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Italian Restaurant Mystery #1
You Cannoli Die Once
In this entertaining and delightful mystery, an Italian chef and her cousins start their own investigation to clear their grandmother’s name after she’s arrested for murder.
At Miracolo Northern Italian restaurant, one can savor brilliantly seasoned veal saltimbocca, or luscious risotto alla milanese, but no cannoli. Never cannoli. Maria Pia Angelotta, the spirited seventy-six-year-old owner of the Philadelphia-area eatery that’s been in her family for four generations, has butted heads with her head chef over the cannoli ban more than once. And when the head chef is your own granddaughter, things can get a little heated.
Fortunately, Eve Angelotta knows how to handle what her nonna dishes out. But when Maria Pia’s boyfriend is found dead in Miracolo’s kitchen, bludgeoned by a marble mortar, the question Can a woman this fiery and stubborn over cream-filled pastry be capable of murder?
The police seem to think so, and they put the elder Angelotta behind bars, while Eve, sexy neighborhood attorney Joe Beck, and the entire Miracolo family—parenti di sangue and otherwise—try every trick in the cookbook to unravel a tangle of lies and expose a killer.
At Miracolo Northern Italian restaurant, one can savor brilliantly seasoned veal saltimbocca, or luscious risotto alla milanese, but no cannoli. Never cannoli. Maria Pia Angelotta, the spirited seventy-six-year-old owner of the Philadelphia-area eatery that’s been in her family for four generations, has butted heads with her head chef over the cannoli ban more than once. And when the head chef is your own granddaughter, things can get a little heated.
Fortunately, Eve Angelotta knows how to handle what her nonna dishes out. But when Maria Pia’s boyfriend is found dead in Miracolo’s kitchen, bludgeoned by a marble mortar, the question Can a woman this fiery and stubborn over cream-filled pastry be capable of murder?
The police seem to think so, and they put the elder Angelotta behind bars, while Eve, sexy neighborhood attorney Joe Beck, and the entire Miracolo family—parenti di sangue and otherwise—try every trick in the cookbook to unravel a tangle of lies and expose a killer.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2013
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549 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
May 6, 2016
Fun and fast read! This first book of a cozy mystery series is set in an Italian restaurant with all the cousins, friends and of coarse a nonna. I would like to see more character development, but I was surprised by who was the killer, which makes it more enjoyable for me.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
June 21, 2014
I wanted to like this book more than I did, because it's extremely witty, and in the way I like best. The characters are funny and (mostly) endearing, though I wasn't quite sure how to take the plethora of drama-loving, high-energy Italian-Americans (including the main character). They were really almost over-the-top - but funny.
The down side, and the reason I'm conflicted about the book, is that Eve (the main character) apparently knows so little about the world outside of restaurant cooking (and, presumably, dancing) that a veteran mystery reader like myself could only cringe. Repeatedly.
As a mystery, well, the red herring worked great and the clues were present enough that in the end I said, "Well duh, that's obvious," or at least it could've been. You know what I mean, right? It was cleverly enough put together that I'm now trying to decide whether to give it another star. Maybe if I'd been warned in advance that Eve has never watched a single cop or mystery show on TV, I could've enjoyed the ride a lot more.
The down side, and the reason I'm conflicted about the book, is that Eve (the main character) apparently knows so little about the world outside of restaurant cooking (and, presumably, dancing) that a veteran mystery reader like myself could only cringe. Repeatedly.
As a mystery, well, the red herring worked great and the clues were present enough that in the end I said, "Well duh, that's obvious," or at least it could've been. You know what I mean, right? It was cleverly enough put together that I'm now trying to decide whether to give it another star. Maybe if I'd been warned in advance that Eve has never watched a single cop or mystery show on TV, I could've enjoyed the ride a lot more.
August 11, 2013
I hate to say that I did not enjoy this book. I wanted to like it, I truly did. But from the beginning , I found that I didn't enjoy the characters. By the end of the book, I didn't even care who did it. Sadly, I just wanted the book to be over.
June 5, 2013
I thought that the mystery portion was alright, but I really began to dislike the main character.
Things that annoyed me:
-the need to describe _every_ article of clothing - I'm reading a mystery, not Vogue.
-the main character's offensive comments / attitude about other women in the story (some of which are supposedly friends) only serve to fulfill a distasteful stereotype.
-the unnecessary Italian phrases scattered throughout.
-the complete lack of concern for any sort of legal procedure not only by her, but by her neighbor / love interest, who is a lawyer as well as the pair of cops investigating the crime. It's a work of fiction so I'm not expecting in-depth procedural methods, but some remotely realistic behavior would have been better.
Things that annoyed me:
-the need to describe _every_ article of clothing - I'm reading a mystery, not Vogue.
-the main character's offensive comments / attitude about other women in the story (some of which are supposedly friends) only serve to fulfill a distasteful stereotype.
-the unnecessary Italian phrases scattered throughout.
-the complete lack of concern for any sort of legal procedure not only by her, but by her neighbor / love interest, who is a lawyer as well as the pair of cops investigating the crime. It's a work of fiction so I'm not expecting in-depth procedural methods, but some remotely realistic behavior would have been better.
July 23, 2013
I’ve read many mysteries with women who step out of their usual roles to try to solve a murder. I’ve read many with quirky characters. I rarely read one that makes me laugh out loud. YOU CANNOLI DIE ONCE is the rare one that is also genuinely funny.
Eve Angelotta was a Broadway dancer who fell off the stage during Step in Time in “Mary Poppins” and broke her leg in two places. While she still loves dancing, she returned to her Quaker Hills Pennsylvania home to become the chef of her grandmother’s Italian restaurant, Miracolo. Being from Northern Italy, her grandmother, Maria Pia, would not allow Eve to serve cannoli. (Eve’s recipe is at the end of the book.)
One morning, she opened up to begin preparing for the day’s crowd and discovered a body on the kitchen floor. She did not know the victim but rather quickly the police determined he was Arlen Mather, a man her still-beautiful 76-year-old grandmother had been seeing. Maria Pia became the main suspect. Though she (“not the kind of grandmother who makes brownies and sells crap on eBay) could be difficult, no one believed would ever kill someone. Eve enlisted other staff members as well as a couple outside people to help find the killer.
Robberies in the neighborhood is a subplot.
There are some red herrings and more than one character is not who people think he/she is leading to some genuine surprises.
Shelley Costa presents a lively vision of life in Miracolo complete with the daily musical entertainment and some of the other people and businesses (she calls their main competitor, a restaurant offering a French menu as Full of Crêpe). There were a lot of characters, each playing a necessary part in the story but not as fully developed as they might be in future stories. Costa presents a description of four of the main characters and their part in the story at the very beginning of the book.
The book contains some interesting observations, wit, and wordplay: During one of Maria Pia’s convoluted conversations, Eve realizes “I have a full understanding of the Roman Empire: they finally heard themselves.” When Eva called one of her suppliers, the woman responded, “Goody gumdrops.” “Some people might think that was sarcasm. I, on the other hand, knew it was.”
YOU CANNOLI DIE ONCE was a very entertaining twist on a frequent theme.
P.S. I have seen Sutton Foster in Anything Goes and both she and the closing number of Act I are amazing.
Eve Angelotta was a Broadway dancer who fell off the stage during Step in Time in “Mary Poppins” and broke her leg in two places. While she still loves dancing, she returned to her Quaker Hills Pennsylvania home to become the chef of her grandmother’s Italian restaurant, Miracolo. Being from Northern Italy, her grandmother, Maria Pia, would not allow Eve to serve cannoli. (Eve’s recipe is at the end of the book.)
One morning, she opened up to begin preparing for the day’s crowd and discovered a body on the kitchen floor. She did not know the victim but rather quickly the police determined he was Arlen Mather, a man her still-beautiful 76-year-old grandmother had been seeing. Maria Pia became the main suspect. Though she (“not the kind of grandmother who makes brownies and sells crap on eBay) could be difficult, no one believed would ever kill someone. Eve enlisted other staff members as well as a couple outside people to help find the killer.
Robberies in the neighborhood is a subplot.
There are some red herrings and more than one character is not who people think he/she is leading to some genuine surprises.
Shelley Costa presents a lively vision of life in Miracolo complete with the daily musical entertainment and some of the other people and businesses (she calls their main competitor, a restaurant offering a French menu as Full of Crêpe). There were a lot of characters, each playing a necessary part in the story but not as fully developed as they might be in future stories. Costa presents a description of four of the main characters and their part in the story at the very beginning of the book.
The book contains some interesting observations, wit, and wordplay: During one of Maria Pia’s convoluted conversations, Eve realizes “I have a full understanding of the Roman Empire: they finally heard themselves.” When Eva called one of her suppliers, the woman responded, “Goody gumdrops.” “Some people might think that was sarcasm. I, on the other hand, knew it was.”
YOU CANNOLI DIE ONCE was a very entertaining twist on a frequent theme.
P.S. I have seen Sutton Foster in Anything Goes and both she and the closing number of Act I are amazing.
May 26, 2013
Eve Angelotta works at her family’s restaurant, Miracolo. She is the chef. However this does not mean she gets full control. She is constantly at odds with her grandmother, Maria Pia Angelotta. No matter how much Eve and her grandmother might argue she would never imagine her grandmother would have it in her to kill, especially her grandmother’s boyfriend.
You Cannoli Die Once is the first book in the Miracolo mystery series from author, Shelley Costa. I thought that this was a fun, good cozy mystery. I have a co-worker that is Italian and she is one of the nicest people I know. Having said this, I am glad that I don’t have to get familiar with the Italian side too much when they get upset or really animated while talking.
This is what I liked the most about this book was the Italian side of the characters. They kept things entertaining. As well as the other characters. They were eccentric. My only issue is that there were so many characters coming at me all at the same time and I was trying to get to know them so it was confusing to get them all straight in my head. Trying to figure out which ones are going to stay and which were just there for a brief appearance in this book. This series is a good start to what will be a fun series. You Cannoli Die Once is an appetizing, entertaining book that will bring a smile to your face and laughter.
You Cannoli Die Once is the first book in the Miracolo mystery series from author, Shelley Costa. I thought that this was a fun, good cozy mystery. I have a co-worker that is Italian and she is one of the nicest people I know. Having said this, I am glad that I don’t have to get familiar with the Italian side too much when they get upset or really animated while talking.
This is what I liked the most about this book was the Italian side of the characters. They kept things entertaining. As well as the other characters. They were eccentric. My only issue is that there were so many characters coming at me all at the same time and I was trying to get to know them so it was confusing to get them all straight in my head. Trying to figure out which ones are going to stay and which were just there for a brief appearance in this book. This series is a good start to what will be a fun series. You Cannoli Die Once is an appetizing, entertaining book that will bring a smile to your face and laughter.
July 16, 2013
I absolutely disagree with others reviewing this as a "fun" cozy. Nothing fun about it. Boring. Unlikable characters, especially the main one. Throw in a ton of stereotypical Italian surnames and I stopped reading after 34 pages.
December 3, 2024
I am always a sucker for a good pun and this title satisfies. I liked the setting of the book, I wanted to move into this Italian restaurant MIRACOLO, haha. The story was good with lots of characters who were the potential murderer. My favorite peep was Mrs. Crawford, what would be her next coordinated outfit? And I also loved the grandmother, Nonna/Maria. She has a larger than life personality. The protagonist, Eva, a former professional dancer and granddaughter to Nonna, is figuring out what she wants from life. She is also a pretty good sleuth. Looking forward to reading THE ZITI THAT NEVER SLEEPS.
Two thoughts that I earmarked:
p. 52 circumstance revision
p. 167 As a tool for peace, human misunderstanding is seriously underrated.
Two thoughts that I earmarked:
p. 52 circumstance revision
p. 167 As a tool for peace, human misunderstanding is seriously underrated.
January 10, 2020
Real Rating: 2.5 stars
I thought this story was okay. The characters were believable, but the story was kind of mixed up at least to me. I liked the base story line - a restaurant chef finds a dead body in her kitchen, and one of her opera records is found by the body. Who killed him, who is he, and what does the opera record have to do with it.
I thought this story was okay. The characters were believable, but the story was kind of mixed up at least to me. I liked the base story line - a restaurant chef finds a dead body in her kitchen, and one of her opera records is found by the body. Who killed him, who is he, and what does the opera record have to do with it.
August 23, 2013
What a tasty debut!! Eve and her Nonna don’t agree with what’s on and not on the menu but she knows her grandmother didn’t kill anyone. Eve pulls her friends and family together to do whatever they have to so she is cleared of the crime and back at the restaurant where she belongs. Even if it means breaking and entering!
When you pick up this book be prepared to laugh and laugh a lot. This is a true group of quirky characters and I was surprised at their depth for this being the first book in the series. This is a big Italian family so there are many characters to keep straight but as the story progresses they each come into their own and are very easily pictured in the reader’s mind. Don’t be scared off by the hard to pronounce or long Italian names, soon you will feel right at home at Miracolo’s.
The story unfolds slowly with delectable dialogue, a few bites of tongue in cheek moments, some crumbs sarcasm, and references of some great operas. Then it picks up steam as the clues start to come together. There is also a little romantic tension we all love too. All together a yummy cozy mystery. I can hardly wait for my next reservation at this wonderful Italian eatery.
When you pick up this book be prepared to laugh and laugh a lot. This is a true group of quirky characters and I was surprised at their depth for this being the first book in the series. This is a big Italian family so there are many characters to keep straight but as the story progresses they each come into their own and are very easily pictured in the reader’s mind. Don’t be scared off by the hard to pronounce or long Italian names, soon you will feel right at home at Miracolo’s.
The story unfolds slowly with delectable dialogue, a few bites of tongue in cheek moments, some crumbs sarcasm, and references of some great operas. Then it picks up steam as the clues start to come together. There is also a little romantic tension we all love too. All together a yummy cozy mystery. I can hardly wait for my next reservation at this wonderful Italian eatery.
April 13, 2023
YOU CANNOLI DIE ONCE is a charming restaurant-centered mystery by Shelley Costa. I heard her speak on the cozy panel at Bouchercon, and after I heard her description, and that the book is set in Bucks County, PA, where I grew up and where I've set my golden retriever mysteries, I knew I wanted to read it. I downloaded the Kindle sample, and as soon as I finished the sample I bought the whole book and then read it off and on during my travels back home. Eve Angelotta is a former Broadway dancer who broke her leg during a performance and was forced to return home to work in her grandmother's restaurant, Miracolo.
There's a lively cast of characters, including the requisite two love interests, lots of food, and lots of charm. I'm not about to try and make the cannoli recipe at the end of the book though I am sorely tempted to visit my local Italian bakery very soon.
There's a lively cast of characters, including the requisite two love interests, lots of food, and lots of charm. I'm not about to try and make the cannoli recipe at the end of the book though I am sorely tempted to visit my local Italian bakery very soon.
June 25, 2019
A great read filled with lots of twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the very end of the book.
November 15, 2024
I'm not sure what to say. Really didn't enjoy it. It seemed like it jumped around a lot. The only thing that kept me reading it was to find out who the killer was.
September 7, 2019
Murder, local robberies, secret identities,
a lawyer in the dumpster, the Marlboro man,
the iffy piano player, the arrested grandmother,
the committee to free her, a wannabe singer,
plenty of Italian dishes, wine, veil combs with
streamers, tambourines, fancy sashes plus a
variety of quirky, colorful, crazy characters
who were either family or restaurant patrons
all blending together for the first book in the
Italian Restaurant Mysteries series.
The setting is the Italian Restaurant of Miracolo.
It is located in Quaker Hills, Pennsylvania.
It belongs to Maria Pia Angelotta with her
granddaughter, Eve Angelotta as the chef.
Maria Pia being from Northern Italy refuses
to allow Eve to serve cannoli.
Eve was a Broadway dancer who fell breaking
her leg in several places. With her dancing career
out of the near future, she returns to Quaker Hills
to be the chef at her grandmother’s restaurant.
One morning she arrives at work to find her
grandmother’s man friend dead in the kitchen.
He was killed by being hit over the head with the
mortar from the kitchen.
When Maria Pia is arrested for murder, Eve with
her cousins, coworkers and patrons band together
to prove her innocent.
The plot had many twists and turns. There were
plenty of humorous shenanigans, references to
Italian singers and songs with a recipe for Eve’s
Cannoli at the end of the story.
a lawyer in the dumpster, the Marlboro man,
the iffy piano player, the arrested grandmother,
the committee to free her, a wannabe singer,
plenty of Italian dishes, wine, veil combs with
streamers, tambourines, fancy sashes plus a
variety of quirky, colorful, crazy characters
who were either family or restaurant patrons
all blending together for the first book in the
Italian Restaurant Mysteries series.
The setting is the Italian Restaurant of Miracolo.
It is located in Quaker Hills, Pennsylvania.
It belongs to Maria Pia Angelotta with her
granddaughter, Eve Angelotta as the chef.
Maria Pia being from Northern Italy refuses
to allow Eve to serve cannoli.
Eve was a Broadway dancer who fell breaking
her leg in several places. With her dancing career
out of the near future, she returns to Quaker Hills
to be the chef at her grandmother’s restaurant.
One morning she arrives at work to find her
grandmother’s man friend dead in the kitchen.
He was killed by being hit over the head with the
mortar from the kitchen.
When Maria Pia is arrested for murder, Eve with
her cousins, coworkers and patrons band together
to prove her innocent.
The plot had many twists and turns. There were
plenty of humorous shenanigans, references to
Italian singers and songs with a recipe for Eve’s
Cannoli at the end of the story.
May 14, 2017
Bummer. I was actually looking forward to reading this book. I'd met the author, Shelley Costa at this year's Tucson Festival Of Books. However the book all but put me asleep. It's plot is so heavily laded with food preparation of Italian dishes, and fashion dos and don'ts. Not that I have a problem with Italian dishes but my Cardiologist has banned me from pasta. So far as fashion, I admit I'm clueless and bored with the whole topic. ( I hate the phrase "Chick book", but actually it is.) The protagonist Eve Angelotta is the main chef at "Miracolo". Coming to work one morning she finds a dead body in the kitchen. The dead man is her Grandmother's 'Boyfriend'. Grandma gets arrested for the murder. Eve and her friends go about solving this cozy mystery. The book is set in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I've lived in Bucks county most of my life and it was nice seeing local landmarks like Bucks County Community College mentioned. I have to admit I read the first 140 pages then skipped to the back and scanned the last 40 or so pages to find out who killer was. Two stars out of five for, "You Cannoli Die Once". I'm really sad this one turned out to be a clunker for me.
September 26, 2013
You Cannoli Die Once (I liked the play on words) was an entertaining read. That being said it wasn't a particular stand out in the genre. I liked it - well I liked the characters (well, some of them anyway) and the mystery was interesting - I didn't figure it out early on in the book, so that's a plus. There were certainly humorous parts in the book.
The characters were…colorful. Eve came across as the most 'normal' of the bunch, simply because she was the only one not keeping secrets relating to the murder (directly or indirectly - like the thing with the keys). I could certainly sympathize with her for realizing that almost everybody close to her seemed to have known/met the dead guy except her (and neglected to inform her of the facts, especially as they were all supposed to be trying to clear Maria Pia). I was also Fond of Eve's cousins Landon and Choo Choo. Joe Beck, the love interest (after the first love interest turned out to be a crook - I kinda wanted Eve to be the one to nail him, but her nailing his partner was equally amusing) I'm not sure what to think of him. He didn't really come off strongly as a character - if he stays the main love interest then perhaps it will change and we'll get more interaction with him. Kayla was eh, and Dana I didn't particularly like with her sneakiness and visions of grandeur. Too be honest I kept losing track of some of the other side characters (the detectives, Maria Pia, and Arlen Mathers/Maximiliano Scotti aside).
Beyond the mystery, which was fairly good, I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. There are some relationships, particularly the one between Eve and Maria Pia that seem almost love/hate but there is no real anger/aggression between them. It is part peculiar and rather entertaining. Their reactions to things that were occurring were both real and relatable and sometimes rather funny. I admit to wanting to see more of the family and relationship dynamics.
It was a good deal of light and fluffy fun, with several amusing scenes that will probably stick with you for a while after you read it. 3.5 stars.
The characters were…colorful. Eve came across as the most 'normal' of the bunch, simply because she was the only one not keeping secrets relating to the murder (directly or indirectly - like the thing with the keys). I could certainly sympathize with her for realizing that almost everybody close to her seemed to have known/met the dead guy except her (and neglected to inform her of the facts, especially as they were all supposed to be trying to clear Maria Pia). I was also Fond of Eve's cousins Landon and Choo Choo. Joe Beck, the love interest (after the first love interest turned out to be a crook - I kinda wanted Eve to be the one to nail him, but her nailing his partner was equally amusing) I'm not sure what to think of him. He didn't really come off strongly as a character - if he stays the main love interest then perhaps it will change and we'll get more interaction with him. Kayla was eh, and Dana I didn't particularly like with her sneakiness and visions of grandeur. Too be honest I kept losing track of some of the other side characters (the detectives, Maria Pia, and Arlen Mathers/Maximiliano Scotti aside).
Beyond the mystery, which was fairly good, I enjoyed the interactions between the characters. There are some relationships, particularly the one between Eve and Maria Pia that seem almost love/hate but there is no real anger/aggression between them. It is part peculiar and rather entertaining. Their reactions to things that were occurring were both real and relatable and sometimes rather funny. I admit to wanting to see more of the family and relationship dynamics.
It was a good deal of light and fluffy fun, with several amusing scenes that will probably stick with you for a while after you read it. 3.5 stars.
September 15, 2015
SUMMARY: At Miracolo Northern Italian restaurant, one can savor brilliantly seasoned veal saltimbocca, or luscious risotto alla milanese, but no cannoli. Never cannoli. Maria Pia Angelotta, the spirited seventy-six-year-old owner of the Philadelphia-area eatery that's been in her family for four generations, has butted heads with her head chef over the cannoli ban more than once. And when the head chef is your own granddaughter, things can get a little heated.
Fortunately, Eve Angelotta knows how to handle what her nonna dishes out. But when Maria Pia"s boyfriend is found dead in Miracolo's kitchen, bludgeoned by a marble mortar, the question arises: Can a woman this fiery and stubborn over cream-filled pastry be capable of murder?
The police seem to think so, and they put the elder Angelotta behind bars, while Eve, sexy neighborhood attorney Joe Beck, and the entire Miracolo family; parenti di sangue and otherwise;try every trick in the cookbook to unravel a tangle of lies and expose a killer.
REVIEW: Clean, secular cozy mystery. The book boasts a crazy cast of characters who either work at or are frequent patrons of Miracolo. The quirks of each of the characters added to the humor that infused the mystery. The mystery had enough twists and turns that the reader was never quite sure who the murderer was. I didn't guess till almost the end and wouldn't have known the reasons why until the murderer spilled the beans. Enjoyable introduction to this series, and I will most likely read the next in the series.
Fortunately, Eve Angelotta knows how to handle what her nonna dishes out. But when Maria Pia"s boyfriend is found dead in Miracolo's kitchen, bludgeoned by a marble mortar, the question arises: Can a woman this fiery and stubborn over cream-filled pastry be capable of murder?
The police seem to think so, and they put the elder Angelotta behind bars, while Eve, sexy neighborhood attorney Joe Beck, and the entire Miracolo family; parenti di sangue and otherwise;try every trick in the cookbook to unravel a tangle of lies and expose a killer.
REVIEW: Clean, secular cozy mystery. The book boasts a crazy cast of characters who either work at or are frequent patrons of Miracolo. The quirks of each of the characters added to the humor that infused the mystery. The mystery had enough twists and turns that the reader was never quite sure who the murderer was. I didn't guess till almost the end and wouldn't have known the reasons why until the murderer spilled the beans. Enjoyable introduction to this series, and I will most likely read the next in the series.
January 4, 2016
If you were raised in an old Italian family, you will feel as if you are at home while reading this book. This is the first book in the new series written by Shelley Costa. The story is told by Eve Angelotta, granddaughter to 76 year old Maria Pia Angelotta, aka Nonna. Maria Pia is the owner of 4 generation run Maracolo Northern Italian Restaurant located on Market Square in Quaker Hills, Pennsylvania. Eve, a once upon a time dancer on Broadway until an accident shortened her career, is also the head chef of Miracolo. She along with her cousin, Landon, run the kitchen while Maria Pia acts as the hostess in the restaurant. When Eve enters Miracolo to prepare for the days business, she stumbles upon Arlen Mathers' aka Max Scotti, body in the kitchen with his head caved in. Once the police have completed their investigation of the crime scene, they arrest Maria Pia for his death. No one in the Angelotta believe their nonna could do such a thing and conduct their own investigation. Eve contacts her friend, Joe Beck who is an attorney to assist them. You will enjoy the relationship among the family and the escapades not just of Maria Pia, but the entire Angelotta family. While all of this is taking place an undercurrent is written in for Eve and her search for her Marlboro Man. You will love the style of writing and will laugh out loud at some of the things you are privileged to read.
July 14, 2013
Can I recommend this book to all lovers of mysteries, humor, and more....Yes! Yes! Yes! This debut novel will have you laughing, crying, puzzled, and dancing the Tarantella while singing! The novel had all things Italian/American and the food...oh my!
Having grown up in the 50's on in the state of California, it would have been almost impossible not to live next to an Italian family. Especially in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We have Nonna, Maria Pia Angelotta (76yrs young) and her Granddaughter, Executive Chef (former dancer,) Eve Angelotta running the family Northern Italian restaurant, 'Miracolo' outside of Philadelphia, PA. There are the cousins, all shapes and temperaments. Best Friends, and new friends. A gender-non-specific pianist and other musical guests. What do you do with such an assortment? Write a mystery about Nonna's boyfriend being murdered!
The book was filled with laughter and unique situations that Eve runs into as she tries to find evidence of the killer.
Yes! I do love this book and highly recommend it. Now to wait until next year for the next tale. Until then, go out and have a delicious Italian meal ending with Cannoli!
Having grown up in the 50's on in the state of California, it would have been almost impossible not to live next to an Italian family. Especially in the San Francisco Bay Area.
We have Nonna, Maria Pia Angelotta (76yrs young) and her Granddaughter, Executive Chef (former dancer,) Eve Angelotta running the family Northern Italian restaurant, 'Miracolo' outside of Philadelphia, PA. There are the cousins, all shapes and temperaments. Best Friends, and new friends. A gender-non-specific pianist and other musical guests. What do you do with such an assortment? Write a mystery about Nonna's boyfriend being murdered!
The book was filled with laughter and unique situations that Eve runs into as she tries to find evidence of the killer.
Yes! I do love this book and highly recommend it. Now to wait until next year for the next tale. Until then, go out and have a delicious Italian meal ending with Cannoli!
January 13, 2014
After an injury leaves Eve unable to dance, she becomes the head chef at her family's Italian restaurant. One more, she arrives to find a dead man in the kitchen. She's even more shocked to learn the dead man is her grandmother's current boyfriend. Why was he there? And can Eve keep her grandmother out of prison?
The cast of characters was a little too large, and I had a hard time keeping them all straight at first. They came into focus as things went along, and the plot was always moving forward. An absolutely fun debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
The cast of characters was a little too large, and I had a hard time keeping them all straight at first. They came into focus as things went along, and the plot was always moving forward. An absolutely fun debut.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
April 29, 2019
In spite of a slew of reasons not to, I liked this book a lot. The characters were numerous and all peculiar, so they did jumble up in my mind. And Eve lamenting her former dancing career got very old very fast. But I loved the family bonds and when I grow up, I want to be Nona. I thought the story moved quickly and it kept me engrossed. There was enough confusion to throw me off the killer's trail several times, and I was not onto the murderer until Eve had put it together. All-in-all, this was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
July 12, 2013
This was a pretty good first outing. Good characters, even if the grandmother did annoy the crap out of me most of the time. Good story and even though I'm not big on Italian food, this book made most of it sound good! I'll definitely read the next one. Recommend!
July 9, 2013
A fantastic new series has entered the Culinary Cozy field.. The characters are out of this world and act just like any family I knew growing up in the Italian part of East New York in the '50's. I'm looking forward to book 2 in January as a personal birthday gift.
March 4, 2018
Looking for something light to read, I found You Cannoli Die Once. I was right. It is light. It is funny. Try the cannoli recipe. Or sing Three Coins in the Fountain.
August 27, 2018
This story was difficult to keep the characters identified without having a list of who was who. The setting was the East Coast and a clever solving of the mystery. copy right 2013
July 30, 2017
I met the author at the Ohioana book fest and thought this mystery sounded fun. I enjoyed it mostly but there were things that kept me from liking it as well as I wanted. Eve Angelotto works at the family Italian restaurant after an injury sidelined her dancing career. She’s the main chef and walks into the place one morning to find her grandmother’s boyfriend dead ontop of some opera collectibles. Naturally the police suspect Maria Pia (Nonna to Eve) is the killer and Eve takes it on herself to clear Nonna’s name. Here was one of my first problems. We see no reason to suspect that the police aren’t doing their due diligence, or incompetent or anything really. They aren’t very well drawn.
Eve with the help of a lawyer friend and her large family begin to peel back the layers of the victim’s life and he was not who he seemed to be. The mystery wasn’t bad but there were things that bothered me, like how easily the lawyer breaks the law. I wanted way less of the attempted rom-com because a) it made Eve look clueless and it distracted from the romance. I just didn’t think it worked and while I understand the pressure an Italian grandmother can bring to marry, Eve’s desperateness to find a man irked me.
Nonna was something of a...handful, is the nicest way I can say it. Maybe she reminded me too much of my own Italian grandma who was a hard woman some ways so there was that. I wished there was less of the romance and more on character development. How did she get hurt? Why come back? There could have been more there. Would I read another? Yes, I think so but hopefully Eve will gain a clue or two in the future.
Eve with the help of a lawyer friend and her large family begin to peel back the layers of the victim’s life and he was not who he seemed to be. The mystery wasn’t bad but there were things that bothered me, like how easily the lawyer breaks the law. I wanted way less of the attempted rom-com because a) it made Eve look clueless and it distracted from the romance. I just didn’t think it worked and while I understand the pressure an Italian grandmother can bring to marry, Eve’s desperateness to find a man irked me.
Nonna was something of a...handful, is the nicest way I can say it. Maybe she reminded me too much of my own Italian grandma who was a hard woman some ways so there was that. I wished there was less of the romance and more on character development. How did she get hurt? Why come back? There could have been more there. Would I read another? Yes, I think so but hopefully Eve will gain a clue or two in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2024
First in the series and a confusing start to the series. We meet Eve, a dancer who had an accident and now cooks in her grandmother's restaurant. We meet Nonna, Eve's grandmother, who cannot tell the truth to save her soul and winds up arrested for murder. We have a whole bunch of family and friends, a love interest, and a lot of confusion.
I really thought that despite the notation on the front cover that this was the first in a series that there must have been a prequel of sorts. It took a bit to figure out who all these people were and their relationship. The author just tossed them out there.
And who are all these regulars and why are they all singing in the restaurant at midnight? As to the murder, well, in my mind it was a bit convoluted as to who this guy was. Nope, won't continue this series.
One recipe at the end.
I really thought that despite the notation on the front cover that this was the first in a series that there must have been a prequel of sorts. It took a bit to figure out who all these people were and their relationship. The author just tossed them out there.
And who are all these regulars and why are they all singing in the restaurant at midnight? As to the murder, well, in my mind it was a bit convoluted as to who this guy was. Nope, won't continue this series.
One recipe at the end.
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January 5, 2020This is the first book in the series. Eve is the head chef at her grandmother’s Italian restaurant. Sometimes they have big disagreements over the menu or the decor, but generally they make things work. Her grandmother, Maria Pia is quite the character, but when her boyfriend is found dead in the restaurant, things begin to get ugly. The police suspect that she is the killer, but Eve is determined to prove her innocence. Along with attorney Joe Beck, Eve sorts through a tangled web of who might have had access to the restaurant through a set of keys and how a series of robberies in the neighborhood might be connected to the murder. This was a good cozy mystery with lots of descriptions of delicious food.
April 26, 2023
I picked this up in the free box at our library, it would have been hard to not pick up a book with such a punny title. This book was just barely okay for me. The author did a decent job with everything but this was really not to my taste. That said I’m sure a lot of other readers liked it. The story line isn’t bad, the red herring works, etc. But it was overly dramatic with most characters not being that bright. It is a light and quick read though.
The author has been nominated for an Edgar which should speak highly of her writing skills. This note on the cover contributed to my overlooking the punny title and picking this book up. But again, it’s just not my taste in reading.
The author has been nominated for an Edgar which should speak highly of her writing skills. This note on the cover contributed to my overlooking the punny title and picking this book up. But again, it’s just not my taste in reading.
March 10, 2020
First book in this series and if you like Italian food it will make your mouth water reading it. A lighthearted quick read. Eve Angelotti is now head chef of her grandmother's Italian restaurant. Even though Maria Pia has supposedly retired she comes to the restaurant every day and is quite the character. When Maria's boyfriend is found dead on the kitchen floor Maria is hauled away by the police and put in jail. Eve and her relatives have to find a way to prove that Maria is innocent. Eve hires a sexy neighborhood attorney and together they work to find the real killer.
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