It's the First Annual Food Lovers' Film Festival and organizers Erin Murphy and Christine Vandenberg are scrambling to deal with the last minute decisions and problems. Unfortunately, Christine is found dead and now Erin has a new problem as her brother, Nick, is the most likely suspect. Can Erin keep the festival going while discovering who Christine's murderer is?

BUTTER OFF DEAD is the third book in the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series but can be read as a standalone. Leslie Budewitz quickly immerses readers into the village of Jewel Bay, Montana, while providing new readers a handy list of characters to keep track of who's who. Erin is a great main character and her love for her family and the town of Jewel Bay shines through so clearly in all her actions.

And oh how I love the town of Jewel Bay and the various specialty shops! Erin manages the Merc, a store filled with locally made food, and I wish I could browse the shelves to see all the yummy sounding treats the Merc offers. I particularly like that Leslie Budewitz doesn't ignore the difficulties in running specialty stores in an area where the tourist season is quite small.

BUTTER OFF DEAD is a scrumptious cozy mystery filled with food, family, and an intriguing mystery. I've only read one other book by Leslie Budewitz, but I definitely intend to read more by her, including the first two books in the Food Lovers' Village Mystery series, as I love her characters and settings. BUTTER OFF DEAD is easily recommended!