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I received this book for free from a book tour. This review is voluntary. My opinion is not influenced in any way.
A Deadly Éclair by Daryl Wood Gerber Series: A French Bistro Mystery #1
Published by Crooked Lane Books on November 7, 2017
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 320
Format: eARC
Source: a book tour
Buy on Amazon • Buy on Barnes & Noble
Goodreads
Also by this author: A Sprinkling of Murder, A Hint of MischiefIt’s always been Mimi Rousseau’s dream to open her own bistro, but it seems beyond her grasp since she’s been chased back home to Nouvelle Vie in Napa Valley by her late husband’s tremendous debt. Until her best friend Jorianne James introduces her to entrepreneur Bryan Baker who invests in promising prospects. Now, working the bistro and inn until she’s able to pay it off and call it her own, Mimi is throwing the inn’s first wedding ever.
The wedding will be the talk of the town, as famous talk show host Angelica Edmonton, daughter of Bryan’s half-brother, Edison, has chosen the inn as her perfect venue. Anxious, Mimi is sure things are going to turn south, especially when Edison gets drunk and rowdy at the out-of-towners’ dinner, but by the evening, things begin to look up again. That is until six AM rolls around, and Bryan is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. And the fingers point at Mimi, whose entire loan is forgiven in Bryan’s will.
Now it’s up to Mimi to clear her name and get to the bottom of things before the killer turns up the heat again in A Deadly Éclair, the scrumptious series debut by Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber.
Traveling Meal
Soup
As our traveling feast continues, it’s time for soup. Do you love soup? I’m not big on cold soups, but I adore hot soups. I don’t get to eat soup out at restaurants very often because there are so many that are made with a roux (or gluten). That doesn’t mean I can’t cook them at home.
Since we’re still celebrating the upcoming release of the first of the French Bistro Mysteries, A DEADLY ÉCLAIR, on our tour, I thought I’d share an onion soup I make with Camembert cheese rather than the typical Gruyère cheese. Of course, the soup is loaded with onions.
FYI, I’m turned on by aromas. If I can’t rum up the aroma of cookies and bread in my house, it’s got to be onions.
I do think my protagonist Mimi could incorporate this soup nicely into her menu. This recipe is gluten-free, but if Mimi (or you) want, it can be served with a thick slice of toasted bread.
CAMEMBERT ONION AND MUSHROOM SOUP
2 large Maui sweet onions, sliced thinly
½ cup unsalted butter
4 cups chicken stock (gluten-free choice – I like Pacific brand)
salt
pepper
2 bay leaves
½ pound sliced mushrooms
1 8 oz. round of Camembert
In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the onions and coat well with the butter. Cover and cook until tender, about 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove the cover and raise the heat a bit. Sauté stirring often. Do not let the onions burn. They will turn a deep caramel brown, about 30 minutes to one hour.
Add the mushrooms and stir them with the buttery onions for about 2 minutes.
Add the stock and bay leaves, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for about 15-30 minutes more.
Meanwhile, trim the bloom rind off the Camembert and dice the cheese into little bits. Divide the cheese into four portions.
Discard the bay leaves. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper to your liking.
Ladle the soup into bowls and add cheese. It melts instantly!
FYI, if you missed the first few days of this tour, here is a quick blurb about A DEADLY ÉCLAIR.
Mimi Rousseau is throwing the bistro’s first wedding—the nuptials of a famous talk show host. She is sure things will go awry when the bride’s father shows up drunk to the out-of-towners’ dinner. By the end of the evening, things look sweet again…until the next morning, when her benefactor is found dead at the bistro with an éclair stuffed in his mouth. All fingers point at Mimi, whose loan is forgiven if he dies. It’s up to her to éclair—er, clear—her name before the killer turns up the heat.
My Thoughts
A Deadly Éclair by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first book in her newest cozy mystery series, and I was so excited to have a chance to read it. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that I love all of Daryl’s books. She is one of my go-to authors, whether she is writing as Daryl Wood Gerber or Avery Aames. I have enjoyed her cozy mystery books and her more suspenseful titles outside of the cozy genre. I know that when I’m picking up one of her books, I better just tuck in for the evening, because I’m not going to want to stop reading.
In this first installment of the French Bistro Mystery series, we are introduced to Mimi. Mimi is working to pay off her bistro and inn and is hosting a wedding. She finds herself a prime suspect in the murder of her benefactor and must work to clear her name. This fresh new cozy had all the elements I love: an easy-to-relate-to amateur sleuth; a great setting; and a believable mystery. Ms. Gerber has another winner on her hands…and I can’t wait for the next French Bistro Mystery!
GIVEAWAY
From Daryl:
I’m offering a giveaway every day of this traveling feast. To enter, tell me today—soup or salad?
BY THE WAY, don’t miss out on the French Bistro-themed BOX I’m giving away on my Facebook Author page. Link below.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
http://www.darylwoodgerber.com
http://youtube.com/woodgerb1
http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com
http://facebook.com/darylwoodgerber
http://twitter.com/darylwoodgerber
http://instagram.com/darylwoodgerber
http://pinterest.com/darylwoodgerber
NEWSLETTER: http://darylwoodgerber.com/contact.php#mailing-list
About Daryl Wood Gerber
Daryl Wood Gerber is the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling author of of The Fairy Garden Mysteries, featuring a fairy garden shop owner in charming Carmel, California, The French Bistro Mysteries, featuring a former chef who is now an up-and-coming bistro owner in Napa Valley, and The Cookbook Nook Mysteries, featuring an admitted foodie and owner of a cookbook store in picturesque coastal California. Under the pen name Avery Aames, Daryl writes the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling The Cheese Shop Mysteries set in fictional Providence, Ohio. Daryl also writes suspense novels, including the Aspen Adams books and standalones, which have garnered terrific reviews.
Prior to her career as a novelist, Daryl wrote screenplays and created the format for the popular TV sitcom Out of this World. A fun tidbit for mystery buffs, Daryl was also an actress and co-starred on Murder, She Wrote, as well as other TV shows. Daryl is originally from the Bay Area and graduated from Stanford University. She loves to cook, read, golf, swim, and garden. She also likes adventure and has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.
8,476 total views, 2 views today
anne
Thanks for this wonderful feature. Great author and books which are special.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Anne, lovely to see you here. ~ Daryl
Becky Richardson
This book has been on my TBR list and I can’t wait to read it.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Becky, I’m thrilled to hear that. 😉 ~ Daryl
Rita Wray
Thank you for the review. Sounds like a great cozy
Daryl Wood Gerber
Rita, I’m always thrilled when Brooke reviews my books. 🙂 ~ Daryl
Kim hansen
Nice review. Sounds good.
Melissa Castor
It just depends on what kind of soup or salad for me. Both would be okay.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Melissa, I agree. I could make a meal of soup and salad and nothing else. ~ Daryl
Robbie Bauldree
Thanks for the great books you write.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Thanks, Robbie, for chiming in and being a fan! ~ Daryl
Heidi
Thanks for the soup recipe, it sounds yummy. I adore a good cozy and I am always on the hunt for a new one. I will check this out. Thanks
Daryl Wood Gerber
Good to hear, Heidi. Thanks for stopping in. ~ Daryl
Brooke Bumgardner
Heidi, you are the winner from this post on the tour. Please contact me at brooke@brookeblogs.com. Thank you for entering, and congratulations!
Dianne Nickel Casey
I’m really looking forward to reading “A Deadly Eclair”. Sounds like a great start to a new series.
Daryl Wood Gerber
Dianne, I always love hearing this from readers. 🙂 ~ Daryl
karaleigh2
It’s hard to choose betw. soup and salad–I love both: sometimes together and sometimes alone. Following the tour and eager for the book!
Daryl Wood Gerber
Karaleigh, I’m glad you’re following the tour. It’s a fun “meal” that we’ve put together. ~ Daryl
Jana Leah
Salads, because I enjoy those no matter if the weather is hot or cold.