Lucy Berberian is both thrilled and nervous when she lands her first catering job as owner of her family's Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. Scarlet Westwood is a wealthy socialite, and her fiancé has raved about the food from Kebab Kitchen in the past so Scarlet wants her wedding catered from there. Lucy knows the publicity will be a huge boost for the restaurant, but unfortunately, things don't go as planned. Now the best man is dead and Lucy's head chef and ex-boyfriend, Azad Zakarian is accused of murder. Can Lucy and her best friend, Katie Watson, solve yet another murder mystery?

STABBED IN THE BAKLAVA is the second book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series but can easily be read on its own merits. Tina Kashian offers readers enough of the back history to appreciate both the strong family ties within Lucy's family as well as her relationship issues. However, I suspect readers will want to see more of Lucy and Katie's investigative antics and will dive into the first book, HUMMUS AND HOMICIDE, as well as the latest book, ONE FETA IN THE GRAVE.

Lucy and Katie are a lot of fun! Their impetuousness is exactly the sort of behavior I can see two long-time friends from high school engaging in, although I keep waiting for Katie's husband and police officer to tell them to back it down a bit. The love triangle between Lucy, Azad, and Michael is intriguing, albeit a little distracting from the mystery, especially since I suspect that who Lucy will ultimately choose isn't who I want her to choose.

Tina Kashian outdoes herself with the tasty sounding recipes! Every single mention of the hummus bar at Kebab Kitchen sets my mouth watering, as I wish I could sample the various specialty flavors. And the baklava- oh my, does it sound scrumptious! Never mind that Lucy frequently stops into the nearby shop, Cutie's Cupcakes, and their wares sound equally delightful.

STABBED IN THE BAKLAVA is an intriguing cozy mystery with numerous twists and turns. Tina Kashian keeps readers guessing as it seems everyone has a motive to kill Henry Simms. I can't wait to see where the next book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series takes us!

Book Summary

Lucy Berberian has taken over her family’s Mediterranean restaurant on the Jersey Shore after an unsatisfying stint at a Philadelphia law firm. It’s great to be back in her old beach town, even if she’s turning into a seasoned sleuth.

Catering a high-society wedding should bring in some big income for Kebab Kitchen—and raise its profile too. But it’s not exactly good publicity when the best man winds up skewered like a shish kebab. Worse yet, Lucy’s ex, Azad— who’s the restaurant’s new head chef—is the prime suspect. But she doesn’t give a fig what the cops think. He may have killer looks, but he’s no murderer. She just needs to prove his innocence, before he has to go on the lamb . . .

Recipes included!