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Lethal Ingredients
In the captivating world of haute cuisine, where exquisite tastes and high-stakes reputations collide, "Lethal Ingredients" serves up a thrilling mystery that will leave readers hungry for more. This gripping novel by debut author Michael Priester introduces Dr. Samantha "Sam" Chen, a brilliant forensic food scientist with an uncanny sense of taste and smell, as she unravels a web of deceit and danger lurking beneath the glittering surface of the culinary industry.
When renowned food critic Alan Pearce is found dead after a seemingly innocent meal, the authorities are puzzled as to the cause, but Sam's keen senses detect traces of a rare and deadly poison. As she delves deeper into the investigation alongside the skeptical but determined Detective Jack Moreau, Sam uncovers a series of shocking revelations that threaten to shake the foundations of the food world.
From the exclusive kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants to the seedy underbelly of black market ingredient suppliers, Sam and Jack navigate a treacherous landscape of culinary corruption. They soon discover that Pearce's death is just the tip of the iceberg, as more bodies begin to surface, each one connected to a shadowy catering company with ties to the city's most influential figures.
As the death toll rises, Sam finds herself in a race against time to identify the mastermind behind the murders, all while confronting her own haunting past. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes that the key to solving the case may lie in a long-forgotten food-borne illness outbreak—one that claimed the life of her own sister years ago.
With each twist and turn, "Lethal Ingredients" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as Sam and Jack unravel a conspiracy that threatens to poison the very heart of the culinary world. From the gleaming skyscrapers of San Francisco to the lush depths of the Amazon rainforest, this thriller takes readers on a heart-pounding journey into the dark underbelly of an industry built on luxury and indulgence.
At the center of it all is Dr. Samantha Chen, a complex and compelling protagonist whose brilliant mind and troubled past make her a force to be reckoned with. As she navigates the treacherous waters of the investigation, Sam must confront her own demons and learn to trust in her extraordinary abilities—and in the steadfast support of her unlikely partner, Detective Jack Moreau.
But as the body count rises and the list of suspects grows, Sam and Jack find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. From the high-stakes world of celebrity chefs to the cutting-edge laboratories of food science, "Lethal Ingredients" offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world where passion, ambition, and greed collide with deadly consequences.
With its richly drawn characters, pulse-pounding suspense, and fascinating insights into the culinary arts and food science, "Lethal Ingredients" is a must-read for fans of thrillers, mysteries, and foodie fiction alike. As Sam and Jack race to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice, readers will find themselves savoring every twist and turn of this deliciously dark and utterly addictive novel.
In a world where appearances can be deceiving and even the most exquisite dishes can hide a deadly secret, "Lethal Ingredients" serves up a chilling reminder of the power of greed and the lengths some will go to protect their empire. With its masterful blend of suspense, science, and culinary intrigue, this debut novel announces [Your Name] as a fresh and exciting voice in the thriller genre, one that will leave readers craving more.
When renowned food critic Alan Pearce is found dead after a seemingly innocent meal, the authorities are puzzled as to the cause, but Sam's keen senses detect traces of a rare and deadly poison. As she delves deeper into the investigation alongside the skeptical but determined Detective Jack Moreau, Sam uncovers a series of shocking revelations that threaten to shake the foundations of the food world.
From the exclusive kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants to the seedy underbelly of black market ingredient suppliers, Sam and Jack navigate a treacherous landscape of culinary corruption. They soon discover that Pearce's death is just the tip of the iceberg, as more bodies begin to surface, each one connected to a shadowy catering company with ties to the city's most influential figures.
As the death toll rises, Sam finds herself in a race against time to identify the mastermind behind the murders, all while confronting her own haunting past. The deeper she digs, the more she realizes that the key to solving the case may lie in a long-forgotten food-borne illness outbreak—one that claimed the life of her own sister years ago.
With each twist and turn, "Lethal Ingredients" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, as Sam and Jack unravel a conspiracy that threatens to poison the very heart of the culinary world. From the gleaming skyscrapers of San Francisco to the lush depths of the Amazon rainforest, this thriller takes readers on a heart-pounding journey into the dark underbelly of an industry built on luxury and indulgence.
At the center of it all is Dr. Samantha Chen, a complex and compelling protagonist whose brilliant mind and troubled past make her a force to be reckoned with. As she navigates the treacherous waters of the investigation, Sam must confront her own demons and learn to trust in her extraordinary abilities—and in the steadfast support of her unlikely partner, Detective Jack Moreau.
But as the body count rises and the list of suspects grows, Sam and Jack find themselves in the crosshairs of a ruthless killer who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. From the high-stakes world of celebrity chefs to the cutting-edge laboratories of food science, "Lethal Ingredients" offers a tantalizing glimpse into a world where passion, ambition, and greed collide with deadly consequences.
With its richly drawn characters, pulse-pounding suspense, and fascinating insights into the culinary arts and food science, "Lethal Ingredients" is a must-read for fans of thrillers, mysteries, and foodie fiction alike. As Sam and Jack race to uncover the truth and bring the killer to justice, readers will find themselves savoring every twist and turn of this deliciously dark and utterly addictive novel.
In a world where appearances can be deceiving and even the most exquisite dishes can hide a deadly secret, "Lethal Ingredients" serves up a chilling reminder of the power of greed and the lengths some will go to protect their empire. With its masterful blend of suspense, science, and culinary intrigue, this debut novel announces [Your Name] as a fresh and exciting voice in the thriller genre, one that will leave readers craving more.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 17, 2024
I was surprised when I found out that this is the first book of the series The Culinary Criminologist Series. This is a little different from what I usually read but I love food and enjoy reading mysteries and murders. This book hit it all. The quite science nerd and the hot detective. I liked the details of the normal ingredients that can kill someone. How one of the main characters past comes back and the case become personal. The author did great research on the details these natural ingredients do. I want to know what else will happen next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 19, 2025
I was really interested in this premise. This is a debut novel so I went into it trying to give the author grace. I am not super critical of books, but there were a lot of discrepancies in the timeline as well as some of the details. This made it hard to get into the book. If I could put all of that aside the concept has great promise. I liked the banter between the two main characters, but I wished for more from Dr. Chen. If this is on KU I might give the second book a try to see if the inconsistencies have improved any.
August 27, 2024
A chef is about to be killed and no one knows who would kill him. There will be very few clues so they have to hunt hard to find the who wanted them dead. Can they find the clues needed? Will she find all the clues needed? See how she get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
September 9, 2024
One of the worst books I've ever read! Perhaps written by AI?? Writing is terrible- repetitive, and unimaginative; story has holes throughout, and way too long. I skipped through only to be able to rate it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews