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mayakittenreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
riverdogbookco's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
oanh_1's review against another edition
3.0
Oops, looks like I started with the third in the series. It was hard to tell via the ebook library I borrowed from (excuses, excuses).
Enjoyed this, and intend to make the soup recipe at the end (except, why rail against my beloved lentil only to include a lentil soup recipe?)
Corinna is fun, although this all felt a little too wink, wink, I'm so clever with my cross-cultural references. I did enjoy the cast of characters and how warm and good-hearted, but still individual and eccentric they all are. The mystery itself was a bit 'meh'; so much potential darkness only to be solved with sugary sweetness?
Kerry Greenwood is, however, a deft writer, and I know I'll read more when in the right mood: for something light, enjoyable and engaging.
Enjoyed this, and intend to make the soup recipe at the end (except, why rail against my beloved lentil only to include a lentil soup recipe?)
Corinna is fun, although this all felt a little too wink, wink, I'm so clever with my cross-cultural references. I did enjoy the cast of characters and how warm and good-hearted, but still individual and eccentric they all are. The mystery itself was a bit 'meh'; so much potential darkness only to be solved with sugary sweetness?
Kerry Greenwood is, however, a deft writer, and I know I'll read more when in the right mood: for something light, enjoyable and engaging.
sharnibee's review against another edition
3.0
I procrastinated reading this, carried it around for a week and hardly read a word and then finally got stuck into it - and devoured it! Corinne’s parents make an appearance and the lovely community that reside inside the apartments in Insula, rally around to solve several mysteries and to care for young Jason when he falls ill. It’s an ode to kindness.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
More of Corinna's and Jason's background is revealed in this book. Insula is conveniently full of unusual characters who could be considered marginalised, an overweight woman, a male couple, an ex junkie, a witch etc and a theme explored is how the residents of Insula have created their own family despite their differences.
What I liked best about Devil's Food is how Corinna recovered her self esteem in the face of her negligent parents and fanatical fat haters. It is rare to find a "heroine" who does not bemoan her hair/nose/rear at some point, and even rarer still to have a main character of generous proportions who is not trying to lose weight, lonely or unloved.
Corinna and friends tackle several mysteries - a weight loss concoction that poisoned Goss and Kylie, smuggled herbs, the secrets of the mysterious "Brothers" and Corinna's missing father roaming Melbournes streets.
I still find that the formal language can sometimes be a bit off putting, it slows the pace for me and seems incongruous from a 30 something woman in contemporary Australia, but still Devils Food is a good read.
What I liked best about Devil's Food is how Corinna recovered her self esteem in the face of her negligent parents and fanatical fat haters. It is rare to find a "heroine" who does not bemoan her hair/nose/rear at some point, and even rarer still to have a main character of generous proportions who is not trying to lose weight, lonely or unloved.
Corinna and friends tackle several mysteries - a weight loss concoction that poisoned Goss and Kylie, smuggled herbs, the secrets of the mysterious "Brothers" and Corinna's missing father roaming Melbournes streets.
I still find that the formal language can sometimes be a bit off putting, it slows the pace for me and seems incongruous from a 30 something woman in contemporary Australia, but still Devils Food is a good read.
dumblydore's review against another edition
2.0
Glad I didn't buy this book as I rather struggled to finish this. Possibly because I didn't particularly warm to Corinna's first person perspective this time round. Yeah she's on the rotund side, has a lot of lovely, regal cats, and the most dreamy mysterious boyfriend, BUT I don't need to know about this after every second sentence!
So, that self-indulgent annoyance aside, it's the supporting characters in all their clichéd colour that make the story just a tad more than tolerable. Oh, and the scary life that is the Melbourne CBD. Much love.
So, that self-indulgent annoyance aside, it's the supporting characters in all their clichéd colour that make the story just a tad more than tolerable. Oh, and the scary life that is the Melbourne CBD. Much love.
verityw's review against another edition
4.0
Clever and fun, perhaps not as much fun as the first couple in the series - less focused and a bit more scatty than the others. I did enjoy finding out more about Corinna though and the last of characters continues to expand in interesting ways.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2013/03/2013-book-76.html
staceylynn42's review against another edition
3.0
The devil is alive & well in this story. It begins with Earthly Delights gaining a new client - a semi religious cult focused on mortifying the flesh & holding diet seminars - hires her to make 'famine bread', a bread that is only edible by people who are mortifying the flesh & feel that while they *have* to eat, the food should be as unsatisfying as possible.
Then her mother shows up with news that her father came to the city a few weeks back and hasn't been heard from since and what does Corinna intend to do about it? Corinna doesn't get along with her parents so fortunately a new neighbor in Insula is an old friend of Mom's and takes her in while Corinna & Daniel begin searching.
Meanwhile, her fat phobic teenage counter girls, Goss & Kylie, end up getting very sick from some mysterious 'diet tea' they bought from a guy in a club. Corinna & Daniel add this to the list of investigations.
Then, Daniel is hired to look into a small smuggling operation. With so much on their plates can they solve everything?
Then her mother shows up with news that her father came to the city a few weeks back and hasn't been heard from since and what does Corinna intend to do about it? Corinna doesn't get along with her parents so fortunately a new neighbor in Insula is an old friend of Mom's and takes her in while Corinna & Daniel begin searching.
Meanwhile, her fat phobic teenage counter girls, Goss & Kylie, end up getting very sick from some mysterious 'diet tea' they bought from a guy in a club. Corinna & Daniel add this to the list of investigations.
Then, Daniel is hired to look into a small smuggling operation. With so much on their plates can they solve everything?
beththebookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
The characters are both the sugar and the spice in this light mystery that blends a missing person, a bizarre herbal weight-loss remedy, and an ultra-ascetic religious group with baker/sleuth Corinna and her friends like a light but tasty cinnamon swirl muffin.
Recommended for bakery/cozy mystery fans who like quirky characters and want a taste of life in a contemporary Australia that, aside from politics and street names, is much like the American/Canadian/British side of the globe.
I've already been recommending this series to library patrons who like light mysteries with interesting characters.
Recommended for bakery/cozy mystery fans who like quirky characters and want a taste of life in a contemporary Australia that, aside from politics and street names, is much like the American/Canadian/British side of the globe.
I've already been recommending this series to library patrons who like light mysteries with interesting characters.