A Murder Most Fowl
Series: Food Truck Mysteries #1
Author: Carmela Dutra
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Setting: California
Release Date: September 9, 2025, by Crooked Lane Books
Pages: 336
Summary:
A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.
When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.
With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. With their loyal assistant–and Beth’s best friend–Rylie by their side, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.
This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.
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Excerpt
“All right, Big Bird. On your feet. Let’s go.” The officer who arrested me is standing in front of my cage. “Someone’s here for you.” His keys rattle against the bars as he unlocks my improvised coop.
I step over the cell’s threshold when I remember my head. “Wait a sec.” Scrambling back inside, I retrieve the top of my costume.
As we walk in silence down the hallway, the officer steals glances at me. I assume it’s not every day he has the chance to arrest a giant chicken. But that’s not all I notice. This officer is tall and has strong, broad shoulders and soft strawberry-blond locks—the kind you want to run your fingers through. Or, in my case, a chicken wing. Officer Pretty Boy is easy to look at, and I sneak just as many glances his way. Only mine are not so subtle because, well, I’m Beth, and nothing I do is subtle.
A deep clearing of a throat draws me out of my thoughts, and I see Officer Pretty Boy staring at me. Oh god, I’m not walking. At some point, I’ve stopped to lean against a wall and gawk at him.
Get it together, Beth. This man just arrested you. He’s your nemesis.
“Ms. Lloyd, if you’ll follow me.”
“How do you know my name?” I spring off the wall as gracefully as possible. In retrospect, I should have moved a little slower, because I lose my balance and fall forward into my escort, wings flapping.
Officer Pretty Boy grabs me as I fall into him. His muscular arms lift my chicken body into a standing position. “It’s my job to know who I’m bringing to the station. Plus, I met your brother. He’s waiting just through there.” He points toward a set of double doors.
“Of course. I knew that,” I say, trying to maintain some dignity. But it’s becoming harder the longer I’m here. “Lead the way, Officer Pretty Boy.”
Oh god. Did I just say that out loud?
“Officer Pretty Boy?” another voice says. Another officer laughs at the man hauling me out of here. “Has a nice ring to it. Perhaps we found a nickname for you after all.” The guy gives Officer Pretty Boy a hard slap on the back before he walks away, chuckling to himself.
I peek up at Officer Pretty Boy and his arched brow, but he says nothing. Instead, he walks toward the double doors, expecting me to follow. If the chicken suit had a tail, I’d tuck it between my legs.
“There’s my chicken of a twin!” says Seth with his arms wide open as I push through the double doors. Seeing my brother, I burst into a sprint. “Wow, slow down, Beth. You’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off.”
“Really? You’re making chicken jokes right now?” I stamp my foot at him.
“Don’t stomp your drumstick at me, young lady.”
“Can we just get out of here while I still have a shred of dignity left?”
“Ms. Lloyd!” Officer Pretty Boy calls out after me.
“Yeah, I think that ship has sailed.” My twin points over my shoulder.
About Carmela Dutra
Hailing from the Bay Area of California, Carmela Dutra cherishes her family, rainy days, and making others laugh.
Carmela has always had a deep connection with art and writing, and that love drove her to become an author. After years of working on children’s picture books and being recognized with awards, she transitioned to the adult market with her writing. Crafting cozy comedies filled with emotion and love, she strives to bring a smile to the faces of her readers.
When she’s not writing, Carmela drinks too much coffee and over-cuddles her allergy-inducing cats and dog. Married to her best friend, they are raising two sons who are wild about dinosaurs. She’s a fan of The Big Bang Theory and M*A*SH*, watching them repeatedly. Her dream is to write stories that have an impact, making readers laugh, or even cry, but always making them feel better when they finish.
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