Crafts and Life

The Statue of Liberty is 130 years old, and for the struggling residents of Hubbard, Ohio, any opportunity to bring in tourists is reason enough for a celebration. Laurel Inwood and her aunt, Sophie, are pitching in. Sophie’s Terminal at the Tracks, a former greasy spoon turned charming ethnic eatery, will be offering French cuisine for the entire week.

For expert help with their quiche and escargot, the ladies turn to Raquel “Rocky” Arnaud, a former French chef and friend of Sophie. What looks like a match made in heaven turns rank as quickly as buttermilk on a summer’s day. Rocky turns up dead and when her nightly red wine shows notes of oak, cinnamon, and poison, Laurel turns from soufflé to sleuth.

Life is interesting for Laurel Inwood, she is still trying to keep Declan Fury at a distance (and hoo boy is that tricky!) as she still has plans to up sticks from Hubbard and get back into her previous job of personal chef, so she is having to lie to her "Aunt" Sophie and Declan as she is arranging interviews etc.

Still the one bright thing is the big celebration of the Statue of Liberty, there is going to be a parade, fireworks and of course the Terminal at the Tracks will be going French! To help with the latter bit a local organic farmer Raquel "Rocky" Arnaud is providing French help with recipes, herbs and some of her CDs for ambiance, when she arrives at the Terminal Rocky is all excited about the upcoming week and in particular two book signings. so after she, Laurel, Sophie and their line cook George split some wine Rocky brought they were making arrangements for the rest of the week.  

It should have been plain sailing but Rocky made a ruckus at the first book signing, ran out before the parade finished and didn't come to the fireworks, when Laurel and Declan go to find out if she is okay they discover her dead! Now with a plethora of suspects (including one lady who claims to have shot her!), and the local police where she lived saying it was suicide Laurel needs to find out the truth before her Life, Liberty and Fraternity are removed from the equation!