Appetizers and Alibis. Alphabet Soup Mysteries, #1

Opening day was supposed to be the beginning of Jessica's dream. Instead, it became the scene of a nightmare. Chef Jessica Vasquez has finally done it, opened The Crock Pot, her very own restaurant in Dashwood. After years of competition wins and culinary training, she's ready to serve comfort food that warms the soul. Her famous alphabet soup is flying off the menu, the reviews are glowing, and her best friends are cheering her on from the dining room.
Then her sous chef and friend, Earl, is shot dead behind the restaurant. In one devastating moment, Jessica's dream threatens to become her destruction. When the police load her into a patrol car for questioning, she realizes the horrifying truth: she's a suspect. But Jessica was inside with her entire staff when Earl was killed. She couldn't have done it, and she won't let his killer walk free. As threatening messages appear and another shooting nearly takes her life, Jessica discovers Earl had secrets.
Business dealings. Mysterious conflicts. Someone wanted him dead, and now they're determined to silence anyone who gets too close to the truth. With her general manager Noah, her best friends Sawyer and Vee, and Earl's grieving mother by her side, Jessica begins asking dangerous questions. But the deeper she digs into Earl's past, the more she realizes the killer is still watching, and The Crock Pot might be the perfect place for another murder.
Can Jessica solve the mystery before her business is destroyed, and she becomes the next victim? Or will her first day as a restaurant owner be her last? Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries who crave: Culinary settings with mouthwatering descriptions Strong, determined amateur sleuths Restaurant drama and kitchen culture Small-town secrets and family bonds Heart-pounding suspense with emotional depth Appetizers and Alibis is the first book in the Alphabet Soup Mysteries series.
Each book features a delicious new mystery, but the series is best enjoyed in order for character development and ongoing storylines.