Review: Mumbo Gumbo

Madeline Bean is a Hollywood event planner and caterer to the stars. Her company is Mad Bean Events. They are scheduled to cater the big wrap party for the new TV hit food game show "Food Freak." As her staff is preparing the food for the party, Greta Greene the producer of Food Freak tells Maddie that the party is canceled for that night. The network wants Food Freak to produce one more episode. That's the bad news. What Greta doesn't know is that this is the last event on the schedule for Mad Bean Events. With the economy slump, people aren't having extravagent parties. Maddie isn't sure what she will do to try to raise money to pay her bills. Most of her staff has found other temporary positions for this slump. One good thing, Greta agrees to pay for the food that has been purchased and the wrap party will be rescheduled. Greta also asks Maddie to come be a writer for the last episode of Food Freak. Apparently the head writer, Tim Stock is missing. Maddie agrees.

Maddie enjoys learning the ropes of writing for a food game show. She is intrigued by all the different personalities behind the scenes of this show. Especially Chef Howie and his wife Fate.

She starts uncovering clues about the missing head writer. As the web of puzzles grows, Maddie works hard at solving them. Her assistant at Mad Bean Events, Holly, comes to help her. Plus Maddie's relationship with police detective Honnett becomes more confusing.

I always enjoy reading a Madeline Bean novel. There are always a lot of escapades and food involved. Jerrilyn Farmer has a winner in this series.

The characters are well written as is the plot and setting. She makes me feel like I am there in the story. There is a lot of intrigue and mystery but a lot of fun. This is a quick and easy read.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Book Review: Mumbo Gumbo