Customer Reviews

The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I ordered this book before I knew that it was a Eugenia Potter mystery, based on the characters created by Virginia Rich. I always considered Rich's mysteries "lightweight." They are lacking in plot and suspense. Ms. Pickard religiously recreates these flaws.

The phrase, "Where's the beef?" for this chili comes to mind. If you want to read a nice romance between Eugenia and a former college sweetheart, then this book is for you. If you want a challenging mystery, look somewhere else. The dead body was found way too late and I guessed who done it way too soon.

With respect to the recipes, Diane Mott Davidson's series of Goldy of Goldilock's catering provides more and better ones, some of which I have tried and liked.

Reading Virginia Rich's mysteries always left me hungry, not simply for the food described within the pages, but for another adventure with Eugenia Andrews Potter, the main character of her novels. In quick succession, I read The Cooking School Murders, The Baked Bean Supper Murders, and The Nantucket Diet Murders. With Genia, I went to her childhood home in Iowa, to her cottage in Maine, and to Nantucket for a reunion with old friends.

I wondered where we'd go next and what wrongdoings she would uncover. For years, I anxiously checked the R's in the mystery section of each bookstore I entered, looking for a new release by Rich. NOTHING!

Then I learned that Virginia Rich had died. I mourned the loss of that fine writer, but I was consoled to learn that I wouldn't lose Mrs. Potter, too. Nancy Pickard, another of my favorite authors, was commissioned to write the long-awaited, fourth Eugenia Potter mystery. She was even given access to some of Rich's own material, thereby creating a rather unique collaboration. I bought the book, The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders, the day it was released.

The locale of this mystery is Genia's "home on the range" in Arizona. Pickard's own experience as a rancher, as well as her superb writing skills, account for the realism inherent in the book. The plot is more than sufficiently entertaining, and there's even a romantic subplot this time around. Discussions of food abound, as in Rich's previous books, and recipes are again included on the inside covers of the book. The characterization is typical Rich, introducing me to still another circle of Genia's friends.

More than anything, I wanted Pickard's word picture of Mrs. Potter to be consistent with Rich's powerful portrayal of this precursor of Jessica Fletcher. Pickard didn't fail me. Genia is back in all her glory, from her introspective nature and her love of food and cooking to her graciousness and the "ubiquitous yellow pads with which she organized her l! ife."

It's a difficult task for an accomplished writer, accustomed to his or her own voice, to write in the style of another author. Pickard was more than equal to the challenge, and the product is a beautiful tribute to Rich. Many thanks, Nancy!

I have only one problem: I'm hungry again for more of Eugenia Potter. Am I greedy to hope for still another adventure?

Preferring the clarity of focus of a solitary mind, I normally detour around dual authorship fiction. But, in the case of Nancy Pickard's continuing the late Virginia Rich's Eugenia Potter series, I was intrigued by the potence of a fictional character surviving the grave of her creator.

I chose "The 27 Ingredient CHILI CON CARNE MURDERS" as my introduction to this Genia character, because it contained contributions from both authors, with Nancy working from plot notes Virginia left behind. That Chile offering bridged Rich's original three Potter novels, to Pickard's two continuations (two published, as far as I know).

Reading the Chili novel, I could easily see why Eugenia Potter had prevailed in her fictional world, and into our reality. She has embodied the prime ingredients of the endearing and enduring profile of Female Amateur Sleuth, the spunky, curious, "older" (or at least mature) woman seasoned with wisdom, wit, and wherewithal.

Who is Miss. Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Mrs. Pollifax, Chas Wheately, etc.?

It's uncanny that Eugenia is not only a spin-off of Virginia's personal life, but Genia fits-like-a-dove into Nancy's life as well. These two authors didn't know each other prior to each publishing a mystery of her own. Yet both authors were wives of cattle ranchers in the Southwestern US, with each couple owning a cottage in the Northeast. The main path divergence (if I recall my research correctly) is that Nancy is a decade or two younger than Virginia was, and is still enjoying the companionship of her cattle rancher husband; on the other hand, Virginia's husband is the survivor in that marriage. Though ... I might wonder who survived what.

Don't want to get into the story of these two authors, other than to say that the situation is so coincidentally uncanny as to be almost eerie, seeming very much like a pre-destined, meant-to-be deal. Of course, at this point in my life (prior to sprouting wings myself), I have speculations but no clues to the true underpinnings of this awesome parallel.

In any case, I'm thankful to have a continuing line of Potter mysteries to enjoy. (Potter ... is there something about that NAME??)

Chapter One of the Chili book tastefully toyed with a paranormal conundrum, as it opened with Eugenia thoughtfully preparing an Albondigas Soup, talking to herself as she absently handled herbs. I love an author who's able to capture readers with sensual ease, without resorting to surging the heartbeat to the heavens with a sudden, searing shock.

Eugenia's self-dialogue introduces an intuitive intrigue, as she wonders why she's slipped into unlikely behaviors and seemingly inappropriate spice choices, which don't fit her normal routines and present setting. Soliloquies and actions seem to be pivoting on a paranormal precipice of an impending dramatic change. Around this puzzling pique, Eugenia remains generally at one with herself and her morning machinations. With the reader salivating over the soup aroma's aura, the story slithers forward with such a natural flow that the reader is retained throughout the plot, without realizing that the novel has accomplished an absolute kidnap.

How can a book be a cozy, relaxing read, yet prevent the reader from noticing he's holding a book rather than walking through it? The continual "ins" are so seamless, I never noticed (so didn't dread) that awkward few seconds of releasing reality and tuning into a novel, when effort is required to shift gears and re-connected with the characters.

Add to these ever-present, engrossing, easy entries, a mystery which has a full-bodied complexity, a depth and timelessness worthy of the sleuth herself. Opening the book to any page sets off the aura of one of those ancient tomes of true fiction, which transport the old-soul-richness of a born and reborn story-weaver.

According to certain reports, Virginia Rich was the first true culinary author to be inspired to include recipes in a novel. Of course Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series initiated a sleuth surrounded in gourmet goodies, but, Rich flamed up foodie features by offering The Recipe, sliding the realm of fiction closer to the sensual reality of life.

If this seeming "pre-destiny" continues, crossing borders of authors and sub-genres, we Earth residents may well discover a recipe for ending the mystery of murder.

Wide-Eyed & Hopeful,
Linda G. Shelnutt

This book is an enjoyable mystery filled with twists, turns, and surprises. It is a wonderful mix of personalities, cultures, and family generations. The characters, who are truly characters, are believable and distinctive. The relationships that unfold throughout the story are ones the reader can understand and relate to. The use of cultural differences and the variety of ages demonstrate the value of each person and add strength to the book. The recipes included are a delicious bonus. The talents of both authors are easy to see and have produced a delightful book to be enjoyed by any mystery fan.

After Virginia Rich died leaving this book unfinished, Nancy Pickard was asked to complete it. Pickard is a fine mystery writer herself (I've greatly enjoyed her Jenny Cain series), but this book neither shows off her gifts nor achieves the quality of Rich's other "recipe mysteries." Pickard valiantly tries (successfully, most of the time) to preserve the flavor of Rich's cast of standard characters, but the new characters seem sketchily drawn. And the plot is rather lame: plot was never Rich's strong point, so, by sticking religiously to the original outline, Pickard has done her more of a disservice than if she'd followed her own (better) instincts and improved it. The novel is worth reading if you're a Rich (or even a Pickard) fan, but, if you're unfamiliar with either author's work, this is not the book to start with.

My mother enjoyed the book and actually made the chili recipe - it was delicious!

I enjoyed this book very much. I have read other books by this author and so far have enjoyed them all. The chile releno casserole recipe in this book is very good.

Nancy Pickard used the notes of Virginia Rich to create THE 27*INGREDIENT CHILI CON CARNE MURDERS. This story takes Eugenia Potter home to Arizona in a hurry when she gets a phone call from her ranch forman.
When she arrives he and his granddaughter are missing and someone doesn't want them to be found alive, even if it means using poison in Mrs. Potter's famous chili.
Good story for a late night read.

Following the death of Virginia Rich, many Eugenia Potter fans thought the series was also laid to rest. Fortunately for her fans, the family of Virginia Rich asked Nancy Pickard, a respected author in her own right, to continue the series using Rich's plot notes.

The 27 Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders is the first of three written by Pickard. It is difficult for any author to pick up where another left off, but Pickard has risen to the occasion with a fine story.

Preparing for a dinner party the next evening, Eugenia Potter decided to make a Mexican chili recipe typically found in the Southwest rather than at her current residence in Maine.

During her ruminations as she prepared the chili dish, she received a phone call drawing her back to her Tuscon area ranch. Her ranch manager and his granddaughter were missing and feared dead. Shortly thereafter, someone dies after eating Eugenia's special chili, and the wiley sleuth goes into action.

Pickard has thoughtfully added a romantic interest for our beloved Eugenia for added spice.

Fans of Virginia Rich's original series will welcome this new and unexpected novel. Vivid description, warm characters, and tantalizing recipes draw the reader into this delicious culinary cozy.


The 27-Ingredient Chili Con Carne Murders

I found it all but impossible to read this--this mystery? It's hard to say what this book is exactly. Every time it appeared that the story might begin at last, the author would stop to throw in a meaningless recipe (yawn) or food description. Then I would think, NOW she is going to get on with it, and there would be pages of extraneous background information on characters, geology, or something else that stopped the book cold. The end just isn't worth it. Reading a novel such as this is like walking over a landscape strewn with boulders.