Review
The Second Tuscan Cooking School Mystery
Nell Valenti has whipped a ramshackle Tuscan estate into shape and the newly minted Villa Orlandini Cooking School is ready to host its first students. Five intrepid Americans are eager to learn Chef Orlandini's marinara tricks, including the secret prima marinara recipe that made him famous. Despite minor issues and personality clashes, field trips to a vineyard, a hunt for truffles, and a lesson on mushroom foraging keep the workshop on track. Until someone decides to commit murder. Will Nell be able to piece together the solution? Or will this murder signal the end of the Villa Orlandini Cooking School for good?
CRIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINARA is a coming of age story set against a backdrop of murder. Nell is growing up and coming into her own in the second Tuscan Cooking School Mystery. It's not easy. There's a lot of angst. And it wasn't coming from the murder, rather the burgeoning relationships, Nell's role, and the whole Villa dynamic.
I enjoyed the mystery. There was a major clue early on and I said, "Aha! This is important." The author proceeded to lead me on several merry chases making me forget. There were plenty of surprises, going back to that angst as well as the murder, and I was well entertained. I was also shocked and upset on Nell's behalf.
CRIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINARA provides a tasty mystery flavored with humor, some feels, and multiple twists and turns, along with lots of marinara sauce!
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