Tag: New Mexico

Fried Chicken Castañeda
by Suzanne Stauffer

About Fried Chicken Castañeda

Fried Chicken Castañeda
Historical Culinary Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Las Vegas, New Mexico, in June 1929
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Artemesia Publishing, LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 6, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1963832051
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963832051
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963832242
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DZC47WJQ

At the Castañeda Hotel you’ll find romance, gourmet dining, bootleggers, and murder!

Bored with her conventional middle-class life, Prudence Bates escapes Cleveland by heading west to qualify as a Courier for the Southwestern Indian Detours. On the California Limited she meets Jerry Begay, a charming Navajo school teacher. They feel an instant rapport, but he’s headed for Gallup, so it’s but a brief encounter.

In Las Vegas, New Mexico Prudence is befriended by Castañeda Hotel Harvey Girls Martha and Anne and desk clerk Clara. They take Prudence under their wing and invite her along to dances and the local hot springs.

Four days later, Martha’s brother, Tom, is found murdered. Was it because of his bootlegging activities? Or his amorous relationship with Liz Kearney, daughter of the richest man in the area and rumored mob boss? And was that really Jerry Begay whom Prudence saw meeting with Tom in secret the day before he was killed?

Following in the footsteps of her favorite fictional detectives, Tommy and Tuppence, Prudence is determined to solve the murder. But one wrong step and she may end up in the sights of the bootleggers.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Cleveland, Ohio, January 1929 – Librarian Prudence Bates’ life is in a rut. When she attends a presentation about Fred Harvey Southwest Indian Detours, she feels being a Courier for the company may be the kick her life needs. She convinces her mom and friend Wally that it is something she needs to do, and boards a train and heads West. Traveling by train is very interesting. Prudence meets some intriguing people, but she and handsome Navajo school teacher, Jerry Begay, really hit it off. They part when she gets off the train at her stop, while he continues on to his destination.

After arriving in Las Vegas, New Mexico, she checks into the Fred Harvey Castaneda Hotel, where she plans to stay a week, getting to know the lay of the land before she travels on to hopefully begin her Courier training. It doesn’t take her long to make a few friends, Castañeda Hotel Harvey Girls, Martha, Anne, and Clara. They invite her along to see the local hot springs and dances. Well into her stay, Martha’s brother, Tom, is found dead. Prudence had witnessed some of his questionable behavior and wondered if that had gotten him killed.

With a bit of time on her hands, Prudence is free to do a little sleuthing, but will this put her right in the killer’s path? Will she survive to board the train to her next stop?

I love old movies, and after reading the synopsis of Fried Chicken Castañeda, it reminded me of the movie starring Judy Garland that was produced long before I was born. Despite its age, I have watched it several times. The film wasn’t centered around tours, but focused on new waitresses working at the Harvey House restaurants and their journeys along the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway through the American Southwest. This connection made me eager to read Fried Chicken Castañeda, and Ms. Stauffer’s storytelling didn’t disappoint.

Twenty-five-year-old Prudence Bates stands out as an adventurous and brave character. Her previous travels only took her as far west as Chicago, accompanied by her mother. Now, Prudence embarks on this new adventure alone, facing uncertainty about what lies ahead in her travels and in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She approaches the experience with confidence and a willingness to learn. Her curiosity leads her to ask questions, which quickly help her make friends with Martha, Anne, and Clara, who invite her to share in some memorable experiences.

Prudence also witnesses the harsher aspects of Las Vegas and gains valuable insights into the unique culture of the Southwest during the Prohibition era. Indians are dying from drinking poisoned liquor, and she suspects Martha’s brother, Tom,  is involved. The situation intensifies when Tom disappears and is later discovered murdered, thrusting Prudence into the center of a mystery. Even with everything going on, she finds a little time to squeeze in a bit of romance.

The author’s thorough research on the time period is evident throughout the novel. Her vivid descriptions of each character, their attire, and the various scenes helped me visualize everything clearly. I appreciated learning about the Couriers, the railroad, and aspects of Native American culture. Additionally, the story provided thoughtful perspectives on some of the pressing issues of the 1920s.

Fried Chicken Castañeda has set this series off to a great start with the first part of Prudence’s journey. It’s an entertaining mix of a coming-of-age story and a cozy mystery. I am anxiously awaiting the October release of French Toast a la Santa Fe to continue with Prudence on her adventure. 

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 the author and Artemesia Publishing, LLC  for providing me with an ARC.

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Recipe

This is the recipe for the Harvey Girl Special Little Thin Pancakes that Prudence orders at the Harvey Lunchroom in Union Station, Chicago. I’ve update the original for modern cooks. The flavor of the oranges really comes through, so use the freshest one you have. You could use tangerines or mandarins or any other sweet citrus fruit. Ruby red grapefruit also might work. I’m not so sure about lemon, although with additional sugar — and some poppy seeds … it’s worth a try!

You can also substitute 1 cup of a prepared pancake mix, such as Krusteaz or Bisquick for the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Harvey Girl Special Little Thin Orange Pancakes

Makes about 16 3” pancakes, enough for 2 adults

1/4 cup diced orange sections with their juice (1/2 an orange)

1 tsp orange zest (optional)

1 cup orange juice (fresh-squeezed, if you have it)

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 TBS sugar (more or less depending on sweetness of fruit)

2 tsps baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Combine orange sections, zest, and juice in a medium mixing bowl. Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, then add all at once to the orange sections. Mix just until combined (do not over mix — batter will be slightly lumpy).

Drop tablespoons of batter onto a hot griddle (greased/oiled if necessary) and cook until golden on both sides, turning once. Serve with maple syrup, honey, jelly, or powdered sugar.

About Suzanne Stauffer 

After 20 years as a librarian and 20 as a professor of library science and library historian, Suzanne Stauffer has moved on to a third career as a mystery novelist. She currently lives in Albuquerque with her Australian husband and brown and white spotted rat terrier dogter, Treme. Her debut novel,  Fried Chicken Castañeda (Artemesia Publishing, May 2025), won the CIPA EVVY Bronze Medal in Mystery/Crime/Detection and the New Mexico Book Award for Cozy Mystery.

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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.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.” These funds are often used for gift cards and other giveaways.