Second in series about a Mediterranean restaurant at the Jersey Shore

Stabbed in the Baklava (A Kebab Kitchen Mystery)

By: Tina Kashian

Rating: 4 of 5

This is a fun cozy mystery set at the New Jersey Shore. The backdrop is a Mediterranean restaurant with lots of yummy foods. As I am half Greek, many of the foods and dances, etc. described in the book, reminded me of my childhood. One of my favorite desserts ever is baklava (yum, honey and nuts!)

This the second book in this series and the first that I have read. I didn’t have problems picking up the story line so it can be read stand-alone. There were numerous references to the first book but not so many that it would make reading it a chore. There is a past to the characters that could be enhanced by reading the first book, so if you have the chance, you might read the series in order.

Our sleuth, Lucy, is managing the family restaurant after having been disillusioned in her law career. She and her best friend have taken on solving a murder mystery in the past and, when a body is found in this story, circumstances prime them to do so again.

Lucy also has to contend with both her ex-boy friend (who is now the restaurant’s cook) and a detective who has a grudge against her family. She steps carefully around both and still has the wherewithal to follow the clues where they lead.

Definitely a fun and quick mystery read. Just for the recipes alone, I would have to pick up these books in the future. That the story is fun and fun to solve gives it a top listing series on my wish list.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.