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A Massacre of Chefs.: A Delicious Washington D.C. Murder Mystery.
A dark edgy and raunchy tale of Culinary jealousy and intrigue. Delicious creativity that you can taste coming from every page. Set in the 1980s, a cheating Senator, master Chefs fighting for their lives, and Culinary Jealosy. Murder and mayhem and plenty of D.C. Drama written by a Washington culinary insider, who tasted each and every dish, and who is actually in the story. Guess who?
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 23, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 24, 2021
Sorprendente... This was an amazing read. Era delizioso dall'inizio alla fine. The description of the book definitely lives up to it and just as my previous read the book kept me hooked from beginning to the end (much appreciated). Who is the killer, I kept asking myself, it's really a hard one to figure out.
Murder, suspense, mistresses, jealousy and fine dishes was what attracted me to this and it's exactly what I got. All elements of suspense were met in this read and I very much appreciated the red herrings, they kept me on my toes. I'm trying my best not to add spoilers to this and I'm failing on all ends.
The author did an excellent job with it and not once did it disappoint me. A huge thank you to the author and BookTasters for this opportunity. Grazie mille, meraviglioso leggere questo
Murder, suspense, mistresses, jealousy and fine dishes was what attracted me to this and it's exactly what I got. All elements of suspense were met in this read and I very much appreciated the red herrings, they kept me on my toes. I'm trying my best not to add spoilers to this and I'm failing on all ends.
The author did an excellent job with it and not once did it disappoint me. A huge thank you to the author and BookTasters for this opportunity. Grazie mille, meraviglioso leggere questo
February 6, 2021
This book offers a look behind the curtains at the competitive and fascinating lives of fine dining chefs.
I wanted very much to like this story, as food in fiction is a favourite of mine. The descriptions of meals and menus were written well, as were the crime scenes.
However, the book itself needed quite a bit of editing. Formatting, spelling, and grammar issues slowed down my reading pace.
The setting was believable. A little more character development would've brought the characters to life.
The book's plot is dark and intriguing - I think there is much potential in this story.
I wanted very much to like this story, as food in fiction is a favourite of mine. The descriptions of meals and menus were written well, as were the crime scenes.
However, the book itself needed quite a bit of editing. Formatting, spelling, and grammar issues slowed down my reading pace.
The setting was believable. A little more character development would've brought the characters to life.
The book's plot is dark and intriguing - I think there is much potential in this story.
February 23, 2021
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Mysteries, whodunnits, crime thrillers, call them what you will, books about who killed whom and why are amazingly popular, presenting themselves by the thousands every year. That they don’t all sound exactly the same by now (the genre is as old as the printing press and has been gaining in popularity since before the Civil War) is a tribute to both the creativity of authors and the inventiveness of murderers.
Thaddeus Arjuna’s A Massacre of Chefs succeeds at contriving a new central idea – chefs, not just cooks but genuine chefs, are being murdered all over Washington DC, in ways that are gruesomely tied to their most famous signature dishes. Anyone familiar with the trappings of a full commercial kitchen can imagine the gory possibilities, especially if your signature dish involves a spit-roasted animal of some sort…
The book is well-paced, whoever the killer is doesn’t believe in much of a cooling off period between murders. The chief detective on the case, Peter Hanks, is on the brink of tearing out his hair as every phone call seems to bring a report of a new body found. To add to his woes, his boss, Chief Harry Swanson, is getting tips from well-known restaurant critic, Phyllis Horner and he must keep that quiet too. Especially since the chief and the reporter seem to be dating. The homicide division used to be so much simpler.
The Massacre of Chefs does have a few minor problems. Character development could be more expansive. It’s not difficult to lose track of who is talking to whom where sometimes, and the characters would be easier to care about if we knew a little more about them. The characters may be “minor” in the roles they play in the restaurants where they work, but they are important to the story and would be well served with more description and depth. Much the same applies to the chef victims – as entertaining as their manner of death was it was hard to care too much about the death itself.
Still, the book has more going for it than against it. In addition to the novel concept and clean presentation of the events, it contains an excellent evocation of the local color of the restaurant scene in the nation’s capitol. The author’s background in the culinary arts shows in the descriptions of dishes and techniques. It’s not quite a banquet, but it does provide a satisfying meal for the mystery lover.
Mysteries, whodunnits, crime thrillers, call them what you will, books about who killed whom and why are amazingly popular, presenting themselves by the thousands every year. That they don’t all sound exactly the same by now (the genre is as old as the printing press and has been gaining in popularity since before the Civil War) is a tribute to both the creativity of authors and the inventiveness of murderers.
Thaddeus Arjuna’s A Massacre of Chefs succeeds at contriving a new central idea – chefs, not just cooks but genuine chefs, are being murdered all over Washington DC, in ways that are gruesomely tied to their most famous signature dishes. Anyone familiar with the trappings of a full commercial kitchen can imagine the gory possibilities, especially if your signature dish involves a spit-roasted animal of some sort…
The book is well-paced, whoever the killer is doesn’t believe in much of a cooling off period between murders. The chief detective on the case, Peter Hanks, is on the brink of tearing out his hair as every phone call seems to bring a report of a new body found. To add to his woes, his boss, Chief Harry Swanson, is getting tips from well-known restaurant critic, Phyllis Horner and he must keep that quiet too. Especially since the chief and the reporter seem to be dating. The homicide division used to be so much simpler.
The Massacre of Chefs does have a few minor problems. Character development could be more expansive. It’s not difficult to lose track of who is talking to whom where sometimes, and the characters would be easier to care about if we knew a little more about them. The characters may be “minor” in the roles they play in the restaurants where they work, but they are important to the story and would be well served with more description and depth. Much the same applies to the chef victims – as entertaining as their manner of death was it was hard to care too much about the death itself.
Still, the book has more going for it than against it. In addition to the novel concept and clean presentation of the events, it contains an excellent evocation of the local color of the restaurant scene in the nation’s capitol. The author’s background in the culinary arts shows in the descriptions of dishes and techniques. It’s not quite a banquet, but it does provide a satisfying meal for the mystery lover.
January 9, 2021
This manuscript needs some heavy editing. The format is disjointed, there are misspelled words and grammatical errors. The most irritating is the tendency with dialogue to jump back and forth repeatedly from past to present tense. The thought behind the plot is imaginative, though for me, quite distasteful – chefs being murdered in the fashion of their cooked specialties. Think in terms of a chef being turned into sashimi, or a stew.
The book was written by a chef, although that fact really needs no mention. The book dedicates a page to describe the difference between Chablis and Chardonnay. When the first chef victim falls, skewered like shish kabob, the author has an investigating policeman say that Prime Plus, the chef’s restaurant, serves mint butter with bread, and therefore the chef probably deserves to be killed. When writing descriptions of characters, many authors will say, “He was a heavy-set man, about forty, with shifty eyes and a mean disposition.” Mr. Arjuna describes characters this way – “His specialty was a chicken liver pate that reeked of Armagnac and wild ramps.” It was a matter of intrigue in this book that a chef could substitute lima beans for fava beans. The murderer even dies in the end, suffocated by his own mac and cheese. The book fairly overwhelms with chef language.
There are many aspects to this book that some might like, but which I didn’t care for. Characters are introduced, barely established, then killed off. There is gratuitous sex – partners who order rare meat are more promising that those who prefer well done. There is, to my taste, excessive profanity, and the murders are especially grisly. I give the author credit for a “Murder She Wrote” style plot and an evident knowledge of fine cooking, but the book needs some work.
The book was written by a chef, although that fact really needs no mention. The book dedicates a page to describe the difference between Chablis and Chardonnay. When the first chef victim falls, skewered like shish kabob, the author has an investigating policeman say that Prime Plus, the chef’s restaurant, serves mint butter with bread, and therefore the chef probably deserves to be killed. When writing descriptions of characters, many authors will say, “He was a heavy-set man, about forty, with shifty eyes and a mean disposition.” Mr. Arjuna describes characters this way – “His specialty was a chicken liver pate that reeked of Armagnac and wild ramps.” It was a matter of intrigue in this book that a chef could substitute lima beans for fava beans. The murderer even dies in the end, suffocated by his own mac and cheese. The book fairly overwhelms with chef language.
There are many aspects to this book that some might like, but which I didn’t care for. Characters are introduced, barely established, then killed off. There is gratuitous sex – partners who order rare meat are more promising that those who prefer well done. There is, to my taste, excessive profanity, and the murders are especially grisly. I give the author credit for a “Murder She Wrote” style plot and an evident knowledge of fine cooking, but the book needs some work.
March 15, 2021
The Murder of Chefs is a fictional literature set in DC Washington in the 80s. A mysterious serial killer is on a revenge mission, maiming, killing and decapitating chefs while the local police are hot on the killer's trail.
The book starts off with a lot of culinary jargon and food related descriptions common in the developed world of Europe and America. An African reader like me, with little knowledge of these foods, delicacies and drinks especially wines local to these areas will most likely be lost in all the beautiful descriptions the author highlights.
The author no doubt is a chef who doubles as a writer and does a beautiful job of bringing his knowledge in the kitchen to write this fictional classic. Once one is past the first chapters that harps on food and different culinary skills, the book comes to life with the beginning of the murders of chef and the police involvement. There is still however the presence of food and special sauces, recipes, food techniques, sprinkled all over the book. A foodies delight no doubt.
There is also illegal romance on the side sprinkled with a little bit of politics. I expected a big plot twist at the end to discover who the killer was but was left hanging in a cliffhanger I created for myself when the so called murderer was finally found.
The book starts off with a lot of culinary jargon and food related descriptions common in the developed world of Europe and America. An African reader like me, with little knowledge of these foods, delicacies and drinks especially wines local to these areas will most likely be lost in all the beautiful descriptions the author highlights.
The author no doubt is a chef who doubles as a writer and does a beautiful job of bringing his knowledge in the kitchen to write this fictional classic. Once one is past the first chapters that harps on food and different culinary skills, the book comes to life with the beginning of the murders of chef and the police involvement. There is still however the presence of food and special sauces, recipes, food techniques, sprinkled all over the book. A foodies delight no doubt.
There is also illegal romance on the side sprinkled with a little bit of politics. I expected a big plot twist at the end to discover who the killer was but was left hanging in a cliffhanger I created for myself when the so called murderer was finally found.
January 30, 2021
*I got this book free via Booktasters in exchange for an honest review*
A great book for those who love to read suspense and thriller. The book is well-written, with a well-planned concept. The story is based on the restaurants around Washington D.C. Chefs of the restaurants are being killed one by one by a mysterious killer. It's interesting to see the killer is 'humorous' in a way that he leaves some clue of the murder, in a poetic way. More importantly, the more a chef is murdered, the more this case becomes hazy. A chef stands out and gives the police a suspect and the book continues more. A good detective work is set here to complete the story.
Out of the mystery, the book becomes more interesting with some additional things; like the excellent way of describing the restaurants, the outstanding way of reviewing food items, etc. To summarize, I'd say this book is beyond a thriller or a simple detective story.
There were some interruptions for me regarding the writing pattern and the grammar, but I hope it'll be okay in the next edition, and it's not a big deal though. I can suggest it to everyone without hesitation who loves to read thrillers, suspense, or detective novels. And finally a big thanks to the author for this excellent piece.
A great book for those who love to read suspense and thriller. The book is well-written, with a well-planned concept. The story is based on the restaurants around Washington D.C. Chefs of the restaurants are being killed one by one by a mysterious killer. It's interesting to see the killer is 'humorous' in a way that he leaves some clue of the murder, in a poetic way. More importantly, the more a chef is murdered, the more this case becomes hazy. A chef stands out and gives the police a suspect and the book continues more. A good detective work is set here to complete the story.
Out of the mystery, the book becomes more interesting with some additional things; like the excellent way of describing the restaurants, the outstanding way of reviewing food items, etc. To summarize, I'd say this book is beyond a thriller or a simple detective story.
There were some interruptions for me regarding the writing pattern and the grammar, but I hope it'll be okay in the next edition, and it's not a big deal though. I can suggest it to everyone without hesitation who loves to read thrillers, suspense, or detective novels. And finally a big thanks to the author for this excellent piece.
January 7, 2021
The suspense was so taut, I couldn't put the book down until I was done with the story. Master chefs and a senator are killed gruesomely, throwing DC into panic. Both the Mayor and acting chief of police have their jobs on the line with every gruesome discovery of a mutilated corpse after the other.
The FBI is brought into the investigation, with the hope that their resources will bring an early breakthrough. Far from it, an FBI agent shoots an innocent immigrant in panic.
A chef from from Prime Plus restaurant, Jim White, gifts the police a suspect who turns out to be the killer.
The killer however denies the police the pleasure of a dramatic arrest, or being brought down under a hail of bullets. He chokes in his meal instead. What a lousy way to leave.
The book is beautifully written and the author brings his culinary expertise and experience to bear in telling the story.
I don't hesitate to recommend the book to fans of suspense, and lovers of good writing.
The FBI is brought into the investigation, with the hope that their resources will bring an early breakthrough. Far from it, an FBI agent shoots an innocent immigrant in panic.
A chef from from Prime Plus restaurant, Jim White, gifts the police a suspect who turns out to be the killer.
The killer however denies the police the pleasure of a dramatic arrest, or being brought down under a hail of bullets. He chokes in his meal instead. What a lousy way to leave.
The book is beautifully written and the author brings his culinary expertise and experience to bear in telling the story.
I don't hesitate to recommend the book to fans of suspense, and lovers of good writing.
February 8, 2021
The culinary scene in Washington D.C. is very competitive. People have money and are anxious to spend it on memorable meals. Each chef has a specialty and guards their secrets to making it. When one of the top chefs in the city is found murdered, the grisly nature of the crime shocks law enforcement. Who could have such anger? Soon another murder happens and the hunt for a serial killer is on.
A serial killer targeting chefs is a unique concept. The author introduces the reader to chefs, sous chefs, and assorted kitchen staff. Each of these characters could be the killer. Identifying the killer and determining motive provide a satisfying ending.
Unfortunately this book needs an editor. There are grammar and punctuation issues throughout the book. The author also needs to strengthen his use of description. By describing how a thing tastes, feels or looks, we readers relate to the story. This book entertains but doesn’t engage.
A serial killer targeting chefs is a unique concept. The author introduces the reader to chefs, sous chefs, and assorted kitchen staff. Each of these characters could be the killer. Identifying the killer and determining motive provide a satisfying ending.
Unfortunately this book needs an editor. There are grammar and punctuation issues throughout the book. The author also needs to strengthen his use of description. By describing how a thing tastes, feels or looks, we readers relate to the story. This book entertains but doesn’t engage.
February 22, 2021
I received a free copy of this book for an honest review. I went to think the author and Booktasters for the opportunity to read this book.
This book is about murders that are happening in the culinary world with all these great chefs that have different specialties. We are following many different characters from different chefs to police detectives to food blogger. Which I loved having so many different characters to follow, the only problem I had was a feel like they were not really fleshed out. You didn't really get many details about the characters but the book is short, not even 200 pages.
The story itself was good and I wanted to know who was doing these awful things to these chefs, but the flow of the book just seemed jumpy. It didn't feel like smooth flowing story. It felt more like this happened and then this happens next and then this. Still it's a good book and makes you want to get a good glass of wine to drink while reading
This book is about murders that are happening in the culinary world with all these great chefs that have different specialties. We are following many different characters from different chefs to police detectives to food blogger. Which I loved having so many different characters to follow, the only problem I had was a feel like they were not really fleshed out. You didn't really get many details about the characters but the book is short, not even 200 pages.
The story itself was good and I wanted to know who was doing these awful things to these chefs, but the flow of the book just seemed jumpy. It didn't feel like smooth flowing story. It felt more like this happened and then this happens next and then this. Still it's a good book and makes you want to get a good glass of wine to drink while reading
January 27, 2021
A Novel about a serial killer who is targetting Chefs of fine restaurants in D.C. The novel was horrific and exciting. There are so many suspicious characters. Each dead Chef adds to the mystery, who is killing the Chefs. In Each crime scene, the killer leaves a note behind that is poetic and adds more to the puzzle.
We follow the police officers trying to solve those horrific crimes and the food editor that got the chance to help the police and got t0 cover the story and fall in love with the Chief officer. We follow those two around the restaurant, and it was interesting how food reviews are written.
In this novel it was interesting to read about different restaurants in D.C. and the different specialities of the dead Chefs.
I think the writer need to work more on his writing skills, but it was enjoyable.
We follow the police officers trying to solve those horrific crimes and the food editor that got the chance to help the police and got t0 cover the story and fall in love with the Chief officer. We follow those two around the restaurant, and it was interesting how food reviews are written.
In this novel it was interesting to read about different restaurants in D.C. and the different specialities of the dead Chefs.
I think the writer need to work more on his writing skills, but it was enjoyable.
February 24, 2021
2.5 stars. This book needs an editor. There are punctuation and grammar problems throughout the book. By the end of chapter one my thoughts were, I am not sure they are using that word correctly, and this seems very disjointed, it jumps around a bit.
By the end of chapter three which is a quarter of the way through the book, I decided it jumps from person to person in a sporadic manner, which just ends up being confusing.
I will admit about halfway through the book it started to make sense, but, really halfway through the book? I start to figure out the people and the continuity? Ok...
There are no main characters, just a list of characters that may interact with other characters and there are so many that at times it is hard to remember if you have read about a character before or not…
By the end of chapter three which is a quarter of the way through the book, I decided it jumps from person to person in a sporadic manner, which just ends up being confusing.
I will admit about halfway through the book it started to make sense, but, really halfway through the book? I start to figure out the people and the continuity? Ok...
There are no main characters, just a list of characters that may interact with other characters and there are so many that at times it is hard to remember if you have read about a character before or not…
February 17, 2021
This is the most thriller story among all thriller books I've ever read. It's really creepy how all victims were killed. Literally no mercy there but that's the reason why it's called thriller hahah. The story, the plot are all well-written. All the suspense, tension and also the author's culinary expertise which adds interesting elements in the story. Along the time i read the book, i think I've doubt all the characters for any reason possible. I just couldn't make up my mind on one target. What i wish could be different is the ending. It's not like I'm not satisfied with it but I just wish it ended more brutally lol. Recommended.
January 19, 2021
Who is killing the chefs,why?
A chef is found dead and it looks like he knew the killer because there was no forced entry. The police are called in to investigate.Within a few days another chef falls,the police are baffled.They are trying to investigate,but the evidence is inconclusive. As more chefs die,the food industry is panicking,not one murder has been solved.
Until someone calls and gives the investigating team a tip,who is it?
What a thriller,but the end is leaves one dissatisfied.
A chef is found dead and it looks like he knew the killer because there was no forced entry. The police are called in to investigate.Within a few days another chef falls,the police are baffled.They are trying to investigate,but the evidence is inconclusive. As more chefs die,the food industry is panicking,not one murder has been solved.
Until someone calls and gives the investigating team a tip,who is it?
What a thriller,but the end is leaves one dissatisfied.
January 4, 2021
Honestly, I didn't expect this book to be as good as I later found it to be. This was a page turner.
Being my first book of the year, I can say it was worth the time.
The author does a nice job, creating and sustaining suspense. I found my self pausing to think, "is he guilty? " from time to time.
Every lover of mystery would find this book worthy.
Being my first book of the year, I can say it was worth the time.
The author does a nice job, creating and sustaining suspense. I found my self pausing to think, "is he guilty? " from time to time.
Every lover of mystery would find this book worthy.
February 21, 2021
An amazing read filled with suspense and thriller. I had my detective sense on while reading. Who’s killing the chefs ??
Definitely hard to figure out.
A very unique concept, and plot. It needed some editing for it’s a shame someone might miss out on this one for the punctuation, and grammer errors.
Definitely hard to figure out.
A very unique concept, and plot. It needed some editing for it’s a shame someone might miss out on this one for the punctuation, and grammer errors.
March 4, 2021
Thank you Booktasters and Thaddeus Arjuna for the e-copy of this book.
Set in the 1980's, in Washington D.C., when Top Chefs appear in the most gruesome ways, dead.
I thought the premise of the book interesting, though I didn't really cared about any of the characters and I found myself bored most of the time. There were so many characters that I was confused about who did certain things.
Set in the 1980's, in Washington D.C., when Top Chefs appear in the most gruesome ways, dead.
I thought the premise of the book interesting, though I didn't really cared about any of the characters and I found myself bored most of the time. There were so many characters that I was confused about who did certain things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2021
Idk if it's rough or revised book but I think the book needs editing to be completed. There are many grammar mistakes. Otherwise the book was not bad I think. I wish there was a fixed main protagonist so that it makes easier to remember other characters. It was brutal and had unexpected suspense. As expected from a mystery novel.
And thanks to Booktasters on Twitter for recommending this book.
And thanks to Booktasters on Twitter for recommending this book.
November 27, 2020
Who is killing chefs?
This is a master detective work. It has all the elements necessary to keep you in suspense. You have multiple options as the killer. Put your thinking cap on this one is hard to figure.
This is a master detective work. It has all the elements necessary to keep you in suspense. You have multiple options as the killer. Put your thinking cap on this one is hard to figure.
January 29, 2021
“I gotta tell you, this has a completely unsatisfying ending for me”. A quote from the book that also tells how I feel about the ending.
The beginning jumped around a lot with no rhyme or reason until someone was murdered. After the first murder he story picked up and was good.
The beginning jumped around a lot with no rhyme or reason until someone was murdered. After the first murder he story picked up and was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
I didn't know what to expect when I got this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Was in suspense the whole time and didn't figure out the ending at all
Was in suspense the whole time and didn't figure out the ending at all
July 7, 2022
First of all, thank you for providing a pdf of this Nobel for free by Booktasters. Reading this drama is worthy of it for me. Best murder mystery book which I read till now.
Starting from chapter one suspense is not declined anywhere. In every chapter, suspense increasing tremendously. That suspense motivated me to read the next chapter. In every chapter, I tried to guess the killer but it's very difficult to guess the killer in one go. Fictitious food and description of restaurant are awesome. The killing of chefs one by one from a restaurant in a mysterious way is very thrilling. While reading the book I was imaging the story in my mind and that gives goosebumps to me. Criminal set an example of killing in this drama. The way the killer killed the chefs was very mysterious and thrilling.
Once again thank you Booktasters for providing me with this book. I loved to read the Nobel with pages less than 200.
Starting from chapter one suspense is not declined anywhere. In every chapter, suspense increasing tremendously. That suspense motivated me to read the next chapter. In every chapter, I tried to guess the killer but it's very difficult to guess the killer in one go. Fictitious food and description of restaurant are awesome. The killing of chefs one by one from a restaurant in a mysterious way is very thrilling. While reading the book I was imaging the story in my mind and that gives goosebumps to me. Criminal set an example of killing in this drama. The way the killer killed the chefs was very mysterious and thrilling.
Once again thank you Booktasters for providing me with this book. I loved to read the Nobel with pages less than 200.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews