Murder and music in Memphis wrapped up in a rib joint

I don’t know about you, but this week I spent several hours sitting in front of a fan with a good book in my hands. “Delicious and Suspicious” by Riley Adams looked like a fun read and it really was.

Memphis, Tennessee, may be a very big city, but like all cities it is comprised of many close-knit neighborhoods. One such neighborhood sits on the edge of famous Beale Street, where one can wander from end to end listening to great music and sampling iconic barbecue and all the fixings.

One of the most popular rib joints is called Aunt Pat’s. It is run by Lulu Taylor with the help of her son Ben and his wife Sara. Aunt Pat’s has family feel as Ben and Sara’s twin girls, Coco and Ella Beth drop by after school. Lulu loves the fact that many of their customers also feel like family.

The elderly Big Ben, Bobby and Morty come in everyday for a plate of ribs and then preside over the lovely screened porch. Flo, Cherry and Evelyn are Lulu’s dear friends, love Elvis and volunteer at Graceland. Each is a bit quirky and add color to Lulu’s life. While Ben works his magic in the kitchen, Lulu keeps things running smoothly in the dining room.

As the story opens everyone is excited because Rebecca Adrian, a scout from the Cooking Channel, is coming to check out the restaurant. A good review could do a lot for Aunt Pat’s bottom line. When Rebecca Adrian arrives, she’s extremely rude and brags about knowing all sorts of important people in New York.

Her bragging convinces Lulu that Rebecca could help launch Sara’s art career and arranges a show at the local gallery. It also spurs Mildred to show Rebecca a romance manuscript she’s been working on for years. Instead of offering help, Rebecca caustically berates both Sara’s art and Mildred’s manuscript then abruptly goes to the Peabody Lounge. Most of Aunt Pat’s regulars also go there to confront Rebecca for their own reasons.

Later Lulu and the videographer, Tony, find Rebecca in her room. She is dead, and everything points to poison. Lulu immediately goes into “detective mode.” She needs to find out who did this and how before it damages Aunt Pat’s reputation, but she has more suspects and motives than she can count.

She knows that none of her friends or family would kill over rude behavior or rude comments yet so many of them were at the Peabody when Rebecca was poisoned. As Lulu winnows the suspect list, she learns that Sara’s nephew, Derrick, had slashed Rebecca’s tires. Mildred wanted to tell Rebecca off. Sara went to pick up Derrick, and Flo went to warn Rebecca against showing any footage of her.

Lulu is shocked to learn that Seb was also there and he was with a “former” flame, and Lulu’s competitor, Lurleen. She knew that Seb had been in drug trouble and spent time in jail, but she didn’t know that he’d dated Rebecca and was now dating Lurleen. Now she’s sure he’s using drugs again.

When Mildred is found dead, Lulu is even more determined to find the killer. Lulu loves her boys, but if one of them is involved with murder, she won’t stand in the way of the law. So, she keeps digging. Sadly, Lulu doesn’t realize that her actions are being watched by a stone cold murderer.

When things come to a dangerous head Lulu’s common sense, grit and a bit of divine intervention save the day. This story doesn’t end all neat and happy, but it does end with justice served, family ties secured, and the bonds of friendship renewed.

AT A GLANCE

BOOK: “Delicious and Suspicious”

AUTHOR: Riley Adams

PUBLISHER: Berkley

PUBLISHED: July 6, 2010

PAGES: 288

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