When the local bank is held up, one of its security guards is murdered during the robbery. Things get even more complicated when the note from the robber is discovered to have been written on a brand new menu from A Slice of Delight. Eleanor and Maddy must dig up the truth before it comes back to haunt them!
I am puzzled as to why the publisher did not like this book? I hope the publisher & author reads this review and all the others because WE LOVE PIZZA MYSTERIES, PLEASE DO NOT END!!! I think this book clarifies Joes past and brings closer to that issue because I wondered why family has not been included. It deepens the sister bond and shows why she has trust issues. Interesting about the fire because the house is mentioned a lot as her memory stability. This just seemed to fill in the spaces but IF it was never published nothing useful would be left unanswered. I love this series and I just found out that this author write under other names so I am excited to check them out. PLEASE keep giving us Pizza mysteries, they are fun, exciting, they do real detecting, have real things happen to them and ALL the characters are exciting to get to know with progression of series!!! Thanks for sharing this...
This was the third book written in the series, but was apparently rejected by Cavendar's editor or publisher, and was self-published later, but without having changed details to update the story to what's happened in the 4 books that followed.
In this installment, a bank robbery leads to the murder of the security guard, and Eleanor and Maddy dive into another investigation. At the same time, Eleanor's former brother-in-law comes to visit. Was the murder just a product of the robbery, or was the robbery really just a cover for taking the security guard out.
This book needs a better polish, and has some typos and grammar troubles that weren't really noticeable with the previous two books. That said, I am finding that some of the conversations with Maddy and Eleanor are frustrating, because they will have disagreements and then dance around an apology without actually saying "I'm sorry," but then in the next breath will say, "I said I'm sorry." No, you didn't, but good try. This type of thing will happen two or three times in the book, sometimes with the sisters, sometimes with one of them and another character. It's getting a little tiresome.
I also am getting bothered by Eleanor's rigidity and refusal to allow people to get close to her. She clings to her late husband's memory as if he were still alive, and acts as though even talking to another man is literal adultery, rather than something a person might do naturally after a spouse has passed on. She clearly gets attracted to men who are not her dead husband, but cannot possibly let herself move on. I hope that somewhere in the future of the series, Eleanor manages to grow into the idea that a new partner might be okay.
I have no idea what the publisher thought was the problem, but I absolutely loved it and hope to goodness you write more. This is one of my absolute favorite series. This book was great because it gives the reader a deeper look into how much Eleanor truly misses her husband. I can't wait for more books in this series
I have enjoyed all the books in this series set in the Slice of Delight Pizzeria and revisiting Maddy and Eleanor two of the nosiest sisters in the cozy genre. But,these two are smart cookies who are charming and lots of fun to follow around town as they investigate.
This book actually falls timewise between books two and three, I cannot believe her publisher turned it down; but I am glad that it is finally being released as I loved it and didn't guess the bad guy until the end.
I am looking forward to more adventures with my favorite pizza makers.
I really enjoyed Eleanor and Maddy' s relationship. Their sarcastic banter but love for one another is clear to see and just adds to the story. I had a hard time trying to figure out the murderer in this one as with most. Solid story and great characters not to mention how hungry you'll be reading this series. If you enjoy mysteries without gore and foul language give this series a try . a perfect read for any true mystery fan and foodie.
Not the best mystery by Cavender. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection on how long it's been since I last read a cozy, or whether this just wasn't a great novel. It was self-published (I think), and Cavender notes that his editor didn't want to publish this entry. I figured out where the main clue was hidden, and who the murderer was, so it wasn't a difficult mystery to solve.
Only a couple of typos, but once again with the character name. It doesn't interrupt the story, as long as you're following it well. However, I had to reread the errored paragraph a few times to make sure I hadn't missed something, then went back a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed something, and then realized it was a terrible mistake. Otherwise, a good story.
This was so close to being a 5 star for me until the last chapter. The big finale was rather implausible and could have been written so much better. Still giving it 4 stars and will continue reading this series.
I think the fact that this wasn't in series order it messed with me a little but I still enjoy the two sisters Maddy and Eleanor. They always find their way into an investigation and it is quite entertaining. I also love the free pizza recipe in each book.
I feel a bit duped. She does say that her publisher wouldn't publish this book back when, but that she decided to go ahead and publish it now without changing it. I trusted her when I should have trusted her publisher. I'm very disappointed. I think a better decision by Chris would have been to rewrite this book before publishing it or leaving it unpublished. This wasn't anywhere near the fun read that the previous books in this series were. Eleanor and Maggie conversations are stilted and inane. The mystery story is almost non-existent. Typically, I can't put down a pizza mystery, but I found it difficult to actually finish this one. Pages and pages of empty conversations.
An out of order book in the series, it was an interesting murder case, and as usual the interaction between Eleanor and Maddy is fun. Interesting that at that point the author wanted to mix Eleanor in a kind of a love triangle between a possible Mafioso ad the rich old man in town, good thing that the next books originally published took a different path. Now to wait hoping there is another pizza mystery in the future.
Have read all in the series. My interest is always peaked and I love the family theme. I enjoy having the same characters, learning about their lives and the area. In my mind I can see what Eleanor and Joe's dream house looks like. Also the promenade, how other pretty it must look decorated. Chris Cavender stories are beautifully written and it is hard for to stop reading. I would like to read more of their adventures.
I could see why they didn't want to publish this. It had a good story, but the conversations between Eleanor and Maddie were downright inane. Around chapter 6 or 7, they became very goofy. Most of it wasn't that funny and took me out of the story. Maybe he (Cavender) should have made a few edits. I still like the series and hope there will be a new one.
I actually enjoyed this book but it is a "step back" in the timeline. I would have rated it higher I think if I had read it in "place" after book 2 and before book 3.