Death by Rhubarb: When Her Ex-Husband's New Girlfriend Is Served a Deadly Dinner, a Dishy Chef Turns Sleuth to Save Her Restaurant.

I like the book so far swearing doesn't belong in a cozy mystery. I do love the mysteries that have cooking and recipes in them.

The initial entry in Lou Jane Temple's Heaven Lee culinary mysteries is what many readers relish: a cleverly constructed mystery, larger than life characters and off the wall recipes. I wonder if many readers every try them?? Anyway, Heaven is a delightful heroine, down to earth, married six times, and in danger of losing her cafe. Seems like her ex's new girl friend drops dead after eating something in the cafe. Things don't look good for Heaven, as she's the prime suspect. Aided by a motley crew of friends and coworkers, Heaven sets out to unmask the culprit. While not as well honed as Diane Mott Davidson's culinary heroine Goldie, Heaven Lee is a fun read and I look forward to more of her food mysteries!

I'm an avid mystery reader and I really enjoyed this book. Heaven Lee, the heroine, is not quite as lovable as Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum or Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy. But she definitely has potential and the storyline makes for a cozy read on a rainy day. To all those of you who found the book "depressing", let me say this: you have to have been to Kansas City to understand. I've been living in the KC area for 10 months now (on the Kansas side, mind you...haha) and it REALLY is THAT sad. You don't even have to get out of the car to get the picture. Lou Jane Temple is not making this up....she describes what she knows. Kansas City at its best - or worst.With this in mind, I just know that you'll find her other books more enjoyable.

DEATH BY RHUBARB, by Lou Jane Temple, is a good example of write what you know. Lou Jane is a red-headed chef from the midwest who writes about a red-headed restauranteur in Kansas City, Heaven Lee who has several ex-husbands, two of which meet in her restaurant the night the date of one of them dies of poison. The characters and setting are authentic. Lou Jane was a caterer to Rock groups and fashion shoots in her other life, so she certainly knows food and eccentric people. The open-mike night at Cafe Heaven is a hoot, as are the members of the local anti-everything group. Lou Jane has a keen eye and a sassy tongue, but I think the inclusion of recipes in the body of the story slows things down a bit too much