January Featured Cozy Mystery
A Murder Most Fowl
Food Truck Mystery Book One
A Murder Most Fowl
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Carmela Dutra
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Food Truck Mystery Series
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Paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook
A Murder Most Fowl is the first book in the Food Truck Mystery Series by Carmela Dutra. The amateur sleuths are Beth and Seth Lloyd, twin siblings who recently inherited a chicken-themed food truck named Kluckin’ Good from their late Aunt Dolly.
Beth knows she can make the truck succeed if she harnesses the power of publicity, so she signs Kluckin’ Good up for The Food Truck Showdown, a national TV show that pits eight food trucks against each other in a cutthroat cooking competition.
Unfortunately, Beth’s sizzling marketing strategy doesn’t go according to plan. Once the competition gets underway, sabotage puts everyone on edge, rivalries heat up, and a contestant dies under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly, the police are circling, suspicions are swirling, and everyone is pointing fingers at each other.
Beth, Seth, and Rylie (kitchen assistant and Beth’s bestie) quickly realize that they’ll have to wing their way through the mystery before the blame (or the killer) puts them on the chopping block.
Reasons to Read A Murder Most Fowl
A Murder Most Fowl is an outstanding debut cozy mystery that perfectly balances humor and suspense. The story is chock full of witty dialogue, playful poultry puns, and situational comedy that makes you laugh while you frantically turn the pages to find out what happens next.
The premise of a struggling chicken food truck thrown into a pressure cooker of a reality TV show competition is irresistibly fun and original. The scenario allows for plenty of suspects and creates opportunities for tension beyond the mystery.
The characters are another standout element. Beth is a quick thinker with lots of determination and enough flaws to make her refreshingly relatable. Seth is level-headed and loyal. And Rylie is a firecracker who brings energy and humor to every scene she’s in. The trio’s chemistry is natural and enjoyable.
And, of course, the best part is the mystery. The reality show creates a closed circle of suspects, so every interaction seems potentially significant, making it difficult to guess the culprit early on. All of the red herrings lead to a final reveal that is both cleverly crafted and satisfying.
The book ends with two outstanding story-inspired recipes that you can make at home. Both of them are finger-lickin’ good and will have you feeling like you just got treats from a food truck.
A Murder Most Fowl is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats. The hardcover and paperback versions are 336 pages. The audiobook is 10 hours and 53 minutes long and narrated by Tina Wolstencroft, a professional audiobook narrator and voice-over artist.
What Readers Say About A Murder Most Fowl
“A Murder Most Fowl is such a fun debut! I instantly fell in love with the witty writing voice as well as the hilarious (and heartwarming) combination of Beth Lloyd, her twin brother Seth, and their friend Rylie. ”
“Dutra balances humor, suspense, and food driven detail in a way that keeps readers both laughing and leaning closer to the page as the mystery deepens.”
“What a great start to a new cozy series. Carmela Dutra should be strutting like a rooster after writing such a clever cozy mystery...”
“Imaginative, clever, laced with humor and unexpected plot twists leading to a dramatic conclusion.”
Interview with Author Carmela Dutra
Read this Cozy Crime Reads interview with author Carmela Dutra to learn more about her books and her writing process. You can also learn more about Carmela, sign up for the free Kluckin’ Clue News Crew Newsletter, see upcoming book events, and more on CarmelaDutra.com.
A Murder Most Fowl Reading Kit
If you're in a book club or if you just want to have some fun beyond the book, check out this free Reading Kit for A Murder Most Fowl. It contains reader questions, book club activities, mystery activity pages, a coloring page, delicious book-themed recipes, an interview with author Carmela Dutra, and a chance to earn a fun surprise!
Book Two In the Food Truck Mystery Series
Hot Wings and Homicide, the second book in the Food Truck Mystery Series by Carmela Dutra, will be out May 12, 2026. It is available for pre-order right now. In Hot Wings and Homicide, a perfect recipe for murder is stirred up once again. Twin sleuths Beth and Seth must avoid the flames and clear their names after the death of an infamous food critic. Read more about Hot Wings and Homicide.
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