An Affair to Dismember (Matchmaker #1)

An Affair To Dismember
by Elise Sax
Rating: ★★★
isbn: 9780345532220
Series: Matchmaker Mystery #1
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Pages: 312
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Ballantine Books

Three months has been Gladie Burger's limit when it comes to staying in one place. That's why Gladie is more than a little skeptical when her eccentric Grandma Zelda recruits her to the family's matchmaking business in the quaint small town of Cannes, California. What's more, Gladie is also highly unqualified, having a terrible track record with romance. Still, Zelda is convinced that her granddaughter has "the gift." But when the going gets tough, Gladie wonders if this gift has a return policy.

When Zelda's neighbor drops dead in his kitchen, Gladie is swept into his bizarre family's drama. Despite warnings from the (distractingly gorgeous) chief of police to steer clear of his investigation, Gladie is out to prove that her neighbor's death was murder. It's not too long before she's in way over her head--with the hunky police chief, a dysfunctional family full of possible killers, and yet another mysterious and handsome man, whose attentions she's unable to ignore. Gladie is clearly being pursued--either by true love or by a murderer. Who will catch her first?

I’m not sure about this book – it was a mash up of sorts.

The writing felt disjointed and the story not very tightly woven at all. The whole matchmaking-third-eye premise of getting Gladie back home is never really explained very well – is this gift supposed to be of a psychic sort? There are hints it might be, but then well, it’s never explained.

The murder mystery itself was all over the place – it’s repeated again and again that the first two deaths are natural causes – so why is the police chief constantly around looking into things? Not really explained very well either. The plot has what it takes to be really interesting – and in honesty, I got very engrossed in the story, but the writing was so almost stream-of-consciousness that I really just felt the chaos.

Still, the characters are all really likeable and interesting – there’s no mixing them up in your head because you can’t tell them apart. Each is colourful and interesting in their own way. The men are of course, hot hot hot, though I’m firmly in the police chief’s corner for some reason.

I’m going to read the next book in the series because I want to find the story lines tighter and I’m hoping for a more cohesive book all around – Ms. Sax could have a winner of a series on her hands if she just pulls it all together better.

Fonduing Fathers (A White House Chef Mystery #6)

Fonduing Fathers
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★★
isbn: 9780425251812
Series: White House Chef Mystery #6
Publication Date: December 31, 2012
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

Olivia has always believed that her father was an honorable man—until a trip to visit her mother reveals that he was dishonorably discharged from the army. Olivia is even more shocked to learn that he was brutally murdered because someone at his company suspected him of selling corporate secrets. Refusing to believe that her father was a scoundrel, Olivia won’t rest until she proves his innocence.

Enlisting the help of her boyfriend, Gav, Olivia must reach out to her father’s colleagues to discover the truth behind his murder. What she’s about to discover may not only put her at risk, but threaten national security as well…

This series stared out strong enough – some good things, some bad things, but more good than bad, with interesting characters and solid plots.

But the last three books, and this book in particular – outstanding! This story builds a bit slowly, but there’s a lot of character development – not only on the part of Ollie and Gav, but in a few of the secondary characters as well and I found that kept the story moving along really well. I love the relationship building between Ollie and Josh and I’m not normally a fan of small children in my books. Authors tend to make them too exaggerated, but Ms. Hyzy makes Josh likeable without being obnoxious or precocious. Very little exposure to Virgil made the story pleasant without the bitter aftertaste.

The story line/plot about Ollie’s father and the truth about his military career and death was convoluted and interesting and Ms. Hyzy doesn’t give a single thing away until she does. The ending was climatic and was like an action movie in my head: when Ollie lost the plot at the end, I could see it clear as day and felt her fury and terror. That almost never happens to me with a cozy mystery.

The very, very end of this book was just fabulous, leaving me with a grin on my face as I put the book down. I really can’t wait for the next book, although I must admit to being a bit unsure about how Ms. Hyzy could possibly top this book.

Affairs of Steak (A White House Chef Mystery #5)

Affairs of Steak
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780425245835
Series: White House Chef Mystery #5
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

White House chef Olivia Paras and her arch nemesis, White House Sensitivity Director Peter Everett Sargeant, must work together to solve the double murder of one of the First Lady’s assistants and the Chief of Staff-before they become the next victims of a merciless assassin with a secret agenda.

Another excellent mystery in a series that gets better and better.

Who knew just finding the bodies could end up being so dangerous? Ms Hyzy wrote an excellent plot that led me right where she wanted me to go and didn’t give anything away until it was meant to. The action at the end even got my heart rate up just a tad – not something one expects from their cozy mysteries!

I absolutely loved the interaction between Ollie and Gav – this is a couple I care very much about seeing succeed. Once again Ms. Hyzy nailed it. I don’t normally like to see my main characters start with one person and end up with another – start as you mean to go on, I say. But in this case, it was a welcome change and I can’t wait to read more about these two and where they end up.

Still need to make Virgil the next victim though….

Buffalo West Wing (A White House Chef Mystery #4)

Buffalo West Wing
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★
Series: White House Chef Mystery #4
Publication Date: January 4, 2011
Pages: 305
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

With a new First Family, White House executive chef Olivia Paras can’t afford to make any mistakes. But when a box of take-out chicken mysteriously shows up for the First Kids, she soon finds herself in a “no-wing” situation. After Olivia refuses to serve the chicken, the First Lady gives her the cold shoulder. But when it turns out to be poisoned poultry, Olivia realizes the kids are true targets.

2022: I won’t say the best in the series now, because I know there are better coming, but the book held up really well.

2013: The best one in the series!

Buffalo West Wing was interesting from the first chapter. The plot took on a depth you don’t often find in cozy mysteries, and towards the end, I was so involved in the story, I found myself snapping at whomever interrupted my reading. The culprits were a bit of a surprise to me, which I always enjoy, and I love the re-introduction of Gavin. He was the only male character in this series that ever pricked my interest and I hope he’s back for the long haul. The romance between Ollie and Tom always left me totally flat, and I’m glad things have changed between them.

Why not 5 star? Virgil. He was immature, petulant and I don’t think his presence in the storyline added anything at all to the story. I can’t wait to open the next book and see what happens next.

Eggsecutive Orders (White House Chef #3)

Eggsecutive Orders
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★
isbn: 9780425232033
Series: White House Chef Mystery #3
Publication Date: January 5, 2010
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

When NSA big shot Carl Minkus dies right after eating the dinner Olivia Paras’s staff had prepared, all forks point to them. Now the Secret Service is picking apart the kitchen-and scrutinizing the staff’s every move. The timing couldn’t be worse with the White House Lawn Easter Egg Roll to prep for without access to a kitchen. Olivia must find the real culprit-before she cracks under pressure.

2022: Wasn’t the interruptions, this is still my least favourite book in the series.

2012: I was reading this while I had a lot of stuff going on and kept getting interrupted, but I have to say this was just not my favorite of the series. It had elements I really liked, but also a lot of stuff I found myself skimming over.

The plot was strong and I didn’t see who did it until the end, but I guess I just can’t enjoy all the animosity Ollie is surrounded with – just way too much, although perhaps some of that was resolved towards the end of the story. I’m hoping the next book will pull me back in.

Hail to the Chef (White House Chef Mystery #2)

Hail to the Chef
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780425224991
Series: White House Chef Mystery #2
Publication Date: December 2, 2008
Pages: 328
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

White House executive chef Ollie Paras has to put her own interests on the back burner when a kindly electrician is electrocuted to death, and the First Lady’s nephew dies in an apparent suicide less than 24 hours after cleaning shrimp with Ollie. Ollie suspects something fishy is going on. She’ll have to watch her back—and find a killer unlikely to be pardoned.

Ok, in spite of the fact that I guessed everything from the start, I really enjoyed this book. There was a lot of action, very little inner dialogue (which drives me nuts) and the characters were very likeable.

I’d prefer more interaction between Ollie and Tom, her supposed boyfriend. I actually found myself wishing for some spark between her and Gav, just for a little zing in my mystery. But overall, it was a book I enjoyed and didn’t want to put down.

State of the Onion (White House Chef Mystery #1)

State of the Onion
by Julie Hyzy
Rating: ★★★
isbn: 9780425218693
Series: White House Chef Mystery #1
Publication Date: January 2, 0200
Pages: 325
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime

Never let them see you sweat-that’s White House Assistant Chef Olivia Paras’s motto, which is pretty hard to honor in the most important kitchen in the world. She’s hell-bent on earning her dream job, Executive Chef. There’s just one thing: her nemesis is vying for it, too. Well, that and the fact that an elusive assassin wants to see her fry.

2022: I suddenly felt like binging on re-reads, and I started with this series. The first book actually improved upon my memory of the first read, if only because I know where the series is going now.

2012: Overall, a very good story. I was positive I knew who the killer was until the very end, when I was proved very wrong.

All the characters in the white house kitchen were likeable and I enjoyed reading about them. There were a couple of times when the main character waxed lyrical about the honor of working in the white house, and while I understood the feelings the author was trying to convey, it felt a bit over-the-top.

The only place I felt the author failed was the relationship between Ollie and Tom. His treatment of her throughout the story felt wrong for someone who was supposed to love her and didn’t endear me to him at all. And his complete 180 wasn’t explained at all – one minute he was so mad at her he couldn’t even talk to her, and the next, they’re hugging and he’s grinning and talking about never letting her go. huh?

Overall, though, I enjoyed this book and I’ll gladly pick up the next in the series.

Window on the Square

Window on the Square
by Phyllis A. Whitney
Rating: ★★★★½
Publication Date: January 1, 1962
Pages: 297
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Suspense
Publisher: Appleton-Century-Crofts

This was one of the first ‘adult’ books I’d ever read, one of my mothers favorites. I love the story, even though it’s not my usual fare.

Ms. Whitney does a brilliant job of writing characters that come alive – from the prim and proper Megan, to the mercurial Brandon, and the dark and forbidding Garth. I’ve read this story again and again over the years, wearing out the paperback until it is in pieces and held together with a rubber band. I upgraded to the hardcover version so I can keep on re-reading this book – it stands up very well over time.

If you like a ‘dark’ (kind of gothic) cozy, I think you’ll enjoy reading this oldie but goodie.

No Way to Kill a Lady (Blackbird Sisters #8)

No Way to Kill a Lady
by Nancy Martin
Rating: ★★★★
isbn: 9780451237057
Series: Blackbird Sisters #8
Publication Date: August 6, 2012
Pages: 310
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Publisher: Obsidian

Great-aunt Madeleine Blackbird has died in a volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island and left her fabulous Bucks County estate to the three Blackbird sisters. But when Nora and her scandal-ridden sisters, Libby and Emma, go to claim their windfall, they find the house in decay and all of their aunt’s to-die-for treasures gone. They also find a woman’s body….

Nora feels compelled to seek out the truth, but even with help from her mobster boyfriend, Mick Abruzzo, who provides distractions both dark and delightful, solving this case proves challenging. Relatives are circling to claim a share of Madeleine’s property, the suspect list is growing, and Nora’s wild and wacky sisters are adding one surprise after another. It’s enough to put Nora’s couture undies in a serious twist!

I love this series and I was thrilled to see No Way to Kill a Lady published – I had thought Ms. Martin had killed the series with the last book.

The crazy sisters are back and as nuttier as ever, with Nora starting to embrace the dark side just a teeny tiny bit – only for a greater good, of course. The mystery surrounding the death of their great-aunt had an interesting cast of suspects, although not nearly so interesting as the life Aunt Madeline lived. A very short list of suspects meant that the ‘reveal’ at the end wasn’t shocking, but also wasn’t obvious.

I am happy to see that in this book, Michael finally pulled his head out of his nether regions and revealed a bit of the mystery that he is, as his refusal to share anything in previous books was wearing thin.

I genuinely hope to see more of Nora Blackbird in many future books – it’s truly one of my all-time favorite series, and with No Way to Kill a Lady, Ms. Martin has shown that she and Nora still have plenty of tales to tell.

Pies and Prejudice

Well, about 1/2 way to 3/4 of the way through this mystery, I started to get aggravated. It was obvious from the start that Ella Mae had no idea she had any gift beyond being a very good pastry chef. Yet, as the evidence mounts, it’s never explained and she blithely goes along as if she just accepts the effect her pies have on those that eat them without any curiosity or question. Luckily, it’s all explained at the end, the author just waited rather longer than expected to explain everything.

The murder mystery was a good one, although the clues felt a bit disjointed. I guess that’s to be expected – otherwise the mystery might be too easy to solve for the reader. Still, the ending took me unaware, and I liked it – no obvious solution and no clichés.

There are quite a few great characters, although her ‘evil nemesis’ will probably get on my nerves quickly if she makes too much of an appearance throughout the series – pure nastiness is NOT what I look for in a cozy mystery. The aunts are a hoot, and I love the steaminess of the romantic possibilities. I’m looking forward to the next book, Peach Pies and Alibis.