
A Recipe for Robbery
Mystery at the Biltmore #3
by Colleen Nelson
This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.
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Pub Date Sep 23 2025 | Archive Date Jul 02 2025
Publisher Spotlight | Pajama Press
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Description
“Nelson’s lively writing and expert pacing sustain just-right tension while adding... sprinklings of wisdom [to] flavor the text.”—Kirkus Reviews
With a 100% success rate, it is no wonder The LaRue Detective Agency has become the investigators to call at The Biltmore. But could the recipe robbery become Elodie’s own recipe for disaster?
Biltmore resident, Chef Sebastian, plans to open a new pastry shop where he will unveil his mouthwatering masterpiece—the cruffin (part muffin, part croissant, entirely delicious). That is until all of Chef’s recipes are stolen from his apartment. With a 100% success rate, it is no wonder The LaRue Detective Agency is hired to solve the recipe robbery, but when the mystery appears as layered as a French croissant—one may wonder: is a mystery this complicated worth risking a perfect reputation?
Full-color illustrations by award-winning artist Peggy Collins are scattered throughout the story, bringing additional humor to the cast of quirky characters and enhancing the reading experience for new independent readers.
From the award-winning author of The Umbrella House, Colleen Nelson brings another New York apartment building to life in Mystery at the Biltmore #3: A Recipe for Robbery. Written with charm and wit, Mystery at The Biltmore is Only Murders in the Building meets Harriet the Spy.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781772783483 |
PRICE | $18.95 (USD) |
PAGES | 136 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

A Recipe for Robbery By: Colleen Nelson
The LaRue Detective Agency has been crushing it, with a 100% success rate. They are hired to solve the recipe robbery. Chef Sebastian’s recipes were stolen and he needs them back for the opening of his new pastry shop. Who took the recipes? Will LaRue Detective Agency get them back before the opening?
This was a nice quick read for me. I love children’s books. I loved the characters and the illustrations! Definitely adds to the story! If you love Harriet the spy, you will love this book! That was one of my favorite movies growing up so I’m not surprised I love this series.
Be sure to check out A Recipe for Robbery on August 26 2025!
Thank you NetGalley, Colleen and Publisher Spotlight for the eARC!
Rating: ✨✨ ✨✨
#ARecipeforRobbery
#NetGalley

This was a delightful read with fun and vibrant characters! I was rooting for everyone really and loved the resolution of the crime and how it was solved. I would have loved this series as a kid.

** “She was proof that it didn’t matter what your goal was — training as a stuntperson, opening a detective agency, or becoming a pastry chef — believing in yourself was the most important part of achieving it.” **
Colleen Nelson creates a fun story of determination and mystery in “A Recipe for Robbery,” also illustrated by Peggy Collins.
Eleven-year-old Elodie LaRue and her LaRue Detective Agency — her friend Oscar and dog Carnegie — is called into action to solve another mystery at the Biltmore apartment building. Resident Chef Sebastian’s recipes have gone missing the day before he’s set to open his new bakery … including the recipe for his new, top-secret cruffin recipe. “It’s a cruffin conundrum!”
As they dig into the mystery, the gang realizes there is more to the story. Will they find the missing recipes, and the reason behind their disappearance?
Nelson creates a fun story that all ages will enjoy. She highlights the importance of friendship, loyalty and determination, as well as other good themes like to consider unexpected angles, because mysteries rarely have straightforward answers; the recipe to success is “believing in yourself, supportive friends, and a dash of inspiration”; you have to try even if you don’t succeed; always notice the clues you can find in your surroundings; having confidence in one’s abilities; and to always follow your dreams.
The illustrations provided by Peggy Collins are delightful, filled with color and whimsy.
Fans of series like “Minerva Keen’s Detective Club” by James Patterson and Keir Graff and “Confessions of a Junior Spy” by Rosaria Munda will love “A Recipe for Robbery,” which is due out Sept. 23.
Five stars out of five.
Pajama Press provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
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