Death al dente: a food lovers' village mystery - leslie budewitz

FIRST IN THE NEW CULINARY MYSTERY SERIES --WINNER OF THE AGATHA AWARD FOR BEST FIRST NOVEL The town of Jewel Bay, Montana--known as a Food Lovers Village--is obsessed with homegrown and homemade Montana fare.

So when Erin Murphy takes over her familys century-old general store, she turns it into a boutique market filled with local delicacies.

But Erins freshly booming business might go rotten when a former employee turns up dead.

Murphys Mercantile, known as the Merc, has been a staple in Jewel Bay for over a hundred years.

To celebrate their recent makeover as a gourmet food market, Erin has organized a town festival, Festa di Pasta, featuring the culinary goods of Jewel Bays finest--including her mother Frescas delicious Italian specialties.

But Erins sweet success is soured when the shops former manager, Claudette, is found dead behind the Merc on the Festas opening night.

With rival chef James Angelo stirring up rumors that Frescas sauce recipes were stolen from Claudette, Erins mother is under close scrutiny.

Now Erin will have to hunt down some new suspects, or both her family and her store might wind up in hot water.

INCLUDES FRESH, DELICIOUS RECIPES.