by: Carmela Dutra
Series: Food Truck Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 12, 2026
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Twins Beth and Seth Lloyd are on the chopping block in the follow-up to A Murder Most Fowl, where a perfect recipe for murder is stirred up.
Business at Kluckin’ Good is smoking hot. To keep momentum going, Beth and her twin brother, Seth, just scored a prime spot at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. For three and a half days, food lovers will flock to the Bay Area’s biggest culinary event to enjoy gourmet food trucks, cook-offs, and live music, but this recipe for success is also the perfect setup for murder.
When the infamous food critic Brad Dawson—also Beth’s ex—turns up dead, the only clue at the scene of the crime is a Kluckin’ Good tumbler mug. The timing couldn’t be worse. Beth and Brad were seen in a heated altercation, and days prior, witnesses saw Seth punch Brad. Suspicion naturally falls on the twins. With the cops hot on their trail, Beth will have to avoid the flames to clear their names and save her food truck’s reputation.
But the chickens are out of the coop, and as Beth digs into Brad’s final hours, she will uncover rivalries, grudges, and a different side of Brad she never knew. If she doesn’t crack the case soon, she might be the next one to get cooked. Best of cluck!
A mouthwatering mystery for fans of Joanne Fluke that will leave you peckish for more.
I’m doing wonderfully, thank you so much for having me! I’m thrilled to be here and excited to chat about Hot Wings and Homicide.
You’re very welcome. I’m excited for this series. I still need to read the first book, A Murder Most Fowl. Speaking of which, I had the pleasure of getting to know your characters, Beth and Seth, for that tour. Now, I’m excited to actually chat with you. What drew you to writing cozy mysteries?
I’ve always loved mysteries, but cozy mysteries hold a special place in my heart because they combine suspense with charm, humor, and heart. I love that a cozy can keep readers guessing while also giving them characters and a community they want to return to again and again.
As a writer, that really appealed to me. I wanted to create stories with high stakes and murder to solve, but also laughter, family dynamics, food, and a cast of characters readers could feel connected to. Cozy mysteries let me blend all of those things together.
Congratulations on the release of Hot Wings and Homicides, the second book in the series. Can you please tell me what readers can expect from?
Thank you! Readers can expect the same witty dialogue and sibling banter they enjoyed in book one. Familiar faces return, including Beth, Seth, Rylie, and Detective Kane (aka Detective Pretty Boy), but readers will also meet several new characters, some of whom may become semi-regulars in the series.
There’s also a brand-new costume in the mix. This time, Seth finds himself wearing a giant cow suit after losing a very specific game of jalapeño roulette to Beth. Readers will also meet a feathery new friend: Teriyaki, an emotional support chicken who seems to have chosen Beth as her person.
Add in simmering food truck rivalries, plenty of delicious food talk, and recipes in the back of the book. Readers are in for a very fun ride.
Lol. Okay, I REALLY need to read this series. Tell me about Beth and Seth Lloyd, in your own words. Which one is the easiest to deal with and why?
Beth and Seth are the kind of siblings who can drive each other absolutely crazy but would do anything for one another. They know exactly which buttons to push, and sarcasm is practically their shared love language.
Seth is the pragmatic one, the voice of reason, and the more cautious thinker. Beth, on the other hand, is chaotic sunshine. She leaps before she looks, follows her instincts, and usually brings a little trouble with her.
Beth is also the older twin by two minutes and never lets Seth forget it. But because she was born on Leap Day, Seth loves reminding her that she’s technically seven years younger.
As for which one is easier to deal with? Probably Seth. He’s more predictable. Beth would be more fun, but there’s a good chance you’d end up in the middle of some unexpected adventure.
Just from their interview, I already love them. When you started writing A Murder Most Fowl and Hot Wings and Homicides, did you know who the killer was, or was it a surprise to you as the story progressed?
With A Murder Most Fowl, I started with the attitude of, “It’s a mystery, I’ll figure out the killer when the reader does.” Unfortunately, that approach gave me plot holes, a saggy middle, and more than a few continuity headaches. It was a great learning experience.
By the time I wrote book two, I fully embraced plotting, and now I’m a devoted plotter. I began with motive first: who would want the victim dead, and what would they gain or lose? Once I understood the motive, I created several suspect profiles that could fit it. Then I built the victim’s story and worked outward from there.
After that, I mapped everything into a loose three-act structure and expanded it into a chapter-by-chapter outline. Sometimes my outlines become mini-manuscripts themselves. In fact, the outline for Hot Wings and Homicide was around 40,000 words before I even started drafting.
Wow. Tell me more about how your writing process changed from your first book to your second book?
I pantsed book one, but for book two, I fully committed to plotting. Having a structured outline helped me avoid so many of the issues I faced the first time around.
Book one required a major restructuring during revisions. With book two, I had a much clearer roadmap from the start, which made drafting smoother and faster. Because I plotted and knew where I was going with the story, I was able to complete a polished manuscript for my editor in just three months.
That process taught me a lot about how I work best as a writer, and it turns out I’m happiest when I have a solid plan.
Carmela, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions for me.
Thank you so much for having me! I truly appreciate the opportunity to visit with you and your readers.
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A lover of humor, quirky characters, and all things geeky, Carmela spends her days sketching, sipping far too much coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She lives with her husband and two dinosaur-obsessed sons, drawing inspiration from rainy afternoons, bustling farmers’ markets, and the unexpected moments that make life memorable.
Places to find Carmela Dutra:
You can follow the Hot Wings and Homicide Blog Tour here.
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