Favas Can Be Fatal

by Priscilla Royal

Alice McDoughall has absolutely no interest in sleuthing, and thinks amateur detectives are a silly bunch, so imagine her shock when she comes to the defense of her best friend, whose restaurant is threatened when obnoxious food critic Arthur Peters drops dead while dining in her establishment, and uncovers a murder, and a whole host of suspects. First-time novelist Priscilla Royal cooks up a deliciously enjoyable whodunit featuring a memorable cast of characters and one of the most surprising murder weapons in mystery history!

205 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Priscilla has a degree in world literature from San Francisco State University, where she discovered the beauty of medieval literature. She is a theater fan as well as reader of history, mysteries, and fiction of lesser violence. She lives in Northern California and belongs to the California Writers Club and Sisters in Crime.

Reviews

[Rogue Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favas Can Be Fatal is a solid culinary mystery with lots of twists and turns. A vicious restaurant reviewer falls down dead, and the new chef is the chief suspect.

Set in a northern California coastal town, the protag Alice has the benefit of San Francisco employment, but is free enough to enjoy a rich social life with friends at home. She's prickly and laser focused when she's not distracted by attractive women, out of shape and knows it, but finds friendship and occupation with friend Lorenza, and Lorenza's restaurant The Lovage. Themes of good food, fine dining, lesbian love and aging bodies enrich the narrative and add both interest and comedic points.

Thanks Priscilla Royal for what I hope is another series. This one published in 2006 by Alyson Books was a winner, just like your medieval mysteries published by Poisoned Pen Press.

--Ashland Mystery

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likeable protagonist and good setting details - I'm keeping an eye out for the sequel.