The Chef Who Died Sauteing

A fresh book to the "foodie" mystery genre, the authors add a paranormal ingredient that carries well. Like good food, the book is just right: not over done with a realistic handling that keeps it from getting mushed as a "knock off" side dish. This is a full plate of a really good story. The great news is there's more to come. P.S. Invite the authors to your community/library/book store for a presentation and book signing. They are energetic, witty, warm and creative friends who share their humorous joy for life, writing, their families and fans.

Right up to the disclosure of the murderer I didn't know who it was! There were convincing possibilities throughout the story. And at one point during reading the book, I was so enjoying the personalities of the characters that I realized I hadn't bothered yet to think about "who dunn it?"! I sincerely hope that Ariel returns, with all the same characters, as I want to know more about what's happened to them. --Maureen Ann Milligan Houston

I met the authors of The Chef Who Died Sauteing at the 2006 Malice Domestic convention in D.C. They were outgoing, delightful, and drew attention to their offering in a most creative way -- they dressed in chef's whites both days I attended the conference, and they introduced themselves easily. As a writer myself, I like to reward any author who exhibits a get-up-and-go attitude towards getting her book known. In today's business, a single published book can fall into the pool of novels like a drop of water, to be swallowed whole. I bought the book because I really appreciated how the authors had gone that extra mile to promote it. All that said, I had a hard time getting into it. Ariel Quigley, the detective, is a college level English teacher who has a strong psychic streak and a penchant for attracting manifestations of ghostly spirits. This threw me off at first, as did her embrace of Tarot card readings and "dowsing", because Ariel's (and the book's) point of view was that these things, admittedly looked at askance in much of society, are very real. I have a great resistance towards characters who are "endearingly flakey" or "new agey". Also I had a hard time keeping the stories of the characters straight, because so many are introduced in the first chapters, before the murder occurs. Then I noticed something. I noticed that these characters were not brittle, not sarcastic, they all presented a face to the world that was what I call realistic. The authors seem to understand that the face we present to the world, if different from the face we present to ourselves, is not a matter of hypocrisy but a matter of negotiating the waters of social intercourse, never easy for anyone. The characters is this book ring true, although occasionally their mundane nature makes me want more cookie-cutter good and evil. But that is my loss. I am now savoring the book as I near the end. It has been a long time since I've read a murder mystery where the other characters care about the victim. Ariel only met the victim once, she saw his the light side and his dark side, yet she cares about him as for any fellow human and gets involved in not just solving the mystery but helping the other characters integrate this man's death into their own lives. Also the psychic phenomena is not overdone, and has its own rewards. Jungian psychology and the power of symbols and dreams, for which I have a definite passion, go very well with the inner workings of the psychic detective. I recommend this if you want a non-snarky, people-affirming murder mystery with a good plot and a core of humanity to it. And the descriptions of the meals in The Riviera, an upscale French restaurant which is the setting for much of the book, will have you reaching for a glass of fine wine and perhaps a freshly washed strawberry or two.

The Chef Who Died Sauteing is a full course mystery of flavorful characters, police procedurals, human psychology, and psychic phenomenon. The precise placement of clues are all honed as a place setting at a fine eatery, and the subject matter blends a variety of tastes perfectly balanced to keep the diner entertained in exquisite anticipation of the "just desserts". Finkelstein and Smily are your chefs of the evening, and this is one menu that won't have you leaving feeling empty! I and my family eagerly await the next installments in what surely will prove to be the next must reads on our list the moment they are released! Ariel Quigley and Bernice Wise are characters who have captured the imaginations of my whole family. We are eager to curl up together and explore our love of mystery, ghost stories, and the intricacies of the lives of these two budding detectives.

Having just finished reading "The Chef Who Died Sauteing," I can wholeheartedly recommend what promises to be an outstanding new series - the Ariel Quigley mysteries. Two talented authors (Honora Finkelstein & Susan Smily) have combined forces to create characters that are truly human - with determination, courage, compassion, intelligence, humor and sorrow. These are people I would love to meet in person and would be proud to call my friends (except for the murderer, of course!). The plot is entertaining and complex but neither too complicated to follow nor too simple to bore. Adding to the entertainment factor are the metaphysical overtones. I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series and anticipate getting to know the characters better as they grow and learn more about themselves and their abilities. This is a must read for readers of mysteries in general and cozies in particular. Great work, ladies!