Lulu Taylor is attending a dinner where some of her friend Sara's paintings are going to be auctioned. The hostess ordered a custom portrait and then reneged on the deal saying she did not like the painting. She and Sara get into an argument when Sara tries to add the portrait to the auction. When the hostess, Tristan, turns up dead, Sara is high on the suspect list. Lulu will enlist her friends to help her find the true killer.

When DeeDee, the owner of a dress shop who Lulu is close with, is found dead in the parking lot of Aunt Pat's, the investigation broadens. There are many likely culprits. It turns out that Tristan and DeeDee had several irons in the fire with the pageant business, including some incidents of blackmail. Once again, Lulu will find herself in danger from the killer as she comes closer to the truth.

The Memphis BBQ Mystery series is an entertaining collection stories with some fairly easily solved plots; up until HICKORY SMOKED HOMICIDE. The author did a great job of hiding the identity of the real killer until right near the end. With a couple of enjoyable secondary plots, the reader will find themselves immersed in the Memphis barbecue scene. There will be some salivating going on with the food as well.