Murder by the Millions is the 2nd book in the A Literary Dining Mystery series set in a small mountain town near Asheville, North Carolina.
I love Daryl Wood Gerber's books so I was excited to get back to this series. It follows caterer and bookseller Allie Catt and her friends as they plan for a big literary event honoring The Great Gatsby. There is a fancy developer that's come to town and he mirrors Gatsby himself. Rich, charming and causing a stir all over town.
Allie gets caught up in a murder and must clear her name, while navigating romance/friendships and family drama. A great setting and interesting cast of characters really make this series. I can't wait for the nex tin the series.

From the moment Allie finds herself caught up in a local murder, I was hooked. She's witty, resourceful, and refreshingly relatable, juggling everyday life with sleuthing in a way that’s both believable and fun. Her inner monologue had me chuckling more than once!

"In a beautiful mountain community near Asheville, North Carolina, caterer and personal chef Allie Catt serves up mouthwatering, literary-themed dinner parties inspired by her clients' favorite books. Her next event is sure to be a roaring success - if a murderer isn't a killjoy...

If it were true that the best thing a girl can be in this world is a fool, then Allie Catt would be out of luck. Fortunately, Allie's business is a smashing success. And following her Pride and Prejudice event, grander plans await...

Feast for the Eyes bookstore manager and Allie's best friend, Tegan, is hosting a book club soiree and wants it to be a glittering affair based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's iconic Jazz Age-set novel, The Great Gatsby. Soon, Art Deco table settings and visions of flappers are dancing the Charleston in their heads. Even Tegan's prickly sister, Vanna, is on board. And surely, Allie's tuxedo cat, Darcy, thinks it's the cat's meow. Amid the planning, charismatic developer Jason Gardner arrives in town to buy some historic buildings on Main Street. He, too, has plans: to create a modern mall. Allie is more than concerned. She even wants to protest. But when Jason invites her to cater a lavish party, she finds him surprisingly likable. Then she's summoned to his estate for a meeting - and finds him dead.

Once again Allie's landed in the middle of a crime scene. Worse, one of her earrings is later discovered near the body. And when police learn she was upset about the mall, she's suspect #1. Allie's blossoming sleuthing skills once cleared Tegan's name, but can she save herself - before a killer writes her a not-so-great Gatsbyesque ending..."

Just saying, you'd have to put on quite the party to approach Gatsby level...

This is the second release in this charming series. Allie is a chef/caterer who is hosting literary theme dinner parties for her clients. This dinner has a fun Gatsby theme. A nefarious developer Allie has come to know is murdered and Allie finds herself the prime suspect. Red herrings and clues abound leading Allie on a race to solve this murder.
This is a fun cozy series with a likable protagonist who is a savvy smart investigator. I enjoy the included recipes and the adorable cat. The supporting characters all add fun to the series. A enjoyable new cozy mystery series by a favorite author who always delivers a excellent mystery.
Thank you to the author, the publisher and Net Galley. My review is my own opinion.

This was a strong sequel in the Literary Dining Mystery series, it had that element that I was looking for from the first book. The characters had that element that I was looking for and was glad it was so well written. It had everything that I enjoyed from the first book and improved on it. Daryl Wood Gerber has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

Always a fun story. I'm enjoying the new dynamic between Allie and Tegan and Vanna. Vanna has already become much more likeable. The idea of book themed parties is awesome and I'd so like to attend one of these. The mystery cleverly echoes the chosen book The Great Gatsby. A couple points in regard to the reveals that I still had questions about. But lots of suspects and red herrings to keep me guessing. Darcy is vital to solving the case in addition to being adorable. Some yummy recipes at the end to try, because this series makes me hungry.

Murder by the Millions is a charming, cozy mystery full of wit, intrigue, and small-town drama. Daryl Wood Gerber keeps readers entertained with Allie’s clever sleuthing and the lively cast of characters around her. The mix of humor, suspense, and literary flair makes the mystery both engaging and fun. Delightful, clever, and impossible to put down, this is a perfect read for fans of cozy mysteries.

After the success of her first ever literary-themed event, caterer Allie Catt is excited to begin preparation for the second at Feast for the Eyes, the bookstore she part owns with best friend, Tegan, this time based around the F Scott Fitzgerald classic The Great Gatsby. When successful developer, Jason Gardner, who grew up in the small town of Bramblewood before relocating to California returns to build a shopping mall where three historic houses stand, Allie is devastated but Jason Gardner is friendly, charismatic, and handsome so when he hires her to cater a lavish soiree at his new estate she is also secretly delighted and not a little smitten! After Jason messages requesting she meet him at his home she instead finds a dead body and clues which lead directly to her! Now she has to once again find a killer but this time she also has to clear her own name before it's her wrists the cuffs are being fastened round!

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, Kensington Cozies, but the opinions expressed are my own. The second book in Daryl Wood Gerber's Literary Dining mystery series is an easy, fun read, adds a lot to the back story of all the main protagonists, and has some delicious sounding recipes, including gluten free alternatives at the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this, had no idea whodunnit, and would love a book shop like Feast for the Eyes near me. Recommended.

Allie Catt runs a ghost kitchen and is supportive of her BFF Tegan who runs Feast for the Eyes bookstore with her mom, aunt, and sister. A developer is in town planning changes to a historic area and is hosting a Gatsby themed soiree with Allie doing the catering. But he is murdered and Allie is the one who found him dying. Compelling read.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected electronic galley from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Avail Oct 28, 2025 ***** #review #goodreads #bookbub
#MurderbytheMillions by @darylwoodgerber #LiteraryDiningMysteriesBk2 @kensingtonbooks #NetGalley
#ghostkitchen #recipes #caterer #bookshop #BFF #gatsbysoiree #cozymystery #murder #localcops
#amateursleuth #framed #petcat #suspense

Murder by the Millions is the second book in the A Literary Dining Mystery series, and even though it’s my first read by Daryl Wood Gerber, I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was. Gerber clearly knows how to write a cozy mystery that pulls you in and keeps things fun and interesting.

The main character, Allie Catt, is a caterer who somehow finds herself wrapped up in a mystery while working at a bookstore and catering a fancy Great Gatsby themed party. I really liked Allie, who has a great personality, and I found myself genuinely invested in what she was up to, whether it was cooking, sleuthing, or chatting with customers. The setting was another strong point. Between the bookstore and the party, there were plenty of chances for her to interact with characters in familiar, cozy spaces. It made the story feel warm and inviting, even with a murder in the mix. Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read with all the right ingredients for a solid cozy mystery.

Allie is back in another fun cozy mystery written by one of my favorite authors.
While planning a party around The Great Gatsby, Allie finds herself involved in another murder investigation.
She is diligent about finding the truth and her character is quite delightful.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Kensington Cozies.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A glitzy book club soiree turns deadly. Chef Allie themed The Great Gatsby party turns deadly quickly as what was supposedly to be a flapper occasion is left than flattery. Can this soiree be save or will it be a crime spree? Allie will have her work cut out for her as she serves up a killer and serving delicious food.