Val Deniston certainly has her plate full running a café, dabbling with recipes, and helping her grandfather prepare for the town's upcoming tri-centennial celebration, but she's grown fond of her new life in the Chesapeake Bay town of Bayport. . .

So when Val is asked to reclaim her old position as a cookbook publicist in New York City, she puts off her decision in order to help her grandfather perfect his chocolate fondue for the weekend festivity's dessert cook-off. But after the opening ceremonies, Val finds a houseguest strangled to death in her grandfather's backyard. She suspects a classic case of mistaken identity, especially when another guest nearly bids her life a fondue farewell. Now it's up to Val to keep the killer from making another stab at murder . . .

Includes 6 five-ingredient recipes!

Praise For By Cook Or By Crook!

"This is definitely a starter for fans of Diane Mott Davidson, Lou Jane Temple, and Virginia Rich." --Library Journal

"A totally enjoyable read. Definitely worth checking out!" --Night Owl Reviews