Killer Mousse - Melinda Wells
Killer Mousse
A Della Cooks Mystery
Melinda Wells
Berkley Prime Crime
Mystery
Della Carmichael is nervous, for lots of reasons. Her cooking school attracts students, but Della is a much better cook than accountant; she’s seriously overextended. Looking for a supplementary source of income to save her school brings her to the second, and major, source of nerves. Tonight, she’s taping and broadcasting her very first show as Better Living Network’s new Cooking Diva. As if that’s not enough to get the stomach churning, the previous Diva, Mimi Bond, is in the audience. She only settled herself in the audience after bursting into Della’s dressing room and accusing her of stealing Mimi’s job. Prudently, Della refrained from pointing out that the real reason for Mimi’s dismissal was 100-proof.
As if that’s not enough, during a commercial break, Della learns that Mimi will be the first taster of tonight’s dessert: Della’s Killer Mousse. That’s just great. But the show must go on, so Della gamely retrieves her pre-made mousse from a backstage fridge for the final segment. True to form, Mimi takes one taste and tells the entire audience that it tastes terrible. In a surprise move, she keels over, dead. On the air. Probably not the best way to start your career as a cooking show host. It’s not long before the mousse and Della are pinpointed as the most likely culprits. With her personal and professional lives at stake, Della knows she has to clear her name.
This is the first installment in what promises to be a highly entertaining series. Della is a fun character; a woman who is making her way in life doing what she loves: cooking. She’s hit bumps in the road before, and weathered them all. Her determination to succeed will make the reader root for her. The mystery is crafted very well; there were plenty of people with motive and opportunity. For mystery lovers who are also foodies, there’s a wealth of cooking tips and a number of included recipes that are easy and use easy-to-find, affordable ingredients. Quite a tasty combination.
Rating: 7
February 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-21981-2 (paperback)
A Della Cooks Mystery
Melinda Wells
Berkley Prime Crime
Mystery
Della Carmichael is nervous, for lots of reasons. Her cooking school attracts students, but Della is a much better cook than accountant; she’s seriously overextended. Looking for a supplementary source of income to save her school brings her to the second, and major, source of nerves. Tonight, she’s taping and broadcasting her very first show as Better Living Network’s new Cooking Diva. As if that’s not enough to get the stomach churning, the previous Diva, Mimi Bond, is in the audience. She only settled herself in the audience after bursting into Della’s dressing room and accusing her of stealing Mimi’s job. Prudently, Della refrained from pointing out that the real reason for Mimi’s dismissal was 100-proof.
As if that’s not enough, during a commercial break, Della learns that Mimi will be the first taster of tonight’s dessert: Della’s Killer Mousse. That’s just great. But the show must go on, so Della gamely retrieves her pre-made mousse from a backstage fridge for the final segment. True to form, Mimi takes one taste and tells the entire audience that it tastes terrible. In a surprise move, she keels over, dead. On the air. Probably not the best way to start your career as a cooking show host. It’s not long before the mousse and Della are pinpointed as the most likely culprits. With her personal and professional lives at stake, Della knows she has to clear her name.
This is the first installment in what promises to be a highly entertaining series. Della is a fun character; a woman who is making her way in life doing what she loves: cooking. She’s hit bumps in the road before, and weathered them all. Her determination to succeed will make the reader root for her. The mystery is crafted very well; there were plenty of people with motive and opportunity. For mystery lovers who are also foodies, there’s a wealth of cooking tips and a number of included recipes that are easy and use easy-to-find, affordable ingredients. Quite a tasty combination.
Rating: 7
February 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-21981-2 (paperback)
posted by Deborah Hern @ 9:47 PM
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