Dying for Dinner (A Cooking Class Mystery)
Read Dying for Dinner (A Cooking Class Mystery) Online
Authors: Miranda Bliss
Miranda Bliss
Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE COOKING CLASS MYSTERIES
Dead Men Don't Get the Munchies
"Another highly entertaining culinary mystery . . . Miranda Bliss does an exceptional job creating a light, whimsical read."
--Roundtable Reviews
"I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fun, adventure, and a bit of the unexplained."--
MyShelf.com
"Bliss entices readers with captivating characters and a fun, scintillating mystery. A host of mouthwatering recipes is the perfect addition to the zany adventures of protagonist Annie."
--Romantic Times
"Lighthearted fun."
--Cozy Library
Murder on the Menu
"A nice blend of culinary mystery and romance.
Murder on the Menu
winds up nicely with a surprising twist and a number of scrumptious recipes."
--Roundtable Reviews
"A fun, entertaining mystery . . . Recommended reading--but be sure to eat first!"
--The Romance Readers Connection
Cooking Up Murder
"Charming . . . A blissful who-done-it that is filled with some very funny scenes and characters who care about each other."
--Midwest Book Review
"The writing is spellbinding. The blend of mystery, humor, and romance keeps the reader hooked to the pages. The characters are entertaining, and it is not surprising that I find myself eager to read more about this duo. The addition of recipes in the back of the book only adds to its charm. Culinary-mystery fans will need to add this book to their reading piles."
--Roundtable Reviews
"A fun, quick read. A new twist on the favorite culinary mysteries."
--The Mystery Reader
"Light and breezy, touched with humor and a bit of romance. The protagonists are spunky and adventurous, and readers will be cheering for this delectable duo to crack the case."
--Romantic Times
Berkley Prime Crime titles by Miranda Bliss
COOKING UP MURDER
MURDER ON THE MENU
DEAD MEN DON'T GET THE MUNCHIES
DYING FOR DINNER
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the recipes contained in this book.
DYING FOR DINNER
A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Prime Crime mass-market edition / December 2008
Copyright (c) 2008 by Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
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eISBN : 978-1-440-64414-6
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It's payback time!
And I would like to thank my wonderful fellow brainstormers:
Diane
Emilie
Jasmine
Karen
for helping me think my way through this book.
One
"TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE."
Brave words, yes? I actually might have believed them if as I was speaking, my voice didn't waver and my knees didn't knock together like castanets in a flamenco frenzy.
In an effort to calm myself, I took a deep breath and a long look around. Now that I'd finished checking in our latest batch of cooking students and they'd headed into the kitchen for week number one of Cool Gadgets = Hot Dinners, I was alone in Bellywasher's. It was a Monday night, the restaurant was closed, and, always on the lookout for ways to control skyrocketing costs, I'd turned out every light but the one over the bar. The quiet didn't bother me. Neither did the dark, or the play of shadows against the walls with their painted border of thistles. My gaze glanced over pictures of Scotland, Grandpa Banner-man's walking stick (hung in a place of honor), a kilt, and an autographed photo of Mel Gibson, his face painted blue. The familiarity of the place and the funky, eclectic objects that filled it warmed me through and through. For the first time since I'd walked into the pub, I managed a smile.
Day or night, dark or light, I could never be uncomfortable in Bellywasher's.
I know, I know . . . this seems especially crazy. Logic dictates that the food service business and I cannot peacefully coexist.
I don't cook, see. I don't even like to cook. In point of fact, I am not only the world's worst cook, I am dangerous near a stove. Or an oven. Or a chopping table. Or any other piece of equipment, any appliance or gadget, or any heat source that has anything to do with preparing a meal.
Still, facts are facts and here's one that's indisputable: Bellywasher's holds a special place in my heart.
For one thing, it's owned by Jim MacDonald, and Jim is not only a born pub keeper, a wonderful and creative chef, a great guy, and a honey of a hunk, he's
my
honey, too. Over the last few months, we've gotten closer than ever, and believe me, I know I am one lucky girl. Jim likes me. He more than likes me. Jim believes in my abilities, my level head, and my sound judgment enough to allow me to manage the day-to-day business of his restaurant. He values my opinions; he trusts my decisions. Jim laughs at my jokes, and even though I'd heard it from so many guys over the years that I'd come to realize it was code for
Let's just be friends, why don't we?
Jim has never once in the year I've known him called me
cute
.
Even though I have never been and will never be a flashy dresser, Jim always compliments my choice of clothing. He never forgets to tell me my hair looks nice, even when it is at its curly, unruly worst. He tells me I'm pretty, and he lets me know that he thinks I'm smart, and believe me, for a woman who's gone through what I went through with Peter, my ex, this is a whole, new, wonderful world.