Book Review: The Cornbread Killer

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Cornbread Killer     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lou Jane Temple
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Culinary   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Series: Heaven Lee # 5
St. Martin's, Dec 1999, $23.95, 224 pp.

In Kansas City, Heaven Lee is considered one of the top chefs. Her restaurant Heaven's Café is very popular. However, her personal life is on hold as her boyfriend is out of town attending two months of intensive training on new medical procedures. Heaven occupies herself with the gala opening of a restoration project at Eighteenth and Vine. The district will host eateries, jazz clubs, and the Negro Leagues baseball museum.

Events planner Evelyn Edwards coordinates the various festivities connected with the opening. Mona Kirk, a local mover and shaker Mona Kirk confronts Evelyn after learning she has demanded kickbacks from the vendors. At a committee meeting, the lights go out. When they come back on, Evelyn's electrocuted body lies near the circuit board in what is obviously murder. Heaven begins her own inquiries, as everyone is a suspect.

THE CORNBREAD KILLER should carry a warning label for dieters: "Not to be read on an empty stomach" because each chapter opens up with a delicious food recipe that is easy to prepare. The characters make the novel a success. They seem so real they appear to be borrowed from Lou Jane Temple's life. The amateur sleuth story line is entertaining. Fans of culinary mysteries will want to devour this excellent meal.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner