Scan barcode
A review by renpuspita
A Taste of the Nightlife: A Vampire Chef Mystery by Sarah Zettel
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3,5 stars
Rather than a cozy mystery, A Taste of the Nightlife remind me of urban fantasy novel set in its glory urban fantasy setting, which is circa 2010-2014. This book also written in 2011, and because I read 12 years later, a.k.a 2023, some things feels outdated, like Blackberry, lol. A Taste of the Nightlife is the first installment of Vampire Chef Mystery series. Introduced Charlotte Caine as a chef of the haute noir cuisine restaurant, Nightlife, that not only cater to human, but also supernatural creature. Like, vampire and the like. Even Charlotte's own brother, Chet, is a vampire. While try to prepare food that will impressed a vampire food critic, Anatole Sevarin, a warlock try to make a ruckus in the restaurant. Said warlock also later found dead in Nightlife, threaten Charlotte's reputation and Chet's, because the warlock found to be drained to death. But Charlotte will find that her reputation is the last thing she need, because apparently Chet hiding something from her and some vampires suddenly find her better dead than living.
The setting of this book remind me of Sookie Stackhouse novel, despite I'm not read the book and watching its series adaption, True Blood. The supernatural creatures are out in the open and human didn't have choice to cohabit with them. Actually, some human also try to bring this other creatures to where they belong, hiding from the plain sight. While the setting is not that unique, the story still interesting. The mystery is well written, although Charlotte seems like a headless chicken in her investigation to solve the murder in her restaurant. I can't help to picture Cate Blanchett as Charlotte, because she will do her justice. Charlotte is stubborn, and apparently a queen in her kitchen, but also have her own moment of vulnerability especially when it comet to Chet. Reader will get to know the background of Chet turning to vampire and how Charlotte still feel responsible about her baby brother. I also like that Charlotte is still human to the end, she's also not immune to the vampire mumbo jumbo aka mind control. Her weapon is only her wits and sassy remarks. Also her cooking ability that in the end will save her from her predicaments.
Not totally cozy, because the stake is high. Like, we talk about money, or blood laundering. Apparently, in the Nightlife world, taking blood from the vein in considered as taboo, although some human want to volunteer. So, the vampire mostly drink animal blood. Also, the romance is one of the focus, since Charlotte not only have one, but two love interests. Yeah, more like love triangle, but the end is not final. It's apparent that Charlotte with one of the love interest, Brendan Maddock, a warlock that also family with the dead warlock in Charlotte's restaurant, is the end game. But I can't help to want to ship Charlotte with Anatole Sevarin. While I can see that Brendan is a save choice (he's a human, although a warlock), Anatole have his own charm. At first, I pictured him like a food critic from Ratatouile's movie. But, turn that he's charming and hot. Like Russian charming. His interaction with Charlotte also seems interesting compared to Brendan's. Yeah, a girl can hope, tho.
With the ups and downs, I still enjoy Charlotte's investigation and adventure in this book. The description of some food is delish, although if there's blood in it, it will maybe make reader squeamish. The villain also cartoonish and 2D, but that's part of the charm. Charlotte and Chet's relationship also in need of amend, because something bad happen between them. All the more reasons to read the next book!
Rather than a cozy mystery, A Taste of the Nightlife remind me of urban fantasy novel set in its glory urban fantasy setting, which is circa 2010-2014. This book also written in 2011, and because I read 12 years later, a.k.a 2023, some things feels outdated, like Blackberry, lol. A Taste of the Nightlife is the first installment of Vampire Chef Mystery series. Introduced Charlotte Caine as a chef of the haute noir cuisine restaurant, Nightlife, that not only cater to human, but also supernatural creature. Like, vampire and the like. Even Charlotte's own brother, Chet, is a vampire. While try to prepare food that will impressed a vampire food critic, Anatole Sevarin, a warlock try to make a ruckus in the restaurant. Said warlock also later found dead in Nightlife, threaten Charlotte's reputation and Chet's, because the warlock found to be drained to death. But Charlotte will find that her reputation is the last thing she need, because apparently Chet hiding something from her and some vampires suddenly find her better dead than living.
The setting of this book remind me of Sookie Stackhouse novel, despite I'm not read the book and watching its series adaption, True Blood. The supernatural creatures are out in the open and human didn't have choice to cohabit with them. Actually, some human also try to bring this other creatures to where they belong, hiding from the plain sight. While the setting is not that unique, the story still interesting. The mystery is well written, although Charlotte seems like a headless chicken in her investigation to solve the murder in her restaurant. I can't help to picture Cate Blanchett as Charlotte, because she will do her justice. Charlotte is stubborn, and apparently a queen in her kitchen, but also have her own moment of vulnerability especially when it comet to Chet. Reader will get to know the background of Chet turning to vampire and how Charlotte still feel responsible about her baby brother. I also like that Charlotte is still human to the end, she's also not immune to the vampire mumbo jumbo aka mind control. Her weapon is only her wits and sassy remarks. Also her cooking ability that in the end will save her from her predicaments.
Not totally cozy, because the stake is high. Like, we talk about money, or blood laundering. Apparently, in the Nightlife world, taking blood from the vein in considered as taboo, although some human want to volunteer. So, the vampire mostly drink animal blood. Also, the romance is one of the focus, since Charlotte not only have one, but two love interests. Yeah, more like love triangle, but the end is not final. It's apparent that Charlotte with one of the love interest, Brendan Maddock, a warlock that also family with the dead warlock in Charlotte's restaurant, is the end game. But I can't help to want to ship Charlotte with Anatole Sevarin. While I can see that Brendan is a save choice (he's a human, although a warlock), Anatole have his own charm. At first, I pictured him like a food critic from Ratatouile's movie. But, turn that he's charming and hot. Like Russian charming. His interaction with Charlotte also seems interesting compared to Brendan's. Yeah, a girl can hope, tho.
With the ups and downs, I still enjoy Charlotte's investigation and adventure in this book. The description of some food is delish, although if there's blood in it, it will maybe make reader squeamish. The villain also cartoonish and 2D, but that's part of the charm. Charlotte and Chet's relationship also in need of amend, because something bad happen between them. All the more reasons to read the next book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Body shaming