🎉Virtual Book Tour & Book Review & #Giveaway: A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries) by Ellen Byron

Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for A Murderers Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries) by Ellen Byron ! Today we are featuring a review of the fifth book in one of my favorite cozy mystery series. Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, these delightful mysteries bring New Orleans to life with fun characters and delicious recipes. This series is a must-read for culinary cozy lovers!

Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews, and more! There is also a Giveaway for 1 -PRINT COPY of BAYOU BOOK THIEF ( A Vintage Cookbook Mystery) by Ellen Byron ~ US ONLY. ENTER HERE! ⬅️

A Murderer’s Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Setting – Louisiana
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
Hardcover
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448320011
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448320011
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0H3TD242P

About the Book:

It’s cozy. It’s culinary. It’s Mardi Gras madness! It’s the fifth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today-bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

Step 1: join a killer krewe

It’s carnival season in New Orleans, and Ricki James-Diaz and her friends from Bon Vee are dressing up for Mardi Gras. They’ve joined the notorious krewe of Chew to support Ricki’s chef boyfriend, Virgil, who is to be crowned this year’s king. It’s all fun, throws, and over-the-top outfits until the krewe’s captain is found strangled with his own medallion.

Step 2: survive the festivities

The prime suspect is Ricki’s friend, the deceased’s wife who discovered he was cheating on her. It seems a straightforward case, but Ricki isn’t so sure. The krewe’s leader had many enemies including his mistress, his krewe co-founder who he ousted, and his college friend whose girlfriend he stole. One thing’s clear, Ricki’s at the center of yet another murder investigation. And if she’s not careful, her first Mardi Gras could also be her last . . .

My Review:

What a lucky reader am I to have two new books by Ellen Byron this summer (see: Virtual Book Tour & Book Review & #Giveaway: All Aboard for Murder (A Golden Motel Mystery) by Ellen Byron)! And dare I say this latest entry into the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries is my favorite yet?!? I grabbed this one on audio and narrator Amy Melissa Bentley does a wonderful job bringing the story to life from the page.

In addition to a fast-paced mystery with twists and turns, this latest entry has a strong sense of place, which is something I love in my reading. As I listened, I was transported to Madi Gras in New Orleans – a time I’ve always been curious about but never seen first hand. I felt like I was right there with Ricki, amidst the pre-festitives and searching for clues.

I do love the characters in this series (both human and animal)! Ricki is thoughtful and brave and the supporting cast of characters feels like getting to visit with old friends. There are also moments of humor woven throughout that always provide a perfectly timed light hearted moment.

I am almost sorry I finished the book, because now I wait for more adventures!

Side note: If you’re new to this series, I’d recommend starting with book one as there is excellent character development throughout and a few backstories that build with each book.

About the Author:

Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at her website.

Purchase Links: Amazon –Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books –

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

August 3 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
August 4 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
August 4 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT
August 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
August 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
August 7 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
August 7 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
August 8 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
August 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 9 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
August 9 – StoreyBook Reviews -REVIEW
August 10 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
August 10 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
August 11 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW
August 11 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT
August 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
August 12 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
August 13 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – RECIPE
August 13 – Sarandipity’s – SPOTLIGHT
August 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
August 14 – From the TBR Pile – SPOTLIGHT
August 15 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 15 – Because I said so – adventures in parenting – REVIEW
August 16 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT

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