Warning do not read this book if you even remotely hungry because if you do you will find yourself running to the kitchen to find something to munch on as the story unfolds with them cooking all kinds of good stuff at the bistro. Of course there is also a murder that links directly to Chef C which makes Mimi start asking questions while trying to keep everything running as the bistro and the inn. Add a festival being held on the property and really mix things up a bit. I have to say the characters in these books really draw your attention making you feel like you have known them forever and the town feels like home as well. The cats added a nice touch in between plot twists going well with all the culinary details throughout. Wonderful writing that flows so smoothly you will find yourself on the last page before you know wishing the next book was out already. I highly recommend it to fans of culinary cozy mysteries. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

This was another awesome addition to the French Bistro series! I enjoyed reconnecting with the characters I'd grown very fond of from the first book, and I'm happy that Mimi and Nash's relationship is growing, as well as (finally) Jo and Tyson's. Mimi's mom and Stefan's dad seemed really happy together too.

When Chef Camille's sister Renee took over the Sweet Treats Festival from the previous owner, then Renee was found dead at Camille's house, it may have looked a little like her sister had something to do with it. Mimi had a feeling she knew who it was, but the problem was, she may have possibly just hired that person as help for Camille when she came back. With the Sweet Treats Festival and Crush Week going on, the bistro and inn were enjoying some major success, and Camille had definitely needed the extra help. Mimi was worried that she was getting a little too close to the truth when a couple of things happened that could have been taken to mean someone was trying to scare her. But of course, she didn't give up and the real killer was found. I liked this showdown for a change, it was safe and a lot calmer (to me the reader lol) than I usually find in my cozies. I hadn't guessed the killer until it was supposed to be known.

It was fun visiting with some of my favorite characters in the Napa Valley and I'm looking forward to the next book! Be sure and check out the delicious-sounding recipes in the back. I'm not brave enough to try fancy French cooking but I'd sure be up for eating some of the salted caramel souffle. The sugar cookies do sound easy enough though!

The setting of this second offering of the series caught my attention as the fictional town of Nouvelle Vie explodes with (more) tourists than usual for Crush Week in the beautiful Napa Valley of California. Protagonist Mimi Rousseau has dialed up the tannins with her participation in the Sweet Treats Festival in which the local cafe's, restaurants, and bakeries offer up their exclusive treats. Her own Bistro Rousseau boasts Chef C (Camille) and an array of accomplished personnel all catering to an exclusive French dining cuisine.

As the second in the series, Mimi is not wholly fleshed, although some backstory is offered to bring the reader up to speed. Her support characters provide a well-rounded venue, including pets, and a possible romantic interest (so soon, my dear?) for the recently widowed MC. Her mother is a local vintner and she has a strong and supportive network system.

Unfortunately, Renee, the sister of Chef C, is found murdered in her kitchen. Renee was organizing and managing the festival with an iron fist and Mimi becomes fully involved. The well-developed mystery proceeds through red herrings, misdirection, and plot twists offering up several suspects and the arguments for or against each possible person of interest.

In the meantime, aspects regarding the management of an exclusive restaurant run rampant, as well as menu suggestions replete with flowery French names. As Mimi struggles with the detailed services of the Bistro and the Festival, the reader gets a peek into the local European styled architectural castles boasting vast wine cellars and elite varietal wines as well as the Bistro's own to-die-for desserts.

I had a little problem with the limited fleshing of Mimi coming into the second of the series. Although she appears to be a strong and independent figure, she didn't feel three-dimensional to me.

Recommended for foodies and fans of cozy mysteries in a particularly beautiful and unique setting. So, for me, this is more of a locale-driven plot than that of character and it is easy to be swept up in the excitement of the exquisite wine and food industry.

It's seems like it's been a very long time since we were in Napa dining at the Bistro with Mimi.

It's interesting watching the characters develop in this second book. The characters are believable as they are likable but still have the odd 'quirks' like most of us. I love the location of the series, but doesn't everybody like Napa?

This book is well-written and flows easily with enough description without interrupting the story line. I liked the twists that kept me guessing. I stayed up a bit too late reading this one. And I admit, I am a bit sad that I've got to wait long time for the next one in the series.

Whenever I read this series I get hungry...probably from all those great dishes that the bistro serves! And I love it when the recipes are included at the end of the book...not that I will prepare them, but because I like to drool over imaging the dishes coming to life in my kitchen! Maybe one day I will be brave enough to try one out on my family.

Food aside, this cozy series set in the Napa area has a lot going for it - food, wine, compelling characters, and even a few pets. And of course, solving the mystery of who is the killer. There was something about this cast of characters that I was able to sort of figure out the guilty party, but not because it was laid out for the reader to easily discover the identity of the guilty party.

I really enjoyed getting to know more about some of the characters - Chef Camille, Heather, Jo, Stephan, and even Allie. I think Allie could be a good fit for future books depending on what her character decides to do with her life.

There is also the continuing romance between Mimi and Nash. It takes a positive turn in this book but not for the lack of Nash's ex-wife trying to throw roadblocks in their way. There is even an introduction of an old friend of Mimi's. Will he be a potential roadblock for Nash? You'll have to read the book to find out.

When I finished book one in this series, A DEADLY ÉCLAIR, I wasn’t sure how I was going to wait for the second installment. Now having read, A SOUFFLÉ OF SUSPICION, it was well worth the wait! But how do I last until the next one!

It was fun to be back in wine country with Mimi Rousseau and the great cast of characters in the French Bistro Mysteries. Author Daryl Wood Gerber has written them all in a way that makes me feel I personally know each one them. She has done the same for the setting. While reading, I can vividly see my surroundings. I can hear the sounds and smell the food.

As for the mystery in, A SOUFFLÉ OF SUSPICION, it was top notch, with a fair amount if suspects, as well as red herrings. Just when I thought for sure I knew who the killer was, another twist was thrown in to foil me.

You’ll also find an amazing variety of recipes to enjoy. I honestly think I gained weight just reading them!

Fans of the first book will love this second trip to Napa Valley. Haven’t read the first? No worries. You can read A SOUFFLÉ OF SUSPICION as a standalone (But get them both and read them back to back. More fun that way!).

A Souffle of Suspicion by Daryl Wood Gerber is the second novel in A French Bistro Mystery series. Mimi Rousseau owns Bistro and Maison Rousseau in Napa Valley. It is Crush Week and the tourists are pouring into the valley. On top of that, Maison Rousseau is hosting the Sweet Treats Festival organized by Renee Wells, Chef Camille’s sister. There are many delectable delights available for the attendees to enjoy. Mimi is relaxing at home after a long day when she receives a frantic call from Chef Camille. Mimi rushes to her house where Renee is dead on the kitchen floor from a whack on the head from the countertop mixer. Chef Camille is devastated and, unfortunately, Sgt. Tyson Daly’s prime suspect. Renee had created quite a stir lately and there is no shortage of suspects to sift through. Mimi whisks into action to whip up the suspects and deliver the guilty party to the police on a silver platter.

A Souffle of Suspicion can be read alone. The author nicely summarizes A Deadly Éclair along with the background information on Mimi. I found A Souffle of Suspicion to be well-written and it has a nice steady pace. The author has a conversational writing style that is engaging. I was drawn into the story which I found easy to read. Mimi likes to read cozy mysteries, so the author worked in references to Krista Davis and Kate Carlisle which I found amusing (I also love their books). There are some great characters in A French Bistro Mystery series. Mimi is a strong, intelligent female who runs two businesses with the aid of Jo James at Maison Rousseau and her wonderful kitchen staff at Bistro Rousseau. There were some humorous moments throughout the story that had me chuckling. The mystery is appealing with several suspects, misdirection and good clues. The one downfall was I identified the killer before Chef Camille found Renee deceased on her kitchen floor (is anyone else curious if the mixer survived). There are many delectable dishes mentioned throughout the book and recipes are provided at the end. My rating for A Souffle of Suspicion is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). A Souffle of Suspicion is a charming cozy mystery that pairs nicely with a glass of wine and a comfortable chair.

Both Crush Week and the new Sweet Treats Festival are happening at the same time in Napa Valley. Mimi Rousseau wisely lets the Festival utilize her various gardens at Maison Rousseau for sites of things like booths and bake offs. When festival organizer Renee is found dead in Chef C's kitchen (they were sisters), Mimi takes on the task of trying to collect information to clear her friends. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The food descriptions throughout sound very good and the author backs up many of them with several recipes at the end. I like how the characters seem like family to one another, particularly the employees at the Bistro.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

What a SWEET cozy! Daryl Wood Gerber has served up her readers a delectable mystery with fine characters and full-bodied story.

We arrive just in time for Crush Week and the brand new Sweet Treats Festival. Chef C’s sister, Renee is in charge of the festival and the chef is at Bistro Rousseau preparing meals and menus for all the tourists coming into town. Mimi is running between her bistro and her inn, where the festival is taking place trying her best to help out everywhere. That is until her chef arrives home to find Renee dead on her kitchen floor. Mimi can’t believe the police are actually looking at her chef as the prime suspect.

Chef Camille is taking some time off to mourn the loss of her sister and deal with the police, so Mimi steps in to manage the kitchen all the while trying to find the real killer. She realizes she is getting close to the truth when she seems to be the target of some unusual “accidents”. She needs to wrap things up quickly before something more than the grapes get crushed.

In this second book of the series, the author again sets a brisk pace. Readers are drawn into the story through two big events taking place. These events introduce us to some new characters like Chef Camille’s sister Renee and her husband Rusty. Renee tired quickly of Rusty’s new chicken farmer lifestyle and has purchased an event business. She has thrown herself into making the first event, the Sweet Treats Festival a huge success. The former business owner, Allie O’Malley, confronts Renee about their agreement and it doesn’t go well. Mimi considers them both suspects but she finds they are not the only ones that would have the motivation to bash the woman over the head.

I was very entertained following Mimi’s footsteps as she did her best to capture the killer. Especially because her footsteps went through the kitchen of the bistro and the grounds of the Sweet Treats Festival. We were treated to descriptions of the most scrumptious savory and sweet foods, my mouth was watering. I really appreciate the author for including several recipes at the end of the book.

This author is an amazing storyteller. She sets the scene, nurtures her characters and gives them dynamic dialogue, all while wrapping them in a masterful mystery. I have enjoyed every book she has written. I believe this new French Bistro Mystery is my new favorite. Like a perfect soufflé would impress your guests this story reached great heights to impress me and make it both a great and perfect escape.

Things are hopping at Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Tourists have flocked to the Napa Valley for Crush Week and the first Sweet Treat festival is being hosted on the grounds of the hotel. Mimi is thrilled that both hotel and restaurant are booked solid for the week. Things take a deadly turn when Renee, the festival organizer and sister of Mimi’s head chef Camille, is found murdered in Camille’s kitchen. Who had a reason to murder the woman?

It was nice to return to the Napa Valley with Mimi as our host. The book starts out strongly. While I did feel the pace lagged a time or two, these were minor issues. The puzzle was very good with some clues coming into play late in the mystery that I had completely missed, yet they helped make the resolution completely believable. I did have trouble buying Mimi’s relationship with her friend and police chief Tyson, but the rest of the characters were great. The food left me drooling, so the recipes are the back are a welcome addition to this fun mystery.

Author Daryl Wood Gerber always sets her stories in fun, interesting and alluring areas. This story is set in the quaint French Bistro Rousseau in beautiful Napa Valley. Bistro owner Mimi is swamped with extra business because not only is it Crush Week but there is a festival being held on her property. Everything seems to be going smoothly until the festival operator in found dead in her sister's house and the sister is the chef at the Bistro Rousseau.

This story is well written with plenty of suspects and interesting characters. It is the second book in A French Bistro Mystery series but could easily be read as a stand alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

A Souffle of Suspicion is book 2 of the French Bistro series by Daryl Wood Gerber.
Though it is only the second book, I love this series as Wood Gerber takes you to NapaValley.
When the sister of Chef Camille is found murdered in Chef's home, Mimi is once again investigating.
Mimi knows Chef Camille could not have done it and there are plenty of suspects. With the Bistro holding The Sweet Treats Festival, it's also crush week and this has Mimi constantly on the go.
There are plenty of twists, turns, and surprises. You have mystery and a little romance, along with updates on Mimi's friends and family.
I was kept guessing until the end.
There are also some yummy sounding recipes included.
I was given an ARC copy by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an honest review.

I loved going to Napa Valley in the second installment of A French Bistro Mystery series. The list of suspects in the tragic murder of Mimi's beloved chef's sister is deftly handled. The ending was entirely surprising to me. I enjoy the entire surrounding cast of characters, especially the budding romance between Nash and the vulnerable Mimi. I highly recommend the book, and look forward to making the recipes.

This book was an absolute joy to read. The characters and the storyline are really well developed and the descriptions make me feel as if I'm right there. It's Crush Week and Mimi is also hosting a festival that is being run by Chef Camille's sister. When Chef C's sister is murdered everything takes a crazy turn. Can Mimi figure it all out?! I highly recommend this book and I'm gong to try out the recipes included. I certainly am looking forward to more in this engaging series!

Festival time of year brings an abundance of tourists as well as getting the locals out and about. Called The Crush in this vineyard region, there is always something delightful and delectable going on. From wine tastings and castle tours to a sweet festival featuring a baked good competition, this book is jam packed with delicious descriptions and deadly deceit.

Disaster strikes when the festival organizer, who also happens to be sister to the head chef at Bistro Rousseau, is murdered. Was she the intended victim? Who hated her so much? Can Mimi Rousseau temper her curious nature and stay out of the sheriff's way?

Filled with all sorts of relationships and motives, and so many activities going on all at once, this story believably goes in many directions. It has an energy humming through it.
The characters are wonderful and we get to know a bit more about their background and history.
There is a romantic element to the book but it takes a back seat to the mystery. And the food!
Even with the book having a murderous plot, there were moments of smiles and laughter as well.
While I had my suspicions about who the murderer was, I needed to wait for it to be proven.

I enjoyed my time in wine country.

If you do not come away from any of Daryl Wood Gerber’s books being completely transported to the setting you are doing something wrong. A Soufflé of Suspicion is no different. As with A Deadly Eclair you are transported to Nouvelle Vie. You can smell the clean air, you can taste the wine, you can eat the mouthwatering French food and you can feel safe, all the while at the edge of your seat trying to solve the murder with Mimi. This novel is all about sisters. When Chef C’s sister, who is organizing a festival on the grounds of Bistro and Maison Rousseau, is found dead Mimi must find a killer. While I loved A Deadly Eclair I think I loved A Soufflé of Suspicion even more. Daryl sprinkles more than her usual amount of red herrings into the plot and we meet so many “characters” who inhabit Nouvelle Vie. I find myself asking the question will Daryl Wood Gerber ever write something I do not love.
Synopsis: The buoyant mood at Bistro Rousseau deflates when Chef Camille’s sister, Renee, turns up dead in the chef’s kitchen, and Mimi Rousseau must tease the real killer out of a mélange of menacing characters.
Crush Week in Nouvelle Vie is a madhouse—in a good way. Tourists pour into town for the pressing of the Napa Valley’s world-renowned grapes and all the town’s businesses get a nice lift, including Bistro and Maison Rousseau. Mimi is raising the ante this year with a Sweet Treats Festival, a wonderland of croissants, cakes, tarts, and soufflés crafted with expert care by the area’s top talents.
Chef Camille’s sister Renee is managing the festival with a cast-iron fist, upsetting everyone, including her sister. Which is bad for Camille when Renee turns up dead in the chef’s kitchen. Mimi is still building her business, so her first course of action is to whip up answers and catch the unsavory perpetrator before Camille takes a dusting and gets burned.
Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher and chose to write a fair and honest review.

A very fun read. I enjoyed everything about this book.
The storyline/plot was interesting and kept me turning the pages while trying to figure out Who Dun It?
Daryl does a great job of leaving little tid bits and leading the reader on a ride while trying to figure it out.
There are some subtle clues early on that kind of get swept away causing the reader and the characters to look for answers elsewhere.
This book and series has some delightful characters.
I loved Mimi's character. I loved her name Mimi Rousseau so very french sounding. Mimi is one talented business woman owning the Bistro Cafe and the Maison Rousseau. Such charming places that almost come to life. I wanted to visit! MiMi spends
alot of time talking to herself and going over the clues and working things out in her head until finally she puts everything together
and figures out who really killed poor Renee. Everyone including this reader is a bit surprised at the out come and who the villain is.
As the story progressed there was no shortage of suspects.
But each are exonerated in due time as their alibi's are covered.
There really are alot of characters running around. But it was
difficult to keep track of what was going on.
If I was to choose a favorite among them it might be MiMi's mother. She was delightful and charming at ready and willing to lend a hand whether it was watching over Camille in the early hours after she discovers her sisters body. Or by bringing lots of diners to the Maison Rousseau for a dinner party.
As Souffle of Suspicion is part of the French Bistro Mystery
series there is lot of talk about food. There are some great sounding recipes at the end of the book.
Souffle of Suspicion is book 2 in the series and is written as a
stand alone. If you pic it up you'll enjoy it and quite possibly have a hard time putting it down. I did. This was a fun and fast 5 star read for me. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy.

It's Crush Week in Nouvelle Vie and things are hopping. But thing turn horrible when Bistro Rousseau Chef Camille's sister, Renee, is found dead in the chef's kitchen. Renee is managing the Sweet Treats Festival, and she's not exactly well liked by a few people, which means there are plenty of suspects in her murder.

Bistro Rousseau owner Mimi Rousseau is hot on the trail, though, ready to sniff out a killer before anyone else, especially her friend Camille, is murdered.

I loved returning to Bistro Rousseau and the wonderful staff, led by Mimi. I could feel Camille's pain, and I thought the way Mimi wanted to take care of her added to the story. The plot is perfectly drawn, and although I did figure out whodunit before the end, but the journey to the last page was very satisfying.

There is romance mixed in with the mystery, and I think Mimi and Nash are perfect for each other. It adds a great deal to the story, as does Mimi's pet goldfish, and the addition of a feline.

One of Daryl Wood Gerber's strong points is building strong characters and relationships between those characters which keeps her readers coming back for more. This is a second book in the French Bistro series, but it can be read as a standalone. If that is the case, readers will want to go back and read the first one, too, because it is just as engaging.

Pour a glass of wine and take a trip to California wine country. For me, I'm looking forward to the third installment, to see what Mimi is up to next.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, Crooked Lane, through NetGalley.

Mimi is back to running her French bistro after solving the murder that took place in the previous book. She and her staff are busily preparing sweet treats for the large crowd expected to show up for the Sweet Treats Festival. The manager of the festival is Renee, who happens to be the sister of Camille, the head chef at the bistro. Renee isn’t making any friends with the way she’s managing the festival! Her abrasive approach has upset several people involved in the festival, including her sister. When Renee is found dead, there’s no telling who could be responsible for committing the murder. Had Camille finally had enough of her sister’s antics? Or is there someone else who had an even bigger vendetta against Renee? Mimi juggles running her new business as well as narrowing down an ever-growing list of suspects in the hopes of clearing her friend’s name.

This title is the second in the French Bistro mystery series. I did decide to read the first title in the series, A Deadly Éclair, before starting this title…and I’m glad I did! I thoroughly enjoyed reading both books because of the characters and the setting. A Soufflé of Suspension does a great job of keeping the reader guessing who committed the murder without throwing in too many extraneous characters. Each character/suspect had a backstory that fit the main plot of the book and offered readers legitimate reasons to be suspicious of them. Gerber’s description of Napa Valley drew me in immediately! I have never been to the region but had no issue visualizing landmarks and business. It makes me want to visit just so I can see the area for myself! Lastly, Gerber balances out Mimi’s job as an entrepreneur with her desire to solve the mystery. I feel like I was able to see both sides of Mimi without one overtaking the other. In other cozy mystery titles I’ve read, the author focused too much on the amateur sleuth’s “day job” while skimping on the sleuthing or vice versa. This is definitely not the case with A Soufflé of Suspension! As a matter of fact, this made Mimi a more relatable character due to her ability to balance her many roles.

I look forward to reading the next title in this series and can’t wait to return to Napa Valley with Mimi and her friends!

This is the delightfully delicious second book in the French Bistro Mystery series. It is set in Napa Valley with French flair. Mimi is going all out for her Sweets and Treats Festival when murder threatens to take the sweetness out of Crush week. I love this series it captures wine country and conosuers perfectly and the murder is artfully twisted with amazing recipes . I highly recommend this book.