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The Chef
Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I ever made . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante.
Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true.
But it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that.
Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
That’s when the nightmare really begins . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante.
Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true.
But it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that.
Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
That’s when the nightmare really begins . . .
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2024
556 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Robin Mahle
55 books293 followersRobin Mahle, Mystery and Suspense author, lives with her husband and two children in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
April 11, 2024
Psychological thrillers are right up my street so there was no way I could pass up on the chance of reading this!
Like a good thriller you need to be able to see it from different points of view which is exactly what this book does! We see it from the view of the three main characters Kira, Dante and Marco , because this is done so each chapter is a different view it keeps the story from being confusing and keeps the rhythm throwing through the book.
The characters were very well developed throughout the book , even though after reading so many psychological thrillers I believe no character ! The storyline itself is easy to get to grips with , fast paced and easy to get hooked onto! A really great read
Like a good thriller you need to be able to see it from different points of view which is exactly what this book does! We see it from the view of the three main characters Kira, Dante and Marco , because this is done so each chapter is a different view it keeps the story from being confusing and keeps the rhythm throwing through the book.
The characters were very well developed throughout the book , even though after reading so many psychological thrillers I believe no character ! The storyline itself is easy to get to grips with , fast paced and easy to get hooked onto! A really great read
March 31, 2024
After leaving the Big Apple, Kira and Dante shifted to sunny LA to manage a high-quality Michelin-starred restaurant. However, they came to the wrong place because of financial problems, and Dante’s promotion to the sous chef did not help their relationship.
The worst came in when Kira was accidentally stabbed by the head chef, who was fired due to drugs. Kira and Dante hired a new head chef, Marco, to have the restaurant up and running, hoping for some long-awaited good fortune.
Even though they were unsure what lay ahead, they remained hopeful when Louis arrived. Told from Kira and Dante’s sides, the story is a real book-turner, and you won’t forget the characters anytime soon. I recommend this to all lovers of a good thriller.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
The worst came in when Kira was accidentally stabbed by the head chef, who was fired due to drugs. Kira and Dante hired a new head chef, Marco, to have the restaurant up and running, hoping for some long-awaited good fortune.
Even though they were unsure what lay ahead, they remained hopeful when Louis arrived. Told from Kira and Dante’s sides, the story is a real book-turner, and you won’t forget the characters anytime soon. I recommend this to all lovers of a good thriller.
Thank you to Joffe Books, Zoé from ZooLoo’s Book Tours, and the author for allowing me to read and review this book.
April 12, 2024
The Chef was an interesting and tense read that I really enjoyed. I think, for me, it was the different points of view that helped keep the suspense going. I have to be honest the two main characters I was not instantly sold on and even by the end I still didn’t fully like Dante but I think this is a good thing if I am honest. It shows that Mahle has created characters that are believable and well rounded. It wasn’t through lack of personality or character I didn’t warm to Dante but rather his character in general. Marco was much the same, obviously we aren’t meant to like him, but his character was believable if slowly spiralling into mania. In fact my favourite character was probably Angelo in likability but that is more a personal preference.
Now as we know I don’t do spoilers but I will say that the writing and pacing keeps you hooked. As I already said I loved seeing the story from different points of view and how those characters were reacting to the situations they found themselves in. I also found that I was pulled in by the world of the restaurant kitchen and all the drama and danger that can be found there. This is the perfect pacey thriller that will keep you hooked till the end.
Now as we know I don’t do spoilers but I will say that the writing and pacing keeps you hooked. As I already said I loved seeing the story from different points of view and how those characters were reacting to the situations they found themselves in. I also found that I was pulled in by the world of the restaurant kitchen and all the drama and danger that can be found there. This is the perfect pacey thriller that will keep you hooked till the end.
March 25, 2024
So, if you’re from L.A., just back slowly away from the book. It take’s place in a world where you take the I-10 places (not just the 10), where you can buy restaurant space for not much money that includes an employee parking lot, and where everyone in L.A. seems to drive non-Tesla luxury sports cars (if, however, the author had mentioned being surrounded by Teslas, I wouldn’t have blinked).
In short, if you’re a native Los Angeleno, you will be yanked from the story time and again. (The author did do some research as we have both the DTLA Farmer’s Market and the old zoo road.)
Now, if you take the L.A. out of this, you have an entertaining though unbelievable tale of one seriously twisted chef! I will say that the behind the scenes of the restaurant industry felt so realistic. I really appreciated this part of the book. There’s an afterword where the author credits her son for a lot of this knowledge and I’d say that it really added a layer of verisimilitude to the book.
The plot is…definitely fantastical. I mean, there’s a lot of crazy here. But it’s also much-your-popcorn fun. I didn’t really love Dante, but I did enjoy Kira and was rooting for her.
A fun take on a truly Hellish Kitchen. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
• ARC via publisher
In short, if you’re a native Los Angeleno, you will be yanked from the story time and again. (The author did do some research as we have both the DTLA Farmer’s Market and the old zoo road.)
Now, if you take the L.A. out of this, you have an entertaining though unbelievable tale of one seriously twisted chef! I will say that the behind the scenes of the restaurant industry felt so realistic. I really appreciated this part of the book. There’s an afterword where the author credits her son for a lot of this knowledge and I’d say that it really added a layer of verisimilitude to the book.
The plot is…definitely fantastical. I mean, there’s a lot of crazy here. But it’s also much-your-popcorn fun. I didn’t really love Dante, but I did enjoy Kira and was rooting for her.
A fun take on a truly Hellish Kitchen. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
• ARC via publisher
March 13, 2024
Kira and Dante are following their dreams, running their own restaurant. With a rave review from a local food critic, they’re busier than ever. When they lose their head chef, they quickly take on another. But strange things start going on in the kitchen. People start keeping secrets, people start getting sick… and people start dying.
Told from a triple perspective, The Chef, is a page turner of a thriller, following Kira, Dante, and their new chef, Marco.
I enjoyed the husband and wife dynamic and their dynamic with Angelo, too. The twists and turns were good, but they weren’t quite “jaw-dropping” enough for me, which is where it lost a star.
I was attractive to this book because my husband is a chef. I enjoyed the restaurant setting and thought it was a nice change from the usual domestic thriller.
A good, fast paced and easy read. A solid four stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my advanced copy.
Told from a triple perspective, The Chef, is a page turner of a thriller, following Kira, Dante, and their new chef, Marco.
I enjoyed the husband and wife dynamic and their dynamic with Angelo, too. The twists and turns were good, but they weren’t quite “jaw-dropping” enough for me, which is where it lost a star.
I was attractive to this book because my husband is a chef. I enjoyed the restaurant setting and thought it was a nice change from the usual domestic thriller.
A good, fast paced and easy read. A solid four stars from me.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my advanced copy.
April 16, 2024
Really enjoyable read. This is the first time I'm reading a thriller based in a restaurant. I never knew there could be this much drama going on in a restaurant.
Tbh, I was mad at Dante for the financial straits he kept putting them in. Also I think the author kind of hinted at Marco's true intentions from the start.
Anyone who knows me knows I love multiple POVs so it was really fun to read each character's reaction to the incidents in the book. I also feel that the characters' reactions to the situations in the book were realistic.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Zooloo's Book Tours in exchange for a read and review. All opinions are my own."
Tbh, I was mad at Dante for the financial straits he kept putting them in. Also I think the author kind of hinted at Marco's true intentions from the start.
Anyone who knows me knows I love multiple POVs so it was really fun to read each character's reaction to the incidents in the book. I also feel that the characters' reactions to the situations in the book were realistic.
"I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Zooloo's Book Tours in exchange for a read and review. All opinions are my own."
June 16, 2024
A mysterious person disrupts a couple's dream of starting a restaurant business. Who he is and what his intentions are form the rest of the story.
This was such a well-written mystery that kept me guessing the whole time. Every character had shades of grey, giving us reasons to suspect them. Even the main characters, Dante and Kira, kept secrets from each other, making it impossible for me, as a reader, to take sides. The antagonist kept his cards close and played his game masterfully, using both brains and brawn depending on the situation.
'The chef' will definitely satiate your appetite for a good cat & mouse mystery story.
This was such a well-written mystery that kept me guessing the whole time. Every character had shades of grey, giving us reasons to suspect them. Even the main characters, Dante and Kira, kept secrets from each other, making it impossible for me, as a reader, to take sides. The antagonist kept his cards close and played his game masterfully, using both brains and brawn depending on the situation.
'The chef' will definitely satiate your appetite for a good cat & mouse mystery story.
March 27, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE CHEF by Robin Mahle is a good thriller set up in a restaurant setting. The restaurant's daily life made me think of Gordon Ramsey's show. It was nicely set up and so realistic! It was so enjoyable!
But then all the madness started and I was constantly on the edge! It was so intense!
This book is about obsession and how far things can go if you have one!
Kira and Dante have their restaurant, it's their dream and they are ready for everything to succeed. When restaurant critic comes around everyone is on the edge but positive reviews are like dreams come true! They are positive that things from there will go just up... They could not be more wrong!
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for this fantastic thriller!
THE CHEF by Robin Mahle is a good thriller set up in a restaurant setting. The restaurant's daily life made me think of Gordon Ramsey's show. It was nicely set up and so realistic! It was so enjoyable!
But then all the madness started and I was constantly on the edge! It was so intense!
This book is about obsession and how far things can go if you have one!
Kira and Dante have their restaurant, it's their dream and they are ready for everything to succeed. When restaurant critic comes around everyone is on the edge but positive reviews are like dreams come true! They are positive that things from there will go just up... They could not be more wrong!
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for this fantastic thriller!
October 21, 2024
Triple and quadruple WOW!! This UNSTOPPABLE, TAKE-NO-PRISONERS AND LEAVE READERS SPINNING Psychological Horror Thriller is incredible!! Talk about racing through the pages, I-just-can't-stop-must-finish-no-matter-what! THE CHEF blew me out of the water! Robin Mahle brings her A+-game here! Prepare for heartache, compassion, and terror in unexpected combinations! Prepare for No-Sleep! Peering over your shoulder! Trusting No One!! Prepare for unstoppable, unforgettable, "I-just-can't-get-enough!!"
April 15, 2024
Let me start off by saying I dont know a lot about the food business, but I feel like you don't have to to read it. The plot is pretty straight forward.
The main issue I have is the begining really threw me off after reading most of the book. It wasn't until I finished it, and went back to reread it, that I understood why it was put there. That being said- that was such a good way to hook a reader.
Other then that, I didn't really feel for any of the characters other then Naomi, and she wasn't mentioned often enough for me to be connected to her in any way. I felt like the husband and wife became erractic and unpredictable, which was frustrating to the reader.
Other then that, the plot does a really good job at keeping you hooked. I did finish it just to find out the ending. The twist was also pretty good, and the ending was such a nice wrap up.
**Thank you to Zooloo & Robin Mahle for the eARC in exchange for a honest reveiw**
The main issue I have is the begining really threw me off after reading most of the book. It wasn't until I finished it, and went back to reread it, that I understood why it was put there. That being said- that was such a good way to hook a reader.
Other then that, I didn't really feel for any of the characters other then Naomi, and she wasn't mentioned often enough for me to be connected to her in any way. I felt like the husband and wife became erractic and unpredictable, which was frustrating to the reader.
Other then that, the plot does a really good job at keeping you hooked. I did finish it just to find out the ending. The twist was also pretty good, and the ending was such a nice wrap up.
**Thank you to Zooloo & Robin Mahle for the eARC in exchange for a honest reveiw**
April 16, 2024
The author’s writing is compelling and the book is so gripping, addictive and unputdownable. The book is filled with suspense and twists. The ending was so shocking. The characters were mysterious and interesting .
Kira and Dante open their own restaurant in LA. But soon financial problems engulfs them and unfortunate and unthinkable things starts happening with them when Kira gets accidentally stabbed by the head chef but she survives and then they have to hire a new chef but financial problem is still there and the investigation is going on where Dante becomes the suspect. The new chef seems to be mysterious and deceptive. The other characters were intriguing too.
I loved the character development and how the plot unfolded. This is a gripping & suspenseful thriller with a twisted truth, secrets and mystery.
Many Thank to Author and Publisher
Kira and Dante open their own restaurant in LA. But soon financial problems engulfs them and unfortunate and unthinkable things starts happening with them when Kira gets accidentally stabbed by the head chef but she survives and then they have to hire a new chef but financial problem is still there and the investigation is going on where Dante becomes the suspect. The new chef seems to be mysterious and deceptive. The other characters were intriguing too.
I loved the character development and how the plot unfolded. This is a gripping & suspenseful thriller with a twisted truth, secrets and mystery.
Many Thank to Author and Publisher
April 14, 2024
I was initially drawn to this book by the front cover and the interesting setting.
Recently, I seem to have read so many domestic psychological thrillers, so this was a refreshing read.
Kira and Dante have worked hard to create their dream of owning and running their own restaurant.
Just as everything seems to be just perfect, they lose their head chef and swiftly hire Marco to replace him.
But things start to go badly wrong....
The characters were a bit hit and miss for me with this one.
I liked the dynamics between them all, but individually, they all made me feel a little uncomfortable - and I really wasn't sure I liked or trusted any of them?
I do, however, love a thriller where we see the story unfold over different pov's.
Here, each chapter reveals information from the three main characters pov's and this allows us to really get into the thoughts and feelings behind the actions and events.
I actually warmed to Kira over the course of the book and ended up rooting for her.
The writing style was fast-paced and the plot was exciting - if a little over the top - but I loved seeing behind the scenes in the restaurant, which seemed to be realistic and tense.
Another good read by this author - looking forward to more in the future ...
Recently, I seem to have read so many domestic psychological thrillers, so this was a refreshing read.
Kira and Dante have worked hard to create their dream of owning and running their own restaurant.
Just as everything seems to be just perfect, they lose their head chef and swiftly hire Marco to replace him.
But things start to go badly wrong....
The characters were a bit hit and miss for me with this one.
I liked the dynamics between them all, but individually, they all made me feel a little uncomfortable - and I really wasn't sure I liked or trusted any of them?
I do, however, love a thriller where we see the story unfold over different pov's.
Here, each chapter reveals information from the three main characters pov's and this allows us to really get into the thoughts and feelings behind the actions and events.
I actually warmed to Kira over the course of the book and ended up rooting for her.
The writing style was fast-paced and the plot was exciting - if a little over the top - but I loved seeing behind the scenes in the restaurant, which seemed to be realistic and tense.
Another good read by this author - looking forward to more in the future ...
April 10, 2024
The Chef by Robin Mahle.
Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I ever made . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante. Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true. But it feels like it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that. Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
I did really enjoy this book. I did like the cover. This is the 3rd book ive read by this author. I got into it straight away. I did like Kira. I wasn't sure about Dante. I liked Soto in the end. I really didn't like Marco at all. I did trust him. Twisty and gripping. I really didn't see that coming. The ending did surprise me. I never expected that. I did like the ending. 4*.
Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I ever made . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante. Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true. But it feels like it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that. Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
I did really enjoy this book. I did like the cover. This is the 3rd book ive read by this author. I got into it straight away. I did like Kira. I wasn't sure about Dante. I liked Soto in the end. I really didn't like Marco at all. I did trust him. Twisty and gripping. I really didn't see that coming. The ending did surprise me. I never expected that. I did like the ending. 4*.
April 9, 2024
Told from multiple viewpoints, this is definitely a story of what happens when you don’t do your background checks. When Dante and Kira open the restaurant of their dreams, everything is perfect. Perfect employees and a glowing review from a food critic. But when Kira fires their head chef, Chef Marco becomes their saviour. Until he isn’t. This is a twisty, turny book, made all the more immediate by it being told in first person by the three main characters. There was a constant air of tension throughout as I wondered what was going to happen next, and the descriptions of the meals were delicious. For me, none of the main characters were particularly likeable though, although I did feel sorry for Kira and Dante with how fast their world collapses around them. But I was drawn towards Dante’s brother Angelo, as at first I didn’t know his story, but as the book progressed, I began to understand him more. I did have my suspicions about a couple of people which kept me reading to find out if I was right.
April 7, 2024
Kira and Dante are struggling with the opening of their new restaurant. They then need to sack their head chef and need a replacement urgently. Along comes Marco and then everything starts to go wrong.
I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and the writing style kept me engaged. Marco made me feel really on edge and uncomfortable, but then again most of the characters did. It seemed liked they all had secrets and ulterior motives. I found Kira to be a stronger character than Dante and I really liked her bravery and resiliance.
I guessed a couple of the twists, but was shocked with a few of the others.
I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and the writing style kept me engaged. Marco made me feel really on edge and uncomfortable, but then again most of the characters did. It seemed liked they all had secrets and ulterior motives. I found Kira to be a stronger character than Dante and I really liked her bravery and resiliance.
I guessed a couple of the twists, but was shocked with a few of the others.
February 21, 2025
Book/Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Book Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger Warning(s):
Murder
Drug Use
Alcoholism
Infidelity
Death Of Parents (mentioned)
POV: Multiple, First Person)
Series/Standalone: Standalone
First In Series: N/A
Trope(s): None
Spice: None️ ️
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Burn: Medium
Safe or Dark: Safeish
Release Date: April 2, 2024 ️️
My TBR jar gave me an interesting reading prompt this time around, “a book that involves food/cooking,” and since I’d never read a thriller set in a restaurant before, I couldn’t wait to pick this up.
I will admit I’m not a cook, and I’ve never claimed to be. So, I wasn’t really into the whole food aspect of things, nor did I care about what goes on behind the scenes in a kitchen at a restaurant. However, I was 100% aware that’s what I was getting myself into with a book literally titled The Chef. My husband is the cook in the house, so that’s more up his alley, but I digress.
As I mentioned, I don’t know much about how a kitchen in a large establishment operates; I don’t watch cooking shows, read food blogs, or any of that, but I do know that the head/executive chef is usually referred to as “Chef” by other members of the staff. (“Yes Chef,” “No Chef,” “I’m sorry Chef,” “Thank you Chef”). I know it is a sign of respect and isn’t a title that’s tossed around lightly.
So, I was very confused while reading this book. Our restaurant owners are a married couple, Dante and Kira Lucini. Dante is a well-respected chef; when talking to the staff, they appropriately address him as “Chef”; however, they do the same to Kira, who, as far as I understood, was not a chef and didn’t have any culinary training. The couple does mention at one point that they met at a restaurant they both worked at, Dante as a chef and Kira as a server. That’s all we hear about Kira’s work as a restaurant employee before running the one the Lucinis own. I even flipped back a few times to see if Kira ever went to school to become a chef during her time working as a server or after, and I didn’t find anything. I know it’s a menial detail, but it bothered me to all high hell. Dante had earned that title, and Kira had not.
Sidenote: The word “chef” was tossed around often and is used a total of 150 times throughout the book. Needless to say, it got old fast.
This was a fun “popcorn thriller.”. A quick, easy read with short chapters. If you are looking for a palate cleanser in between denser reads, you might want to check out this book since you don’t need to use a lot of brain power to get through it.
The story is told in multiple points of view, each chapter alternating between our three different main characters. Dante Lucini, Kira Lucini, and Marco Devaney (we only get two or three chapters from this guy). I really enjoyed getting inside each of their heads and seeing their perspectives on how things played out. It made the plot easier to follow as well as being more intriguing.
I swear, all the staff at La Bianca’s needs to take a course on professionalism and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Although the plot was a little slow-moving in the beginning, once things kick off, they don’t stop. It’s a rollercoaster in the end. The author did manage to keep me hooked from start to finish.
The prologue kicks things off. It did make me interested in reading more in order to find out what happened. We don’t know who the two people in the prologue are; we just know that one meets an untimely end at the hands of the other. The who, what, when, where, and why are later filled in. I have to admit that it was a nice start to the book.
While this book had an interesting storyline, you have to suspend belief A LOT to fully enjoy it. Almost all of the events that occurred were very over-the-top and far-fetched.
I wasn’t crazy about the ending. While it did wrap things up for the most part, it still left me feeling unsatisfied. It fell a bit flat. I guess I was just hoping for more.
I have to admit that I couldn’t get invested in any of the characters. I just didn’t care about them. No matter how entertaining their points of view were. I just felt sort of “meh” about all of them. Even the side characters.
Kira and Dante’s behavior became increasingly questionable as time went on and more often than not didn’t make sense. Not to mention both of them made some of the dumbest decisions ever.
All in all, this was a pretty decent read. It was a bit drawn out and possibly could have been shorter, but we eventually got to the end, and that’s what matters. I don’t regret checking it out.
TLDR: A QUICK THRILLER WITH AN INTERESTING PLOT! GREAT FOR BREAKING UP HEAVIER READS!
As always, please remember that reading is subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. 😊
Book Cover: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Trigger Warning(s):
Murder
Drug Use
Alcoholism
Infidelity
Death Of Parents (mentioned)
POV: Multiple, First Person)
Series/Standalone: Standalone
First In Series: N/A
Trope(s): None
Spice: None️ ️
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Burn: Medium
Safe or Dark: Safeish
Release Date: April 2, 2024 ️️
"Mutually assured destruction kept both of us quiet."
My TBR jar gave me an interesting reading prompt this time around, “a book that involves food/cooking,” and since I’d never read a thriller set in a restaurant before, I couldn’t wait to pick this up.
I will admit I’m not a cook, and I’ve never claimed to be. So, I wasn’t really into the whole food aspect of things, nor did I care about what goes on behind the scenes in a kitchen at a restaurant. However, I was 100% aware that’s what I was getting myself into with a book literally titled The Chef. My husband is the cook in the house, so that’s more up his alley, but I digress.
As I mentioned, I don’t know much about how a kitchen in a large establishment operates; I don’t watch cooking shows, read food blogs, or any of that, but I do know that the head/executive chef is usually referred to as “Chef” by other members of the staff. (“Yes Chef,” “No Chef,” “I’m sorry Chef,” “Thank you Chef”). I know it is a sign of respect and isn’t a title that’s tossed around lightly.
So, I was very confused while reading this book. Our restaurant owners are a married couple, Dante and Kira Lucini. Dante is a well-respected chef; when talking to the staff, they appropriately address him as “Chef”; however, they do the same to Kira, who, as far as I understood, was not a chef and didn’t have any culinary training. The couple does mention at one point that they met at a restaurant they both worked at, Dante as a chef and Kira as a server. That’s all we hear about Kira’s work as a restaurant employee before running the one the Lucinis own. I even flipped back a few times to see if Kira ever went to school to become a chef during her time working as a server or after, and I didn’t find anything. I know it’s a menial detail, but it bothered me to all high hell. Dante had earned that title, and Kira had not.
Sidenote: The word “chef” was tossed around often and is used a total of 150 times throughout the book. Needless to say, it got old fast.
This was a fun “popcorn thriller.”. A quick, easy read with short chapters. If you are looking for a palate cleanser in between denser reads, you might want to check out this book since you don’t need to use a lot of brain power to get through it.
The story is told in multiple points of view, each chapter alternating between our three different main characters. Dante Lucini, Kira Lucini, and Marco Devaney (we only get two or three chapters from this guy). I really enjoyed getting inside each of their heads and seeing their perspectives on how things played out. It made the plot easier to follow as well as being more intriguing.
"We were both frauds in this marriage, and neither of us wanted to admit it."
I swear, all the staff at La Bianca’s needs to take a course on professionalism and sexual harassment in the workplace.
Although the plot was a little slow-moving in the beginning, once things kick off, they don’t stop. It’s a rollercoaster in the end. The author did manage to keep me hooked from start to finish.
The prologue kicks things off. It did make me interested in reading more in order to find out what happened. We don’t know who the two people in the prologue are; we just know that one meets an untimely end at the hands of the other. The who, what, when, where, and why are later filled in. I have to admit that it was a nice start to the book.
While this book had an interesting storyline, you have to suspend belief A LOT to fully enjoy it. Almost all of the events that occurred were very over-the-top and far-fetched.
I wasn’t crazy about the ending. While it did wrap things up for the most part, it still left me feeling unsatisfied. It fell a bit flat. I guess I was just hoping for more.
I have to admit that I couldn’t get invested in any of the characters. I just didn’t care about them. No matter how entertaining their points of view were. I just felt sort of “meh” about all of them. Even the side characters.
Kira and Dante’s behavior became increasingly questionable as time went on and more often than not didn’t make sense. Not to mention both of them made some of the dumbest decisions ever.
"I knew then that she was mine for the taking."
All in all, this was a pretty decent read. It was a bit drawn out and possibly could have been shorter, but we eventually got to the end, and that’s what matters. I don’t regret checking it out.
"Our nightmare was over, but along with it, our dreams.
TLDR: A QUICK THRILLER WITH AN INTERESTING PLOT! GREAT FOR BREAKING UP HEAVIER READS!
As always, please remember that reading is subjective, and that’s what makes it so great. 😊
January 11, 2026
This was a quick read and very fast paced. It was easy to read and enjoyable. It's not often that you find a thriller set in a restaurant, so that kept the book interesting and kept me reading to find out what was going to happen. All of the relationships between the whole cast of characters definitely added to the suspense and also added more dimensions to the story than I was initially expecting.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the advanced copy of this book.
August 21, 2024
Bestselling author Robin Mahle takes a break from her popular Detective Rebecca Ellis series (my favorite) with her latest riveting standalone, THE CHEF. —a delicious cat—and—mouse thriller that I devoured in one sitting. Highly entertaining!
When a husband-and-wife team opens a new restaurant, sinister things occur after a charming, handsome, and capable new chef enters their world, becoming a nightmare from hell!
I LOVED it! From non-stop action, suspense, and thrills by the minute, this wicked psychological thriller of mystery, ambition, deception, greed, and revenge will keep you glued to the pages when MURDER is on the menu! This is not a cozy mystery. It is so much more!
When I love and am passionate about a book, I always get wordy— Do not judge. :)
When I saw this title, I could not imagine Robin Mahle (a favorite author) writing anything other than cop procedurals (which is all I have read by Robin)—she does it so well. However, I should have known this master storyteller could pull off any genre with her rock star-mad writing skills! (Never fear; there are murders and two detectives involved.) A crooked one, and a good one.
This fast-paced, captivating, sensorial, rich page-turner will take you on a delicious, wicked, delectable, unforgettable wild ride! The author deftly serves up intrigue, scandal, blackmail, and murder, blended with mouth-watering food and a sprinkling of poison. SO MUCH FUN!
Meet Kira and Dante Lucini, a couple of ex-New Yorkers moving to L.A. to open a new restaurant. They have mortgaged their house and La Bianca's, their latest restaurant in downtown L.A. to the hilt, with some stiff competition. After remodeling and being fully aware of the statistics and failures of opening a new restaurant, this is their passion; months later, they are ready to open.
They have hired a full staff: head chef Eric, sous chef Naomi, pastry chef Amy, butcher chef Manny, and other staff, servers, and a bartender. Dante oversees the staff, menus, and front-of-the-house man with his looks, charm, and designer suits. Kira handles the books, finances, food shopping, vendors, marketing, and delivery.
However, Dante always says, "It's you and me, Okay, We got this." She hopes so. They met in Manhattan at a restaurant when Kira was a server, and Dante eventually became head chef. They purchased the new restaurant at a foreclosure sale and are excited about their latest endeavor.
Angelo, Dante's Italian 41-year-old older brother, an alcoholic, sits around all day and night drinking their fine wine at the restaurant's bar. After their Italian immigrant parents died in a fire at their bakery in Brooklyn, he has not been himself. Also, Naomi is beautiful and has eyes for Dante. She would love to be head chef but is not ready yet. Kira will have to watch this one.
In addition, things between Dante and Kira have been rocky for the last seven months, renovating the restaurant, creating menus, hiring staff, stress, and Kira almost getting killed after she was STABBED by Eric, the chef, by accident. However, a good write-up in the LA Times helped feature their authentic Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.
Just hours before opening their first dinner service, the meat has been delivered with maggots. Then things go downhill when Kira finds the chef doing drugs and is high. She fires him in the middle of the dinner service when one of the most prestigious food critics is in the restaurant, and they need a positive review.
What comes next is a series of events after their chef is gone. He gets killed in a car accident. A murder investigation, and they suspect Dante.
Kira is at the farmer's market, and a new restaurant is opening across the way. She runs into a guy named Marco, and they hire him as head chef. Kira finds herself attracted to his deep green eyes, charm, and good looks; he wows everyone at the restaurant with his fabulous cooking skills. Everyone seems to like him, and he came highly recommended. They are delighted, but can they trust him? He is competitive and ambitious.
Then, more sinister things occur, starting with poisoning, rodents let loose in the kitchen, and then the critic's food review comes into question that Dante paid for the review.
Is someone trying to sabotage their restaurant? They went from a full house with booked reservations to no reservations. Is it Marco? Why would he harm them when he is the chef?
What is going on? Things go from bad to worse, and Dante and Kira are pitted against one another and both in danger. There are more murders, which makes them suspects and ruins the restaurant's reputation. Plus, the Detective in charge does not seem to believe them and refuses to look into Marco's background. However, Kira and Dante must join forces with someone from Napa Valley who may know about Marco's background and shed new light.
One of their worst mistakes was hiring Marco, but now they cannot get rid of him. He is pure evil! How far will someone go to ensure their restaurant and lives are ruined? What is the motive? Who can they trust?
WOW! This is a read in one sitting, unputdownable! You are dying to see how all the storylines are connected to the opening scene, told from alternating POVs: Kira, Dante, and Marco with an unexpected TWIST!
THE CHEF is SIZZLING! Murder, egos, pressures, and mayhem in this hot new LA restaurant. This adrenaline-fueled and engaging foray into the treacherous and competitive world of chefs allows readers to view the hidden world behind the restaurant kitchen doors. Not to be missed!
A rollicking wild roller coaster adventure, engaging characters (some evil and some good, as tasty as the recipes) with grit, wit, mystery, intrigue, and suspense so thick and juicy, you could cut it with the chef's knife! (And there are plenty of those).
From greed, ambition, passion, dark secrets, danger, tension, and hectic demands to pressures to excel, family drama, mystery, and murder with a plot so rich and twisty it will appeal to the appetites of well-crafted, fast-paced domestic suspense thriller fans.
Especially those who delight in fine cuisine and have spent time in upscale restaurants working in the business, management, servers, chefs, foodies, and the food scene from the front of the house to the back, behind closed doors in the kitchen where the action comes alive (or dead in this case).
What goes on behind your dinner? Fans of Hell's Kitchen will devour. I would love to see a movie based on the novel!
Mahle's recipe for THE CHEF will entice the senses. The wicked, blackmailing, gaslighting, manipulative, conniving, calculating, scheming, and evil-twisted characters fight for the top chef position and will stop at nothing to get it. On the positive side, there are some endearing redemptive characters, and the book has a perfect ending, making it a binge-worthy top read.
With a flavor for power and revenge, plus an unstoppable husband and wife you will root for —with unreliable narrators, you are not sure whom to trust at times.
Hooked from the first page to the satisfying conclusion, readers will be hungry for more Kira and Dante in future books. I savored every page and highly recommend it. A favorite author, I enjoy her writing style.
Thanks to the author and publisher, Joffe Books, for the opportunity to read an advanced digital reading copy for an honest opinion.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars+
Pub Date: April 8, 2024
April Must-Read Books
April Newsletter
When a husband-and-wife team opens a new restaurant, sinister things occur after a charming, handsome, and capable new chef enters their world, becoming a nightmare from hell!
I LOVED it! From non-stop action, suspense, and thrills by the minute, this wicked psychological thriller of mystery, ambition, deception, greed, and revenge will keep you glued to the pages when MURDER is on the menu! This is not a cozy mystery. It is so much more!
When I love and am passionate about a book, I always get wordy— Do not judge. :)
When I saw this title, I could not imagine Robin Mahle (a favorite author) writing anything other than cop procedurals (which is all I have read by Robin)—she does it so well. However, I should have known this master storyteller could pull off any genre with her rock star-mad writing skills! (Never fear; there are murders and two detectives involved.) A crooked one, and a good one.
This fast-paced, captivating, sensorial, rich page-turner will take you on a delicious, wicked, delectable, unforgettable wild ride! The author deftly serves up intrigue, scandal, blackmail, and murder, blended with mouth-watering food and a sprinkling of poison. SO MUCH FUN!
Meet Kira and Dante Lucini, a couple of ex-New Yorkers moving to L.A. to open a new restaurant. They have mortgaged their house and La Bianca's, their latest restaurant in downtown L.A. to the hilt, with some stiff competition. After remodeling and being fully aware of the statistics and failures of opening a new restaurant, this is their passion; months later, they are ready to open.
They have hired a full staff: head chef Eric, sous chef Naomi, pastry chef Amy, butcher chef Manny, and other staff, servers, and a bartender. Dante oversees the staff, menus, and front-of-the-house man with his looks, charm, and designer suits. Kira handles the books, finances, food shopping, vendors, marketing, and delivery.
However, Dante always says, "It's you and me, Okay, We got this." She hopes so. They met in Manhattan at a restaurant when Kira was a server, and Dante eventually became head chef. They purchased the new restaurant at a foreclosure sale and are excited about their latest endeavor.
Angelo, Dante's Italian 41-year-old older brother, an alcoholic, sits around all day and night drinking their fine wine at the restaurant's bar. After their Italian immigrant parents died in a fire at their bakery in Brooklyn, he has not been himself. Also, Naomi is beautiful and has eyes for Dante. She would love to be head chef but is not ready yet. Kira will have to watch this one.
In addition, things between Dante and Kira have been rocky for the last seven months, renovating the restaurant, creating menus, hiring staff, stress, and Kira almost getting killed after she was STABBED by Eric, the chef, by accident. However, a good write-up in the LA Times helped feature their authentic Italian cuisine with a Mediterranean flair.
Just hours before opening their first dinner service, the meat has been delivered with maggots. Then things go downhill when Kira finds the chef doing drugs and is high. She fires him in the middle of the dinner service when one of the most prestigious food critics is in the restaurant, and they need a positive review.
What comes next is a series of events after their chef is gone. He gets killed in a car accident. A murder investigation, and they suspect Dante.
Kira is at the farmer's market, and a new restaurant is opening across the way. She runs into a guy named Marco, and they hire him as head chef. Kira finds herself attracted to his deep green eyes, charm, and good looks; he wows everyone at the restaurant with his fabulous cooking skills. Everyone seems to like him, and he came highly recommended. They are delighted, but can they trust him? He is competitive and ambitious.
Then, more sinister things occur, starting with poisoning, rodents let loose in the kitchen, and then the critic's food review comes into question that Dante paid for the review.
Is someone trying to sabotage their restaurant? They went from a full house with booked reservations to no reservations. Is it Marco? Why would he harm them when he is the chef?
What is going on? Things go from bad to worse, and Dante and Kira are pitted against one another and both in danger. There are more murders, which makes them suspects and ruins the restaurant's reputation. Plus, the Detective in charge does not seem to believe them and refuses to look into Marco's background. However, Kira and Dante must join forces with someone from Napa Valley who may know about Marco's background and shed new light.
One of their worst mistakes was hiring Marco, but now they cannot get rid of him. He is pure evil! How far will someone go to ensure their restaurant and lives are ruined? What is the motive? Who can they trust?
WOW! This is a read in one sitting, unputdownable! You are dying to see how all the storylines are connected to the opening scene, told from alternating POVs: Kira, Dante, and Marco with an unexpected TWIST!
THE CHEF is SIZZLING! Murder, egos, pressures, and mayhem in this hot new LA restaurant. This adrenaline-fueled and engaging foray into the treacherous and competitive world of chefs allows readers to view the hidden world behind the restaurant kitchen doors. Not to be missed!
A rollicking wild roller coaster adventure, engaging characters (some evil and some good, as tasty as the recipes) with grit, wit, mystery, intrigue, and suspense so thick and juicy, you could cut it with the chef's knife! (And there are plenty of those).
From greed, ambition, passion, dark secrets, danger, tension, and hectic demands to pressures to excel, family drama, mystery, and murder with a plot so rich and twisty it will appeal to the appetites of well-crafted, fast-paced domestic suspense thriller fans.
Especially those who delight in fine cuisine and have spent time in upscale restaurants working in the business, management, servers, chefs, foodies, and the food scene from the front of the house to the back, behind closed doors in the kitchen where the action comes alive (or dead in this case).
What goes on behind your dinner? Fans of Hell's Kitchen will devour. I would love to see a movie based on the novel!
Mahle's recipe for THE CHEF will entice the senses. The wicked, blackmailing, gaslighting, manipulative, conniving, calculating, scheming, and evil-twisted characters fight for the top chef position and will stop at nothing to get it. On the positive side, there are some endearing redemptive characters, and the book has a perfect ending, making it a binge-worthy top read.
With a flavor for power and revenge, plus an unstoppable husband and wife you will root for —with unreliable narrators, you are not sure whom to trust at times.
Hooked from the first page to the satisfying conclusion, readers will be hungry for more Kira and Dante in future books. I savored every page and highly recommend it. A favorite author, I enjoy her writing style.
Thanks to the author and publisher, Joffe Books, for the opportunity to read an advanced digital reading copy for an honest opinion.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars+
Pub Date: April 8, 2024
April Must-Read Books
April Newsletter
March 29, 2024
I truly tried my best to get into the plot of this book. I opened it as soon as I got it approved and only got 13 pages in, which is very abnormal for me and thrillers (especially 300 page ones!). I tried again about 3 weeks later, and this time I got about 100 pages. The plot sounded so intriguing--I love food and restaurants and I love thrillers (kind of the vibes of Hell's Kitchen the show lol). But I really can't.
The positives: the food sounded really good! I find the restaurant industry (especially the kitchen) fascinating and I enjoyed that aspect of it. I definitely felt some of the creepy/thriller-y vibes from Marco and wanted to know what happened next
I have 2 main issues with The Chef: the characters, the plot. Character-wise, I feel like I know almost nothing about the 3 POVs I've gotten so far, and I am not invested in a single one of them. Dante and Kira are the married owners of the restaurant and their whole jealousy thing really annoyed me (Kira is jealous of Dante and a female employee, Dante is jealous of Kira and Marco). Like be grown adults and communicate about all of this. Plus the employee aspect? I hate when there are power imbalances. Marco seemed extremely creepy in the way he used Naomi (a female employee) and the way he stalked Kira and Dante.
The plot: it was a bit hard to get into. It starts off very slow-paced, and then about 90 pages in, something big happens (or so we think). I had a really hard time trying to care about what happened because it was already established that the guy who died was kind of a jerk (it's a book, I can be judgmental). I didn't feel any of the thrill or curiosity about what was going on because I didn't care. Otherwise the only weird/thrilling part was that their meat shipment was weird and that Marco was just using Naomi for sex, neither of which were significant.
I think if I got to maybe 200 pages the plot would have greatly picked up like other reviewers have said. I just struggled a lot to get to page 100 and have so many other books that I know I will like better sitting on my shelf to read. I wish I was able to finish this one for the plot as the premise was very intriguing (I just want to know what's up with Marco and what the main conflict even is).
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC!
The positives: the food sounded really good! I find the restaurant industry (especially the kitchen) fascinating and I enjoyed that aspect of it. I definitely felt some of the creepy/thriller-y vibes from Marco and wanted to know what happened next
I have 2 main issues with The Chef: the characters, the plot. Character-wise, I feel like I know almost nothing about the 3 POVs I've gotten so far, and I am not invested in a single one of them. Dante and Kira are the married owners of the restaurant and their whole jealousy thing really annoyed me (Kira is jealous of Dante and a female employee, Dante is jealous of Kira and Marco). Like be grown adults and communicate about all of this. Plus the employee aspect? I hate when there are power imbalances. Marco seemed extremely creepy in the way he used Naomi (a female employee) and the way he stalked Kira and Dante.
The plot: it was a bit hard to get into. It starts off very slow-paced, and then about 90 pages in, something big happens (or so we think). I had a really hard time trying to care about what happened because it was already established that the guy who died was kind of a jerk (it's a book, I can be judgmental). I didn't feel any of the thrill or curiosity about what was going on because I didn't care. Otherwise the only weird/thrilling part was that their meat shipment was weird and that Marco was just using Naomi for sex, neither of which were significant.
I think if I got to maybe 200 pages the plot would have greatly picked up like other reviewers have said. I just struggled a lot to get to page 100 and have so many other books that I know I will like better sitting on my shelf to read. I wish I was able to finish this one for the plot as the premise was very intriguing (I just want to know what's up with Marco and what the main conflict even is).
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC!
May 24, 2024
“Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I’ve ever made.” 🔪
In "The Chef," author Robin Mahle concocts a deliciously twisted tale of culinary chaos and psychological suspense. Set against the backdrop the bustling LA, the story follows the ambitious husband and wife duo, Dante and Kira, as they embark on their dream of opening a restaurant, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare of their own making.
The novel delves deep into the intricate dynamics of relationships, both personal and professional, as the couple's decision to hire a head chef sets off a chain of events that unravels their carefully constructed lives. As money dwindles, tensions simmer and tempers flare in the kitchen, the once-promising venture quickly descends into a bubbly pot of deceit, betrayal and revenge.
What sets "The Chef" apart is its masterful blend of suspense and culinary intrigue. The descriptions of mouth-watering dishes serve as a tantalizing contrast to the dark undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. Each chapter is infused with a sense tension/ suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mystery behind the string of inexplicable deaths plaguing the restaurant that starts to occur once the new head chef has been hired.
At its core, "The Chef is a gripping exploration of the lengths people will go to in pursuit of their desires, and the devastating consequences that can arise when those desires turn to obsession. With its well-drawn characters and pulse-pounding plot twists, this is a thriller that will leave readers hungry for more.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In "The Chef," author Robin Mahle concocts a deliciously twisted tale of culinary chaos and psychological suspense. Set against the backdrop the bustling LA, the story follows the ambitious husband and wife duo, Dante and Kira, as they embark on their dream of opening a restaurant, only to find themselves trapped in a nightmare of their own making.
The novel delves deep into the intricate dynamics of relationships, both personal and professional, as the couple's decision to hire a head chef sets off a chain of events that unravels their carefully constructed lives. As money dwindles, tensions simmer and tempers flare in the kitchen, the once-promising venture quickly descends into a bubbly pot of deceit, betrayal and revenge.
What sets "The Chef" apart is its masterful blend of suspense and culinary intrigue. The descriptions of mouth-watering dishes serve as a tantalizing contrast to the dark undercurrents swirling beneath the surface. Each chapter is infused with a sense tension/ suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they try to unravel the mystery behind the string of inexplicable deaths plaguing the restaurant that starts to occur once the new head chef has been hired.
At its core, "The Chef is a gripping exploration of the lengths people will go to in pursuit of their desires, and the devastating consequences that can arise when those desires turn to obsession. With its well-drawn characters and pulse-pounding plot twists, this is a thriller that will leave readers hungry for more.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 7, 2024
I thought this was a fun book and appreciated the restaurant setting. It centers on married couple Dante and Kira, who realize their dream of opening a restaurant in LA, only to find out that it's a lot harder than they thought to get it off the ground. After a series of bad luck, they hire a new head chef named Marco and things are finally looking up, when all of a sudden, everything starts to go wrong. They soon realize what kind of chaos they have brought upon themselves by allowing Marco into their lives. The book is told primarily between Dante's and Kira's :POVs, with a couple chapters from Marco here and there.
This escalated pretty quickly from creepy to full-on disaster, but that kept the pace of the book moving. There is action pretty much the whole way through. I found it interesting to read about similar experiences from both Dante's and Kira's perspective, and this was done in a way that was not repetitive or boring. Although I thought they were pretty well characterized, I did have some questions, though (like why did they both drive expensive cars and live in such a nice house if they had no money to run the restaurant? Who would really hire a head chef without checking references?). The ending was sound- I did figure out one of the twists but didn't understand the reasons behind it until I read more. I thought it was all tied up very nicely.
Overall, this was a fun read in an interesting and unique setting for the genre. It was fast-paced and I'd recommend to those who like thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This escalated pretty quickly from creepy to full-on disaster, but that kept the pace of the book moving. There is action pretty much the whole way through. I found it interesting to read about similar experiences from both Dante's and Kira's perspective, and this was done in a way that was not repetitive or boring. Although I thought they were pretty well characterized, I did have some questions, though (like why did they both drive expensive cars and live in such a nice house if they had no money to run the restaurant? Who would really hire a head chef without checking references?). The ending was sound- I did figure out one of the twists but didn't understand the reasons behind it until I read more. I thought it was all tied up very nicely.
Overall, this was a fun read in an interesting and unique setting for the genre. It was fast-paced and I'd recommend to those who like thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 18, 2024
thank you to joffe books, netgalley, and of course the author Robin Mahle for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
I, like many other people, do in fact judge a book by it's cover, no matter how much nobody wants to admit it.
This is a cover I've seen on many books (the Frieda McFadden Effect, as I call it), so this is a book where the cover didn't draw me in. If I had seen this book in a store, I would have skipped to the next one.
Despite the cover being so basic, this book's contents were unique and thrilling.
I love the fact that it's set it in a restaurant, as I'm a HUGE fan of books like this and am always on the hunt for more books with tasy-sounding food descriptions. This book had plenty of them! I could feel myself drooling every time the cooks were described making a dish. I wish this restaurant was real so I could go and eat everything on the menu.
While I guessed "the shocking twist" from pretty early on, it was mainly a lucky guess and I'm sure many people reading this will be shocked by these twists and on the edge of their seat the entire book. I didn't find it really "thrilling" and there weren't many moments that had me biting my nails as I turned the pages in anticipation - but the characters and the setting made it worth it. I loved sweet Naomi, the young chef who needs to stop letting people walk all over her! and I loved Kira and Dante, who I know run their restaraunt like the damn Navy but care so much about their employees.
I, like many other people, do in fact judge a book by it's cover, no matter how much nobody wants to admit it.
This is a cover I've seen on many books (the Frieda McFadden Effect, as I call it), so this is a book where the cover didn't draw me in. If I had seen this book in a store, I would have skipped to the next one.
Despite the cover being so basic, this book's contents were unique and thrilling.
I love the fact that it's set it in a restaurant, as I'm a HUGE fan of books like this and am always on the hunt for more books with tasy-sounding food descriptions. This book had plenty of them! I could feel myself drooling every time the cooks were described making a dish. I wish this restaurant was real so I could go and eat everything on the menu.
While I guessed "the shocking twist" from pretty early on, it was mainly a lucky guess and I'm sure many people reading this will be shocked by these twists and on the edge of their seat the entire book. I didn't find it really "thrilling" and there weren't many moments that had me biting my nails as I turned the pages in anticipation - but the characters and the setting made it worth it. I loved sweet Naomi, the young chef
April 29, 2024
Kira and her husband, Dante, just opened a new restaurant in Los Angeles. Things take a turn for the worse when they have to fire their head chef, after he accidentally stabs Kira's arm. Frantic to find a new chef, luck is finally on the couple's side when they find Marco. Marco is an experienced chef. Kira and Dante are instantly impressed by his skills. As soon as luck comes into the couple's hands, it is quickly taken away from them. Little did Kira or Dante know that Marco would change their lives forever.... I will keep my synopsis short, as the events that unfold in the novel are key to keeping the story suspenseful! I do not want to spoil the fun!
This was my first read from Robin Mahle. I am impressed! The Chef was a wild ride. It was hard for me to put it down because I HAD to know what was happening. There were many twists and turns and the shock level increased as the novel went on.
The story alternated between Dante and Kira's perspectives. There were also a couple Marco chapters thrown in. It was really interesting to see things from Kira and Dante's perspectives, as they were battling different issues. I felt that the alternating chapters kept the intrigue and suspense levels high. The character development was excellent!
I also really enjoyed the chef/restaurant setting! Very unique - I read tons of thrillers and have yet to come across this setting.
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first read from Robin Mahle. I am impressed! The Chef was a wild ride. It was hard for me to put it down because I HAD to know what was happening. There were many twists and turns and the shock level increased as the novel went on.
The story alternated between Dante and Kira's perspectives. There were also a couple Marco chapters thrown in. It was really interesting to see things from Kira and Dante's perspectives, as they were battling different issues. I felt that the alternating chapters kept the intrigue and suspense levels high. The character development was excellent!
I also really enjoyed the chef/restaurant setting! Very unique - I read tons of thrillers and have yet to come across this setting.
Thank you Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2024
Here Is my review of The Chef by Robin Mahle
I got into this book straight away and I found it to be an enjoyable read from the start. It’s full of tension and suspense which seems to seep off the pages as you read them. The story is an easy but fast read. The plotting is exceptional, the writing is superb and the descriptive text is brilliant as it explains everything so well. I like the author’s writing style and choice of storyline. I will look out for more books by this author to read in the future.
Blurb :
Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I ever made . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante.
Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true.
But it feels like it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that.
Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
Now the nightmare really begins . . .
I got into this book straight away and I found it to be an enjoyable read from the start. It’s full of tension and suspense which seems to seep off the pages as you read them. The story is an easy but fast read. The plotting is exceptional, the writing is superb and the descriptive text is brilliant as it explains everything so well. I like the author’s writing style and choice of storyline. I will look out for more books by this author to read in the future.
Blurb :
Hiring him might be the most dangerous mistake I ever made . . .
I started as a server in a New York restaurant. That’s where I met my husband, Dante.
Now we’re opening our own restaurant in Los Angeles. It’s our dream come true.
But it feels like it’s turning into a nightmare. We’re nearly out of money. I had to fire our head chef after he ‘accidentally’ stabbed me. And now I’ve caught my husband flirting with a waitress. He used to flirt with me like that.
Then Chef Marco shows up. The answer to our prayers. He’s cooked in top restaurants all over Europe. He also has the most stunning green eyes. We hire him on the spot.
Now the nightmare really begins . . .
April 12, 2024
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 stars! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. Dante and Kira are a married couple that have recently opened their restaurant. A food critic visited their restaurant and gave them rave reviews, with the help of their head chef, Eric. Kira discovers that Eric has an addiction issue and fires him, and now they need to replace their head chef.
Kira is walking in the area one day and sees that another restaurant is opening in the area and peeks in the window to see what their set up, and while she is doing this the “owner”, Marco shows up behind her. She mentions that she is looking for a head chef and if he knows of anyone to send them her way. Dante and Kira set up interviews and Marco is one of the candidates, and Kira is confused because she thought he was the owner of the new restaurant that would be opening. They decide to hire Marco, even though Kira is a little leery about him because he has great credentials and can really cook.
Marco starts working for them and bad things start happening, to the employees, their family and eventually them. But why are they happening and will they survive. This was a fast-paced thriller that I enjoyed and I recommend it.
Kira is walking in the area one day and sees that another restaurant is opening in the area and peeks in the window to see what their set up, and while she is doing this the “owner”, Marco shows up behind her. She mentions that she is looking for a head chef and if he knows of anyone to send them her way. Dante and Kira set up interviews and Marco is one of the candidates, and Kira is confused because she thought he was the owner of the new restaurant that would be opening. They decide to hire Marco, even though Kira is a little leery about him because he has great credentials and can really cook.
Marco starts working for them and bad things start happening, to the employees, their family and eventually them. But why are they happening and will they survive. This was a fast-paced thriller that I enjoyed and I recommend it.
December 8, 2024
Dante & Kira are struggling to keep their new restaurant afloat. Could the new head chef be answer to their prayers?
This was a quick, gripping and suspenseful read. Multiple POVs and interweaving characters and storylines keep the twists and turns going from beginning to end as their all histories and lies begin to unravel.
All in all it was a good, easy read. I do feel that something however was missing. The plot had excellent potential, great storylines and gripping suspense. I also loved the setting of the restaurant business and a little taste of the behind the scenes of a yet another cutthroat industry.
The characters though unfortunately I struggled to connect with and too many times found myself thinking ‘Why would they do that?’ Their choices / actions somewhat not believable. I also often found myself getting frustrated with them. I think pacing also let it down slightly in that it moved extremely quickly so I didn’t really have the space to be fully immersed in this world.
Thank you to Netgalley, Joffe Books and the Author for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a quick, gripping and suspenseful read. Multiple POVs and interweaving characters and storylines keep the twists and turns going from beginning to end as their all histories and lies begin to unravel.
All in all it was a good, easy read. I do feel that something however was missing. The plot had excellent potential, great storylines and gripping suspense. I also loved the setting of the restaurant business and a little taste of the behind the scenes of a yet another cutthroat industry.
The characters though unfortunately I struggled to connect with and too many times found myself thinking ‘Why would they do that?’ Their choices / actions somewhat not believable. I also often found myself getting frustrated with them. I think pacing also let it down slightly in that it moved extremely quickly so I didn’t really have the space to be fully immersed in this world.
Thank you to Netgalley, Joffe Books and the Author for the opportunity to enjoy this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and read it super quickly. It is well written with a compelling story line and well developed characters.
The story line follows Dante and Kira who have decided to follow their dreams and have opened their own restaurant, this is going really well until they lose their head chef. They hire Marco quickly to replace him as they obviously need a head chef, but all isn't as it seems and things start to go wrong.
This was such a tense and atmospheric read, that was made even more so by the fact that all the characters gave me the ick in some way, I just didn't trust them. The pacing was fast and the tension was perfect. I also liked that each chapter was told from a different characters point of view.
I think this is my first book by this author but it definitely wont be my last
The story line follows Dante and Kira who have decided to follow their dreams and have opened their own restaurant, this is going really well until they lose their head chef. They hire Marco quickly to replace him as they obviously need a head chef, but all isn't as it seems and things start to go wrong.
This was such a tense and atmospheric read, that was made even more so by the fact that all the characters gave me the ick in some way, I just didn't trust them. The pacing was fast and the tension was perfect. I also liked that each chapter was told from a different characters point of view.
I think this is my first book by this author but it definitely wont be my last
October 19, 2024
Very good first novel
Even though this is the first novel by Robin Mahle, I actually read it 2nd. I enjoyed her second novel, another Secrets and Suspense that I figured i would read the first. Even though these are stand alone novels her next two are a Part 1 and Part 2. I love her writing style and the way she keeps you so invested in the story so that you don’t want to put it down. I read this in one day and her other book in 24 hrs. Never going to bed, just read it straight through. I’m disappointed that she only has 4 books because she is the type of author who writes so well that you actually feel your part of the plot somehow. I see so many times where they write “ A totally addictive psychological thriller with a shocking twist “ and the story isn’t so great but Robin Mahle’s books really have earned that by line.
Even though this is the first novel by Robin Mahle, I actually read it 2nd. I enjoyed her second novel, another Secrets and Suspense that I figured i would read the first. Even though these are stand alone novels her next two are a Part 1 and Part 2. I love her writing style and the way she keeps you so invested in the story so that you don’t want to put it down. I read this in one day and her other book in 24 hrs. Never going to bed, just read it straight through. I’m disappointed that she only has 4 books because she is the type of author who writes so well that you actually feel your part of the plot somehow. I see so many times where they write “ A totally addictive psychological thriller with a shocking twist “ and the story isn’t so great but Robin Mahle’s books really have earned that by line.
April 10, 2024
The premise of this book was very different from anything I've read, and i found that to be refreshing. One of my favorite things to do is to go out to eat. I love a good restaurant, so I felt this book was screaming my name. I enjoyed the dynamics and dialogue between the characters. I had no idea who to trust. I love varying POVs in the books I consume, so i enjoyed the 3 various POVs used to tell this story. The way this story was written helped me get into the thoughts of each of the main characters. This story was fast paced, thrilling, and exciting. There were good twists weaved throughout that made this an enjoyable read.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Joffe Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2024
60% of restaurants close in their first year. 80% in two years. But Kira and Dante moved from New York to Los Angeles and put all of the insurance money from the fire of their parent's bakery and were in debt to their ears while insisting they would be a success.
And they were. Until.
After their head chef is fired for doing drugs while on the clock, they need a chef...and quickly. What great luck that they found Marco and he slid into the job easily without missing a beat. But that turned out to be a deadly decision. At first it seemed like they were cursed with a lot of bad luck was it any coincidence that everything started to take a turn right after Marco started?
Lots of twists and turn (and violence).
And they were. Until.
After their head chef is fired for doing drugs while on the clock, they need a chef...and quickly. What great luck that they found Marco and he slid into the job easily without missing a beat. But that turned out to be a deadly decision. At first it seemed like they were cursed with a lot of bad luck was it any coincidence that everything started to take a turn right after Marco started?
Lots of twists and turn (and violence).
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