Philadelphia is home to a new murder mystery that will have you guessing until the very end. "To Kill a Cook" by W.M. Akers is set in 1970s New York City, where restaurant critic Bernice Black stumbles upon the gruesome scene of a head floating in a gelatin mold - yes, aspic, the savory meat jelly once found on mid-century American dinner tables.
Bernice, a friend and longtime colleague of deceased celebrity chef Laurent Tirel, is determined to uncover the killer's identity not only for justice but also for a career-saving scoop. As she delves into the world of fine dining, Akers masterfully weaves together the old-school elegance of French cuisine with the emerging New American cuisine that's rapidly gaining popularity.
The tension between these two culinary worlds serves as a backdrop for Bernice's personal journey, including her complicated relationships and her own exploration of identity. When she's not searching for clues or navigating her tumultuous love life, Bernice indulges in the city's most eclectic and excessive foods, from spicy beef to hot Jell-O molds.
Akers' writing style, reminiscent of period pieces, immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and flavors of a bygone era. He drew inspiration from retro cookbooks, his mother's experiences working in New York restaurants, and even the iconic musical "Company" for fashion notes. The result is a richly detailed world that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
As Bernice unravels the mystery, she must confront her own biases and assumptions about identity, culture, and class. In doing so, Akers crafts a story that's both a thrilling whodunit and a nuanced exploration of the human condition.
The author has already announced plans to write another book starring Bernice Black, this time focusing on the vegetarian cooking and health food that dominated the 1970s scene. However, fans will have to wait for his first novel set in Philadelphia, which is still in its early stages of development.
With "To Kill a Cook," Akers has proven himself as a masterful storyteller with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of human nature.
Bernice, a friend and longtime colleague of deceased celebrity chef Laurent Tirel, is determined to uncover the killer's identity not only for justice but also for a career-saving scoop. As she delves into the world of fine dining, Akers masterfully weaves together the old-school elegance of French cuisine with the emerging New American cuisine that's rapidly gaining popularity.
The tension between these two culinary worlds serves as a backdrop for Bernice's personal journey, including her complicated relationships and her own exploration of identity. When she's not searching for clues or navigating her tumultuous love life, Bernice indulges in the city's most eclectic and excessive foods, from spicy beef to hot Jell-O molds.
Akers' writing style, reminiscent of period pieces, immerses readers in the sights, sounds, and flavors of a bygone era. He drew inspiration from retro cookbooks, his mother's experiences working in New York restaurants, and even the iconic musical "Company" for fashion notes. The result is a richly detailed world that feels both nostalgic and timeless.
As Bernice unravels the mystery, she must confront her own biases and assumptions about identity, culture, and class. In doing so, Akers crafts a story that's both a thrilling whodunit and a nuanced exploration of the human condition.
The author has already announced plans to write another book starring Bernice Black, this time focusing on the vegetarian cooking and health food that dominated the 1970s scene. However, fans will have to wait for his first novel set in Philadelphia, which is still in its early stages of development.
With "To Kill a Cook," Akers has proven himself as a masterful storyteller with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of human nature.
! I mean, who wouldn't want to solve a crime in 1970s New York City? It's like stepping into a time capsule - all the fancy restaurants and old-school elegance, plus the emerging New American cuisine. And Bernice Black as the protagonist is so fascinating, especially with her complicated relationships and identity struggles 
. The author's writing style is so immersive, it's like you're actually there, eating the food and attending the parties 
. I'm totally hooked! Can't wait to read more about Bernice and the culinary world she inhabits 
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, I mean, who wouldn't want to read about a head floating in aspic? 
But at the same time, I'm like totally skeptical about the plot, I don't know if it's gonna hold up. And can we talk about Bernice Black's character development for a sec? She's got so many layers, but sometimes I feel like she comes across as kinda flaky? 
Like, is she really just gonna solve this case based on her gut feelings or what? And don't even get me started on the author's writing style - it sounds super atmospheric, but will it be too much for some readers? 
this book sounds like a wild ride - who knew murder & mystery could be so deliciously served in the 70s NYC food scene? 
gotta get my hands on "To Kill a Cook" ASAP! 
️. The character of Bernice Black is so intriguing - like, who wouldn't want to be a food critic and solve murders at the same time? 
The writing style is totally retro-cool and I love how Akers drew inspiration from old cookbooks and musicals. Can't wait to read more about Bernice's adventures in Philly! 
! The combo of whodunit mystery & character exploration is giving me all the feels 
! The author's attention to detail in crafting this retro world is insane 
, I'm loving the nostalgic vibes 
!
reminds me of old period pieces but still super modern! Bernice Black is literally my new favorite character, she's all about justice & uncovering secrets 
. I'm also intrigued that Akers is exploring class and culture in this novel - it's not often you see those themes tackled in a mystery book, but I'm all for it 
. And omg, Bernice's complicated love life is giving me major 70s drama 
.
It's like reading a novel that's not just about the plot, but also about the people and their struggles. I'm definitely intrigued to see where Akers takes this series next 
It's like the author took all my favorite foodie memories and turned them into a whodunit. And can we talk about how cool it is that the book's set in Philly? I've always loved the city's vibe, especially its food scene (who doesn't love cheesesteaks?! 
). Anyway, Akers' writing style sounds super immersive - like you're right there with Bernice, trying to solve the mystery. Bring on the next book, I'm hooked! 
And Bernice Black's character sounds so complex and multi-dimensional, with her complicated relationships and identity exploration. It's like Akers took all these different elements and wove them together into a rich tapestry that I just can't wait to unravel 
, and I love how he drew inspiration from retro cookbooks and his own experiences growing up in New York restaurants 
.
. Bernice Black is such a great protagonist, she's not your typical detective, and her personal struggles make her even more relatable 
. I'm also intrigued by the contrast between French and New American cuisine, it adds an extra layer of complexity to the story 
. And the fact that Akers drew inspiration from retro cookbooks and even musicals is amazing 
. I'm already team Bernice Black all the way 
, can't wait to see what her next adventure will be!
. The author's writing style is so immersive and detailed, it feels like I'm right there with Bernice investigating the crime scene 
. Can't wait for the next book in this series!