Tomato sauce isn’t the only thing that runs red…Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband’s fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa’s door, things just get worse. They’ve discovered Dylan’s death wasn’t an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why? With the … dead, and why?
With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it’s time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love-cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan’s favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren’t the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband’s many secrets might land her in hot water.
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Tessa Esposito has had her life turned upside down. Her husband has been killed in a car accident, leaving her a widow at 30. However, she is about to get another shock. Her cousin Gino, a cop, stops by to visit and drops the bombshell on her – the police don’t think the accident was an accident at all. Instead, they think it was murder. And he suggests that someone at Slice, the local pizza parlor where Dylan had lunch most days, might be responsible. After all, he was last seen alive leaving the restaurant. Tessa loves to cook, and Slice just happens to be advertising for a cook, so she snags the job, hoping to get a clue about what really happened to her husband. But her co-workers don’t seem to happy to see her. Is she going to be able to get anything out of them?
With Tessa’s husband being the victim, this book starts out with a more somber tone. Some events try to lighten it, but it didn’t quite work for me. After a bit of time to set up the characters and plot, things take off, and the book becomes impossible to put down. Tessa must unpeel the layers like an onion, and each new layer has a twist that kept me hooked until I reached the end. The suspects are all strong, and Tessa is a sympathetic lead character. It is easy to understand everything she is going through. The potential series regulars have a little room to grow, but that’s because they weren’t on the page too much. That’s what sequels are for, right? I did find some inconsistencies in the timeline late in the book, but nothing that ruins the plot at all. My biggest complaint is how much Tessa’s love life was a sub-plot; it’s something that should have been held until at least the next book in the series in my opinion. The book has some delicious sounding recipes at the end, including Tessa’s prize-winning tomato sauce. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Tessa next.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Was local chef Tessa Esposito’s husband not the man she thought he was? A few weeks have passed since he was killed in a fatal accident and now police have decided he may have been murdered. Her cousin, Detective Gino Mancusi brings her the news and has an idea for her to help solve the case. He wants her to apply for a job at her husband’s favorite pizza place, a place he spent quite a bit of time, and work undercover keeping her eyes and ears open. Tessa agrees but she does more than that. She starts asking questions and nosing around on her own. Her husband was a successful accountant, why would anyone what him dead? She better be careful or she could be next.
I am shocked to see this is the first book I have read by this author. It sure won’t be the last.
Catherine Bruns has created wonderful three-dimensional characters. Tessa is a protagonist I get really get on board with. A chef with a dream of having her own Italian restaurant for families. She loves to cook for others. Her dream was shared by her husband Dylan and his death rocked her to her core. When she learns his death was not an accident she turns into a woman with such strength and courage to bring his killer down. She does make some poor decisions but she is hellbent on getting justice for her husband even as she learns the man had more secrets than she ever could ever imagine.
Her cousins Gino and Gabby play a major part in her life. Gino’s quest is to keep her safe and best friend Gabby is a great partner and sounding board. They stick together through thick and thin and scary.
The story the author has created has more of an edge than your typical cozy mystery. Right after one scene occurred I had to check to see if the story was actually classified as cozy. After that scene though we mostly get back to that cozier feel. I would rather have a scene like that in my cozy than the curse words that are seeming to pop up more and more these days in this genre.
Ms. Bruns does set a lively pace with plenty of action and twists. The closer we get to the end the pace accelerates more making it impossible to put this book down until the last page is reached. Tense moments prevail that truly did keep me right on the edge of my seat.
Oh my goodness, the food described throughout this mystery was absolutely mouthwatering. From pizzas to Tessa’s Tantalizing Tomato Sauce I was craving Italian food for days. Thankfully my husband has some great recipes up his sleeve. The author does include some recipes at the end of the story too.
I love the theme and these characters. I am beyond excited for the next book in this series.
I was fortunate enough to read an advance review copy of Penne Dreadful and loved it. Tessa is a heroine with heart (and a killer red-sauce). Cozy mystery readers will adore this debut!
Tissue warning for the beginning of the book but it was worth it. Penne Dreadful is more serious than Catherine Bruns Cookies & Chances, which I love, but it has enough humor to keep it well within the cozy designation and enough to keep me happy. There are a few cringe-worthy moments,you know, the ones where the reader wants to shout at the main character and tell her to listen or think before she acts, but I give her a pass this time because the fact that she is trying figure out who murdered her husband, and the fact that she just found out that he had been murdered, gives her a reasonable excuse for not always using the best judgement. I envy her love of cooking, it felt so real, and have my fingers crossed that she will have a chance in the near future to follow her dream of owning a restaurant. The finger crossing is a great sign of how much I bought into Tessa character. I adored her cousins, understood her mother, and appreciated some of her friends.
This is a great new cozy series filled with fun characters, an interesting plot, and Italian food! What’s not to love? I can’t wait to see what happens next at Slice pizzeria. I’ll definitely be checking out book 2.
Penne Dreadful is the first book in An Italian Chef Mystery series. Tessa Esposito is from a large Italian family and she is known for cooking up a delectable tomato sauce. She lost her beloved husband, Dylan five weeks ago and she has been holed up in her home ever since. When her cousin and police officer, Gino Mancusi tells that Dylan’s car had been tampered with, Tessa is determined to find out who committed the crime. As Tessa searches for the guilty party, we are introduced to a variety of characters (townspeople, Dylan’s co-workers, Tessa’s friends and family). I liked Gino, Gabby, Vince, and Justin. They enhance the story especially Gabby. Tessa also owns a tuxedo cat named Luigi. Tessa was a hard person for me to like from the way she acted in Penne Dreadful. She is determined to get answers no matter what the cost. We follow her as she makes enquiries and “sneaks” around looking for clues. Tessa is blunt when she asks questions and her snooping is not sneaky. Tessa frequently gets herself into sticky situations and takes unnecessary risks. I did not know if she had a death wish or was oblivious to the danger. I did not find some of the situations to be unbelievable, but, of course, this is fiction. I hope Tessa improves her questioning technique in future books along with her stealth. The mystery was multifaceted with red herrings, multiple suspects and a twist. Those who are not avid cozy mystery readers will be surprised by the guilty person’s identity. I thought Penne Dreadful was a slow starter, but the action does pick up in the second half of the book. There were repetitive details that could have been eliminated along with the foul language. I was surprised there was a love interest for Tessa so soon. I hope that the author will let the relationship progress at a relaxed pace. I enjoyed the descriptions of Tessa’s Italian dishes and there are recipes at the end of the book. Penne Dreadful has pizza pies, family meals, unexpected revelations, simmering sauce, suspicious suspects, and one determined widow.
Strong start to a new series. At 399 pages, this book is a little longer than some other cozies, but it flew by. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Tessa and her family are rich characters and this book sets a solid foundation for whatever is to come. I look forward to seeing where Tessa’s adventures take her next.
Penne Dreadful
Italian Chef Mystery, Book #1
Catherine Bruns
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Tomato sauce isn’t the only thing that runs red…
Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband’s fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa’s door, things just get worse. They’ve discovered Dylan’s death wasn’t an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why?
With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it’s time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love-cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan’s favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren’t the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband’s many secrets might land her in hot water. (G00dreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to meet Tessa and her cousins, Gabby and Gino. You can tell they are a close knit family and they would do anything for each other. When Tessa loses her husband, her cousins have to help her get over it, somehow. When Tessa finds out that her husband’s death may not have been an accident, she knows she has to find the person responsible before she can move on.
The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I also think the author is very capable of portraying an Italian family and how much family means. This made for a very emotional ride but there is also humor. I think that must be very hard for an author to do.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. This author always delivers in her books.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
I had never read a Catherine Bruns book before this one but it was a cozy mystery based around food, and Italian food at that, so it was clearly going to be my jam. (Or my tomato sauce, as it were.)
Tessa is a chef who has been trying to move on after the untimely death of her husband. One day, she finds out that his death may not have been so accidental as she had believed so she sets out to find the truth about really happened the day Dylan died.
I found this book to be something of a slow burn but I can’t quite pinpoint why. Maybe Tessa was a little more passive a main character to me, investigating, yes, but seemingly just wishing to know the truth rather than more immediately doing everything in her power to discover the truth. I still enjoyed this book a lot, though, and I look forward to trying the recipes included at the end for pizza and Tessa’s pasta sauce.
Well done to author Catherine Bruns for penning a cozy mystery unlike any other I have ever read. Her seemingly effortless writing once again ensures this will be another big hit for her.
PEENE DREADFUL wan an intriguing mystery with more twists than corkscrew pasta. With each new chapter came jaw dropping revelations that made this story so much more than it originally seemed.
Love, loss, deceit, betrayal, grief, hope . . . there was so much going on in this tale that I was left emotionally drained by the last page. However, the author included wonderful recipes at the end, so I bounced right back.
If you’re a fan of cozies, surprises, and a good tomato sauce, look no further than PENNE DREADFUL!
Penne Dreadful is a fantastic mystery. It is engaging and fun. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end. I like the characters. They are interesting and quirky. This is a great read. I did not want to put the book down. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
I have enjoyed the Cindy York and the Cookies and Chance mysteries, so I was delighted to win a paperback copy of Penne Dreadful ! Though this series has taken a more serious tone, (a dead husband, murder, and secrets), it is a very good mystery. The main character, Tessa, has not only lost her husband through death, but his secrets may contaminate her memories of him. Thanks to her law enforcement cousin Gino, Tessa is soon up to her neck in clues when she goes undercover at the pizza place where her husband could so often be found. The book has a very heart- wrenching start but the quest to solve the mystery soon takes over. The pace is fast and the characters are great– there are some immature moments, but I expect that as it gives characters room to grow. I bought this book in kindle form, and the second , so I will be ready for the third book when it comes out on October 26th.
Penne Dreadful is a delightful new series from a favorite author! This book is well written, well paced, and full of suspects and motives. I love Tessa, Gino and Gabby. Their characters are so well developed. I hated that I had to get some sleep in the middle of this mystery I was still reading at 4 am! This book has many great sounding Italian dishes (with recipes) that I would love to sample. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves perplexing mysteries and great food.
This was the first book in what promises to be another good series. The characters are realistic, the plot keeps you reading, and there are enough suspects to keep you guessing. I will definitely be reading books in this series as they are published.
Awesome Book
Really enjoyed reading this book. This story will grab you from page one & take many twists and turns before the end. I look forward to reading book number 2.
Tessa is grieving her husband who died just 5 weeks earlier, and is shocked when her police officer cousin confesses that they believe he was murdered. Tessa decides to investigate herself, and responds to a help wanted ad for a cook position at the pizzeria where her husband spent most of his time prior to his death. Her new co-workers are unhappy to see her but she’s determined to stay until she learns something.
I enjoyed the cooking setup, and Tessa’s family, particularly Gino and Gabby. I’m interested to learn more about Tessa and see where the story goes in future books. As the first in the series this is a perfect place for cozy mystery fans to begin this series!
PENNE DREADFUL by Catherine Bruns
The First Italian Chef Mystery
Tessa Esposito is coping, though just barely, after a car accident killed her husband. Hoping to get her interested in life and living, her cousin Gino suggests she take a job at Slice, the pizzeria her husband frequented. Although a far cry from her previous job as cook in a more upscale restaurant, Tessa jumps at the opportunity when Gino, who also happens to be a police detective, tells her that her husband’s accident appears to be murder. Hoping to learn more about her husband’s last days, Tessa is unprepared for the loathing she finds from her new co-workers. Did one of them have something to do with her husband’s untimely demise? Is something shady going on there? As Tessa uncovers more surprises about her husband she wonders if she ever really knew him. Will Tessa find the truth? Does she really want to know?
In PENNE DREADFUL we meet a grieving widow and a whole bunch of suspicious characters. There are so many shady people living in these pages! I certainly don’t think I’d be picking up a pie at Slice with that staff! I appreciate Tessa’s determination to discover the truth and her realistic emotions as she does. The author has placed her on a roller coaster ride of emotions. She is at times, sad, angry, stunned, and determined…sometimes all at once.
It’s fascinating how the mystery in this first Italian Chef mystery unfolds. I like how Tessa peels back the layers of her husband’s life almost as if she’s peeling an onion for some sauce…and both will make her cry. Although grieving, Tessa never folds, no matter what comes at her…and a lot comes at her!
PENNE DREADFUL is a mystery featuring complex characters circling each other as they look for the truth or try to hide it. There are some high octane scenes that provide an adrenaline rush, as well as scenes to make you laugh. There are also descriptions of Tessa’s cooking that will make your stomach rumble. All in all PENNE DREADFUL is a great start to a new series imbued with Italian food and spirit.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
Tessa Esposito is recently widowed and struggling following her husband’s fatal accident. When her cousin Gino tells her that her husband may actually have been murdered, Tessa is stunned. Things only become worse as she and her best friend and cousin, Gabby, dig into what Dylan was up to in the days leading up to his death.
This is the first book in a new series by Catherine Bruns, Italian Chef Mysteries. I enjoyed reading this book. I read most of it in one day. The plot moves steadily and I didn’t want to put the book down. The characters were very interesting and well-written. It was somewhat like a cozy gangster story. There is a lot of anger directed toward the main character and the reason is unknown throughout most of the book. While I would have expected more tension from this, Tessa didn’t react to their looks or words which I didn’t find natural. The setting for this book is Albany, New York and focuses on the downtown shopping district. I recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading book two when it comes out later this year.
Tessa Esposito is a wonderful main character. I instantly felt drawn to her story and how all of her family and friends came together to help support her and help her get back on her feet. There were times in the story that made me laugh, times that made me tear up, and other times that I wanted to yell at her and say “don’t do that.” I was surprised at all of the things that Tessa was finding out about her husband and wondered how it would all tie together. But it did in a wonderful way! And all of the cooking made me hungry for Italian food. I’m so happy that there were a few recipes included at the end. Tessa has many adventures ahead and I can’t wait to be along for the ride.
I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Penne Dreadful is the first book in the Italian Chef mystery series and I can’t wait for book two! Tessa Esposito loves to cook but the death of her husband has her struggling to get back to it. Things take a bad turn when the police indicate that they don’t think her husbands death was an accident at all. As Tessa does some investigating of her own she learns things that her husband had kept secret. who would want him dead and why? What were the secretes he had been keeping? This is a wonderfully written book about family and food with an excellent mystery added. As an added bonus there are some delicious recipes included. Definitely recommend!