Title: A Slice of Murder

Series: Pizza Lovers

By:  Chris Cavender

ISBN: 0758229488 (ISBN13: 9780758229489)

Website: https://pizzamysteries.wordpress.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

Not too much happens in the sleepy little town of Timber Ridge, North Carolina, which is fine with pizza-purveyor extraordinaire Eleanor Swift. The spunky owner of A Slice of Delight is trying to mend her broken heart and could use a little quiet time. But when a late night delivery customer turns up dead, she’s in for just the opposite in this delicious mystery series debut, featuring pizza as the prima character. (Goodreads)

Review:

A Slice of Murder is the first book in the Pizza Lovers series by Chris Cavender. Additionally, this is the first book by this author that I have read (or any of the author’s pseudonyms for that matter –  Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Tim Myers, and Jessica Beck). I am very happy that I happened upon this library book – I am definitely going to read more of this authors books, regardless of which name it is written under. Or at least to discover which “author” I like the best ☺

Eleanor Swift and her sister Madeline Spencer are running the pizzeria “A Slice of Delight” in the sleepy little town of Timber Ridge in North Carolina (which Eleanor and her deceased husband had started). One evening, Eleanor decides to deliver an order herself. What she finds is not a hungry pizza loving individual, but rather the body of Richard Olsen! Unfortunately, this pizza client (or should I say former pizza client) and Eleanor previously had some words and this leads to Eleanor going to the top of the suspect list for Richard’s murder. In order to get off the list, Eleanor must find the real killer.

I found the backstory of Eleanor a wee bit lacking, especially for a first in series book. But even with that, I did enjoy the familial comradery between Eleanor and her sister Madeline – who I felt was the one with the actual sleuthing skills. They were a tenacious sleuthing duo who would not quit until the real murderer was identified! Power to the sisters.

While it was pretty predictable and easy to determine “whodunit”, I did find the storytelling enjoyable. Getting to know Eleanor, Madeline and other various residents in Timber Ridge was entertaining. Though I am still not sure I like the local police, Kevin. Turns out Kevin is an old sweetheart of Eleanor’s and he is definitely holding a grudge against her! Why I ask myself since he’s moved on – married with a family. He suspects Eleanor immediately and as such Eleanor must work hard to prove her innocence. This was an enjoyable start to a new series. If you like reading about pizza (I do – but not quite as much as eating it ☺) with a murder to solve by a couple of amateur sleuths – then spend some time in Timber Ridge getting to know Eleanor and Madeline – you will have a pleasant experience.