Since Carolyn and her professor husband Jason are off to New Orleans for a meeting of the American Chemical Society, this seems the perfect opportunity to work on her book about Cajun cuisine, Eating Out in the Big Easy, while her husband attends the scientific meetings.

There’s also the added bonus of an opportunity to visit with friends at the convention that they haven’t seen since college, especially Julienne and Nils Magnussen. Carolyn has kept in touch with Julienne over the years and is anxious to see her again.

Carolyn reserves a private dining room at Etienne’s for the friends to dine and get reacquainted. The group includes Lester, the fat dean of a college of science and his pompous lawyer wife, Miranda. Carlene McAvee, a California free-spirit and her Calvinist theologian husband Broder. And, of course, the vivacious Julienne and her husband Nils.

But the reunion quickly falls apart when Julienne and Nils engage in an ugly spat and Julienne walks out of the dinner. Nils assures everyone that this is typical of Julienne’s inconsiderate behavior and the reunion continues on uncomfortably in her absence.

When Julienne fails to re-appear the next day and neither Nils nor the police seem concerned about a runaway wife, Carolyn decides to take matters into her own hands and track Julienne down. But as Carolyn starts investigating, a series of frightening accidents befall her, making her all the more convinced that someone does not what her to discover Julienne’s whereabouts.

Author Nancy Fairbanks has whipped the perfect blend of mystery, vivid setting and mouthwatering foods. New Orleans and its authentic Cajun and Creole foods are equally as important as the mystery here and the balance is flawlessly executed. I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans and after reading Crime Brulee, I felt as if I had a genuine peek at the city...warts and all. ,p> You may want to steer clear if you’re on a diet, though. Mouthwatering and detailed descriptions of spicy seafood gumbo, enormous muffulettas, warm beignets and even deviled alligator puffs fill nearly every scrumptious page.

Even with all the recipe and travel information, the mystery does not take a back seat. There are several nice twists as Carolyn searches the city for her missing friend.

The book hints that Crime Brulee is the first in a series of Carolyn Blue culinary mysteries. The secret of a successful series is in the characterization and Carolyn and her husband Jason are authentically portrayed as a couple entering a new and exciting phase of life together. These are people I’d definitely like to spend time with again.

I’m sure the next mystery will be set in a different locale, but I’d love to read more about a certain New Orleans police lieutenant named Alphonse Boudreaux, who seems to have a bit of a crush on Carolyn Blue. Whenever he appears on the page, he steals the show (and your breath away). This is a character who deserves a book of his own.

All in all, Crime Brulee is a luscious start to a delectable series.

--Karen Lynch