself. She and Allie have no secrets but she refuses to open up about what is going on. We meet a variety of Asheville residents but it was the victim, Marigold who grabbed my heart and held on tight. She was a special lady in so many ways. I had tears in my eyes while reading the last few pages of this story.
Ms. Gerber has written a complex mystery with several suspects. There is friction between Allie and Detective Zach Armstrong as she delves into his case. There was romantic tension there too. Tegan wanted to help investigate but Allie had to reel her in more than once. I enjoyed that Allie didn’t give up. I did have an inkling of who the guilty party may be but truthfully I was so caught up in the story and the author’s delightful descriptions of all the happenings it really didn’t register until the exciting showdown.
Daryl Wood Gerber is an awesome storyteller. Her stories set a speedy pace as she blends the mystery with the character’s daily lives. She sets up some fine twists and turns of misdirection to rachet up the suspense. Murder on the Page not only has quotes from Pride and Prejudice to start each chapter but there are several Pride and Prejudice Easter Eggs throughout the story which would make Taylor Swift smile. And yes, it would not be a Daryl Wood Gerber book without recipes so if the food in the book tickles your tastebuds all the details to make your own are at the back of the book.
With Murder on the Page, Ms. Gerber has set the series off to a fantastic start. The engaging characters, a compelling mystery, and a fun theme, set in a vibrant mountain town with a rich history kept me entertained from beginning to end. I loved this story! For me, this was more than a Perfect Escape, it was a Trip to Paradise. Look for this book on my Best Reads of 2024. I am so excited for this series to continue.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
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About Daryl Wood Gerber
Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author of the Literary Dining Mysteries, the Fairy Garden Mysteries and the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes suspense including the well-received The Son’s Secret, Girl on the Run, and the popular Aspen Adams suspense novels. Recently Daryl, who loves a challenge, published a Christmas romance, Hope for the Holidays. Fun Tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, garden, read, and walk her frisky Goldendoodle. Also she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com
Author Links
WEBSITE FACEBOOK BOOKBUB YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM PINTEREST GOODREADS AMAZON NEWSLETTER
Purchase Links
AMAZON BARNES AND NOBLE BOOKSHOP.ORG KOBO MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
Also written by Daryl Wood Gerber
A Holiday Romance by Daryl Wood Gerber
The Cookbook Nook Cozy Mysteries
Coming March 25, 2025
Find more books by Daryl Wood Gerber here.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.
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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.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
Love DG & her books. Thanks for the review & I’m very drawn to this cover!!
Have a great week!
Thank you, Sheryl. I appreciate your compliment. ~ Daryl
Lori, I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the story. Woot! I’m blown away by your praise. Thank you for sharing and for all you do to support authors.
Such a great book and giveaway.
Thanks, Deborah! Enjoy.
What an intriguing book! I have enjoyed many of Daryl’s mysteries and look forward to reading this new series.
Bonnie, lovely to see you here. Enjoy this one.