Murder Can Spoil Your Appetite — Selma Eichler

Normally, pudgy private eye Desiree Shapiro would turn down a job no more than she would a second helping of chocolate mousse. But this case is decidedly unappetizing. Her new client is powerful crime boss Vito da Silva, and he wants her to find out who, murdered his protege, political up-and-comer Frankie Vincent. It's an offer Desiree can't refuse.

Venturing into deepest, darkest New Jersey Dez teams up with a local police detective and starts digging. It turns out Vincent's squeaky-clean image hid the kind of character flaws that would make any number of people delighted to attend his funeral--including his very attractive wife. To complicate matters, Desiree fears that as soon as she identifies the murderer, her client won't think twice about doling out his own form of justice. To catch this killer--and prevent more mayhem--Desiree is really going to have to throw her considerable weight around...

By popular request: Desiree's recipe for Chilled Lemon Souffle