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Murder for the Halibut
A Clueless Cook Mystery #3
Liz Lipperman

Berkley Prime Crime
January 2013 / ISBN-10: 0425251829 / ISBN-13: 978-0425251829
Mystery
Amazon

Reviewed by Cheryl Green

Jordan McAllister is taking some time off from writing her column, the Kitchen Kupboard, for the Ranchero Globe, with the blessing of her boss Dwayne Egan. She and the gang from the Empire Apartments are going on a cruise! Best of all, it will be free as they are all doing something to earn their supper. Funnily enough, the girl that hates gourmet food is going to be a judge on the Carnation Queen for a cooking competition. In addition to tasting the food, Jordan is very seasick. I hope those patches she is wearing help.

A fishing trip the day before the competition introduces Jordan to the people she will be judging. Right away there is animosity between the chefs. Stefano, who believes he is going to win, is disliked by most of his competition. He is the one who“accidentally” got a fishing hook in his thumb. Casey said it was just an accident.

Well the competition has now started and the chefs are cooking their hearts out in the thirty minute Greased Lightning Elimination Round. Just as the clock is running down, Stefano falls face first into his dish. Unfortunately, he can not be revived.

Things to ponder: Who wants to win the competition so badly they would kill a contestant? Who knew about Stefano’s allergy? Who did Jordan hear discussing how to eliminate the competition? Looks like Jordan will have to break a few eggs in order to solve this case. She certainly has a delicious menu of potential murderers from which to choose.

I always love reading a Liz Lipperman mystery, they are full of red herrings and move at a fast pace. While I hate when they end, I am glad there will be another one coming out this year. So if you like your mystery with a touch of sea air, then Murder for the Halibut is for you.

Reviewer's Note: Books in the series include: Liver Let Die, Beef Stolen-Off and coming later in the year Chicken Caccia-Killer

Reviewed 2013
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