Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham?

I have enjoyed reading the other two books by Phyllis Riichman - The Butter Did It and Murder on the Gravy Train. I also enjoyed reading this book. The plot was interesting and I especially like the information about restaurants and food.

I agree with the reviewer who wrote that this book was not a page turner. However, I still think it was a very good book, just not terribly strong as a mystery. The food descriptions, and Ms. Richman's knowledge of food and the industry is incredibly strong and accurate. The characters are interesting and realistically developed. It is a very enjoyable read, and I recommend it!

This is P. Richman's third mystery with Chas. Wheatley, a food reporter, as the narrator. It is her best. Richman was the Washington Post editor for many years, and easily rivals Julia Child in her knowledge of food. Her knowledge of food, restaurants, and newspapers shines through this book. Her keen observation of people and scenes enriches this book. But what really sets this book off from her two earlier and excellent mysteries is the depiction and development of the the creepy Ringo--a new face in the newsroom. Keep scribbling them out Phyllis and we will keep eating em up.

Competing with two other newspapers for the circulation of the DC crowd propels Washington Examiner Managing Editor Bull Stannard to bring in a popular young gun from Los Angeles. Bull believes that thirty-two year-old Ringo Laurenge, known for his rap work on the OJ trial, will bring a slew of new readers to the paper, which in turn means new ad money. Bull allows Ringo carte blanch with no one's section protected from the new kid on the block.However, Ringo proves to be arrogant and nasty rather quickly, earning the hatred of the entire news room in spite of his brilliance at writing a story. No one is saved from his scathing remarks and soon much of the staff wants him dead including restaurant critic Chas Wheatley, who has had the boy wonder steal some of her ideas. However, she believes he crosses the line when he attacks a local restaurant, Two Views. Not long afterward, someone decides to take matters into their own hands and kills Ringo. Chas wonders if perhaps one of her colleagues murdered the odious journalist or perhaps someone involved in the restaurant he dissed did the deed. She starts her own investigation to find out who did it and why.WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA HAM, the third Wheatley culinary mystery, is an exciting, cleverly plotted who-done-it with a myriad of suspects as the victim is universally loathed. Chas is a wonderful character and the support cast adds to the savory demeanor of a gourmet delight of an amateur sleuth novel.Harriet Klausner