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Angie & Friends Food & Spirits Mystery #1
Cooking Spirits: An Angie & Friends Food & Spirits Mystery
Culinary queen Angie Amalfi has put aside her gourmet utensils to concentrate on planning her upcoming wedding to San Francisco homicide detective Paavo Smith. What could possibly go wrong?
Instead of the answer to her heart's dreams, she scrambles to deal with wedding planners with bizarre ideas, wedding dresses that don't flatter, squabbling relatives with hurt feelings, a long-suffering groom, and worries over where she and Paavo will live after the wedding. But all of that pales when Angie finds the perfect house for them, except for one little problem--the house may be haunted.
Many years ago, the newlyweds who lived in the house were murdered, and the case was never solved. While Angie pursues what happened to the couple who now may be haunting the house, Paavo obsesses over his own case involving the murder of unlikely lovers. The trail leads to ghosts, murders, unhappy families, and enough obnoxious wedding buttinskis to fill a graveyard. But when eerie happenings turn deadly, Angie fears she may be spirited away for good!
Instead of the answer to her heart's dreams, she scrambles to deal with wedding planners with bizarre ideas, wedding dresses that don't flatter, squabbling relatives with hurt feelings, a long-suffering groom, and worries over where she and Paavo will live after the wedding. But all of that pales when Angie finds the perfect house for them, except for one little problem--the house may be haunted.
Many years ago, the newlyweds who lived in the house were murdered, and the case was never solved. While Angie pursues what happened to the couple who now may be haunting the house, Paavo obsesses over his own case involving the murder of unlikely lovers. The trail leads to ghosts, murders, unhappy families, and enough obnoxious wedding buttinskis to fill a graveyard. But when eerie happenings turn deadly, Angie fears she may be spirited away for good!
236 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2013
1598 people are currently reading
1193 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Pence
76 books193 followersJoanne Pence is a USA Today best-selling and award winning author of two mystery series, contemporary and historical romance, fantasy and thrillers. She is the author of the Angie Amalfi culinary mystery series, which is still in print after twenty years, and now has 15 books (the latest, COOKING SPIRITS was an April 2013 release), and a novella (Cook's Christmas Capers, Dec. 2013). She has just begun a new series, the Rebecca Mayfield mysteries. ONE O'CLOCK HUSTLE is the first full-length novel, and THE THIRTEENTH SANTA is a novella which shows how the two main characters met.
Joanne's books have won many awards and honors, including RWA's Golden Heart and Rita Award nominations, the Independent Book Seller's Golden Quill, the Daphne du Maurier award, the Willa Cather Literary Award in Historical Fiction (for DANCE WITH A GUNFIGHTER), and the Idaho Top Fiction Award for ANCIENT ECHOES.
Joanne was born and raised in San Francisco and now makes her home in the foothills of Boise. She has been president of the Boise chapter of Sisters in Crime, a founder and board member of the Popular Fiction Association of Idaho, and founding member and current board member of the Idaho Writers Guild. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a master's degree in journalism, Joanne has written for magazines, worked for the federal government, and taught school in Japan.
Joanne's books have won many awards and honors, including RWA's Golden Heart and Rita Award nominations, the Independent Book Seller's Golden Quill, the Daphne du Maurier award, the Willa Cather Literary Award in Historical Fiction (for DANCE WITH A GUNFIGHTER), and the Idaho Top Fiction Award for ANCIENT ECHOES.
Joanne was born and raised in San Francisco and now makes her home in the foothills of Boise. She has been president of the Boise chapter of Sisters in Crime, a founder and board member of the Popular Fiction Association of Idaho, and founding member and current board member of the Idaho Writers Guild. A graduate of U.C. Berkeley with a master's degree in journalism, Joanne has written for magazines, worked for the federal government, and taught school in Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
November 6, 2020
Another good story
I enjoyed this mystery. I like Angie and Paavo. There were two cases going on and both were interesting. Only Angie would pick a house with a cold case attached to it. Glad there are a few more books in the series for me to read. Recipes included at the end.
I enjoyed this mystery. I like Angie and Paavo. There were two cases going on and both were interesting. Only Angie would pick a house with a cold case attached to it. Glad there are a few more books in the series for me to read. Recipes included at the end.
April 14, 2013
I won this book on good reads.
Fantastic !!!stayed up all night reading this one. We all say could not put this one down, we'll this one I promise you can't. Just so happy I was one of the lucky winners.
Fantastic !!!stayed up all night reading this one. We all say could not put this one down, we'll this one I promise you can't. Just so happy I was one of the lucky winners.
March 30, 2018
Cute and breezy cozy. Fun characters. And even though this is book 15 in a series I did not feel lost. The author gave enough info to keep me involved.
November 25, 2019
Angie is planning for her wedding (sort of) and finds the perfect house for herself and Paavo to live in after they are married. But strange things are happening at that house, and maybe, just maybe, it is haunted. Two people were murdered (the former occupants) 3o years ago just outside the house.
Meanwhile, Paavo is dealing with a double murder of his own. One that has more twists and turns than anyone expected.
I like the Angie Amalfi series, and this is sort of a spin-off of the regular series. Recipes at the end. I thought Paavo's double-murder resolution was a bit of a stretch but the story was still enjoyable.
Meanwhile, Paavo is dealing with a double murder of his own. One that has more twists and turns than anyone expected.
I like the Angie Amalfi series, and this is sort of a spin-off of the regular series. Recipes at the end. I thought Paavo's double-murder resolution was a bit of a stretch but the story was still enjoyable.
November 20, 2017
Cold Case Files
Angie and Paavo, her Homiside detective fiance, are nearing their wedding but many decisions are left to be made. On of those decisions is where they will live. Angie begins looking into houses and falls in love with one that seems to be haunted. Everyone knows there is no such thing as ghosts but what is happening?
Angie and Paavo, her Homiside detective fiance, are nearing their wedding but many decisions are left to be made. On of those decisions is where they will live. Angie begins looking into houses and falls in love with one that seems to be haunted. Everyone knows there is no such thing as ghosts but what is happening?
Read
October 25, 2019Misleading title, nothing to do with cooking! Could not finish, tediously boring pathetic, depressing, unlikeable characters. Ridiculous never-ending round of wedding planners. Going nowhere story just overcame my patience!
August 4, 2017
The last few chapters I read non-stop as the author hooked me into the mystery. It was a fun book to read with intertwining story lines and relationships.
January 2, 2021
Immediately disliked main character, Angie Amalfi, a snooty, stuck up, pretentious woman; and I can't read or like stories with that type of character. No matter how good the story could be, all I keep wishing, throughout, is that the killer knocks her off, and puts the reader out of misery. Not my type of mystery.
September 24, 2015
Angie Amalfi is planning her Wedding to Paavo Smith a Homicide Detective.
What could go wrong? Angie is having problems finding a Wedding planner, a dress that flatters her and squabbling relatives with hurt feelinggs. Worried about where thhey will live after the Wedding she decides they should buy a house. She finds the perfect house. Only problem it hasn't been lived in in thirty years and it might be haunted. Many years ago the Newlyweds who rented the house were murdered on the property. Angie decides to try to find who killed them and why? While Paavo is obsessed with his own case of the murder of an unlikely couple. The trail leads to ghosts, murders, unhappy families and some obnoxious wedding guests. But when the eerie happenings get deadly Angie fears she might disappear for good.
What could go wrong? Angie is having problems finding a Wedding planner, a dress that flatters her and squabbling relatives with hurt feelinggs. Worried about where thhey will live after the Wedding she decides they should buy a house. She finds the perfect house. Only problem it hasn't been lived in in thirty years and it might be haunted. Many years ago the Newlyweds who rented the house were murdered on the property. Angie decides to try to find who killed them and why? While Paavo is obsessed with his own case of the murder of an unlikely couple. The trail leads to ghosts, murders, unhappy families and some obnoxious wedding guests. But when the eerie happenings get deadly Angie fears she might disappear for good.
August 28, 2018
Stay with this one...the good parts add up
I am very glad I kept reading! It was well worth it.
This author and series is new to me; I have not read the series featuring Angie the led to this new series. To be honest, I almost quit less than half way through. Angie seemed too ditzy to like, talented as a gourmet cook but clueless about other things. It appeared she manipulated Paavo into their relationship which irritated me to no end. I liked Paavo.
It was the good parts that kept me reading. The wedding planners were too funny, a very talented parody with plenty of sparks of truth, and Angie *was* wise enough to show them the door. That situation leads to a delightful twist at the end of the book. The homicide Paavo was dealing with fully engaged me and was very well done, not quite a police procedural, but the procedural elements included were realistic. Paavo’s reasoned and open-minded thinking as he worked through his unusual homicide case made my brain happy. Oh, and what a fantastic twist in that case! Loved it! Paavo’s brief comment near the end about a similarity between the poeple in his and Angie’s cases was thought provoking.
Slowly but surely, the murder-suicide Angie was looking into shows her true nature as an intelligent and creative thinker. Her ability to think outside the box moved her through the intriguing twists that tangled up that 30 year old cold case. I found myself fully engaged in both mysteries and really liking how Angie worked her case. I especially liked that she, through Paavo, was up front with the local police about her interest and research. (No near impossible suspension of disbelief needed in the cozy mystery side of this book.) Then there’s this quiet bit of paranormal laced through Angie’s case, leaving us wondering “is it there or not?” That too had a delightful twist as it evolved. Last but not least, by the end of this book it’s clear Angie and Paavo are portrayed realistically with individual quirks congruent with their backstories, the ability to frustrate each other, personal doubts, and best of all, genuine respect and love for one another.
The pacing is excellent. It moved fast, but not so fast I couldn’t sit back and relax and ponder through things as I read. The threads of the two mysteries, the humor, the characters’ relationships, and the paranormal elements blended seamlessly. The scene and point of view shifts between the two mysteries and the main characters were equally smooth and easy to follow. The editing was professional.
All in all, I ended up loving it! I delight in mysteries (two here!), humor, paranormal fiction, multilayed plots, twisty plots, well developed characters, and clean reads. This is true storytelling. I will be back to read more books by this writer. Thank you Joanne Pence!
I am very glad I kept reading! It was well worth it.
This author and series is new to me; I have not read the series featuring Angie the led to this new series. To be honest, I almost quit less than half way through. Angie seemed too ditzy to like, talented as a gourmet cook but clueless about other things. It appeared she manipulated Paavo into their relationship which irritated me to no end. I liked Paavo.
It was the good parts that kept me reading. The wedding planners were too funny, a very talented parody with plenty of sparks of truth, and Angie *was* wise enough to show them the door. That situation leads to a delightful twist at the end of the book. The homicide Paavo was dealing with fully engaged me and was very well done, not quite a police procedural, but the procedural elements included were realistic. Paavo’s reasoned and open-minded thinking as he worked through his unusual homicide case made my brain happy. Oh, and what a fantastic twist in that case! Loved it! Paavo’s brief comment near the end about a similarity between the poeple in his and Angie’s cases was thought provoking.
Slowly but surely, the murder-suicide Angie was looking into shows her true nature as an intelligent and creative thinker. Her ability to think outside the box moved her through the intriguing twists that tangled up that 30 year old cold case. I found myself fully engaged in both mysteries and really liking how Angie worked her case. I especially liked that she, through Paavo, was up front with the local police about her interest and research. (No near impossible suspension of disbelief needed in the cozy mystery side of this book.) Then there’s this quiet bit of paranormal laced through Angie’s case, leaving us wondering “is it there or not?” That too had a delightful twist as it evolved. Last but not least, by the end of this book it’s clear Angie and Paavo are portrayed realistically with individual quirks congruent with their backstories, the ability to frustrate each other, personal doubts, and best of all, genuine respect and love for one another.
The pacing is excellent. It moved fast, but not so fast I couldn’t sit back and relax and ponder through things as I read. The threads of the two mysteries, the humor, the characters’ relationships, and the paranormal elements blended seamlessly. The scene and point of view shifts between the two mysteries and the main characters were equally smooth and easy to follow. The editing was professional.
All in all, I ended up loving it! I delight in mysteries (two here!), humor, paranormal fiction, multilayed plots, twisty plots, well developed characters, and clean reads. This is true storytelling. I will be back to read more books by this writer. Thank you Joanne Pence!
March 3, 2017
Angie Amalfi is at it again, playing detective with some help from her fiance Paavo Smith.
Angie is trying to get things together for her wedding in four months, but still hasn't even found her wedding dress. She is looking at houses with her realtor sister Cat, so her and Paavo have a place to call her own. Angie doesn't feel that Paavo will want to live in her apartment in her father's building, and Paavo's house isn't even big enough to hold her shoe collection.
Paavo and his partner Yosh are working a double homicide, so Paavo can't house hunt with Angie.
Angie finds the perfect house that hasn't had anyone living in it for 30 years. The place has a history her sister doesn't want to reveal, a couple who rented the giant home were murdered out in the yard. The police called it a murder suicide. Angie wants the house because it is affordable, huge, and awesome views. While she was in the house with her neighbor things started getting thrown around and moving. Angie decides to play detective with the house, while going through tons of wedding planners that all just suck. Will she get her act together for the wedding, and get the house of her dreams, or will it all be a horrid nightmare?
Angie is trying to get things together for her wedding in four months, but still hasn't even found her wedding dress. She is looking at houses with her realtor sister Cat, so her and Paavo have a place to call her own. Angie doesn't feel that Paavo will want to live in her apartment in her father's building, and Paavo's house isn't even big enough to hold her shoe collection.
Paavo and his partner Yosh are working a double homicide, so Paavo can't house hunt with Angie.
Angie finds the perfect house that hasn't had anyone living in it for 30 years. The place has a history her sister doesn't want to reveal, a couple who rented the giant home were murdered out in the yard. The police called it a murder suicide. Angie wants the house because it is affordable, huge, and awesome views. While she was in the house with her neighbor things started getting thrown around and moving. Angie decides to play detective with the house, while going through tons of wedding planners that all just suck. Will she get her act together for the wedding, and get the house of her dreams, or will it all be a horrid nightmare?
June 30, 2017
Fabulous cook, Angie Amalfi, has a lot on her plate – pun intended. She’s trying to plan her wedding, dealing with jealous friends and bickering sisters, and in love with a house that may or may not be haunted. Good thing her SFPD Inspector fiancé Paavo is the level-headed one in the relationship or Angie’s imagination might just cause her to get herself killed while trying to investigate a thirty-year-old double murder.
Just as my synopsis indicates, there’s a lot going on in Cooking Spirits – several subplots, as a matter of fact. That’s what makes this book so compelling. I loved this book! It’s quirky, fun, and interesting, with a touch of the paranormal thrown in. The characters were all extremely likable. I was drawn in quickly, from the very start of the book and I read it in a day just because I was so curious about how things would end. And…the ending was perfect!
This is the first book I’ve read by Joanne Pence, but definitely not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing (the editing could have used a final once-over to be honest, however). I’m now a Joanne Pence fan!
5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, https://ebookreviewgal.com
Just as my synopsis indicates, there’s a lot going on in Cooking Spirits – several subplots, as a matter of fact. That’s what makes this book so compelling. I loved this book! It’s quirky, fun, and interesting, with a touch of the paranormal thrown in. The characters were all extremely likable. I was drawn in quickly, from the very start of the book and I read it in a day just because I was so curious about how things would end. And…the ending was perfect!
This is the first book I’ve read by Joanne Pence, but definitely not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing (the editing could have used a final once-over to be honest, however). I’m now a Joanne Pence fan!
5 of 5 Stars, Review by Susan Barton, https://ebookreviewgal.com
December 10, 2019
If Cooking Spirits had not opened with a murder it is not a book I would have finished. I did not understand the characters, the overall plot of the characters relationships, and the humor was mild at best.
Angie is getting married in a few months and neither of them have housing that works for two. Determined to find the perfect place to live Angie goes house hunting with her realtor sister. After hours of looking Angie sees a listing for the perfect house and quickly convinces her sister to take her there. Oddly enough the house is perfect and the little things like the candy jar moving can be ignored. Soon Angie finds herself enthralled with the house's history while her fiance works to solve a double homicide.
After I finished Cooking Spirits I found out it is a spin off series with the main series having fourteen books which is most likely why I struggled to understand things in Cooking Spirits. Since the writing came off as average with no real character I feel in love with I wont be pursuing the next book or the books in the previous series.
Angie is getting married in a few months and neither of them have housing that works for two. Determined to find the perfect place to live Angie goes house hunting with her realtor sister. After hours of looking Angie sees a listing for the perfect house and quickly convinces her sister to take her there. Oddly enough the house is perfect and the little things like the candy jar moving can be ignored. Soon Angie finds herself enthralled with the house's history while her fiance works to solve a double homicide.
After I finished Cooking Spirits I found out it is a spin off series with the main series having fourteen books which is most likely why I struggled to understand things in Cooking Spirits. Since the writing came off as average with no real character I feel in love with I wont be pursuing the next book or the books in the previous series.
February 9, 2018
Angie's nerves are on edge as she tries and fails time and again to find a compatible wedding planner. To sidestep the issue, she goes house-hunting to find a place for her and Paavo to live after their wedding. And she finds the perfect home in prime location with an unobstructed view of the ocean for a rock bottom price. The only problem? It seems to be haunted. Instead of planning her wedding, Angie digs up the background on the house that has been vacant for nearly thirty years and has had several contracts fall through. Meanwhile, Paavo investigates a murder that is eventually linked to another two weeks later, and both people worked for the same company. His dogged investigation turns up some surprising characters.
This was a great story, a good clean read, with a lot of twists and turns. I'd have to say that both plots in the book were equally engaging. This book was at one time #15 in a series, but is now the opening to a new series.
This was a great story, a good clean read, with a lot of twists and turns. I'd have to say that both plots in the book were equally engaging. This book was at one time #15 in a series, but is now the opening to a new series.
August 6, 2018
Another new cozy mystery series
Seems like there are a lot of authors wanting in on the cozy mystery genre. This first book in this series uses characters from a previous series by the same author. Angie is supposed to be a gourmet cook but her culinary skills are minimally explored in this book. Much of it is devoted to her wedding plans as she is engaged to Paavo, a police detective. He is investigating current murders while she is investigating murders that took place 30 years ago on the grounds of a house she would like to buy for them to live in after the wedding. Is the house really haunted or is someone trying to scare off potential buyers? The mysteries old and new are easy to figure out. Not all the questions are answered but I can't say more without spoilers. The story is complete and one doesn't have to read the previous Angie Amalfie series to start this one. The characters are likeable enough and the writing is competent.
Seems like there are a lot of authors wanting in on the cozy mystery genre. This first book in this series uses characters from a previous series by the same author. Angie is supposed to be a gourmet cook but her culinary skills are minimally explored in this book. Much of it is devoted to her wedding plans as she is engaged to Paavo, a police detective. He is investigating current murders while she is investigating murders that took place 30 years ago on the grounds of a house she would like to buy for them to live in after the wedding. Is the house really haunted or is someone trying to scare off potential buyers? The mysteries old and new are easy to figure out. Not all the questions are answered but I can't say more without spoilers. The story is complete and one doesn't have to read the previous Angie Amalfie series to start this one. The characters are likeable enough and the writing is competent.
September 8, 2018
Kobo ebook with kindle cover illustration - isbn 9780615779416
I think I was expecting a typical 'cosy' mystery - but whatever the actual definition of such this book subverts it, being close to a standard detective/procedural novel, albeit one with an amateur sleuth, who is engaged to a homicide detective, with added elements. Angie's culinary background comes in - and there are some recipes as extras - but this is at hearty a cracking good yarn. Seeking to buy a house for their married life Angie finds a remarkable bargain with the drawback that the house seems to be haunted. While her fiancé solves a modern day murder (not a simple matter in itself) Angie starts to unravel a thirty year old cold case associated with the house...
This is the first in a series but Angie has had some 15 earlier mysteries - and the astonishingly prolific author has several other series to her name, at least some of which I'll be sampling.
I think I was expecting a typical 'cosy' mystery - but whatever the actual definition of such this book subverts it, being close to a standard detective/procedural novel, albeit one with an amateur sleuth, who is engaged to a homicide detective, with added elements. Angie's culinary background comes in - and there are some recipes as extras - but this is at hearty a cracking good yarn. Seeking to buy a house for their married life Angie finds a remarkable bargain with the drawback that the house seems to be haunted. While her fiancé solves a modern day murder (not a simple matter in itself) Angie starts to unravel a thirty year old cold case associated with the house...
This is the first in a series but Angie has had some 15 earlier mysteries - and the astonishingly prolific author has several other series to her name, at least some of which I'll be sampling.
March 27, 2024
This was an okay book; cute, fun, and fast.
The murder mysteries (one current and one 30 years old) were very good. More further down in the review*.
The characters were rather stereotypical. The main character and her four sisters were all exceedingly rich, Italian girls living in California. The male lead was a strong, silent, loner police detective.
The writing seemed amateurish.
Unfortunately, the story wasn't memorable. I had read this relatively recently but couldn't remember enough to write a review. *As I read, I still didn't remember most of it. I did remember the twist with the current murder, when the cops encountered cats. This means that I can't say if the murders were unique or derivative.
All that said, it's a junk-food read, but not my preferred junk-food.
The murder mysteries (one current and one 30 years old) were very good. More further down in the review*.
The characters were rather stereotypical. The main character and her four sisters were all exceedingly rich, Italian girls living in California. The male lead was a strong, silent, loner police detective.
The writing seemed amateurish.
Unfortunately, the story wasn't memorable. I had read this relatively recently but couldn't remember enough to write a review. *As I read, I still didn't remember most of it. I did remember the twist with the current murder, when the cops encountered cats. This means that I can't say if the murders were unique or derivative.
All that said, it's a junk-food read, but not my preferred junk-food.
February 27, 2018
Anigie and the Paranormal
Like most modern women Angie knows there is no such thing as ghosts, but . . . That is the point of the story. Is there truth to the paranormal we like to read about? She is getting married and now worries about living in her father's building with her new husband. As her fiancé struggles with one then 2 people from a company that are found dead, she begins to house hunt with her realtor sister. It is easy to demand to see a house that is way under priced, but as she keeps including friends and family in the return trips to a house she loves, things get spooky. It turns out not one but 3 people who lived there died right outside the house. Who is haunting the house and what really happened there? Very entertaining!
Like most modern women Angie knows there is no such thing as ghosts, but . . . That is the point of the story. Is there truth to the paranormal we like to read about? She is getting married and now worries about living in her father's building with her new husband. As her fiancé struggles with one then 2 people from a company that are found dead, she begins to house hunt with her realtor sister. It is easy to demand to see a house that is way under priced, but as she keeps including friends and family in the return trips to a house she loves, things get spooky. It turns out not one but 3 people who lived there died right outside the house. Who is haunting the house and what really happened there? Very entertaining!
April 16, 2021
Currently unemployed chef Angie Analog and her fiance, SFPD Homicide Inspector Paavo Smith are getting married in four months. While Paavo is busy with a case Angie is trying to find a wedding planner and a place to live. Paavo's house is too small and she is worried her penthouse apartment, in a building owned by her father, might be a hard transition for Pasco.
Although she is having a hard time finding a wedding planner, she just may have found a dream house. But, the dream might just be a nightmare.
The story gets a little repetitive and a little confusing in places but overall the story is pretty good. It has a couple of different mysteries, several interesting friends and family members, a possible haunting, and lots of humor.
Although she is having a hard time finding a wedding planner, she just may have found a dream house. But, the dream might just be a nightmare.
The story gets a little repetitive and a little confusing in places but overall the story is pretty good. It has a couple of different mysteries, several interesting friends and family members, a possible haunting, and lots of humor.
May 7, 2017
The last wasn't the palate cleanser I'd intended, so decided to figure out what was going on with her culinary mystery of sorts series. Which seems to have kind of ended-ish and branched into a couple of others, with this the debut of a rebranding into something cozier and sillier featuring the same characters. So... the primary mystery side is now fulfilled by fiancé Paavo the SF homicide inspector and is actually reasonably interesting if also abridged and manufactured, while Angie gets caught up with wedding plans and, possibly, a haunted house. Which is apparently the new ongoing gimmick. Huh.
June 30, 2017
The cooking aspect is not as apparent as in earlier books in this series, and poor Angie is still trying to find herself professionally, but she still has plenty to do with planning her wedding to police detective Paavo, and finding a house for them to live in after the wedding. The house hunt is complicated by the fact that the house she finds that is affordable and in a suitable neighborhood seems to be haunted by the ghosts of a couple killed on the grounds. In an attempt to quiet the ghosts, Angie decides to solve the murders, while Paavo is working on his own case. Another quick and fun read.
September 19, 2018
Great mystery
Multiple murders. Read this one not realizing it was the 15th in the series! The series obviously doesn't need to be read in order as I didn't feel confused or that I had missed any part of the background stories with the main characters. Multiple murders, simultaneous investigations, lots of crazy twists and turns, a paranormal mystery clouded by a cold case murder from 3 decades ago, and a stressful wedding to plan thrown in the middle. Great book! Will probably read the others at some point!
Multiple murders. Read this one not realizing it was the 15th in the series! The series obviously doesn't need to be read in order as I didn't feel confused or that I had missed any part of the background stories with the main characters. Multiple murders, simultaneous investigations, lots of crazy twists and turns, a paranormal mystery clouded by a cold case murder from 3 decades ago, and a stressful wedding to plan thrown in the middle. Great book! Will probably read the others at some point!
July 1, 2017
A fantastic house with a stupendous view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay, but something was wrong. The price was much too low for that property and there was a good reason. The heroine and her policeman boyfriend find themselves investigating not one, but two murders. And one in particular involved the house they were hoping to purchase.
A fast paced double mystery. Well written with likable characters. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy it.
A fast paced double mystery. Well written with likable characters. Cozy mystery fans will enjoy it.
March 2, 2018
Angie is engaged to an homicide cop and is looking for a home for themselves after they marry. She finds the perfect house at an unbelievably low price but it has been empty for 30 years. Why? Turns out the last tenants were murdered and rumour has it it is haunted. When Angie starts looking into the dead couple she is able to solve the cold case. A good read, interesting plot and characters.
July 22, 2018
A marvelous, enchanting, funny tale of mystery and adventure!
It is a beautiful, easy flowing narrative of "what does she do for a living" Angie , her fiance homicide detective Paavo and their combined but separate escapades of both striving hard to resolve their respective double murders! Their rollercoaster exploits bring on smiles and laughter to the readers , keep them glued to the pages and make it an unforgettable and enjoyable reading experience!
It is a beautiful, easy flowing narrative of "what does she do for a living" Angie , her fiance homicide detective Paavo and their combined but separate escapades of both striving hard to resolve their respective double murders! Their rollercoaster exploits bring on smiles and laughter to the readers , keep them glued to the pages and make it an unforgettable and enjoyable reading experience!
July 25, 2018
Love, wedding plans, a new home for the young couple.
Entertaining story of love, murders to solve, past and present, wedding planning, and a large Italian family to cope with and adore. What more could a young couple ask for...Maybe a haunted house they are planning to buy? Funny quirks, crazy friends, nosey sisters make life interesting and this book a feel good, sweet but not syrupy read.
A few editing issues does not prevent the pleasure of the story.
Entertaining story of love, murders to solve, past and present, wedding planning, and a large Italian family to cope with and adore. What more could a young couple ask for...Maybe a haunted house they are planning to buy? Funny quirks, crazy friends, nosey sisters make life interesting and this book a feel good, sweet but not syrupy read.
A few editing issues does not prevent the pleasure of the story.
July 30, 2018
Haunted or not
Very well written. Character's developed nicely. Interesting characters. The ending was a complete surprise. Never saw it coming in a million years. Lots of fun and family made it interesting. Can't wait to read some others. The twists and turns are amazing and not ones that y o u would ever think of. Three murders in one book or was it four and how strange they are. Really a lot of fun and most enjoyable.
Very well written. Character's developed nicely. Interesting characters. The ending was a complete surprise. Never saw it coming in a million years. Lots of fun and family made it interesting. Can't wait to read some others. The twists and turns are amazing and not ones that y o u would ever think of. Three murders in one book or was it four and how strange they are. Really a lot of fun and most enjoyable.
July 30, 2018
Good Mystery, two for the price of one and a Romance with smart learning points.
Rating chosen because it is well written, well edited and held the reader's interest through the whole book. The plots were varied and very unusual with possible ghosts, wedding planning difficulties, hard to determine death lab results and what families should and should not do for each other. Thank you for not over doing the sex.
Rating chosen because it is well written, well edited and held the reader's interest through the whole book. The plots were varied and very unusual with possible ghosts, wedding planning difficulties, hard to determine death lab results and what families should and should not do for each other. Thank you for not over doing the sex.
December 30, 2018
Okay, but generally felt more like a first (or early) novel, not something written after the site had published a dozen plus previously. The characters are flat and I'd correctly guessed the modern day murderer about halfway through. There's also a cold case murder being "investigated" by Angie - the unemployed rich girl main character who likes to cook but does almost no cooking in the story. I don't think I'd bother with any more stories from this author.
August 23, 2019
Fab
After reading some, good, graphic thriller mysteries, it was a delight to discover a new author to read. This book contains warmth, humour and two good mysteries in one. A cold case, and a current on going one her Police Officer fiance is trying to solve. Angela discovers a house they wish to buy has an unsolved murder/suicide case from the past. I loved the characters and a good read.
After reading some, good, graphic thriller mysteries, it was a delight to discover a new author to read. This book contains warmth, humour and two good mysteries in one. A cold case, and a current on going one her Police Officer fiance is trying to solve. Angela discovers a house they wish to buy has an unsolved murder/suicide case from the past. I loved the characters and a good read.
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