Reviewed by Ephantus Gold
“Murder Most Delicious” by Danielle Postel-Vinay is a novel that serves up a mystery so rich in atmosphere and intrigue that it ensnares you completely, refusing to let go until its secrets have been fully uncovered. It pulls you into a world where every scent feels like it is holding a clue and where every character seems to be hiding something, setting the stage for a charged mystery, in which the loss of one sense might just be the key to discovering a deadly truth. Purchase Here.
The story follows Olivia Beech, an American sommelier, whose career in New York crumbled after Covid robbed her of her sense of taste. She is not the kind of sommelier trained through trial and error like many others, but one born with a heightened, almost inborn sense of smell. Today, she is heading to an interview at the legendary bistro Chez Jacques, where one of the most exacting French chefs in Paris will test her ability to taste wine. Passing the test will give her more than a job. She will be able to repay her debts, rebuild her reputation, reclaim her dignity, and, more importantly, have a chance to start over. But the moment the tasting begins, she detects something deeply disturbing in the glass before her. This is right after a sinister scent, which she compares to a snake hidden in a basket of cherries, hit her nostrils. Unable to truly tell what it truly is, the only thing that remains is for her to taste the wine. Jacques, however, grabs it from her, insisting that its cork was intact. However, things take an unexpected direction when, after one gulp, he collapses.
The next scene introduces Chantal, a local florist who owns a flower shop called Les Fleurs d’Amour, and who is part of a tight-knit group of locals who look out for one another. She witnesses the incident, moves in with the composure of someone already used to crisis, and objects to calling the police, arguing that they will not hesitate to arrest Olivia since she is the only person who was with Jacques at the time of his death. In a neighborhood that is as gossipy as it is protective, and where everyone knows everyone else’s habits, secrets, and grudges, the reader is drawn to the edge of their seat as the mystery suddenly explodes beyond a single death into a web of suspicion and conflicting loyalties. Here, one can’t help but wonder whether fate will, once more, extend an olive branch to Olivia and offer her a true chance at redemption, or whether the incident will wipe out every remaining ounce of hope she has left.
This book gave me an experience of sheer immersion, where I was utterly captivated by a setting that functions as a character in its own right, rather than just a backdrop to the story. The tension felt masterfully woven, striking a compelling balance between the story’s central mystery and the emotional weight of the protagonist’s sensory journey. The characters won my heart early in the read, especially Olivia, whose vulnerability and resilience anchor the story with a quiet, persuasive power. I found the prose elegant and precise, its language both sensual and controlled. The subtle incorporation of French in phrases, culinary terms, and cultural rhythms didn’t feel ornamental at all, but instead pulled me deeper into the world, making the language itself part of my sensory experience.
I have never wanted to move back into a neighborhood to see what mystery and what surprise awaited next, as I did with the one in this book. “Murder Most Delicious” by Danielle Postel-Vinay didn’t emerge as just a mystery to be solved, but as an experience to be savored. It was richly rewarding to me as a reader who enjoys lingering with uniquely-gifted characters, and who loves following carefully placed clues that persuasively invite you to solve their puzzle. I highly recommend it to readers who appreciate beautifully-crafted mysteries that engage both the heart and the mind.