A Soufflé of Suspicion: A French Bistro Mystery

In Agatha-winner Gerber’s lively sequel to 2017’s A Deadly Éclair, the residents of the small, unincorporated Napa Valley enclave of Nouvelle Vie are celebrating harvest time. Tourists flock to the area to participate in crush week—when the newly picked grapes are pressed. Along with the usual “hoedowns, hayrides, and farm tours,” this year Mimi Rousseau’s inn, Maison Rousseau, will be the venue for the Sweet Treats Festival, a week-long food fair complete with baking contests. When festival organizer Renee Wells is murdered, her sister, Camille Chabot, is included in the list of suspects. Unfortunately for Mimi, who owns Bistro Rousseau, Camille happens to be the bistro’s head chef. The only way for Mimi to get her business back on track is to find the murderer. Gerber ticks all the boxes for a successful cozy: a capable protagonist, intelligent dialogue, a fine sense of place, eccentric yet plausible suspects, and clues galore. Rounding out the volume are 14 recipes, including, of course, one for Soufflé au Chocolat. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency. (July)