If You Can't Stand the Heat

Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop Mystery #1

by Robin Allen

Poppy Markham practically grew up at the family restaurant in Austin, Texas, and, until recently, worked as a sous chef under her surly stepsister, Ursula. Poppy's not sure if her dad will ever forgive her for leaving the family business to become a public health inspector-the most reviled figure in the restaurant industry-but when he asks her back into the kitchen to help out during the restaurant's grand re-opening, she can't refuse. Chaos ensues when the guest of honor, Michelin-rated chef Évariste Bontecou, is found stabbed to death with Ursula's knife. Sacrebleu!

Sorting through everyone who had it in for the hot-headed, philandering French chef is worse than deboning a Coho salmon. Could it be the bad-boy sous chef eyeing his chance at the top or the conniving waitress rumored to be Évariste's paramour du jour? The closer Poppy gets to solving the mystery, the hotter things get. And as everyone knows: if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Humor, Culinary, Romance

272 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2011

About the author

I am the author of the clean, humorous Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop mystery series that features an Austin, TX public health inspector and lots of behind-the-scenes information about the restaurant industry.

I hold a BA degree in English which qualifies me to work as the following: food server, cocktail waitress, bartender, barista, sales rep, marketing director, freelance writer, technical writer, copy editor, software QA analyst, personal assistant, yoga instructor, knitwear designer, and mystery author.

Reviews

[Melinda Freeland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me smile several times - loved the writer's "voice" and especially loved her descriptions. Several times author Robin Allen used food-related descriptions, such as "His bright red chef's coat made him look even more like raw poultry." Another description I liked was: "The rubber mats stood on the end near the back door. Rolled up and secured with bungee cords, they looked like sushi for a T-rex."

Now, I usually don't read mysteries, but this book piqued my interest for several reasons: A local author wrote it; the setting takes place where I grew up in Austin, Texas; its main character holds an unusual and interesting job position (a food inspector); and I could tell by the various book summaries and reviews that humor certainly would be sprinkled throughout the book. I'm so glad I "took a chance" on this mystery because I liked it so much that I read the book in just two sittings!

I definitely will read the next "Poppy Markham" book, and I'm confident I'll enjoy it just as much as, or more than, this first book.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was OK, not horrible and not wonderful, just OK. The plot ran fairly well and the novel had some interesting characters. But, I just never warmed up to the protagonist Poppy Markham. She seemed fairly passive-aggressive, and annoyed me on other levels,

- e.g. she made the point several times that she is a vegan but then eats cream (pasta primavera) and cheese (nachos); that makes a person vegetarian but not really vegan. Of course, this point wouldn't have bothered me so much except that Poppy made a point of making a point of her vganism.
-e.g. in this age of climate change she runs the air conditioning on high so that she can sit in front of a fire video and pretend it is winter time, and so that she can sleep under a comforter on her bed.
-e.g. She talks a great deal about her job, including how she is supposedly outsmarting everyone at her job, but then never actually seems to do her job. OK, one time she does go into work for an hour or so because her boss forces the issue. Poppy then beefs about that, her boss, and her boss's wish to check-up on Poppy. Well, really, if I had an employee who skipped out on days of work, I would likely want to check-up on her too.
-e.g. I got tired about her moping around and wishy-washy-ing about her exe, while she was also still using him for the information that he could provide to her.
-etc.

I am generally fairly generous to first books, and this one was OK. But I doubt I will read any others in the series.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good start to a new mystery series. I like the setting and a health inspector is certainly a new take for an occupation - although as little as she worked (and how she used the title for things) I'm amazed she still has a job.

What I enjoyed:
* Poppy was likeable overall and very realistic in her struggles with her ex
* Markham's was a good setting for the book
* Doesn't look to be a love triangle in sight
* John With and Without were interesting and I hope they show up again
* Jamie

What could have been better:
* Poppy used her badge for things she shouldn't have
* What's up with her dad not telling her anything? And I'm pretty sure if it had been me in her place there would be violence with Nina Keeping her away from her dad in the hospital is crazy. The could talk without talking about the upsetting topics

[audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate favors. I hate doing them and I hate asking for them. They always sound so quick and innocent at first. A favor. Like a squeeze. But favors replicate, taking on a life of their own. Lending a hand in the kitchen for a few hours turns into a murder investigation, and then one night your house is set on fire. But how could I refuse after what they had done for me?

Synopsis: Poppy Markham caused a rift in her family when she left their Austin restaurant to become a health department inspector. But when a famous French chef is murdered at Markham's, Poppy hurls herself into the investigation. Joined by her hunky ex-boyfriend and her gay neighbors, Poppy squares off against a murderer. And her stepmother. And her stepsister. And the restaurant's general manager. And the sous chef. And...

Grade: B

Poppy Markham is an incredibly likeable amateur detective even when she's being wishy-washy about her ex-boyfriend, Jamie, and obstinate about her stepmother's effect on her father. This is no mean feat. And it's obvious the author has served her time on the line in many, many restaurants, and is very familiar with Austin. These are all good things for this book.

In fact, 3/4 of this book is great fun: light, frothy, funny, snappy and well-written.

And then there's the ending.

Look, I get that endings are hard, and this one actually made a great deal of logical sense; all the pieces in the story fell together and it was completely plausible. So what happened?

Two things. One, the fight with the murderer at the end. It was short and the murderer folded with one well-placed blow by a small health inspector and then the next thing you know, we're having the tearful family reunion at papa's bedside, where he explains everything (conveniently glossing over the ramifications of the solution, which were huge), then everyone hugs, even the people who were at each other's throats for most of the book.

I was like...that's it? I read 230 pages of a great mystery and you just Scooby-Doo'ed me?

Two? Hannah Swensen Syndrome. You heard me, I've now seen it so often in cozies, I'm giving it a name. After The Cookie Jar's own legendary crime-solving absent boss, it's when an amateur detective gets so caught up in solving a mystery that they forget where they work, and the author forgets, too.

Apparently Poppy Markham is a health department inspector who inspects restaurants, so maybe during the book at some point she should...inspect restaurants. She inspected a grand total of one, even though there's a scene where she mentions she's exhausted but has to go check on whether to issue a closing at a restaurant across town; she goes so far as to put the coffee on so she can stay awake for just that, then ...Poppy wakes up the next morning bright and early and makes no mention of whether she did the inspection.

This problem's made worse by the early introduction of Poppy's boss Olive, who we're told is incredibly controlling and micro-managing and calls Poppy at all hours, and then is never heard from again.

Do you know? If I just didn't go to work for a couple days, like three or four, with no explanation, I would definitely hear from my boss, and he's not in the least micro-managing and controlling. So what gives?

With those minor problems aside, it's still a great read, for the most part and I'm very much hoping that there'll be a sequel. The whole concept of the health inspector as detective really gives and gives, so here's to hoping for the next go round, the next person to find a body at a restaurant actually records an infraction or two.

[Lizzytish · Rating 4 out of 5]

If You Can't Stand the Heat kept me out of my kitchen and on the couch. A delicious read with a spunky character named Poppy. Her similes made me laugh sillier than a clown on helium. I must admit that now I know what goes on behind the scene in restaurants, I'm a little leery of eating out! The ending was tied up a little too neatly and quickly for my taste, however I will be looking forward to the next entree!

[Julie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pageturner. Poppy Markham, Chef turned Health Inspector, is a most fun character. I appreciate her sense of humor. Not usually a mystery reader, but I certainly enjoyed this culinary adventure.

I look forward to the next in this series. Most fun I've had in a restaurant in a long time.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read set in the restaurant business. The main character is Poppy Markham who is trying to find out to killed a visiting chef and framed her step sister. The book is set in Austin, Texas. The book was a quick easy read.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, set in Austin, Texas!

[Kathy Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in the Poppy Markham, Culinary Cop mystery series revolving around Poppy who is fascinated by food with a deep appreciation for it and a good red wine.


My Take
This was good! Allen writes a good story with an interesting cast and a heroine who doesn't take the easy, or expected, path. I almost want to say this was an intellectual book, but, in reality, it's simply good writing with an obvious background working in restaurants and bars. Allen takes us behind the scenes in this mystery and we learn the nitty-gritty and the pain of working in a commercial kitchen. Allen provides Poppy with enough psychological issues, but also with a determination to make her own way and a good bit of the tease with her estranged boyfriend and her hot and cold neighbors.

There's a bit of the village in this as everyone in the food business knows everyone else. It takes Poppy's persistence and Jamie's savvy to dig through to a truth that is most unexpected. I love that what they discover will impact so many!

You may not want to read the pages on food inspection too closely if you have too active an imagination...


The Story
After an extensive remodel, Markham's is opening its doors again with the French Fox headlining as the celebrity chef. The fact that he doesn't actually do any cooking and has most of the kitchen staff, including her stepsister Ursula, ready to carve him up...does not bode well when Évariste is found with Ursula's knife in him.

Nina nags Poppy into investigating and she teams up with her old boyfriend Jamie as they discover layers and layers of possibilities as well as betrayals.


The Characters
Poppy Markham started out in the kitchen of her father's restaurant, Markham's. But she couldn't take that sort of heat and she's "betrayed" the family and moved over into public health inspection. Her dad, Mitch, understands but is still hoping to lure her back. Her stepmother Nina would prefer Poppy simply didn't exist. Jamie Sherwood is Poppy's ex-boyfriend and he runs a highly respected foodie website. He's also hoping to get back together with Poppy.

Ursula is her stepsister and in charge of the kitchen at Markham's. She thinks. Évariste Bontecou, a.k.a., the French Fox, is the celebrity chef who seems to have his claws in a lot more than Poppy suspected; his wife BonBon is not one of his fans. Will is the new general manager for the restaurant with some interesting friends and new habits. Trevor is the current sous chef with an eye to get ahead. Belize is one of the waitstaff.

Olive is Poppy's micro-managing boss. Poppy's neighbors are John-With and John-Without Hair. It's an interesting couple who loves to rehab houses and run an art gallery that is achieving renown.


The Cover
It's a brightly tiled kitchen wall in orange, yellows and teal greens with a 20-gallon stock pot simmering over open flames. The heat is on…

...and If You Can't Stand the Heat, you're in the wrong book!

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This first novel will appeal to those who suffer from the twin disabilities of enjoying murder mysteries and enjoying foodie fiction. It is perhaps a bit more likely to appeal to female than to male readers. The protagonist, Poppy Markham, is a professional chef who left the industry (and her father's upscale restaurant in Austin, Texas) to become a food inspector for the health department. In the restaurant business, this would be considered a defection to the enemy. The author has a good feel for the realities of cooking in a restaurant and it shows. There is no gore in this mystery (making it a cozy) and Allen's writing is often humourous, as well. The main character's angst over whether or not to get back together with her philandering boyfriend, a local food columnist, was tolerable and increases the book's interest for readers who enjoy a little romance mixed in with their murder. Especially enjoyable was the development of her relationship with her gay neighbours, John With and John Without. She introduces a bad relationship between Poppy and her boss at the health department and then goes nowhere with it. While Poppy's health inspector's badge is useful in getting in the back door of restaurants and hotels, she does so little actual restaurant inspecting that one wonders how she kept her job. The writing is also mildly formulaic; not every chapter of a mystery needs to end with a cliff hanger or hook ahead. This first novel was published 8 May 2011 and its sequel, "Stick a Fork in It," was released 8 July 2012 which suggests the beginning of a series which will likely run into many volumes.

[Carlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The guest chef at Markham's Bar and Grille, Evariste Bontecou, is found dead behind the dumpster, with a knife sticking into his heart. And not just any knife - but one that belonged to head chef, Ursula York! The police arrest Ursula and it's up to her stepsister, Poppy Markham, to find the real killer.

This book was a fun read - as a cozy mystery (although it's set in Austin, TX which isn't exactly SmallTown, USA), there isn't any violence (except for the murder and an incident of arson). The way the book is written, I lost track of time for a bit - meaning, I wasn't really sure how much time the book encompasses. Was it a couple of weeks? A few days?

The main character Poppy is pretty well written - she isn't too whiny or self-obsessed. The other characters were less fleshed-out, but still were not too one-dimensional. One nitpick - there are a couple of paragraphs/pages devoted to Poppy's "day job" (she's a health inspector) but by the midpoint of the book, her job is not mentioned much at all. She's in special projects, so she doesn't work 9-to-5 anyway, but it just seemed odd that she didn't have to do any real work...

There wasn't much indication who the real killer was (or were the police right?) until the ending. Evariste didn't have many fans - at least, not among those who worked with him in the kitchen, and just about everyone was a suspect. Poppy does, as many cozy mystery heroines, get stuck face-to-face with the killer by the last couple of chapters of the book.

[Dalene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review originally posted at A Date with a Book .

I was able to snag book two, Stick a Fork In it, from this series off Netgalley in the early summer and after reading it, decided I needed to read book one. It didn’t disappoint either. Check out my review of Stick a Fork In It.

I thought I would be met with a lot of details and set up as usually comes with first books of a series, but that definitely was not the case. There were a few new details that I learned, but these are definitely cozies that can stand on their own and out of order.

Poppy Markham's family is introduced and are great characters. My family favorite is her dad. Met with a lot of changes and hardships in this book, he is still a great dad.

My favorite overall characters are still John With and John Without. They definitely add humor to the story and life of Poppy. It was a lot of fun to learn about Poppy’s dad, stepmom, and a little more about her stepsister. I thought the crime itself was pretty clever and I did have a hard time guessing who had done it. The scheme in the crime was pretty clever.

There is a little bit of romance, not a lot, as expected, and definitely some wit. This is a great new series in the cozy mystery genre. I would recommend this book/series to all cozy mystery readers. If you are new to cozies, this would definitely be a good series to start out with.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poppy Markham grew up in Austin, Texas working at Markham's, her family's restaurant. But after working unhappily as sous chef under Ursula, her stepsister, she leaves Markham's to become a public health inspector. When Markham's was renovated and was preparing for their grand opening, she agrees to come back to help in the kitchen for opening night. Unfortunately, Poppy's father also brought celebrity chef, Evarista Bontecou with his Michelin star, into the restaurant with his over the top personality and haughty attitude. Predictably enough, Bontecou is found stabbed with Ursula's knife outside the back door of the restaurant and Ursula is arrested. Poppy decides to solve the crime and save the day. This is the first of a projected new series and much time is spent introducing the series characters and the relationships among them. I thought the plot was predictable. However, the redeeming feature of this book is a look inside the workings of a busy kitchen and the job of a health inspector.

[AngryGreyCat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the current month’s read over a the Cozy Mystery Corner on Goodreads. The protagonist is Poppy Markham, who comes from a long time restaurant family, but has defected to the dark side, the health inspector’s office. In this, the first book, Poppy is called back to the family restaurant which is in a state of chaos due to her father’s health, some unscrupulous villains and a murder. Poppy’s stepsister and the head chef is cooling her heels in jail and so Poppy investigates to try to clear her name and figure out all that is going on.

I would have liked more explanation of Poppy’s animosity with Ursula, other than the brief couple lines discussing how her dad put Ursula above her in the restaurant. I would have also liked to see more of Poppy in her new chosen career. Most of this book was her investigating the murder. I did find the flipping back and forth between calling her dad, being referred to as Dad and then Mitch distracting. Also, the neighbors being referred to as “John With” and “John Without”. Overall, an okay cozy mystery.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good, solid cozy mystery. Lots of suspects and a few red herrings. I wasn't able to guess who the murderer was until the end. I give this three stars because I didn't really establish a relationship with the main character - a bit too much angst, and a whole lot too much family dysfunction - something I'd rather not read about in my cozies unless the dysfunction is of the eccentric, quirky variety. I didn't really find much to connect with the secondary characters either. I did like that Poppy didn't back down and was quick to give sass where sass was needed, and I did find more to like about her character as the book progressed.

I'm not sure I'll go out of my way to find the next book in the series, but if my TBR was running low I wouldn't hesitate to read the next book.

[L.W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another new adventure for me as I picked it up after reading the flap, but having no other recommendation. I wasn't disappointed. I liked the character development. If I can't relate to something about the characters I read about, I find it hard to get into the book.

These characters were for the most part very human, although I think they were better behaved than anyone in real life. They had flaws galore, which makes the read more entertaining. The plot was well thought out and dare I say 'well done,' and it was every entertaining for the most part.

It did drag a little in the middle. At one point I wanted to just yell, "Get on with it"...but shortly thereafter it took off again, so it didn't detract from the over all feeling.

This is another author I would like to read the next work from as she has me intrigued.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice start to a new mystery series. This mystery is set in/around a restaurant but there is less attention to food and more to the business side of the restaurant biz itself. So, as a person who dislikes cooking, not a foodie at heart - I still enjoyed the book for it's great characters and interesting mystery. That is not saying that a true foodie would not get good enjoyment out of this, as I'm certain they would. There are lots of dining experiences and wine appreciation.

Still, a charming, not entirely serious, non-gory murder mystery that enveloped my attention from beginning to end. Some inconsistencies and things that rubbed me wrong, but as this is more of a lighthearted take on murder, I can forgive such things. 3.5 stars rounded up for relatively good cover art and good editing.

[Crysti Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a freebie for the Kindle simply because it was labelled a mystery and because one of my dreams has always been to own a restaurant. The mystery was intriguing and for awhile I couldn't make up my mind which of the possible suspects committed the crime. I did finally guess it right about 63% of the way through the book. I enjoyed that the author included some taboo subjects such as same sex relationships and home schooling families. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. I hope they fall in line with what happened in this book, such as relationships and characters. This book would've been worth the money if I did have to pay for it.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the debut book in a new series with a good premise. The sleuth is the daughter of a famous restaurant owner and has shucked the family business to become a rival. Oh, not in the normal sense but as a public health inspector. The book explains why this career change happens.

Life interferes and Poppy Markham agrees to help her Father with a re-opening night that becomes a nightmare as the guest chef is stabbed.

This book is far more complex than the cover leads one to believe. There are several different types of mysteries involved.

A good debut.

[Tara Gabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poppy is a "culinary cop" helping her father at the family restaurant which involves working with both her unlikeable step-sister head chef as well as an equally unlikeable visiting celebrity chef. When the visiting chef is found stabbed to death with the step sister's knife, the police arrest her for the murder. More mayhem ensues as Poppy launches her own investigation into the misdeed. This is a fun debut novel. I certainly hope Poppy shows up frequently in more adventures.

[Candace Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I've read of Robin Allen's though it is the first of her 2 books. Again, just like the other book Stick a Fork in it. I really enjoyed this book as well. Robin does a great job at hinting at other "suspects" so you don't fiqure out "who done it" until the end of the book. With me I am never good at fiquring out "who done it" in any book I read, which is good. I don't want to be able to fiqure out the plot before I finish reading it.

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I choose this book because it made me think of the t.v. shows "Hell's Kitchen" and "Kitchen Nightmares". The book started out and ended really well, but it dragged in the middle a little. I would've liked the ending to not have been wrapped up so quickly but extended a little bit more after they found out who the killer was. This is a fast read and perfect to read at the beach, lake, or pool.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. There was one mistake I wish the editors had caught. Uh the beginning, Poppy mentions the name of someone who "left" the restaurant and her. I think that it was meant to be about Jamie, but the name that was used was Drew. All through the rest of the book I kept expecting more about this mysterious person, but to no avail.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A freebie I got for my Kindle and really, really enjoyed! I love cozies, since the violence is not gruesome and the language is not bad. This was a great cozy, probably just one or two curse words if any, and a good plot. I loved the characters and would definitely read more in this series if I could find them free or discounted. I believe this is the first one, and it was good :)

[Jim Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I enjoy in a cozy. Easy reading, a good mystery and more than all great characters. Poppy has a lot on her plate when her fathers and family restaurant becomes involved in a murder mystery after a world famous chef is found dead. A fun and easy read.

[Em_Dash512 · Rating 3 out of 5]

a new book by a local author! i was standing behind her daughter during graduation! Fun summer read, quick and easy. The end wrapped up very quickly, but I'm guessing it's a set up for another book.

[Laughingbluedog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh, quirky and entertaining. The perfect sit-by-the-pool in the Texas Hill Country book that will make you avoid eating out for at least a few weeks, for fear of murderers or food poisoning. Looking forward to the next course...a la Stick a Fork in It.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was entertaining, and definitely gets your emotions going. Anger for Poppy's family, empathy for Poppy, and irritation at the treatment of the main character. It was a good plot, with plenty of twists and turns.

[Lidia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice reading if not look too to plot, because there situations that aren't coherent or normals. Poppy is very cute but I think too mistreated from its father and stepmother and also betrayed from boyfriend. So I think that she is too good with all:not my favorite heroine.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery. It was fast paced and kept me guessing until the very end. But it wasn't one of those where I felt cheated when the villain was revealed (I hate it when you aren't ever given any clues that would cause you to suspect the solution).