Book Review: Red Beans and Vice

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Red Beans and Vice     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lou Jane Temple
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Culinary   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Heaven Lee # 6
St. Martin's, Aug 2001, $23.95, 288 pp.

Heaven Lee having been backed out of the legal profession for doing something wrong opened up a Café Heavens Restaurant in Kansas City. To her amazement, Heaven learns she likes to cook and prepare food and soon her restaurant is a success. She has a full house almost every night with many repeat customers. When a nasty letter about her restaurant is sent to Heaven, City Hall and the local newspapers. she is afraid her restaurant's precious reputation will be tarnished.

Thanks to good friends, Heaven is able to keep the note out of the public eye and go to New Orleans with an easy mind. She is part of an outdoor sit down diner to raise funds for the Sisters of the Holy Trinity, one of the oldest convents of the United States. Towards the end of the event one of her closest friend's husband is murdered and Heaven will not rest until she finds the killer.

Lou Jane Temple has created a zany, eccentric and lovable heroine who will go that extra mile for anyone she cares about. The mystery is well drawn out and it is doubtful anyone will guess the identity of the perpetrators although when they are finally revealed it makes sense. RED BEANS AND VICE is a colorful culinary who-done-it that is a feast to read.

Harriet Klausner

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