Pepper Reece never expected to find solace in bay leaves.

But when her life fell apart at forty and she bought the venerable-but-rundown Spice Shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, her days took a tasty turn. Now she’s savoring the prospect of a flavorful fall and a busy holiday cooking season, until danger bubbles to the surface . . .

Between managing her shop, worrying about her staff, and navigating a delicious new relationship, Pepper’s firing on all burners. But when her childhood friend Maddie is shot and gravely wounded, the incident is quickly tied to an unsolved murder that left another close friend a widow.

“The character-driven mystery by the award-winning author of Death al Dente is darker than many cozies. Readers attracted to unusual settings and mature, introspective amateur sleuths will appreciate this intricately plotted story depicting the impact of murder on the family and community..”

—LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED REVIEW)

“Leslie Budewitz has written an absorbing page-turner that mystery fans will love.”

—SUSPENSE MAGAZINE

“This cozy mystery is a perfect mix of intrigue, neighborhood development schemes, and a great collection of soup recipes.”

—THE MISSOULIAN

“Adventurous, quirky, eerie...this whodunnit—fifth in the Spice Shop Mystery series penned by Leslie Budewitz—has it all.."

—WOMAN'S WORLD

“Spann's debut provides an absorbing look at Japanese culture along with a sharp mystery."

—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A hit with nanas everywhere!"

—Molly, Read Between the Lines Podcast