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beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Eve Angelotta works at her family’s restaurant, Miracolo. She is the chef. However this does not mean she gets full control. She is constantly at odds with her grandmother, Maria Pia Angelotta. No matter how much Eve and her grandmother might argue she would never imagine her grandmother would have it in her to kill, especially her grandmother’s boyfriend.
You Cannoli Die Once is the first book in the Miracolo mystery series from author, Shelley Costa. I thought that this was a fun, good cozy mystery. I have a co-worker that is Italian and she is one of the nicest people I know. Having said this, I am glad that I don’t have to get familiar with the Italian side too much when they get upset or really animated while talking.
This is what I liked the most about this book was the Italian side of the characters. They kept things entertaining. As well as the other characters. They were eccentric. My only issue is that there were so many characters coming at me all at the same time and I was trying to get to know them so it was confusing to get them all straight in my head. Trying to figure out which ones are going to stay and which were just there for a brief appearance in this book. This series is a good start to what will be a fun series. You Cannoli Die Once is an appetizing, entertaining book that will bring a smile to your face and laughter.
You Cannoli Die Once is the first book in the Miracolo mystery series from author, Shelley Costa. I thought that this was a fun, good cozy mystery. I have a co-worker that is Italian and she is one of the nicest people I know. Having said this, I am glad that I don’t have to get familiar with the Italian side too much when they get upset or really animated while talking.
This is what I liked the most about this book was the Italian side of the characters. They kept things entertaining. As well as the other characters. They were eccentric. My only issue is that there were so many characters coming at me all at the same time and I was trying to get to know them so it was confusing to get them all straight in my head. Trying to figure out which ones are going to stay and which were just there for a brief appearance in this book. This series is a good start to what will be a fun series. You Cannoli Die Once is an appetizing, entertaining book that will bring a smile to your face and laughter.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
Great cozy mystery - can't wait for the further exploits!
belovedbrat's review against another edition
4.0
Title: You Cannoli Die Once
Author: Shelley Costa
Series: Italian Restaurant Mystery
Chapters: 19
Pages: 311
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 4 stars
Eve Angelotta is the head chef at the Italian owned by her grandmother. She butts heads with her grandmother and Maria Pia Angelotta about who really is in charge of the kitchen. Then one day Eve discovers a dead body in the kitchen, and her grandmother becomes the prime suspect because it was her boyfriend. However as far as the police are concerned the only suspect. Eve feels that the police aren’t doing enough she starts trying to solve the murder. With the help of the Miracolo staff that includes her two cousin’s Choo Choo, and Landon. As well as the lawyer that she found in the compost bin Joe Beck.
I have always loved mysteries. As a child I would end up solving the mystery before The Boxcar Child or Nancy Drew. As adult I enjoy cozy mysteries with punny titles. and You Cannoli Die Once was no different. I enjoyed this sweet cozy mystery that reminded me a little bit of the Stephanie Plum novels, complete with the crazy Italian family.
Author: Shelley Costa
Series: Italian Restaurant Mystery
Chapters: 19
Pages: 311
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 4 stars
Eve Angelotta is the head chef at the Italian owned by her grandmother. She butts heads with her grandmother and Maria Pia Angelotta about who really is in charge of the kitchen. Then one day Eve discovers a dead body in the kitchen, and her grandmother becomes the prime suspect because it was her boyfriend. However as far as the police are concerned the only suspect. Eve feels that the police aren’t doing enough she starts trying to solve the murder. With the help of the Miracolo staff that includes her two cousin’s Choo Choo, and Landon. As well as the lawyer that she found in the compost bin Joe Beck.
I have always loved mysteries. As a child I would end up solving the mystery before The Boxcar Child or Nancy Drew. As adult I enjoy cozy mysteries with punny titles. and You Cannoli Die Once was no different. I enjoyed this sweet cozy mystery that reminded me a little bit of the Stephanie Plum novels, complete with the crazy Italian family.
dollycas's review against another edition
4.0
What a tasty debut!! Eve and her Nonna don’t agree with what’s on and not on the menu but she knows her grandmother didn’t kill anyone. Eve pulls her friends and family together to do whatever they have to so she is cleared of the crime and back at the restaurant where she belongs. Even if it means breaking and entering!
When you pick up this book be prepared to laugh and laugh a lot. This is a true group of quirky characters and I was surprised at their depth for this being the first book in the series. This is a big Italian family so there are many characters to keep straight but as the story progresses they each come into their own and are very easily pictured in the reader’s mind. Don’t be scared off by the hard to pronounce or long Italian names, soon you will feel right at home at Miracolo’s.
The story unfolds slowly with delectable dialogue, a few bites of tongue in cheek moments, some crumbs sarcasm, and references of some great operas. Then it picks up steam as the clues start to come together. There is also a little romantic tension we all love too. All together a yummy cozy mystery. I can hardly wait for my next reservation at this wonderful Italian eatery.
When you pick up this book be prepared to laugh and laugh a lot. This is a true group of quirky characters and I was surprised at their depth for this being the first book in the series. This is a big Italian family so there are many characters to keep straight but as the story progresses they each come into their own and are very easily pictured in the reader’s mind. Don’t be scared off by the hard to pronounce or long Italian names, soon you will feel right at home at Miracolo’s.
The story unfolds slowly with delectable dialogue, a few bites of tongue in cheek moments, some crumbs sarcasm, and references of some great operas. Then it picks up steam as the clues start to come together. There is also a little romantic tension we all love too. All together a yummy cozy mystery. I can hardly wait for my next reservation at this wonderful Italian eatery.
moondance120's review against another edition
2.0
It was 11:53 p.m., and the late-night regulars showed no sign of leaving.
Eve Angelotta is the head chef of her family's restaurant, Miracola, near Philadelphia. Her grandmother (nonna), Maria Pia Angelotta, is a force to be reckoned with and often provides the entertainment for the restaurant. Eve stumbles over a body in her kitchen which turns out to be nonna's boyfriend, Arlen Mather. The murder weapon is Eve's mortar which was used to bash in his head. The Angelotta family has a collection of opera memorabilia that may be the reason for the murder. Of course everyone involved with the restaurant becomes a sleuth to clear nonna's name.
I truly tried to like this book. It sounded interesting and it was recommended by someone that I respect their opinion. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Eve was a former dancer whose career was cut short by an unfortunate accident during Mary Poppins. I can understand dwelling on that as it was her preferred lifestyle but I quickly became annoyed by the references to it. I really didn't care for Joe Beck. Her first contact with him is finding him digging through her compost pile looking for his wedding ring. He is a lawyer that is helping out his brother in a flower shop between clients. It just goes on and on from there. There are too many characters introduced at one time and everyone seems to be just a little off. I have a very good memory but found myself flipping back to the beginning of the book to figure out who people were. It was tiresome. Perhaps it is just debut chaos and will improve. I'm not sure that I can bear to read the next one.
2.5 stars
Eve Angelotta is the head chef of her family's restaurant, Miracola, near Philadelphia. Her grandmother (nonna), Maria Pia Angelotta, is a force to be reckoned with and often provides the entertainment for the restaurant. Eve stumbles over a body in her kitchen which turns out to be nonna's boyfriend, Arlen Mather. The murder weapon is Eve's mortar which was used to bash in his head. The Angelotta family has a collection of opera memorabilia that may be the reason for the murder. Of course everyone involved with the restaurant becomes a sleuth to clear nonna's name.
I truly tried to like this book. It sounded interesting and it was recommended by someone that I respect their opinion. I just couldn't connect with the characters. Eve was a former dancer whose career was cut short by an unfortunate accident during Mary Poppins. I can understand dwelling on that as it was her preferred lifestyle but I quickly became annoyed by the references to it. I really didn't care for Joe Beck. Her first contact with him is finding him digging through her compost pile looking for his wedding ring. He is a lawyer that is helping out his brother in a flower shop between clients. It just goes on and on from there. There are too many characters introduced at one time and everyone seems to be just a little off. I have a very good memory but found myself flipping back to the beginning of the book to figure out who people were. It was tiresome. Perhaps it is just debut chaos and will improve. I'm not sure that I can bear to read the next one.
2.5 stars
alesia_charles's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did, because it's extremely witty, and in the way I like best. The characters are funny and (mostly) endearing, though I wasn't quite sure how to take the plethora of drama-loving, high-energy Italian-Americans (including the main character). They were really almost over-the-top - but funny.
The down side, and the reason I'm conflicted about the book, is that Eve (the main character) apparently knows so little about the world outside of restaurant cooking (and, presumably, dancing) that a veteran mystery reader like myself could only cringe. Repeatedly.
As a mystery, well, the red herring worked great and the clues were present enough that in the end I said, "Well duh, that's obvious," or at least it could've been. You know what I mean, right? It was cleverly enough put together that I'm now trying to decide whether to give it another star. Maybe if I'd been warned in advance that Eve has never watched a single cop or mystery show on TV, I could've enjoyed the ride a lot more.
The down side, and the reason I'm conflicted about the book, is that Eve (the main character) apparently knows so little about the world outside of restaurant cooking (and, presumably, dancing) that a veteran mystery reader like myself could only cringe. Repeatedly.
As a mystery, well, the red herring worked great and the clues were present enough that in the end I said, "Well duh, that's obvious," or at least it could've been. You know what I mean, right? It was cleverly enough put together that I'm now trying to decide whether to give it another star. Maybe if I'd been warned in advance that Eve has never watched a single cop or mystery show on TV, I could've enjoyed the ride a lot more.
julieputty's review
4.0
It made me laugh out loud several times and the proliferation of characters worked for me (for once). The author should do a little basic research on attorney-client privilege.
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