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Sin du Jour #6
Gluttony Bay
Gluttony Bay is the penultimate Sin du Jour affair, Matt Wallace's funny foodie series about the New York firm that caters to the paranormal, which began with Envy of Angels.Welcome to Gluttony Bay High Security Supernatural Prison. We value your patronage. For your entertainment this evening, we are delighted to welcome the world's most renowned paranormal culinary experts.And on the You.Sin du JourBook 1: Envy of AngelsBook 2: LustlockedBook 3: Pride's SpellBook 4: Idle IngredientsBook 5: Greedy PigsBook 6: Gluttony BayBook 7: Taste of WrathAt the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 19, 2022
Otherwise known as The One Where It Gets Grim, although I also think of it as The One Where It Starts to Go Off the Rails (I had to rethink my titles after finishing the last installment).
I'm not opposed to off the rails, particularly when Wallace has spent so much time building the world. It was just... surprising, although in retrospect, maybe it shouldn't have been. Maybe I keep trying to reframe his world as a 'normal' modern world with the hidden world of the supernatural, when he's actually just postulating that a lot of the strange things that happen in real life are the result of supernatural strangeness (I mean, it makes a sort of sense. Is there any other reason for the glamour of certain figures? Or the addictiveness of fast-food chicken?) But this one levels up, presenting a new angle on... Guantanamo Bay. Smartly, Wallace doesn't play this for laughs as much as horror. I appreciated that; all political views aside, there's something about an unlimited detainment center that deserves antipathy, not laughs.
The plot is tighter than others, and the split narratives of the teams comes together faster (amazing how that works, isn't it?). The joking interactions of the catering crew have slipped into something more focused as they realize they're finally out of the frying pan... only to land in the fire. I thought the tone and narrative shifts were well done, though perhaps unexpected. In considering the books as an overall story, though, it works perfectly. A solid installment in the series.
Three and a half stars, rounding up because of the skill, even though it may not be my cup of tea.
I'm not opposed to off the rails, particularly when Wallace has spent so much time building the world. It was just... surprising, although in retrospect, maybe it shouldn't have been. Maybe I keep trying to reframe his world as a 'normal' modern world with the hidden world of the supernatural, when he's actually just postulating that a lot of the strange things that happen in real life are the result of supernatural strangeness (I mean, it makes a sort of sense. Is there any other reason for the glamour of certain figures? Or the addictiveness of fast-food chicken?) But this one levels up, presenting a new angle on... Guantanamo Bay. Smartly, Wallace doesn't play this for laughs as much as horror. I appreciated that; all political views aside, there's something about an unlimited detainment center that deserves antipathy, not laughs.
The plot is tighter than others, and the split narratives of the teams comes together faster (amazing how that works, isn't it?). The joking interactions of the catering crew have slipped into something more focused as they realize they're finally out of the frying pan... only to land in the fire. I thought the tone and narrative shifts were well done, though perhaps unexpected. In considering the books as an overall story, though, it works perfectly. A solid installment in the series.
Three and a half stars, rounding up because of the skill, even though it may not be my cup of tea.
November 2, 2017
When constructing a Foodie epic with guns, knives, angels, demons, and all sorts of paranormal monsters coming to the dinner table to serve or be served to other culinary experts, one should always start AND end the tale with a tragedy.
Anything else is completely unheard of.
:)
Seriously, this is some action-filled funny stuff. Where else can you turn a group of chefs into military experts and pit them against supernatural baddies who don't pay their bills or capture or otherwise mess with their own?
I think it's only Sin du Jour.
It's a complete ensemble cast of quirk with a dash of a heist, a sprinkle of tragedy, a measure of hard knocks, and wildly bloody special-ops magical action. The bill must be paid.
I don't even care that this is a specialty item for you readers. It's awesome. And tasty. :)
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Oh, and I'm missing a few of these books but I've read three others. Fortunately, it doesn't really matter where you pick up unless you are getting attached to a few characters. The tale is solid wherever you pick up. :)
Anything else is completely unheard of.
:)
Seriously, this is some action-filled funny stuff. Where else can you turn a group of chefs into military experts and pit them against supernatural baddies who don't pay their bills or capture or otherwise mess with their own?
I think it's only Sin du Jour.
It's a complete ensemble cast of quirk with a dash of a heist, a sprinkle of tragedy, a measure of hard knocks, and wildly bloody special-ops magical action. The bill must be paid.
I don't even care that this is a specialty item for you readers. It's awesome. And tasty. :)
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!
Oh, and I'm missing a few of these books but I've read three others. Fortunately, it doesn't really matter where you pick up unless you are getting attached to a few characters. The tale is solid wherever you pick up. :)
November 29, 2017
So basically anyone who follows my blog knows how much I love Matt Wallace's Sin du Jour series. In fact, anytime a new one comes out, it's pretty much a guaranteed quick read. "Gluttony Bay" was no different and once I received approval for an ARC from Netgalley and Tor.com, I knew before long I would be revisiting old friends.
Given that Gluttony Bay is a high security supernatural prison, you can only imagine what goes on there. And somehow, part of the Bronko's catering crew ends up as residents - or should we say hostages. It's hard to go into much detail because this is the 6th installment in the series but I can honestly say that the book is action-packed and Wallace never fails to amaze me with new material. I do feel like a lot of "Gluttony Bay" is set up for the final installment in the series, which even though I'll be sad to see it end, can't come soon enough to please me.
If you haven't started the Sin du Jour books yet, this would be a great series to marathon. In fact, I sort of wish I was a first-time reader all over again because I can still remember how much I love the first one. Wallace is headed to the finish line strongly and I'm pretty sure the next installment will secure his win!
Given that Gluttony Bay is a high security supernatural prison, you can only imagine what goes on there. And somehow, part of the Bronko's catering crew ends up as residents - or should we say hostages. It's hard to go into much detail because this is the 6th installment in the series but I can honestly say that the book is action-packed and Wallace never fails to amaze me with new material. I do feel like a lot of "Gluttony Bay" is set up for the final installment in the series, which even though I'll be sad to see it end, can't come soon enough to please me.
If you haven't started the Sin du Jour books yet, this would be a great series to marathon. In fact, I sort of wish I was a first-time reader all over again because I can still remember how much I love the first one. Wallace is headed to the finish line strongly and I'm pretty sure the next installment will secure his win!
August 11, 2018
The, er, final course is almost upon us as Matt Wallace serves up the penultimate volume in the Sin du Jour menu. #6 is tautly plotted, and builds relentlessly to a denouement that we know is only the eye of the storm. Interestingly, Wallace doles out the one liners and non sequitors far more sparingly, and goes for the horror jugular rather than the funny bone. The ultimate result is easily the best in the sequence since the first couple.
March 17, 2022
Another really great installment in this series. This one could definitely be seen as being a lot 'darker' than the others but honestly if you've made it this far in the series I think you about know what to expect. Still, things are really ramping up and there are definitely more consequences in this book than previous ones.
November 7, 2017
It is thoroughly inhuman horror, the kind manufactured in concentration camps where sadism is transformed into purposeful and industrial genocide, and where even the base humanity of being a victim is taken away as people are reduced to cattle.
As we draw ever closer to our final course on the tasting menu that is Sin du Jour, it's becoming clearer and clearer that this may not all end well..
We're almost straight back into the action, with our heroic caterers still dealing with the fallout of the final events of Greedy Pigs. The writing only continues to rise to new levels, and this time around, it's a much more sombre tone. The pop culture references are almost all gone, and the underlying messages they prodded at are almost right out in the open.
As always, the details from the kitchen itself remain spot on, and though I'm nervous for the last instalment, the impatience is definitely winning.
As we draw ever closer to our final course on the tasting menu that is Sin du Jour, it's becoming clearer and clearer that this may not all end well..
We're almost straight back into the action, with our heroic caterers still dealing with the fallout of the final events of Greedy Pigs. The writing only continues to rise to new levels, and this time around, it's a much more sombre tone. The pop culture references are almost all gone, and the underlying messages they prodded at are almost right out in the open.
As always, the details from the kitchen itself remain spot on, and though I'm nervous for the last instalment, the impatience is definitely winning.
January 18, 2019
Received from NetGalley
Completed 1/10/19
224 page ebook
The Sin du Jour series started out really strong and I don't know if they have gotten worse or if I've just gotten tired of them. I liked the first 3 and I haven't liked the last 3. I did like this more than the last book though.
In this one, two are their ranks are taken to Gluttony Bay, a prison that serves human for the cuisine. They get out of the scrap, as they always do, but this one felt really really rushed. It's short anyways, but it only took an hour for me to read, as it just flew along with no real details. The story followed too many different threads going on for such a short book. It was good for what it was, just wasn't the best.
Recommended if you like something with off the wall ideas and humor. Sin du Jour caters to demons and such, so there's nothing normal about this series and it can be enjoyable and fun if you like the bizarre.
Setting = B
Plot = B
Conflict = C
Characters = B
Theme = C
Completed 1/10/19
224 page ebook
The Sin du Jour series started out really strong and I don't know if they have gotten worse or if I've just gotten tired of them. I liked the first 3 and I haven't liked the last 3. I did like this more than the last book though.
In this one, two are their ranks are taken to Gluttony Bay, a prison that serves human for the cuisine. They get out of the scrap, as they always do, but this one felt really really rushed. It's short anyways, but it only took an hour for me to read, as it just flew along with no real details. The story followed too many different threads going on for such a short book. It was good for what it was, just wasn't the best.
Recommended if you like something with off the wall ideas and humor. Sin du Jour caters to demons and such, so there's nothing normal about this series and it can be enjoyable and fun if you like the bizarre.
Setting = B
Plot = B
Conflict = C
Characters = B
Theme = C
January 2, 2018
I have such a love/hate relationship with the Sin du Jour series. They are horror with a bit of a comedic flare, but make no mistake, these are dark books. Gluttony Bay is no different as it involves the cooking of human flesh, specifically that of political prisoners. The set-up makes me wince, though the book never presents it as anything other than horrible and evil. And yet something still makes me uncomfortable with the way that things are presented. The black comedy angle doesn't punch down, per se, but it doesn't punch up either.
Gluttony Bay was one of the better installments of this set of novellas though. It moves fast, has a comprehensible story line, and sets things up for the grand finale. I am very curious as to how Wallace is going to wrap up this increasing complicated mess that the characters have gotten themselves into.
Gluttony Bay was one of the better installments of this set of novellas though. It moves fast, has a comprehensible story line, and sets things up for the grand finale. I am very curious as to how Wallace is going to wrap up this increasing complicated mess that the characters have gotten themselves into.
August 20, 2021
C/W:
Actual rating is a 2.5
Gluttony Bay left me a bit dissatisfied. The stakes in the conflict have grown a lot over the course of the Sin du Jour series, which makes sense, but I found myself really missing the quippy one-liners and character interactions that made this series so much fun. I'm a little on the fence about finishing the series as it seems like the things that drew me to these books in the first place have largely disappeared.
Actual rating is a 2.5
Gluttony Bay left me a bit dissatisfied. The stakes in the conflict have grown a lot over the course of the Sin du Jour series, which makes sense, but I found myself really missing the quippy one-liners and character interactions that made this series so much fun. I'm a little on the fence about finishing the series as it seems like the things that drew me to these books in the first place have largely disappeared.
September 6, 2019
The major appeal in this series of novella's is the combination of violent hijinks and endearing characters. However, this installment slips a bit below the rest at the hijinks aren't simply violent but gruesome and horrific. Also, our lovable characters don't get the satisfying ending they need because Wallace is setting up for what I'm sure will be an explosive finale. I can't WAIT to get my hands on it.
January 15, 2026
THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
so much. so unhinged. I love every part of it. my only complaint is I wish the cover showed the divining pizza instead of a random ice cream cone.
I'm pretty mad I can't stay up until like 2 am finishing this series. I want to. but I am not at that stage in life right now, unfortunately.
so much. so unhinged. I love every part of it. my only complaint is I wish the cover showed the divining pizza instead of a random ice cream cone.
I'm pretty mad I can't stay up until like 2 am finishing this series. I want to. but I am not at that stage in life right now, unfortunately.
July 7, 2021
Hardly any proper cooking in this volume, but we get a mix of plot progression, resolutions from the last volume, and new characters joining in. I'm both excited and worried about the next and final book.
November 21, 2017
Poor Hara =(
April 23, 2018
Oh what a book
February 27, 2018
More action! More creepy disturbing Allensworth!
But less food, which makes me sad. Although the food in this one makes me more than a bit queasy, so maybe it's a good thing there was less of it...
But less food, which makes me sad. Although the food in this one makes me more than a bit queasy, so maybe it's a good thing there was less of it...
February 17, 2022
These are delightful, and I'm looking forward to the final volume.
April 12, 2018
Ever since the successful first installment of this ridiculously creative mish-mash genre series, I felt there was a steady decline in creativity. This sixth book ended that trend, bouncing back from what I considered the least enjoyable Sin du Jour book. The focus is almost entirely on Lena and Bronko in this one, as Allensworth kidnaps them and takes them to the titular Gluttony Bay, a restaurant with a specialty on the menu you had to expect at some point considering we're talking about a fantasy series focusing on the culinary preferences of the supernatural. We see a fair amount of Ritter, his half-brother and the rest of the Sin du Jour special forces team, but get very little of everyone else. Perhaps the standout character for me was the psychic clown pizza delivery guy who points to where Lena and Bronko can be found in a highly unusual (and expensive) way. We see limited progress with the Little Dove storyline, although you know she will play a big part in the final confrontation waiting in book 7. There are serious costs as we finally get to see the power behind Allensworth and get an idea of what the final confrontation will look like within the last book in this inconsistent but incredibly unique series.
May 26, 2019
Gluttony Bay is the sixth and penultimate 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.
After the disastrous fallout from the American and supernatural presidential inaugurations, which Sin du Jour was hired to cater, the gang barely has a chance to breathe. Allensworth, Sin du Jour's diabolical patron, kidnaps chef Lena Tarr, who's sick with worry over her best friend, Darren Vargas, who’s missing and head honcho Bronko Luck and whisks them off to Gluttony Bay, which happens to reside right next door to another infamous bay in Cuba. Lena and Bronko must cook up a feast for the diners, and, to their horror, they discover that someone they love is on the menu.
Gluttony Bay is written rather well. Lena and Bronko's dilemma is terrifying, and though Wallace's trademark sharp humor is present, this installment is much heavier on horror elements than past installments, making a strong statement about the human capacity for cruelty.
All in all, Gluttony Bay 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.
After the disastrous fallout from the American and supernatural presidential inaugurations, which Sin du Jour was hired to cater, the gang barely has a chance to breathe. Allensworth, Sin du Jour's diabolical patron, kidnaps chef Lena Tarr, who's sick with worry over her best friend, Darren Vargas, who’s missing and head honcho Bronko Luck and whisks them off to Gluttony Bay, which happens to reside right next door to another infamous bay in Cuba. Lena and Bronko must cook up a feast for the diners, and, to their horror, they discover that someone they love is on the menu.
Gluttony Bay is written rather well. Lena and Bronko's dilemma is terrifying, and though Wallace's trademark sharp humor is present, this installment is much heavier on horror elements than past installments, making a strong statement about the human capacity for cruelty.
All in all, Gluttony Bay 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.
November 13, 2017
Gluttony Bay is gearing up for the end run, and it's pretty clear at this point that it's not going to be pretty. Over the last few books, it's become clear that the people running the show and the Sin du Jour crew are often so far from on the same page that they're in different books, and this really comes to a head in Gluttony Bay. It's hard to talk much about the plot of book 6 out of 7, but a lot of threads come together and it's clear that our crew is going to have a hell of a time getting out of this alive.
There's still humor here, but the overall tone is more serious, as befits the plot of the book. I love spending time with these characters and am both looking forward to Taste of Wrath and sad that the journey will be over.
There's still humor here, but the overall tone is more serious, as befits the plot of the book. I love spending time with these characters and am both looking forward to Taste of Wrath and sad that the journey will be over.
September 5, 2018
My Review: This strange ride just continues and I am oddly continually drawn to it. I took another break between the books, library wait list, which didn't work out so well the last time, but it went a little better this time. I did find it difficult to figure out how this book fit into the over arching story line but it did come through in the end. I did like how action packed this one was and it was a little more about coming together to defeat evil, though it is getting a little tired with the same villain. I did find this one to be pretty disturbing, as it should be, especially compared to the more quirky and at times lighthearted tone of most of the rest of the series so far. I will of course be reading the next book in the series as it is the last.
January 2, 2018
This particularly clever series is now approaching the end game and the novella now kind of moves away from the cuteness and cleverness to stacking the decks for the finale. Given incidents of the previous book, there are bound to be repercussions and it is incredibly serious for our bunch of chefs. Stakes escalate as they discover what Gluttony Bay is all along.
This novella structure falters a bit here with a lot of action crammed into a short space so much so that it looks like nothing major. There are character arc, reconciliations, redemptions, heroic sacrifices and obviously, a revenge to set up the final book but it just feels a bit too rushed in this format
This novella structure falters a bit here with a lot of action crammed into a short space so much so that it looks like nothing major. There are character arc, reconciliations, redemptions, heroic sacrifices and obviously, a revenge to set up the final book but it just feels a bit too rushed in this format
August 10, 2019
Two of the crew are taken hostage in Gluttony Bay, a prison that feeds humans to demons.
The humor of this series just doesn't mesh well for me. I love the idea of this series: cooking, supernatural, crazy menus. But the books, particularly this one, feel like very sketched in plots that need to have more room to grow. I usually have a few months go by between books so it takes a bit to remember who all the characters are. I never got back to remembering everyone in this one - too much action, not enough character. There's only one more in the series which I'll definitely read because I want to see where the author takes this group of badass cooks in the end.
The humor of this series just doesn't mesh well for me. I love the idea of this series: cooking, supernatural, crazy menus. But the books, particularly this one, feel like very sketched in plots that need to have more room to grow. I usually have a few months go by between books so it takes a bit to remember who all the characters are. I never got back to remembering everyone in this one - too much action, not enough character. There's only one more in the series which I'll definitely read because I want to see where the author takes this group of badass cooks in the end.
November 11, 2017
The penultimate novella in Matt Wallace's Sin du Jour series, Gluttony Bay is aptly named for many reasons - not least that I couldn't help but devour it in a single sitting!
Seriously, following on soon after from the final events of book 5, Greedy Pigs - our crew of line cooks must face up to the consequences of their choices.
Gluttony Bay keeps you right on the edge of your seat and I found myself muttering wtf almost every chapter.
Bring on boom 7 as quickly as possible please Tor.com as I need one more final serving! 😆
Seriously, following on soon after from the final events of book 5, Greedy Pigs - our crew of line cooks must face up to the consequences of their choices.
Gluttony Bay keeps you right on the edge of your seat and I found myself muttering wtf almost every chapter.
Bring on boom 7 as quickly as possible please Tor.com as I need one more final serving! 😆
November 14, 2017
Matt Wallace makes me physically ill, I have made my problems with novellas known, it all boils down to my reading speed. YETTTT, EVERY SINGLE TIME a new Sin du Jour book comes out I drop what I am reading and devour it like I have never read a book before.
This series of books is what I call the best Netflix series that hasn't been made yet, Tons of fun, characters that you will love and wild, but awesomely good stuff.
Do yourself a favor, go get all these books, sit down and ENJOY YOURSELF.
3000 stars out of 5
This series of books is what I call the best Netflix series that hasn't been made yet, Tons of fun, characters that you will love and wild, but awesomely good stuff.
Do yourself a favor, go get all these books, sit down and ENJOY YOURSELF.
3000 stars out of 5
December 3, 2017
It's been a bit up and down this series, but as it gets close to the end, it's picked back up again.
This one follows on almost as soon as book 5 finishes.
Things aren’t going well with the crew, death still follows them, in fact it hits close to home at the start. Although some of them aren't around to see it, having been kidnapped to work in Gluttony Bay. A secure facility for supernaturals based in Guatanomo Bay.
The humour has been ramped down in this, but the action and the characterisation have been ramped up. It's going to be interesting to see how he finishes the series off.
This one follows on almost as soon as book 5 finishes.
Things aren’t going well with the crew, death still follows them, in fact it hits close to home at the start. Although some of them aren't around to see it, having been kidnapped to work in Gluttony Bay. A secure facility for supernaturals based in Guatanomo Bay.
The humour has been ramped down in this, but the action and the characterisation have been ramped up. It's going to be interesting to see how he finishes the series off.
November 20, 2017
Torn
As much as I want to know what happens next I am sad to know the next one is the last one. I love these characters and I don't want to see them go. I hope the longer book that is in the works is the start of a series that is just as addictive. The sin du jour series is like having only one bite of an ice cream sundae. Never enough
As much as I want to know what happens next I am sad to know the next one is the last one. I love these characters and I don't want to see them go. I hope the longer book that is in the works is the start of a series that is just as addictive. The sin du jour series is like having only one bite of an ice cream sundae. Never enough
November 24, 2017
I've been enjoying this novella series, but somehow this penultimate installment wasn't as satisfying as those that have gone before. The central event of the episode felt shorter and simpler than usual, and not so well integrated with the surrounding character growth / touchy feely aspects.
I'm still excited to get to the series finale next year. Here's hoping for a worthy conclusion!
I'm still excited to get to the series finale next year. Here's hoping for a worthy conclusion!
January 30, 2018
Exciting, touching, action-packed entry
Probably the best Sin du Jour story, yet. The consequences are more dire and the story more brutal, having moved away from the lighter tone of the earlier stories. Things are getting more serious as we steamroll toward the final chapter coming up in a few months. I'll be sad to see it end.
Probably the best Sin du Jour story, yet. The consequences are more dire and the story more brutal, having moved away from the lighter tone of the earlier stories. Things are getting more serious as we steamroll toward the final chapter coming up in a few months. I'll be sad to see it end.
May 4, 2021
Eh? Not much supernatural action. Not much cooking. The scary terrifying parts were not really scary or terrifying. There was an attempt at some sort of character growth but it didn't feel natural.
Maybe I am just not feeling it. There is just one more short book so I am going to finish the series but, eh.
Maybe I am just not feeling it. There is just one more short book so I am going to finish the series but, eh.
December 21, 2021
Another one of the little moments that make this whole series for me:
"Bullshit," Cindy says.
Tommy looks up at her, wearily. "Lady, who's the psychic pizza-delivering clown here, you or me?"
Cindy is suddenly at a loss.
"I . . . I mean, you are, clearly" is all she can say to that.
"Thank you."
"Bullshit," Cindy says.
Tommy looks up at her, wearily. "Lady, who's the psychic pizza-delivering clown here, you or me?"
Cindy is suddenly at a loss.
"I . . . I mean, you are, clearly" is all she can say to that.
"Thank you."
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