Helpful Score: 2
Expiration Date is the debut of the A Cook-Off Mystery series set in the small town of Augustin, Connecticut and featuring Sherry Frazelle, a recently divorced competitive cook. Sherry lives in her small house, still cluttered with her ex-husband's belongings, accompanied by her small Jack Russell terrier, Chutney and works part time at her father's hooked rug store, Oliveri's Ruggery.
Sherry is looking forward to competing against contestants from all over the country in the OrgaNick's cook off and winning the ten thousand dollar prize. Her sister, Marla, who lives in Oklahoma has flown in and is also competing in the contest sponsored by Nick Andime's company. As the competition winds down and the judging is about to commence, Chef Tony Birns, a lead judge lands face down in a Seafood Flat Bread Pizza.
Detectives Ray Bease and Cody Diamond appear on Sherry's doorstep with the news that the Chef had died from an adverse reaction to something that he ate, and they suspect the ingredient was something in the Chutney Glazed and Farro Stuffed Pork Tenderloin that Sherry had prepared. Knowing that there was nothing poisonous in her meal that could have led to death, Sherry sets out with the help of fellow contestant Amber Sherman to track down a killer.
The premise of the story was good, but there was nothing really likable about any of the characters. Sherry is a little too angst ridden and she obsesses constantly about the proper pronunciation of her last name. There is no real relationship between Sherry and her family members, they seem to be written in only as fillers. The puns and plays on character names are a bit tedious and distract from the main mystery. With so many secondary characters it is often difficult to keep them straight.
Sherry is looking forward to competing against contestants from all over the country in the OrgaNick's cook off and winning the ten thousand dollar prize. Her sister, Marla, who lives in Oklahoma has flown in and is also competing in the contest sponsored by Nick Andime's company. As the competition winds down and the judging is about to commence, Chef Tony Birns, a lead judge lands face down in a Seafood Flat Bread Pizza.
Detectives Ray Bease and Cody Diamond appear on Sherry's doorstep with the news that the Chef had died from an adverse reaction to something that he ate, and they suspect the ingredient was something in the Chutney Glazed and Farro Stuffed Pork Tenderloin that Sherry had prepared. Knowing that there was nothing poisonous in her meal that could have led to death, Sherry sets out with the help of fellow contestant Amber Sherman to track down a killer.
The premise of the story was good, but there was nothing really likable about any of the characters. Sherry is a little too angst ridden and she obsesses constantly about the proper pronunciation of her last name. There is no real relationship between Sherry and her family members, they seem to be written in only as fillers. The puns and plays on character names are a bit tedious and distract from the main mystery. With so many secondary characters it is often difficult to keep them straight.
Helpful Score: 1
Expiration Date by Devon Delaney is the premier novel in A Cook-Off Mystery series. Sherry Frazzelle (rhyme with la belly) is one of the finalists in the OrgaNicks Cook-Off in Augustin, Connecticut. The grand prize is $10,000 and title of OrgaNicks Supreme Home Chef. The judging is completed, and Chef Tony Birns is announcing the winner when he collapses. After it is determined he was poisoned, Sherry rises to the top of the suspect list since her dish was the last one sampled by the victim. Sherry with help from fellow competitor, Amber Sherman sets out to clear her name and her pork tenderloin. The killer, though, is less than thrilled with Sherry's sleuthing and attempts to warn her off the case. Sherry is missing the last pieces of the puzzle that will help her identify the guilty party. She just needs to assemble the clues like the ingredients in a recipe and stir until she cooks up the killer. Sherry will need to be careful or she will get burned.
Expiration Date is a light, humorous cozy mystery. I felt that Expiration Date could have done with some rewriting to give it a better flow along with a more solid mystery. The pacing slowed down considerably when food was being cooked and described. When Sherry was cooking, the book was reminiscent of a cookbook instead of a work of fiction. We are told each ingredient along with every step in the cooking process. The dialogue could have used some tweaking. It was awkward. Sherry is not a likeable main character. She is a neat freak, likes to be in control, gets anxious quickly, has panic attacks, scares easily and she expects situations to turn out badly (she comes across as neurotic instead of realistic). Sherry does not like her name to be pronounced incorrectly and corrects people throughout the book. She also cannot stand being called ma'am (this happens throughout the book as well). A contradiction to her neat fetish is one of the guest rooms is filled with her estranged husband's clothing (looks like the inside of a men's clothing boutique). Sherry is waiting for him to pick them up. Personally, I would have given the man an ultimatum (I believe he is looking for an excuse to stop by). My favorite part of Expiration Date was barely touched on. Sherry's father owns Oliveri's Ruggery, a hooked rug shop (rug hooking is a wonderful art form). I dearly wish the author had centered the book around the shop instead of food competitions (that would have been unique). The mystery was simple and solving it is a cinch (might as well be a giant neon arrow pointing to the killer). The author gives away the who and why early in the story. The case details are repeated (more repetition) and there is a lack of action (more cooking than crime solving). I did find the method of murder to be unique and clever. I was left with one question at the end of the bookâwho won the cooking competition? I am hoping the author ups her game in the next A Cook-Off Mystery.
Expiration Date is a light, humorous cozy mystery. I felt that Expiration Date could have done with some rewriting to give it a better flow along with a more solid mystery. The pacing slowed down considerably when food was being cooked and described. When Sherry was cooking, the book was reminiscent of a cookbook instead of a work of fiction. We are told each ingredient along with every step in the cooking process. The dialogue could have used some tweaking. It was awkward. Sherry is not a likeable main character. She is a neat freak, likes to be in control, gets anxious quickly, has panic attacks, scares easily and she expects situations to turn out badly (she comes across as neurotic instead of realistic). Sherry does not like her name to be pronounced incorrectly and corrects people throughout the book. She also cannot stand being called ma'am (this happens throughout the book as well). A contradiction to her neat fetish is one of the guest rooms is filled with her estranged husband's clothing (looks like the inside of a men's clothing boutique). Sherry is waiting for him to pick them up. Personally, I would have given the man an ultimatum (I believe he is looking for an excuse to stop by). My favorite part of Expiration Date was barely touched on. Sherry's father owns Oliveri's Ruggery, a hooked rug shop (rug hooking is a wonderful art form). I dearly wish the author had centered the book around the shop instead of food competitions (that would have been unique). The mystery was simple and solving it is a cinch (might as well be a giant neon arrow pointing to the killer). The author gives away the who and why early in the story. The case details are repeated (more repetition) and there is a lack of action (more cooking than crime solving). I did find the method of murder to be unique and clever. I was left with one question at the end of the bookâwho won the cooking competition? I am hoping the author ups her game in the next A Cook-Off Mystery.
