Book Review: No Reservations Required

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

No Reservations Required     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Ellen Hart
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Culinary
Series: Sophie Greenway # 8
Ballantine, Jun 2005, $6.99, 320 pp.

One year ago, Twin Cities businessman Ken Loy was driving while talking on a cell phone when his vehicle blindsided that of Valerie Fabian, killing her. Although the woman ran a stop sign, her spouse Minneapolis Times Register columnist Bob blamed Ken for not paying attention.

Ken remains shook up with the accident bringing him close to his two twin daughters raised by his ex-wife and whom he neglected previously. He rides his bike every evening to gain some relief, but this time he stops to check a construction site thinking he might buy a condo there. Someone arrives and executes him.

Valerie’s brother Sonny informs Bob that he provided justice to their beloved’s killer. A stunned Bob calls 911, but Sonny, feeling betrayed, kills him too.

Minneapolis Times Register restaurant critic Sophie Greenway learns that the victims who were murdered within an hour of one another were killed by the same gun. No one can figure out the motive that ties both homicides although the link to Valerie is obvious. Sophie cooks up a storm that does not match the recipe for murder that will shake her inner essence.

Readers will want to make reservations for this fabulous amateur sleuth thriller that provides strong twists that the reader will never see coming especially the ending that will blow away the audience. Sophie is the terrific main ingredient while the support cast provides depth to a darker than usual story line. Ellen Hart bakes a winner with her eighth Greenway culinary mystery.

Harriet Klausner

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