Janet Laurence Libros

Estranged from her obstinate lover, Detective Sergeant William Pigram, culinary expert Darina Lisle seeks distraction in her burgeoning career. Judging the cookery competition at a posh London hotel, she is flattered by the attentions of handsome restaurateur Simon Chapman, and intrigued by Verity Fry, the competition's vivacious winner. During the awards ceremony, Darina learns that Verity's family runs an organic farm in the West Country. When she accepts an invitation to visit Fry's Farm, Darina hopes for an idyllic rural interlude and, perhaps, a flirtation with Simon, whose Somerset restaurant is in the same vicinity. What Darina finds on the farm, however, is a puzzling hostility focused on Simon. Verity's stolid mother, sullen sister, and savvy fiance, all display seething resentments where the appealing young man is concerned. But before the confused visitor can sort out their thorny history, sudden death strikes Fry's Farm. While the family is reeling from its loss, Darina starts asking questions. She does not have time to make sense of one death before another occurs. The second tragedy has her involved with pieces of poisoned pate and a lethal tree. Confused by the clues, Darina can't get a handle on the killer's motive until she receives help from an irresistible source.

Discover the delights of a distinctive Scandinavian cuisine in a beautiful new book on the delicious cooking of Norway, with more than 60 stunning recipes.

Discover the delights of distinctive Scandinavian cuisine with 25 classic recipes presented in a gorgeous gift book format. From Swedish Meatballs with Lingon to Gravlax with Mustard, here are mouthwatering recipes from the heart of Sweden and a fascinating overview of the Swedish landscape, festivals and key ingredients.

Accompanying American heiress Belle Seldon on a visit to her ancestral family home in Somerset, Ursula Grandison soon discovers that the decaying stately Mountstanton House and its inhabitants has many secrets, including a crumbling marriage and a missing dowry.

The Society of Historical Gastronomes is gathering for a weekend symposium on food from the past. Darina Lisle has been asked to cater the occasion and has prepared a multitude of exquisite dishes - from salmagundis to a deepe coffyn - culled from ancient recipe books. But when the chairman is found stabbed to death with a boning knife, the professional pique of the attendant foodies takes on a more sinister meaning. Discarded lovers, jealous colleagues, and a plagiarized author have good reason to resent the victim's success. Darina, too, is under suspicion and determines to clear her name by revealing the murderer's true identity.

Helps you learn how to start writing crime; how to layer your novel with clues; how to find a market for your work; and, how to be a professional crime writer.

Darina Lisle is accompanying her recently widowed mother for a reviving stay at the Conifers Spa health farm, hoping it will enable her to lose some of the weight gained since her honeymoon in the south of France. Weight is not the only challenge being faced by an entertaining and varied collection of what is healthy eating? Is being overweight something to worry about? The spa itself, run by a friend of Darina’s, is in a severe financial crisis, and there are staff troubles. Darina’s husband, William, is part of the investigating team called in when death is discovered. Possible motives multiply. Darina herself is faced by personal and career challenges that force her to reassess some long held preconceptions as she tries to sort out the puzzles surrounding the murder, then finds that she is confronting an unexpectedly strong and violent killer.

Darina Lisle is lunching at the Hotel Morgan - nicknamed Hotel Morgue for its dilapidated condition - when she seizes the chance to save the dying West Country hotel from ruin. William Pigram cannot believe she is serious and, as the hotel takes up more and more of her time, begins to regret ever inviting her to lunch there. But Detective Sergeant Pigram is soon distracted by the murder of a local waitress and by the arrival of a new recruit, in the petite form of Detective-Constable Pat James. Darina sets about turning the Hotel Morgan into a hive of activity and soon she has it fully booked for Christmas. But as she gets to know her employer, Ulla Mason; the attractive but infuriating Alex; and the other local hotelier, Adam Tennant, owner of the luxurious Manor Park Hotel, she becomes increasingly suspicious of their involvement in the killing of Sharon Fry. And, when another murder is committed, Darina decides it is time to polish up her sleuthing skills.

From its origins as a kind of wine made from fermented bean pulp, to the coffee houses et the eighteenth century, to today, coffee has exercised a fascination for those who enjoy its varying tastes which depend on the places where it is grown, the varieties of bean, and the type of roast. This delightful little book explores coffee's history, cultivation and variety while also offering recipes that include it as an ingredient, such as Coffe and Chestnut Pâté, Lamb Roasted with Coffee. Coffee Cheesecake, and the wonderful after-dinner drinks made with various spirits and liqueurs.

A collection of three beautiful cookbooks that encompass the unique cuisines of Scandinavia, with 185 authentic recipes from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, shown in 900 stunning photographs by William Lingwood