By: Morgan Shaw

Blending culinary culture, small town charm, and storytelling, author N. E. Carlisle invites readers into the world of Hazelnuts and Homicide, where comfort food meets clever clues along the Oregon coast.

A Story That Begins at the Table

For N. E., food is more than a backdrop. It is a way into the emotional life of her characters. In Hazelnuts and Homicide, the kitchen becomes a place of reflection, connection, and quiet discovery. The novel follows Bonne Année, a bookstore owner in the fictional town of Hazelton, Oregon, who brings people together through Food and Fiction supper clubs. What starts as a cozy gathering soon becomes something more complicated, as a mystery unfolds among shared meals and familiar faces.

“I have always believed that food tells a story,” N. E. says. “Recipes, flavors, and shared meals build connection, and that sense of comfort pairs perfectly with a cozy mystery.” In her writing, the sensory world matters. The scent of a dish, the warmth of a room, and the ritual of sitting down together all help guide the reader through the twists of the plot.

Building a Town That Feels Real

Hazelton may be fictional, but it carries the spirit of the Oregon coast. N. E. drew inspiration from communities throughout Tillamook County, where coastal forests, misty mornings, and close-knit neighborhoods shape daily life. The result is a setting that feels alive, not just described.

“There is a unique rhythm to that part of Oregon,” she explains. “The mist, the local traditions, the feeling that everyone knows everyone else.” That rhythm shapes how the story moves. In a town where people cross paths every day, every conversation holds meaning. Every secret has weight.

This sense of place gives the mystery its emotional pull. Solving the crime becomes as much about understanding the community as it is about following clues.

Comfort, Clues, and a Bernedoodle Named Oscar

One of the most memorable characters in the book is Oscar, Année’s loyal Bernedoodle. Oscar brings warmth and lightness to the story, offering quiet comfort during tense moments and the occasional nudge in the right direction.

Oscar is inspired by one of N. E.’s own dogs. “Her expressive personality, intuition, and big heart all made their way directly onto the page,” she says. That real-life influence gives Oscar a presence that feels natural and familiar, reminding readers that even in the middle of a mystery, companionship can be grounding.

The Power of Found Family

At its core, Hazelnuts and Homicide is about more than solving a crime. It is about building a life in a new place. Année arrives in Hazelton and slowly forms connections that become her chosen support system.

“Found family is one of the most comforting themes in fiction,” N. E. shares. “Community can be a source of strength, healing, and humor, even when chaos is unfolding around you.”

This theme resonates throughout the story, giving readers a reason to care about the people as much as the puzzle. The relationships, not just the revelations, drive the emotional arc of the book.

A Dish That Matches the Mood

If the novel had a signature dish, N. E. already knows what it would be. The Macabre Brussels Sprouts, a recipe that appears in the world of the book, captures the tone perfectly. Rich, flavorful, and a little unexpected, the dish mirrors the story itself. Cozy at first glance, with something deeper beneath the surface.

It is the kind of pairing that turns reading into an experience. A book in one hand, a plate in the other, and a sense of curiosity about what might come next.

Inviting Readers into the Experience

What sets N. E.’s work apart is how it blurs the line between story and invitation. Readers are not just observing Hazelton. They are stepping into it. They are sitting at Année’s table, meeting her neighbors, and sharing in the quiet moments that make the mystery feel personal.

By weaving together food, place, and connection, N. E. has created a cozy mystery that feels lived in. It is a reminder that the best stories are not only about what happens, but about how it feels to be there when it does.

For readers looking for a mystery that offers both intrigue and warmth, Hazelnuts and Homicide delivers a world where every meal, every friendship, and every clue adds another layer to the experience.