When Ellen Byron launched the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series with Bayou Book Thief, I complained that amateur sleuth Ricki James was a bit of a mess. She’s still a little too impulsive for my taste, but she’s growing on me. And, I love the cast of characters in this latest in the series, Wined and Died in New Orleans.

The Bon Vee Culinary House Museum has the same financial woes as other New Orleans mansions, but the Charbonnet family is determined to continue to operate the house. It does need some repairs, though, and, in the process, crates of wine are uncovered, buried there over one hundred fifty years earlier by the first owner, Jean-Louis Charbonnet. Ricki James-Diaz, who runs the mansion’s vintage cookbook shop, uses the discovery to promote the shop, posting on social media. But, her post brings family members out of the woodwork, pushing claims on the house and any inheritances, including the proceeds from an auction of the wine.

Eugenia Charbonnet Felice, president of the Bon Vee Foundation, isn’t the only one to express anger at the newcomers. But, when one of the claimants is murdered, Eugenia tops the suspect list. Ricki feels guilty about her media post, and turns amateur sleuth to protect the woman who gave her a second chance. Although a hurricane is bearing down on New Orleans, it could be family turmoil that destroys Bon Vee and Ricki’s future.

Family takes center stage in Wined and Died in New Orleans. Byron, author of the award-winning Cajun Country mysteries, combines setting, vintage cookbooks and recipes, along with family, in this second delectable cozy mystery. And, once again, I’m grateful that Byron and her publisher include a cast of characters!

Ellen Byron’s website is https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Wined and Died in New Orleans by Ellen Byron. Berkley, 2023. ISBN 9780593437636 (paperback), 288p.

FTC Full Disclosure – I downloaded a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal.