Catherine Bruns Bücher

Spring has officially arrived, and while the weather outside may still be frightful, Sally Muccio is feeling especially delightful as she prepares a homemade family dinner in honor of her husband's birthday. Sal's determined to make it an unforgettable night for Mike and even includes homemade fortune cookies like the ones her bakery serves, with messages personalized for each guest. The evening is memorable, but not as Sal had hoped, when Mike and a family friend find themselves in the middle of an armed robbery ... and only one will make it out alive. It's just the beginning of more grief for Sal, who soon discovers the robbery is related to a scheme that spells financial ruin for her family. Add in her morbid father's book signing at the bakery complete with coffin shaped cookies, a sister who won't stop eating them, and an accidental gig at a local strip club, and Sal once again finds herself in deep dough. Only this time, there may not be a way out ..

It's the deadliest thyme of the year...With snow dusting the ground and sauce sizzling on the stove, local chef Tessa Esposito is ready to serve up some holiday cheer. And with the annual Festival of Lights underway, it seems nothing can dim her spirits. Not even Mario Russo, the newest scrooge in town whose espresso bar has been quickly disrupting businesses and stealing customers from Harvest Park's favorite coffeehouse.But when Mario is discovered at the festival's opening, face down in a Santa suit, Tessa realizes the bah humbug runs deeper than she could have imagined. And when one of her dearest friends is implicated in the crime, she must make a list of Mario's enemies, check them twice, and discover the cold-blooded killer. Especially before they can sleigh again.

The second book in the Italian Chef Mystery series Six months after her husband Dylan's death, Tessa Esposito is prepping for the grand opening of her new Italian restaurant. But while Tessa is up to her elbows in sauce, a murder comes along to derail everything Tessa and her family have worked for in Harvest Park. While Tessa breaks ground in the kitchen, Cousin Gabby has been trying to increase traffic at Once Upon a Book, her bookshop on Main Street. That's why she's thrilled when bestselling author, Preston Rigotta, agrees to a book signing, drawing a huge crowd for the local girl made big. The event is planned to a T, with Tessa catering a variety of sweet Italian treats for the occasion. But the signing soon takes a sour turn when Preston's publicist and Gabby's old Harvest Park High rival, Daphne, arrives and quickly comes to blows with Gabby in front of the crowded store. Things get even worse when Daphne's lifeless body is discovered the next morning, with stray biscotti right by her side...

"Spring has finally come to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and with it the end of syrup-making season. But Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm, won't be making like molasses any time soon. Her best friend Heather's wedding is coming up, and Leila will do anything to make sure it lives up to all her sweetest dreams. Even with Leila's own romantic past stirring up trouble, everything is going to plan until the bridal shower ends up with a body count. Heather's rich and backstabbing aunt had a whole orchard of enemies, so Leila will have her work cut out for her. Can she tap the killer before Heather's dream wedding becomes a nightmare? Includes delicious Middle Eastern recipes!"-- Provided by publisher

Tomato sauce isn't the only thing that runs red... Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband's fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa's door, things just get worse. They've discovered Dylan's death wasn't an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why? With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it's time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love-cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan's favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren't the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband's many secrets might land her in hot water.