Another satisfying feast
586446
Love this series!  Breakfast, Lunch and now Dinner with Buddha incorporating food, travel & spirituality with a good dash of humor and just a pinch of suspense makes for a most delicious read.  I am hungry already for the next one.  Dessert?  Midnight Snack?  We'll have to wait and see.
841430
Davidson gives her loyal readers another good Goldie adventure into catering mayhem, this time serving up death warmed over at a birthday party for her son.  An old friend, mother of the co- honoree, drops dead before she gets out of the driveway following a festive Mexican-themed dinner catered by Goldie.  What first appears to be a simple heart attack turns into the murderous act of someone who cares neither how many bodies fall, nor who they are, to protect a deadly secret.  Goldie fans will not be disappointed.  And the recipes are great.
2106638
As a former director of the Festival in "Shelbyville" that might (or, hey, might not) have been a point of departure for this third book in Bill Fitts's enjoyable "Needed Killing" series, I confess that I began reading it with a little trepidation. I should have had no worries: Mr. Fitts has given us another pleasing read. The narrator/hero was again sure, steady, and wry and the plot was plenty twisty to keep me turning pages. Echoing another reviewer, I do get hungry while reading these books!
562529
I have had the pleasure of sampling some of these recipes as cooked by the author.  They are eclectic, fresh, and creative.  I would add that they are pleasantly filling and wholesome.  When served to the groups I've been a part of when Rick has been kind of enough to cook for us, they yield superlative comments for Rick.  I can't wait to try preparing the recipes myself.
4834187
After thirteen books, Ive come to rely on Jaine Austen.  The books in this series are always light, funny, and a pleasure to read.  Murder Has Nine Lives is the fourteenth book, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest.

If youve missed the series, Jaine is a freelance writer living in Southern California.  She is owned by a very demanding cat name Prozac.  Her life seems to be filled with murder and mayhem since these books are just as heavy on the laughs as they are on murder.  While I am a firm read in order person, these books really do stand alone, so you can pick them up in any order.  Trust me, once you start, youll want to read them all.

This book opens in the vets office.  Jaine has brought Prozac in for her annual checkup, but before they even get to the appointment, an animal agent spots Prozac and is convinced that Jaines cat is perfect for a new commercial for diet cat food.  All Prozac has to do is eat and sleep  the two activity she excels at.  The trick is she has to do it on command, but Prozac behaves well enough at the audition to land the part.

The day of the shoot, things are going along well until it comes time to shoot Prozacs final scene, when she starts becoming her usual temperamental self.  The creator of Skinny Kitty, Dean Oliver, calls for a half hour break.  When everyone returns, Dean films his big scene, where he announces the cat food is so good he will eat it himself and takes a big bite.  Only after he does, he keels over dead.

Jaine had already witnessed that Dean wasn't a very nice man, but it seems that just about everyone on set had a motive for murder.  The police include Jaine in that number, and tell her not to leave town.  But with a vacation to Hawaii on the horizon, Jaine needs to make sure she is cleared of suspicion, so she begins digging into the suspects and motives.  Can she find the killer in time to go on her trip?

The mysteries in these books are always good.  Weve got a nice collection of suspects, and as Jaine talks to them, we learn more about motives and opportunity.  It always seems like the top suspect is changing as Jaine talks to everyone until we reach the logical solution.

The books are filled with sub-plots as well.  In one, Jaine agrees to go on a blind date with the nephew of her biggest client.  Its fun to finally actually see the owner of Toiletmaster since weve heard lots about him over the course of the series.  As always, we are also treated to the latest in her parents retirement community in Florida thanks to a string of e-mail exchanges.  This time around, her father has decided to enter the annual Scrabble tournament and defeat the reigning champion Lydia Pinkus, his arch nemesis and Jaines mothers best friend.  The results are completely hilarious, which was no surprise to me.

At times, these sub-plots take over the story, especially Jaines blind date.  However, I really don't mind because they are so much fun.  While there are plenty of laughs in this book, some of the best come from these two stories.  Trust me, you won't begrudge a page spent on either of them.

If you haven't figured it out by now, these books are a little over the top, which is much of their fun.  The characters are likewise outrageous in a fun way.  They are real enough for us to care about the outcome, but they are not the complex people I might praise in another series.  Still they fit the series perfectly and anything different would feel odd.

Author Laura Levine has a background in comedy writing, and it really shows.  In fact, I often describe these books as sitcoms with murder, and the description really does fit.  Dont pick them up when you want anything dark or serious, but if you are in the mood for laughs with your murder, this is the perfect series for you.

Fans of Jaines adventures have nothing to worry about, she is still going strong in Murder Has Nine Lives.  And if you have yet to start the series, Ill say it again  drop everything and do so today.  Youll be binge reading these books and laughing through them all.
1854492
The eighth installment does not disappoint. By this point, the reader knows Uhtred - and Cornwell - well enough to predict the general outcome.  The joy is in the journey!
3846741
Cookbooks are so much fun to read.  Every author will have different approaches and even provide differing recipes for the same dish.  The comparisons are fascinating. Today, I'm marinating chicken in the old "fireman's barbecue" sauce. Over times, I've collected a variety of recipes for this single sauce, and it's fun to experiment, compare, and finally select the one I like best. Same with cookbooks. . . .

In essence, the author, Ina Garten, lays out her approach in the following quotations (both from Page 11):  ". . .I don't see any reason why we can't buy perfectly good ingredients in a grocery store, cook them simply, and serve an absolutely delicious meal that will delight everyone at the table." And, "What truly fires my imagination is taking ordinary ingredients and cooking them--or pairing them--in a way that `unlocks' their true flavors." She also argues strongly in favor of cooking by the season, since different foods are at their most flavorful at different times. Earlier, I quoted her as saying that certain ingredients unlock flavor.  Among the "unlockers," she says, are Reggiano Parmesan cheese, wine vinegar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Pernod, coffee, cream, etc.

Throughout the book, Garten scatters "Top 10" lists, such as the  "10 No-cook things to serve with drinks," "Top 10 Flavor Boosters," and "10 Things Not to Serve at a Dinner Party."

But let's take a look at some of the recipes.  I enjoy Potato Leek Soup, and have tried out several different recipes (enjoying all). Garten adds a new one to my collection. One ingredient that distinguishes hers from others is the use of arugula.  Delicious.

Her "Creamy Cucumber Salad" is another little treasure, featuring hothouse cucumbers, red onions, yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, dill, and black pepper. I have not yet made this, but find that it sounds delightful as a starter for a meal.

"Coq au Vin" is one of my favorite tried and true French recipes. Garten provides her recipe, basing it on a Beef Bourguignon. As her producer once said, triggering the experiment, "Well, [coq au vin] is just beef bourguignon with chicken." Boy, this sounds interesting, richer than the normal recipe that I use.

Finally, one more example, "Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli." I try out a lot of broccoli dishes, and varying how I prepare them, from steaming to grilling to stir frying. Her version features roasting broccoli with pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and basil leaves.

All in all, a fine cookbook. Garten lays out her views on cooking at the outset and then illustrates how to implement those views in her recipe collection.  People who want to create tasty dishes without major hassles will find this a good cookbook to add to their collection.
2555010
I must admit that Id never given much thought to visiting Key West, Florida, until I started reading the Key West Food Critic Mysteries.  (I came so close to a visit over New Years since I was in the South Florida area for work until I looked at prices.)  As a result, I really look forward to my virtual visits through this series.  Killer Takeout is the newest in the series, and its another fun visit.

Each year in October, Key West hosts Fantasy Fest, a week and a half long party leading up to Halloween when adults come to participate in various events and parades.  Costumes are encouraged, although many of them venture toward the adult side of the spectrum (to put it mildly).

This years Fantasy Fest is turning into quite a busy week for Hayley Snow.  In addition to her regular restaurant review for the magazine where she works, Key Zest, shes also covering some of the events of the week for work.  Her mother and her mothers fiance are in town, planning a wedding at the end of the week.  And everyone is keeping one eye on the weather forecast as Tropical Storm Margaret is forming in the area and might be heading their way.

Into this mix, a little murder falls.  Hayleys co-worker Danielle has been crowned Fantasy Fest Queen, a contest based on fund raising for AIDS Help.  However, Caryn, one of Danielles competitors for the title, is not taking her defeat well.  When Caryn collapses during the zombie bike ride, the police begin to look at Danielle as a killer.  Can Hayley fit finding a killer into her already busy schedule?

Hayleys busy schedule also means that there is never a dull moment in this book.  The mystery is the main focus, but these other sub-plots keep us turning pages just as quickly.  I did feel that the climax of the mystery was rushed as a result of the various sub-plots, but by the end everything has been brought to a satisfying conclusion.

I love these characters.  Really, I do.  If I were to visit Key West at some point in the future, Id be looking all over for them since I just know wed become best friends.  That continues here, with the regular cast being their normal charming selves.  A sub-plot involving Hayleys work life shows just how much she has grown in the seven books in this series.  The new characters are just as strong and interesting.  But I have to give a special shout out to Miss Gloria, Hayleys 80-something houseboat mate.  That woman is a hoot!  I just love her.

And, of course, we get recipes.  There are six recipes, and there is something to make you drool.  Im not a big fan of seafood, so the Key West Boiled Dinner doesnt appeal to me, but I really want to test out the Strawberry Cake and Coconut Cake recipes.  Yum!

While there are references to previous events, nothing in this book truly spoils earlier books, so if you are new to the series, feel free to jump in here.  Once you do, youll want to backtrack and spend more time in Key West.

If you need a vacation but cant get away right now, this series is perfect for you.  Killer Takeout will keep you turning pages and leave you feeling like youve had a tropical getaway.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
4013739
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This author hits all the right notes in all the books I have read. Well worth the price to enjoy dining
with the characters.
1664521
My favorite thing about this series is the drive, and passion the characters have for their craft (cooking). Food Wars is a fun, and enjoyable series. The recipes included in each volume are a great plus, as well.
2559171
Always a great read with this series! There is some LOL-worthy writing. And as usual, the recipes are delicious and easy to follow and the photography is great.
2361278
Yet another brilliant installment in an already brilliant series. Thank you, Stephen, for hours of reading pleasure.
4091168
An appetizing mix of humor and warm slice-of-life gimpses that can be devoured at a gulp or savored in nibbles as reading time permits. Don't miss this one!
3177346
As a pat Conroy fan I was so pleased with this work outside of his novel writing; make no mistake though, this is Pat Conroy speaking, and he can weave a sentence together, and I see he can weave a recipe as well. The recipes are very good and well thought out and the story line make you savor the outcome of your meals.
3396398
Father Tim and Cynthia in tow with Baranabas to Whitecap Island.  There is plently there to sink your reading teeth into, new characters, town, and that charm this author pervades.
I enjoyed all of this volume as much as the others, especially relating to the anticipation of arrival at a new church and their anticipation of new clergy as well.
Tugs on the heart from former parish brought back rich memories for me as well as Father Tim.
Mildly let down by the ending to this one.  The mystery of it and all left me somewhat amazed and frustrated.  Seems author shifted writing and script path she previously carved so meticuously and persistently for confusing waters.  Last chapter left me a drift.  Not enough though not to purchase the sixth volume which awaits my reading.
All volumes in series are wonderful!
1570119
I can't wait for the next book. The mating season collection has been absolutely delish. I look forward to reading each one as I know something juicy and intriguing is in there.
398798
I consider myself quite lucky, in retrospect, that there were already five books available in this series by the time I started reading.  I cannot remember the last time I devoured a series as quickly or with as much enjoyment as this one.  Butcher has really done an exceptional job in creating this world and these characters.  He started off with one of the best first novels I've read and has only gotten better with each installment.  I have literally laughed, cried, and cheered while reading these books, and that is something that is not entirely common with me (though I'll admit to being a sap and something of an easy target for the tearjerk effect).
One reader commented that this installment left many things unresolved, and this is true to a point.  Actually, the majority of the major plot points were dealt with quite nicely (far more neatly, in fact, than any writer so new to the craft has any right being able to accomplish).  There were a number of threads left dangling, but only insomuch as was necessary in order to bring these elements into play in later episodes.  Also, the reviewer who noted that there was a statement about the Jews being responsible for Jesus' death was not entirely accurate.  There is a referrence to Barrabus who was freed by the Jews despite the fact that Pilate had wanted them to free Jesus.  If Butcher deserves to have all but one star stripped from a rating for accurately reporting an event that was already written of in a much more widely published book (I don't have to explain that one, do I?), then we have a problem here.  This was in no way intended as anti-semitic, and I thought it was actually rather neatly in keeping with the rest of the storyline.  By the way, just for the record I am not Jewish but I am not Christian either.  Frankly I think both sides of this particular debate ("The Jews killed Jesus!", "No they didn't!") are rather silly.  But that's just me...
Anyway, as for this book I was more than pleased.  Somehow Butcher keeps making each one better than the last, and I'm keen to see if he can keep up the trend.  Only problem is that I've run out of books and now have to wait for him to publish the next one.  Either I'll have to slow down my reading speed, or else Jim has to start typing a hell of a lot faster.  In the meanwhile, get Peter Jackson on the phone.  I've got an idea for his next big movie series... :)