The Proof is in the Pudding (Della Cooks Mystery)

You wouldn't think that a judge could get into trouble at a Celebrity Cook-Off type event. But, maybe you would think that if the judge in question was Della Carmichael. She isn't exactly trouble-prone, but it seems as though any trouble with several miles of her current whereabouts will surely find it's way to her, and thoroughly entangle her. It's a good thing her significant other at the moment is a talented and intelligent reporter, or she'd find herself in deeper trouble than she'd like. Especially as the target this time is her 'honorary' daughter Eileen O'Hara, daughter of Shannon and John. The latter was the partner of Della's late husband, Mack, as both were on the local police force. Eileen is also Della's partner in their joint venture of making and selling fudge. (Note of Warning here: you can easily gain five pounds just from reading this delicious book! There is something scrumptious on nearly every page!) Unfortunately, a fellow judge (not a very nice guy, really) ends up dead at the Cook-Off, leaving Eileen and Della as the prime suspects. John had just punched out the guy (Keith Ingram) so he's thrown off the case, and it really doesn't look too good for the intrepid ladies. But Della is no one's fool. She's very capable of thinking for herself -- totally outside the box, too. Things don't always go her way, but she solves the puzzle in the end. This is a very clever, very well- and unusually-plotted mystery with great characterizations throughout. I'd be very skeptical of any mystery fan who claimed not to like it. I'd recommend it to anyone!

I have been waiting a long time for this book. Melinda Wells does a marvelous job of making me hungry, as well as creating a mystery, that keeps me coming back for another bite. Della, and her poodle Tuffy, are a real treat. Having her own TV cooking show, seems so tame. But, it seems that trouble follows Della, wherever she goes. This time, she is judging a celebrity Cook off. What could possible go wrong? Just about everything. Cheaters, smoke bombs, and of course, a dead body. Don't worry, she has plenty of help. Her boyfriend Nicholas,plus friends Liddy, John, and of course Tuffy. I do believe Melinda Wells has as much fun writing this cozy, as I do from reading her book. By the way, her French toast and Quiche recipes, sound good enough to send me into my own kitchen and do a little cooking. I do believe this author is an auto-buy for me.

This is the author's third in her series featuring Della Carmichael. And yes it comes with several pages of what appear to be mouth-watering recipes. While noting that the author sent a copy of the book to review, I have not (yet) tried any of the recipes. However, if they are on a par with the quality of this author's writing which is excellent, they should be worthwhile. Della Carmichael is the hostess and chef of a West Coast cable cooking show. She also runs a small cooking school. Her deceased husband was a cop so she has some useful connections for her adventures. Make no mistake, this novel is not a cozy. Even though set in Southern California, and the circle of suspects and other characters is limited, many of readers' expectations about cozy crime novels are broken. There are pets. There is some fine humor and the pace is enough to keep even non-foodies interested. And, this is a whee of a story. An Important Personage is staging a celebrity cooking competition for both humanitarian and personal reasons. Della is brought in at the last minute to be one of three judges of the event. There she encounters another judge who is definitely not on her `A' list of desirable guests. When the man is stabbed to death during the beginning of the cooking competition, in a delightful and well-thought-out scene, suspicion falls variously on a close friend who is a cop, the cop's daughter and on Della herself. Wells is a good writer and she deals with one of the major problems of writing a series in a competent and forthright manner. If a series is to continue, we can't have the protagonist in such jeopardy that she dies. However, by recognizing the quandary , this author builds the tension in other ways, and the detecting is handled in a well-done manner. In addition, Della Carmichael acts like a real, fully realized woman, with desires, problems, and some pets and friends who are occasionally troublesome. They are interesting which contributes to the stew without distracting us from the main story. I was completely charmed by Ms. Carmichael and her adventure. Her world is fun, funny, and as real as can be. Moreover, the story is well plotted and has a very satisfactory conclusion.

In North Hollywood, public relations specialist Phil Logan informs widow Della Carmichael, the hostess of In the Kitchen With Della, that she is one of the three judges selected to score the Celebrity Cook-off charity event at the Olympia Grand Hotel. The other two judges are Yvette Dupree and Keith Ingram. Phil warns her that her Della's Sweet Dreams partner Eileen O'Hara is seeing womanizing Keith, who rumors have it will dump her to marry wealthy Tina Long, daughter of the Olympia Grand's owner. Keith dumps Eileen, but tells her she will be his mistress as he has tapes of their sexual encounters with his face blurred that he will release. At the gala, Eileen's father Police Detective John O'Hara punches Keith in the face. While cook Wolf Wheeler performs an incredible juggling act with pots, pans and food, someone releases a smoke bomb. When the air clears and the panic ends, Keith is dead from a knife to his throat. The prime suspect is John, who the lead detective Hatch (known fondly by Della as Hatchet) hates. Although readers know who will be murdered when Eileen hysterically calls "Aunt" Della, fans will enjoy the latest Della Cooks mystery (see Della Takes the cake). Della is courageous as an amateur sleuth and insane as a break and enter "thief" when she sneaks into the victim's home to attempt to steal the tapes. With wonderful recipes after case solved and some included in the whodunit, culinary mystery fans will appreciate Della's risking her life to keep Eileen out of a sex scandal and prove John did not commit the homicide. Harriet Klausner

I've been a fan of this series since I read the first one, "Killer Mousse." This was the best yet. The relationships are getting deeper, but that wouldn't matter if the mystery wasn't so good. "Pudding" is full of new and interesting characters that Della meets when she's picked to be one of the judges at a charity party where movie and TV stars each cook a favorite dish. It's a competition with the big prize money going to the winning celebrity's favorite charity. But the food never gets eaten because one of the celebrities is murdered. In order to protect her unofficial daughter Eileen (who was being blackmailed by the victim) Della has to develop a new skill: burglary. Unfortunately, she leaves behind a piece of evidence that almost destroys her own life. I was crying with Della when she discovered what happened to her house. The recipes look good. Since the book just arrived yesterday, I haven't had time to try them, but I'll make "Pasta Caruso" this weekend to make up to my husband for not cooking last night so I could keep reading. The mystery has some surprising twists, and there's more action and romance than usual. I hope in a future book poor Eileen has better luck with men. Highly recommended!