Chili Con Corpses by Ellery Adams

Chili Con Corpses

Spicy Supper Club Meets Murder—With Heart

Written byEllery Adams
Narrated byKaren White
Length8h37m
Release dateJanuary 24, 2018
LanguageEnglish
★★★★☆ 4.5 (6 ratings)

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Quick Facts

AuthorEllery Adams
NarratorKaren White
Runtime8h37m
PublishedJanuary 24, 2018
Rating★★★★☆ 4.5 / 5 (6 ratings)
CategoriesMystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery, Cozy
FormatAudiobook (Digital)
PlatformAudible

About This Audiobook

Ellery Adams’ *Chili Con Corpses* serves up a rare blend: a cozy mystery that’s as much about emotional growth as it is about whodunit. The Flab Five—middle-aged friends bonded by weight loss and supper club adventures—stumble into another murder, this time at a Mexican cooking retreat where the heat isn’t just in the peppers. What sets this apart from run-of-the-mill cozies is its refusal to sugarcoat its characters’ midlife vulnerabilities. James Henry’s romantic insecurities and the group’s evolving dynamics lend unexpected depth to a plot that could’ve coasted on quirky charm alone.

Karen White’s narration is a masterclass in balancing wit and warmth. She leans into the book’s humor with a dry, Southern-lite cadence that makes even the groan-worthy puns land, while her emotional range sells the quieter moments—like Lucy’s ambiguous distance from James—without veering into melodrama. The audiobook’s production is crisp, with White’s pacing mirroring the story’s rhythm: leisurely during the foodie scenes, then tightening like a well-simmered reduction when the body count rises. Ideal for listeners who crave cozies with bite, not just bodies.

Tags: cozy mystery with emotional depthfoodie murder mystery audiobookmiddle-aged sleuths seriesSouthern-lite narration with witfriends-to-sleuths whodunitlighthearted but layered suspense

Why Listen to Chili Con Corpses?

  • Expert narration by Karen White brings every character and scene to life across 8h37m of immersive audio.
  • Highly rated at 4.5 stars by 6 listeners.
  • Free with your Audible trial — keep the audiobook forever even if you cancel.
  • Perfect for commutes, workouts, and relaxation. Listen anywhere, anytime.
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Editor's Review ★★★★☆

AudioBook Atlas

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at the title—*Chili Con Corpses* screams ‘gimmick’—but Adams subverts expectations by making the cooking retreat a backdrop for something sharper. The murder mystery is solid (the victim’s a smug food critic, so the suspect pool is satisfyingly deep), but the real hook is the Flab Five’s interpersonal drama. James’ anxiety over Lucy’s waning affection feels painfully real, and White’s narration amplifies it with a rawness that caught me off guard. She doesn’t just *read* his self-doubt; she *embodies* it, with a hesitant stutter here, a defensive snap there. It’s a performance that elevates the audiobook beyond its genre trappings. That said, the pacing isn’t perfect. The first hour meanders through cooking lessons and character catch-ups, which will delight series fans but may test newcomers’ patience. And while the culinary details are vivid (you’ll *smell* the cumin), a few red herrings feel forced—like the sudden focus on a minor character’s alibi that goes nowhere. Still, White’s ability to distinguish the large cast by voice alone (Lindy’s brash confidence vs. Nikki’s wry sarcasm) keeps the listen engaging. The climax, set during a chaotic cooking competition, is a standout, with White’s tempo mirroring the frenzy of knives, secrets, and a last-minute reveal that’s both surprising and earned. If you like your cozies with a side of emotional honesty—and a narrator who can sell both a joke and a heartache—this is your next listen.

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Chili Con Corpses by Ellery Adams is an immersive listening experience. Performed by Karen White with a runtime of 8h37m, you can start with a free trial that you can cancel at any time. The audiobook remains yours forever, even if you end the trial.