French Fried
Ethnic Eats Mystery, Book #2
By Kylie Logan
ISBN13: 9780425274897
Author website: http://www.kylielogan.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt
Synopsis:
Poison du Jour
The Statue of Liberty is 130 years old, and for the struggling residents of Hubbard, Ohio, any opportunity to bring in tourists is reason enough for a celebration. Laurel Inwood and her aunt, Sophie, are pitching in. Sophie’s Terminal at the Tracks, a former greasy spoon turned charming ethnic eatery, will be offering French cuisine for the entire week.
For expert help with their quiche and escargot, the ladies turn to Raquel “Rocky” Arnaud, a former French chef and friend of Sophie. What looks like a match made in heaven turns rank as quickly as buttermilk on a summer’s day. Rocky turns up dead and when her nightly red wine shows notes of oak, cinnamon, and poison, Laurel turns from soufflé to sleuth.
INCLUDES A RECIPE
Review:
I have to say when I read and enjoyed the first in this series (An Ethnic Eats Mystery), I was not sure how author Kylie Logan was going to keep the theme going. How was she going to work in a new ethnic food service at Terminal at the Tracks? Well she has done it in this second one French Fried for sure. How ingenious to celebrate the Statue of Liberty’s 130th birthday in the town of Hubbard, Ohio. I loved it and the idea really worked. So of course Laurel Inwood and her “aunt” Sophie are going to be doing French cuisine for the celebration. Not anything too haughty though for these hard workers and comfort food lovers. And oh did it all sound so good. Thankfully author Kylie Logan includes some yummy recipes.
While Laurel still has no plans to stay put in Hubbard since she was only there to help Sophie recover from surgery, she is very active in keeping the restaurant moving forward with their new Ethnic themes. And she is loving this French theme. With the help of friend and former French chef Raquel (Rocky) Arnaud they are getting everything moving. Rocky seems off though and they cannot figure why and what has caused this uncharacteristic behavior. Then Rocky ends up dead. Poison has taken her life while enjoying her drink of red wine. Who would do that to this lovely lady? Declan, Laurel and Sophie have to navigate through all the lines of investigation, the different suspects, the motives, all to find who really wanted Rocky gone.
The investigation was very exciting and fun and I loved following along. This author knows how to pull things out of thin air and make them all come together and make complete sense. She is truly gifted at this and it makes the story flow and leap and dance like bubbles on a boiling sauce. I love the interaction between the main characters (always love seeing Declan). They have grown and are more developed. I would have liked French Fried more, however I just could not get over Laurel’s insistent talk of leaving and her waffling. I am hoping she finally settles in and realizes Hubbard is where she needs to be. This does not detract from the story, but for me it made it less enjoyable. I still loved it though. And I am sure the author has a plan for settling this, I am just being selfish, lol.
Even if you did not read the first book in this fun series, you will be able to follow and enjoy French Fried. If you enjoy foodie cozies as well as a well-developed mystery, you will love this one. The characters are intelligent and fun. I think for me I need more Declan though. (Again being a selfish reader). This mystery is complicated with so many layers, much like a wonderfully prepared cassoulet (recipe included in book by the way). I thought I knew who-dun-it, then had to change my thinking. I did have a few things figured out and that made me happy. A wonderful follow up to Irish Stewed and maybe even better. I cannot wait for the next in this series.
