Bernard LeVasque has opened a cooking school practically in the backyard of the Inn at Hemlock Falls. The world famous chef has caused quite a stir in the small village, and in the lives of sisters Quill and Meg. Business has dropped dramatically, and it's not something either of them is willing to take sitting down, especially when LeVasque begins a campaign against the Inn after one of his best chefs jumps ship to come work for the sisters.

It's not a great surprise to anyone who knows him that LeVasque ends up dead with a knife in the neck. When the knife is traced back to the Inn's kitchen, Meg, Quill and their new chef, Clarissa, quickly fall under suspicion. The sisters soon discover LeVasque may have been good in the kitchen, but he managed to make enemies of almost everyone. Clarissa is soon arrested, and it is up to Meg and Quill to discover the true killer's identity before they end up next on the murder list!

TOAST MORTEM by Claudia Bishop is the latest installment of the Hemlock Falls mystery series. It moves along at a steady, engaging pace, easily keeping the reader enthralled throughout. Meg and Quill are fun characters; their sisterly banter laces the story with humor throughout. There is a comfortable feeling in the world of Hemlock Falls, and though this was my first visit with the Quilliam sisters, it definitely won't be my last!

Book Summary

The Inn at Hemlock Fall reopens for readers!

Bernard LeVasque has opened a multi-million dollar cooking school in Hemlock Falls-and has even stolen customers from Sarah and Meg Quilliam's Inn. But someone finds the infamous chef too bitter-and takes him off the menu for good.