I love this series! I do hope there will be more!! This author is one of my favorite authors. I love all the characters and thought this one had a good mystery and I loved that the MC got to find out more about her bio family.

French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron delivers a fun, spooky mystery with a touch of Southern charm. The quirky characters and eerie setting kept me hooked, though the plot felt a bit predictable.

Halloween is my favorite time of the year. I really enjoyed the unique and spooky vibes of the story and I thought the setting was just perfect. I enjoyed that we got to spend time with some characters we know and love but also got to meet some new ones. This story follows a murder that needs to be resolved (to keep it simple and non spoiler). All the characters are fun and quirky and I feel like they fit the setting so well. The mystery is good as well as the twists and turns and in the end we get a nice wrapped up resolution. I appreciate that the author leaves an opening for the potential of more. I'm a true lover of a potential budding romance so that was the cherry on top during this read. I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery reader and highly recommend delving into it during the spooky season!

I received a copy of this ARC from netgalley and voluntarily wrote my review. All opinions are my own and not biased. Thank you to the author and publisher!

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows a group of coworkers who work at a mansion in New Orleans. It is around Halloween so they are running a haunted house together. They get a new neighbor who is causing them trouble and then it is discovered that it is a famous actor. Ricki has a connection to this actor because he was friends with her dead husband. When the actor's assistant is killed, everyone is a suspect and Ricki and her friends work to find the killer.

This is the third book in a cozy mystery series.

Positives:
-Fun & likeable characters
-Halloween vibes

Negatives:
-Slow (lost my attention a bit)
-I didn't like the side "quest" of Ricki trying to find her birth family

I thought this was a decent cozy mystery. I liked all of the characters and the mystery was interesting enough. I thought it had some great Halloween vibes so I would recommend reading it around that time.

On the other hand, I do feel like the book drug on a bit. I didn't like some of the side stuff like trying to find Ricki's family. Maybe if I read others in the series I would have enjoyed that more. I was just a bit bored throughout.

Ricki runs Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop at Bon Vee’s Culinary House Museum in the Garden District in New Orleans. She’s not used to the enthusiasm New Orleans has for Halloween. To get in the spirit, Ricki suggests turning Bon Vee into a haunted house for the holiday with a scary version for adults and a much tamer experience for the kids.

Things would have gone well except the mansion next door sold and the mysterious new owner constantly complains about noise, an extra trash bin, and more, while threatening legal action.

When Ricki finds out the new neighbor is Blaine, a hot movie star and a former friend of Ricki’s estranged, now-dead husband, things go from bad to worse. Blaine opens his new house as a haunted house as well, complete with movie props to make it more realistic and outshine Ricki’s efforts. One effect is too realistic—his assistant’s body is found in the crypt and she’s not acting.

Ricki’s been mixed up with a murder or two before, so when the police and detectives are overworked with overly enthusiastic Halloweeners, Ricki and friends decide to solve the murder themselves.

This is book three in the series. Ricki’s finally starting to settle into how New Orleans folks think and well, party a lot. She also has a sort-of love interest, but he has a job even more demanding than her own, so she’s not sure if she’s in a relationship or not. There are several surprises in store for her, so things are changing—whether for the better or not, remains to be seen.

Since the theme of the stories is kitchenware and vintage cookbooks, recipes are shared at the end—try them if you dare! Tastes were different back then, at least according to the recipes for golden pumpkin loaf, pumpkin chiffon pie, chicken and oyster broth (there’s whipped cream in the bowl and the soup ladled over it), popcorn balls, a Jack O’-Lantern cheese ball, and a recipe for a creamy pimento ring that comes with the warning DO NOT MAKE THIS! It lists lemon Jell-O, vinegar, onion, paprika, mayo, grated American cheese, and chopped pimento. Byron tested it and verified that too much liquid turns it into a “gelatinous blob” not suitable for a molded ring. And maybe, not suitable for eating.

A light, fluffy read for Halloween with the perfect New Orleans setting. Will appeal to fans of Laurie Gilmore and similar.

This book is the epitome of working for 8 hours and then looking at the clock only to realise it has been 5 minutes.
There are too many characters to keep straight and I don't want to flip to a chart everytime and other one gets mentioned. I also feel like the mystery of Ricki's birth parents is a mess, even the author is confused. How was Kitty there for the birth of Ricki and her mom said "He is Fine" but Rickie's great grandpa was a Fine. Too many mystery babies.

Enjoyed this one very much, another great cozy suspense from author Ellen Byron. Never disappoints, highly recommend

I had not read anything by this author previously but it didn't matter, this cosy crime stands alone nicely and was a very enjoyable Halloween read. I had saved it for now and was glad I did. I liked the characters and the story was entertaining, perfect for a cosy night in. I also really liked the recipes included. I will certainly look out for more books by this author.

French Quarter Fright Night is the third Vintage Cookbook cozy mystery by Ellen Byron. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Severn House (a new publisher for this series), it's 256 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out from the same publisher in second quarter 2025. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a delightfully light and humorous cozy set in and around a fictitious stately home in New Orleans and the shops and tourist attractions associated with it. Protagonist and amateur sleuth Ricki James-Diaz runs a vintage cookbook and kitschy kitchen supply store in the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum and is a transplant to Louisiana from California.

Some of the characterizations and plot developments are admittedly a bit over the top and there are some twists which require a healthy suspension of disbelief, but all in all, it's a pretty good example of why the shopfront cozy subgenre is so popular. Ricki's internal Zen monologue ("I choose to feel calm" etc) was slightly intrusive at some points, but overall it added whimsy and a little humor to the read.

The eclectic mix of eccentric characters left an open field for most of the book for "whodunit" and why. The denouement and resolution are self contained in this volume and it works well as a standalone. With 3 books extant in the series, and having apparently found a new home with a new publisher and set to continue, it would be a nice choice for a mini-weekend binge read or buddy read. As with many shopfront/cooking allied cozy series, this one includes some bonus recipes in the back.

Four stars. The author is prolific and competent.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes

I loved loved loved this book! I can't wait to read more in this series. Halloween, New Orleans, and murder? What else can you ask for?

This one was just mediocre for me. The pieces should work, and Byron’s writing is solid as usual, but there is just no spark to hold my interest. The characters and storyline fall a bit flat. I’m hoping that the next one in the series engages me more.

I received an advance release copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT by Ellen Byron
The Third Vintage Cookbook Mystery

New Orleans loves a holiday and it’s going all out for Halloween. With a multitude of activities all over town Ricki James-Diaz and her co-workers decide to get in on the action by transforming the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum into a haunted house with tableaus inside the mansion and an old shed turned into a crypt outside. During the dress rehearsal the staff are shocked to find a real dead body inside the crypt. The victim happens to be the insufferable assistant of their new next door neighbor, the same woman making their lives a misery. With the New Orleans Police Department beyond busy with all of the Halloween happenings and since pretty much everyone at Bon Vee is a suspect it only makes sense they work together once again to solve yet another murder at their property.

Ricki's LA past comes back to haunt her in the third Vintage Cookbook Mystery. While preparing for her first Halloween in New Orleans since childhood she has to deal with neighbors causing problems and ultimately comes face to face with a person from her past she'd rather exorcise from her life. Add murder to the mix as well as hints to her own family mystery and it's another challenging time for Ricki James-Diaz.

I love Halloween and I really enjoyed seeing how the people of New Orleans and the characters of the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series celebrate. The matching costumes of Benny and Jenny, detailed descriptions of decorations, and the camaraderie of friends celebrating make me want to spend Halloween with them in the Big Easy.

I really enjoyed not only the mystery, but how Ricki and her co-workers investigate; working together, albeit with different methods. I appreciate how Ricki deals with disappointment in regards to her investigatory work and her relationships. I also liked learning more about Nina and seeing how she keeps Ricki on her toes. And, of course, I love the addition of Red.

Combining the celebratory atmosphere of New Orleans with a well plotted mystery FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT is the perfect mystery read to get you into the Halloween spirit!

3.5 stars

In this third book in the 'Vintage Cookbook Mystery' series, a murder victim is found in a Halloween horror exhibit. The book works fine as a standalone.

*****

Thirtyish cookbook enthusiast Miracle Fleur de Lis James-Diaz (aka Ricki James-Diaz) was born in New Orleans, spent many years in California, and is now back in the Big Easy. Ricki owns and runs a gift shop, called Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop in a New Orleans attraction called 'Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.'

The museum is located in a refurbished mansion, and Ricki has an idea for attracting more visitors during the Halloween season. Ricki suggests converting the Culinary House Museum into a haunted house, and calling the spooky attraction 'Bon Veeevil.' This notion goes over big with the museum's manager and employees, and everyone gets on board to make it happen. Suggestions include a tomb with a dead body; an elderly abandoned bride in a soiled gown; a bubbling cauldron with witches; zombies and vampires; cobwebs and bats; etc.

Everything is going well at the Culinary House Museum until Hollywood heartthrob Blaine Taggert - whom Ricki knew when she lived in California - buys the mansion next door, called Duncan-Sejour. The Duncan-Sejour mansion is being prepared for Blaine's arrival by his assistant, Miranda Fine, who's a difficult combative woman.

Miranda sends complaint after complaint to the head of the Culinary House Museum, grousing about the attraction's trash bins, parking allotment, noisy visitors, and more. The museum folks fear the Halloween haunted house will really send Miranda over the edge, but that doesn't happen. When Blaine and his entourage arrive in town, it turns out the movie star knows nothing about Miranda's harassment campaign, and he makes her stop. Blaine even agrees to turn Duncan-Sejour into a Halloween haunted house alongside the museum's spooky exhibit. The two mansions are set up with the requisite frightening rooms and a 'dress rehearsal' is scheduled. Shockingly, the 'dead body' in Bon Veeevil's tomb turns out to be all too real: it's Miranda Fine, who's been murdered.

Amateur sleuth Ricki is afraid all the people at the Culinary House Museum, including herself, will be suspects, and she decides to investigate the homicide herself. Ricki even gets a grudging 'okay' from police detective Nina Rodriguez, whom Ricki has helped in the past. The only caveat is that Ricki has to immediately share any information she gets with Nina.

Fans of cozy mysteries know how this goes: Ricky sneaks around; sticks her nose in everywhere; follows people; asks questions; searches for clues; and manages to make some discoveries. Before the perpetrator is discovered, there's a second incident, involving a fire, which raises the stakes all around. All this leads to an exciting climax where the culprit is revealed.

Additional plotlines add interest to the story. For example, Ricki was abandoned by her birth mother and raised in an adoptive home. As an adult, Ricki is searching for biological relatives, and she's having some success. Also, Ricki and her neighbor Virgil - a famous television chef - are co-parenting two dogs called Thor and Princess. There's an attraction between Ricki and Virgil, and the possibility of romantic sparks.

Of course, the book's setting, New Orleans during Halloween, provides a wonderful ambiance for the story. The Big Easy is decorated; the pubs have beer crawls and Halloweenie contests; people wear costumes; and there's lots of partying and jollity.

Like her character Ricki James-Diaz, author Ellen Byron is a fan of vintage cookbooks, and the end of the book includes recipes from Byron's collection, such as Popcorn Balls and a Jack-O'-Lantern Cheese Ball.

This is a fun cozy mystery that's especially appropriate for the Halloween season.

Thanks to Netgalley, Ellen Byron, and Severn House for a copy of the book.

French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron welcomes in the fall season with a bang!

Can Ricki keep the Bon Vee staff from going to jail?

Ricki James-Diaz
Ricki is becoming a better person since coming back home to New Orleans. Not only is she finding out more about her birth family, but she is also finding a better life for herself, even if her old life popped in for an unexpected visit. Oh well, Ricki is the bigger person and will not let this matter slide over how happy she has been. I love how stubborn and tenacious Ricki was in this book. Along with being concerned for her family members who got in the crosshairs of her investigation. Ricki keeps proving how good the move from Los Angeles to New Orleans was for her.

The Mystery
Ricki and the rest of the Bon Vee staff were doing a quick dress rehearsal for their Haunted House tour, which ended when they found the dead assistant in their makeshift tomb instead of the dummy they had there. She was tasked with investigating why the assistant was found on Bon Vee's property instead of next door. Oh boy, was this one a doozy! I figured out who did it, but not the entire reason why! Wow, was that reason a big stupid one.

Five Stars
I am giving five stars to French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron. I recommend this book and the first two of this series. Ms. Byron has fooled me with them all, especially on the motive of why the killers have done it. She keeps me entertained with them all. I especially love the recipes in the back. She has some in the back of this one as well. I love how she includes what cookbook they came from and why she chose this recipe.

The recipes are Golden Pumpkin Loaf, Pumpkin Chiffon Pie, Chicken and Oyster Broth, Popcorn Balls, Jack-O-Lantern Cheese Ball, and a recipe she says not to make called Creamy Pimiento Ring.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

Halloween, New Orleans and a murder, what more could you ask for. A great read anytime of year. I highly recommend French Quarter Fright Night the third book in the Vintage Cookbook by Ellen Byron. Thank you Severn House, Ellen Byron and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ellen Byron, and Severn House for this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the 3rd book in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series. This story takes place in New Orleans during Halloween time at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum which is the largest house in the garden district. It was the home of Genevieve "Vee" Charbonnet who was a big name in her day and her home was turned into a museum. All of a sudden a person from Rickis past moves into town and next door, movie star Blaine Taggart along with his motley crew and personal assistant. While preparing for their haunted house, their new neighbor is giving them nothing but problems. Finally the haunted house is all set up and during the test run a dead body is found in their haunted house. It's the dead body of Blaines assistant.

There are a lot of people who could have possibly killed her as more information is discovered. Problem is it's almost everyone including Blaine. Can Ricki figure out who the killer is before someone else gets murdered?

This had some good mystery to it along with talk of Halloween decorations and festivities. There is a bigger story line that involves more than just the mystery and I feel this book really explores that story line. There is even potential for a romance to happen. If you're looking for more than just a mystery book this is the story for you. The other two in the series include Bayou Book Thief and Wined and Died in New Orleans .

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #ellenbyron #frenchquarterfrightnight #severnhousepublishers

"Welcome to the Bon Veeevil Festival of Fear! Prepare for the spookiest night of your life."
French Quarter Fright Night is the third book in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series and this takes place in New Orleans during Halloween. In the book we follow Ricki and her friends as they investigate the murder that happened. This book kept me guessing until the very end and was a page turner from beginning to end. This will get you in the mood for Halloween and was the perfect cozy read for the fall season. The author did a great job writing this one and I look foward to reading more books by her. Overall this was a great cozy mystery read that I enjoyed and would recommend to any reader who loves a good cozy mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House Publishing for this cozy read in exchange of my honest review of French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron.

Overall this was such a cute little Halloween book!! I love the laughs that the characters gave me and I think this really got me into the holiday spirit.

A haunted house in New Orleans, a historical cookbook seller, and a problematic neighbor who happens to be one of the biggest movie stars. What could go wrong?

In this cozy mystery we are taken to New Orleans during Halloween as Ricki and her co-workers at the Bon Vee house. As they prep for the holiday they have a new obstacle, a horrible new neighbor. Tension rises to a fever pitch until one day the next door movie star's assistant turns up dead and everyone at Bon Vee is a suspect.

There were a lot of great elements to this story. The cast of characters and the setting of New Orleans during Halloween hit all the right beats. Unfortunately that was about the extent of it. The "will they won't they" relationship fell flat. The mystery itself had very little clues to keep the reader's attention and there was very little guessing about the end, which kind of came from nowhere.