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Mysteries with Recipes AND Recipe Books by Mystery Authors

I have had several comments and letters asking me to compile a list of Mysteries with Recipes. At first I thought this would be a rather daunting theme. I mean, I don’t read all of the authors who happen to have recipes in their Cozy Mysteries. Obviously I know which of my favorite authors include recipes in their mysteries, but what about those who I don’t read? And what about those authors of mysteries who I do read, but have forgotten they include recipes?

Aha, that’s where you ALL come in. If you know of an author of mysteries books who I have forgotten to include, who has recipes in his/her books, please post a comment.

Authors Who Write Mysteries with Recipes:

Avery Aames (aka Daryl Wood Gerber): Cheese Shop Mystery Series

Kathy Aarons: Chocolate Covered Mystery Series

Allyson K. Abbott (aka Annelise Ryan & Beth Amos): Mack’s Bar Mystery Series (both alcoholic and non drinks)

Kristi Abbott: Gourmet Popcorn Shop Mystery Series

Ellery Adams (aka Jennifer Stanley, J. B. Stanley, & 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery Series

Riley Adams (aka Elizabeth Spann Craig & Elizabeth Craig): Memphis BBQ Mystery Series

Susan Wittig Albert: Darling Dahlia Mystery Series

Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Mystery Series

Ellie Alexander: Bakeshop Mystery Series

Connie Archer: Soup Lover’s Mystery Series

Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity and the Lost Prince from the Aunt Dimity Mystery Series

Judy Baer: Recipes and Wooden Spoons (Book #3 in Tales from Grace Chapel Hill)

Mignon F. Ballard: Augusta Goodnight Mystery Series

Lorna Barrett (aka Lorraine Bartlett & L. L. Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series

Jessica Beck: Donut Shop Mystery Series

Maymee Bell (aka Tonya Kappes): Southern Cake Baker Mystery Series

Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton): The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat from Casebook of Dr McKenzie Mystery Series

Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton): Hemlock Falls Mystery Series

Bethany Blake: Lucky Paws Petsitting Mystery Series (recipes for pets)

Miranda Bliss (aka Kylie Logan & Casey Daniels): Cooking Class Mystery Series

Jacklyn Brady (aka Sherry Lewis): A Piece of Cake Mystery Series

Kathleen Bridge: Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery Series

Julia Buckley: Undercover Dish Mystery Series

Leslie Budewitz: Food Lovers’ Village Mystery Series and Seattle Spice Shop Mystery Series

Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib): Key West Food Critic Mystery Series

V.M. Burns: RJ Franklin Mystery Series

Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George): Fat Cat Mystery Series (recipes for people and cat treats)

Grace Carroll (aka Carol Culver): Accessory Mystery Series

Sammy Carter: Candy Shop Mystery Series

Bailey Cates (aka Crickey McRae): Magical Bakery Mystery Series

Chris Cavender (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Casey Mayes, & Tim Myers): Pizza Lovers Mystery Series

Laura Childs: Tea Shop Mysteries AND Scrapbooking Mysteries AND Cackleberry Club Mystery Series

Peg Cochran (aka Meg London ): Gourmet De-Lite Mystery Series

Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Cranberry Cove Mystery Series

Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra): Candy-Coated Mystery Series

Susan Conant & Jessica Conant-Park: Gourmet Girl Mystery Series

Sheila Connolly (aka Sarah Atwell): Orchard Mystery Series

J. J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene): Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series

Maya Corrigan: Five-Ingredient Mystery Series

Shelley Costa: Miracolo Mystery Series

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffee House Mystery Series

Philip R. Craig:  Martha’s Vineyard Mystery Series

Isis Crawford (aka Barbara Block): Mysteries with Recipes Mystery Series

Carol Culver (aka Grace Carroll): Pie Shop Mystery Series

Kathi Daley: Zoe Donovan Mystery Series

Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy Bear Mystery Series

Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series

Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series (recipes for both pets and their owners)

Maddie Day (aka Edith Maxwell & Tace Baker): Country Store Mystery Series

Gale Deitch: Trudie Fine Mystery Series

Devon Delaney: Cook-Off Mystery Series

Christine DeSmet: Fudge Shop Mystery Series

Denise Dietz: Diet Club Mystery Series

Leighann Dobbs: Lexy Baker Mystery Series

Peggy Ehrhart: Knit & Nibble Mystery Series

Nancy Fairbanks (aka Nancy Herndon): Culinary Food Writer Mystery Series

Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Amish Candy Shop Mystery Series

Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swensen Mystery Series

Sarah Fox: Pancake House Mystery Series

Susan Furlong (aka Lucy Arlington & Susan Furlong-Bolliger): Georgia Peach Mystery Series

Rosie Genova: Italian Kitchen Mystery Series

Daryl Wood Gerber (aka Avery Aames): Cookbook Nook Mystery Series

Debra H. Goldstein : Sarah Blair Mystery Series (quick and easy recipes)

Sarah Graves: Death by Chocolate Mystery Series

Kerry Greenwood: Corinna Chapman Mystery Series

Nancy Haddock: Silver Six Crafty Mystery Series

Gemma Halliday: Wine & Dine Mystery Series

Victoria Hamilton: Merry Muffin Mystery Series

Susannah Hardy (aka Sadie Hartwell): Greek to Me Mystery Series

B. B. Haywood: Candy Holliday Mystery Series

Betty Hechtman: Yarn Retreat Mystery Series

A.L. Herbert: Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series

Lee Hollis: Hailey Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series

Mary Ellen Hughes: Pickled and Preserved Mystery Series

Julie Hyzy: White House Chef Mystery Series

Leslie Karst: Sally Solari Mystery Series

Tina Kashian: Kebab Kitchen Mystery Series

Josi S. Kilpack: Culinary Mystery Series

Kelly Lane: Olive Grove Mystery Series

Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Pumpkin Patch Mystery Series

Elizabeth Lee (aka Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli): Nut House Mystery Series

Liz Lipperman (aka Lizbeth Lipperman): Clueless Cook Mystery Series

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Chili Cook-Off Mystery Series

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Ethnic Eats Mystery Series

Colette London: Chocolate Whisperer Mystery Series

Virginia Lowell: Cookie Cutter Shop Mystery Series

Karen MacInerney: Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series

Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day & Tace Baker): Local Foods Mystery Series

Jenn McKinlay (aka Lucy Lawrence & Josie Belle): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series

Donna McLean: Ms. Tilda’s Best Recipes (cookbook related to the Sparrow Falls Mystery Series)

Liz Mugavero: Pawsitively Organic Gourmet Pet Food Mystery Series (includes pet treat recipe)

Ann Myers: Santa Fe Cafe Mystery Series

Tim Myers (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, Jessica Beck, & D.B. Morgan): Candlemaking Mystery Series

Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series

Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco): Baker’s Treat Mystery Series

Allison Cesario Paton: Mrs. Bundle Mystery Series

Andrea Penrose: Lady Arianna Regency Mystery Series

Cate Price: Deadly Notions Mystery Series

Hannah Reed (aka Deb Baker): Queen Bee Mystery Series

Virginia Rich: Eugenia Potter Mystery Series

Delia Rosen: Deadly Deli Mystery Series

Ann B. Ross: Miss Julia Stirs Up Trouble from the Miss Julia Mystery Series

Michele Scott: Wine Lover’s Mystery Series

Paige Shelton: Farmers’ Market Mysteries AND Country Cooking School Mystery Series

Joanna Cambell Slan: Kiki Lowenstein Scrab-N-Craft Mystery Series

Karen Rose Smith: Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery Series

J. B. Stanley (aka Jennifer Stanley, Ellery Adams, 1/2 of Lucy Arlington): Supper Club Mystery Series

Lou Jane Temple: Spice Box Historical Mystery Series

Gayle Trent (aka Amanda Lee): Daphne Martin Cake Mystery Series

Teresa Trent: Pecan Bayou Mystery Series

Diane Vallere: Costume Shop Mystery Series

Ann Waldron: Princeton Murders Mystery Series

Livia J. Washburn: Fresh-Baked Mystery Series

Kirsten Weiss: Doyle Mystery Series – Susan Witsend is the owner of a UFO themed bed and breakfast. These mysteries contain breakfast recipes in them.

Melinda Wells (aka Linda Palmer): Della Cooks Mystery Series

Christine Wenger: Comfort Food Mystery Series

Linda Wiken (aka Erika Chase): Dinner Club Mystery Series

 

***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Here are some Recipe Books by Cozy Mystery Authors:

Ellery Adams, Deb Baker, Lorraine Bartlett, Kate Collins, Maggie Sefton, Leann Sweeney, & Heather Webber:  The Cozy Chicks Kitchen

Tea Time with the Cozy Chicks – Ellery Adams, Lorraine Bartlett, Duffy Brown, Kate Collins, Mary Kennedy, Mary Jane Maffini, Maggie Sefton, & Leann Sweeney >>> Recipes, Tea Menus, and More!

Patricia Cornwell: Scarpetta’s Winter Table

Diane Mott Davidson: Goldy’s Kitchen Cookbook

Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen’s Recipes from the Cookie Jar

Nancy Lynn Jarvis, editor: Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes

Julie Murphy & Sally Abney Stempinski: The Cat Who … Cookbook

Katherine Hall Page: Have Faith in Your Kitchen

The Cozy Cookbook: More than 100 Recipes from Today’s Bestselling Mystery Authors (with Avery Aames, Ellery Adams, Leslie Beudewitz, Laura Childs, Cleo Coyle, Victoria Hamilton, B.B. HAywood, Julie Hyzy, Jenn McKinlay, & Paige Shelton)

Here are some more of my CULINARY – COOKING THEMES:

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: A – D

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: F – K

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: L – R

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: S – W Plus Some!

Cozy Mystery Authors with Culinary Themes: Even More!

Where to Start with Culinary Cozy Mystery Series…

For any additions or corrections, please post a comment. Thank you!

♦To access a whole lot more Cozy Mysteries by Theme click on this link.♦

Comments

  3. Another one is Michele Scott’s Wine Lovers mysteries. There were 5 books, and she included recipes for all of the food dishes.

    Reply

  4. I would add the author Jacklyn Brady who writes the “A Piece of Cake Mystery” series set at a cake shop in New Orleans. Fun Southern characters, delicious Southern food (not just desserts) and good mysteries. The author is acknowledged to be a pseudonym for a mystery and romance author, but I don’t know who it is. The first book is called A Sheetcake Named Desire. Penguin is the publisher and I think the third book just came out recently.

    Reply

  5. The new-ish “Magical Bakery Mystery” series by Bailey Cates has recipes; specific baked items are featured/described in the story, with recipes at the end of each book. There are two out so far (‘Brownies and Broomsticks’ and ‘Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti’), with the next book due out in November.

    Reply

  7. Connie Archer set in a soup and sandwich shop has recipes for both just read them very good reads
    Carol Culver set in a Pie shop has recipes for pies of course…just read these also enjoyable reads.

    Reply

  9. She isn’t a cozy mystery writer, but Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta has a book, Scarpetta’s Winter Table that is quite cozy and has directions for some fun (and calorie laden) dishes. It is short, a novelette, and is now out of print but many libraries have it. Barnes & Noble list used copies through their Marketplace sellers, but like all used print books the price has gone up sharply. Today there are 4 listed varying in price from $10.74 to $109.94.

    Reply

  13. There are recipes in the Darling Dahlia series by Susan Wittig Albert. Love the series, enjoy reading the recipes, and Florabelles Soda Bread was a big hit at this house.

    Reply

  14. I’m not sure if you count them as cosies, but there is a Miss Julia series by Ann B Ross . The most current one has recipes.

    And what about that woman who is a food writer, can’t think of the characters name, Nancy something. her husband is a Professor?

    Reply

    • apple, the food writer is the Culinary Food Writer Mysteries by Nancy Fairbanks (aka Nancy Herndon).

      Reply

  15. A Catered Mysteries by Isis Crawford—sisters who own a bakery and do catering on the side their father is a former police chief in their small town.

    Reply

  16. I’ve just realised that Nancy Atherton’s wonderful books include recipes in the back, but I see I’ve been beaten to it! 🙂
    But… Three others that haven’t yet been mentioned, are Claudia Bishop “The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat” from the Casebook of Dr McKenzie’ series, Sammy Carter’s ‘Chocolate Shop’ mysteries, and Lou Jane Temple’s ‘Spice Box Mysteries’.
    Temple is also the author of another ‘foodie’ series, which I haven’t read. Possibly someone else might be able to say if they have recipes as well?
    Cheers!

    Reply

    • There are recipes in the Lou Jane Temple’s Heaven Lee books as well. I was surprised only the Spice Box series was listed.

      Reply

  17. I mean, who doesn’t have recipes at the end of their book?
    Lorna Barrett’s “Booktown Mysteries” do, too.

    Reply

  18. Betty Hechtman just started a new series with a main character who is a baker who runs knitting retreats on the side (a business she inherited from her aunt). There’s only one book in the series so far (it just came out, as a matter of fact), but it did contain an excellent recipe at the end, as well as a knitting project (I’m not a knitter so I confess I skipped over that). I’m assuming future books in the series will contain them as well.

    Also, Andrea Penrose’s Regency mysteries all contain various recipes for chocolate at the beginning of each chapter (her character is transcribing her husband’s grandmother’s cherished ‘receipt’ book, and testing out the recipes as she goes). The recipes are antique, I suspect some of the ingredients would be hard to obtain these days, and personally I don’t think I would attempt any of them simply because I lack what I feel is the most neccessary ingredient for this type of ornate cooking – a kitchen staff. But they do sound delicious. 🙂

    Reply

  19. Some of the ladies in our book club often bring dishes made from recipes that they’ve found in the back of cozies. It’s a delightful addition.
    Ann

    Reply

  20. Danna, this certainly is a daunting task! Perhaps you could keep this blog open, so if we happen to read a book a month or two from now and notice it has recipes we can let you know.

    Susan Wittig Albert – China Bayles. There are recipes in some of the books in this series also, especially after they opened the tea shop.

    Virginia Lowell – Cookie Cutter Shop Mysteries

    Liz Lipperman – Clueless Cook Mysteries

    Melinda Wells – Della Cooks

    Grace Carroll (aka Carol Culver) – Accessory Murders (2 recipes in latest book)

    Some series have just one recipe in a book, so I don’t know if you want to include them in this list or not:

    Shelley Costa – Italian Restaurant Cozy Mystery – 1 recipe (relating to title).

    Betty Hechtman – Yarn Retreat Mysteries – 1 recipe ( I don’t know if the Crochet Mysteries have a recipe in them or not.)

    Reply

    • MJ, I’ll definitely leave this entry open.

      (I try to only close the entries that are the end-of-the-month recommendations.)

      Reply

  21. Another older series that I really miss … the Iris House B&B Mysteries by Jean Hager…culinary mysteries are what first drew me to reading cozies….

    Reply

  23. I confess, there are two or three mystery novels I keep in my kitchen cabinet with my cookbooks instead of in a bookcase. In these cases the value of the recipes outweighs the chances that I would want to reread the books (or in one case, even finish the book).

    Reply

    • Julia, now that is crazy! Imagine a mystery author who has better recipes that writes mysteries?!?

      Reply

  24. I tried the recipe for ribs and pulled pork from Krista Davis’s Domestic Diva series. My family and friends love it. It is one of our favorites for parties. Was happy to find the soda bread recipe from The Darling Dahlias. I remember my mother making soda bread.

    Reply

  25. There is a new series starting by J. J. Cook called the Sweet Pepper Brigade mysteries. The first(only) book has recipes in it also.

    Reply

  26. Cricket McRae writes a series of home crafting mysteries, which include “recipes” for soaps, body butters, scrubs and the like. She also loves to cook and volunteers at an organic farm so the character is always talking about great food and cooking with natural ingredients.

    Reply

  27. I just finished a book by J.B. Stanley, The first of the supper club mystery series. This is a new author who I just love. Danna this site never ceases to amaze me. It has so much more info than the info desk at the library. Thank you again for having such a wonderful site.

    Reply

    • Thanks for the very kind words about the site, NitaR. I’m glad you’re enjoying J. B. Stanley’s Supper Club Mysteries.

      Reply

  28. I am trying to think of the name of a mystery writer and I think she was a food columnist or critic, too. Wrote her books maybe in the 1960-70’s or ??? I think her first initials were M.K. Does anyone know? Remember? Help!!!! Thanks!!

    Reply

    • Sorry, Sunnybythesea, the author doesn’t ring a bell with me. At first I thought you might be talking about Nancy Fairbanks, but was quite surprised to see that her first was from 2001. For some reason it seemed like it had been longer…

      Reply

  31. Hannah Reed’s ‘Queen Bee’ mysteries. These feature beekeeper Story Fischer, and the first one, at least, has honey-based recipes. Yum!

    Reply

  32. Does it count if there is a recipe not printed in the book(s) but available to all for free download at the website? In my Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries series there is always a reference to chocolate chip cookies. The recipe for Mysterious Chocolate Chip Cookies is available online.

    Reply

    • Thanks for stopping by, Nancy Lynn Jarvis. And thank you for telling us about Regan’s chocolate chip cookies recipe being available on your site.

      (I’m sorry but I don’t think it qualifies as a mystery book with recipes.)

      Reply

  34. I’m not sure if it was listed but Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson is Book 2 in the Goldy Schulz series. It originally interested me in these types of books.

    Reply

  36. I’ve just discovered Susan Conant & Jessica Conant Park’s ‘Gourmet Girl’ series – with recipes! 🙂

    Reply

  37. Most welcome. And yes, I’m serious! 🙂
    The one I’ve just picked up – ‘Turn Up the Heat’ (Bk 3) – has a full chapter of recipes, in the back!

    Reply

  38. Tim Myers’ Candlemaking Mysteries also have food recipes in the back. Recipes that have been mentioned in the story.
    It makes for a fun extra, if a little unexpected.

    Reply

  39. I started reading the Goldy series of Dianne Mott Davidson until I had read them all then switched to Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke, now I am starting with Paws and Claws mystery by Krista Davis and I am really enjoying it. I have 3 dogs so the recipes for dogs will be neat to try. Can anyone suggest another mystery book with recipes for dogs for me to try next?

    Reply

  40. I notice you have one of Claudia Bishop’s books from her Dr. McKenzie series. What about her Hemlock Falls series? One of the “sleuths” is a chef who owns an inn with her sister. There are recipes at the end of the book.

    Reply

  42. Jessie Crockett’s ‘Sugar Grove Mysteries’ have recipes in the back, too. All of them dishes mentioned in the story. (I wish I could cook, sometimes!)

    Reply

  44. My Local Foods Mysteries have recipes, and all the dishes include produce that would be growing in the season the book is set.

    My Country Store Mysteries (written as Maddie Day) have recipes from my protagonist’s country store breakfast and lunch restaurant.

    Reply

  45. I read a mystery last year about someone judging a fruitcake contest. It had several fruitcake recipes, some of which were unusual and sounded delicious. Unfortunately, the book has disappeared. Anyone have any idea what book I’m thinking of?

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  46. Not actually a culinary series – The heroine runs a diet club (!) – but Denise Dietz’s Ellie Bernstein / Lt Peter Miller mysteries include a recipe in the back.

    Reply

  47. Hi Danna, my new cookbook has just been released! Ms. Tilda’s Best Recipes: home cookin’ from Sparrow Falls is a collection of old-fashioned (but simple) Southern recipes that I’ve used for many years. It ties in with the Sparrow Falls Mystery series of novels that have been re-released and now include a few recipes in each book. Available on Kindle and Nook, or on ebay for an old-timey spiral bound version. 🙂 Just wanted to share, thanks!

    Reply

  50. Can someone recommend a good book for my book club with at least 10 recipes? Each member will choose a recipe to bring to the meeting.

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  51. Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone mysteries. “Bake Sale Murder” has recipes, including ‘Better Than Sex Brownies’ (!) Hmmm… 🙂

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  52. I have been trying to remember which mystery writer includes recipes that are also list the gluten free version. All I can remember is that the writer is a woman.

    Reply

  53. I’ve just read a book that included recipes called Greyhound At The Gravesite by Kyla Colby.

    It was published in 2018 and is supposed to be the first book in a new “pets reporter mystery” series, but I haven’t seen any others published yet. It’s a delightful book especially if you love greyhounds as much as I do! It included a fun pets theme centered around a little cafe. So much fun 🙂

    Reply

  55. Carolyn L Dean, Ravenwood Cove Mysteries were my first series that got me hooked on Cozy mysteries with recipes! Enjoyed them all!

    Reply

  56. Hello! I am looking for a children’s mystery book series that has recipes in the back on each book. I read one about 20 years ago and have been making a tuna salad recipe from it ever since, but I have no idea what it was called! I remember the protagonist was a girl but that’s it. Does this ring any bells for anyone?

    Reply

  59. Dorothy St. James – Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries
    – Asking for Truffle (2017)
    – Playing with Bonbon Fire (2018)
    – In Cold Chocolate (2018)
    – Bonbon with the Wind (2019)

    Reply

  61. Hope Callaghan has a really, really good series called “Made in Savannah”. I think there are 19 books. The family and the recipes are mainly Italian. She also has a cookbook or two as well. It’s been in the top 2 of my all-time favorite series.

    Reply

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