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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a mouth-watering and twisty mystery that surprised me with how much I liked it! The prickly, no-nonsense protagonist is Sagarine, a passionate chef whose love of food permeates most of the book's pages, when she isn't lamenting her attraction to a gorgeous Russian gangster for whom she finds herself working (along with a bunch of other Russian mobsters) after the head chef of the restaurant where she works is found murdered in the freezer. Fast-paced and very compelling, I found Sagarine's sometimes truly terrible life decisions believable and the couple of twists that came at the end very well done, with recognizable foreshadowing in retrospect. The BFF/roommate Maude is also a great character and foil for Sagarine.
I'll be seeking out the next in this series for sure!
I'll be seeking out the next in this series for sure!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I shouldn't have read the rave reviews by critics because now I'm disappointed. It's thin on plot, characterization is lacking, but twists are alright. Nothing more to say. An ok read.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The main character, Sagarine Pfister, is a talented chef but a complicated family life has limited her career choices. She feels lucky to have been hired by Louie Ferrar and ignores the fact that once a week her boss hosts a special dinner for members of the Russian mafia. When Louie is killed, Sagarine takes over running the restaurant and those dinners. Soon she is caught between the FBI demanding information about those special guests and her attraction to the beautiful Russian woman who may or may not be involved in the "family business."
I loved this suspenseful Mystery/Thriller! Sagarine's life is complicated and she sometimes gets in her own way, but she's still a likable character. I especially liked her friendship with her roommate Maude and the way she was able to take over and improve the restaurant. The descriptions of the multi-course meals she plans made me hungry! Some of the details of molecular gastronomy went over my head, but I like when I can learn something while reading a novel. The situations Sagarine gets involved in create tension and excitement. I read a lot of thrillers, but I never saw the shocking twist in this one coming. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series.
I won this book from the author, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast and fun read. highly recommend reading this while hungry, the food descriptions are phenomenal.
um first off ITS GAY! I was instantly more excited when I found that out because it wasn’t mentioned in the description. I was expecting cooking + mafia romance + murder mystery and it certainly delivered. I would also sleep with hot mafia woman who exclusively wears dresses with slits.
definitely could’ve used another round of editing. found the most egregious typo of my life that made me think I was having a stroke. the twists were fun but kind of meaningless? writing style made me think of all for the game and not in a good way lol, but it was bearable.
um first off ITS GAY! I was instantly more excited when I found that out because it wasn’t mentioned in the description. I was expecting cooking + mafia romance + murder mystery and it certainly delivered. I would also sleep with hot mafia woman who exclusively wears dresses with slits.
definitely could’ve used another round of editing. found the most egregious typo of my life that made me think I was having a stroke. the twists were fun but kind of meaningless? writing style made me think of all for the game and not in a good way lol, but it was bearable.
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes