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Pizza Lovers #6
Killer Crust
Eleanor Swift isn't amused when Laughing Luigi--the sketchy frozen pizza dough baron--walks into her Timber Ridge, North Carolina, pizzeria, A Slice of Delight. But the contract for his pizza-making contest seems made-to-order, especially with $25,000 in first-prize money up for grabs. However, when the pizza dough king fails to rise after being murdered with a slice of poisoned pizza, Eleanor and her sister Maddie are peppered with suspicion from all corners. Faster than a 30-minute delivery, they're going to have to juggle seriously surreptitious sleuthing with pressure-packed pizza-making performances. . .before the real killer dishes them their own slices of death!
Includes delicious pizza recipe!
"Another fun pizza romp." -- Publishers Weekly
Includes delicious pizza recipe!
"Another fun pizza romp." -- Publishers Weekly
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 24, 2012
48 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Chris Cavender
7 books184 followersChris Cavender is the pseudonym used by Agatha Award nominated author Tim Myers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 11, 2020
This re read of one of the strongest cozy mystery series I've read proved to resonate with me as much as it did when I first read the first one in the series - A Slice of Murder. I love to get back together with Eleanor Swift, and her sister Maddy (I don't know her surname because (or in spite of) she was married multiple times.
The premise shapes into a pizza making contest organized by Laughing Luigi, the pizza 'king'. Enough dough to tempt the deadly duo of Maddy and Eleanor...does tempt them, into taking part in this contest.
I loved every single chapter, having forgotten most of each. This re reading malarkey is proving to be quite popular with me, whereas it was unthinkably so in the past. If you discount Agatha Christie's books, then this author, Chris Cavender, is the first cozy mystery author that I tried. I've been in love with cozies ever since.
The premise shapes into a pizza making contest organized by Laughing Luigi, the pizza 'king'. Enough dough to tempt the deadly duo of Maddy and Eleanor...does tempt them, into taking part in this contest.
I loved every single chapter, having forgotten most of each. This re reading malarkey is proving to be quite popular with me, whereas it was unthinkably so in the past. If you discount Agatha Christie's books, then this author, Chris Cavender, is the first cozy mystery author that I tried. I've been in love with cozies ever since.
January 1, 2018
Amazing reading experience, delightfully stunned number one Chris Cavender fan here. This book gets a perfect score, just like its four predecessors. There's more than usual going on in the book and it might just be the best in the series.
We get to learn more about Eleanor Swift and her younger sister Maddy Spencer. The thing is Eleanor is not really a goody two shoes character all of the time. This touch is subtle and don't we know it. Everyone must have noticed most of the nice hints that build the world of Timber Ridge and everyone living in it. The climax is better than any other and I was glad that Maddy gets a taste of the action. I almost forgot about the self defense measure she took in a previous book.
As I said the climactic end is very well written but the rest of the book match it. It was fun being introduced to a larger cast of suspects - of the murder of a pizza magnate - and I kept reading on waiting to see how the list would be whittled down to a select few. The location for this drama is an ultra fine hotel and restaurant which sets the stage for some welcome pizza pie making competition and some amateur sleuthing as well. There are people who are nice and others who are not as nice,and it was a treat to read who did what and who might be lying. Eleanor is in this competition and she is getting support from her newish boyfriend, while Maddy's beau Bob is also there. Things are moving nicely because this book mentions only thrice or thereabouts of Joe, the dead husband of Eleanor.
I knew before reading that this book might be a surefire bet for 5 stars and I tried to tone down my expectations and the fact that they were surpassed is wonderful. There is little waffling and rambling - unlike this gushing review! - and those who are fans of this series know what I'm talking about when I say that the economy of words for descriptions make up the sleek silhouette of the book's narrative.
Now a word to those who wonder if they are going to like it. If world building is what you're after then this is not a book for you. If you're into exotic locales and feisty lovemaking then that too is not what this book's about. This book is all about pacing and moodiness and warmth and complicity and a dash of old time mystery. I simply cannot emphasize how rare the page turning quality is. I've read many books recently and this one is the one. I feel just like a Star Wars fan would feel if the prequel trilogy was as good as Empire Strikes Back. Chris Cavender, don't you dare to put a foot wrong. But there simply must be a sixth book and more beyond that too.
I didn't get to nail the guilty this time, unlike the previous three times in the Eleanor Swift series. The guilty one is a male this time and to tell you the truth I was a bit lost in the crowd and who had what alibi. It was great to see Gina in a new setting and I hope she gets an appearance in the next installation. Kevin Hurley, the sheriff, no Chief of Timber Ridge, is slightly less dull but also less threatening. I liked the good people and appreciated how the baddies were portrayed. This book feels like the author is in full control of every element and has improved on each and put the words together to make a harmonious ensemble. I was tempted to write "this is a wonderful(50 times) book", but that would be childish. In other words, well, you've already read them.
We get to learn more about Eleanor Swift and her younger sister Maddy Spencer. The thing is Eleanor is not really a goody two shoes character all of the time. This touch is subtle and don't we know it. Everyone must have noticed most of the nice hints that build the world of Timber Ridge and everyone living in it. The climax is better than any other and I was glad that Maddy gets a taste of the action. I almost forgot about the self defense measure she took in a previous book.
As I said the climactic end is very well written but the rest of the book match it. It was fun being introduced to a larger cast of suspects - of the murder of a pizza magnate - and I kept reading on waiting to see how the list would be whittled down to a select few. The location for this drama is an ultra fine hotel and restaurant which sets the stage for some welcome pizza pie making competition and some amateur sleuthing as well. There are people who are nice and others who are not as nice,and it was a treat to read who did what and who might be lying. Eleanor is in this competition and she is getting support from her newish boyfriend, while Maddy's beau Bob is also there. Things are moving nicely because this book mentions only thrice or thereabouts of Joe, the dead husband of Eleanor.
I knew before reading that this book might be a surefire bet for 5 stars and I tried to tone down my expectations and the fact that they were surpassed is wonderful. There is little waffling and rambling - unlike this gushing review! - and those who are fans of this series know what I'm talking about when I say that the economy of words for descriptions make up the sleek silhouette of the book's narrative.
Now a word to those who wonder if they are going to like it. If world building is what you're after then this is not a book for you. If you're into exotic locales and feisty lovemaking then that too is not what this book's about. This book is all about pacing and moodiness and warmth and complicity and a dash of old time mystery. I simply cannot emphasize how rare the page turning quality is. I've read many books recently and this one is the one. I feel just like a Star Wars fan would feel if the prequel trilogy was as good as Empire Strikes Back. Chris Cavender, don't you dare to put a foot wrong. But there simply must be a sixth book and more beyond that too.
I didn't get to nail the guilty this time, unlike the previous three times in the Eleanor Swift series. The guilty one is a male this time and to tell you the truth I was a bit lost in the crowd and who had what alibi. It was great to see Gina in a new setting and I hope she gets an appearance in the next installation. Kevin Hurley, the sheriff, no Chief of Timber Ridge, is slightly less dull but also less threatening. I liked the good people and appreciated how the baddies were portrayed. This book feels like the author is in full control of every element and has improved on each and put the words together to make a harmonious ensemble. I was tempted to write "this is a wonderful(50 times) book", but that would be childish. In other words, well, you've already read them.
September 18, 2015
Eleanor Swift and her sister Maddie Spencer are back in a brand new Pizza Lover's Mystery. When Laughing Luigi the owner of Laughing Luigi's Frozen Pizza Dough comes in to invite Eleanor and Maddie to join a pizza-making competition to win $25,000, they accept with reservations about what dark sinister purpose he really has in inviting them. They go to the Treeline resort where their friend Gina Sizemore works at for the competition and find out that it is fixed. It is only when someone murders Laughing Luigi that the sisters find out that someone will do anything to win the competition including murder! Can Eleanor and Maddie find out who killed Luigi before it is too late? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good installment of the pizza lover's mysteries series which I will finish with book 6: The Missing Dough in the future. I loved how the book was set in a different locale then the A Slice of Delight Pizzeria that was the setting in the previous pizza lovers books. If you like mysteries and pizza, def check this series out. It is available at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good installment of the pizza lover's mysteries series which I will finish with book 6: The Missing Dough in the future. I loved how the book was set in a different locale then the A Slice of Delight Pizzeria that was the setting in the previous pizza lovers books. If you like mysteries and pizza, def check this series out. It is available at your local library and wherever books are sold.
December 2, 2012
In this book Eleanor Swift and her sister Maddy are in a local competition to see who makes the best pizza. Laughing Luigi is hosting a pizza making contest. One couple is from Asheville, one is from Charlotte, Eleanor and Maddy form Timber Ridge, and a couple from Raleigh. Two of them seem over confident they are going to win and two teams seem to be trying their best.
Then Laughing Luigi winds up murdered and everyone is a suspect. Police Chief Kevin Hurley asks Eleanor and Maddy to investigate the murder, as does Gina from Tree Line the hotel hosting the contest.
There are plenty of suspects and a good part of this story was trying to narrow the suspects down, but that seemed slow going. Between preforming contests and finding people to talk to the girls. With the help of Hank a worker of Tree Line and the few contestants that would talk to them the girls were able to nab the murder before they were next.
I really enjoyed this book and was impressed with incorporating a contest mixed in with a mystery. Definitely a great job and another cozy mystery series I love!
Then Laughing Luigi winds up murdered and everyone is a suspect. Police Chief Kevin Hurley asks Eleanor and Maddy to investigate the murder, as does Gina from Tree Line the hotel hosting the contest.
There are plenty of suspects and a good part of this story was trying to narrow the suspects down, but that seemed slow going. Between preforming contests and finding people to talk to the girls. With the help of Hank a worker of Tree Line and the few contestants that would talk to them the girls were able to nab the murder before they were next.
I really enjoyed this book and was impressed with incorporating a contest mixed in with a mystery. Definitely a great job and another cozy mystery series I love!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2017
It's kind of sad to say a murder mystery is cute, but "Killer Crust" was cute. The fact that this story takes place in Western North Carolina is a plus for me which I did not realize until I started reading it. At this point in the series, the characters are well developed and story is the main emphasis. It was most enjoyable and it did keep me guessing who-dun-it. Eleanor and Maddie are two excellent sleuths finding clues are every turn. Looking for to my next Pizza Lovers read.
January 21, 2013
I've read this entire series and this one was by far the best one. I liked how it kept me in the dark until the very end.
July 5, 2024
"Killer Crust" is a delicious mystery and cooking novel written by Chris Cavender. The plot revolves around Eleanor Swift, the owner of a bakery in the charming town of Harvest Park, where trouble is often accompanied by sweet aromas. The story begins with an unexpected twist when Eleanor finds herself in the middle of a mysterious murder at her bakery. As he attempts to solve the crime, he uncovers surprising secrets among the inhabitants of Harvest Park, each with ulterior motives and suspicions of their own. The novel is full of endearing, well-developed characters, from the always insightful Eleanor to her colorful circle of friends and clients. Cavender skillfully combines criminal intrigue with tantalizing details about the creation of cakes and breads, making the read irresistible to mystery lovers and cooking fans alike. With a snappy pace and a touch of humor, “Killer Crust” offers a charming escape into the world of small business, community bonds, and comforting flavors. Ideal for those looking for a light but absorbing read, this novel promises to satisfy the appetite for both crime and culinary delights.
June 11, 2019
it's always fun when sisters Eleanor and Maddie, get caught in another murder mystery! It's Agatha Christie meets Murder She Wrote ....so enjoyable!
February 8, 2013
Killer Crust by Chris Cavender
Sisters Maddie and Ellie run A Slice of Delight Pizzeria. One of their arch enemies Laughing Luggi has given them a chance to win 25k by competing against others at the new resort in town to promote his company and the new resort, Timber Ridge.
There are many stipulations and others have been cheated out of even competing. They must spend a few days at the resort, his expense but their boyfriend and lawyer husband Bob can join them at meals. They've met the other 3 couples who are all from NC also.
When Luigi gets murdered and the contest will continue they are asked by Kevin the cop to help solve the mystery. They had prior knowledge to a lot by just talking to others at meal time and before going to their rooms. They move into one of the luxury rooms as it has 2 bedrooms and they can compare notes and go about their next task.
They are also able to get help from Gina who they know from the area and her uncle has financed the huge luxury resort for her to run.
Many others think the contest is rigged and others think the judges have been paid off. They learn much with help from others and find themselves in digger than they could ever imagine...
Recipes at the end. First book I've read by Chris and I can't wait to read more of them.
Sisters Maddie and Ellie run A Slice of Delight Pizzeria. One of their arch enemies Laughing Luggi has given them a chance to win 25k by competing against others at the new resort in town to promote his company and the new resort, Timber Ridge.
There are many stipulations and others have been cheated out of even competing. They must spend a few days at the resort, his expense but their boyfriend and lawyer husband Bob can join them at meals. They've met the other 3 couples who are all from NC also.
When Luigi gets murdered and the contest will continue they are asked by Kevin the cop to help solve the mystery. They had prior knowledge to a lot by just talking to others at meal time and before going to their rooms. They move into one of the luxury rooms as it has 2 bedrooms and they can compare notes and go about their next task.
They are also able to get help from Gina who they know from the area and her uncle has financed the huge luxury resort for her to run.
Many others think the contest is rigged and others think the judges have been paid off. They learn much with help from others and find themselves in digger than they could ever imagine...
Recipes at the end. First book I've read by Chris and I can't wait to read more of them.
December 29, 2014
Again, I found this to be an okay cozy mystery that is sure to leave readers craving pizza. But, I found the dialogue a little stilted, silly and clunky at times, especially the interactions between Eleanor and Maddy. And, when the two "boyfriends" were on scene, there was even more inanity. The foursome sounded more like bantering teenagers than mature adults.
I liked the idea of the pizza competition and the mystery itself was okay, if somewhat predictable. Eleanor seemed a little rude and bossy at times and let the notion of investigating the murder go to her head.
This is fluffy, light-hearted reading for the most part, but it lacks the depth of the "Murder, She Wrote" series, which still remains my all-time favourite. That being said, I will still probably read the next book in this series.
I liked the idea of the pizza competition and the mystery itself was okay, if somewhat predictable. Eleanor seemed a little rude and bossy at times and let the notion of investigating the murder go to her head.
This is fluffy, light-hearted reading for the most part, but it lacks the depth of the "Murder, She Wrote" series, which still remains my all-time favourite. That being said, I will still probably read the next book in this series.
April 4, 2013
The temptation of possibly winning a purse of twenty-five thousand dollars is just too alluring for pizzeria owner, Eleanor Swift and her sister, Maddy to resist. The only downside, besides having to close 'A Slice of Delight' for a couple of days, and perhaps losing a customer or two, is the contest is being sponsored and run by Laughing Luigi. Luigi is not well liked by either sister, and soon both find out he is not liked by any of the participants.
However, the contest will go on, even when Luigi falls victim to poisoned pizza. Eleanor finds herself and her pizza under the microscope, being set up to take the 'fall.' It is time, once again, for the sister duo to investigate and find the real killer before the contest ends or there may be no justice served with that pizza slice!
This series is a nice cozy murder mystery. The sarcasm was toned down and I really appreciated that. The ladies' boyfriends were there on the sidelines, and the Chief of Police gently asks for their help, which was a pleasant change.
I enjoyed the book and the recipe at the ending.
However, the contest will go on, even when Luigi falls victim to poisoned pizza. Eleanor finds herself and her pizza under the microscope, being set up to take the 'fall.' It is time, once again, for the sister duo to investigate and find the real killer before the contest ends or there may be no justice served with that pizza slice!
This series is a nice cozy murder mystery. The sarcasm was toned down and I really appreciated that. The ladies' boyfriends were there on the sidelines, and the Chief of Police gently asks for their help, which was a pleasant change.
I enjoyed the book and the recipe at the ending.
February 23, 2013
OK mystery plot, poor writing, terrible dialogue, extremely irritating "banter" between sisters. This author writes under several names and some of his series are okay. He has the dialogue problem in most books, but this series is the worst. This series always has at least one recipe which is why I picked it up at the library and the recipe in this one is okay.
April 21, 2015
You know I gotta give this book five stars when it took less than 24 hours to read the entire book. A quick and easy read, yes, but the plot was riveting. I'll be reading more from this series in the near future.
January 16, 2013
It was an ok book. i liked the new setting. It just dragged in places.
June 25, 2013
Where did all the fun magic go?! Not sure, but this story was a big disappointment after all the others in this series!
July 3, 2013
A little boring.
September 15, 2013
Not a killer read.
December 13, 2013
Another mystery series that I'm over.
January 5, 2014
Enjoyed another murder solved by Eleanor and Maddy. Fun, light reading for mystery lovers.
March 17, 2017
Eleanor is an even more nasty, mean spirited character than the last time I read from this series. There is nothing likeable about her and the way she treats everyone else.
August 3, 2023
This came to me in a blind box of books from a friend so I've not read the first books. Eleanor and Maddy are sisters running a pizza shop in NC. "Laughing Luigi" a man with a pizza dough company and a bad past with them (tried to buy the shop soon after Eleanor's husband died) has invited them into a pizza making contest using his dough. The grand prize is 25K and there are only four teams, hers from Timber Line (a little town with a 5 star brand new resort where this is taking place and run by one of her friends, Gina) a husband and wife team from Ashville, twins from Raleigh and a nasty chef and his partner from Charlotte.
Naturally no one likes Luigi, the contest is rigged and by the second cook on day one, Luigi is dead. All of them are suspects including his brother who inherits the company and Jack who thinks he's inheriting. This time, Kevin (the sheriff) asks the sisters to help him (I get the impression that's not usually the case) . Helping out is also Hank, the hotel security guard who was a cop and Kevin doesn't like (something never brought up as to why)
As a mystery it was fine. There wasn't a lot of clues per se but what bugged me about this was the sisters. They are outrightly rude in their investigation. One of the twins slammed a door in their face. I'm shocked more people didn't. They treated Hank like he was an idiot and resented him being in their case. I found them fairly unlikeable and self important. Also there were some tension building things that were just annoying. Like messing up the first contest because they didn't know how to work with Luigi's dough (I mean you're going into a contest you do NO prep work?) or how one sister doesn't take the pizza out of the oven when the other was busy getting in someone's face.
It's not a bad story but it also didn't make me want to read more.
Naturally no one likes Luigi, the contest is rigged and by the second cook on day one, Luigi is dead. All of them are suspects including his brother who inherits the company and Jack who thinks he's inheriting. This time, Kevin (the sheriff) asks the sisters to help him (I get the impression that's not usually the case) . Helping out is also Hank, the hotel security guard who was a cop and Kevin doesn't like (something never brought up as to why)
As a mystery it was fine. There wasn't a lot of clues per se but what bugged me about this was the sisters. They are outrightly rude in their investigation. One of the twins slammed a door in their face. I'm shocked more people didn't. They treated Hank like he was an idiot and resented him being in their case. I found them fairly unlikeable and self important. Also there were some tension building things that were just annoying. Like messing up the first contest because they didn't know how to work with Luigi's dough (I mean you're going into a contest you do NO prep work?) or how one sister doesn't take the pizza out of the oven when the other was busy getting in someone's face.
It's not a bad story but it also didn't make me want to read more.
November 7, 2017
Eleanor and Maddy are up to their eyeballs in dough and murder again! This time they have the chance of winning a major cash prize BUT they have to use some one else's dough and abide by rules that seem to change by the day! After the first round (which went badly they thought) they are surprised to be in 2nd place but by the time the next round comes up Laughing Luigi the frozen dough king is now where to be found. Although the competition goes on with Luigi's 2nd in command doing the judging it almost grinds to a halt when Luigi is found dead. Chief Kevin Hurley asks the ladies to step up and help him solve a murder with way too many suspects before they all head back to where they came from.
February 27, 2018
This book was okay. It was a quick read which was nice. But as others have mentioned in their reviews, the dialogue leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the dialogue was a little painful. I also felt like a lot of food descriptions were kind of glossed over which seemed weird for a book that claims to be for pizza lovers. I don't regret reading the book but I doubt I'll read any others in the series.
March 26, 2019
I thought this one was pretty good. I liked the setting, and the capsulation of the storyline at the resort and condensing it to a few days. It made for a fast pace that I appreciated. But I just couldn’t get over the complete ineptitude of Kevin Hurley and the police. They didn’t ask for or check the resorts security camera footage for the time of the murder? They didn’t get or verify the alibis of several of the murder suspects until days after the murder? That’s pretty unbelievable.
December 18, 2020
Eleanor has come a looong way since the first book. I almost stopped the series after book 1 because I didn't care for her so much. 😑 I really enjoyed this story and I had no idea who the killer was before the reveal. It is kinda nice to actually read who the killer is and NOT now before hand. 😉
December 31, 2020
Another good one in this series. I have a new appreciation for pizza crusts after reading this. Eleanor and Maddy get into the middle of another murder at a pizza context. Another close call for both of them.
February 11, 2025
This series has quickly become one of my favorites and I can’t wait to read other series’ from the author. Eleanor and Maddy have a great relationship and I love their sleuthing. I enjoyed the competition and the location for the story . Definitely kept me guessing.
July 13, 2017
good summer read, will look for more stories by this author
October 10, 2017
I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews