Hummus and Homicide is the first in a new series by Tina Kashian. The mystery is interesting and well plotted; the characters are well developed and affable. This book moves at a steady pace with lots of suspects and red herrings. I was kept guessing the whole time and quite surprised at the murderer was revealed. I’m looking forward to reading future books in this series.

Lucy Berberian quits her job as a patent attorney Lucy at a Philadelphia law firm because she was passed over for a promotion and returns to her hometown, Ocean Crest, New Jersey. Her parents, Angela and Raffi, are thrilled that she’s returned and her father immediately puts to work as a waitress at their family restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. It’s always been their dream that Lucy would take over the restaurant, although that isn’t what Lucy imagined as her future. Lucy has mixed feelings when she learns that her parents have been looking into selling the restaurant and not happy that her ex-boyfriend, Azad Zakarian, is one of the potential buyers. Lucy isn’t happy when Heather Banks, high school mean girl who she had words with earlier that day, enters Kebab Kitchen, is dismayed when Heather announces she’s the new health inspector, and angry when she issues their first ever code violations. Later that day, Lucy finds Heather’ body in the parking lot behind the restaurant, her death is considered suspicious and finally ruled as murder by poisoning. Because Lucy’s staying with her best friend, Katie Watson, and her police officer husband, Bill, he’s taken off the case due to a conflict of interest and Detective Calvin Clemmons is the lead investigator. Lucy’s older sister, Emma, has a history with Calvin and since he holds a grudge against the entire family, Lucy is concerned he won’t give the investigation his best effort. Her father asks her to look into things because their business is hurting. When Lucy becomes the prime suspect, she becomes an amateur sleuth even though she’s been warned to steer clear of the case.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Lucy Berberian was passed over for partner for the second time in her eight years of working in a law firm in Philadelphia...one too many. She is back in her hometown of Ocean Crest on the Jersey shore for a short time until she decides what she wants to do. Almost immediately, she is thrown into helping out at her family's Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. Things get complicated when an old high school classmate and new Health Inspector dies in the Kebab Kitchen parking lot after eating in the restaurant. It is suspected that she ingested something that killed her. Lucy was the waitress who served her. Heather and Lucy didn't get along and Lucy is a suspect. Lucy has to find the real killer and her best friend, Kate, is right by her side in the search. Heather had enemies in the restaurant industry and she had other problems and a boyfriend. To make things a little more complicated, Lucy's parents want to sell the restaurant and this broadens the suspect pool. Business is down. Maybe someone wants it for a cheap price. Family friend and chef, Azad, and Lucy were an item during college but he dumped her. Azad is interested in buying the restaurant and he is interested in Lucy again. Why? Another thing that is complicating the situation is the fact that Kate's husband Bill is a cop on the force. Hummus and Homicide is a good cozy mystery with a food theme and great sounding food that might make you hungry. As the girls follow the trail of clues, it is hard to determine who the killer is and how it was committed. There is a surprise ending that it totally out there and unforeseen. It is fun to read a whodunit that is a total surprise. I recommend this book for those who enjoy good mysteries with a food theme. I am glad to see that it is the first in a series and look forward to more.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun and easy read...murder in a restaurant?? Could she have died by eating hummus? Who knows but Lucy will figure it out! I loved the recipes at the end of this book and was interested in Lucy's journey.

First off, while I was reading Hummus & Homicide, I had to grab some hummus and pita from a little Mediterranean restaurant because the food sounded TOO amazing but I really want Angela's basil hummus and apricot hummus. I digress....

I absolutely loved Hummus & Homicide! It really did not disappoint. When local mean girl dies, Lucy becomes the prime suspect. Who killed Heather and WHY? The answer was a bit of a shocker. The mystery moved on a great pace with a nice little twist on the killer's identity.

As typical with a cozy mystery- there is a little spark of romance but it's an afterthought and Lucy didn't pick her man. I can't wait for more additions to this series! I need more of the Kebob Kitchen Crew!

Fantastic plot-couldn’t put it down. Well-developed interesting characters. Great debut,

I was so excited to read this book and the story did not disappoint! I loved everything, from the setting, the characters, the mystery, and food! The mystery was so complex, yet I didn't feel lost or pressed to try and keep up. The characters we written amazingly, and a lot of them reminded me of my own family. What was so fun was that the more I read, the hungrier I got! I loved all of the mention of different foods, it brought me back to my childhood as most of these I grew up on. This is a series that definitely has staying power and I am so excited to see what else the author has in store!

When Lucy becomes the prime suspect in her nemesis’ murder, she begins an investigation to clear her name and save her family’s business. I enjoyed this book where nothing is as it seems. The comfortable tone made this book easy to follow and the pacing was aligned with how well the story flowed from the introduction of Lucy to the murder and to the end when the killer’s identity was revealed after much sleuthing on Lucy’s part. The author does a great job in telling this story with narrative that placed me in the middle of all the action. The mystery was nicely done and I applaud the author who kept me guessing until I had that moment when I knew and it was fun watching it all play out. I love the essence of her family and friends as they played pivotal roles in this whodunit. Boasting a wonderful and diverse cast of characters and engaging dialogue, I can’t wait to read the next book in this delightfully appealing new series.

This is a great start to an all new cozy mystery series that I will be eagerly awaiting for more of. It's got everything us cozy sleuths love- a fantastic set of characters, great food, and an engaging mystery. I very much recommend it to those who enjoy the genre.

Oh how the descriptions in this book take me back in memories and the food made me hungry while reading this.. Really loved the "family" in the book and the relationships between them even if they don't always want the same thing. Enjoyed the well written mystery and look forward to more.

Hummus and Homicide is the first in a new series by Tina Kashian.

I enjoyed this story very much. It had all the makings of a great cozy mystery, wonderful characters, a mystery that was interesting and kept me guessing and it was well written.
Lucy Berberian is returning to her family restaurant after leaving her position as a patent attorney.
Her parents are thrilled that she has returned, since it's their dream that she take over the restaurant.
Their dream and Lucy's aren't quite the same, but when an untimely death happens on their property, everything Lucy has come to know could be quickly taken away.

The author told a story of honor, love, loyalty and friendship. The mystery was exciting and I was wrong about who the murderer was!!
I enjoy reading a story that reflects part of the author's life. It makes the story more believable.

The food descriptions were mouthwatering and I am now looking forward to trying some hummus!
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Hummus and Homicide releases on February 27th so be sure to grab your copy.
I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

This is the first book in a new series.
I found it was okay but other than the setting, I found it too much like others in the cozy genre.

This is a fun filled mystery with an interesting plot, characters that are easy to relate to and a wonderful setting in a Mediterranean restaurant on the Jersey shore. When patent attorney Lucy is passed over for promotion at her law firm in favor of a conniving co-worker she quits her job, packs her bags and returns to her family's home and restaurant, the Kebab Kitchen, on the Jersey shore. She reunites with her friend Katie and on her first day back they go to have a beer at Mac's where they run into Lucy's nemesis from high school, Heather, who has recently been named the town health inspector and Lucy and Heather get into an argument. Heather then inspects the family restaurant and finds several petty violations. She returns to eat from the restaurant hummus bar and after eating is found dead in the parking lot from poison. The local detective is Lucy's sister Emma's old high school boyfriend who she dumped and he is eager to pin the crime on Lucy and the Kebab Kitchen. Lucy and Katie decide to investigate before the restaurant goes under and find out several secrets about Heather which lead them to solve the case. This book has mouth watering descriptions of food, romance and a beautiful setting on the shore. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

This is great! I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to make Hummus! Lucy, is a first generation American, from an ethnic family, Arnmeian. Food, boisterous family, I loved the whole family Restaurant atmosphere. I come from a large family, so , I understand loud! Lucy has quit her job at a prestigious law firm, won't tell her family, as she returns to a small Ocean town in Jersey. Once home, she wants to avoid a young college love, then runs into the nasty girl from High School, who becomes an even worse adult woman. Then, in her parents restaurant, nasty Heather dies, of poisoning no less! What damage to the business, who wanted her dead? The police believe Lucy could be the murderer! This is a great mystery, keeps you guessing the whole time! I love that, it moves quickly, all of the secondary characters are great! I want to know more about Lucy! Please do a follow-up! I have to know who she chooses! Love this great Author, by the way! This is number 3 on my Top 25 for 2018! I have a site on WordPress.
I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

This book was amazing. I don't know if it is because I too grew up in a coastal New Jersey town, but I felt like I was right there in Ocean Crest the whole time. It was a well thought out mystery, with just enough back story and history between the characters to make me want more! Can't wait for the next one.