Killer Crust (Pizza Lovers Mysteries)
Chris Cavender, pseudonym of mystery author Tim Myers, continues the Pizza Lovers series with an engaging plot focusing on a pizza-making contest. Eleanor Swift and her sister, Maddie, agree to participate in the event, though it is run by Laughing Luigi, a pizza-dough distributor with whom they have run afoul in the past. Still, they are delighted to have the opportunity to stay at the Timber Ridge resort, even though they live right in town, and the prize of $25,000 is enough of a lure for them to close their own restaurant to compete. Then Luigi is found dead, poisoned by a slice of the sisters’ pizza. Maddie and Eleanor are not suspects outright, but the police ask for their help in finding the killer. The competition continues, dotted by bribes, secrets, and sabotage. There is plenty for food-mystery fans to like here, including numerous recipes and details about pizza production. Followers of Myers’ Donut Shop series, written under his Jessica Beck monicker, will also like this series. --Amy Alessio