Greedy Pigs

Sin du Jour #5

by Matt Wallace

The Sin du Jour crew caters to the Shadow Government in Greedy Pigs, Matt Wallace's fifth Sin du Jour Affair

I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.

Politics is a dirty game. When the team at Sin du Jour accidentally caters a meal for the President of the United States and his entourage, they discover a conspiracy that has been in place since before living memory. Meanwhile, the Shadow Government that oversees the co-existence of the natural and supernatural worlds is under threat from the most unlikely of sources.

It s up to one member of the Sin du Jour staff to prevent war on an unimaginable scale.

Between courses, naturally.

"

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Novella, Fiction, Magic, Humor, Supernatural

181 pages, Paperback

First published May 16, 2017

Reviews

[carol. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Several well-maintained layers of undisturbed dust cover everything."

Read that again.

And that's why I continue reading Wallace, even as his stories occasionally take me a little farther into Bizarro-land. As this one begins, it feels almost as if the roadway of the story has split into three different paths. Sure, there's the nominal Sin du Jour plot, as the catering kitchen prepares for the inauguration of Enzo Consoné, the president-elect of the supernatural governing body (theme: 'all-pork'). Another follows Darren, who is acting particularly distant. Still another path takes us along with Bronko on some of his self-appointed rounds as he shows Lena the ropes.

"Lena usually enjoys the train, the motion and the time to herself, even if that last part is often interrupted by some rando who doesn’t understand headphones and a book are popular international symbols for “leave me the fuck alone.”


Because of that Greedy Pigs feels more like a bridge piece. Writing my review after having finished the series, I can see how all the foreshadowing here was supposed to pay off, and to a large extent does. But it feels a little more like it's in service to an idealized wrap-up, with character arcs and potential reader satisfaction rather than integrated story service. End-of-series general thoughts: particularly in terms of both Chef Bronko and Dorsky, this feels a little too redemptive. I would agree with a reviewer who noted Dorsky's turn toward the empathetic seems a little too unlikely, given history at Sin du Jour (why would recent events impact his emotional growth any more than the prior years?). Bronko showing Lena some of the hidden responsibilities he has felt incongruous as I was reading although it makes more sense in book 7. I'm not complaining, mostly because Wallace again shows some fabulous writing chops. A number of my highlights come from this section, such as the moment Lena reads the room:

Lena isn’t sure what she feels in the next moment. It’s as if the barometric pressure in the air abruptly shifts, and something like electricity touches the surface of her skin, raising microscopic hairs. It’s as if the actual environment in the room has turned against her.

But because Bronko doesn't fully explain all of the things he is showing, nor his own history, this does feel a bit more disjointed as one is reading. Of course, by end of series, some of it makes a lot more sense (again leading to my Reader Warning that this is not a 'pick-and-choose-installment' kind of series). However, the writing still delivers top-notch character insights:

"Bronko grunts as some sort of basic acknowledgment that a fact has been stated in his presence."

and

“It means there’s a lotta implied context in your tone I don’t rightly agree with, and I’ll thank you to let that be the final word on the subject.”


I mean, that's some fine writing when it comes to character moments. Did we need anyone else to remark on it? Did we need a character to think it at the reader? Did we need adverbs and speech descriptors, and, gods forbid, smirking?

No. We didn't. It may be bizarro, but Wallace is a far far better writer than average. It does go Off the Rails when we get to the Inauguration (my early installment complaints about a particular pop star now seem almost quaint), but it still managed to make me laugh:

"'Even me?' Pacific asks, toking on a joint he somehow ninja-sparked without anyone noticing. Bronko reaches up and quickly closes his entire fist around the hand-rolled misdemeanor, crushing it."


Three and a half Michelin stars, rounding down because there just wasn't enough food, and it really did become quite wacky.

[RG · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was fun but wish I'd WON book 1 in the series to make the world and characters make a little more sense.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always a fun read. The gang is back, and this time it's the inauguration of both the American president and the president of the Shadow Government. Dark mysterious are a foot.

So, still enjoying this series tremendously. However, I was a bit disappointed there was less of a focus on food and cooking this time round. Understandable as there was more of a look at real world events, but I really like the food, hah. Keen to see where Wallace heads with this next!

[Bridget Mckinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every new installation of Sin du Jour is better than the one before it, and I feel certain that there won't be enough stars to express my feelings by the time we get to book 7 (which is both too soon and too far away). Sin du Jour is one of the smartest, funniest, most inventive urban fantasy series I've ever had the pleasure to read, and I cannot recommend them enough.

Plus, it turns out that every time you buy one of Matt Wallace's books, an orphaned kitten falls asleep on the tummy of a napping bulldog who upon waking adopts the kitten.

[Hisham El-far · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sin du Jour team have battled and wrestled menus and demons both in their adventures up until now. But in Greedy Pigs all hell is about to break loose as they must cater for not one Presidential inauguration - but TWO!

Politics is a swamp full of sharp and vicious teeth - and Sin du Jour are going to have to wade in to save their own!

Fast, frantic and mouth watering action. Characters that I love (and a few I despise, but I'm pretty sure they're meant to be despised) and care about. The Sin du Jour series (of which this is book 5) is incredible fun and definitely worth a couple of quid each. Go buy and read these now!

[Ellana Thornton-Wheybrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better, constantly filled with character development and plot twists.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Greedy Pigs wasn't my favorite installment in the Sun du Jour series but was still a fun, satirical romp.

[Barb (Boxermommyreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Review coming closer to release but man, I'd give this book 6 stars if I could.

[JustSomeGuy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 5th book is about the same length as the others within this series, so you don't realize how you're halfway through this novella before anything really happens. The various stops Lena takes with Bronco to start off the book are somewhat interesting, but I'm questioning if we were being shown these things because they'll factor in later, or just crowbarred in oddities meant to show us how Bronco is training Lena to be his replacement as the head of Sin du Jour. In the early installments of the series, the supernatural were seamlessly incorporated into the storyline, here they felt as if they were items being checked off a list. The entire Darren storyline is lost on me - from sidekick wussy boy to possessed bad ass didn't work, and while we know Allenworth is behind everything, we don't know who possessed Darren. The other thing not working for me - reflective and sensitive Dorsky. I read this series because I want to see totally off-the-wall, creative ways the supernatural can exist in our world and besides the checked-off pitstops early on, there wasn't nearly as much within this one as I would have hoped. Too much was placed in the politician meat puppet reveal that was just a broadside on Trump and a fawning over of Obama. I'm no fan of Trump, but I don't look for political attack ads in my reading of an escapist fantasy series. So while it was a choice by Wallace to go this direction, I could have done without it in favor of a heck of a lot more of the creativity this series started with. Just not a lot happens here in book #5 - creative or otherwise. I will stick with the series, but I feel we've seen a drop-off in quality in each successive installment, unfortunately.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greedy Pigs is the fifth novella in the Sin du Jour series written by Matt Wallace and centered on the ongoing adventures of the magic-wielding culinary catering company Sin du Jour, starring Lena Tarr and Darren Vargas.

Sin du Jour are preparing for the inauguration of Enzo Consoné, the president-elect of the Sceadu, the supernatural governing body. It is going to be a great big party with an all-pork theme. The team is ready to get back to normal, but chef Lena Tarr's best friend, Darren Vargas, who has been trying to conquer his debilitating fear, is acting strangely.

When the team members get separated en route to the Virginia woods, Lena and head chef Bronko's half of the crew is diverted to the D.C. inauguration of the U.S. president. The others scramble to make do, but things inevitably go poorly in Virginia, and sweet-natured baker Nikki must step up to save the day.

Greedy Pigs is written rather well. Wallace's imagination is boundless, and his wryly funny storytelling manages to be heartfelt and completely insane at the same time. Wallace provides commentary on the current American political system and manages to keep it light as to not push away readers who are sick of the current news cycle.

All in all, Greedy Pigs is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.

[Nthato Morakabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great chapter in the Sin Du Jour chronicles and Matt Wallace just keeps the drama and intrigue going. This time it's on a massive scale, with a number of celebrity appearances that may address issues we've speculated about. (laughs sardonically)

The writing is as crisp and humourous as usual, with a weighty, earnest realism to it surrounding the characters. Events from Idle Ingredients continue to escalate when politics came in to play and a massive war continues to creep to the fore.

It's going to be epic.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lena feels every muscle tense as she watches something begin to push its way through the open fold in the president-elect's shirt. She squints, wanting to close her eyes, every horrific thing she's witnessed since coming to work for Sin du Jour flashing through her mind all at once.
The thing forces its way out of the president-elect's body, through his buttoned shirt, and unfurls down his body.
Lena prepares to look away, jaw clenched, but she stops.
It's a ladder.
It's a tiny rope ladder.
Lena is now squinting in confusion rather than horror or terror. There is simply no denying the fact that a miniature rope ladder has been deployed from inside the president-elect's shirt, and is now hanging down to his knees.
It's somehow far less shocking when the little green creature crawls out through the president-elect's shirt and begins descending the ladder, making a noise that sounds to Lena like an old man forced to traverse a flight of stairs.
[...]
The creature is to to three feet tall, bipedal, and has the face of a French bulldog without the charm or humanity. Its skin is dry and cracked, and its color has the dusty, faded appearance of once-vibrant paint long dried. It leaps from the last rung of the ladder and hits the ground with a triumphant hoot.

I'm convinced at this point that Matt Wallace is just revealing state secrets book by book.

A prime example: Recognising David Bowie as the IRL Goblin King, Iman his ethereal goblin wife, and the Hollywood elite his goblin constituents.
...
Most authentic thing I've ever read.
(Because come on, they're too fucking sensational to be real. Plus, I like to think Bowie didn't in fact die, but simply returned to his kingdom)

Until: The infamous former pres (and the rest of the cabinet) is actually a walking meat-sack with a little, green gremlin controlling him from the inside?
...
Absolutely. One thousand percent. I'd bet my book collection on it.
This is the realist shit ever committed to print.


Good sir Wallace, where are you getting your information?
Roswell?
Mulder?


Ps. And did you just kill my ship dead?
Like... no coming back from it, do not resuscitate, not even a return-of-the-zombie-love-affair kinda deal dead?
Did that really just happen?
...


I'm so used to my ships sailing, this genuinely stunned me for a second.
And then I made it worse by accidentally spoiling myself by looking for hints via Reddit and discovering something infinitely more devastating.
...
I am a stupid goblin woman, what did I think was going to happen, somebody pass the tissues.

[Rene Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in the Sin du Jour series. This series is so much fun, and really captures the experience of working in a kitchen. The team is still trying to recover from the events of the last book, in which their kitchen was taken over by an inimical force and some of the team members under magical control. The team is dealing with it in different ways, and while some of them are slowly returning to normal, some of them are still wrestling with the aftermath when they are called on to cater the Presidential inauguration. Not *that* one--the other one, the one with all the magical creatures. But things don't go according to plan, and it's up to the caterers to prevent disaster.

How much do I love Lena? I love the direction Wallace is taking her character and her relationship with Bronco in this book is just perfect. Nikki remains amazing as well. I was delighted to see some character development from Dorsky of all people. Darren has a very difficult time in this book and I will be waiting on tenterhooks to see where Wallace takes his storyline in the next book. Not so much of the Shipping and Receiving team this time, but I look forward to seeing them deal with the inevitable fallout of this book.

This is such an enjoyable series, dark and funny at the same time, with wonderful worldbuilding* and complex characters--quite an accomplishment with a cast this big and novella-sized installments. I'm a little bummed to think there are only two more after this one.

*Bronc and Lena's visits to some of the magical community of NY at the beginning of the book were a fabulous glimpse of what else is out there beyond the Sin du Jour HQ. I loved that sequence.

[Abra Staffin-Wiebe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of the Sin du Jour novella series is that there is a catering company that works specifically for the high-powered supernatural set. Yes, the dietary requirements and ingredient quests are as hair-raising as you might imagine. It's also great to see a behind-the-scenes look at a (highly unusual) catering company and what the day-to-day life of the people who work there is like.

In Greedy Pigs, the caterers find themselves double-booked for two inauguration ceremonies, one human, one not. They have to adjust on the fly. Meanwhile, one of their own is not acting like himself. It all comes to a head at the inaugurations. There is a certain amount of commentary on our political system, but not to a degree that should push away readers who are sick of the political news cycle right now.

This book pays off on a lot of the interpersonal stuff that was set up previously in the series. To which I said, "At last!" The motivation for the main plot depends on it. Although this series is intentionally episodic, you probably want to read at least the previous book (Idle Ingredients) before this one. I recommend the Sin du Jour series if you're interested in something that's funny, dark at times, a little crass, and rooted in the lives of everyday working folks. Most of the books stand alone quite nicely.

(I received a copy through a Goodreads giveaway.)

[Sem · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's fantasy and then there's wish fulfilment. And then there's casting Obama as a friendly dude who helps our heroes just because he's the only good guy to ever run the United States and all other politicians are literal skin suits for naughty gremlins. There's "on the nose" and then there's "burying a hatchet so deep in your skull that the point isn't hammered into it but rather spills out onto the concrete". Wallace, not a single person left reading the series on the fifth instalment is going to be a Trump fan or not a liberal. You're preaching to the choir and ruining a good thing.
This wouldn't be too big of an issue but the plot in this part is paper-thin, characters are grossly underused, scattered all over the place. It's crystal clear where we're heading and the endgame is exciting, sure, but could we not get there without the weird pit-stops and awkward exposition? Thankfully, the imagination's still there and the writing is quippy and light. But I do hope we get fewer reminders about the state of the world next time. There are more interesting things going on in the world of Sin Du Jour and wasting pages on a political clown is puzzling and disappointing. Know better, do better.

[Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying to knock down this reading slump I'm in by reading more novellas, and this one seemed like a really good place to start :D. But man, Wallace sure knows how to drive the stakes ever higher in this series. There aren't a lot of laugh-out-loud moments in this instalment, but it's still pretty funny in a lot of places. It's just...IDK. I think the stakes have gotten so high at this point that I'm really more worried about what's going to happen to the characters, instead of all the funny things that are happening. Makes me kind of worried about what's going to happen in the next novella in the series. Don't get me wrong: this is still a very good read, it just isn't as funny as the first few ones have been. Which again, I guess makes sense, given how high the stakes are now.

On a happier note: I think Wallace has a tendency to have certain people make "special guest appearances" in this series, and this book is no exception. Given the cover, I think you can guess who makes that appearance.

[K.F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reads like a chuck tingle book but ends like a punch to the feels

Honestly not sure how I feel about the latest installment of sin du hour. True to the dedication, most of it is escapist anti-trump fluff, absurdist fantasy writing that seems more borne out of political frustration than any plot. I wish Matt Wallace had done more research for the Chinatown bits since there's some issues I have re: Cantonese vs mandarin distinctions (also isnt weed legal in D.C.?) but other than a couple jarring nitpick notes I have, it was true to the spirit of the series. The DARREN subplot at the end with Ritter's big reveal was super jolting and felt tacked on due, partly, to the novella format of these books. But where previous books have felt super tight and neatly packaged to me, this one felt more like a short story (the type to be posted online) with an after thought dramatic hint of the next book. So...slightly disappointing but intriguing and worth the read regardless

[Vinay Badri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was insanely hilarious, satirical esp of the political situation in the US. Needless to say, it involves the Presidential inauguration and the associated complexities of the incoming President and the scenario outlined here seems such a preferable explanation that what is currently happening

Our intrepid crew gets more depth, Lena is quite becoming the key, something that everyone recognizes. Darren goes through his own personal hell and is the reason for the complication that occurs. We are fast approaching end game in this truly wonderful series and the novella really is an exercise in how to really use word efficiently while building a fantastic story and the world. Ace!!!!

[Colin Murtagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is like going to your favourite cafe. You know what you're going to get, and it's always good.
The gang are all back, and following on from the last books election, now they have a inauguration to cater for. Naturally this being Sin Du Jour, things don’t go quite according to plan. Some loose plot threads are getting tied off, while at the same time, some of the bigger story lines are expanded on. We learn a bit more about the world, both supernatural and mundane, bits of which I didn’t see coming. There’s also a little bit more characterisation. The main characters are becoming more rounded as the stories move forward.
This is one café, I’m just going to keep coming back to.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the premise of Sin du Jour, but I find I rarely enjoy the books that much. Admittedly, my library forgot to order book 4, so I was reading this one without knowing what happened prior. But the book itself is just too on-the-nose. The presidential election was too pat and easy. If you want to make a critique of politics, do something real. Don't just throw in gremlins in a suit and call it a day. The story was also less intense than previous volumes. It was mostly set up for the fast approaching end of the series, but it made for a lackluster reading experience. And yet I will still read the rest because I am intrigued enough by the setting to keep going!

[Milan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent new addition to this series. Looking forward to finding out how it all turns out. I feel bad for Ritter and even though I don't know if Lena will ever forgive him I still like him more than Dorsky for Lena. Now that Dorsky is less of an asshole he and Nikki seem to fit.

I also hope Darren and James survive as a couple and that Darren doesn't blame himself too much for putting a spear in James. It was fun seeing Bronko groom Lena to be his successor. Next one should really be interesting.

[Lisa Cobb Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of Greedy Pigs by Matt Wallace's along with another book I won through Goodreads.

Another fun read in the Sin du Jour series by Matt Wallace, Greedy Pigs focuses on politics, but not politics as usual. As the team prepares to serve food to inauguration attendees, other, evil, preparations are underway. The team soon finds itself over the proverbial pork barrel fighting for not only their own lives, but also the uncertain future. Just another catering job for our favorite otherworldly chefs.

[Krystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Matt Wallace

I've been following this series since the beginning and it has easily remained one of my favorite books series to date. The characters are wonderful and relatable, each with their own personalities and drives. The story is fresh and creative, constantly making you crave more. I can't wait for the next one. My only complaint is that it wish they were longer. (And that Ritter was real)

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 4 out of 5]

La serie sigue dejándose leer bastante bien. En este caso los hombres, mujeres y demonios (o lo que sean) del catering van a dar el almuerzo del verdadero presidente de los USA, y por un error, del otro también, uno que tiene tupé y se pega las corbatas con papel cello, pero que en realidad es... y hasta aquí puedo contar más para no destripar (je, je) el relato. No sé por qué no se lee masivamente esta serie. B+

[TheADHDreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the first 4 books in this series as what they are, a simple piece of entertainment with a fun premise, but I have to admit I did not like this one a bit. For some reason nothing really happens, some pieces of the story are set to be addressed later, but there's not much going on there. It just felt like some exposition piece with uneven pacing. I really hope this story is leading somewhere unexpected because at the moment I am wondering if I'll even bother finishing it.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll buy that theory.

Mr. Wallace is a very talented writer and these books are quite enjoyable. As in the last one, this part of the story is a shade darker than the first three. There's a bit more back story in each book. I look forward to reading them all the way through when book seven is published.

[Mary Saha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better

I love this series and I wish there was more. I am so sad to know there are only two left. It amazes me how easily Matt Wallace balances comedy and character development. It reminds me of disc world and Terry Pratchett , which also makes me a little sad. So I will go back and read the first five again and that will make me happy.

[Colin Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent instalment in this novella series.

Where the first book or two were more stand-alone affairs, this (the fifth of seven planned books) is much more focused on advancing the larger, overarching story.

Really, by this stage you're either in or you're out as far as the series goes. I'll be here to the bitter, or sweet, or salty, or chocolatey end!

[Karsyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like this one nearly as much as the others. While some of the talk of the current shitty government was funny, it wasn't for me. I'm not a political person and while I was fine with the non-real stuff, when it got into our own politics, I was bored silly. Not enough to deter me from the rest of the series, hopefully it was a one time dud.

[Pedro L. Fragoso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the weakest of the five published so far, not so funny, but good enough. It's clearly darker, a consequence of the Election (the Inauguration features prominently in the tale, which is harsh on the incumbent and pays a heartfelt homage to the previous occupant). The arc gets richer. Two to go.