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A review by kimdavishb
Chai Another Day by Leslie Budewitz
5.0
CHAI ANOTHER DAY, the fourth book in the Spice Shop Mystery series by Leslie Budewitz, is a welcomed and long anticipated addition to a delightful series! The author whets the appetite of the reader from the beginning, by providing a list of characters. I love referring back to the list as I read through the book, to get an added sense of the author’s descriptions and relationships between the characters. From there, the reader is treated to a variety of quotes which start each chapter off. I enjoyed trying to see how they tied in to the theme of the chapters. Ms. Budewitz creates a sensory-filled story that manages to bring the tastes, smells, sounds, and sights of Pike’s Place Market, located in Seattle, to life. I especially love protagonist, Pepper Reece, and her darling Spice Shop and her adorable dog, Arf. I would dearly love to spend time in her store, exploring the spices, perusing the recipes and books, and chatting with the staff members. The author truly brings the charming setting to life while including bits and pieces of interesting spice facts and spice pairings.
The reader is treated to a well-plotted mystery with a multitude of subplots woven in to provide growth for the characters alongside warm, human relationships. Pepper’s character is a caring, empathetic friend and employer. She’s also brave and is willing to step in and help her friends out in dangerous situations. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of racial discrimination and bullying. It’s a social issue that is often overlooked by fiction writers but is important nonetheless. Pepper uses her people skills to ask questions and piece together the clues to find justice for victims of all types of crimes, not just murder. Ms. Budewitz writes a tight mystery that provides enough suspects and clues to keep the reader guessing while providing characters and settings that invite the reader in and makes them want to stay.
Pepper is an accomplished cook and she often creates dishes to serve to her friends and family. She also has several friends, including a chef at her favorite restaurant, who all create delectable meals. And lastly, she allows her staff at the Spice Shop to develop recipes based around seasonally themed spice blends. The author includes a collection of these recipes at the back of the book and I was drooling over the descriptions as I read the many recipes.
I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The reader is treated to a well-plotted mystery with a multitude of subplots woven in to provide growth for the characters alongside warm, human relationships. Pepper’s character is a caring, empathetic friend and employer. She’s also brave and is willing to step in and help her friends out in dangerous situations. I appreciated the author’s portrayal of racial discrimination and bullying. It’s a social issue that is often overlooked by fiction writers but is important nonetheless. Pepper uses her people skills to ask questions and piece together the clues to find justice for victims of all types of crimes, not just murder. Ms. Budewitz writes a tight mystery that provides enough suspects and clues to keep the reader guessing while providing characters and settings that invite the reader in and makes them want to stay.
Pepper is an accomplished cook and she often creates dishes to serve to her friends and family. She also has several friends, including a chef at her favorite restaurant, who all create delectable meals. And lastly, she allows her staff at the Spice Shop to develop recipes based around seasonally themed spice blends. The author includes a collection of these recipes at the back of the book and I was drooling over the descriptions as I read the many recipes.
I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.