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Café La Femme #3
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef
Scones, tea, and a stabbing…
When Tabitha Darling entered Cafe La Femme in a reality TV show hosted by an infamous “bad boy” Chef, she never expected to be a suspect in his murder.
When Xanthippe Carides quit working in a cafe to become a private detective, she never expected one of her first cases would be keeping Tabitha out of jail…
These two friends have a mystery to solve, and only one of them is telling the whole truth.
When Tabitha Darling entered Cafe La Femme in a reality TV show hosted by an infamous “bad boy” Chef, she never expected to be a suspect in his murder.
When Xanthippe Carides quit working in a cafe to become a private detective, she never expected one of her first cases would be keeping Tabitha out of jail…
These two friends have a mystery to solve, and only one of them is telling the whole truth.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2019
5 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Livia Day
7 books27 followersPseudonym of Tansy Rayner Roberts
Livia Day fell in love with crime fiction at an early age. Her first heroes were Miss Jane Marple and Mrs Emma Peel, and not a lot has changed since then!
She has lived in Hobart, Tasmania for most of her life, and now spends far too much time planning which picturesque tourist spot will get the next fictional corpse.
Livia Day fell in love with crime fiction at an early age. Her first heroes were Miss Jane Marple and Mrs Emma Peel, and not a lot has changed since then!
She has lived in Hobart, Tasmania for most of her life, and now spends far too much time planning which picturesque tourist spot will get the next fictional corpse.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 19, 2019
I have previously blogged my absolute delight with the Cafe La Femme series by Livia Day (the name Tansy Rayner Roberts uses when she’s moonlighting as a writer of crime!)
The previous two novels and novella in this series came out a little while back, and I’ve been waiting not-entirely-patiently for this third novel to appear via Twelfth Planet Press’s Deadlines imprint. Whatever the delay, it’s been worth the wait.
The first treat in store is that the whole series been re-released with stunning covers by Cathy Larsen. Look at these pretty things! (And look for the details and some wonderful murdery symbols!)
The story is exactly the kind of delicious, crime-riddled confection of mystery, frocks, mouth-watering recipes, badassery and glitter I’ve come to expect from any story featuring Hobart chef, Tabitha Darling.
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is structured like one of Tabitha’s more complex recipes. The viewpoint shifts between Tabitha and her best friend, newly minted private eye Xanthippe Carides, while it also flips timelines before and after the murder: and all of this with perfect ease and lightness of touch.
Like all the Cafe La Femme stories, Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is a little hyper-real, set in a heightened Hobart and full of characters who are collectively more vivid than you’d expect to find in one group of friends. From catsuit-wearing Xanthippe to frock-and-glittery Ceege, from bizarrely hip hipsters to unexpectedly knife-throwing-skilled kitchenfolk, everyone is bright and shiny. Even the villains.
And of course there’s Tabitha, who is a little manic, a lot stubborn and keeping many, many secrets. Her love life is a melange, as usual, between her actual boyfriend, policeman Leo Bishop, and her just-very-excellent-good-friend Stewart McTavish, the delectable Scot. (Kiss him Tabitha, damnit!)
(Okay, I admit it, I am 100% #McTabitha.)
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is a delightful book, with enough light touches and enough complex notes to be thoroughly satisfying. The mystery dishes up all the clues, red herrings and puzzling twists that any reader of cosy crime could wish for. Using Hobart as a locale adds a dash of charm for those who like the setting to be one of the characters. The wonderful array of characters and all their inter-relationships add layers of reasons to care about the outcome as the chef-killer becomes less of an abstract puzzle and more of an actually-trying-to-kill-you presence.
In short, this book is fabulous, with enough fluff for fun, enough grit to make the stakes high, and enough heart for everything to matter.
The previous two novels and novella in this series came out a little while back, and I’ve been waiting not-entirely-patiently for this third novel to appear via Twelfth Planet Press’s Deadlines imprint. Whatever the delay, it’s been worth the wait.
The first treat in store is that the whole series been re-released with stunning covers by Cathy Larsen. Look at these pretty things! (And look for the details and some wonderful murdery symbols!)
The story is exactly the kind of delicious, crime-riddled confection of mystery, frocks, mouth-watering recipes, badassery and glitter I’ve come to expect from any story featuring Hobart chef, Tabitha Darling.
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is structured like one of Tabitha’s more complex recipes. The viewpoint shifts between Tabitha and her best friend, newly minted private eye Xanthippe Carides, while it also flips timelines before and after the murder: and all of this with perfect ease and lightness of touch.
Like all the Cafe La Femme stories, Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is a little hyper-real, set in a heightened Hobart and full of characters who are collectively more vivid than you’d expect to find in one group of friends. From catsuit-wearing Xanthippe to frock-and-glittery Ceege, from bizarrely hip hipsters to unexpectedly knife-throwing-skilled kitchenfolk, everyone is bright and shiny. Even the villains.
And of course there’s Tabitha, who is a little manic, a lot stubborn and keeping many, many secrets. Her love life is a melange, as usual, between her actual boyfriend, policeman Leo Bishop, and her just-very-excellent-good-friend Stewart McTavish, the delectable Scot. (Kiss him Tabitha, damnit!)
(Okay, I admit it, I am 100% #McTabitha.)
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is a delightful book, with enough light touches and enough complex notes to be thoroughly satisfying. The mystery dishes up all the clues, red herrings and puzzling twists that any reader of cosy crime could wish for. Using Hobart as a locale adds a dash of charm for those who like the setting to be one of the characters. The wonderful array of characters and all their inter-relationships add layers of reasons to care about the outcome as the chef-killer becomes less of an abstract puzzle and more of an actually-trying-to-kill-you presence.
In short, this book is fabulous, with enough fluff for fun, enough grit to make the stakes high, and enough heart for everything to matter.
June 16, 2021
Another frothy, foodie delight from Tansy, I mean Livia. Her banter is always on point, and so are her pop culture references. Just don't read it on an empty stomach.
January 27, 2022
Another fun book by this author! I enjoy her writing style and the characters she creates. And learning about Tasmania is fun, too!
September 25, 2020
Xanthippe's ex is still trying to make up for wrecking her gorgeous car so he gives her a detective agency and places it two floors above her best friend's cafe. While Xanthippe is learning and building her agency, Tabitha is starring in a YouTube reality show cafe competition. The chef in charge of the competition has a history of abusive behavior towards his employees and harassment of any female in his path. Unfortunately he's gifted at hiding his behavior from the public, gaslighting those who complain, and destroying those who challenge him. Is it any surprise he's found dead? Probably not. What is a surprise to Tabitha and her friends is that Tabitha is considered the primary suspect. Now Xanthippe gets to use her private detective skill on something more than cheating spouses.
I was so excited when this book was released. This is one of my favorite mystery series and this may be my favorite book in the series because it focuses equally on Xanthippe and Tabitha. They are both such quirky and fun individuals, but I adore Xanthippe. Xanthippe is a bit more sophisticated and a lot more reserved than Tabitha. Tabitha is a bit more dramatic and emotional than Xanthippe, but the two of them balance one another perfectly.
Livia Day is exceptionally skillful at writing dialogue and her comic dialogue is brilliant. I laughed out loud numerous times. There is a hilarious texting conversation between Xanthippe and Nin and the banter between Stewart and Tabitha is priceless. The banter in general is very funny, but even in less humorous moments the dialogue has a very organic flow to it.
I may be as in love with Xanthippe's office as I am with Tabitha's cafe. Like all of the others in this series, there is a great sense of place. One of the other cafes sounded adorable and the other was very hipster. Being in Tasmania in the winter sounds delightful.
The story here bounces back and forth more than other's have. It moves between past, present, and video footage as well as between Xanthippe's and Tabitha's points of view. It worked perfectly for this mystery. Also there were a great number of clues, red herrings, and twists along the way. I did not guess who had committed the murder until it was revealed.
Already looking forward to the next in the series and I don't even know if she's started to write it yet.
I was so excited when this book was released. This is one of my favorite mystery series and this may be my favorite book in the series because it focuses equally on Xanthippe and Tabitha. They are both such quirky and fun individuals, but I adore Xanthippe. Xanthippe is a bit more sophisticated and a lot more reserved than Tabitha. Tabitha is a bit more dramatic and emotional than Xanthippe, but the two of them balance one another perfectly.
Livia Day is exceptionally skillful at writing dialogue and her comic dialogue is brilliant. I laughed out loud numerous times. There is a hilarious texting conversation between Xanthippe and Nin and the banter between Stewart and Tabitha is priceless. The banter in general is very funny, but even in less humorous moments the dialogue has a very organic flow to it.
I may be as in love with Xanthippe's office as I am with Tabitha's cafe. Like all of the others in this series, there is a great sense of place. One of the other cafes sounded adorable and the other was very hipster. Being in Tasmania in the winter sounds delightful.
The story here bounces back and forth more than other's have. It moves between past, present, and video footage as well as between Xanthippe's and Tabitha's points of view. It worked perfectly for this mystery. Also there were a great number of clues, red herrings, and twists along the way. I did not guess who had committed the murder until it was revealed.
Already looking forward to the next in the series and I don't even know if she's started to write it yet.
November 1, 2019
This story is exactly the type of glitter filled, kickass, mystery solving, fun bag that I have come to expect from Day and her leading lady, Tabitha Darling.
However, I think that this book is actually my favourite in the series because of the look into Xanthippe's mind as she becomes the second view point character. Equal parts sassy, exasperated, and fondly miffed, it was wonderful getting to follow another of the central characters in the series as she pulled out her special brand of whoopass in aid of a fairly evasive Tabitha. I just love her 'I'm not here to be that smiling girl' attitude she has to the world, she is who she is and she doesn't need to make you comfortable about it.
In fact she was just the first of several wonderfully vibrant and larger than life characters who graced the book during the cooking competition turned murder scene. Knife throwing apprentice chefs, NZ hipster food vans serving scones and pretend coffee, and an elderly queer couple you just wanted to hug every time they walked in stage left, I was hard pressed to pick a favourite (character or potential murder suspect!).
The Hobart scenery really comes to life in this particular installment as well, making me feel like I'd stepped back in time to my last visit there. It was Australian, and different enough to be refreshing without overdoing it.
And if I'm honest, I also love how suspicious Tabitha's motives look throughout most of the book. It makes me re-evaluate all the previous books from other character eyes and wonder how she managed to avoid being named a murder suspect until this far in the series. Oh! My other favourite piece was how bizarrely, but perfectly the murder victim was dispatched (I'll stop there, no spoilers).
The complexity of the mystery and moving players in this novel was superbly balanced by Day with the light-hearted and fun vibe she has cultivated in the rest of the series. As I said, in my opinion the best of the whole series so far, and still a cracker of a read if this is the first one in the series that you pick up.
However, I think that this book is actually my favourite in the series because of the look into Xanthippe's mind as she becomes the second view point character. Equal parts sassy, exasperated, and fondly miffed, it was wonderful getting to follow another of the central characters in the series as she pulled out her special brand of whoopass in aid of a fairly evasive Tabitha. I just love her 'I'm not here to be that smiling girl' attitude she has to the world, she is who she is and she doesn't need to make you comfortable about it.
In fact she was just the first of several wonderfully vibrant and larger than life characters who graced the book during the cooking competition turned murder scene. Knife throwing apprentice chefs, NZ hipster food vans serving scones and pretend coffee, and an elderly queer couple you just wanted to hug every time they walked in stage left, I was hard pressed to pick a favourite (character or potential murder suspect!).
The Hobart scenery really comes to life in this particular installment as well, making me feel like I'd stepped back in time to my last visit there. It was Australian, and different enough to be refreshing without overdoing it.
And if I'm honest, I also love how suspicious Tabitha's motives look throughout most of the book. It makes me re-evaluate all the previous books from other character eyes and wonder how she managed to avoid being named a murder suspect until this far in the series. Oh! My other favourite piece was how bizarrely, but perfectly the murder victim was dispatched (I'll stop there, no spoilers).
The complexity of the mystery and moving players in this novel was superbly balanced by Day with the light-hearted and fun vibe she has cultivated in the rest of the series. As I said, in my opinion the best of the whole series so far, and still a cracker of a read if this is the first one in the series that you pick up.
October 20, 2022
How much do I love Tabitha Darling books? So much. How much do I love cosy mysteries? So much! There should be more of them! Mysteries that aren't too intense, or hard, or grim. Enough to appreciate and sink your teeth into, but not keep you up at night (except that need to read 'just one more chapter' of course). I love the banter and friendship, I love the way the tension builds in this book. I also really enjoyed the shared chapter points of view.
March 23, 2016
Currently if you sign up to Livia Day's newsletter, you gain access to the promotional library, which includes the first chapter to Keep Calm & Kill the Chef.
November 28, 2019
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef by Livia Day is the third book in the Café La Femme series of cosy culinary crime novels. Chronologically, it follows on from A Trifle Dead and Drowned Vanilla, but in practice you don’t have to have read the earlier books to follow this one.
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is told from two points of view and two timelines: we get Tabitha's point of view from before the murder and Xanthippe's from after the murder. Since Tabitha is a potential suspect in the eyes of some of the police (though otherwise a sympathetic character), and Xanthippe is investigating the murder, this sets up an interesting dynamic, especially since they're best friends. I also enjoyed the way in which this setup conveyed information to the reader — in pieces from both ends of the timeline.
Because the plot of this book is centred around a reality TV cooking competition show, there are more descriptions of ridiculous food (for various definitions of ridiculous) than the previous books in the series, and fewer descriptions of more realistic foods. This worked better for me personally since I have a lot of food problems and descriptions of delicious desserts I can't eat were less fun for me than descriptions of ridiculous desserts that most people won't get the opportunity to eat. What kind of ridiculous? Well let's just say the cover is only the half of it.
I don't usually read crime or mystery books, but I like this series for its light-heartedness (most of the time) and the geekiness of the characters. If you enjoy cosy crime books, particularly those set in locations less frequently seen in fiction (Hobart, in this case) and especially if you liked the earlier books in the series, I highly recommend Keep Calm and Kill the Chef.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
Keep Calm and Kill the Chef is told from two points of view and two timelines: we get Tabitha's point of view from before the murder and Xanthippe's from after the murder. Since Tabitha is a potential suspect in the eyes of some of the police (though otherwise a sympathetic character), and Xanthippe is investigating the murder, this sets up an interesting dynamic, especially since they're best friends. I also enjoyed the way in which this setup conveyed information to the reader — in pieces from both ends of the timeline.
Because the plot of this book is centred around a reality TV cooking competition show, there are more descriptions of ridiculous food (for various definitions of ridiculous) than the previous books in the series, and fewer descriptions of more realistic foods. This worked better for me personally since I have a lot of food problems and descriptions of delicious desserts I can't eat were less fun for me than descriptions of ridiculous desserts that most people won't get the opportunity to eat. What kind of ridiculous? Well let's just say the cover is only the half of it.
I don't usually read crime or mystery books, but I like this series for its light-heartedness (most of the time) and the geekiness of the characters. If you enjoy cosy crime books, particularly those set in locations less frequently seen in fiction (Hobart, in this case) and especially if you liked the earlier books in the series, I highly recommend Keep Calm and Kill the Chef.
4.5 / 5 stars
You can read more of my reviews on my blog.
January 25, 2021
Another wonderful Cafe La Femme mystery - these are just so much fun (and it helps that I've spent some time in Hobart so I can recognise some of the landmarks too). We get the perspectives of both Tabitha and Xanthippe in this book, with some before/after the murder time jumping in the tales, which also allows the story to be told in a really intriguing fashion. There's plenty of twists and turns in the plot, and many suspects to consider that the reveal is both a surprise but also makes total sense - the best sort of murder mystery books. Highly recommended (although be sure to read the previous novels and novella first)
December 23, 2019
Another fun instalment in this cozy Hobart based mystery/crime series, this time centred around a reality show pitting cafes against each other.
March 2, 2023
So messy! Livia Day throws everything into this including the kitchen sink. Shouldn’t work. Did. Loved it!
June 9, 2024
Delightful as always, this series always hits the spot.
October 9, 2019
This book does something a bit different to the others by alternating the first-person perspective between Tabitha and her best friend Xanthippe, who is now working as a private detective. This didn't entirely work for me, though I can understand why the decision was made--especially since Tabitha is the prime suspect in the case.
The romantic trajectory of the series also doesn't make a lot of sense for me, even for a love triangle.
However, I did enjoy the return to the characters. It was especially nice to see Tabitha and Xanthippe on better terms--and this was a place where the dual perspectives really paid off. It was also nice to see Tabitha's circle of friends slowly expanding. I particularly liked the owners of the Chocolate Teapot (which sounds like just my kind of place). I hope we'll see them back in any future books.
The romantic trajectory of the series also doesn't make a lot of sense for me, even for a love triangle.
However, I did enjoy the return to the characters. It was especially nice to see Tabitha and Xanthippe on better terms--and this was a place where the dual perspectives really paid off. It was also nice to see Tabitha's circle of friends slowly expanding. I particularly liked the owners of the Chocolate Teapot (which sounds like just my kind of place). I hope we'll see them back in any future books.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews