Book 3 of The Trudie Fine Mystery Series. A cozy culinary mystery.
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and business is bounteous for Trudie and Zach’s catering company, A Fine Fix, beginning with a posh art exhibit at the prestigious Christine Dugan Gallery. When the guest list includes art connoisseurs, wealthy collectors, and prominent socialites, not to mention a well-respected art critic from The Washington Post, a successful event can only mean future bookings. But the discovery of a gruesome murder brings the high-class evening to a screeching halt. In the days that follow, Trudie faces a cornucopia of troubles as her curiosity lands her in plenty of hot gravy. Not even her new canine friend, Zeus, can protect her against threats to her life or keep the killer off her trail. Trying to get her footing and find the murderer is like walking through a sweet potato casserole. Trudie has seen how deadly art can be, and now she’s a sitting duck. *Recipes Included
It’s the week before Thanksgiving, and business is bounteous for Trudie and Zach’s catering company, A Fine Fix, beginning with a posh art exhibit at the prestigious Christine Dugan Gallery. When the guest list includes art connoisseurs, wealthy collectors, and prominent socialites, not to mention a well-respected art critic from The Washington Post, a successful event can only mean future bookings.
But the discovery of a gruesome murder brings the high-class evening to a screeching halt.
In the days that follow, Trudie faces a cornucopia of troubles as her curiosity lands her in plenty of hot gravy. Not even her new canine friend, Zeus, can protect her against threats to her life or keep the killer off her trail. Trying to get her footing and find the murderer is like walking through a sweet potato casserole.
Trudie has seen how deadly art can be, and now she’s a sitting duck.
*Recipes Included
Excerpt
Zach gestured for me to stay put and headed toward the commotion. I followed him anyway, gingerly side-stepping the glass shards and growing puddle of wine, which now, as the red and white liquid swirled together, resembled a pink Zinfandel.
Too many people crowded the hallway outside Christine's office. Shrieks and moans emerged from the room, and the Post art critic fled toward the men's room, his hand covering his mouth.
Zach pushed his way through with me close behind. At the doorway, he stopped short. At six-foot-two, he could easily see above the heads of others. I wedged myself in beside him and gasped at the sight.
Christine Dugan, at first glance, appeared to be reclining comfortably in her chair--until I realized she'd been impaled through the heart with her own red, metal pendant, a trail of blood weaving down through the folds of her dress, her unseeing eyes open wide.
Professional Reviews
A Fine Cozy!
It seemed like forever until book 3 in this series came out, but it was well worth the wait! I love the way the relationship between Trudie & Daniel has developed. Lots of twists & turns kept it interesting. And to finish it up, some great recipes at the end!
I just completed the third book in the "Trudie Fine Mysteries" by Gale Deitch. 'Fine Arts' is another wonderful light-hearted mystery finding Trudie Fine, yet again, involved in another murder mystery.
Trudie and Zach, her longtime friend and business partner in a catering business called "A Fine Fix", has recently went into partnership with Jennifer, the owner of a coffee shop that is providing Trudie and Zach with breads, rolls, cakes and pastries. Thus far, the partnership had been great, but while serving an art exhibit for Jennifer's life partner, Rose, a murder takes place landing Trudie right into the middle of yet another murder case. Of course, Trudie's boyfriend, Daniel, is one of the investigative detectives assigned to the case.
This book added an extremely intelligent dog named Zeus, who almost steals the show...I loved the fact that Jennifer hand-baked doggie treats for Zeus at the coffee shop and the recipe is included at the end of the book.
Gale Deitch has an amazingly soft and easy writing style that catches the reader's attention and keeps it from the beginning of the book until the very end. The final chapter has a wonderful surprise that causes me to think...another sequel coming? Hope, hope!
I really enjoy reading works from Gale Deitch and this is another fine example. 'Fine Arts' is a great stand-alone novel, but more fun reading them in order to learn more about the back stories and sub-plots.
I highly recommend you check out all three 'Trudie Fine Mysteries." 'Fine Arts' is yet another "thumbs up" book. Although there is the seriousness of murder and other crimes, it is still an easy read and definitely a page-turner. I couldn't put it down!!!
Reviewed by Lauri Nye
11/26/2017
Who else but Gale Deitch can combine catering, the high end art world, and agility competition into a page turner? An excellent whodunit.. cannot wait for the next book in the series.
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