Here are three cozy titles releasing this week, one of which is a debut series. All were entertaining reads with a different take on solving a murder mystery.
Al Dente’s Inferno by Stephanie Cole is the first book in the NEW “Tuscan Cooking School” cozy mystery series. Coming February 25, 2020.
When Nell Valenti is offered a chance to move to Tuscany to help transform an aging villa into a farm-to-table cooking school, she eagerly accepts. After all, both her job and her love life in America have been feeling stale. Plus, she’ll get the chance to work under the acclaimed Italian Chef Claudio Orlandini.
But Nell gets more than she bargained for when she arrives. With only a day to go until the launch dinner for the cooking school, the villa is in shambles, and Chef O is blissfully oblivious of the work that needs to be done before a group of local dignitaries arrive, along with a filmmaker sent to showcase and advertise the new school. The situation only worsens when Nell discovers that the filmmaker is an ex-boyfriend, and he’s found murdered later that night. Even worse, Chef O has disappeared, and accusations of murder could shut the school down for good.
As tensions reach a boiling point at the villa, Nell must throw her chef’s hat into the ring, and investigate the murder herself. Because if she fails to solve the case, her career, or even her life, could be next on the chopping block.
My short musing I enjoyed the mystery in this debut series. The author did a great job in presenting suspects and clues and it was fun watching it all played out, especially when I thought I had it figured out. The narrative was visually descriptive, my only drawback was with the foreign language, otherwise, delightfully charming.
On The Lamb by Tina Kashian is the fourth book in the “Kebab Kitchen” cozy mystery series. Coming February 25, 2020.
Bikers are thundering into the seaside town of Ocean Crest for the annual Bikers on the Beach gathering that raises funds for injured veterans. It’s a big boost for the Kebab Kitchen, as well as for local businesses like Melanie Haven’s candy shop. But Melanie is about to find herself in a sticky situation.
When Melanie and Lucy attend a beach bonfire, a local landlord is found dead after apparently choking on a piece of salt water taffy. Melanie, who was known to have a contentious relationship with the victim, is quickly skewered as the prime suspect. But Lucy is determined to prove her friend’s innocence before the real killer coasts free . . .
My short musing This was another great book from a talented author who knows how to cook up a great mystery. Once again, Lucy becomes involved in another murder and it’s the clues that kept this drama hopping and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The atmosphere, the dialogue and a great cast of characters created a wonderfully enticing read.
Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien is the fifth book in the “Noodle Shop” cozy mystery series. Coming February 25, 2020
It was supposed to be a fancy, intimate dinner party by the pool. Instead, Lana Lee’s first-ever catering event turns into full-course madness when a domestic worker is found dead. Is the party’s host Donna Feng, the sweet-and-sour owner of the Asia Village shopping plaza where Ho-Lee is situated, somehow to blame? That’s what Lana―whose plate is already plenty full with running the restaurant, pleasing her often-disapproving mother, and fretting over her occasionally-serious boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau―must find out.
Before the police arrived at the crime scene, Donna had entrusted an odd piece of evidence to Lana: a thumb drive shaped like a terra-cotta soldier. Now it’s up to Lana to lead her own investigation, digitally and in real life, into a world of secrets involving Donna’s earlier life in China, whether the victim had a dark agenda, and if the killer is still out there. . .and plans to strike again.
My short musing A solid plot brings the story alive and that is what this author achieved. With non-stop action, engaging dialogue and visually appealing narrative, I felt like I was part of the action. The author did a great job in providing plenty of suspects and clues that had me devouring every detail. The pacing kicked up a notch as the suspect pool narrowed down to the only person left standing. . .the killer. A great job in sautéing a delectable appetizing tale.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) from the publishers.
Just a quick FYI!
On the Lamb is listed but not available in Queens… Brooklyn doesn’t even have it on order.
The other two are not even on order at either county systems..
This city is crazy and I’d like to have a sit down with whoever is the buyer for the libraries.