A Tasteful Murder

By Shruti Priyaa

When a famous chef is murdered in a culinary competition, the CB-CID suspects that the culprit has to be one of the finalists. But when the interrogation comes to a dead end, the CB-CID is in a soup.
Little does Raunak know that the chef’s death has a sinister story, a shocking motive and an unexpected person who turns out to be the killer!
Will Raunak and Samaira be able to crack this case? Or will the murderer have the last laugh?
Read the twisted thriller “A Tasteful Murder” and tag along with the investigation which will take you through dark crimes and darker motives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Srishti Publishers
• Release date: Sep 11, 2021

Book preview

A TASTEFUL MURDER

Shruti Priyaa

Other books in the same series

#1 The Body in the Dumpster

#2 The Murder in the Woods

#3 The Deadly Sinner

#4 The Dead Girl’s Secret

#5 Death at the Dinner Party

#6 Murder of the Ghost Hunter

#7 The Psychopath

#8 The Case of the Dead Bride

#9 Kill Me Twice

#10 Sin and Love

#11 The Fiery Killer

Srishti Publishers & Distributors

A unit of AJR Publishing LLP

212A, Peacock Lane

Shahpur Jat, New Delhi – 110 049

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First digitally published by

Srishti Publishers & Distributors in 2021

Copyright © Shruti Priyaa, 2021

This is a work of fiction. The characters, places, organisations and events described in this book are either a work of the author’s imagination or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to people, living or dead, places, events, communities or organizations is purely coincidental.

The author asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Publishers.

Glasses tinkled, plates clattered and cutlery clanked in the unpretentious Libarrel resto-lounge. Elite, or rather elite looking people held immaculate glasses of champagne, white and red wine – laughing and murmuring to each other. Their faces looked comelier, owing to the warm light, nude makeup, dark outfits and diamond studded clutches.

The overly modest couples shared stolen kisses and giggles. The women were engrossed in juicy gossips with their girlfriends in the bar. Men, on the circular tables, shared their signature or rather overdramatic ‘Yay, that’s our stuff.’ Their loud and baritone laughter seemed to be their method of drawing attention from the gossiping women on the bar stools, their eyes almost saying, "Look at me ladies, I’m the man! Your man!"

In a few minutes, the lights were dimmed and everyone’s eyes were focussed on the stage where the spotlight gleamed. The front few tables were reserved for people who were wearing the chef’s outfits. They had a permanent smile pasted on their faces. They were the stars of the night – not just for that particular night but for three more nights, because this was the informal party before the grand day tomorrow – the finale of the country’s biggest culinary contest – The Big Chef, India.

Food has meant everything to me since the day I was born, said a cheerful voice from the stage. The voice belonged to a skinny man, who came walking from the back to the front edge of the stage. The audience applauded enthusiastically as it was their favourite chef Harshvardhan, who stood on the dais, wearing a silky kurta pajama.

The crowd went crazy as they were laying their eyes on one of the best celebrity chefs of the country. Everyone loved him dearly. The junior chefs, who craved to get his attention, clapped extra hard so that they can be noticed. Some even went a tad further and whistled.

"Be it sushi, sandwiches or biryani, I learnt to cook them just alright and eat them," he shrugged. The crowd guffawed at his word ‘alright’. Some clapped at his modesty, nodding diffidently.

"Might sound a bit odd considering