Picture a storyteller who swapped courtrooms for cozy mysteries, weaving tales of shish kebabs and seaside sleuthing—meet Tina Kashian! This New Jersey Shore native transformed her Armenian heritage and legal savvy into the beloved Kebab Kitchen Mystery series, serving up culinary whodunits that leave readers hungry for more.
With a knack for blending mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors and clever crime-solving, Kashian’s stories capture the charm of Ocean Crest, a fictional Jersey Shore town. Her books are a delightful mix of nostalgia, immigrant pride, and page-turning puzzles, making her a standout in the cozy mystery genre.
The Making of Tina Kashian
Born and raised on the Jersey Shore, Tina Kashian grew up immersed in the salty air of boardwalks and the sizzle of her family’s Armenian restaurant, which her parents ran for over 30 years. From rolling silverware as a tween to waitressing as a teen, she learned the restaurant ropes early. Summers were filled with sandcastles, boogie boarding, and Ferris wheel rides, planting the seeds for her vivid coastal settings.
Before writing, Kashian carved a diverse career path. Armed with degrees in engineering and law, she worked as a mechanical engineer, patent attorney, and New Jersey Deputy Attorney General. Her legal cases sparked a fascination with crime, while her love of fiction carried her through years of academia. This unique blend of grit and imagination fueled her leap into writing mysteries.
Tina Kashian’s Unforgettable Stories
Kashian’s Kebab Kitchen Mystery series, launched in 2018 with Hummus and Homicide, follows Lucy Berberian, a lawyer-turned-sleuth managing her family’s Mediterranean restaurant in Ocean Crest. In this debut, Lucy tackles a murder when a health inspector dies after dining at Kebab Kitchen, threatening her family’s livelihood. The book’s vibrant setting and diverse cast earned praise for celebrating immigrant heritage.
Subsequent novels like Stabbed in the Baklava (2018) and One Feta in the Grave (2019) deepen the series’ charm. In Stabbed in the Baklava, Lucy caters a high-society wedding only to find the best man skewered with a kebab stick. One Feta in the Grave sees a local businessman’s death disrupt a beach festival, with Lucy racing to clear her friend’s name. Kashian’s playful titles, rich food descriptions, and twisty plots keep readers hooked.
Her style shines through relatable characters, like Lucy, who’s endearingly flawed and learning to cook, and a multicultural backdrop reflecting Armenian, Greek, and Lebanese influences. Recipes included in each book, from hummus to baklava, invite readers to savor the flavors of Kebab Kitchen. Kashian’s cozy mysteries balance lighthearted fun with clever sleuthing, appealing to fans of culinary and coastal tales.
Why Tina Kashian Matters
Tina Kashian’s work resonates for its celebration of immigrant stories and small-town life. By drawing on her Armenian roots, she highlights the contributions of diverse communities to America’s cultural tapestry, all while crafting mysteries that feel like a warm seaside escape. Her books have earned accolades, including four-star reviews from RT Book Reviews, for their charm and culinary flair.
Beyond entertainment, Kashian inspires aspiring writers with her journey from law to literature, proving that varied experiences can shape compelling stories. Her growing fanbase eagerly awaits more adventures in Ocean Crest, cementing her place in the cozy mystery world.
- Born: New Jersey Shore
- Key Works: Hummus and Homicide (2018), Stabbed in the Baklava (2018), One Feta in the Grave (2019), Mistletoe, Moussaka & Murder (2020)
- Fun Fact: Kashian also writes historical romances under the pen name Tina Gabrielle.
Ready for a cozy mystery with a side of hummus? Snag Hummus and Homicide and dive into Tina Kashian’s deliciously thrilling world!