This week I finally got around to a book that I’ve been eyeing on my TBR shelf for a while now – Judy L. Murray’s Killer in the Kitchen. This is the second book in her Chesapeake Bay Mystery series, and I previously reviewed the first installment (Murder in the Master) [here]. You’ll definitely want to pick up that one first, so check out that review if you haven’t already!

Helen Morrisey is back to real estate after the events of the first book have ended, and her daughter connects her to a work friend looking to sell his incredible estate – and that work friend just so happens to be a famous chef on TV! Things are really looking up for Helen as she lands the television star as a client, when all of a sudden he drops dead on live television right next to her daughter – poisoned. The slain chef’s world begins to unravel as Helen uncovers more and more secrets tying different suspects to the crime. And since her own daughter could have easily been poisoned too (saved only by the fact that she avoids coconuts, which were included in his recipe), she’s going full mama bear to track down the killer.

I love a good mystery series, and it’s even better when they take place in my beautiful home state. The scenery of the Chesapeake Bay is always unmatched. Judy L. Murray really knows how to write a compelling mystery in the gorgeous backdrop of the Old Line State.

I met her back in March at the library in North East, where I bought my paperback copy of this one and she signed it for me, so this is one that I’ll definitely be keeping. Usually, I pass off my paperbacks to friends and family when I’m done with them, but anything from this series I’ll be keeping because I know I’ll want to read them again. It really is that good, and Murray’s collection of stories starring Helen Morrisey deserves all the recognition it can get.

I always love how classic whodunit characters are tied in like imaginary friends for Helen to consult as she uncovers clues to crack the case. You can just tell that Murray is a longtime fan of the mystery genre by the way she effortlessly weaves in references to the classics throughout her work. The Chesapeake Bay Mystery series belongs on the shelf of every mystery lover in the state, because these books will have you turning pages late into the night with a flashlight under the blankets. The pacing is perfect, the plot is thick, and you’ll be thoroughly entertained. I can never tell who the killer is going to be in these books – and believe me, I’m GOOD at making predictions while reading.

If you’re a mystery lover like me and you’re looking for your next great read, go ahead and grab the whole series. I haven’t even gotten the third one yet, but the first two were so good that I’m already looking forward to it – literally going to order it as soon as I post this review. Trust me: this is a series you don’t want to miss!