Heather F. (AZmom875) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book restored my interest in this series. The mystery was not a silly red herring, the best buddy right next to you is really the killer kinda mystery. I was so happy about that. Annie's ex husband comes back, and wants her back and of course the cop Tyler wants Eve back, you really get into the heart of the characters. I see now why Jim keeps letting Annie help with cooking, he really cares about her and is willing to let her try again even she isnt successful the 1st time. So I take back what I said about book 3 and not wanting to read anymore of the series. I now cant wait to see where these 5 main characters go next, Jim, Annie, Tyler, Eve and Lavoie.
Helpful Score: 2
Bank teller/restaurant manager/amateur sleuth Anne Capshaw has finally taken the plunge. She's given up her safe and secure job at the bank and traded it for a full time position at her boyfriend Jim's restaurant, Bellywasher's. Things are heating up nicely for Jim and Anne outside of the kitchen when in walks Anne's ex-husband, Peter. Anne used to dream that Peter would come back begging for a second chance but now she has Jim.
So not only does she have Peter to deal with, she's hip deep an investigation. There's been a murder at the chic gourmet shop Très Bonne Cuisine and its owner Monsieur Jacques Lavoie is missing. As Annie jumps into the investigation with the help of her best friend Eve, she learns some startling facts about Monsieur Lavoie that lead everyone to question who he claims to be. Getting to the bottom of it all just might mean more trouble than Anne bargained for.
Dying for Dinner is book four in the Cooking Class mystery series but also stands alone. There wasn't as much action and intrigue in this installment as there was in the previous three books but it was still pretty cute.
Anne is good at putting two and two together and along with Eve they make a great pair of investigators. What's especially refreshing is that the handsome Scotsman Jim is falling in love with the "cute" Anne instead of the "sexy" Eve. It makes her character that much more endearing. When you add in the fact that she absolutely can't cook yet works at a restaurant and dates a chef there's a lot of fun in reading this series.
Also included are nine delicious recipes. I recommend this one for all cozy lovers and I hope that another book in this series is in the works as there was a major cliff hanger at the end.
So not only does she have Peter to deal with, she's hip deep an investigation. There's been a murder at the chic gourmet shop Très Bonne Cuisine and its owner Monsieur Jacques Lavoie is missing. As Annie jumps into the investigation with the help of her best friend Eve, she learns some startling facts about Monsieur Lavoie that lead everyone to question who he claims to be. Getting to the bottom of it all just might mean more trouble than Anne bargained for.
Dying for Dinner is book four in the Cooking Class mystery series but also stands alone. There wasn't as much action and intrigue in this installment as there was in the previous three books but it was still pretty cute.
Anne is good at putting two and two together and along with Eve they make a great pair of investigators. What's especially refreshing is that the handsome Scotsman Jim is falling in love with the "cute" Anne instead of the "sexy" Eve. It makes her character that much more endearing. When you add in the fact that she absolutely can't cook yet works at a restaurant and dates a chef there's a lot of fun in reading this series.
Also included are nine delicious recipes. I recommend this one for all cozy lovers and I hope that another book in this series is in the works as there was a major cliff hanger at the end.
Helpful Score: 1
Even though I figured out who the bad guy was very early on, I didn't know his motive or other very important details until much later. I feel bad for Jacques because that character has been squeezed for more story lines than I would have thought possible. Yet, I still like the series. I really like Annie, Jim, and Eve overall. I was a little disappointed with how Eve was portrayed during one scene at the end, but it wasn't enough to affect my overall impression. If I could talk to the author, however, I would encourage her to be a little more careful with Eve in the future. Otherwise, the stories have all been quite good and I'm loving the progression. Keep it up and I'll keep reading! :)
