Title: Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking
Author: Linda Griffin
Voice Actors: Catherine Hein Carter
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Romantic Mystery
Book Blurb:
Software engineer Reid Lucas loves to cook and has a history of falling in love with married women. When he leaves his complicated past in Chicago for a job in California, he runs into trouble and must call a virtual stranger to bail him out of jail. Alyssa Knight, a tough street cop waiting for a church annulment from her passive-aggressive husband, is the roommate of the woman Reid calls for help, and she reluctantly provides bail for Reid. He falls for her immediately, and cooking for her is an act of love. She just wants to be friends, but they keep ending up in bed together. When his boss is murdered, Reid is a suspect. Or is he the intended target?
My Review:
Story Impressions –
Two perfect strangers, a suspicious murder, and the sublime power of cooking… can one man’s gift for culinary creations convince Alyssa to drop her guard and let love in? The first time Alyssa meets Reid, she’s bailing him out of jail. Years on the police force raise her hackles about how nice he’s being, cooking and all. She knows he’s up to no good and makes rash judgments, even as he’s creating mouth-watering food. When Reid’s boss shows up dead, she’s even more convinced. But the more time they spend together, her walls and convictions begin to crumble. Is he a serial killer type who has an angelic face or is he telling the truth? While she sorts out her own heart, she investigates what could be a frame-up. One thing is certain: his food is straight from heaven as is his love for her. Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking is a brilliant romantic suspense I couldn’t put down. It has all the elements I enjoy in an unputdownable story: independent heroine, suspenseful plot with a few red herrings, unexpected romance, great amounts of food, witty dialogue, murder, and a happily for now ending.
Narrator’s overall voice – Catherine narrates this romantic suspense to perfection. Her voice is engaging yet doesn’t detract from the overall story.
Does the narrator fit the characters? Yes, Catherine uses her voice like an instrument, differing it to fit the characters.
Narrator’s reading style –There’s an effortlessness to Catherine’s style which makes listening to this audiobook a breeze.
Narrator’s impact on reading experience – Catherine makes the characters come alive. Readers can enjoy listening to her and ponder this delightful romantic suspense.
Narrator’s pacing –The pacing is even and doesn’t detract the reader’s attention.
Audiobook flow –The audiobook flows well. I found myself listening late into the night.
What makes this audiobook unique –What I found so unique about this audiobook was the way Catherine conveys emotion and tension. I actually liked listening to the audiobook more so than reading the book. A lot of that has to do with the way Catherine narrates.
Would I recommend this audiobook –Yes, I would recommend it to any listener. You’ll be entertained for hours.
My Rating: 5+ stars
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Author Biography:
Growing up in San Diego, California, I developed a passion for the printed word with my very first Dick and Jane reader. As soon as I figured out that somebody must create those words, I knew I wanted to be a “book maker” when I grew up. I didn’t wait, though; I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” when I was six. My love of books also led me to an MLS degree from UCLA and a career as a reference and collection development librarian at the San Diego Public Library, including twenty-two years managing the Central Library’s fiction collection. Retirement allowed me to put writing front and center. I’ve had twenty-three stories published in literary journals and anthologies, and Beyond Stonebridge is my ninth book from the Wild Rose Press.
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Reviewed by: Nancy