It is a little late, but today’s Mystery Monday feature is the first book in the Italian Kitchen Mystery series by author Rosie Genova.  Come back tomorrow as I have a guest post and a review of her second book in this series, Wedding Soup Murder.

Synopsis

Hit whodunit writer Victoria Rienzi is getting back to her roots by working at her family’s Italian restaurant. But now in between plating pasta and pouring vino, she’ll have to find the secret ingredient in a murder….

When Victoria takes a break from penning her popular mystery series and moves back to the Jersey shore, she imagines sun, sand, and scents of fresh basil and simmering marinara sauce at the family restaurant, the Casa Lido. But her nonna’s recipes aren’t the only things getting stirred up in this Italian kitchen.

Their small town is up in arms over plans to film a new reality TV show, and when Victoria serves the show’s pushy producer his last meal, the Casa Lido staff finds itself embroiled in a murder investigation. Victoria wants to find the real killer, but there are as many suspects as tomatoes in her nonna’s garden. Now she’ll have to heat up her sleuthing skills quickly…before someone else gets a plateful of murder.

Review

This is what happens why a mystery writer goes home to learn how to cook the family way and runs across a murder…they solve it of course. Of all the cozies I have ever read, I don’t think I have read one where the main character was a mystery writer. And then you throw in some good ol’ Italian food (with recipes at the end), well it is a good combo.

There was a good cast of characters and I have to admit I probably missed most of the clues. I truly did not expect the murder to be who it was…definitely a surprise for me.

We give this book 4 paws!