What do you think?
Rate this book
Undercover Dish Mystery #4
A Fatal Fettuccine
Lilah Drake is back in this fourth Undercover Dish mystery. It's summer in Pine Haven, and Lilah is enjoying she's in love, she's a popular chef and caterer, she's surrounded by good friends. But her perfect summer has some troubling distractions.
The normally ebullient Angelo Cardelini, Lilah's ex-boyfriend and current boss, has appealed to Lilah for help with a problem in his love life. The always enthusiastic Serafina Drake, Lilah's sister-in-law, has embroiled Lilah in the problems of her friend, a noted historian named Enzo Montanini.
Enzo is researching an Italian serial killer known internationally as The Lake Killer. Enzo's theory is that the Lake Killer is hiding in America--specifically in Pine Haven. Though Lilah thinks this theory unlikely, she is troubled to hear that Enzo's office has been vandalized, and that someone has tried to kill his assistant. Suddenly Lilah and her boyfriend, Detective Jay Parker, investigate many disparate elements which seem to converge in one Pine Haven University.
Can a notorious murderer be walking the streets of Pine Haven, Lilah's shady, sleepy town? This question begins to dominate Lilah's life as she and Jay find themselves on a very dangerous trail that might bring them face to face with the Lake Killer.
The normally ebullient Angelo Cardelini, Lilah's ex-boyfriend and current boss, has appealed to Lilah for help with a problem in his love life. The always enthusiastic Serafina Drake, Lilah's sister-in-law, has embroiled Lilah in the problems of her friend, a noted historian named Enzo Montanini.
Enzo is researching an Italian serial killer known internationally as The Lake Killer. Enzo's theory is that the Lake Killer is hiding in America--specifically in Pine Haven. Though Lilah thinks this theory unlikely, she is troubled to hear that Enzo's office has been vandalized, and that someone has tried to kill his assistant. Suddenly Lilah and her boyfriend, Detective Jay Parker, investigate many disparate elements which seem to converge in one Pine Haven University.
Can a notorious murderer be walking the streets of Pine Haven, Lilah's shady, sleepy town? This question begins to dominate Lilah's life as she and Jay find themselves on a very dangerous trail that might bring them face to face with the Lake Killer.
296 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2021
16 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Julia Buckley
31 books799 followersJulia Buckley is a Chicago-area writer. She has written three mystery series with Berkley Prime Crime, including the best-selling Writer's Apprentice Series, which Mystery Scene calls "engaging, enjoyable, and surprising," while Kirkus dubs it "pleasantly old-fashioned." The Library Journal called Buckley "a writer to watch."
Buckley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Chicago Writers Association. She blogs about writing and mysteries at Mysterious Musings, where she has interviewed almost 200 other mystery writers about their work.
She teaches high school English and enjoys reading, playing Words With Friends, and spending time with her husband and two sons, along with their menagerie of animals.
Buckley is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Chicago Writers Association. She blogs about writing and mysteries at Mysterious Musings, where she has interviewed almost 200 other mystery writers about their work.
She teaches high school English and enjoys reading, playing Words With Friends, and spending time with her husband and two sons, along with their menagerie of animals.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
January 22, 2022
I was so looking forward to this book. But after five or so years I was disappointed. The mystery was lacking. Also,the editing was terrible. Did anyone else notice half way through that Lilah ate two big lunches one after the other? Misspelled words abounded.
March 1, 2022
Needs editing
I like the story, but the book had so many continuity errors throughout it was very frustrating to read much of it.
I like the story, but the book had so many continuity errors throughout it was very frustrating to read much of it.
February 16, 2022
I love this series and was super excited to read the latest Lilah Drake novel. Shockingly, this book is very poorly edited. Many, many simple spelling and typographical errors are present. Also, there are illogical plot points that should have been caught easily by an editor. Specifically, the main character has a big lunch with a friend at a restaurant, and on the very next page she’s making lunch for her boyfriend at his apartment. I re-read to double check it was the same day, and yup it was. Not sure what happened with this book, as the others in the series were not like this. Maybe it was self-published without any editor? I’m hoping the series continues but it returns to its more careful writing and editing.
June 19, 2022
Summertime and the living is easy, or so Lilah thinks! Things are going well between her and her boyfriend Detective Jay Parker, her Undercover Dish business is going well and she is getting on with her ex Angelo (luckily, as one of Lilah cooking gigs is working with him!), speaking of Angelo though, both Lilah and Jay are a little worried about him, he finally confesses that the lady he cheated on Lilah with had broken up with him (when she realised she was the other woman) and he has realised that he has real feelings for her and would like to win her back. As well as this a friend of Lilah's sister in law is having problems at the local University and Jay offers to look into this for him, with all the suitable twists and turns that Julia Buckley puts into her mysteries this turned into a humdinger of a read and makes me want to read all her books again!
December 26, 2023
Fatal Fettuccine is the 4th book in the Undercover Dish Mystery series. I think I've real most, if not all, of Buckley's books now. What happened to this one? It's clearly self-published and unedited. There are a LOT of mistakes on here, many which could be found with a simple spell check. There are a lot of plot errors as well.
The actual mystery was...fine. It felt like it came rather late in the book and all the suspects were introduced together so they were really hard to keep apart. Also, what was the deal with the gambling chips?
This had the bones to be a decent read, but the plot and spelling/grammar errors just ruined it for me.
The actual mystery was...fine. It felt like it came rather late in the book and all the suspects were introduced together so they were really hard to keep apart. Also, what was the deal with the gambling chips?
This had the bones to be a decent read, but the plot and spelling/grammar errors just ruined it for me.
July 14, 2022
Lilah Drake and her detective boyfriend are hot on the trail of a killer from a cold case.
Lilah is a popular chef and caterer she's enjoying life and she has a good life.
However, her ex, Angelo Cardelini is having trouble with his love life and wants her help.
Her sister, Serafina involves Lilah in a mystery at the local college, Pine Haven.
Enzo Montanini is a historian at the college and has been researching the Lake Killer.
Enzo may be getting close to discovering this long time killer because his office has been vandalized and his assistant is almost killed.
Could this killer be hiding in the small town of Pine Haven?
Lilah and her boyfriend Jay the detective are going to find out if they can.
Lots of things going on here and an interesting mystery with good characters.
Lilah is a popular chef and caterer she's enjoying life and she has a good life.
However, her ex, Angelo Cardelini is having trouble with his love life and wants her help.
Her sister, Serafina involves Lilah in a mystery at the local college, Pine Haven.
Enzo Montanini is a historian at the college and has been researching the Lake Killer.
Enzo may be getting close to discovering this long time killer because his office has been vandalized and his assistant is almost killed.
Could this killer be hiding in the small town of Pine Haven?
Lilah and her boyfriend Jay the detective are going to find out if they can.
Lots of things going on here and an interesting mystery with good characters.
January 16, 2024
Oh my goodness this series was delightful, heartfelt and heartwarming and delicious. This is bittersweet. I really enjoyed this series and I love all the characters. Mick has a special place in my heart.❤️❤️❤️
Jay and Lilah are the sweetest couple ever. This series will hold a special place in my heart.
Jay and Lilah are the sweetest couple ever. This series will hold a special place in my heart.
May 18, 2025
I loved this series and wish it would continue, but I suspect the author knew this would be her last book in the series. I love all the characters and will miss them, especially Mick.
January 21, 2022
What a fun return to the Undercover Dish series. We get to visit with Lilah, Jay, Mack and company and this mystery has Jay hooked from the beginning. With all kinds of ties to Angelo and and some new "connections", Cam and Serafina and her landlord this will be a mystery that keeps you enthralled and ties a lot of things together.
November 28, 2021
A Fatal Fettucine is the fourth book in the Undercover Dish mystery series by author Julia Buckley. I was thrilled when I found out that a new book was going to be released because it had been awhile between the third book and the fourth book.
That time gap may have caused me to not remember all of the characters and their mannerisms as well as I usually do. I really like Lilah as a character but her relationship with Jay annoyed me at times. I thought she seemed a little needy and I don really remember that from the first three books.
Relationship aside, I thought the mystery in this book was fascinating. The fact that it was a cold case where killings had occurred during the summer (within the same time period - over several different years) in another country (Italy). I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Lilah and Jay would be able to discover who the killer was. I thought that the way the book ended was very sweet. I’m not sure if there will be any more books in the series but if there are I will definitely read those books. This was a great addition to a fabulous series.
That time gap may have caused me to not remember all of the characters and their mannerisms as well as I usually do. I really like Lilah as a character but her relationship with Jay annoyed me at times. I thought she seemed a little needy and I don really remember that from the first three books.
Relationship aside, I thought the mystery in this book was fascinating. The fact that it was a cold case where killings had occurred during the summer (within the same time period - over several different years) in another country (Italy). I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Lilah and Jay would be able to discover who the killer was. I thought that the way the book ended was very sweet. I’m not sure if there will be any more books in the series but if there are I will definitely read those books. This was a great addition to a fabulous series.
November 10, 2024
This is an excellent wrap-up to a fantastic 4-book mystery series. In this book, lead protagonist Lilah Drake takes a back seat to crime solving.
While the novels are told in the first person narrative, Lilah's voice tells us how her boyfriend, police detective Jay Parker, solves their last crime together.
Jay takes a vacation to work a cold case when he finds out that perhaps the serial killer of the Lake Killings in Italy have American roots.
When Jay learns that a local college professor suspects one of his five colleagues, Jay begins investigating.
Meanwhile, the same professor, who is finishing a book about the Lake Killings, is attacked.
And the race is on. Will someone die in the states before these suspects return to Italy? Will the killer escape to Italy, only to kill again?
Jay has help from Lilah, but it is Jay who solves THIS mystery.
It is also a great ending (or beginning) to the burgeoning love affair between Lilah and Jay.
While the novels are told in the first person narrative, Lilah's voice tells us how her boyfriend, police detective Jay Parker, solves their last crime together.
Jay takes a vacation to work a cold case when he finds out that perhaps the serial killer of the Lake Killings in Italy have American roots.
When Jay learns that a local college professor suspects one of his five colleagues, Jay begins investigating.
Meanwhile, the same professor, who is finishing a book about the Lake Killings, is attacked.
And the race is on. Will someone die in the states before these suspects return to Italy? Will the killer escape to Italy, only to kill again?
Jay has help from Lilah, but it is Jay who solves THIS mystery.
It is also a great ending (or beginning) to the burgeoning love affair between Lilah and Jay.
December 5, 2021
Wow, this was so disappointing. In general, I would characterize myself a big fan of Julia Buckley. This book was poorly edited - glaring typos that frankly should have been easy to spot, because they weren't actual words. A spell check could have caught them. The story didn't flow as well. It's annoying, because it is still full of little gems that Julia is known for. There is a scene with Lilah and Angelo full of misunderstandings that are truly priceless (can't say more or it will spoil it).
I'm going to have to give it a little time and re-read it. I just re-read the entire series to be ready for the new book... (and you need to read them in order or this book will spoil all the previous books).
I'm going to have to give it a little time and re-read it. I just re-read the entire series to be ready for the new book... (and you need to read them in order or this book will spoil all the previous books).
September 1, 2025
This is the fourth book in the series, and I believe, the last. While I liked reading what had happened to everyone, I was very disappointed in the book overall. The editing was very, very poorly done, there were so many mistakes. One big goof was that Lilah had lunch with a friend, in which she mentioned she was stuffed. Then proceeded to have another lunch with her boyfriend. One thing I have hated throughout the whole series was how she talked about her boyfriend. She meets him in the first book, and his name is Jay Parker. Throughout the whole series, she refers to him as "Jay Parker did this and Jay Parker did that." The times she called him just Jay can be counted on one hand. We already know his stupid name.
February 28, 2026
A nice ending to a fun series. This one was self-published and like just about every self-published book I've ever read, it seriously needed an editor. This one was more of a rom-com type romance with little done about solving a serial killer, cold case type crime. There were things that an editor or close reading would have caught like a character says "come before one" and the person answers "good, I'll be there about 2". And when a character is looking in a drawer at one character's house and then is at a party one paragraph later. And after several books with adorable dog Mick being called Mick the last sentence calls him Mack. I'll still read Buckley -- but hope she gets a good editor if she self-pubs again.
January 18, 2022
Another Home Run
I love all of Julia Buckley's mysteries, but I think this book is the best of the best of all her series thus far. The Italian cold-case plot was unique and intriguing. I felt like I was meeting old friends again because Lilah, Jay, and their families and friends are believable, sometimes quirky, and most of all caring. Without giving away the ending, I have to admit this one really touched my heart and caused a few tears. I hope there will be at least one or two more books in this series. Despite a few spelling and grammar errors, I still give it Five Stars Plus.
I love all of Julia Buckley's mysteries, but I think this book is the best of the best of all her series thus far. The Italian cold-case plot was unique and intriguing. I felt like I was meeting old friends again because Lilah, Jay, and their families and friends are believable, sometimes quirky, and most of all caring. Without giving away the ending, I have to admit this one really touched my heart and caused a few tears. I hope there will be at least one or two more books in this series. Despite a few spelling and grammar errors, I still give it Five Stars Plus.
October 4, 2025
I read this book in 2022, but I never really talked about my feelings.
1. the evidence does not add up to the conclusion.
2. this book was sloppy, with so many typos, grammatical mistakes, etc.
3. the 1st and 2nd books of this series are AWESOME, so I cannot believe that this book exists within the cozy Pine Haven world.
4. the engagement was underwhelming, the romance is just not romance-ing, and Parker is not a likable
5. finally, (and this drives me up the wall), this book is printed in a bigger size than the first three, so my book shelf series looks absolutely super stupid.
But, if Buckley writes a fifth book, you know that I'll be standing in line to buy it....
1. the evidence does not add up to the conclusion.
2. this book was sloppy, with so many typos, grammatical mistakes, etc.
3. the 1st and 2nd books of this series are AWESOME, so I cannot believe that this book exists within the cozy Pine Haven world.
4. the engagement was underwhelming, the romance is just not romance-ing, and Parker is not a likable
5. finally, (and this drives me up the wall), this book is printed in a bigger size than the first three, so my book shelf series looks absolutely super stupid.
But, if Buckley writes a fifth book, you know that I'll be standing in line to buy it....
December 18, 2022
Good story, bad typos.
I’m very sad to say that there are tons of typos in this book. I read the Kindle version. It’s a bit of a shock, having read many of Julia Buckley’s other books which were great and well edited. If there was a way to submit edits, I would do it. This book deserves to stand on its own merits, not be judged by proofreading issues.
Still, setting the typos aside, it’s a good story full of intrigue and great characters.
I will keep reading her books, and I hope the proofreading is better in the future.
I’m very sad to say that there are tons of typos in this book. I read the Kindle version. It’s a bit of a shock, having read many of Julia Buckley’s other books which were great and well edited. If there was a way to submit edits, I would do it. This book deserves to stand on its own merits, not be judged by proofreading issues.
Still, setting the typos aside, it’s a good story full of intrigue and great characters.
I will keep reading her books, and I hope the proofreading is better in the future.
June 8, 2025
Lilah and Jay are researching a cold case of murder in Italy that is likely done by a local professor.
What I enjoyed:
* It had been a long time, but it was good to see Lilah again.
* The subplot with Angelo and Petra was adorable
What could have been better:
* I'm seriously supposed to believe that a smart detective with plenty of time never bothered to
What I enjoyed:
* It had been a long time, but it was good to see Lilah again.
* The subplot with Angelo and Petra was adorable
What could have been better:
* I'm seriously supposed to believe that a smart detective with plenty of time never bothered to
September 17, 2022
It was very well written, but if you thought this was mainly about a murder, you are very wrong. Yes, there is a murder in there, but it is more like a second character in a movie. It will set you up for disappointment if you are set to solve a crime. I found this novel more focused on the historical aspect along with the romance (a big swoon!) There was also some grammatical errors as well. Overall, it was a very cute, fluffy beach read.
December 16, 2021
The story was great, and I was so happy to see the characters back. I love Julia’s writing. It is truly entertaining. There were a few typos, but I could have cared less! I would read anything that she wrote because it is sheer pleasure to just lap up the story!!!
Can’t wait for the next book, whatever series that may be 😀
Can’t wait for the next book, whatever series that may be 😀
March 17, 2022
Loved this story! It ties up all the loose ends in the series and is a great mystery as well. Jay helps a professor figure out who is killing people in Italy. The professor has narrowed it down to five faculty members who all go to Italy each summer. With Lilah helping, the murderer will be revealed. Well written and a truly enjoyable read!
September 23, 2022
Another wonderful Undercover Dish mystery. This is the fourth in the series. There is an investigation into a group of College professors with connections to a series of murders in Italy. There are several suspects after the assistant to an author doing a book on the Lake Killer. There are no shortage of suspects and motives. The outcome or solution caught me off guard.
March 15, 2026
I found only 3 typos: bambino instead of bambina when Angelo meets Gina, s hocked instead of shocked, and riad instead of raid. One punctuation error: a / in an unnecessary place, when I hadn't started writing down possible errors.
Plotting is just fine. I consider the earlier reviews nitpickery.
Plotting is just fine. I consider the earlier reviews nitpickery.
December 12, 2021
I was thrilled to see a new book in this series. This book was like returning to old friends. The story was first rate writing and a whodunit that kept me guessing. The characters were a treat to return to and I can only hope to read more books in this series!
February 5, 2022
Needs a Proof Reader
Several places where they just ate lunch and immediately eating dinner as well as several places where spell check change words or punctuation incorrectly. Able to figure out the later errors but the former makes the reader say "What?".
Several places where they just ate lunch and immediately eating dinner as well as several places where spell check change words or punctuation incorrectly. Able to figure out the later errors but the former makes the reader say "What?".
March 30, 2022
So emotional and well written
I laughed, cried and swelled with happiness through the book. The writing is excellent. Plot made complete sense and had me guessing until the solution.
I laughed, cried and swelled with happiness through the book. The writing is excellent. Plot made complete sense and had me guessing until the solution.
March 14, 2022
Needed a good editing.
March 22, 2022
I was really disappointed in this 4th novel of the Undercover Dish series. Loved the first three books in the series and was to excited when the fourth novel came out.
March 31, 2022
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
Really good cozy mystery series! I love this author.
Really good cozy mystery series! I love this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews