Customer Reviews

The Butter Did It

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enjoyed reading Phyllis Richman's first murder mystery- so much so I hope she continues to write more. Having lived in the Washington area, I have enjoyed her restaurant reviews. I also like cooking. Combine murder mysteries with cooking and I'm hooked. The plot to "The Butter Did It" is well constructed and it has plenty of suspects. You learn a lot about the main character, food critic Chas Wheatley. She is not perfect, though. I have a hard time believing she loves to walk in Washington D.C. Traffic, construction and pollution make that difficult. Never mind, it's a good read.

What a good read for a long weekend. This was a spontaneous purchase because I liked the title. I figured that the author had a sense of humor. Boy! Does she?! This is a nice moving book with lots of insider information on the food industry as well as inside the beltway. The characters are well-rounded (and not perfect). I liked every character and did not want a single one of them to be the "dirty guy." The food details without the recipes littering the content is a welcome change, and walking the city streets can help the psyche -- try it! I will definitely buy more from this author.

THE BUTTER DID IT is a fun read from the first page.
As a fan of mystery and cooking I enjoyed the romp through the professional world of food.

Ms Richman obviously knows her business and her witty style keeps you turning the pages.

The title suggests an author with a sense of humor and her story confirms your expectations.

I eagerly look forward to Ms Richman's next adventure with Chas and friends in their tasty world of food, mystery and interesting characters

Phyllis Richman is a many-faceted woman. She wrote restaurant reviews that were outstanding for The Washington Post. She has written articles for Gourmet Magazine. She has written several mysteries weaving the food scene with the storyline. Phyllis, when can we expect your next book and isn't there a screenplay in the offing? She also sits on the prestigious James Beard Committee for culinary awards. When I think of restaurants, I think of Phyllis Richman. Purchase this book; you won't be disappointed.

Death of a great chef. Cause heart attack. But Chas Wheatly feels it is more than that. We get to read about great foods and life of a food critic. Keeps you guessing. Just when you think you might have it a curveball is thrown in. Hard to put down. Love the recipe at the end. Easy for us who are not chefs.

I really enjoyed this debut effort by Phyllis Richman. As a DC transplant and wife of a native, Ms. Richman goes a long way in painting a detailed and accurate picture of the region I call home, even when peppered with fictitious places and landmarks. She also draws a fine mystery novel, encouraging readers to follow through on her false-leads, as far as her title character, Chas. While I did guess who the real murderer was pretty early on- this did not detract from my enjoyment of this novel and anticipation for her next entree'. Ms. Richman has taken such care with all of the character's close to Chas that I feel that I would know many of them if I encountered them on the Metro, the Mall, or Georgetown! I look forward to hearing more about Lily, Ari, Paul, Dave, Sherele, Homer, and Brian. Bravo!

What a great first novel from Phyllis Richman! It pulled me in on page one and held my attention through the last page, and I honestly hated to see it end. It not only held my interest as a mystery, but was informative into the workings of the restaurant industry. I hope this is just the beginning of a series of "Chas" mysteries.

Oh, I just love Chas and all her foiables. She is a delight to get to know along with all the other quirky characters she comes in contact with. Love the descriptions of the dinners she partakes of as a food critic. Yum!! This is a fun romp of a murder mystery with a great twist.

Phyllis Richman, whose restaurant reviews have delighted me for decades, now comes out with the stories behind the foie gras. As someone who watched the Washington restaurant scene grow, I'm delighted by her authentic behind-the-scene look at the showbizzery of the restaurant world. Books are best when people write what they know, and Richman is the most knowledgeable, entertaining critic there is... who knew she could do fabulous fiction too

Phyllis Richman, where have you gone?! After devouring the first three of your Chas Wheatley mysteries, you have left me out in the cold, wondering if there will ever be anymore. Alas, I doubt it to be true, since the last book you wrote was in 2002. I have even gone so far as to Google you, only to not come up with much in that department either. Sigh! You have left me strung out on your witty and sarcastic writing that I have yet to be found duplicated anywhere!

I should probably review this book, huh?

The Butter Did It, a quick, spirited, and completely humorous ride that all of these other "foodie" mysteries could only dream of duplicating. This is probably because Richman is an honest to goodness restaurant reviewer, that works for The Washington Post. Washington D.C. provides a rich backdrop for the three of her books. Being from the left coast, she gives fascinating descriptions of her surroundings, not to mention the food, as well. The characters seem to pop off the page, nothing lies flat in a Richman book. I honestly couldn't put it down. If you're into mystery, great characters, fabulous writing and all around excellent writing, I'd pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.