Picture a storyteller dishing out mysteries as savory as soul food—meet A.L. Herbert, the pen name of Patrick Sanchez, whose Mahalia Watkins Soul Food series blends cozy whodunits with the warmth of Southern cuisine. With a knack for crafting plots as rich as creamy mashed potatoes, Herbert has carved a delicious niche in the culinary mystery genre, leaving readers hungry for more.
Growing up in Maryland’s Prince George’s and Charles Counties, Herbert’s love for comfort food and storytelling simmered early, inspired by family recipes and a desire to bring diversity to genre fiction. This unique blend of culture and creativity makes Herbert’s work a feast for both mystery lovers and foodies alike.
The Making of A.L. Herbert
A.L. Herbert, the pseudonym of Patrick Sanchez, didn’t start in the kitchen of cozy mysteries. Initially, Sanchez penned novels in the chick-lit genre during the early 2000s, infusing them with diverse characters—white, Black, and Latino—to reflect the world he knew. When chick-lit’s popularity waned, Sanchez took a break, only to reinvent himself as A.L. Herbert, diving into the culinary mystery genre. Noticing a lack of diversity in cozy mysteries, he created a vibrant African-American protagonist, Mahalia ‘Halia’ Watkins, whose soul food restaurant became the heart of his stories.
Before writing, Sanchez worked in varied roles, from answering phones at an insurance company to becoming a proposal writer, experiences that honed his knack for engaging narratives. His Maryland roots and passion for soul food shaped the authentic settings and mouth-watering dishes that define his novels.
A.L. Herbert’s Unforgettable Stories
Herbert’s Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery series, launched in 2015, stars Halia Watkins, a savvy restaurant owner in Prince George’s County, Maryland, who juggles cooking delectable cornbread and solving murders. The series kicks off with Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles, where Halia finds her shady business partner dead beside a frying pan, sparking a hunt for the killer. This debut, praised for its authentic local history, sets the tone for Herbert’s blend of humor, suspense, and Southern charm.
Subsequent novels, like Murder with Macaroni and Cheese (2016), see Halia catering a high school reunion that ends in a fatal fall, while Murder with Collard Greens and Hot Sauce (2019) and Murder with Honey Ham Biscuits (2020) weave scandals and secrets into deliciously twisty plots. Herbert’s style shines through vivid food descriptions, sassy dialogue from Halia’s cousin Wavonne, and a predominantly African-American cast, refreshing the cozy mystery genre. Recipes sprinkled throughout, like Sour Cream Corn Bread, make readers feel they’re dining at Mahalia’s Sweet Tea.
Herbert’s storytelling thrives on relatable characters and cultural authenticity, with plots that keep readers guessing. His ability to pair lighthearted humor with gritty mysteries ensures each book feels like a warm, satisfying meal.
Why A.L. Herbert Matters
A.L. Herbert has spiced up the cozy mystery genre by centering African-American characters and soul food culture, offering a fresh perspective in a traditionally white-dominated space. His series not only entertains but celebrates Black culinary traditions, making dishes like collard greens and macaroni and cheese stars of the narrative. Fans rave about the series’ humor, recipes, and engaging plots, with some envisioning it as a TV show.
By bringing diversity and heart to cozy mysteries, Herbert has inspired readers to embrace stories that reflect a broader spectrum of experiences. His work proves that a good mystery, like a good meal, can unite people across cultures, leaving a lasting flavor in the literary world.
- Born: Unknown, grew up in Maryland
- Key Works: Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery series (2015–2020)
- Genre: Culinary Cozy Mystery
- Notable Trait: Infuses soul food recipes into engaging whodunits
Ready to savor a mystery as tasty as soul food? Snag Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles and dive into A.L. Herbert’s delectable world of crime and cuisine!