What does it mean when someone devours a dessert and declares that it's "to die for"? Listeners will be entertained by narrator Karen Chilton's performance of this deliciously devious novel set at Essie's Soul Food Cafe on the South Side of Chicago. When Grandy Jaspers expires at his table, the mystery of whodunit ensues for Chef-Proprietor Savvy Summers. Will Summers and Assistant Manager Penny Lopez weather the storm of speculation and gossip on what or who killed Grandy and come up with the identity of the killer before Savvy's not-so-nice ex-husband, a cop? This cozy mystery is filled with unexpected tangles, zany characters, and mouthwatering recipes. Listeners, beware of the sweet potato pie!
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250402813
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An amusing audiobook that works hard to make fun of syrupy holiday romances.
Three narrators perform a funny, irreverent take on a Hallmark-esque Christmas tale. Detectives Holly Frost and Mark Shepherd, who have an enemies-to-lovers dynamic going on, are both assigned to investigate a murder in the quaint town of Christmas—a murder they must solve in order to save the town’s Jingle Bell Jubilee, and their careers. In alternating chapters, Patti Murin deftly performs Holly, who has a penchant for cursing, while Colin Donnell charmingly voices Mark. Angela Dawe pops in with interspersed comments reminding the listener not to take the story too seriously.
An amusing audiobook that works hard to make fun of syrupy holiday romances.Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
Duration: 11 hrs, 18 mins
DD ISBN: 9781250451828
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2026
Listeners are in excellent hands.
Nicola Walker brings the perfect vocal touch to the second in Osman’s We Solve Murders series. Her friendly voice perfectly matches the tone of this murder mystery, whether she’s depicting Rosie’s seductive mid-Atlantic drawl or Steve and his mates in the village pub. Walker even throws in a convincing Graham Norton impression. The plot twists are as good as ever, with laugh-out-loud moments as well as some high drama and just a little suspense. With bodies aplenty but no violence, the action moves smoothly from Tuscany to Palm Springs, California and back to the New Forest, as if we were all flying in Rosie’s private jet.
Listeners are in excellent hands.Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 21 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217166657
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 5, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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