After reading the first book in this series, Sharpshooter, I looked forward to more. And while the setting was still unusual and appealing, this one was a disappointment. I realize in cozy mysteries that you often have to set logic aside. But the heroine/chef was so bulldoggedly persistent that it was impossible to believe that anyone would have talked to her in real life. Usually at least there is some faint hook that gives the protagonist an excuse to delve into mysteries. But in this novel, we are expected to believe that an amateur sleuth with no ties to the murder victim, defying all common sense and common courtesy, hangs on long enough to solve a case. Unfortunately, by the time the case is solved we are all pretty tired of her obsessive meddling.
This is the second book in the Sunny McCoskey Napa Valley Mystery Series. I enjoyed this book as much as the first. The book lacked the environmental themes, but brought in new discussion topics. I don't want to give anything away, but let me just say that after I read the book I am definitely more thoughtful about the food and wine I buy. The mystery kept me guessing and I enjoyed the main character, Sunny, just as I did in the first book. After finishing this book I attended the conference, "Literary Orange" where I got to meet the author, Nadia Gordon!! I was so excited. I loved hearing her discussion of food and hearing her talk about why she selected a chef to be the protagonist of her books. I am offically hooked on this series.
What do You think about Death By The Glass (2003)?
Another Sunny McCoskey mystery and this one was great too! I like the description of the food and the wine. One learns something in these stories. This time I learned about brandy. These stories also make me want to cook, to travel and to eat in good restarants. I really like the main cast of characters in these stories; especially Sunny,Rivka Chavez, and their small circle of friends. The desriptions of Napa are calling me to visit! I am on to the third and I hope also to find the fourth book in the series in our library. If you like mysteries, food and wine these books will keep you entertained.
—Andrea
Enjoyed my first read of what appears to be a series. The heroine doesn't appear to be overly noisy as in so many "amateur detective" series. She seems more curious to me, but, that being said, she is a very pushy person - intruding on people's lives and grief to satisfy her curiosity and solve the mystery. She even sabotage's what appears to be a good relationship, because she is so consumed with finding out what happened. I will try another, just to see if I get annoyed or can enjoy the character and the story. I did enjoy this read on the whole, with the reservations noted above.
—Barbara
