Book Review: No Just Desserts

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

No Just Desserts     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Elisabeth Bastion
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Culinary   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Five Star, Jun 2004, $25.95, 230 pp.

Because of her fine ad campaign, MWVB sends New York based public relations expert Lucille Anderson to London for six weeks to add the Americanization side of a promotion to sell Sweet Whippo to the public. The creator of the product Braxton “Brack” Clark says the synthetic food item reduces sugar, fat, salt and consequently calories while providing fiber.

Her first day on the job leads to Lucile tasting the new product and suffering food poisoning. Next she receives interoffice memo telling the Yank to go home. Lucile and Fiona Gordon, head of the Test Kitchen, are already at the point of hostilities when the Londoner falls down the stairs and dies. A wannabe mystery writer, Lucile cannot resist investigating what has been officially has been called an accident as she thinks otherwise. Meanwhile the local boss Will Hammersmith wants her back in the States and her client Brack is a hunk that makes London swing for her even if she considers him a prime suspect.

This is a fun culinary amateur sleuth mystery starring a fabulous protagonist who makes the tale feels like a gourmet dinner. The fine story line focuses on Lucille’s woes once she disembarks in London. The secondary characters bring London somewhat alive, but are more used as counterpoints to foster better understanding of the novel’s star. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this terrific tale of murder amidst “modern” cuisine.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner