When Toronto restaurateur Liz Walker’s star chef Daniel Chapin goes missing after becoming the lead suspect in multiple murders, it’s up to Liz to find him before the police do.

Liz Walker is the quintessential broke all the time, cynically optimistic restaurateur. As the owner of a charming corner bistro in downtown Toronto, she doesnt mince words when glamour and romance elude her. Despite the foibles of running a notoriously risky business, covering cheques with her line of credit, and dealing with a fickle public, she wouldnt dream of doing anything else. Unfortunately, a missing chef, prickly health inspectors, and murder threaten to shut her down. When the body of her meat supplier, Mr. Tony of Kensington Market fame, is found dismembered, her star chef Daniel Chapin becomes the lead suspect, then goes missing. More problems arise when two people are poisoned at the place where Daniel has been moonlighting. Determined to get her chef back and clear her restaurants name, Liz jeopardizes her life in pursuit of a ruthless killer, crossing paths more than once with Detective Winn.

Mary Jackman was born in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1976 she co-opened the trendsetting Peter Pan Restaurant in Toronto. She has lectured at George Brown Culinary School, appeared in a televised documentary on celebrity chef Susur Lee, who worked for three years as chef at Peter Pan, and continues to own and operate her popular downtown Queen Street West eatery.

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• Commended, Dewey Divas and the Dudes

This is a quick, fun read featuring a strong female lead with lots of personality – and it’s loaded with sights and aromas of downtown Toronto.

Waterloo Record

Strong points of this novel are the details about running a popular restaurant that are woven in with the crime and the many facets of Liz Walker, a lively and believable character.

The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

[An] entertaining debut.

Publishers Weekly

A great little weekend book for the cottage a new puzzle for those who like their crime pink but not bloody. Bon Appetit!

The Globe and Mail

Liz has a generally sprightly, wry voice, and Spoiled Rotten looks to be the start of a series.

The London Free Press