A Sense for Murder: A Sally Solari Mystery

Karst’s breezy sixth cozy featuring Sally Solari (following Justice Is Served) opens with the chef and restaurateur volunteering to assist her pals Kamila and Lucinda with a fundraiser they’re hosting at their hip bookstore café in Santa Cruz, Calif. The evening’s silent auction includes a set of autographed first edition cookbooks by Julia Child and Simone Beck. Before the event can commence, however, Kamila and Lucinda’s dining room manager is found dead beside the smashed cabinet that once housed the coveted cookbooks. Sally’s old flame, Det. Martin Vargas, warns her against indulging her nosy instincts and launching her own investigation, but she’s recently reconnected with another former beau—Santa Cruz’s assistant DA, Eric Byrne—who’s perfectly willing to accept her help. And Sally’s eager to offer it, especially since Lucinda appears to be Vargas’s prime suspect. Non-foodies may prefer to skip the extensively detailed passages about the meals Sally preps in the kitchen, but she’s otherwise sassy, irresistible company, and the mystery remains surprising enough to satisfy. Culinary cozy fans will be in heaven. Agent: Erin Niumata, Folio Literary. (Aug.)