Cooking Can Be Murder: A Companion Cookbook (A Gertie Johnson Murder Mystery)

Cooking Can Be Murder has 24 ratings and 3 reviews. Simple Recipes ( Gertie Johnson: Yooper Mysteries # - Companion Cookbook). by. Deb Baker.
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The well-known food critic of The Oregonian? Join Kelly, Sheriff Mike, and their dog, Rebel, on a vacation that turns into a hunt for a killer. Men, Mobsters, and Murder! Was she just collateral damage? Men loved Maureen, but was that why she was murdered? Her brother-in-law had ties to the Mafia as well as some shady business deals. Was she simply a pawn in their game? Mobsters have a different way to catch murderers. Sometimes they revert to old habits. Join Al, his food critic bride, Cassie, and Red, his Doberman pinscher, as they hunt for the murderer in this page-turning cozy mystery.

Her characters are well developed, her pace is effortless, and her plots are intriguing. A new series set in the Northwest and it is eye opening. As in all Dianne's books, good characters, good story and good mystery. Another book to add to one of my faves! There's nothing I can say that I haven't already said in my other reviews I highly recommend this book!

Once you start, you won't put it down until you reach the end! Melissa picked the winning numbers. She was called trailer trash. Is that why she was murdered? When Marty finds the body of her wealthy new appraisal client, things get messy. But who did it? As her only living relatives, will they get her millions? What about her maid and her abusive husband-to-be? Yes, Palm Springs, California is like a different world to most people, but is it different enough that ego justifies murder? And what about the ghost her sister sees?

And are the rich really that much different than you and me? Do you have a photographic memory? What would you do if you were in Provence, France, and happened to see the same painting for sale by the same dead artist that your best friend had just bought from a gallery in Seattle? Join her, along with her significant other, Jake, a private detective, and her husky dog, Balto, as they search for the murderer of a well-respected Pioneer Square art dealer, but did he have secrets?

Or the nephew who owns a gallery in Provence? Maybe even the young retired Microsoft millionaire who had previously bought many paintings from the gallery? I enjoy reading clean books without the dirty language and give you several options on who could have committed the murder. I have really enjoyed the Northwest series of mysteries. These are the ones that got me hooked on Dianne's books. They have all been well written and I never hesitate to start to read any of her books, because I know ahead of time I am getting a good book to read.

I highly recommend this author and any of her books or series. Love the characters and the sweetness of them together. This was a great story line and getting to know the locations, food and people all make it interesting enough not to put it down until the end. Keep up the great work and thank you for my reading pleasures" Maryanne Marcellin.

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I have never received a bad read from her. They are all very enjoyable and relaxing reads. Who knew the judge was addicted to watching computer porn? But was that the reason he was murdered? Or the head of Mothers Against Pornography Addiction? Could it have been the woman who was having an affair with the judge?

TAMI ROMAN talks about Kenneka Jenkins,"Her Friends Need to Tell Truth"!

After all, he did attend Rageaholics meetings. Or even the young sorority girl who was making a lot of money appearing on porn sites? Sometimes a guard dog is just as important as a former Green Beret, and Kat was grateful to both of them when they saved her life. When the wrong person is murdered at Le Bijou Bistro restaurant, just who was the intended victim of death by chocolate cake? Was it the retired mobster, Al De Duco? But who would want to murder Cassie? Maybe it was Myles Lambert, the food critic she was filling in for at the Times and who was jealous of her success.

Or even the owner of Frogities Restaurant, Jules Moreau, who would love to see the bad publicity resulting from a murder at Le Bijou Bistro. Join Jake and DeeDee as they search for a motive and a murderer! Keep up the great work and thank you for my reading pleasures. Her books are always an enjoyable read!

Though it was the 6th in the series, I had no problem following along with past characters and the part they played in this book.

Murder at the Gallery sucked me in right from the start. There was no shortage of suspects and it had me guessing until close to the end. I look forward to more books by this author. Was that why he was murdered? And if so, who killed him? Was it for his money or for revenge? Join Liz, Roger, and their dog, Winston, in a race against time as they search for the killer before Michelle either suffers a miscarriage caused by stress or is the next murder victim.

Visit her at www. Well, it happened, and the killer is now looking for DeeDee! The successful party quickly became a distant memory when Dana was found murdered near her pool house. Her sister, Roz, calls on Al De Duca to help. Her television substitute who desperately wants her job? Or the television star she outed when she disclosed his sordid past on her show?


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The series will appeal to just about any one who likes a good mystery without all of the descriptive violence. I just can't wait for the next installment!

Baker, Deb 1953-

I think the epilogue gives us a real good idea of where the next one is to occur! I love the cast of characters, especially Deedee and Jake. I have read every one of these stories. They are delightful and very entertaining. You just didn't want to put it down. Good read, no dragging in the story, fast paced.

When Angela, the beloved award-winning winemaker at the Moretti Winery, is found floating face down in a wine vat, law enforcement authorities are suspicious about the cause of her death. Was it murder or a tragic accident? Was it his employer, Carlos Romano, the owner of the nearby winery, because his wines always placed second to those made by Angela?

Mike Reynolds, an Oregon county sheriff, and his wife, Kelly, decide to take a short vacation to Sonoma, California, where they were meeting their daughter and her husband for some wine tasting. And the rich uncle just happened to be a member of the Mob? It could have been a number of people, but which one? Or the rogue cop whose father had ended the prostitution rings in Seattle, but was certain Uncle Vinny was the person who had resurrected them.

Maybe it was the wedding planner who resented everything Uncle Vinny was giving the newlyweds, particularly the house on Queen Anne Hill. Or even Clark himself? After all, Uncle Vinny gave a toast at the wedding declaring him to be the sole heir of his substantial fortune. As always, plenty of food, recipes and dogs in this bestseller.

I read everything by this author. The crime-solving caterer does it again. I love the characters. I couldn't t put the kindle down. Thank you for entertaining me. I don t like scary books and yours are not. Stay healthy and continue writing. This made for an interesting read on a dark rainy afternoon. I especially enjoyed the recipies at the end of the book. Add I also once owned a coffee shop so I can relate to Kelly's interest in food. What if a number of women who went to the same doctor all ended up looking very similar after their surgeries?

Someone in the wealthy Palm Springs area murdered the plastic surgeon, but who? Was it one of his former patients, disappointed with the result of her facelift? His administrative assistant, who had spent the last twenty years of her life hopelessly in love with the doctor? When DeeDee and her boyfriend, Jake, head to Whistler, British Columbia, to see her sister, Roz, and enjoy a little down time from her new catering business, Deelish, and his job as a private investigator, the last thing they expect is to become involved in a murder.

He was a bigger-than-life person and the owner of a very successful Mercedes Benz dealership in Seattle, but did he have secrets? And who would want Johnny dead? Was it his brother who resented Johnny for being the frugal administer of his trust fund?

Was extra extra good. I will continue too get your books. All the best to you. Once you start it, you'll have a hard time putting it down. I also enjoyed the relationship dynamics. I love all her books. A great read and always a pager turner. I highly recommend her to others. Very interesting cast of characters.

I did figure out who did it having it explained with the details was good. The last thing Mike Reynolds needed in the final weeks leading up to his run for re-election as sheriff of Beaver County, Oregon, was to have his wife, Kelly, discover the body of a famous movie actress. Did she accidentally fall over it or was it murder? And if she was murdered, who did it? Or was it her gardener, who desperately needed money to deal with the terminal diagnosis his wife had been given by her doctor? When Lisa Sanders, a well-known Seattle art gallery owner, is found dead at a prestigious dinner party, shock waves ripple through the local art community.

For DeeDee Wilson, the death becomes a personal tragedy, because the dinner party was the first ever event for her fledgling catering business. On the following day, newspaper reports indicated the cause of death was possibly poisoning, but could it have come from the food she served the guests? In order to save her business and protect her reputation, DeeDee has to find out how Lisa, the art gallery owner, died, and if it was murder, who did it and why? Was it the disgruntled ex-girlfriend who was dumped by the man Lisa was currently seeing?

Or was it a museum employee who was fired by the woman who hosted the dinner party?

Dianne Harman | Home

Well written and chock full of interesting twists and turns. The recipes look delish! As in all Dianne's books, good characters, good story , some romance and mystery. Love the romance of middle age that I can relate to as 40 when married as career took me international.

Good mysteries and who does not love dogs? It held my interest and I was anxious to find out who the killer was. Wasn't sure who killer was nice twisted. But who would want the reunion attendee dead? When Maggie Ryan, a retired schoolteacher, is murdered, and over thirty dogs are discovered living in her home, the Cedar Bay Animal Shelter is stretched beyond its meager resources.

What to do with the dogs and finding the murderer becomes a challenge. But who would have wanted the elderly spinster dead, and what was the killer's motive? Was it the local reverend who desperately needed money to pay off his gambling debts? Or the neighbor who was kept awake by Maggie's barking dogs? Was it the disgruntled father of a boy Maggie had wanted to hold back a year in school?

Or even the director of the animal shelter? I can't wait for the next book in this series. I enjoyed this book, loved the characters, and now want to take a walk on the beach. She outlined several suspects with just enough information to keep you guessing until the end. It surprised me in the most pleasant way. A beautifully written story full of well-developed characters.

I will for sure check out other books by this author. When her boss gives Alexis weight loss surgery as an early Christmas bonus, it sets in motion a string of events no one could have foreseen. With the surgery comes the realization that anything is possible from losing weight, working out, a complete makeover, a new wardrobe, to men in her life for the first time. When the Alexis package becomes more appealing it brings with it an exotic sports car, a glamorous face and body, and a chance at love.

Is she doomed to live a life of unhappiness or is there a happy ever after for her? When Marty and her husband Jeff, a Palm Springs Police Detective, attend a cocktail party at the Rutledge Polo Club, they find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. Roberto, the reputed second-in-command of the West Coast Mafia who loved Pia?

Also, that the final two were to close to guess until the end. Good job on clearly demonstrating their individual backstories and motives without making it too lengthy or confusing. There was plenty of suspense in a beautiful setting. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Thanks for an enjoyable read. You don't know who until the end. It is well written with varied suspects and twists and turns.

I would recommend this book to all ages. The mystery of who murdered Julie leads Kelly to Boston, Massachusetts, York, Maine and Portland, Oregon as she tries to track down and identify the killer. And just who would profit from her murder? Kat Denham, a popular author of steamy romance novels, has decided to write a book in a different genre.

Her friend an acupuncture doctor, has lost over one hundred pounds, is marrying in mid-life for the first time. Fate intervenes when Kat happens to be at the acupuncture clinic when a patient, Sandy Hendrick, mysteriously dies. Suddenly Kat is involved in a murder mystery she has to solve in order to save her reputation and that of her friend, Mitzi. Who was the murderer? Or was it a doctor from the clinic who desperately wants Mitzi discredited?

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Will the sting Kat devises to help catch the murderer work? All of her books,this one included, have wonderful characters, great plots, and fun to solve murders. This one was easier then most for me but still fun. I love these characters and how they are so different yet intermingle and are perfect. I beleive this book is another hit. I am looking forward to the next book. It was her cozy mysteries, that started me reading them. This takes you into the realm of the rich, and their hobbies.

The way they eliminated the murder suspects, and the ending.

Cooking Can Be Murder: A Gertie Johnson Cookbook

The characters of this series are awesome. Can't wait for the next installment. Well, murder for starters! But who did it, and what was their motive? Was it Mitch Graham, who made no pretense of the fact he was ready to take over the presidency of the company? Janelle Byers, the CFO who had been accused of embezzlement previously?

Good character descriptions and interesting murder mysteries. I especially love the idea of recipes and plan to try them. I don't know how she comes up with so much fresh material, but I love the trip she takes me on with her characters and the way she writes a whodunit. The plot was well paced and I could not put the book down. I have read other books by Dianne Harman and have enjoyed them all. I highly recommend her books to true mystery lovers.

Kat Denham is a widow living in the small Midwest university town of Lindsay, Kansas. In order to save her reputation and her life, she has to find out who murdered Nancy. Marilyn rated it really liked it Feb 11, Janet Matthews rated it really liked it May 22, Meredith VanOordt rated it it was amazing Dec 27, Suzanne Stallings rated it really liked it Apr 27, Stephanie Czechowski rated it it was amazing Jun 14, Kristen Rowe rated it really liked it Nov 09, Evelyn rated it really liked it Aug 26, Dan Garnitz rated it it was amazing Dec 22, Carrie Ingram rated it it was amazing Jul 24, Amy rated it it was amazing Oct 21, Edel marked it as to-read Dec 13, Nora-adrienne marked it as to-read Jun 03, Shanna marked it as to-read Jun 03, Colleen marked it as to-read Jun 03, Shirley added it Jun 03, Yvonne marked it as to-read Jun 03, Lisa marked it as to-read Jun 04, Jill marked it as to-read Jun 04, Ash Krafton added it Jun 07, Ann Keller marked it as to-read Jun 08, Shelby marked it as to-read Jun 09, Margaret marked it as to-read Jun 10, Bobbie Crawford added it Jun 13, Shannon McGee marked it as to-read Jun 14, Moira marked it as to-read Jun 19, Darlene Ferland marked it as to-read Jun 28, Melissa marked it as to-read Jun 28, Leah Lozano marked it as to-read Jun 30, Terry Parrish marked it as to-read Jul 13, Paula Garriott marked it as to-read Jul 18, Stacie Amelotte marked it as to-read Aug 09, Tine Bjerregaard marked it as to-read Aug 26, Amy marked it as to-read Sep 13, Cindy marked it as to-read Oct 13, Jaci Worth marked it as to-read Nov 11, Cheri marked it as to-read Dec 29, Stacia Crossland marked it as to-read Feb 12, Joanna marked it as to-read Feb 14, Michelle marked it as to-read Mar 29, Melina marked it as to-read May 27, There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.