The Deviled Easter Egg Hunt : Book Review

 

When the town librarian is an avid mystery and true-crime reader, the local law enforcement must need a book-smart assistant like her, right?

Even though winter is technically over, the arrival of Easter makes it feel like spring has officially sprung. Alexandria, one of four towns that geographically border Newfound Lake, is celebrating this year with their second annual Easter Egg Hunt for both children and adults. After the resounding success of last year’s event, they expanded it to include a Deviled Egg Contest at the town hall; Rebecca Towne is signed up and ready to scramble the competition.

When Melanie and Megan, Rebecca’s stepdaughters, are finished hunting for eggs, the only event remaining is a photograph with the Easter Bunny. Rebecca and her new husband, Chief Kenny Towne, notice something off and intercept kids still wanting to meet the famous cottontail. Suspicions confirmed, Rebecca decides this is her case to crack. The death of the costumed character in broad daylight isn’t the only thing that smells funny in this small town when no one can seem to identify a viable suspect.

With the hunt for the eggs over, the hunt for a killer begins. Will Rebecca be able to identify the bad egg in the basket, or will she come up with her first goose egg?

KU Book Review

“The Deviled Easter Egg Hunt (A Newfound Lake Cozy Mystery #23)” by Virginia K. Bennett has Rebecca and full blended family celebrating Easter. There are egg hunts for kids and adults, a deviled egg contest and an Easter bunny for the kids. It wouldn’t be a holiday in Newfound Lake if someone didn’t end up dying.

Rebecca must be a cozy mystery lover herself. There was a clue I was thinking was going to be a bit of a red herring but I should have known better. I wont say more because I don’t want to reveal any spoilers.

Deviled Eggs

• 12 large eggs
• ▢1/3 cup mayonnaise, , or use half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt
• ▢2 Tablespoons pickle relish, , or diced dill pickle
• ▢1 1/2 teaspoons dijon mustard, , or yellow mustard
• ▢salt and freshly ground black pepper, , to taste
• ▢paprika, for garnish

Instructions 

• Hard Boil Eggs:Stovetop Method: Add eggs to a saucepan and cover eggs with cold water. Heat until water comes to a boil. Stir in 1 teaspoon of baking soda (trick for helping the eggs to peel easily), apply lid to cover, and remove from heat. Rest with the lid on for 12 minutes. Remove eggs to an ice water bath to cool.Instant Pot Method: Add 1 cup of water to Instant Pot. Add wire rack and place eggs on top. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes, with a 5 minute natural release. Remove eggs to an ice water bath for 5 minutes.Oven Method: Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Place each egg in the cup of a standard muffin tin and bake for 30 minutes. Remove eggs to an ice water bath to cool.
• Peel and cut eggs: Slice peeled eggs in half, lengthwise. Carefully remove the yellow yolks and place yolks in bowl.
• Filling: To the bowl with the egg yolks add mayonnaise, pickle relish, and mustard. Mash with a fork until smooth. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add more mayo, mustard, or seasonings to taste, if needed.
• Assemble: Add a big spoonful of filling back into each egg white. Use a spoon, or a pastry bag to pipe the filling in. garnish with paprika or chives, just before serving.
• Store in the fridge for 2-3 days (depending on the freshness of eggs).

Safety Note: Only use food-safe dyes (like food coloring) and ensure eggs were not left out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours during a hunt.