Rita Lafitte enjoys her life in Santa Fe working as a chef for Tres Amigas Café and visiting occasionally with her landlord Victor. Unfortunately, Victor is soon found dead and the police, including Rita's ex-husband Manny, suspect it was suicide. Rita and her boss Flori refuse to accept that it was a suicide and are determined to find the murderer, no matter what kind of snooping it will require.

BREAD OF THE DEAD is the first book in the Santa Fe Café Mystery series. I have to admit that I double checked this fact several times as there were references made to previous snooping by Flori and Rita that made me suspect this wasn't their first investigation together, although perhaps it is their first murder mystery. In fact, I can easily envision Flori as the lead in her own series as she has quite the personality!

Ann Myers makes the setting come alive in BREAD OF THE DEAD. From the various foods to the tranquil atmosphere of Victor's garden, each and every aspect of the setting made me want to visit. I want to taste Flori's pan de muerto while relaxing in Victor's garden. Ann Myers breathes life into this cozy town, making Santa Fe practically a character itself.

BREAD TO THE DEAD is a fun and tasty start to the Santa Fe Café Mystery series. Ann Myers creates memorable characters, from the oh-so-nosy Flori to the ex-husband Manny who needs his comeuppance, and places them in a lovely setting that just begs to be visited over and over again. I can't wait to see how the Santa Fe Café Mystery series progresses and just what further trouble Rita will get herself into!