Eat, Drink and Drop Dead

After Tiffany Austin, the narrator of this delightful series launch from LoTempio (the Nick and Nora mysteries), has a falling out with her boss at the New York City hotel where she’s the assistant head chef, she returns home to Branson, Ga., for a trial job as food critic for the digital edition of Southern Style and as monthly columnist for the magazine’s print edition. Six months later, Tiffany, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, is offered a permanent position while seasoned columnist Jenny Lee Plumm, whose numbers have been sharply declining recently, is fired. Tiffany feels sorry for Jenny Lee, who has only angry words for Tiffany and threatens “to rattle some skeletons” before stalking out of the office. Late one night soon afterward, the police show up at Tiffany’s door and invite her to come to the police station, where they want to question her about Jenny Lee’s death. To her shock, Tiffany must now defend her reputation, get her name off the suspect list, and find the real murderer. Captivating characters and plenty of intrigue help drive this tale of professional jealousy. Culinary cozy fans will look forward to Tiffany’s further adventures. Agent: Josh Getzler, HG Literary. (Apr.)