The Mystery of Cooking

Almost as though it had been planned, there are two new cookbooks in the system featuring recipes from mysteries and mystery writers!  Here's a brief roundup of these delectable offerings:

The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook: Wickedly Good Recipes From Lee Child, Mary Higgins Clark ...[et al], And Other Acclaimed Plot Stirrers

edited by Kate White 

The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook's introduction begins with the summation of a Roald Dahl story that might contain "the best culinary plot twist in all of mystery writing" and continues by making a case for "how intertwined food and murder are in fiction". Some of the recipes listed in the cookbook are taken from mystery novels, but in some cases the recipes are author favorites.  Each recipe features background information provided by the author, regardless. All proceeds from this book go to the Mystery Writers of America, which was founded in 1945.

The cookbook includes recipes for breakfast, appetizers, soups and salads, entrées, side dishes, desserts, even cocktails. Laura Lippman's recipe for "Aunt Effie's Salmon Ball" (pg. 32) is a family recipe; John McEvoy reassures us that even "culinary klutzes" can make his "Gone Broke Goulash" (pg. 51), inspired by the afternoons at the racetrack which inform his mystery novels; Felix Francis'
"Beef Stroganoff" (pg. 71) is lifted directly from the pages of his novel Dead Heat; Louise Penny's recipe, "Madame Benoît's Tourtière" (pg. 82), describes a traditional Québécois dish served at Yuletide parties called réveillon, one of which was celebrated in A Fatal Grace.

Finally, there are bonus pages, like "What Exactly Is a Red Herring?" by Kate White, "Lee Child's Recipe For a Delicious Best Seller", and "The Food Hound of Baker Street". An entertaining and informative gem for hungry mystery fans everywhere!

The Cozy Cookbook: More Than 100 Recipes From Today's Bestselling Mystery Authors 

by Avery Ames/Daryl Wood Gerber, Ellery Adams, Connie Archer, Leslie Budewitz, Laura Childs, Cleo Coyle, Victoria Hamilton, B.B. Haywood, Julie Hyzy, Jenn McKinlay, Paige Shelton

The Cozy Cookbook has recipes ranging from breakfast to appetizers. drinks to main courses, and much more.  The editor says

If you're looking for a side of mystery with a heaping helping of some truly delectable recipes, you've come to the right place... You'll also get to spend a little time with your favorite cozy mystery characters and meet some new ones as you peruse over a hundred mouthwatering recipes from our bestselling authors.

Each section features excerpts from mysteries by Cleo Coyle, Julie Hyzy, Laura Childs, Paige Shelton, and others amidst recipes taken from books by these authors. Just reading the series title list at the back of the book should make you hungry: the Cheese Shop Mysteries by Avery Aames; Soup Lover's Mysteries by Connie Archer; Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries by Leslie Budewitz; Vintage Kitchen Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton...

From Pancakes with Gouda and Figs (p. 26) to Old-Fashioned Crumpets (p. 68), Marjories Coffin's White Moose Hot Cocoa (p. 133) to Smoked Salmon and Mascarpone Risotto (p. 209), Charmed Meat Pies with Paprika Aioli (p. 175) to Funeral Potatoes (p. 224)...you might find your new favorite dish and a new favorite author with this clever cookbook!