Perfectly Pickled

Spring is here--finally--and things are looking up Our intrepid hero, Mina Kitchen, has a new car. Well--it's new to her. And she even has a boyfriend or two lined up. But that's because her BFF, Trixie, signed her up on Cupidsbow.com behind her back. Some prospective dates appear a bit odd--but never mind; it's good to make new friends, right? But all hope of smooth sailing vanishes when Mina hits another bump in the road: she loses her part-time job at Chi-Chi's cosmetic counter. And Chef Jack hasn't been scheduling her at Squirrel Run Acres lately, and her catering for James' massage gigs are replaced by a new, full-time (and gorgeous) assistant. WTH? To make matters worse, her financial calamities become outnumbered by the steady stream of corpses floating her way. Never mind the dead bodies pouring forth from her aunt's church, St. Bart's Episcopal--they're experiencing a new take on mass exodus. Congregation members are trading up at the Pearly Gates quicker than a greased geezer through a glass casket--that is to say, they're dropping like flies. The grim mortgage reaper looms, when suddenly Mina's solvency is rescued as she stumbles upon a full-time job. A rather peculiar job, with some definitely peculiar co-workers. Who try to kill her--and Chef Jack. Can Mina finally climb out of her proverbial--and literal--holes? Or will she wind up getting backhoed alongside a maniacal murderer? And where the heck's a Lavender Cosmo when you really need one? Vinnie, her mini mountain lion-sized cat insists everything will turn out fine--but his idea of fine usually revolves around cans of Finicky Fare, and not much else. If you're looking for funny novels, chatty animals (in the guise of pets)--and recipes--read this book. Perfectly Pickled packs sit-com humor with stand-up dialogue, a murder mystery and suspense. You'll cheer for Mina; hiss at the bad guys and sip your very own Lavender Cosmo along the way, courtesy of the author--the recipe's in the back of the book, along with others, all vetted by Lund's real-life favorite caterer, her husband, Chef Andrew.