Murder on the Menu, Recipes from Sleuthing Stars

 

I have news! My mystery cookbook,  Murder on the Menu, Recipes from Sleuthing Stars, 30 years in the making, is finally available on Kindle. For those of you with Kindle Unlimited, it’s free, for those of you without, it is a mere $4.99. It is a labor of love, I can tell you. Here’s the backstory: 

 In 1991, I had the incredible privilege of experiencing one of the most unforgettable weekends of my life. Jeremy Brett, the legendary British actor celebrated for his masterful portrayal of Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece Theatre, was touring the United States to promote the series. When my local PBS station discovered my passion for all things Sherlock Holmes, they reached out and hired me—over the phone. What followed was a magical weekend spent in the company of this remarkable actor—an experience I can only describe as pure heaven.

Impressed by my enthusiasm and knowledge, the PBS team approached me with an extraordinary idea: to compile a mystery-themed cookbook. The concept was ambitious, calling for recipes and personal stories from PBS actors, mystery writers, bookstore owners, and mystery fans alike. In those pre-Internet days, gathering these contributions was no small task, but I threw myself into the project with enthusiasm, collecting not only recipes but also heartfelt anecdotes that added depth and charm to the collection.

 As the cookbook neared completion, however, everything came to an abrupt halt. A change in station management caused the project to be shelved, and life swept me in new directions. There was a divorce, two moves, and three battles with cancer. The manuscript was tucked away, buried in the chaos of life, and all but forgotten.

 Years later, while cleaning out my files, I rediscovered the manuscript. As I turned its pages, I realized what a treasure it was—a vibrant mosaic of recipes, memories, and personalities. Each contribution reflected the passion and creativity of its author. Tragically, many of the remarkable individuals who shared their talents for this project are no longer with us, but their legacy endures in these pages. Their voices, their stories, and their love for both mysteries and the culinary arts live on, making this collection not just a cookbook but a celebration of their lives and work.

 It became clear that this book was meant to be shared—not just to honor its contributors, but to celebrate the timeless bond between storytelling and the art of cooking.

 A portion of the proceeds from this cookbook will go to support my local PBS station, a small way of giving back to the organization that inspired this incredible journey.

 This book is more than a collection of recipes; it is a labor of love, a tribute to the mystery genre, and a testament to the resilience of rediscovered dreams. I hope you savor these recipes and stories as much as I have enjoyed bringing them to life.

For those who prefer paperbacks to digital versions, the paperback will be released in the spring.

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