Step into the deliciously thrilling world of the Mystery With Recipes series, where culinary creations and clever sleuthing collide! Written by Isis Crawford, this cozy mystery series follows sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons as they whip up delectable dishes for festive events in Longely, New York, only to find themselves unraveling murders amidst the celebrations. Perfect for fans of food and foul play, this series serves up a delightful blend of humor, heart, and suspense.
With its charming small-town setting and mouthwatering recipes included in each book, Mystery With Recipes invites readers to savor both the mysteries and the meals. Whether you’re a cozy mystery enthusiast or just craving a light, engaging read, this series promises to satisfy your appetite for intrigue.
How Mystery With Recipes Began
Isis Crawford, a pseudonym for Barbara Block, launched the Mystery With Recipes series in 2003 with A Catered Murder. A veteran writer with a background in the Robin Light Mysteries, Crawford drew inspiration from her love of food and travel, influenced by her parents’ culinary ventures. Born in Egypt to diplomatic parents, she grew up immersed in diverse cultures, later running a catering service herself. This expertise infuses the series with authentic culinary flair, making each book a feast for the senses.
The series was born from the growing popularity of culinary cozy mysteries, a subgenre that pairs amateur sleuthing with food-centric themes. Crawford’s decision to center the stories around two sisters and their catering business, A Little Taste of Heaven, added a fresh, relatable dynamic that hooked readers from the start.
The Heart of Mystery With Recipes
The series kicks off with A Catered Murder (2003), where Bernie and Libby cater a high school reunion in Longely, only to investigate a death when a guest is murdered, and their friend is accused. In A Catered Halloween (2008), the sisters tackle a charity haunted house at the eerie Peabody School, uncovering a murder tied to a decades-old mystery. A Catered New Year’s Eve (2019) sees them catering a family reunion that turns deadly when a guest is poisoned, prompting a race to clear a relative’s name. A Catered Quilting Bee (2024), the 18th book, weaves a mystery around a quilting showcase disrupted by a killer.
Set in the fictional Hudson Valley town of Longely, the series shines with its vivid small-town charm and holiday-themed plots, from Halloween to Christmas. The sisters’ dynamic—Libby’s tender heart and Bernie’s wisecracking wit—creates a compelling contrast, enriched by their wheelchair-bound father, Sean, a retired police chief who aids their investigations. Themes of family, community, and resilience resonate, while the included recipes, like Halloween treats or New Year’s soups, invite readers to cook along.
Crawford’s writing is light yet suspenseful, balancing quirky characters and intricate plots. The culinary focus, paired with the sisters’ knack for stumbling into crime scenes, makes each book a cozy, immersive escape.
Why Mystery With Recipes Resonates
Mystery With Recipes has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre, captivating readers with its blend of gastronomic delights and gripping whodunits. Fans praise the series for its relatable characters and festive settings, with reviews highlighting the sisters’ chemistry and the fun of holiday-themed mysteries. Crawford’s ability to weave food into the narrative without overshadowing the suspense has earned her a loyal following, with 18 books published by 2024.
The series’ lasting appeal lies in its comfort and charm, offering readers a chance to escape into a world where mysteries are solved with a side of sisterly banter and a sprinkle of culinary magic. Its influence extends to inspiring other food-themed cozies, cementing Crawford’s legacy as a genre innovator.
- Publication Years: 2003–2024
- Number of Books: 18
- Setting: Longely, New York
- Author Pseudonym: Isis Crawford (Barbara Block)
Ready to dig into a cozy mystery with a side of culinary delight? Grab A Catered Murder and dive into the scrumptious, suspenseful world of Mystery With Recipes today!