Four delicious mysteries in the acclaimed series by a Cordon Bleu chef who “serves up nuggets of culinary trivia and wry food humor” (People).
They call him the gourmet detective. From his home in London to the culinary capitals of Europe and beyond, he is known for his sharp mind and even sharper palate. When chefs need a rare ingredient or a new idea to gain that extra Michelin-star boost, they come to him. And when cases turn deadly, he has a most exquisite way of catching killers.
The Gourmet Detective: Hired to uncover a renowned secret recipe, the gourmet detective infiltrates the most exclusive culinary circle in London. But the job takes a bitter turn when a chef is poisoned in this “fabulous, four-star feast” of a debut (Michael Klauber, restaurateur).
“Read King because you like a nicely structured mystery. Read him because you love gourmet food. Either way, savor the feast he has prepared.” —Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Spiced to Death: When a legendary spice is found in New York, the gourmet detective is there to authenticate the priceless supply. And when it vanishes, he dives into New York’s culinary underworld to sniff out a murderer of exceptional taste.
“Like a sumptuous meal served with an opulent wine, you simply won’t want this book to end.” —Michael Klauber, restaurateur
Dying on the Vine: Hired by a major French winery to investigate the shady owner of a neighboring vineyard, the gourmet detective barely arrives in Provence before discovering the rivalry has risen to murder in a mystery that “sits just right on the palate” (Booknews).
“King spins another light mystery treat.” —Publishers Weekly
Death Al Dante: A famous actor-turned-restaurateur sends the gourmet detective to Italy on a chef hunt, but the plush assignment turns prickly when he realizes that someone is out to make his next opulent, all-expenses-paid meal his last.
“Fast fun, delightful characters.” —Library Journal
Peter King (b. 1922) is an English author of mystery fiction, a Cordon Bleu–trained chef, and a retired metallurgist. He has operated a tungsten mine, overseen the establishment of South America’s first steel processing plant, and prospected for minerals around the globe. His work carried him from continent to continent before he finally settled in Florida, where he led the design team for the rocket engines that carried the Apollo astronauts to the moon. In his spare time, King wrote one-act plays and short mystery stories. When he retired, in 1991, he wrote his first novel, The Gourmet Detective, a cozy mystery about a chef turned sleuth who solves mysteries in the kitchen. King followed it with seven more books starring the character, including Dying on the Vine (1998) and Roux the Day (2002). In 2001 he published Jewel of the North, the first of three historical mysteries starring Jack London. King lives in Sarasota, Florida.