Something's Cooking

Angie Amalfi #1

by Joanne Pence

The heat is on

Life's a banquet for Angelina Amalfi—a gourmet chef and food writer with enough sass and spunk for two. But things start to go really bad really fast when the man who's been contributing unusual recipes to her column is discovered dead and Angie suddenly finds herself being stalked by a killer whose appetite was merely whetted by the first deadly course. On the plus side, Paavo Smith, the homicide cop assigned to the case, is one delectable dish. But when more people start to fall all around her like ruined soufflés, ever-resourceful Angie realizes she'll have to cook up a survival scheme quick before her personal goose gets cooked. This case may be too hot to handle and the stakes are high, for she's about to take on deadly arms smugglers and lethal food fanatics. But if anyone can keep her cool, Angie can.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Culinary, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 15, 1993

About the author

Joanne 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.

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so when I give mystery paperbacks 4 or 5 stars, that's not in comparison to Tolstoy or Austen or something. I'm comparing them to one another. Plus, if you read the descriptions of what the stars mean, they are, "I really liked it," and "It was OK." So just because I really liked something doesn't make it great literature. But I really liked the first book in this series and am anxious to read more. This book in particular was more romance than mystery, though.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rarely do I not finish a book. Sometimes it just takes me longer to get through it. Sometimes I will put it down and forget about it, then pick it up several months later and start it all over again & find that I simply was not in the mood for that genre at that time. This book was a big disappointment. I like mysteries. I like good food. I like the combination of those two things. I have read a few of Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Culinary Mysteries and while they aren't works of great literature, they are, at least, mildly amusing and have more than a little to do with culinary delights. "Something's Cooking" barely qualifies as either a mystery or a culinary book. I read the first part of the book word for word. Near the middle, I found myself skimming over the pages with a touch of disgust and annoyance that this author is actually published and that this particular book is the first in what appears to be a series. God help us! Ms. Pence seems to think that you cannot have a mystery without a "romance". I have nothing against a good story about the development of a loving relationship but if I wanted to read a romance novel, I would have picked one. I could even overlook the romance if it even came close to being well told. Unfortunately, it did not. I have to say, I nearly finished the book. I gave it every chance but I finally could not bear it a moment longer.
Thank God that I buy most books at second-hand shops or library sales because if I had paid full price for this one, it probably would have put a halt to my ever purchasing another book at any price.
If possible, I would have given this book a rating of 1/16 of a star. If I like a book, I hang on to it for a while in case I want to re-read it. I have a few books that I dearly love & probably will never part with. And sometimes after a while, I will donate the books that I merely liked to make room for new purchases. This one is going in the recycling bin (ripped apart so no one else will waste their time.)

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much like a romance and too fake. This could've been taken in a better direction.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Joanne Pence's Something's Cooking, the first installment in the Angie Amalfi culinary cozy mystery series, this cozy would whip you a great storyline with all the right ingredients for this series. For Angelina Amalfi, she's a young woman who writes a food column for a weekly newspaper. When someone sent her a mysterious package, it exploded into her kitchen. That's when she's introduced to Inspector Paavo Smith and his partner Matt Kowalski, when they went to a crime scene and later learned about the bomb. In an instant, there was some kind of chemistry between Angie and Paavo, when someone had sent her threats and a mysterious character named Edward Crane claimed he's her biggest "Fan" and had sent her the recipes for her column. Immediately, Angie hired two bodyguards and later went to Paavo's home under her protection. She had come to know Paavo better and understood his mysterious background. When Matt's killed, Paavo went to Angie for some compassion as he had kept a close distance from her, since he cares so much about her. As Angie decided to search for Crane himself incognito, it had put her into a precarious situation with Paavo. And when she finally figured out who the real culprit was, somebody she knows and trusted, she took matters into her own hands as Paavo saved her life... when something's really cooking between the two of them in the end.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angelina writes a food column. This food column includes recipes from her fans as well as her own additions. Sammy, her favorite fan write some very bizarre ones but people seem to like them.

She goes to meet him at a park to get the next batch, but he never shows up but a small brown package that ticks does. She put this package in the dishwasher and turns on the water to find that the package explodes.

Working her case is a policeman named Paavo. He and Angie come from different sides of the tracks but when Angie keeps getting attacked, they continue to be thrown together. Paavo and Angie have to find the killer before the killer gets Angie.

I like this story as it was very fast paced and interesting. Angie was a bit too damsel in distress some of the time and it annoyed me but I guess that is how she is painted - as a bit of a socialite.

I thought the premise was good but the rest of the characters - mostly not there. This could have used a few more characters to make it a better flushed out story.

Would have give it 3.5 if it had that. But for a first in series it wasn't bad.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angelina writes a food column. This food column includes recipes from her fans as well as her own additions. Sammy, her favorite fan write some very bizarre ones but people seem to like them.

She goes to meet him at a park to get the next batch, but he never shows up but a small brown package that ticks does. She put this package in the dishwasher and turns on the water to find that the package explodes.

Working her case is a policeman named Paavo. He and Angie come from different sides of the tracks but when Angie keeps getting attacked, they continue to be thrown together. Paavo and Angie have to find the killer before the killer gets Angie.

I like this story as it was very fast paced and interesting. Angie was a bit too damsel in distress some of the time and it annoyed me but I guess that is how she is painted - as a bit of a socialite.

I thought the premise was good but the rest of the characters - mostly not there. This could have used a few more characters to make it a better flushed out story.

[L.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were the early days of cozy mysteries, when sex and gore were more typical. It was also a time where female lead characters were younger and wimpier and behaved more impetuously. All that aside (and we can't judge 1993 by 2020 standards) this was a really good read. I'm definitely looking forward to continuing the series.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

New series I thought I'd try. Turned out to be a very good read. Two likable, lead strong characters and an interesting mystery. I really liked the romance developing between the homicide detective and the heroine, a food columnist in shopper paper. I don't normally want romance mingled in with mysteries, unless the mystery is solid and the romance done slowly and believably. This may not have been slow, but believable enough for me.

Already have the next one set up in my library's electronic database to read. Look forward to getting to it soon, I hope.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery fairly well. It's a little off my beaten path, but I was trying a book out on my new Kindle (thanks Landa staff!) Anyway, it was nice to read a mystery. I am a little curious how the main character continues on with the detective she fell in love with so I may have to read a 2nd one sometime. Otherwise it's a fairly light mystery.

[Daisyaday · Rating 1 out of 5]

Angelina should be fired because she can't see that the recipes are ridiculously BAD right from the first. Paavo is also unprofessional in his JOB as a homicide detective, allowing an obvious target go unprotected. Terrible book.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the story but felt like the budding romance between the two characters was a bit much and took away from the overall plot. Also got irritated with how Angie acts like she is an independent adult but in reality is simply another spoiled princess wearing designer clothing, living in a fully furnished place that her parents provide and only seems interested in the finer things in life. By the end of the book, I found myself not interested in reading any more in this series. A shame as the plot was rather clever.

[Susan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

angie amalfi gourmet cook, and planning her wedding to Paavo Smith - what could go wrong. while looking for a house with one of her sisters she determines the house is haunted, but she really loves it and wants to buy it. Angie sets about trying to rid it of the spirits thinking she had no psychic abilities - skipped her but she soon finds out that she can see the ghosts and starts investigating the murders.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book more than I thought I would and I'm interested in seeing how things progress for the main characters. Angie seems like a decent enough character but a little bland at times but its just the first book and there are many books after this one so there should be some improvements along the way. As for Paavo Smith he's a typical cop character, there's room for improvement but will probably need Angie or another woman to move him in the right direction.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelina is a good cook, who has a column in the local shopper. When she gets a package that ticks and is marked occupant, she gingerly places it in her dishwasher (Maytag, advertised as indestructible) locked the door and started the water flowing. This is the start of the hunt for who wants to hurt her and why.

[Jan Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beware for the drama queens

I'm not sure I've ever read a book with a main character who's such a drama queen and stupid to boot. Lots of ups and downs in this book and intrigue so I finished it and would so despite previous comments it was well written and okay.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author writes an excellent story. I personally skip over pages with with male/female head games and lust as it takes something away from a good mystery. Characters are enjoyable, and it was a strong storyline.

[Sandra Keaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was my first Angie Somali book but it won't be my last. I enjoyed the story and the characters.
The story was interesting and not predictable. Love Angie's family.

[Tamera · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok mystery romance - I got gentle Diane Mott Davidson vibes, but no recipes, and attempts to be witty and clever like Janet Evanovich , but not as successful. No laugh out loud moments, and I started skimming towards the end. An ok book but I wont be reading more in the series.

[Crafty Cristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several extremely graphic sex scenes in this book. This disappoints me, since otherwise it was a great book. I know that this is something I personally like to be warned about in reviews, so I am putting it out there.

[Lesley Burgess Schultz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this book. Not my cup of tea

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable mystery. San Francisco food columnist. Some truly horrible sounding recipes.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Forgettable.

[Sally Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Very engrossing and it really made me honestly wonder if I could write my own book.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - Good

[Dorris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this mystery. Likeable characters

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series and author for me. I loved this book. It had me from the start. Great characters and plot.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took a weird turn at the end.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a cozy mystery and this fit the bill.

[Kelly McCarthy Ziemba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast and fun!