A SIDE OF MURDER

A Cape Cod native returning home to settle an estate barely escapes death—and not all her neighbors are so lucky.

Samantha Barnes left the Cape to follow her love of cooking to the Culinary Institute of America and New York’s finest restaurant. When her great-aunt Ida passes away, leaving everything to Sam, soon after an embarrassing feud with her ex, another chef, goes viral, she decides to bid farewell to New York. Although Ida’s house needs work, it’s in a prime location, and seeing Jenny and Miles, her high school best buds, is an added treat. Sam also enjoys the company of next-door neighbor Helene, though not so much the enormous puppy that comes with Ida’s house. Krista Baker, who became editor-in-chief of the newspaper when Sam’s parents retired, offers her a job reviewing restaurants. Her first assignment is the restaurant where she worked as a teen. Its new owners prepare great food, but the experience is spoiled by the dead body Sam finds floating near the dock, especially when she recognizes Estelle, the waitress who broke up her long-ago romance with Jason Captiva. After the body floats away while Sam goes for help, Jason, now the harbormaster, arrives to take charge, arousing feelings Sam had thought long dead. Somehow sleuthing seems like a good idea, and Sam is soon involved in old secrets and town feuds as she tries to discover who killed Estelle.

Cape Cod provides a stunning background for a debut that offers the ideal combination of mystery, romance, and recipes.