What do you think?
Rate this book
Eliza Carlisle Mystery #1.5
The Catalyst
In the year and a half since James’ death, Hugh DeFry has worked nonstop to avoid having to face life without him. His driven focus has landed him a spot on the upcoming season of a top rated culinary competition show, but hasn’t helped him deal with his grief. Escaping New York for the West Coast is a start, though, until a friend calls to beg for a small favor. Cover her classes at the culinary institute where she teaches while she goes home to deal with a family emergency.
Sounds simple enough. Hugh has covered for her before and it gets him out of the apartment he can’t stand being in without James. There’s just one caveat. There’s this girl, one who might need a little help and encouragement, Lauren tells him. No big deal.
Except looking after Eliza Carlisle is about as easy as bathing a cat.
Sweet, but naïve, Eliza’s efforts to help her friend and fellow culinary student leads everyone around her into a missing person’s case that quickly spirals from hoping the girl missed her flight to untangling an international web of crime. Hugh isn’t sure he can keep her safe, but he’s positive he can’t keep her from getting into trouble.
Sounds simple enough. Hugh has covered for her before and it gets him out of the apartment he can’t stand being in without James. There’s just one caveat. There’s this girl, one who might need a little help and encouragement, Lauren tells him. No big deal.
Except looking after Eliza Carlisle is about as easy as bathing a cat.
Sweet, but naïve, Eliza’s efforts to help her friend and fellow culinary student leads everyone around her into a missing person’s case that quickly spirals from hoping the girl missed her flight to untangling an international web of crime. Hugh isn’t sure he can keep her safe, but he’s positive he can’t keep her from getting into trouble.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 15, 2016
4 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
DelSheree Spinner
48 books446 followersDelSheree Spinner was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. She didn't speak a single word for the first few months of preschool. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting it before it was published.
Native to New Mexico, many of DelSheree’s books feature the Four Corners area or where inspired by its history and lore. When not writing novels, she often reading, hiking, sewing, and working with other authors.
DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series and has hit the USA Today Bestseller list twice as part of box sets. She also writes contemporary romance, cozy mystery, and paranormal new adult series. Her writing is as varied as her reading interests.
Native to New Mexico, many of DelSheree’s books feature the Four Corners area or where inspired by its history and lore. When not writing novels, she often reading, hiking, sewing, and working with other authors.
DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series and has hit the USA Today Bestseller list twice as part of box sets. She also writes contemporary romance, cozy mystery, and paranormal new adult series. Her writing is as varied as her reading interests.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 19, 2016
After reading Trouble Magnet, I've wanted to read about Eliza even more. And this book mix between Eliza Carlisle and Sydney Rye is awesome! Cool short mystery novella to read over tea in the evening. Loved it!
Got the book in exchange of an honest review.
Got the book in exchange of an honest review.
March 5, 2016
Great Book!! Ok since this new system makes me admit when I started and finished this book....yes I finished it in a day, No I could NOT put it down lol. I read Trouble Magnet first (no not today...that was yesterday :) ) and I love how this book can stand alone, but you can appreciate the little references to this first book too:) I can't wait to read more of these new mystery books by DelShree Gladden :)
May 16, 2022
Danger Requires More Than Bravery
Although Eliza takes great risks that are above and beyond, she does have goid back up and manages to get things right in the end to make for great reading! Bringing modern day issues into a "light-hearted story helps to educate in a easier to swallow format what is happening in today's world. Hopefully it helps to bring awareness that may save innocents from costly mistakes.
This author has well-defined characters that you want to follow as though you are personal friends!!
Although Eliza takes great risks that are above and beyond, she does have goid back up and manages to get things right in the end to make for great reading! Bringing modern day issues into a "light-hearted story helps to educate in a easier to swallow format what is happening in today's world. Hopefully it helps to bring awareness that may save innocents from costly mistakes.
This author has well-defined characters that you want to follow as though you are personal friends!!
June 6, 2017
I enjoyed this book. I was a little bit concerned to find out the other main character in the book, James, is homosexual. I was afraid there was going to be a romance he was involved in and I prefer not to read books that have that kind of romance. I was pleasantly surprised that the book didn't go in that direction at all, and though part of the story was James dealing with grief over his lover passing away.
March 19, 2016
I need more fingers to count all of my favorite authors because I just added DelSheree Gladden to my list. She just started writing her Eliza Carlisle series and was asked to contribute to the Sydney Rye Kindle World. Eliza is a culinary student living in a building with crazy tenants and silly rules. She is a huge trouble magnet as her big lovable heart and passion for helping people puts her life in danger. While reading the first in the series, Trouble Magnet, I wondered how Gladden was going to combine Sydney with Eliza. It was amazing! Sydney's brother was killed about a year and a half ago, leaving his lover behind. Hugh, culinary master mind and temporary instructor, is having a difficult time moving on with his life after James' murder. Upon meeting Eliza in class Hugh is immediately drawn into her world and her friends. One of her friends is trying to locate his missing sister and leads Eliza on a hunt for human traffickers. This hunt involves my favorite character from the Sydney Rye books, Mulberry!!! The Kindle World doesn't necessarily have to involve Sydney and a crazy mission but sometimes we get those supporting cast members that we forget about or desire to learn more. Gladden did a wonderful job incorporating a small almost forgotten character from early in the SR series and gave him new life with a new favorite series. But I have to say I will be dying to know about Baxter and Eliza until the next book comes out. As part of the Sydney Rye Kindle World reader's group I was given an early release copy for my honest review.
March 26, 2016
Hard topic to read about and I'm sure it's hard to write about. This is one of those topics that really gets to me. I'm happy to have it exposed and sad to know it still happens to this day. Eliza probably shouldn't have gotten involved but that seems to be the only way she knows how to do things. I love that this had a semi-happy ending. That's not always the case.
This novella was definitely a fun little read. It's also a little more insight into Eliza thanks to Hugh's insight. I love that sort of character development - seeing her through his eyes opened my eyes even more. I liked Eliza in Trouble Magnet but now I'm starting to truly value her character.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
This novella was definitely a fun little read. It's also a little more insight into Eliza thanks to Hugh's insight. I love that sort of character development - seeing her through his eyes opened my eyes even more. I liked Eliza in Trouble Magnet but now I'm starting to truly value her character.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 15, 2017
After reading the first Eliza Carlisle book by this author I could not wait to read more. This is a Kindle World novel and connected to the Sydney Rye-series I have not read, but it was not neccessary at all. Hugh was a nice part of the book, but Eliza was the star. I loved Hugh's insight in the relationship between Eliza and Baxter. I love those two!
Eliza gets involved again as a classmate's sister gets into trouble and Baxter is not amused. Nice little novella to make the wait for the next Eliza novel a little easier.
Eliza gets involved again as a classmate's sister gets into trouble and Baxter is not amused. Nice little novella to make the wait for the next Eliza novel a little easier.
April 30, 2019
Wow
Just like the first book I was captured until the end. The story is engaging and interesting although sometimes unbelievable. It is still so good that i couldn't put it down until I finished it. I am certain I will devour this series as fast as I devoured the Ghost Host books and will move on to the rest of the books by Delsheree Gladden as soon as I am financially able. I am loving this series so far. Can't wait to read more.
Just like the first book I was captured until the end. The story is engaging and interesting although sometimes unbelievable. It is still so good that i couldn't put it down until I finished it. I am certain I will devour this series as fast as I devoured the Ghost Host books and will move on to the rest of the books by Delsheree Gladden as soon as I am financially able. I am loving this series so far. Can't wait to read more.
April 24, 2016
A good mystery in the world of Sydney Rye. Hugh DeFry is asked to fill in as a culinary teacher when a friend has a family emergency. Eliza Carlisle is a student the friend asks him to keep an eye on. Eliza gets involved with a missing person and it spirals from there. This is an enjoyable fast paced mystery. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
January 15, 2019
In many of the books I've read lately the lead female character is a fun tiring bad add who always gets the job done. Eliza is a gentle caring woman who gets into trouble because she cares too much. But she also gets the job done and can be fierce when folks won't helping believe her.
Always look forward to reading about Eliza!
Always look forward to reading about Eliza!
February 27, 2016
Writing in someone else's world was a challenge, but a great experience. I'm so exited to be bringing Eliza Carlisle and the Sydney Rye Kindle World together! Eliza and Hugh are up for trouble in this one :) I hope readers enjoy their adventure!
January 15, 2019
I enjoyed this short story. I am surprised Delsheree was able to create a detailed storyline like this and have it solved in only several chapters. Eliza's character is still strong and seems to only get stronger with each book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews