Hand Tossed Murder

Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria #8

by Patti Benning

Do you want extra cheese with your mystery? With the weather starting to warm up and spring approaching, Eleanora Pacelli is busy finalizing her plans for another renovation to Papa Pacelli’s Pizzeria, but she ends up having to put her plans on hold temporarily to prepare for a week-long visit by some family friends. When Chuck and Kat Norman first arrive, the older couple don’t seem to be anything but the nice and normal people that Ellie expected. It isn’t until the first body turns up that she realizes that the couple might not be exactly what they seem. As the sheriff does everything in his power to track down the killer, Ellie and her grandmother have to come to terms with the fact that one of their friends might just be the prime suspect in a double homicide.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 8, 2017

About the author

https://www.facebook.com/Patti-Bennin...

When Cozy Mystery author, Patti Benning, isn’t busy plotting the deaths of multiple fictitious characters, she loves to spend time hiking with her rescue dog, Max, who is her bestest writing buddy.

​Patti loves to cook and the food in her books has been tried and tested in her very own kitchen. She’s technologically shy, and stays away from social media a great deal, because it makes her feel more awkward and introverted than meeting someone face to face.

​Writing is the perfect job for her because in her books, she gets to explore all the topics she loves, food, animals, crafts and reading. She loves her readers dearly, and is thankful for the opportunity to share with them through her work.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening ✨🎎🎉🤔🎆

This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book eight of 48

Ellie's grandmother is having friends come to visit. The business at the pizzeria is changing with more changes coming. A real estate agent is found murdered. Then Ellie finds another dead body. The truth comes out leading to an arrest.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure novels 🤔. 2024 👒

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleanora, Ellie, Pacelli is busy running her pizzeria, dating Sheriff Russell Ward and trying to stay out of murder investigations. When her Grandmother Ann tells her that old family friends, Kat and Chuck Norman are coming to stay at their home for a week long visit, Ellie is happy for her. Shortly after their arrival, Russell is having to question Chuck after he is seen at the murder scene of a local real estate agent. Shortly afterwards, Ellie finds the murdered body of, Zack Evans, owner of the agency. When Ann tells Ellie that Kat and Zack had an affair 30 years ago, Ellie is forced to again consider Chuck as a suspect. The characters are wonderfully developed and are like old friends. I really enjoy how every book in this series involves pizza, a dog, a parrot and a well crafted murder plot that always has a surprise twist at the end.

[Penny Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more than just great pizza! It is packed full of murder and mystery with plenty of twists and turns to keep you coming back for more.
These characters are wonderful and well written. It is very family oriented which I love. Ann Pancelli is the grandmother to Elli who now owns and runs her grandfathers pizzeria after his death. Ann is a strong woman who has given Elli a great role model after her past life in the city was a mess. She is now thriving in Kittiport, Maine and ready to renovate the pizzeria again to bring even more business to the family owned pizzeria. Elli and her handsome sheriff boyfriend Russell seem to have everything on track even with the occasional murder/mystery.
Ann let's Elli know that they will be having some old friends staying with them for a few weeks. Elli is really excited for her grandmother since she is alone after her grandfather passed except for bunny Ellie's adorable dog and Marlow the talking parrot. Which by the way may play a big role in the upcoming mystery way beyond Elli and Nonna may realize.
After the arrival of Nonna's friends people seem to be dropping like flies by a mysterious murderer.
Are Nonna and Elli harboring murderers or is it just coincidence???
They all become involved in the mystery to find out who killed two people in the small town. The ending of this book had me fooled. Can't wait for book nine.
I was given an advanced reader copy for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery, but a little darker and more twisted than I was expecting.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 1 out of 5]

Kindle Unlimited, used to cozies, and tend to cut them slack, BUT...These are all as bad, and will do with review what the 'writer' did with the books, copy/paste cookie cutter. Each of these books are beyond stupid, as in stupid plots stupid situations stupid obvious solutions/killers, and no idea about what is being written about. She keeps writing about 'cooking' and judging by her 'expert' descriptions, she can't boil water. There are major plot flaws and issues and other problems in every single overpriced very short 'book' that still managed to do in every one without fixing glaring problems, one being redundancy of previous unneeded descriptions.

There are 4 stupidly insipid books in the Killer Cookie Series
Killer Caramel Cookies #1 - Killer Halloween Cookies #2 - Killer Maple Cookies #3 - Crunchy Christmas Murder #4

There are 8 insipidly stupid book, in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria Series
Pall Bearers and Pepperoni - Book 1 - Bacon Cheddar Murder: Book 2 - Very Veggie Murder: Book 3 - Italian Wedding Murder: Book 4 - Smoked Gouda Murder: Book 5 - Gourmet Holiday Murder: Book 6 - Four Cheese Murder: Book 7 - Hand Tossed Murder Book 8

There are 19 equally bad The Darling Deli Series
Pastrami Murder: Book One - Corned Beef Murder: Book Two - Cold Cut Murder: Book Three - Grilled Cheese Murder: Book 4 - Chicken Pesto Murder: Book 5 - Thai Coconut Murder: Book 6- Tomato Basil Murder: Book 7 - Salami Murder: Book 8 - Hearty Homestyle Murder: Book 9 - Honey BBQ Murder: Book 10 - Beef Brisket Murder: Book 11 - Garden Vegetable Murder: Book 12 - Spicy Lasagna Murder: Book 13 - Curried Lobster Murder: Book 14 - Creamy Casserole Murder: Book 15 - Grilled Rye Murder: Book 16 - A Quiche To Die For: Book 17 - A Side of Murder: Book 18 -
Wrapped in Murder: Book 19)

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the weather begins to change Ellie and her Nonna welcome the visit of old friends and warmer temperatures. Ellie is planning the next phase of her renovation plans for the pizzeria, but they will have to wait until their guests’ visit is over. Chuck and Kat left Kittiport years ago to live closer to their children and are considering a move back to the town they love. There appear to be kind people, but Ellie’s little dog Bunny is not fond of Chuck at all. Within days of their arrival a murder is committed and the presence of Ellie’s grandfather’s old truck leads the sheriff to question Chuck. While Russell works to solve the first murder the unexpected happens, a second brutal death. Is Church a murderer, or is his visit a mere coincidence?
This book is the best yet in the series. The murderer is a complete surprise. It’s nice to see Nonna join in the sleuthing. I really like the characters in this series and even as new characters are introduced they are developed well. The action never lags. I can’t wait for the next installment!

[SANDYE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Another great book in the ongoing Pacelli Pizzeria series. A great story that's fast moving and stays interesting from beginning to end! The same great characters I've come to love and a few new characters specific to this story. While I had a couple theories about whodunit, turns out there was a bit of twist I didn't fully expect!! A well written cozy mystery with great characters, e encompassing my favorite food!! Can't wait to read them all!!

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

unexplained murders on the Maine coast

When Ellie’s grandmother has a couple of old friends come to visit from Wisconsin things start out fine. Then a local realtor is found dead at an open house. From there a second murder occurs and it seems to revolve around the visitors. Lots of twists and turns with a surprise ending. This has been a fun series and I look forward to reading more stories.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Affairs always haunt you

When Nonna's best friend and her husband come to visit Bunny and Marlowe both know something isn't right. Love this series and definitely deserves more than five stars

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Pacelli's long time friends come to visit and Ellie's dog Bunny is not taking to kindly to Chuck. After the local real estate agent is found deadter Chuck is hauled in as a murder suspect. Is this why Bunny is barking at Chuck or is there more to it. Ellie feels bad and she and Ann set out to find out what really happened.

Love this series. Patti Benning makes the characters come alive and Papa Pacelli's pizzeria sounds like a great place to visit.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old Friends

The bird had the secrets! Not very clear but secrets nonetheless. Poor Nonna, she just can't win for loosing. At least Ellie stayed out of this one or the most part. Russell is such a sweet man. He is falling for Ellie. Real estate just isn't the same anymore.

[Sara Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another awesome short story!

Clean cozy. Excellent series. I love the macaw! The bird had a bigger part in this story. Can't wait to start book nine!!!

[Barbara Boykin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a read

This was quite an interesting storyline. The characters were interesting and I liked how the storyline went and the finish.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Series Always Delivers a Good Murder

Ellie is busy making improvements to the pizzeria but never too busy to help her grandmother get ready for a visit from old friends she hasn't seen in a while. In the midst of trying to show them a good time, a murder occurs quickly followed by a second. Ellie's boyfriend, the sheriff is busy trying to find the murderer and for once Ellie isn't trying to help.

I love this series. Ellie is surprisingly old fashioned when it comes to taking care of her grandson. At the same time she is extremely independent especially when it comes to business ideas and making innovative decisions about the pizzaria.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to the Papa Pacelli Pizza series!

Each new book in this series makes me like it more and more. I really love how much Ellie has grown as a person. She is very thoughtful and kind, and I love how much interest she has in her grandmother. All the characters are wonderful though, whether they are likable or not. The story is well written and always interesting. It's also nice to see how the pizzaria has changed since Ellie took over and I always look forward to reading the next book to come. Ms. Benning is very talented at wrapping up this book while keeping you interested in the upcoming book and leaving the reader satisfied. Maybe I'll end up getting pizza tonight, the food always sounds amazing.

[Suzanne Homeier-poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story.

I really loved the storyline. I could not believe the ending. I usually get the antagonist by the middle of the story. This time not until the end.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 8 in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria Series and I couldn't put the book down until I finished it. Kat and Chuck Norman, old friends of Ellie's grandmother, come for a visit and suddenly people start dying. As the sheriff investigates, Ellie and her grandmother begin wondering if one of their friends is a murderer. This is a fast-reading book and certainly kept my attention.

[Ashley Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist!!

Wow!! This is the 8th book in the Papa Pacelli's Pizzeria series and it is awesome!!! Ellie's grandma Ann has some friends come in for a visit. Upon their arrival, people start showing up dead. Can Ellie and Russell find the murderer? Or will they escape?? There's a huge twist in the story and you'll have to read it to find out!!

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This one had a lot of tense moments. I totally thought the wrong person was the killer. I totally didn't see it coming when the killer was revealed.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bad Company

Ellie and Nonna have company. After their visitors arrive there are 2 murders. Is this a coincidence or is it connected? Ellie, Nonna and Russell will have to find out. This is a really good series with characters you actually like.

[Sharon Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who says Grandmothers are tough?

This book does. It was very interesting to listen to older people talking about the olden days. But this mystery made it good. I must say Chuck and Kat made an interesting pair. Well written and nicely done. But what a surprise is in store for the reader.

[Geneva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Company comes to visit; Chuck and Ann seem to have a problem, Ann's affair, early in life comes back to haunt her. Chuck is under suspicion, by Russell. Ellie, of course finds the culprit! Wonder how the porch on the pizzeria will work out.
Great #8, Patti.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuity

The author needs to be more aware of continuity in her series.
In previous books, the grandmother had seasickness that did not allow her to go out on the boat. However, in this book she did go out on the boat.
So what happened to her being seasick?

[Lauren D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was by far the best in the series. I mean I didn't think the killer was who it turned out to be and it was a good story. A few mistakes but minimal. Can't wait for the next book

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch Old-time friends with dangerous secrets!!!!!!

Eleanora and Ann Pacelli got in a real big mess with Ann's old-time friends of her and her late husband Arthur Pacelli.
Ann's friends that came back home to visit Kat and Chuck Norman that knew each other when they were young and just starting out their lives.
Ann's husband Arthur just getting the pizzeria started, and then all of a sudden Kat and Chuck had to move when their kids moved to Wisconsin, cause Ann needed to be near her grandkids.
It was a mystery the rush!
Now they are back to visit and some unnerving things start to come to light on their sudden move back and forth, that Ann starts to question. She goes to Eleanora (Ellie) what is on her mind and how weird Kat and Chuck are acting.
Well, now there is 2 murders, secret phone calls, mysterious walks for fresh air at long periods of time.
What is Ellie and the sheriff Russell trying to figure all this out, scratching their heads and puzzling over all the different ways all this stuff is going and no evidence to anyone that is suspected.
WOW, what the heck is going on with all these real estate agents in Kittiport, Maine.
Can't and won't let you know, have to read this book.