A Catered Thanksgiving

A Catered Thanksgiving
by Isis Crawford

This cozy blends elements from the "golden age of mysteries" with modern day humor. Our intrepid heroines, Bernie and Libby Simmons, are stranded by a blizzard in a large country home with the bickering Fields family. Bernie and Libby are hired by the Fields to cater their Thanksgiving dinner. While Bernie and Libby pack their catering van with all the fixings for a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast the snow starts falling. By the time they are ready to leave the snow is falling in a heavy white curtain. They slip and slide their way out of tiny Longely, New York and down the country roads to Monty Fields' mansion where they will prepare the traditional dinner for Monty and his greedy relatives. Monty comes into the kitchen to check on the roasting bird. As he taps on the red, pop-up timer the turkey explodes killing Monty. The Fields family initially blames Bernie and Libby because they prepared the felonious fowl. The family soon starts pointing accusing fingers at each other. Lexus, Monty's widow, asks Bernie and Libby to investigate because she is afraid that one of the clan will kill her in order to inherit a larger share of the estate. [If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try the works of Tracy Kiely, Laura Childs or Kaitlynn Dunnett.] -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[ Bibliography of Isis Crawford's books ]

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The Thanksgiving Table

The Thanksgiving Table

by Diane Morgan [641.568 Mor]

In this seasonal cookbook, Diane Morgan has created some wonderful recipes and ideas for your holiday gathering. She offers recipes in this book that taste so good they will become a part of your traditional thanksgiving meal for generations to come. Grandchildren will remember you for having made these dishes and will ask you for the recipes. They're that good. She offers tips on table decorations and creative serving ideas like serving soup in a hollowed out pumpkin. There are many recipes that can be made ahead of the dinner so your time spent in the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day is more relaxed, and spent in a state of gratitude, which is exactly what Thanksgiving is all about. Three of my favorite recipes in her book are the Juniper Brined Turkey, the Praline Sweet Potato Casserole and the Wild Rice Stuffing with Pine Nuts, Dried Apricots, and Fresh Herbs. Included in this cookbook is a chapter devoted to vegetarian recipes. If the turkey is your main attraction, then Diane Morgan provides every bit of information you'll need to cook that picture perfect turkey you see in all of the holiday magazines. I urge you to leave your comfort zone, and try one of her brined turkey recipes. Eating a brined turkey is a wonderful experience. Thanksgiving is my much loved holiday of the year. If it is your favorite holiday gathering, then The Thanksgiving Table by Diane Morgan is the one cookbook you should read. -- recommended by Patty L. - Walt Branch Library

[ official Diane Morgan Cooks web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think?

Ten (or more) new reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide web site. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog over the course of the entire month.