The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders: A Eugenia Potter Mystery (The Eugenia Potter Mysteries)

Following the death of Virginia Rich, many Eugenia Potter fans thought the series was also laid to rest. Fortunately for her fans, the family of Virginia Rich asked Nancy Pickard, a respected author in her own right, to continue the series using Rich's plot notes. The 27 Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders is the first of three written by Pickard. It is difficult for any author to pick up where another left off, but Pickard has risen to the occasion with a fine story. Preparing for a dinner party the next evening, Eugenia Potter decided to make a Mexican chili recipe typically found in the Southwest rather than at her current residence in Maine. During her ruminations as she prepared the chili dish, she received a phone call drawing her back to her Tuscon area ranch. Her ranch manager and his granddaughter were missing and feared dead. Shortly thereafter, someone dies after eating Eugenia's special chili, and the wiley sleuth goes into action. Pickard has thoughtfully added a romantic interest for our beloved Eugenia for added spice. Fans of Virginia Rich's original series will welcome this new and unexpected novel. Vivid description, warm characters, and tantalizing recipes draw the reader into this delicious culinary cozy. The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders

Virginia Rich wrote three mysteries in a series with a pleasant and comfortable protagonist, and an emphasis on food. The series ended rather abruptly with the author died, yet it was picked up again by another writer who was also a fan. She has written the characters faithfully, using Mrs. Rich's notes, and the series holds up just fine. This isn't a book I would be afraid to read at night, nor will it keep me awake trying to figure out who the killer is. For that matter, it will not make me queasy when I look at raw meat, either. It is, however, a nice, easy-going trek through the Arizona desert. I arrive at my destination about the same time the author tells me "We're there". I enjoy occasional trips like this one, though it is sad to see the people close to Mrs. Potter all kicking the bucket like they are. In this new installment, we at least get to see the setup for future relationships. Will I read the next in the series? Sure, but it's more of a "why not?" than it is an "OMG when is the next one coming out?" It was enjoyable, very much so, but lighter than I usually read. PS - Yay for the hard cover edition which has the recipes printed on the flaps!

Preferring the clarity of focus of a solitary mind, I normally detour around dual authorship fiction. But, in the case of Nancy Pickard's continuing the late Virginia Rich's Eugenia Potter series, I was intrigued by the potence of a fictional character surviving the grave of her creator. I chose "The 27 Ingredient CHILI CON CARNE MURDERS" as my introduction to this Genia character, because it contained contributions from both authors, with Nancy working from plot notes Virginia left behind. That Chile offering bridged Rich's original three Potter novels, to Pickard's two continuations (two published, as far as I know). Reading the Chili novel, I could easily see why Eugenia Potter had prevailed in her fictional world, and into our reality. She has embodied the prime ingredients of the endearing and enduring profile of Female Amateur Sleuth, the spunky, curious, "older" (or at least mature) woman seasoned with wisdom, wit, and wherewithal. Who is Miss. Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Mrs. Pollifax, Chas Wheately, etc.? It's uncanny that Eugenia is not only a spin-off of Virginia's personal life, but Genia fits-like-a-dove into Nancy's life as well. These two authors didn't know each other prior to each publishing a mystery of her own. Yet both authors were wives of cattle ranchers in the Southwestern US, with each couple owning a cottage in the Northeast. The main path divergence (if I recall my research correctly) is that Nancy is a decade or two younger than Virginia was, and is still enjoying the companionship of her cattle rancher husband; on the other hand, Virginia's husband is the survivor in that marriage. Though ... I might wonder who survived what. Don't want to get into the story of these two authors, other than to say that the situation is so coincidentally uncanny as to be almost eerie, seeming very much like a pre-destined, meant-to-be deal. Of course, at this point in my life (prior to sprouting wings myself), I have speculations but no clues to the true underpinnings of this awesome parallel. In any case, I'm thankful to have a continuing line of Potter mysteries to enjoy. (Potter ... is there something about that NAME??) Chapter One of the Chili book tastefully toyed with a paranormal conundrum, as it opened with Eugenia thoughtfully preparing an Albondigas Soup, talking to herself as she absently handled herbs. I love an author who's able to capture readers with sensual ease, without resorting to surging the heartbeat to the heavens with a sudden, searing shock. Eugenia's self-dialogue introduces an intuitive intrigue, as she wonders why she's slipped into unlikely behaviors and seemingly inappropriate spice choices, which don't fit her normal routines and present setting. Soliloquies and actions seem to be pivoting on a paranormal precipice of an impending dramatic change. Around this puzzling pique, Eugenia remains generally at one with herself and her morning machinations. With the reader salivating over the soup

This book is an enjoyable mystery filled with twists, turns, and surprises. It is a wonderful mix of personalities, cultures, and family generations. The characters, who are truly characters, are believable and distinctive. The relationships that unfold throughout the story are ones the reader can understand and relate to. The use of cultural differences and the variety of ages demonstrate the value of each person and add strength to the book. The recipes included are a delicious bonus. The talents of both authors are easy to see and have produced a delightful book to be enjoyed by any mystery fan.

After Virginia Rich died leaving this book unfinished, Nancy Pickard was asked to complete it. Pickard is a fine mystery writer herself (I've greatly enjoyed her Jenny Cain series), but this book neither shows off her gifts nor achieves the quality of Rich's other "recipe mysteries." Pickard valiantly tries (successfully, most of the time) to preserve the flavor of Rich's cast of standard characters, but the new characters seem sketchily drawn. And the plot is rather lame: plot was never Rich's strong point, so, by sticking religiously to the original outline, Pickard has done her more of a disservice than if she'd followed her own (better) instincts and improved it. The novel is worth reading if you're a Rich (or even a Pickard) fan, but, if you're unfamiliar with either author's work, this is not the book to start with.