Helpful Score: 3
1st in series
After her uncle died, newly divorced New Yorker Gwen Katz-Silver aka Nash, inherits her deceased uncles' Jewish Deli. Things start to go south for the deli when a long time customer Buster Sergeant bites the big one on stage during karaoke night. After Gwen is attacked and shoved into her walk in refigerator, business starts to come to a crawl. Enter in slimey real estate developer, Royce Sinclair and his creepy atterney, Carl Liarson, trying to buy out Gwens deli. Gwen decides to start uncovering her uncles' past to figure out how to save the deli, and herself.
While I enjoyed this book, there wasnt much character development at all. The dialect was merely tolerable. To top it off, there wasnt any actual sleuthing involved. And yet, the story grew on me and was well resolved in only 230 short pages.
I will definitely continue this series, in hopes the next one will be better.
After her uncle died, newly divorced New Yorker Gwen Katz-Silver aka Nash, inherits her deceased uncles' Jewish Deli. Things start to go south for the deli when a long time customer Buster Sergeant bites the big one on stage during karaoke night. After Gwen is attacked and shoved into her walk in refigerator, business starts to come to a crawl. Enter in slimey real estate developer, Royce Sinclair and his creepy atterney, Carl Liarson, trying to buy out Gwens deli. Gwen decides to start uncovering her uncles' past to figure out how to save the deli, and herself.
While I enjoyed this book, there wasnt much character development at all. The dialect was merely tolerable. To top it off, there wasnt any actual sleuthing involved. And yet, the story grew on me and was well resolved in only 230 short pages.
I will definitely continue this series, in hopes the next one will be better.
Helpful Score: 1
I tend to like books that are fun, short and a good read. (I get bored with books over 250 pgs. unless they are really special). This met all my expectations. Good cozy for a winter day. Liked the characters. Decent plot and a good base for future stories.
Helpful Score: 1
The mystery in this book was completely predictable and almost non-existent, but I decided that I still enjoyed reading it. The main character had me chuckling several times, and I'm curious to see what the author has planned for her in future books. If she could just write an actual mystery into the story, now then we'd have a really fun book! Will watch for book two in this series to see where the storyline goes.
Helpful Score: 1
The book was a bit corny, though I have to admit that the mystery of "who done-it" was not predictable. Loved the inclusion of recipes, however. I'm not sure if I will bother reading any other books in the series.
Murder's on the menu in this savory debut.
Gwen (nee Katz) Silver heard the brisket at her uncle's Jewish deli, Murray the Pastrami Swami--the only one of its kind in Nashville, Tennessee--was "to die for." But she didn't realize that meant literally. . .
When Gwen learns she's inherited Murray's, the native New Yorker leaves her chaotic career and messy divorce behind to start over in Nashville. But the venture seems doomed from the start. Murray's taken his recipes and secret list of food suppliers to the grave with him, and ruthless real estate developer Royce Sinclair will stop at nothing to try and sandwich Murray's into his already overstuffed portfolio. Then, on Kosher Karaoke Night, longtime customer Buster Sergeant bites into his brisket. . .and bites the dust. The coroner says food poisoning, but Gwen's not convinced. Now, with the help of hunky police detective Beau McClintock, "Nashville Katz"--as Gwen is quickly nicknamed--will find herself adding "private investigator" to her resume--and a new love to her life.
Was a nice read interesting story line with a surprise ending. And was terrific in that it was quick moving and read it in 6-8 hours, look forward to more in the series. The recipes that were discussed in the book were included in the back of the book and all sounded good!
Gwen (nee Katz) Silver heard the brisket at her uncle's Jewish deli, Murray the Pastrami Swami--the only one of its kind in Nashville, Tennessee--was "to die for." But she didn't realize that meant literally. . .
When Gwen learns she's inherited Murray's, the native New Yorker leaves her chaotic career and messy divorce behind to start over in Nashville. But the venture seems doomed from the start. Murray's taken his recipes and secret list of food suppliers to the grave with him, and ruthless real estate developer Royce Sinclair will stop at nothing to try and sandwich Murray's into his already overstuffed portfolio. Then, on Kosher Karaoke Night, longtime customer Buster Sergeant bites into his brisket. . .and bites the dust. The coroner says food poisoning, but Gwen's not convinced. Now, with the help of hunky police detective Beau McClintock, "Nashville Katz"--as Gwen is quickly nicknamed--will find herself adding "private investigator" to her resume--and a new love to her life.
Was a nice read interesting story line with a surprise ending. And was terrific in that it was quick moving and read it in 6-8 hours, look forward to more in the series. The recipes that were discussed in the book were included in the back of the book and all sounded good!
Cheryl C. (moondance120) reviewed A Brisket, a Casket (Deadly Deli, Bk 1) on + 422 more book reviews
New Yorker Gwen moves to Nashville when she inherits her uncle's deli. Fairly predictable mystery. OK for a quick evening read. 3 stars
This book first drew my attention because it takes place in Nashville, one of my favorite places to be. But soon, this book became way more than just where it was taking place. It was truly a great story. And leaves you guessing all the way through the book as to who killed Buster Sergeant. I didn't see it coming for sure. I thought from the get go that I knew exactly who did it. Boy was I surprised to find out I was very wrong. I love that in a good mystery.
I highly recommend reading this book. And I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, One Foot in the Gravy. I love these titles. Food cozies always draw my attention.
I highly recommend reading this book. And I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, One Foot in the Gravy. I love these titles. Food cozies always draw my attention.
Gwen (nee Katz) Silver heard the brisket at her uncle's Jewish deli, Murray the Pastrami Swami -- the only one of its kind in Nashville, Tennessee -- was -to die for. But she didn't realize that meant literally. When Gwen learns she's inherited Murray's, the native New Yorker leaves her chaotic career and messy divorce behind to start over in Nashville. But the venture seems doomed from the start. Murray's taken his recipes and secret list of food suppliers to the grave with him, and ruthless real estate developer Royce Sinclair will stop at nothing to try and sandwich Murray's into his already overstuffed portfolio. Then, on Kosher Karaoke Night, longtime customer Buster Sergeant bites into his brisket -- and bites the dust. The coroner says food poisoning, but Gwen's not convinced. Now, with the help of hunky police detective Beau McClintock, -- Nashville Katz -- as Gwen is quickly nicknamed -- will find herself adding 'private investigator' to her resume -- and a new love to her life.
For some reason, this book just did not hit me. I didn't particularly like the main character or the other characters, for that matter.
