On this page

This page lists novels that feature culinary expert and amateur detective Darina Lisle. The police detective William Pigram appears in all but the first of the series.

A Deepe Coffyn

Janet Laurence

1989

A Darina Lisle novel.

"The Society of Historical Gastronomes is gathering for a weekend symposium on food from the past. Darina Lisle has been asked to cater for the occasion and has prepared a multitude of exquisite dishes – from salmagundis to a deepe coffyn - culled from ancient recipe books. But when the chairman is found stabbed to death with a boning knife, the professional pique of the attendant foodies takes on a more sinister meaning. Discarded lovers, jealous colleagues and a plagiarised author have good reason to resent the victim's success. Darina, too, is under suspicion and determines to clear her name by revealing the murderer's true identity."

A Tasty Way to Die

Janet Laurence

1990

A Darina Lisle novel.

"When Darina Lisle agrees to help out in her old schoolfriend's rapidly expanding catering company, The Wooden Spoon, she expects to be kept frantically busy, with cookery demonstrations, cocktail parties and elaborate private dinners. But she doesn't expect to be involved in death ... Even a simple case of food poisoning would be bad for business and once the story leaks to the press The Wooden Spoon sees bookings fall. But when insinuations of murder begin to surface, Darina is drawn further into the web of intrigue. Natural curiosity leads to her own investigations, and when Detective Sergeant William Pigram ridicules her amateur sleuthing, Darina is more determined than ever to solve the mystery herself."

Hotel Morgue

Janet Laurence

1991

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Darina Lisle is lunching at the Hotel Morgan – nicknamed Hotel Morgue for its dilapidated condition - when she seizes the chance to save the dying West Country hotel from ruin. William Pigram cannot believe she is serious and, as the hotel takes up more and more of her time, begins to regret ever inviting her to lunch there. But Detective Sergeant Pigram is soon distracted by the murder of a local waitress and by the arrival of a new recruit, in the petite form of Detective-Constable Pat James. Darina sets about turning the Hotel Morgan into a hive of activity and soon she has it fully booked for Christmas. But as she gets to know her employer, Ulla Mason; the attractive but infuriating Alex; and the other local hotelier, Adam Tennant, owner of the luxurious Manor Park Hotel, she becomes increasingly suspicious of their involvement in the killing of Sharon Fry. And, when another murder is committed, Darina decides it is time to polish up her sleuthing skills."

Recipe for Death

Janet Laurence

1992

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Parted from her detective boyfriend William Pigram, cookery writer Darina Lisle is helping judge a cookery competition. Shades of the Great British Bake Off and all its stresses and strains accompany the judging process. In the chaos that follows the winning announcement, Darina accepts an invitation from Somerset chef Simon Chapman to his restaurant. Soon she is involved with the Fry family, their organic farm, the winner of the competition, and with Natasha, the haunted cousin of renowned cookery writer Natalie Duke. All too soon death arrives at the Fry's and Darina, without William, employs all her detective instincts in delving into the past to solve the present - for there's a killer upsetting the culinary ambitions of several people."

Death and the Epicure

Janet Laurence

1993

A Darina Lisle novel.

"When cordon bleu cook Darina Lisle is commissioned to write a cookery book for Finer Foods – a family firm importing gourmet delicacies from the Far East among other places – it comes as an exciting challenge. But Darina soon discovers that Finer Foods is in deep trouble. Profits are plummeting and the managing director, epicure Joe Madoc, is at loggerheads with the board both personally and professionally. Then tragedy strikes in the demonstration kitchen. But was it an accident or a brilliantly planned murder? While a police enquiry proceeds, Darina becomes more and more closely involved in the doings at Finer Foods, and the quick thinking of her detective fiancé, William Pigram, narrowly averts a second death. As the misfortunes of the company mount, Darina finds herself out of a job. Unable to investigate further, she accompanies William’s sister on a trip to Hong Kong, hoping to increase her knowledge of oriental cuisine. And it is there that an unexpected encounter finally enables Darina to unravel deep secrets surrounding Finer Foods."

Death at the Table

Janet Laurence

1994

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Cookery writer Darina Lisle’s great chance comes along with a place on a weekly food and wine TV programme. Charismatic Australian wine expert, Bruce Bennett, also comes along bringing trouble. Tensions rise till there seems hardly an aspect of the programme unaffected and even Darina’s relationship with her detective partner is under strain. Then death occurs on camera. It’s a suspected heart attack but Darina receives a call that claims it was murder. More death follows. Suspects are everywhere and Darina is fighting to prove her suspicions at the same time as coping with her performance on the programme, and her relationship with William. Then someone tries to break into her home. Suddenly she is face to face with a killer who has nothing to lose."

Death a la Provencale

Janet Laurence

1995

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Cookery expert Darina Lisle and her Detective Inspector husband, William Pigram, are honeymooning in the south of France. Entertained to lunch by another cookery expert, Helen Mansard, her partner, Bernard Barrington Smythe a retired Lloyd’s member and agent, shows them the olive oil mill he hopes will make a fortune. Soon Darina and William find themselves meeting a series of interesting ex-pats enjoying the sunshine life in the south of France. Then death arrives at the oil mill and Darina and William find themselves a team investigating murder."

Diet for Death

Janet Laurence

1996

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Darina Lisle is accompanying her recently widowed mother for a reviving stay at the Conifers Spa health farm, hoping it will enable her to lose some of the weight gained since her honeymoon in the south of France. Weight is not the only challenge being faced by an entertaining and varied collection of guests: what is healthy eating? Is being overweight something to worry about? The spa itself, run by a friend of Darina’s, is in a severe financial crisis, and there are staff troubles. Darina’s husband, William, is part of the investigating team called in when death is discovered. Possible motives multiply. Darina herself is faced by personal and career challenges that force her to reassess some long held preconceptions as she tries to sort out the puzzles surrounding the murder, then finds that she is confronting an unexpectedly strong and violent killer."

Appetite for Death

Janet Laurence

1998

A Darina Lisle novel.

"Darina Lisle is surprised to hear from an old school friend, even more when she discovers why. Jemima Ealham wants her to find out who the father of her toddler nephew is. Sophie, Rory’s mother, died giving birth without revealing her son’s parentage. Basil Ealham, Jemima and Sophie’s multi-millionaire father, dismisses it as unimportant and Darina’s investigation, taken on out of loyalty to her friend, soon runs into trouble. Meanwhile, her husband, DCI William Pigram also comes up against Basil Ealham. A fire in a food factory has killed a security guard, and the owner is Basil’s girlfriend. It’s not long before the millionaire is the prime suspect for murder. And for Darina, her involvement with Rory becomes much closer than she’d ever imagined."

The Mermaid's Feast

Janet Laurence

2000

A Darina Lisle novel.

"A free luxury cruise to advise the chef on Scandinavian food seems a wonderful chance to Darina Lisle: it means two weeks away enjoying every comfort with her husband, DCI William Pigram. The ship has an interesting assortment of passengers and a crew dedicated to their entertainment amongst the glories of Norway’s spectacular fjörds. All seems set fair for a wonderful time. Then one of the ship’s officers disappears and the question is asked: could he have thrown himself overboard, or was he pushed? William is enlisted to help investigate, spending time questioning the crew and officers. An abandoned Darina becomes involved with the other passengers and finds unexpected tensions amongst them: mischief-making, prejudice, ambition, and greed, all threaten scandal, and produce another tragedy."