Kristina A. reviewed on 10/6/2020 + 1528 more book reviews

Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder by Tina Kashian has Lucy Berberian gearing up for the holiday season at Kebab Kitchen. Lucy is participating in the Polar Bear Plunge with her best friend, Katie Watson because the proceeds are benefiting the local senior center. It is a madhouse when everyone hits the water which is a balmy 46 degrees and one man does not make it out alive. Deacon Spooner, co-owner of Sea View, was drowned. When Susan Cutie of Cutie's Cupcakes is accused of the crime, Lucy sets out to prove the woman's innocence. Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder can be read as a standalone if you are new to A Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. The book contains good writing and it is well plotted. I did find the pacing a little slow in places. There are lovely descriptions of the town decked out in all its holiday finery. Lucy has become engaged to Azad Zakarian, the head chef at Kebab Kitchen. It has not been announced publicly nor has Lucy set a date for the wedding. Her best friend, Katie is pushing Lucy to pick a venue, theme, dress, or perhaps a date. Lucy loves Azad, but there is something holding her back (they are meant for each other). Of course, Deacon Spooner's pompous attitude and high prices did not help matters. When Susan Cutie becomes the prime suspect in Deacon Spooner's death, Lucy with her trusty sidekick, Katie begins asking questions. There are a few suspects since Spooner was not a nice man. I picked out who I thought was the guilty party early in the book and then waited to see if I was right. There are good clues to help readers solve the whodunit. There is, of course, plenty of food talk in Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder. There are four recipes at the end for lemon meringue pie, Perfect Pilaf, holiday pretzel treats, and Azad's moussaka. Mistletoe, Moussaka, and Murder is a cheery cozy mystery with holiday house hop, matrimonial machinations, Christmas cheer, a polar plunge, seashells, seagulls, and snow.

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