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Hannah Starvling Twilight Mystery #2
The Gourmet Who Kept Diamonds in the Kitchen
Gourmet and chef Elias Babel, an expert in truffles, the highly sought after mushroom delicacies referred to as nature’s diamonds, took a nasty fall from his hotel balcony. Friend Hannah Starvling, a former FBI agent turned culinary consultant and amateur sleuth, suspects it was not an accident. After encountering several suspects, including one who seems determined to insert himself into her investigation, she becomes even more convinced of foul play. Now, the planned working vacation with her grandparents, the stubborn Papa Jay and nosy Gran, and love interest Hymnal, is in jeopardy. And so is her life. She only has a few working clues. First, somebody attempted to kill her friend. Second, another rival chef is somehow involved. Third, the mysterious stranger, Lukas Grim, is not who he claims. And last, it all revolves around her friend’s last conscious word - ‘Dahlia’. As for her problems, she has to deal with her Papa Jay and Gran, juggle the obstacles of a new relationship, keep her hospitalized friend alive, all while avoiding getting herself killed.
Now she must find the answers to two questions:
· Who is behind the attempt on Elias’ life? And more importantly…
· Why did the gourmet keep his diamonds in the kitchen?
Now she must find the answers to two questions:
· Who is behind the attempt on Elias’ life? And more importantly…
· Why did the gourmet keep his diamonds in the kitchen?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
63 people are currently reading
184 people want to read
About the author
Kee Patterbee
10 books25 followersKee Patterbee has worked a secret agent woman (To be honest, she made that one up).
From an early age, writing was a passion. Working to gain post grad degrees in several fields has given her the necessary ability to pursue her dreams to become an author.
Humor and life gives her the experience she needs to take you into crime mysteries you will enjoy. Her books are well thought out and to date , her reviewers say they never figure out the “who-dun-it” until the end.
Kee lives with her husband Joe, three cats (Beckett, Mr. Castle, and Ghostie) and two Yorkies (Zippy and Doodles) in the stranger parts of Georgia.
When not writing, they are in pursuit of roadside attractions, spooky places, chicken wings and the perfect chili cheese dog with slaw and a side of onion rings. It is a joyful pursuit.To be notified when the next releases are coming:
http://www.KeePatterbee.com and sign up.
From an early age, writing was a passion. Working to gain post grad degrees in several fields has given her the necessary ability to pursue her dreams to become an author.
Humor and life gives her the experience she needs to take you into crime mysteries you will enjoy. Her books are well thought out and to date , her reviewers say they never figure out the “who-dun-it” until the end.
Kee lives with her husband Joe, three cats (Beckett, Mr. Castle, and Ghostie) and two Yorkies (Zippy and Doodles) in the stranger parts of Georgia.
When not writing, they are in pursuit of roadside attractions, spooky places, chicken wings and the perfect chili cheese dog with slaw and a side of onion rings. It is a joyful pursuit.To be notified when the next releases are coming:
http://www.KeePatterbee.com and sign up.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 10, 2019
Diamonds are trouble!
Very entertaining storyline, revolves around Diamonds, Truffles, corruption and murder. Characters are interesting and intriguing, I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of characters and who was who! But overall a great storyline!
Very entertaining storyline, revolves around Diamonds, Truffles, corruption and murder. Characters are interesting and intriguing, I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of characters and who was who! But overall a great storyline!
July 18, 2023
Hanna Starvling is a guest judge at a food competition.
One of her best friends who is a chef known for his work with truffles is found laying on top of a car after a four story fall.
Now Hanna has to decide if it was a suicide attempt, or a possible murder.
Pro's:
Developed characters, a good bit of humor, and a solid storyline.
Con's:
1) While I really enjoyed this story.
Hanna's grandmother's constant references to Hanna making her a great grandmother got to be tiring and monotonous. One or two references would have been okay, but the sheer number of them moved the story from a cozy to a Woman's Romantic Fiction book.
2) The editor's of the book did not do a very good job with the number of typo's involved.
Just a couple of the ones I spotted. A) There was a reference to a ship's stern being called a 'stem'.
B) One of the names of a character was misspelled in a couple of places.
This was my first story be Ms. Patterbee, I did enjoy it and will read at least the next one in the series.
One of her best friends who is a chef known for his work with truffles is found laying on top of a car after a four story fall.
Now Hanna has to decide if it was a suicide attempt, or a possible murder.
Pro's:
Developed characters, a good bit of humor, and a solid storyline.
Con's:
1) While I really enjoyed this story.
Hanna's grandmother's constant references to Hanna making her a great grandmother got to be tiring and monotonous. One or two references would have been okay, but the sheer number of them moved the story from a cozy to a Woman's Romantic Fiction book.
2) The editor's of the book did not do a very good job with the number of typo's involved.
Just a couple of the ones I spotted. A) There was a reference to a ship's stern being called a 'stem'.
B) One of the names of a character was misspelled in a couple of places.
This was my first story be Ms. Patterbee, I did enjoy it and will read at least the next one in the series.
March 17, 2019
Hannah Stravling is a former FBI agent who is also a graduate of culinary school and is now a judge at various cooking competitions around the country. This time her grandparents come with her and while she loves them, they annoy her constantly as they are always hounding her about producing grandchildren. A former boyfriend of Hannah's, Elias, is a world renowned chef who specializes in truffles, very expensive French mushrooms (that can only be found by special truffle searching pigs). Just after Hannah arrives, Elias is nearly killed by falling from his 4th floor hotel room onto a van parked beneath. In the hospital, he is attacked again and the local police post guards outside his room. Hannah's current boyfriend, a police officer named Hymn, arrives after recovering from being shot in the thigh and is again injured and in a wheelchair. This is a mystery involving blood diamonds and gourmet food. Many, many suspects are involved.
The plot was good, but I only gave it a 3 star rating, because as a former English teacher, I found some of the author's grammar and syntax poor. Perhaps, she is not a native English speaker and this accounts for some of her word choices.
The plot was good, but I only gave it a 3 star rating, because as a former English teacher, I found some of the author's grammar and syntax poor. Perhaps, she is not a native English speaker and this accounts for some of her word choices.
July 10, 2017
I find this series very entertaining. I wish there were more volumes available. You quickly grow to enjoy the main characters and their entourages. Every character 'profiled' seems to have a part in the mystery.
The main mystery was if a man had been critically left for dead due to his 'diamonds' meaning truffles, rock diamonds, gambling excesses, or something else...perhaps smuggling? The book kept the reader trying to figure it out almost to the very ending.
I'm not saying to much about the details as I think they will draw you in by themselves. I'll just say...this is a great series. Which, I unwittingly read backwards. Ah well. I hope for more issues soon.
The main mystery was if a man had been critically left for dead due to his 'diamonds' meaning truffles, rock diamonds, gambling excesses, or something else...perhaps smuggling? The book kept the reader trying to figure it out almost to the very ending.
I'm not saying to much about the details as I think they will draw you in by themselves. I'll just say...this is a great series. Which, I unwittingly read backwards. Ah well. I hope for more issues soon.
September 24, 2017
Free download from Bookfunnel 23 September 2017
This is the second book that I have read in the Hannah Starvling series. I enjoyed the first book The Chef at the Water’s Edge, I liked the characters of Hannah, Hymn, Cate and Buster.
However, in this book we meet Hannah’s grating grandparents, and boy did they annoy me. I think they called Hannah “Sweetness” 27 times. This book illustrates to me that secondary characters and giving people daft names makes a difference. Once the grandparents were out of the scene the story is quite good. Hannah looks at people when they first meet and makes a mental list like a modern-day Sherlock Homes. I like the concept of the Culinary Sleuth.
This is the second book that I have read in the Hannah Starvling series. I enjoyed the first book The Chef at the Water’s Edge, I liked the characters of Hannah, Hymn, Cate and Buster.
However, in this book we meet Hannah’s grating grandparents, and boy did they annoy me. I think they called Hannah “Sweetness” 27 times. This book illustrates to me that secondary characters and giving people daft names makes a difference. Once the grandparents were out of the scene the story is quite good. Hannah looks at people when they first meet and makes a mental list like a modern-day Sherlock Homes. I like the concept of the Culinary Sleuth.
June 17, 2018
Suspects galore and more motives then you can count
Terrific as always. Hannah is asked to be a judge at a culinary competition. Taking this as a good sign she has Hymn and her grandparents go with her for a well deserved break. Missing truffles, a body going over a balcony, attempted shootings, smuggling and more are the ingredients in this fast paced read. Hannah as always is self contained and on her sleuthing best but is it good enough? Will she and her nearest and dearest walk away unscathed? Highly recommended
Terrific as always. Hannah is asked to be a judge at a culinary competition. Taking this as a good sign she has Hymn and her grandparents go with her for a well deserved break. Missing truffles, a body going over a balcony, attempted shootings, smuggling and more are the ingredients in this fast paced read. Hannah as always is self contained and on her sleuthing best but is it good enough? Will she and her nearest and dearest walk away unscathed? Highly recommended
October 9, 2020
Doesn't flow
This is an OK story but the characters are a bit over-written & stopping to add a detailed physical description of every person that walks past Hannah breaks up the flow.
Needs a little more proof-reading for typos but over-all ok to read in small chunks (like a week of coffee breaks) not so great to read all at once
This is an OK story but the characters are a bit over-written & stopping to add a detailed physical description of every person that walks past Hannah breaks up the flow.
Needs a little more proof-reading for typos but over-all ok to read in small chunks (like a week of coffee breaks) not so great to read all at once
June 18, 2017
Ookay
That was different. But an interesting different. I enjoyed the twists and turns with so many suspects. I only got one thing right....who was the undercover police. Hannah is funny and good at both a chef and detective. The next one should be just as interesting.
That was different. But an interesting different. I enjoyed the twists and turns with so many suspects. I only got one thing right....who was the undercover police. Hannah is funny and good at both a chef and detective. The next one should be just as interesting.
January 26, 2018
A nifty medium length cozy that makes for great escapism. Expect lots of twists and red herrings and suspects coming out of the woodwork. There's even a big old dog who has hidden talent. Don't expect CSI or something technical, just good old sleuthing by all of the good guys.
April 13, 2018
Fantastic!
LOVED IT!! Drive my husband crazy because each time he looked I'm reading your book. It is fast paced and each time I thought I knew what was going on I found out I was wrong. I look forward to reading more of your work.
LOVED IT!! Drive my husband crazy because each time he looked I'm reading your book. It is fast paced and each time I thought I knew what was going on I found out I was wrong. I look forward to reading more of your work.
August 5, 2018
Good read. First for this author. Kept me on my toes .
I sure had the wrong guy picked as the Gillian. I just knew it was ducky. Boy was I wrong.
I sure had the wrong guy picked as the Gillian. I just knew it was ducky. Boy was I wrong.
Want to read
October 18, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/18/2019)! 🎁
June 16, 2015
What a wonderful story tellar
The second book in the series is a fantastic read. The story takes you on a wonderful tour of the food trade and smuggling. All the great characters from book one tell a little more about their lives and we get to meet the grandparents in this book. They put a lot of humor into the story. The author keeps you guessing on who is behind all the murders and if these wonderful characters are going to live for another book. Make sure to read book one. I can't wait for book 3 in this series.
The second book in the series is a fantastic read. The story takes you on a wonderful tour of the food trade and smuggling. All the great characters from book one tell a little more about their lives and we get to meet the grandparents in this book. They put a lot of humor into the story. The author keeps you guessing on who is behind all the murders and if these wonderful characters are going to live for another book. Make sure to read book one. I can't wait for book 3 in this series.
December 16, 2019
Awesome read
I cannot get enough of Hannah , Hymn , Grandparents and her friends!!! Another Great Adventure!! Going to get the next book -- if you have not read this series you are missing out on some great mysteries!!
I cannot get enough of Hannah , Hymn , Grandparents and her friends!!! Another Great Adventure!! Going to get the next book -- if you have not read this series you are missing out on some great mysteries!!
November 3, 2014
Diamonds not Girls best friend
I love this character and her new love and of course who can resist her grandparents. Hannah is indeed living the dream. I can't wait for the next installment of Hannah and her adventures as a food critic aka investigator. just don't start the book when you have something you're supposed to do!
I love this character and her new love and of course who can resist her grandparents. Hannah is indeed living the dream. I can't wait for the next installment of Hannah and her adventures as a food critic aka investigator. just don't start the book when you have something you're supposed to do!
July 9, 2019
The Billionaire Chef
I really enjoyed this book. I’m sure you will also.
There’s several characters that are after Hannah. She narrowly escaped the bad people, but is unsure of which people they are.
Great read with you feeling as though you’re in the thick of the drama.
Oh, did I mention her hot boyfriend?
I really enjoyed this book. I’m sure you will also.
There’s several characters that are after Hannah. She narrowly escaped the bad people, but is unsure of which people they are.
Great read with you feeling as though you’re in the thick of the drama.
Oh, did I mention her hot boyfriend?
October 18, 2019
Hannah was asked to be a judge at a competition, in which an old boyfriend, and a known chef will be at. He fell from a 4th floor, and then someone again in the hospital to kill him. He was known for the mushrooms / diamonds he was known to work with. Finding there was gambling debts and what else. Good series, and good character in Hannah.
February 25, 2016
This is horrible can't even get through the second chapter
Horrible. Sorry I try to encourage New writers but I'm glad I didn't pay for this one. Who cares about her grand parents and all the stupid nicknames. Ingram their given names are query enough.
Horrible. Sorry I try to encourage New writers but I'm glad I didn't pay for this one. Who cares about her grand parents and all the stupid nicknames. Ingram their given names are query enough.
October 31, 2019
Oh dear! A murder mystery about truffles and diamonds! Characters with so weird last names. So what's not to like?
Answer: This book!
Answer: This book!
March 26, 2016
3,5 / 5
January 1, 2016
good cozy series
April 20, 2017
good
Good this book is one that keeps you guessing and reading all the way to the end it is part of a great series burst not a cliffhanger
Good this book is one that keeps you guessing and reading all the way to the end it is part of a great series burst not a cliffhanger
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews