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Also Writing as Maria DiRico
Murder is a funny business.
Ellen Byron
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USA TODAY BESTSELLING & AGATHA AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
Ellen Byron >
Maria DiRico>
Cajun Country Mystery Series
Anchor 1
Book Seven
AGATHA AWARD
WINNER for Best
Contemporary Novel
LEFTY AWARD
NOMINEE
Cajun Kiss Of Death
In Pelican, Louisiana, Valentine's Day has a way of warming the heart. But the air at Crozat Plantation B&B turns frigid when celebrity chef Phillippe Chanson checks in. And when the arrogant Phillippe perishes in a fiery boat crash, Maggie Crozat's dear friend JJ lands in very cold water. Did JJ, proprietor of Junie's Oyster Bar and Dance Hall, murder Phillippe because he feared the competition? Might Maggie's mother, Ninette, have bumped off the chef for stealing one of her cherished recipes?
Blood may be thicker than water, but this case is thicker than gumbo. And solving it will determine whether Maggie gets hearts and roses-or hearse and lilies-this Valentine's Day.
CAJUN KISS OF DEATH
Murder in the Bayou
Book Six
LEFTY AWARD WINNER for Best
Humorous Mystery
AGATHA AWARD
NOMINEE
Murder in the Bayou Boneyard
Maggie Crozat has the Halloween heebie-jeebies in USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron's howlingly funny sixth Cajun Country mystery.
With October--and Halloween--approaching, Maggie Crozat conjures up a witch-crafty marketing scheme to draw visitors to Pelican, Louisiana and her family’s historic B&B.Five local plantation B&Bs host "Pelican's Spooky Past" packages, featuring regional crafts, unique menus, and a pet costume parade. Topping it off, the derelict Dupois cemetery is the suitably sepulchral setting for the spine-chilling play, Resurrection of a Spirit. But as more murders stack up, Maggie fears that Pelican's spooky past has nothing on its scary present.
"Another great book in this endearing series."
DRU'S BOOK MUSINGS
Book Five
LEFTY AWARD
NOMINEE
AGATHA AWARD
NOMINEE for Best Contemporary Novel
Louisiana B&B owner Maggie Crozat kicks up her heels at a country music festival--but she'll have one foot in the grave if she can't bring the killer of a diva's hanger-on to heel.
Grab your tickets for Cajun Country Live!, the pickers' and crooners' answer to the legendary New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Maggie Crozat, proprietor of the Crozat Plantation B&B, plans to be in the cheering section when her friend Gaynell Bourgeois takes the stage with her band, Gaynell and the Gator Girls.
"Author Ellen Byron has developed a loyal following that will be delighted with Fatal Cajun Festival. If you have missed these books so far, be sure to fix that today."
CARSTAIRS CONSIDERS
Fatal Cajun Festival
Book Four
AGATHA AWARD
WINNER for Best Contemporary
Novel
LEFTY AWARD
NOMINEE
It’s Mardi Gras season on the bayou, which means parades, pageantry, and gumbo galore. But when a flood upends life in the tiny town of Pelican, Louisiana―and deposits a body of a stranger behind the Crozat Plantation B&B―the celebration takes a decidedly dark turn. The citizens of Pelican are ready to Laissez les bon temps rouler―but there’s beaucoup bad blood on hand this Mardi Gras.
"Superior... Well-rounded characters, a fair-play plot, entertaining repartee, as well as dashes of Cajun lore and Louisiana history make this cozy a winner."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW
Mardi Gas Murder
Book Three
LEFTY AWARD
WINNER for Best Humorous Mystery
AGATHA AWARD
NOMINEE
Maggie Crozat is home in Cajun Country during the most magical time of the year. But the Grinch has come to stay at the Crozat Plantation B&B, and he’s flooding travel websites with vicious reviews. Maggie ID’s him as rival businessman Donald Baxter –until Baxter is found stabbed to death. With her detective boyfriend sidelined as a suspect, Maggie must catch the real killer or it will be the opposite of a Joyeux Noel for her.
"Superb...there's no end to the mischief and mayhem in this exceptional cozy."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY STARRED REVIEW
A Cajun Christmas
Book Two
LEFTY AWARD
WINNER for Best Humorous Mystery
AGATHA AWARD
NOMINEE for Best
Contemporary Novel
In book two of the USA Today bestselling series, Maggie Crozat agrees to be frenemy Vanessa Fleer’s Maid of Honor. But when a murder occurs and Vanessa tops the list of suspects, meeting this Bridezilla’s demands takes a backseat to keeping her out of jail.
"Cozy readers who fell under the spell of the eccentric and charming Crozat family will welcome their return in this entertaining sophomore effort. The writing is energetic, and the twisty plot includes a touch of romance. Diane Mott Davidson and Lou Jane Temple fans will line up for this series."
LIBRARY JOURNAL
"BODY ON THE BAYOU is a perfect mix of Southern charm, spicy people, fantastic food, and murder...Once again, Ellen Byron has given us a murder mystery masterpiece!"
A 5-STAR NIGHT OWL REVIEW
"A tight plot, an appealing setting, and a smart, good-hearted protagonist with a caring, supportive family and lots of friends give this story everything cozy mystery readers could want."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Body on the Bayou
Book One
LEFTY AWARD
NOMINEE for Best Humorous Mystery
AGATHA AWARD
NOMINEE for Best
First Novel
DAPHNE AWARD
NOMINEE for Best Mainstream Mystery
The town motto of Pelican, Louisiana is “Yes, We PeliCAN!” But can artist and native daughter Maggie Crozat solve a murder that threatens to ruin her family’s plantation- turned-B&B in this Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne-nominated debut mystery?
DEBUT MYSTERY OF THE MONTH!
"Recipes and fascinating tidbits about plantation history add a tasty lagniappe to this entertaining and well-done cozy debut. A twisty plot and engaging colorful characters complete this mystery’s many pleasures."
LIBRARY JOURNAL
“Byron’s debut brings energy and verve to the cozy.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"Brilliant...Ellen Byron has written a delectable Cajun cozy mystery that is one of the best books I have read in a long time!"
NIGHT OWL REVIEWS, TOP PICK
Plantation Shudders
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