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Chef-to-Go Mystery #4
Chili Chili Bang Bang
Dani Sloan will have to solve the Chili Challenge murder before she or one of her fellow competitors’ chances of surviving the contest aren’t worth a hill of beans. Once again, it looks like Dani’s best-laid plans have been blown up...
* * *
Things in Normalton, Illinois, are getting hot, hot, hot. When the small Midwest college town is chosen to host the Route 66 Rally’s Chili Challenge, not everyone’s excited by the prospect. Campus activists are upset about the environmental impact, the economic inequity, and the consumption of meat.
And when the contestants’ ingredients and equipment are peppered with sabotage, it becomes clear that there’s someone who’s willing to take a life to get their point across, and Dani must not only cook a killer batch of chili, she also has to follow a trail of clues to save the contest, her fellow competitors…
And herself.
* * *
Things in Normalton, Illinois, are getting hot, hot, hot. When the small Midwest college town is chosen to host the Route 66 Rally’s Chili Challenge, not everyone’s excited by the prospect. Campus activists are upset about the environmental impact, the economic inequity, and the consumption of meat.
And when the contestants’ ingredients and equipment are peppered with sabotage, it becomes clear that there’s someone who’s willing to take a life to get their point across, and Dani must not only cook a killer batch of chili, she also has to follow a trail of clues to save the contest, her fellow competitors…
And herself.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
44 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Denise Swanson
69 books1,128 followersDenise Swanson lives in rural Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr.
After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.
Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.
After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.
Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 26, 2024
Interesting setting in a chili cooking contest. Lots of new interesting characters (and possible suspects), and some good development in the lives of the regular characters in the series.
Could be read as a stand alone. You might pick up some interesting secret ingredients to use next time you make chili.
Could be read as a stand alone. You might pick up some interesting secret ingredients to use next time you make chili.
February 6, 2025
4 stelle scarse
Questa storia non mi ha preso molto, ma devo dire che il mistero era ben congegnato. Non so bene se ci sarà o meno un seguito, ma c'è un accenno che sembra implicarlo o prevedere un altro libro nell'altra serie di questa autrice, che già in passato è stata citata nei volumi di questa serie. Staremo a vedere.
Questa storia non mi ha preso molto, ma devo dire che il mistero era ben congegnato. Non so bene se ci sarà o meno un seguito, ma c'è un accenno che sembra implicarlo o prevedere un altro libro nell'altra serie di questa autrice, che già in passato è stata citata nei volumi di questa serie. Staremo a vedere.
July 1, 2024
I really enjoy this series. Dani and Spencer are great and I love solving cases with them. I always enjoy a good cooking competition storyline and this was no exception.
September 18, 2023
"Chili Chili Bang Bang" is book #4 in the "Chef-To-Go Mystery" by Denise Swanson.
"Things in Normalton, Illinois, are getting hot, hot, hot. When the small Midwest college town is chosen to host the Route 66 Rally’s Chili Challenge, not everyone’s excited by the prospect. Campus activists are upset about the environmental impact, the economic inequity, and the consumption of meat.
And when the contestants’ ingredients and equipment are peppered with sabotage, it becomes clear that there’s someone who’s willing to take a life to get their point across, and Dani must not only cook a killer batch of chili, she also has to follow a trail of clues to save the contest, her fellow competitors… And herself."
My thoughts:
It's been almost three years since the last book in this series was published so it took me a chapter or two to refamiliarize myself with the core characters.
I found it odd that Dani had never made chili before. The variations are endless and it is a comfort food for many. The version that she eventually came up with sounded a bit out there to me but to each their own.
The contest itself was a disaster on many levels. Though the head of the sponsoring company tried to explain why they insisted on continue regardless of the sabotage didn't seem logical to me.
I suspected who the victim was well before the identity was revealed. The killer didn't really surprise me as I didn't believe their alibi. The motive was more complex than I expected.
Subplots updated the lives of the various core characters. Most was naturally focused on Dani and Spencer.
The epilogue did answer a few questions, though I had a couple of questions that I wish would have been followed up on. There were also a handful of typos - including one that named the wrong character. All in all, a quick and enjoyable read.
"Things in Normalton, Illinois, are getting hot, hot, hot. When the small Midwest college town is chosen to host the Route 66 Rally’s Chili Challenge, not everyone’s excited by the prospect. Campus activists are upset about the environmental impact, the economic inequity, and the consumption of meat.
And when the contestants’ ingredients and equipment are peppered with sabotage, it becomes clear that there’s someone who’s willing to take a life to get their point across, and Dani must not only cook a killer batch of chili, she also has to follow a trail of clues to save the contest, her fellow competitors… And herself."
My thoughts:
It's been almost three years since the last book in this series was published so it took me a chapter or two to refamiliarize myself with the core characters.
I found it odd that Dani had never made chili before. The variations are endless and it is a comfort food for many. The version that she eventually came up with sounded a bit out there to me but to each their own.
The contest itself was a disaster on many levels. Though the head of the sponsoring company tried to explain why they insisted on continue regardless of the sabotage didn't seem logical to me.
I suspected who the victim was well before the identity was revealed. The killer didn't really surprise me as I didn't believe their alibi. The motive was more complex than I expected.
Subplots updated the lives of the various core characters. Most was naturally focused on Dani and Spencer.
The epilogue did answer a few questions, though I had a couple of questions that I wish would have been followed up on. There were also a handful of typos - including one that named the wrong character. All in all, a quick and enjoyable read.
April 29, 2024
Solid 3.5 — I like this series, but I can’t seem to get invested in it like Scumble River.
Atti and certainly Tippi annoy me (even though they are minor characters), and Justin and especially Frannie are much more irritating than they were in the Scumble River series. They are older — they should be less irritating, IMO.
I do really like Dani, Spencer, and the other boarders. Jonas is growing on me, but I still doubt his sincerity.
Fun cozy mystery to read while recovering from a migraine.
I wish the chili recipes were in the book!! That was a major disappointment.
Atti and certainly Tippi annoy me (even though they are minor characters), and Justin and especially Frannie are much more irritating than they were in the Scumble River series. They are older — they should be less irritating, IMO.
I do really like Dani, Spencer, and the other boarders. Jonas is growing on me, but I still doubt his sincerity.
Fun cozy mystery to read while recovering from a migraine.
I wish the chili recipes were in the book!! That was a major disappointment.
June 5, 2025
I really enjoy a baking/cooking challenge theme in a cozy mystery so this chili cook off was the perfect backdrop for all the ensuing murder and mayhem. As is the small college town which provides lots of cozy touches. Solid mystery with all kinds of twists and turns which gave this armchair sleuth a few challenges (more than a few, if I'm honest.) And I love the progression in Dani and Spencer's relationship and the way they work together. Hoping there will be more instalments of the Chef-to-Go Mystery series.
Of note: a smattering of mild language throughout.
Of note: a smattering of mild language throughout.
May 21, 2024
I liked this one a lot, though the girls weren't featured as much as in past books. The ending also felt a little rushed as if the author had a word limit and was trying to fit everything in without having to go back and delete what she'd already written. I'm hoping there will be a next book in the series.
September 16, 2023
A Hood Read
Moved quickly and kept this reader engrossed. I figured out pretty quickly who the suspect was but the reason was a surprise. Another worthy entry from an entertaining author!
Moved quickly and kept this reader engrossed. I figured out pretty quickly who the suspect was but the reason was a surprise. Another worthy entry from an entertaining author!
October 23, 2023
As always Denis Swanson did not disappoint. I missed that this book was being released but got my copy as soon as I could. Her characters come to life as she has them solve a mystery - definitely a great cozy mystery book
November 12, 2023
Kept my interest.
Recommend this as a good mystery book. Kept me guessing who it was. Some of the physical descriptions of characters did confuse me at one point. Overall I enjoyed reading it.
Recommend this as a good mystery book. Kept me guessing who it was. Some of the physical descriptions of characters did confuse me at one point. Overall I enjoyed reading it.
March 20, 2025
I normally love the books in this series. However, I didn't like this one as much as the others.
The mystery was kind of dull.
I wish when they had their pizza night, they had talked about what happened with Atti's professor.
I can't wait to see if Caleb Boyd is related to Wallly Boyd
The mystery was kind of dull.
I wish when they had their pizza night, they had talked about what happened with Atti's professor.
I can't wait to see if Caleb Boyd is related to Wallly Boyd
September 18, 2023
Great read with wonderful characters and plot. Love that there's crossover from Scumble River, too.
October 5, 2023
Great Book
I always love Denise Season's books. I can not wait for the next book in this series. She is a terrific writer!
I always love Denise Season's books. I can not wait for the next book in this series. She is a terrific writer!
November 10, 2023
Ms. Swanson has done it again. Interesting plot, new interesting characters added to the ones we've already come to know and a surprise twist at the end. Waiting for the next one.
December 30, 2023
Just not the quite the same standard as the others books I've read by this author. Ok but not the best of theirs I've read.
April 7, 2024
This was a very good read! I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know what happened next.
April 22, 2024
Pretty good. Twists and turns keep the reader engaged!
July 23, 2024
A chili challenge and murder who would guess. Who is behind the switching of ingredients and equipment tampering.
September 15, 2024
This was an ok entry in a fun series.
October 17, 2023
FUN Read
I really enjoy the characters. This is a great series about life in a college community.
Denise Swanson series are fun reads. Thank you for another enjoyable book and series.
I really enjoy the characters. This is a great series about life in a college community.
Denise Swanson series are fun reads. Thank you for another enjoyable book and series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews