Appetite for Murder: A Culinary Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Cecile Lamalle (Author)

Book Description

Series: Culinary Mysteries | Publication Date: August 1, 1999

A FUNGUS AMONG US

While foraging for fungi in his secret spot, Charly Poisson, owner and chef of La Fermette, inadvertently unearths more than the oyster mushrooms he enjoys on his breakfast toast. Someone, apparently, has had the bad taste to bury an Hermes scarf in the hummus -- with a woman still attached! Mon Dieu!

Now, plagued by a series of mysterious barn burnings and a psychotic killer on the loose, a once-sleepy upstate New York town has suddenly become a bubbling hot compote of danger and intrigue. Does the blood-hungry murderer lurk among Charly's quirky, epicurean clientele? Worse yet, do the police intend to put the case on the back burner? Add to the mix one chubby French chef with a dangerous craving to solve the crime, rumors of mob ties, age-old vendettas, and a melange of motives that make almost everyone a suspect. Stir the pot vigorously and heat to serve...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

French chef Charly Poisson, co-owner of La Fermette, a restaurant in upstate New York, should be happy with his flourishing business. But then again, he has to deal with an alcoholic partner with a knack for falling down drunk in front of the customers. And when Charly goes out digging for some choice mushrooms, he accidentally unearths a woman's corpse. Initially, he leaves the investigation to local police, but as he begins to suspect his best customer, Walter Maxwell, his curiosity gets the best of him. When Charly shows up to cater a gala at Maxwell's house, a plan to permanently halt the chef's prying swings into action. LaMalle, debuting here, is at her best describing the workings of the restaurant and the delicious food (recipes included) that inform her debut, a pleasantly light repast for a hot summer's evening.

Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446607622
• ISBN-13: 978-0446607629
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,403,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A standout, scintillating and appetizing culinary mystery, July 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Appetite for Murder: A Culinary Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

In a mystery sub-genre almost overrun with titles, Lamalle's first entry in the culinary mystery category is a real standout at every level: characterization, plotting, language, humor and the author's pitch-perfect ear and feel for the denizens of her upstate New York, small-town locale. Something is rotten in Van Buren County and it begins to noticeably fester when the battered corpse of an unknown female turns up in the mushroom patch of Charles Poisson, owner and gourmet master of "La Fermette," the gustatory jewel of Klover, NY ("a mere thiry miles from Albany.") Poisson, whose personality and diction have a hint of the late Hercule Poirot, is an inspired creation, as are his regular dining patrons, most of whom become suspects in the primary murder as quickly as they are introduced. Lamalle manages to keep the suspense spinning for all of her almost 300 pages, while simultaneously charming the reader with characters who might well fit into a game of "Clue"--if "Clue" were played in the village of Peyton Place. An extra bonus in this sparkling entertainment is the collection of Charlie's mouth-watering recipes, sprinkled as a garnish through its suspensful, funny and murderous pages. A first-class, genre-transcending entertainment that should appeal to both mystery fans and anyone fond of an amusing, literate novel.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly amusing and well-written and crafted mystery, October 22, 1999

By 

Stacey Short (Aurora, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Appetite for Murder: A Culinary Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book was a wonderful surprise: a well-crafted, amusing and gracefully written culinary mystery. Out of the many many culinary mysteries on the shelf these days, this stands out as the best I've read yet. The recipes and food descriptions are integral to the story, and are integrated well with the text--not stuck onto the back as a last second "gimmick". The mystery was interesting and engaging, and the characters sympathetic and amusing. Can't wait for the next in this series to come out!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars first in a fun culinary mystery series with a chef-sleuth, April 20, 2010

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Appetite for Murder: A Culinary Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Charly Poisson is a brilliant French chef in upstate New York. Business is booming, unless you count his inebriated and embarrassing partner, and Charly is a charming character. As the book begins, the residents of the area are concerned about a number of barn burnings, but things heat up quickly when Charly, looking for mushrooms, finds the corpse of a woman from the city. No one knows who she is or why she was in the county, but as murders and disappearances stack up, the local police are overwhelmed, so naturally Charly must step in to do some sleuthing of his own. All the while we are treated to Charly's ideas about food and dining and people. There are many characters, but the adroit writing keeps this tale from becoming confused.

Very well done and enjoyable. I will read others in the series. I have not yet made any of the recipes in the book, but intend to do so; they include: ragout of artichoke hearts, scotch broth, salmon rillettes, moules mariniere and shrimps charly.