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FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT is the third book in the Vintage Cookbook Mysteries by Ellen Byron. Halloween in New Orleans is as over-the-top decadent as you can imagine and with a murder thrown into the mix, protagonist Ricki James-Diaz’s investigation is frightfully fun! Ms. Byron’s trademark humor and Halloween puns are out in full force, providing lots of chuckles, while her memorable characters make the story come alive on the pages. And, of course, the tempting descriptions of New Orleans and Halloween celebrations are enough to make anyone pack their bags and head south for a visit. This third book turned out to be my favorite so far… things are coming together for Ricki and she’s finding answers about herself and moving forward after the death of her husband. I enjoyed the addition of the blast from Ricki’s past, which provided the catalyst for the discoveries and added to the mystery.
The author theatrically sets the stage for murder and while I was pretty certain I knew who would get bumped off, the spooky scene was fitting for Halloween. With a fast-paced plot and lots of action going on with Halloween shenanigans, it was nearly impossible to put the book down. I liked Ricki doesn’t try to solve the crime all on her own but instead, relies on her friends and co-workers to hunt down clues and keep each other safe. There were suspects aplenty and some red herrings to throw the reader as the clues fell into place. But truthfully, this is such a fun book I couldn’t help but sit back and enjoy the tricks and treats!
Owning and running a vintage cookbook shop, Ricki is surrounded by delicious, and sometimes unusual recipes. I really enjoy browsing through the recipes at the end of each Vintage Cookbook Mystery because Ms. Byron shares recipes from vintage cookbooks with a few adaptations. With fall just around the corner, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the recipe for Golden Pumpkin Loaf from the Betty Crocker’s Cookbook for Boys and Girls. It’s super simple—perfect for kids to mix up—and the batter comes together in mere minutes. I wasn’t sure what to think about using biscuit baking mix as the base, but it turned out super delicious and had just the right ratio of sweetness and spices. This is an easy and yummy treat for breakfast or for dessert with a scoop of ice cream!
Amazon Synopsis
Welcome to the Bon Veeevil Festival of Fear! Prepare for the spookiest night of your life . . .
It’s Halloween in New Orleans, and the staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum is setting up a fantastic haunted house tour for their visitors. But when flashy movie star Blaine Taggart and his entourage move into the mansion next door, gift shop proprietor Ricki James-Diaz gets a fright of her own.
While Ricki is excited about the potential business the tours will bring to her vintage cookbook shop, she’s less thrilled by former friend Blaine’s arrival in town. Then Bon Vee’s prop tomb becomes a real tomb for Blaine’s nasty assistant, and suddenly everyone at Bon Vee is a murder suspect. There isn’t a ghost of a chance one of them committed the crime, but with NOPD busy tackling the mischief and mayhem generated by the spooky holiday, it falls on Ricki and her friends to catch the killer.
As the Big Easy gears up for the Big Scary, it seems everyone has skeletons in their closets. Can Ricki reveal the shadowy killer before someone else becomes part of the Halloween horror show?
A special thanks to Ellen Byron for offering a copy of vintage cookbook, BERRY-GOOD RECIPES, to one lucky winner! For those who don’t know, collecting vintage cookbooks is one of Ellen’s passions and she’d like to share with you! Contest ends September 11, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
This recipe is from Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls (1981 ed.) and calls for a 16-ounce can of pumpkin. A can of pumpkin today only contains 15 ounces of the ingredient. Luckily, the missing ounce doesn't affect the loaf's flavor.
The recipes are designed to be made by kids, so they're kept as simple as possible. But that doesn't make this pumpkin loaf any less delicious. In fact, it's wonderful!
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 can (15 oz.) of pumpkin
- 3 cups biscuit baking mix, aka/Bisquick baking mix
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F). Liberally grease a 9x5x3-inch loaf pan.
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Beat 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, and the pumpkin in a mixer bowl on medium speed around 30 seconds, until well combined. Gradually add the other ingredients and beat until the batter is smooth.
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Pour the batter into the greased pan and bake for 50 minutes to an hour, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the loaf's center comes out clean.
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Cool the loaf, then remove it from the pan and cut into serving slices.
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I added some coarse sparkling sugar to the top of the loaf before baking.
Servings: 8 full-size pieces or 16 half-size pieces.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sounds wonderful! I like pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie! Pumpkin and vanilla latte, too,
It’s really good, if I do say so myself!
Sounds great, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading!
Book sounds great! I love pumpkin loaf!
This is a really good recipe, I have to say.
Thanks for another fabulous post, Kim! You’re AMAZING.
You’re very welcome, Ellen! It’s always a pleasure hosting your wonderful books and oh so yummy recipes on the blog!
I very much enjoyed the recipe that you had listed above. It was very delicious and my family liked it. I very much would like to read your books and will look forward to following you on Facebook. Hope you have a delightful day
I’m so glad you made it and enjoyed it!
I am looking forward to your books
Thank you!
It’s so Pumpkin!
thanks for sharing & writing.