"The Proof Is In The Pudding"

Melinda Wells continues her Della Cooks Mysteries series with "The Proof Is In The Pudding" which includes recipes just like her previous books. However, I'm more interested in the current murder she's out to solve.

Phil Logan, the Public Relations specialist at the TV station where Della has a cooking show, lands her a job subbing as a judge in a cooking contest after one of the celebrity judges has to bow out at the last minute. Although Della doesn't feel she's a celebrity, Phil insists and the opportunity to wear designer clothes while being photographed judging has its appeal so it doesn't take much convincing.

But....when one of the judges is killed in a mysterious "accident" near Della, she's concerned suspicion will fall on her surrogate daughter because she'd confided in Della that the judge had been blackmailing her. The girl's parents are at the gala event and her police officer father has already managed to "deck" the judge before he's murdered so suspicion also is gravitating towards him and he's not allowed to be part of the investigation.

While sleuthing, Della is interviewing other contestants and judges and one judge is shot during their late night meeting at a coffee shop. As Della continues investigating, her life is also threatened. Will she be able to finish this investigation alive and clear her friends from suspicion? You'll have to read the book to find out!

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