Book 1 of The Trudie Fine Mystery Series. A cozy, culinary mystery.
Things couldn't be better for Trudie and her partner, Zachary Cohen. It's the first big job for their catering company, A Fine Fix, and everyone who's anyone in the Washington, DC area will be at the Schwartzes' backyard Mexican fiesta. With the tables set, the food prepared to perfection, and the Mariachi band sizzling, Trudie is mellow as a Margarita smoothie... ...until a dead body is discovered floating in the pool. When Zach is arrested as the prime murder suspect, Trudie sets out to clear him and find the real murderer. Life gets spicier than a jalapeno pepper when she realizes she's the focus of three men's affections, including the unnerving detective handling the case. Soon, however, Trudie is reaching for her favorite knife, but not to chop vegetables. Recipes included.
Things couldn't be better for Trudie and her partner, Zachary Cohen. It's the first big job for their catering company, A Fine Fix, and everyone who's anyone in the Washington, DC area will be at the Schwartzes' backyard Mexican fiesta.
With the tables set, the food prepared to perfection, and the Mariachi band sizzling, Trudie is mellow as a Margarita smoothie...
...until a dead body is discovered floating in the pool.
When Zach is arrested as the prime murder suspect, Trudie sets out to clear him and find the real murderer. Life gets spicier than a jalapeno pepper when she realizes she's the focus of three men's affections, including the unnerving detective handling the case.
Soon, however, Trudie is reaching for her favorite knife, but not to chop vegetables.
Recipes included.
Excerpt
A woman's scream pierced the clamor of voices and music.
Then, silence.
I gasped. Could there have been a cucuracha in the food? Had someone spilled hot cheese nachos on another guest?
I rushed onto the patio. A crowd had gathered around the pool. Soft cries and questioning whispers lilted on the summer breeze. I scrambled down two levels to the pool deck and edged closer, rounding the crowd to get a better view. In the center of the pool floated the body of a man, face down, a rivulet of blood swirling from his head and the palm trees and hula girls on his shirt billowing to the surface.
Professional Reviews
A fine mstery
A Fine Fix is a great blend of mystery, humor, and of course, food. Trudie Fine is a unique and intriguing character, and has a love of bold colors and delicious food. When a murder occurs at her first professional catering gig, and her partner and good friend becomes a suspect, Trudie decides to do some sleuthing of her own to prove her partner's innocence. I love the way Trudie deals with the challenges of running her own business, struggles with her weight, and tries to sort out her feelings for not one but three potential suitors. Her quirky sense of humor helps her try to make the best of things as she is pulled deeper into the mystery. Ms. Deitch's smooth prose captures Trudie's voice perfectly and keeps you turning the pages. I will be looking for the next installment in the series!
Fine Fun!
The author expertly draws the reader right into the hectic, culinary world of caterer, Trudie Fine; and then tosses some murder, and romance into the mix. You'll enjoy this meaty mystery, but pace yourself, or you'll wolf it down too fast; it's hard to stop after the first bite. When this one was wrapped up for me, I found myself craving the next course. :)
Excellent
A Fine Fix is a very well written book. It was a quick read for me because I got involved with the characters and couldnt wait to see what happened next. It was very interesting and I couldnt put it down. It is unusual for me to finish a book the same day I begin reading it, but the story line and the characters in the story are fun. I can't wait until the next one in this series comes out!
'A Fine Fix' is a cute and fun murder mystery. Who knew that was even possible? Apparently, Gale Deitch did! A very light-hearted mystery novel involving murder, stalking, mayhem, crime, love, drama, jealousy and so much more.
I started thinking I had it solved midway through, but there are several twists and turns that cause you to doubt and keep you guessing.
'A Fine Fix' is a very enjoyable read. I couldn't put it down, read it in two days. The food references and in place of curse words is quite funny! I am so looking forward to reading additional works by Gale Deitch.
Don't pass this one up, loads of fun and very well-written. It's a winner!
Reviewed by Carole Colbert
12/29/2017
A good enjoyable mystery, which makes a change to have a heroine who isn't slim and pretty. I felt that I could identify with curvy Trudie Fine who just loves her food and loves to cook it!
There are some red herrings in this mystery and some twists that I didn't see coming.
I liked Trudie and her partner, Zach, they worked well together and were a good combination.
There was lots of humour and funny moments.
Trudie moaned that she'd had her share of unrequited love and had never had a boyfriend but I did find it hard to believe that not one, not two, but three very handsome very eligible young men were interested in her and were falling over themselves for her in this story. This just made the story too unreal for me.
An intriguing mystery overall, and I would be interested to see how this series develops in the future.....preferably without all the love interests!
Reviewed by Lauri Nye
11/22/2017
This is one of the best written, fun mysteries, I have read in a long time. The characters are believable, you are drawn into their story immediately, and there are none of those boring sidebars. The only drawback is that I wish I had discovered this writer sooner!!
The Reed’s faith, a mystery to some, will be tested like never before. Will it hold? Mark’s love for his wife and their intimate romance is shattered by Brandy, a barmaid.
The Reed’s faith, a mystery to some, will be tested like never before. Will it hold? Mark’s love for his wife and their intimate romance is shattered by Brandy, a barmaid.
