by Ellen Byron
Part of Vintage Cookbook Mystery, book 5
First published 2026
Ricki James-Diaz joins the krewe of Chew for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Her chef boyfriend Virgil will be crowned king of the notorious krewe during carnival season. The celebration turns deadly when someone strangles the krewe captain with his own medallion. Police suspect the victim's wife, who recently discovered his affair. Ricki doubts this simple solution. The dead man made many enemies, including his mistress, a co-founder he forced out of the krewe, and a college friend whose girlfriend he stole years ago. Ricki finds herself investigating another murder case during her first Mardi Gras. She must solve the crime before the killer strikes again, or her inaugural carnival could become her final celebration.
Genres: american-fiction, mystery, crime, contemporary, adult-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, engaging, fast-paced, suspenseful, witty
Tropes: amateur-detective, fish-out-of-water, found-family, multiple-suspects
Setting: New Orleans, Mardi Gras
Period: Contemporary
240 pages · Hardcover · Severn House
Content warnings: murder