Death Al Fresco: A Sally Solari Mystery

Karst’s routine third mystery featuring Santa Cruz, Calif., restaurateur Sally Solari (after 2017’s A Measure of Murder) opens with Sally taking part in a painting class on the beach. When her dog starts digging furiously in a pile of kelp, Sally investigates and discovers the body of 80-year-old bachelor Gino Barbieri, who was last seen patronizing Solari’s, the restaurant run by her father. Abrasions on Gino’s head suggest homicide. Sally—billed as the town’s Jessica Fletcher in the local newspaper—sets out to solve the case after she finds the dead man’s cap on her father’s boat. Meanwhile, she must deal with the chef at her own eatery, who’s threatening to quit; the arrival of a delegation from Santa’s Cruz’s Italian sister city for a festive meal at Solari’s; and protestors who object to the flyers used by her tone-deaf father to promote the event, because they’re adorned with the image of Christopher Columbus. Sally may not impress as a detective, but cozy fans should have fun watching her navigate her various crises. Agent: Erin Niumata, Folio Literary Management. (Mar.)