A Cookbook Conspiracy: A Bibliophile Mystery

In chapter one of Carlisle’s well-plotted seventh bibliophile mystery (after 2012’s Peril in Paperback), book binder Brooklyn Wainwright agrees to repair a handwritten cookbook dated 1774 for her sister, Savannah. Savannah plans to give it to her former boyfriend, celebrity TV chef Baxter Cromwell, at the opening of his new San Francisco restaurant. Baxter originally gave the rare volume to Savannah while they were both students at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris years before. To Savannah’s surprise, the gift upsets Baxter, who excuses himself from the opening festivities. Soon after, Brooklyn discovers Savannah in the kitchen kneeling over Baxter’s body with a bloody knife in her hand. Confident of her sister’s innocence, Brooklyn sets out to find the real killer. She must also locate the now-missing cookbook, which may hold an important clue. Carlisle keeps the suspense high as Brooklyn sleuths her way through a host of chefs and other suspects to the satisfying resolution. Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (June)