Irish Stewed
Ethnic Eats Mystery #1
Author: Kylie Logan
ISBN13: 9780425274880
Author website: http://www.kylielogan.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis: 
The national bestselling author of the League of Literary Ladies Mysteries introduces an all-new cozy culinary mystery series featuring ethnic eats.
After flopping as a personal chef to a Hollywood movie star, jobless Laurel Inwood finds herself humbled in Hubbard, Ohio, helping her aunt Sophie run her restaurant. Much to Laurel’s dismay, Sophie’s Terminal at the Tracks is not the cozy bistro her aunt would have had her believe—it’s a run-down greasy spoon in an old railroad station. To save the dingy diner, Laurel cooks up a plan to feature alternating ethnic cuisine as specials.
But first there’s the problem of the body in the booth. Slumped over a table with a receipt spike in his back is Jack Lancer—”the Lance of Justice”—an investigative reporter for local TV news. Assisted by the drop-dead gorgeous owner of the neighboring Irish store—who may or may not be a suspect—Laurel sets out to track down a killer who had no reservations about impaling a newshound. But as she turns up the heat, will she end up in the soup herself?
INCLUDES RECIPES
Review:
Irish Stewed is the first in a new series, “An Ethnic Eats Mystery”, by accomplished author Kylie Logan. It is seasoned with the perfect ingredients for a wonderful cozy mystery. A strong, yet flawed protagonist in Laurel Inwood. An enjoyable and sweet “Aunt” in Sophie. A great mix of supporting characters in cook George and the wait staff. And of course a handsome and helpful man of interest – Declan. Laurel has come to help her ailing aunt Sophie while she has surgery and recovers. Sophie needs Laurel to run her restaurant while she is incapacitated. Laurel has lost her job (and dreams) when she was let go as personal chef to a famous Hollywood actress. Her hopes are high as she comes to Hubbard, Ohio. Those hopes are dashed, however when she actually sees the restaurant. It is nothing like the photos she had seen or what Sophie had told her. And that is just the beginning of things going wrong.
When Sophie and Laurel go to Terminal at the Tracks, Laurel’s first impulse is to get in her car and leave. As they go in the rundown eatery, they find a man slumped over at one of the tables. How did he get in and why is he still there? Not to mention who put Sophie’s antique receipt stick into his neck. Laurel knows he is dead, but has no idea who he is. Sophie however recognizes him as famous TV news reporter Jack Lancer, “Jack the Lance”. And why is this handsome Declan so interested in the ladies being at the store? Declan is the owner of the neighboring Irish store and did I mention drop dead gorgeous.
While Sophie recovers from her surgery, Laurel reluctantly tries to keep the restaurant going and find out what the Lance was doing in it. Very few customers come through the doors in the days after the murder, but plenty of reporters attempt it. Laurel’s tough Hollywood attitude stops that, but what can she do to get more customers in to actually eat. She attempts some classic and healthier faire to bad results. All the while she tries to get some answers. Along with Declan, who has a vested interest, Laurel asks questions, searches for clues and investigates. The more she does, she uncovers more secrets that both Declan and Sophie are keeping from her.
Irish Stewed is a fun and intriguing read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and “watching” them develop. Laurel has her own problems, but her strength is real. I loved Declan and his family and hope to see more of them in future books. The premise of having different ethnic foods at Terminal at the Tracks leaves other installments open for entertaining storylines. Kylie Logan’s writing style is enjoyable and easy, it has impact when needed and laughter to lighten the mood, it tells a great story. The mystery kept me guessing. I was able to see the light at the end of the tunnel at the same time as Laurel. I would recommend this fun book to any reader in search of a well written mystery, with a good deal of intrigue, a healthy helping of great characters and a dash of handsome Irish seasoning. Cannot wait for the next in this series.
