Death Takes the Cake (Della Cooks Mystery)

I thoroughly enjoyed Melinda Wells' first book, "Killer Mousse" and was anxious to see if the quality held up with the second book of the series. It did, and then some. Ms. Wells has created a cast of characters who are all well-developed, interesting and genuine. Even Tuffy, the standard poodle and Emma, the dilute calico cat have distinct personalities. The mysteries are intricate, well-plotted and will keep you guessing to the end. I like the concept of a series of mysteries set around a cable cooking show. There are any number of culinary mysteries, but, to my knowledge, this is unique. If you enjoy well-written, interesting and sympathetic characters, this is a series to be savored.

I have been waiting for the second book in Melinda Wells culinary mystery series for a long time. I was not disappointed!! Della is three months into a new cooking show on TV. She presents great recipes live on TV and for the audience. But she has her hands full when her boss has a a "great" idea to have a Cake baking contest live on their show. Of course, Della's nemesis from college, Regina, is sponsoring the contest using her box cake mix, which, by the way, is just awful. When Regina is murdered, Della needs all the help she can get to solve this crime. Della is one feisty gal. She has a quick mind, delicious recipes and friends I would love to have. I am making her Dreamsicle cake for a treat where I work this week. Look up the great recipes in the back of Ms. Wells's books. Try them. I am. Her next book which I can't wait for is called, "The Proof is in the Pudding" . P.S. My co-workers loved the Dreamcicle cake!

Another triumph for Melinda Wells. Her Della Cooks mystery series just gets better and better--as do the yummy recipes. In DEATH TAKES THE CAKE, Della proves once again, that she's a woman not to be trifled with. What a refreshing change to have a forty-something heroine who is smart, feisty, sexy and yet still be vulnerable in the romance department. The plot was filled with unexpected twists and turns and I didn't guess who the culprit was until the very end. Bravo!

If you have a cavity that needs filling, I'd recommend waiting for that repair before beginning this book. Not that it's all that sweet in and of itself, but the descriptions of the cakes and the recipes so thoughtfully included at the end, will certainly make that tooth ache for real! Ms. Wells has a descriptive ability that makes your mouth water by just reading her recipes! TV chef Della Carmichael, a widow for the past three years or so, having once been a teacher, started her own small cooking school in Santa Monica. It's such a success she is shortly engaged as a TV chef for a local cable company. You might not think that a TV chef would be likely to run into murder. Or at least, not too easily. And you'd be wrong! Della manages to do this rather easily; not once but twice! The third time it's almost her turn, but fortunately, she escapes the murderer. As in the first book, the characterizations are superb. Nearly every person in the story is someone you'd really like to meet. It's hardly surprising that Della would have friends from long ago, but one of them isn't very friendly, after all. Fortunately, the woman (Reggie Davis) now has money and arranges a baking contest with a big dollar prize, but only if Della participates. Unfortunately, the woman ends up dead--in Della's make-believe kitchen at the contest site. Thanks to her former husband's police partner John O'Hara and the help of her sometime-beau, NDM, Della and her 'foster daughter' Eileen (really the child of John and Shannon O'Hara--it's all explained in the book) are saved in the nick of time when the murderer comes after them. The tender scene in chapter 36 between Della and Eileen will ring lots of bells with women. It certainly rang mine! But to be sure, my daughter was a bit younger than twelve when we played out our little version. I have to admit that while I appreciated the recipes that are included, I was unhappy not to find instructions for the Spaghetti Carbonara. (However, I did find the one for Linguine with Sautéed Mushrooms, Garlic and Lemon at her web-site: [..]) I love carbonara, and would welcome the recipe. Please, Della? Next time, maybe? Oh, wait. The next one is about desserts. Again. Pudding? Fudge? Oh, aarrgghh! I swear, you can gain weight just by reading these books! They are worth it, though.

Miss Wells second book in the Della Cooks mystery series is another winner. Because Della is portrayed as a "real" person and some accidents do occur in the kitchen (like pulling the mixer out of the basin before turning off the power - something I would probably do), even a non-cook like myself is encouraged to try some of the recipes noted in the book. This story revolves around Della agreeing to take part in a cooking contest even though she knows the contest is sponsored by an old college acquaintance who had promised retribution for exposing a past offense. Old friends from the first book, Liddy and Bill, Shannon and Big John, Eileen and NDM together with Mickey and Iva Jordan make a reappearance in this book and round out the story. I for one hate having to wait another year for the next installment - The proof is in the pudding. Keep up the good work and write faster please, Melinda.