Kensington Books, 2009
275 pages
Mystery; Food mysteries
First in Series
3.5/5 stars
Source: Library
Summary: Ellie almost didn't take the delivery call but as a small business owner, she takes the plunge. She comes to regret this as she finds the customer dead and is pegged as the prime suspect. With the assistance of her sister, Ellie is going to clear her name and continue producing the best pizza around.
Thoughts: I started reading this and then immediately wanted pizza, which luckily I was able to have for dinner (plus black olives because I like it salty!) My grandma actually recommended this series to me as we both like Joanne Fluke's series, which I would say are somewhat similar.
My favorite part was the sister relationship of Ellie and Maddy. They truly love each other, support each other, and will protect each other. They work as a team to run the pizzeria and to solve the crime. Plus they're pretty wise-cracking to each other! I'm a sucker for strong sister/sister relationships in books so this played a big role in the favorable impression I have of the book.
Unfortunately I wasn't as charmed with the rest of the book, in particular Chief Kevin Hurley who seemed quite incompetent. He didn't seem to explore many suspects beyond Ellie; he denied an attack on her life as a mere robbery; he ignores the evidence of his sister; and he's possibly tangled up in some dirty stuff himself. The mystery itself wasn't that great either. Some awkward attempts at romance for the widowed Ellie distracted from the storyline; personally I feel like she'll be more drawn to Kevin than any other guy. I personally mostly just wanted to hang with Ellie and Maddy.
While I appreciate the recipes in the back, I didn't feel the book did a good job of describing all the delicious smells that come out of a pizza shop. It also spent a bit too long on the minutiae of running a business, dull stuff indeed.
Overall: Has intrigued me enough to plan to read the second.
Cover: I think it's really good-I like the skull pizza although it's not original and I love the title font.
Hmm, pizza, I love pizza. I just had it two days ago and this cover makes me want to make another pizza today.:) I like mushrooms (random fact).
ReplyDeleteI totally adore sister/sister relationships, as I have a sister myself and feel very connected to this type of relationships in books. Too bad the chief was so narrow-minded. Someone solving crimes, especially murders, should have many options open. However, it's great that you found a series that intrigues you.
Great review and thanks for sharing!
I know, poor Mr. Tilney is always getting ignored!! Who is your favorite Austen hero (Darcy?) And have you seen the movie adaptation of Northanger Abbey with Felicity Jones and JJ Feild? Feild plays Tilney so perfectly, I thought.
ReplyDeleteInteresting that your favorite is Mr. Knightley! I really love the movie adaptation with Jeremy Northam in that role :D Though yeah, that line in the book about him loving her since she was 13 or whatever always makes me cringe a little lol...
ReplyDeleteAlso, love Capt Wentworth's letter! *swoons* It's so difficult to choose between Austen heroes...so many good ones :D
By the way, have you read any version of Sanditon?