Book Review: Simmer Down

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

Simmer Down     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Jessica Conant-Park , Susan Conant
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Culinary   Cozy   Chick Lit
Series: Gourmet Girl Mysteries # 2
Berkley Prime Crime, 2007, 259 pps.

Death by Robocoupe (a large commercial kitchen product) isn’t a very pleasing way to die and a terrible thing to put in the obituary but this is just exactly what happened to one of the partners in Full Moon Group. Full Moon Group was the unsuccessful bidder on property that was purchased by Gavin Seymour. Gavin is opening a new restaurant in Boston called Simmer with Josh Driscoll working for him as his new chef.

Josh is Chloe Carter’s boyfriend and her only hope is that he will be very successful in the new restaurant. Josh and Chloe are off to a bad start though when Josh’s Robocoupe is used to smash in a head at a fund-raiser featuring Josh’s creations.

Chloe and Naomi Carter, who is Chloe’s supervisor in a social work internship, are on hand with packets of information for people who suffer from harassment in the workplace. Naomi is quite dedicated and Chloe just wants to get through the course.

To make matters worse not only does Chloe’s ex-boyfriend show up at the fundraiser but Josh’s ex-girlfriend also puts in an appearance. Her name is Hannah and she is back in town working for Full Moon and setting her sights on Josh.

Chloe exercises her mind by jumping to conclusions about who might be the killer and the reasons for the murder.

It is a fun book with a lot of wonderful sounding foods and even a few recipes included.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM