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A televised cooking competition puts Sherry, a successful
cooking competitor, in the spotlight, especially when the final challenge calls
for catching a killer.
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A Holiday For Homicide
A Cook-Off Mystery #9
by Devon Delaney
Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery
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A televised cooking competition puts Sherry in the spotlight,
especially when the final challenge calls for catching a killer . . .
Despite being a seasoned competitor, nothing could have prepared Sherry Oliveri
for the thrill of being chosen for a three-day cooking challenge on national
television. She’s dying to tell her friends, but she and everyone else involved
in the contest has been sworn to secrecy until it airs. Still, that’s not
stopping someone from penning cryptic notes about the show for the whole town
to read, which has the production crew on edge—right up until one of them is
found dead.
Determined to root out the killer, Sherry suspects the truth lies with
whoever’s behind the mysterious notes—which have now turned dark with menacing
comments on the murder and suggestions of buried secrets. Trying to unravel it
all while focusing on her recipes, Sherry’s stopped dead in her tracks when the
cook-off host drops a bombshell. With no time to spare, she’ll have to unearth
the one missing ingredient that will ensure the killer’s cooked . . .
Includes recipes from Sherry’s kitchen!
Praise for the Cook-Off Mysteries:
“The Cook-Off Mystery series by Devon Delaney is a very tasty treat!” —Cozy
Mystery Book Reviews
“This is a very fun and rollicking mystery that stays light-hearted even as the
case gets more complicated . . . Cooking, holiday celebrations, and moving
family drama all make for the perfect escape.” —Kings River Life
“This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn’t
feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really
enjoyed this book!” – Netgalley Reviewer
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“This isn’t your typical cook-off. It’s important to remember that,” Jada said.
“I see what you mean,” Sherry said. “I haven’t figured out what we’re in for and I think that’s the point.”
Sherry spotted Ray in the distance on her way back to the contestant trailer. He was standing alongside Basil and Mick. She couldn’t recall the detective ever coming to more than one of her cook-offs. He had a love of cooking and, while off duty, picked Sherry’s brain to build his cooking skills. On duty was another story. He was single-minded and not tolerant of deviations from the task at hand. Still, as a friend, she wanted to fill him in on her exciting morning. He was on Sherry’s turf, and he’d have to adhere to her rules. Hah! If only.
Basil waved Sherry over. “Sherry, the detective would like a word with you. We’re taking Jada’s interview first, so you two can talk. Stacy, give them ten minutes, please, and then escort Sherry to her interview. Excuse me.” Basil scurried off to his next task.
“I’ll be back soon,” Stacy said. She guided Jada away.
“Ray, I haven’t heard from you since last week,” Sherry said. “Was Rachel’s killer caught?”
“On the contrary. We’ve hit an impasse. The investigation has stalled.” Ray studied his lace-up leather shoes, an unusual footwear choice for a warm late summer day. “We’re circling back to your friend Kat Coleman, assistant to the mayor.”
“Why is that?” Sherry asked.
“Kat must know more than she’s willing to say, which is not much so far. Mr. Nice Guy Ray Bease is getting stonewalled, and Mr. Hardcore Detective Ray Bease is about to show up at her door.”
“I’m not sure why she’s not speaking up,” Sherry said.
“I have a theory. The news leaks are coming from town hall. Beside Kat and the mayor, no one else is privy to the information they’ve provided except the production team. After questioning, everyone from Feral Creations checks out as following the strict nondisclosure protocol,” Ray said. “Kat doesn’t want to be exposed as the source of the leak. Now her friend’s been murdered, and she can’t offer any help, or she’ll be cornered. She’s stuck.”
“You think Kat thought she was doing the mayor’s office a good deed by spilling tiny amounts of the cook-off production tea to tantalize the viewers? Then the timing turned horrible?” Sherry asked.
“That’s where I’m at. Mayor Drew’s been forthcoming about his aggravation someone is putting news out there. He doesn’t realize he may be facing the source of his aggravation every day at work. His own assistant.”
“Oh, Kat. You are in a pickle,” Sherry said.
“And I haven’t been able to clear her name from the murder suspect list thanks to her uncooperative attitude. She won’t speak to me. I’ll have to go to the next level.”
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**Don’t miss the rest of the Cook-Off Mysteries! **
Find them on Amazon!
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What is your favorite part of the book and why?
I am in my element when I’m writing the cook-off scenes in my cook-off series. Cook-offs are non-stop action, from entering a recipe in the contest to the recipe testing, to the actual timed event and the aftermath. When tackling all the cook-off details I must be careful to parse out information as needed not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details. That’s hard for me because I am such a student of the cook-off process. Every moment fascinates me. I describe Sherry’s involvement in the contests as it relates to the plot while possibly being guilty of over-sharing at points. I can’t help but think the reader will love to gain the insight into a hobby not many have experienced. Indulge me if I describe one too many intricacies of the competitions.
Convince us why your book is a must read.
. My book is a must-read because my plot concept is true to form, based on years of experience in a hobby not often written about, and full of characters that are relatable, loveable, and intriguing. My murder mystery plots are thrilling and satisfying, laced with a sense of humor, compassion, and family dynamics all set in a beautifully quaint and slightly quirky coastal New England town. The reader is in for a unique reading experience Bonus: the reader is educated on a subject or two during the book’s journey.
How long have you been writing?
I’m proud to say I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve attended school. My schools have always put a premium on the written word and for that I’m so grateful.
What research do you do before you begin writing the book?
For A Holiday For Homicide, I thoroughly researched foraging. I have knowledge of the activity from personal experience, as I am an avid gardener. There was plenty more information I dug up through library research. In addition, I volunteer at a community garden with some incredibly well-versed gardeners. I knew I had to include the activity in my book. What could go wrong with gathering the wrong, possibly deadly, plants to include in a recipe? Side note: all my books include an element I research deeply, as my readers enjoy learning pertinent facts about so many related subjects. I am obsessed with the derivation of recipes of different cultures and that comes into play in many of my books. The subject yields fascinating facts I incorporate throughout my books.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently engulfed in a juicy summer read, Pineapple Street. Before that I read a YA novel titled, Speak, that was incredible.
Do you try to be original or do you deliver what the readers want?
I do both. My concept is original, there’s no way around that fact. I like to include a twist or two I consider original, as well. At the same time, I take to heart the comments I read in my reader’s reviews. I am open to suggested edits that keep my written content fresh but familiar. If the readers want a certain character a certain way I consider the suggestion, weigh the options and let the plot dictate the outcome. For my reader’s suggestions, I am truly grateful.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start the process a bit earlier, even if it’s just keeping an observation journal. Be patient and wait until your material rings with educated authenticity and truth. Readers are smart. They can smell inexperience from a mile away. No one wants to read about personal experience at a cook-off if the author has never participated in one.
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Devon Delaney is life-long resident of the Northeast and
currently resides in coastal Connecticut. She is a wife, mother of three,
grandmother of two and accomplished cooking contester. She taught computer
education and Lego Robotics for over ten years prior to pursuing writing. Along
the way Devon has been handsomely rewarded for her recipe innovation over the
last twenty-plus years. Combining Devon’s beloved hobby of cooking contesting
with her enthusiasm for writing was inevitable.
When Devon is not preparing for her next cook-off, she may
be found pursuing her other hobbies, including playing competitive USTA league
tennis, gardening, needlepointing, painting, jarring her produce, and hooking
rugs. Her standard poodle, Rocket, is her pride and joy and keeps her on the
path of sanity.
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