Sunday, May 17, 2026

Winging it with our guest, Carmela Dutra! #reci[e and #bookgiveaway

LESLIE BUDEWITZ:  Happy to introduce you to a first-time guest today, Carmela Dutra, whose second Food Truck Mystery, Hot Wings and Homicide, just out last week. I met her at Left Coast Crime and she is a delightful addition to the mystery community!

One lucky reader will win a signed copy of Hot Wings and Homicide and other goodies.

And a special bonus: the first in the series, Murder Most Fowl, is a 1.99 Kindle Deal for the month of May!

CARMELA DUTRA: A Little Heat, A Little Mystery, and an Exclusive Recipe 

There are two things Beth Lloyd knows for certain: a good wing can turn any day around, and trouble has a way of finding her.

In Hot Wings and Homicide, Beth and her twin brother Seth are serving up their signature dishes from the Kluckin’ Good food truck at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. Business is booming, tensions are high, and when a murder rocks the event, Beth finds herself once again caught between keeping the fryer going and figuring out what really happened.

And if there’s one thing she can count on through all of it? Wings.

This recipe is a little special to me. It’s one my husband and I came up with together. A little spicy but full of flavor (well, spicy for me, I’m a wimp). It’s also the first recipe I asked readers to name. In an online poll, readers chose between three names, and Wings of Fire won by a landslide.

This is an exclusive recipe that’s only given out at book events. It hasn’t officially made its way into the series, but I’ve been thinking, it might. So, consider this your exclusive sneak peek.

And I’d truly love to hear what you think: should this stay a behind-the-scenes treat, or does it deserve a permanent place in a future book?

Wings of Fire 

Serves 4–6

Ingredients

3 pounds chicken wings

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon honey

4 tablespoons butter, melted

½ cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or similar)


Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.

Rinse the chicken wings and pat them very dry, then place them in a large mixing bowl.


Add the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing until the wings are evenly coated.

Arrange the wings in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.


Bake for 20 minutes, then flip the wings and continue baking for another 20–25 minutes, until they are crispy and browned.

While the wings finish cooking, whisk together the hot sauce, honey, and melted butter in a small bowl.

Transfer the hot wings to a large bowl and toss them evenly in the sauce until fully coated.

Serve immediately with celery, carrots, and ranch dressing if desired.

(A note from Leslie: Mr. Right and I are traveling right now and he ordered hot wings for dinner last night, in Taos, NM. When I showed him this recipe, his eyes lit up!)

A Little Something Extra 

One of my favorite things about writing this series is bringing food into the story, not just as a detail, but as part of the experience. That’s why I include recipes in the back of my books, so readers can step into Beth’s world long after the final page.

If you’re new to the series, this is actually the perfect time to start, A Murder Most Fowl (book one) is currently on a Kindle deal for just $1.99 for the month of May.

Let’s have a giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Hot Wings and Homicide, I’m giving away a signed hardback complete with all sorts of goodies to one plucky winner!

To enter, leave a comment and tell me: Should this wing recipe stay an exclusive… or become a permanent feature in the series?

(Please leave your email address to enter. U.S. mailing addresses only. Winner will be announced Thursday, May 14.) 


About the Author

Carmela Dutra writes cozy mysteries steeped in food, family, and Bay Area flavor. Her Food Truck Mystery Series debuted with A Murder Most Fowl, praised by Kirkus Reviews, Criminal Element, and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams. She lives in the Bay Area with her family and pets. Find her on Facebook and Instagram: @authorcarmela Or check out her website www.carmeladutra.com   

Hot Wings and Homicide releases May 12, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books

 

Website: carmeladutra.com

Instagram: @authorcarmela

Facebook: @authorcarmeladutra


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