Picture a cozy café in Santa Fe, where the aroma of green chile soufflés mingles with whispers of murder—meet Ann Myers, the culinary cozy mystery maestro! This Colorado-based author has captured readers’ hearts with her Santa Fe Café Mysteries, blending mouthwatering recipes with suspenseful whodunits. With a knack for crafting relatable heroines and vibrant settings, Myers invites us into a world where food and intrigue are served in equal measure.
The Making of Ann Myers
Little is known about Ann Myers’s early life, but her journey as a writer is steeped in her love for Santa Fe’s vibrant culture. Living in Colorado with her husband and an extra-large housecat, Myers channels her passion for food, art, and storytelling into her work. Her fascination with New Mexico’s cuisine and traditions sparked the creation of her signature series, where she transforms everyday settings into stages for mystery. A self-professed foodie, Myers’s shelves overflow with cookbooks, inspiring her to weave time-saving, globally inspired recipes into her narratives.
Ann Myers’s Unforgettable Stories
Myers’s Santa Fe Café Mysteries star Rita Lafitte, a chef at Tres Amigas Café who doubles as an amateur sleuth. The series kicks off with Bread of the Dead (2015), where Rita investigates her landlord’s suspicious death during a Day of the Dead bread-baking contest. The fast-paced plot, laced with humor and Southwestern flair, sets the tone for the series. Cinco de Mayhem (2016) follows Rita as she clears her friend’s name in a food cart murder, with spicy guacamole and chocolate flans stealing the show. Feliz Navidead (2016) delivers holiday cheer and chills when a Christmas play turns deadly. Myers’s style shines through her vivid descriptions of Santa Fe’s adobe houses and festive traditions, paired with quirky characters like Flori, the octogenarian snoop. Her inclusion of recipes, like pan de muerto and green chile soufflés, adds a delicious layer to the cozy mystery experience.
Under the pseudonym Nora Page, Myers also pens the Bookmobile Mystery Series, featuring a spirited septuagenarian librarian in Georgia. This versatility showcases her ability to craft engaging stories across settings, always with a nod to community and culture.
Why Ann Myers Matters
Ann Myers has carved a niche in the cozy mystery genre by infusing her tales with culinary delights and cultural richness. Her Santa Fe Café Mysteries transport readers to a world where food is a love language and mysteries unravel with every bite. By celebrating New Mexico’s heritage and creating relatable heroines like Rita, Myers inspires readers to savor both stories and flavors. Her work resonates with foodies and mystery lovers alike, earning praise for its humor, pacing, and vivid settings. Though not a household name, Myers’s contribution to the genre is a testament to the power of niche storytelling.
- Born: Details unavailable, but she resides in Colorado.
- Key Works: Santa Fe Café Mysteries: Bread of the Dead, Cinco de Mayhem, Feliz Navidead.
- Fun Fact: Myers’s love for Santa Fe’s culture makes her feel more at home there than in Colorado!
Ready to spice up your reading list? Snag Bread of the Dead and dive into Ann Myers’s deliciously suspenseful world of cozy mysteries!