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Kate Carlisle
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A Cookbook Conspiracy: A Bibliophile Mystery Hardcover – June 4, 2013

by Kate Carlisle (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 767 ratings
It’s a recipe for disaster when bookbinder Brooklyn Wainwright is asked to restore an antique cookbook….
 
Brooklyn has always been a little obsessed with food, but it was her sister Savannah who became a chef, graduating from the prestigious Cordon Bleu school in Paris. She and her classmates all went on to successful careers, but none of them achieved culinary superstardom like Savannah’s ex-boyfriend Baxter Cromwell.
 
When Baxter invites the old gang to participate in his new restaurant’s gala opening in San Francisco, Savannah looks forward to seeing her friends, and even asks Brooklyn to restore a tattered cookbook—an old gift from Baxter—as a present for him. But Brooklyn immediately recognizes that the book, which has strange notes and symbols scrawled in the margins, is at least two hundred years old. She thinks that it probably belongs in a museum, but Savannah insists on returning it to Baxter.
 
Shortly after receiving the gift, Baxter is found dead, with Savannah kneeling over him, bloody knife in hand, and the rare cookbook has disappeared. Brooklyn knows her sister didn’t kill him, and she suspects the missing cookbook might lead to the real villain. Now Brooklyn will have to turn up the heat on the investigation before Chef Savannah finds herself slinging hash in a prison cafeteria.
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  1. Book 7 of 17
    Bibliophile Mystery
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    NAL
  5. Publication date
    June 4, 2013
  6. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    9780451415967
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0451415967
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Amazon Editors' favorite summer reads Amazon%20Editors%27%20favorite%20summer%20reads

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Brooklyn Wainwright can’t cook, but she’s an expert bookbinder. Her sister, Savannah, though, is a top chef, with an array of friends, all classmates from Le Cordon Bleu. One of those friends had given Savannah a manuscript of an eighteenth-century “receipt” book, and now she wants to return it, rebound, as a gift upon the opening of his newest restaurant in San Francisco. Within hours of giving him the cookbook, Savannah finds him dead, stabbed in the restaurant’s kitchen, and the cookbook is nowhere to be found. Brooklyn is sure the cookbook is the key to clearing her sister and studies the photocopies she made before undertaking the rebinding and restoration. She shows her security-expert boyfriend, who in turn calls in his MI6 brother, a code expert. While the sleuths are trying to crack the code in the cookbook, the gathered chefs, who cannot leave San Francisco, cook meals for each other, providing Brooklyn ample opportunity to probe their friendships—and enmities. The descriptions of the meals are luscious, and the history of the book intriguing, as befits the seventh in the series. Includes recipes. --Karen Muller

Review

"Another superb entry--and this one is succulent as well--in Kate Carlisle's witty, wacky and wonderful bibliophile series. Quirky characters and an intriguing cookbook with a fabulous history add to the fun. Highly entertaining." --Carolyn Hart, author of Dead, White and Blue

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0451415965
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ NAL
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 4, 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780451415967
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0451415967
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Book 7 of 17 ‏ : ‎ Bibliophile Mystery
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 767 ratings

About the author

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Kate Carlisle

Kate Carlisle

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Visit Kate online at www.KateCarlisle.com, where you'll find a Secret Room filled with lots of bonus content, such as maps and character lists!)

New York Times bestselling author Kate Carlisle is a native Californian who worked in television production for many years before turning to writing. It was a lifelong fascination with the art and craft of bookbinding that led her to write the Bibliophile Mysteries, featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, whose bookbinding and restoration skills invariably uncover old secrets, treachery and murder. Her first book, Homicide in Hardcover, debuted in February 2010, followed by If Books Could Kill, The Lies That Bind, Murder Under Cover, One Book in the Grave.

With the publication of A High-End Finish in November 2014, Kate launched the Fixer-Upper Mysteries featuring building contractor Shannon Hammer, who specializes in Victorian home renovation and repair. The series is set in Lighthouse Cove, a seemingly idyllic town with many dark secrets hiding under its floorboards. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel is bringing the Fixer-Upper Mysteries to TV in a series of movies starring Jewel and Colin Ferguson. The first movie premiered in January 2017, the second less than three months later, with plans to film several more.

Kate's television credits include numerous game shows, music videos, concerts, and variety shows, including The Midnight Special, Solid Gold and The Gong Show. She traveled the world as a Dating Game chaperone and performed strange acts of silliness on The Gong Show, most notably as a member of the girl group, The Whispers. They didn't sing, exactly, but spit water on the host of the show.

Kate also studied acting and singing, toiled in vineyards, collected books, joined a commune, sold fried chicken, modeled spring fashions and worked for a cruise ship line, but it was the year she spent in law school that finally drove her to begin writing fiction. It seemed the safest way to kill off her professors. Those professors are breathing easier now that Kate spends most of her time writing near the beach in Southern California where she lives with her perfect hero husband.

Kate is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Romance Writers of America. She is the proud recipient of the Golden Heart and Daphne du Maurier awards, and her first Bibliophile Mystery received a Best First Mystery nomination from RT Book Reviews. Kate loves to travel and read and drink good wine and watch other people cook.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
767 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this cookbook mystery as a frothy summer read, appreciating how the plot unfolds in delicious courses. The book features detailed knowledge of restoring books, and customers love the characters and find it a quick read. They praise the cooking content, with one customer highlighting the Apple Crisp recipe with caramel sauce, while another notes the wacky family dynamic.

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EnjoymentMystery contentCharacter developmentLove of seriesReadabilityCooking qualityBook restorationWackiness
51 customers mention "Enjoyment"51 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, describing it as a frothy summer read and part of a fun series, with one customer particularly appreciating the content about bookbinding.

"...In this series there is enough to whet the appetite for book restoration and a few good recipe's for food or romance...." Read more

"...Like a great meal, the plot unfolds in delicious courses, beginning with an appetizing intro to a gaggle of gourmet chefs...." Read more

"Kate Carlisle has a hit on her hands with these excellent books about Brookylin Wainwright who restores very old and valuable books...." Read more

"...well as many interesting details about the restoration of old and valuable books. The recipes at the end of the book were an added bonus...." Read more

51 customers mention "Mystery content"51 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery content of the book, describing it as an excellent addition to the Bibliophile Mystery series with a plot that unfolds in delicious courses.

"...the unique ability to make her characters, not only believable, but interesting...." Read more

"...Throw in the gorgeous, intriguing Derek Stone, secret agent, brother Dalton, and Savannah the vegan chef and sibling of Brooklyn and voila...." Read more

"...I particularly like the back story with Obedience Green's cookbooks and the amusing "quotes" about mutton, brown sauce and syllabubs...." Read more

"...Her bookbinding techniques are interesting to read about...." Read more

24 customers mention "Character development"21 positive3 negative

Customers love the characters in the book, with one customer noting their seemingly organic development, while another finds them oh so very human.

"...Ms. Carlisle has the unique ability to make her characters, not only believable, but interesting...." Read more

"...To be fair, this book has some seemingly organic character lines from Brooklyn that are funnier than almost everything that succeeds it..." Read more

"...I loved all the characters and all the food, with wonderful descriptions...." Read more

"...The supporting cast of characters are so engaging, too, from Brooklyn's smoking hot, security expert boyfriend, Derek, to Guru Bob, the leader of..." Read more

15 customers mention "Love of series"15 positive0 negative

Customers love this series, with one customer specifically mentioning their enjoyment of the bibliophile series.

"I really like this series with Brooklyn and her quirky family...." Read more

"Lovely series that is a quick read- I am a fan of these types of mysteries...." Read more

"I love the bibliophile series with Brooklyn, Derek, and their family and friends...." Read more

"...This is, I believe, the best book in this series to date. The mystery was fantastic and I love that villain is someone that you would least suspect...." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, with several noting it's a quick read, and one mentioning it's good for bedtime reading.

"Not too heavy. It was a good before bedtime read. There was history and good cooking at the end...." Read more

"Lovely series that is a quick read- I am a fan of these types of mysteries...." Read more

"I like the way Kate Carlisle writes. Easy reading, you don't have to think and her books are entertaining" Read more

"A good, easy read. It keeps you entertained, but it is not consuming. It is easy to imagine it as a play or movie! A fun book!" Read more

8 customers mention "Cooking quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the cooking content of the book, finding it delicious, with one customer particularly appreciating the apple crisp recipe with caramel sauce.

"...extraordinaire .The ingredients ofthis entry in 2013 make for a delicious whodunit...." Read more

"...It was a good before bedtime read. There was history and good cooking at the end. I look forward to reading another in this series of books." Read more

"...are recipes in the back of the book - especially the Apple Crisp recipe with caramel sauce. I can't wait to try it!..." Read more

"...two murders while learning a little about cooking, book restoration, fine wine and code breaking...." Read more

6 customers mention "Book restoration"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book restoration aspect of the cookbook, with several noting the author's detailed knowledge in this area, and one customer mentioning the story of repairing a beloved book.

"I so enjoy this series featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, book restorer extraordinaire .The ingredients ofthis entry in 2013 make for a delicious..." Read more

"...try to solve two murders while learning a little about cooking, book restoration, fine wine and code breaking...." Read more

"...Love the details of caring for and repairing a beloved book, as well as the way the author carefully crafts a unique mystery." Read more

"...This latest is one of the better ones. Interesting explanations on how books are restored along with murder!" Read more

6 customers mention "Wackiness"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the wackiness of the book, with one mentioning the love for London's quirky family and another highlighting Brooklyn Wainwright's charm.

"I really like this series with Brooklyn and her quirky family...." Read more

"...I just love the main character, Brooklyn Wainwright. She's funny, brave, real--so much fun to read about...." Read more

"Brooklyn continues to charm, her family to provide laughter, and the villains to get their just desserts (and we're not talking food)...." Read more

"While less bookish, this is still the wacky world of Brooklyn and friends...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Cozyreaders
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Story Line
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Brooklyn Wainwright, a reputable bookbinder is startled by an unexpected visit from her chef sister, Savannah. Savannah, owner of 'Arugula' a vegetarian restaurant in the Sonoma County, CA town of Dharma, has come to ask Brooklyn to repair a rare cookbook to give as a present to a fellow chef.

    Brooklyn doesn't want to give this book away as it is rare and very old. In fact from the 18th Century. However, Savannah is insistent so Brooklyn agrees. As a Thank You, Savannah arranges dinner reservations to the Chef's grand opening in San Francisco in the Mission District. The Chef is Baxter Cromwell, Savannah's ex-boyfriend, television-land's Bad Boy Chef, and an all around jerk.

    Baxter has decided to open his restaurant with two weeks worth of his favorite old friend chefs. Opening night, Savannah is featured. Brooklyn and her live in love, Derek Stone, a former spy and now CEO of his own high security firm, doesn't know what to expect when they arrive, what they didn't expect, however, was to find Baxter dead on his kitchen floor with Savannah kneeling over him with the murderous knife!

    The three await the police and make a cursory search for the rare cookbook, after all, it wouldn't have anything to do with the murder would it? When the book comes up missing, that is exactly what Brooklyn begins to ponder.

    This sounds like a rather regular murder mystery...but what a person who is not familiar with this excellent series doesn't know is this mystery, is as usual, character driven. Ms. Carlisle has the unique ability to make her characters, not only believable, but interesting. Brooklyn and Derek are a society couple, but yet, you can see yourself joining them with a pizza and beer. I'm also in love with the family and residents of Dharma (Brooklyn's home town.) I love that the 'Flower People' have grown up and created their own form of an established life style. I favor the positivity versus the normal negativity that is type-casted for a 'flower person' of the sixties!

    We are actually solving two mysteries...murder and the rare book loss. The stories weave in and out and both are solved at the ending quite satisfactorily in my opinion.

    I look forward to the next installment eagerly. I'm never disappointed. I doubt you will either.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • ARG
    4.0 out of 5 stars Brooklyn knows the guy was an awful ass and thinks it is too good to return
    Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Brooklyn's sister brings her an old cookbook to restore. Her boyfriend during culinary school had given it to her and upon the occasion of his opening a new place in town, she wants to restore it and return it. Brooklyn knows the guy was an awful ass and thinks it is too good to return, but she does anyway. Opening night Savannah presents it to much dismay from him and some other old friends, but then he winds up murdered that night. The book is missing and Savannah is a suspect. Brooklyn of course tries to find the book and protect her sister, but are they connected. Derek's brother comes to visit after a clue is found in Brooklyn's copied pages of the book. Secrets come out and the truth is revealed. Only a little of the parents in this one so that was sad, but lots of Derek.
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  • GLThaler
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Pinch of this and a Pinch of Intrigue
    Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I so enjoy this series featuring Brooklyn Wainwright, book restorer extraordinaire .The ingredients ofthis entry in 2013 make for a delicious whodunit. Add some world class chefs of various levels and talents who met years ago at Le Cordon Bleu, a missing cookbook whose origin includes a series of codes and weaves together some old, new and borrowed characters at the opening of BAX in San Francisco, sprinkle a few untimely deaths and voila..you have a mixture that will keep you engaged in Kate Carlise's latest adventure as I catch up to the current day. I enjoy every one of these 'cozy mysteries as they bring new learning about various crafts. In this series there is enough to whet the appetite for book restoration and a few good recipe's for food or romance. Throw in the gorgeous, intriguing Derek Stone, secret agent, brother Dalton, and Savannah the vegan chef and sibling of Brooklyn and voila. Enjoy the tossing and turning of a centuries old puzzle and savor the plate before you.
    One person found this helpful
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  • BayIsland Gal
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love Carlisle's Bibliophile Mysteries
    Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I have read all 7 of the books in this series on my Kindle DX and Kate Carlisle is one of the select authors I always enjoy. In this latest book, Brooklyn’s sister Savannah [who sports a shaved head] became a vegetarian chef after graduating from the prestigious Cordon Bleu. Savannah’s ex-boyfriend Baxter Cromwell invites the old gang to his new restaurant’s gala opening in San Francisco. Savannah asks Brooklyn to restore a tattered cookbook—an old gift from Baxter—as a present for him. Brooklyn recognizes the book, which has strange notes & symbols scrawled in the margins, as at least 200 years old & belongs in a museum. After receiving the gift, Baxter is found dead & the rare cookbook can't be found. Turns out Baxter was blackmailing 3 of the chefs. Derek’s brother Dalton comes to San Francisco to decipher the symbols found in the cookbook; he is a cryptologist for MI6. Dalton becomes enamored with Samantha.
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  • D. West
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delicious! I Want Seconds!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Kate Carlisle combines two of my favorite things in this novel: cooking and books! Like a great meal, the plot unfolds in delicious courses, beginning with an appetizing intro to a gaggle of gourmet chefs. The main course (multiple untimely undoings) was served up in a way that left room for the rich reward at the end. I particularly like the back story with Obedience Green's cookbooks and the amusing "quotes" about mutton, brown sauce and syllabubs. The reason I enjoy Ms. Carlisle!s books is that I like the ability to ride along with Brooklyn from the city, to Dharma in the wine country and back as she puzzles through why she seems to be the murder magnet and oh by the way, she needs to get some justice for the dead while protecting her loved ones from false accusations. So, I can forgive her for not being able to cook pasta.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Not too heavy. It was a good before bedtime read. There was history and good cooking at the end. I look forward to reading another in this series of books.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Geoffrey Peters
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who doesn’t love a good food theme?
    Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Perhaps it was the cooking aspect tagged along with the restoration (two of my favourites) but this was my favourite in the series. The edge was taken down on the protagonist which wasn’t needed but perhaps a good call to make this better for traditional cozy lovers.
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  • Fuchs Joan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Zurück zur alten Form
    Reviewed in Germany on June 4, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Das ist wirklich ein Pageturner, so wie man es sich von dieser Autorin eigentlich gewohnt ist, und ziemlich beruhigend nach der letzten eher mittelmässigen Geschichte. Hier geht es um Köche, Kochbücher, Verschwörungstheorien und Erpressung, dazu noch Mord, was will man mehr. Spannend, eindrücklich beschrieben, ich konnte es kaum weglegen.
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  • LA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2018
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    Enjoyable read
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  • sherylyn kelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Australia on June 6, 2018
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    Love it need more!!!
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on August 30, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A great read
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