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Tart of Darkness: A Culinary Cozy Mystery (Chef-to-Go Mysteries Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Denise Swanson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 508 ratings
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First book in the Chef-To-Go Series from New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson, featuring a delightful cast of small-town characters and a deliciously mysterious murder!

Have a killer craving for cozies? Check out this new series:

  • Perfect for Fans of Joanne Fluke and Kate Carlisle
  • For readers of culinary cozy mysteries and college town cozy mysteries

Right when Dani thinks she's hit a dead-end in her career, she unexpectedly inherits an enormous empty mansion in a quaint college town. This gives her the perfect opportunity to pursue her true passion—cooking! So Dani opens Chef-to-Go, preparing delicious, ready-made meals for hungry students attending the nearby university, as well as providing personal chef services and catering events for the local community. To help support her new business, she opens her home to a few students, renting them rooms and becoming almost like a big sister figure in their lives.

But Dani's sweet new life has a measure of darkness in it: when the friend of one of her boarders is murdered, Dani becomes a primary suspect! She'll have to scramble to clear her name, solve this culinary mystery, and save her business before the killer reappears—perhaps to silence the new chef forever.

Praise for Denise Swanson's Chef-to-Go mysteries:

"Fast-paced and fun... Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable."—Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Chef-to-Go Mysteries
  2. Print length
    370 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Poisoned Pen Press
  6. Publication date
    April 3, 2018
  7. File size
    1667 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

First in a delicious - and deadly - new series!

A refurbished mansion, a new catering business, and a dead body -

Chef Dani has a lot on her plate!

"Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable." -Julie Hyzy

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first in a promising new series. " - Kings River Life

"The catering business offers plenty of opportunities for an amateur sleuth in a pleasant, if ordinary, series opener that will interest fans of the author's other works." - Library Journal

"Once again, Denise Swanson demonstrates why her books are bestsellers. In Tart of Darkness, the first of her new Chef-to-Go mystery series, Swanson delightfully delivers murder, intrigue, and romance as she introduces us to Dani Sloan and a lively cast of supporting characters. Fast-paced and fun-as is Swanson's style-Tart of Darkness is utterly unputdownable. I cannot wait to revisit Dani's B&B in the next installment of what's sure to be a long-lived, well-loved series." - Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author

About the Author

Melissa Moran is an accomplished radio personality who has won both a CMA (Country Music Association) and ACM (Academy of Country Music) award in broadcasting. In addition to commercial voice-over work, theater, and improvisational comedy, Melissa has narrated over seventy audiobooks in many different genres.



Denise Swanson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Scumble River Mysteries, the Devereaux's Dime Store Mysteries, the Change of Heart romances, and the Delicious romances. She worked as a school psychologist for twenty-two years before quitting to write full time. She lives in Illinois with her husband, classical music composer David Stybr.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0748MXMSZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Poisoned Pen Press (April 3, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 3, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1667 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1492648388
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 508 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Denise Swanson

Denise Swanson

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Denise Swanson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Scumble River Mysteries, the Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries, the Change of Heart romances, and the Delicious romances She worked as a school psychologist for twenty-two years before quitting to write full-time. She lives in Illinois with her husband, classical music composer David Stybr.

www.DeniseSwanson.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/428723763963797/

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
508 global ratings
Chef-to-Go? Murder to solve!
5 Stars
Chef-to-Go? Murder to solve!
Dani Sloan left a high paying job for what?After inheriting a mansion she decided to fulfill her chef dreams by opening a Chef-to-Go. This new catering company is a dream come true. With the help of her college boarders she meets new people and grows her clientele. After catering a party for a wealthy co-ed, becoming a suspect, and fending off old boyfriends and the cops, Dani and her new found family search for the truth. And it isn’t what anyone suspects.I really enjoyed this first in a new series and recommend to any mystery lover. I can’t wait to read more!
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
If you've finished all the Scumble River books, this is a great series. Same great writing and a couple of familiar characters since it's only an hour or so away!
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HelloKnitty
4.0 out of 5 stars Another Fabulous Series by Denise Swanson
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
Dani has left behind a career that was turning her into a person she didn’t know or like. A person willing to compromise her principles. After compromising her principles for the last time Dani moves into an apartment building filled with young college women. While she attempts to find a new career she tries out new recipes on her neighbors and finds herself taking on the role of big sister. The unexpected inheritance of a mansion provides the perfect opportunity for her to open her own business and put her cooking passion to good use. Chef-to-Go provides ready-made lunches to local college students, catering, and personal chef services. After experiencing some trouble at their old residence, three of her former neighbors move in, renting rooms and providing time to Dani’s business.
When life seems to be going in the right direction a tragedy throws the household in turmoil. A client and friend of one of Dani’s boarders is murdered and Dani becomes one of the prime suspects. Dani must work hard to clear her name and save the future of her business.

I am a huge Denise Swanson fan, and I hoped I would like this book when I pre-ordered it. I was not disappointed. We are introduced to some new characters and revisit some characters we’ve met before. The new characters are developed well and we quickly get to know them. The new setting is not too far from Scrumble River, which gives it a familiar Midwest feel. Having lived in a Midwest college town myself, I can relate to the milieu of the town. This story is filled with several colorful suspects who each have their own stories. The plot is very engaging and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I like this book very much and will be recommending it.
6 people found this helpful
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Lisa Christopher
5.0 out of 5 stars This was an excellent book. The first in Denise Swanson's new Chef ...
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was an excellent book. The first in Denise Swanson's new Chef to Go Series. The characters are very likeable and there was just enough character development. If anyone likes Denise's Scumble River series, they will enjoy the crossover characters. The mystery itself moves along fairly quickly. It wasn't easy to figure out who the murderer was. I hate it when I have a mystery solved before I'm even done with the book. I'm looking forward to the next one.
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Theresa G. Feeley
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Eating!
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
Swanson has created a main character who is simply loves to cook! And everyone loves her cooking. I enjoy reading about people who provide love and care through their culinary skills.

Dani Sloan comes to the cooking world from the heated corporate insurance world where she has made a decision to follow her conscience and remain true to her ethical code. It was a tough choice for her; made easier by a surprise inheritance.

While I enjoyed reading this novel, I think that the crime being solved was unexpected, difficult to describe and somewhat “tortured”. The investigating officer was certainly a most unpleasant character who I imagine will reappear in future books. I disliked him intensely and can’t wait to see him receive his due. I wish that Dani had taken a more assertive style with him because he was certainly a nasty character and way out of line.

I look forward to the developing relationship between Dani and Spencer. Nothing like a little romance to mix in with good cooking!
One person found this helpful
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Shelli L. Fiorenza
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book yet in the series!
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2019
Verified Purchase
If you enjoy books with characters you would want to be friends with, a great story line, and characters that overlap in other series by the same author, anything written by Denise Swanson is for you! I own copies of all of Denise's books in all three series--Scumble River, Dime Store, and Baking and they are all awesome! Enjoy one of her books today!
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Lois Fisher
4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful New Series From Popular Mystery Writer
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
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Ms. Swanson's new series is off to a terrific start. Dani Sloan, her main character, is enjoyable, and the secondary characters are well drawn. The fact that some of the folks tie in with the Scumble River crowd is a plus, too. The Chef-to-Go business is good with Dani running a boarding house work house (not in the Dickens' tradition!) for college students adds to the delight of the story. Spencer, a visitor from a Scumble River book, is great as the possible boyfriend for Dani.

While the mystery starts off great, it peters out. That was why this novel didn't receiver five stars. I like my murderers to be baddies, and not something soft as this one turns out. Ms. Swanson could've cut some of the food prep and recipes. I love to cook, but too many got in the way of the flow of the story.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
3 people found this helpful
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Patricia Bird
3.0 out of 5 stars Could Be Interesting, But It Needs Work
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was a pretty interesting first novel in the series. The only problem was that the scenes were repetitious. Dani is making lunches to sell at the window. She keeps finding ingredients. Over and over. And then the romance scenes were repetitious with both Dani and Spenser telling themselves that they shouldn't get involved. It just seemed as if they kept repeating the same sequence of scenes until the manuscript was long enough to make a book. But I'm hoping that the series will get better, and I plan to get another book in the series.
5 people found this helpful
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Kiers
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2018
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The new Chef-to-Go series is already a favorite for me starting right out with the delightful first book! Denise Swanson's books are always so enjoyable and this one does not disappoint. The protagonist Dani is so likable, and the author's sense of humor shines through her characters. How fun to revisit characters from Denise Swanson's Scumble River series. Those characters 'stand alone' in the new series so it's not necessary to know them from the Scumble River books but is extra-fun if you do. PS: if you haven't read the Scumble River series you might want to try one if you love 'cozies'. If you do I can almost guarantee you'll be hooked and will have a whole new series to read. I'm on Facebook and joined Denise Swanson's FB page to get to know the author (she's great about responding to questions and comments), get recipes and join in on drawings. Really looking forward to book # 2 in the Chef-to-Go series.
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Top reviews from other countries

Elisa
5.0 out of 5 stars Just brilliant
Reviewed in Australia on May 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
Dani is awesome I love her, she has a great strength and I can't wait to read more from her character.
It was great to catch a glimpse of Frannie I do that that girl.

Ivy, Starr and Tippi are all interesting characters I'm looking forward to getting to know.

Spencer Drake is a great character and I am excited to read more from him and hopefully watch he and Dani develop a relationship together they seemed to have a great connection.

As for psycho detective I am figuring he is going to be a recurring pain in the butt for a while 'sigh' I don't like him but then we can't love every character lol

The mystery was great and intense, the setting is interesting the only thing I was disappointed in was no recipes at the end lol I am used to foodie mysteries having recipes at the end and I was looking forward to some new ones to try.
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