A Cook in Time: An Angie Amalfi Mystery (Angie Amalfi Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

Joanne Pence (Author)

Book Description

Series: Angie Amalfi Mysteries | Publication Date: October 6, 1999

In this 7th delightful culinary mystery from Joanne Pence, dilettante chef Angie Amalfi gets entangled with a group of UFO–chasers and government conspiracy nuts, while trying to get her new business off the ground.

Always thinking of new and better business ideas, culinary queen Angie Amalfi is sure she's got a winner with "Fantasy Dinners," one–of–a–kind thematic feasts specifically created to suit a client's unique tastes. Unfortunately no one's biting except the Prometheus Group, a crackpot cadre of UFO–chasers and conspiracy geeks. Still, even a wacko customer's better than none, and designing an otherworldly repast should keep Angie busy while her overworked policeman beau Paavo investigates a series of bizarre murders.

But the more time she spends dealing with these alien abduction enthusiasts, the more Angie believes that maybe there is some kind of conspiracy afoot and that the Prometheans and Paavo's cases are somehow connected––which is inspiring just the kind of unhealthy curiosity that could end up launching Angie out of this world...for good!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Tasty and tempting reading.” (Romantic Times BOOKclub )

From the Back Cover

Culinary queen Angie Amalfi has a way with food and people, but her newest business idea is turning out to be shakier than a fruit-filled gelatin mold. Her first--and only-clients for "Fantasy Dinners" are none other than a group of UFO-chasers and government conspiracy fanatics. Though Angie is more interested in what aliens eat than the Prommetheus Group's outlandish theories, still, business is business, and she vows to create an authentic dinner her clients won't forget. Besides, she's got plenty of free time since her hunky cop boyfriend, Paavo, might as well be off on another planet he's so wrapped up in investigating a series of bizarre murders.

The more Angie unearths about her slightly off-center clients, however, the more she starts to believe in a conspiracy theory of her own, one linking her feast to Paavo's case. It seems the Prometheus Group has more on its agenda than just cooking up fake abductions. The truth is out there and Angie is determined to get it. This time, though, her curiosity just might take her out of this world--for good.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon (October 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061044547
• ISBN-13: 978-0061044540
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joanne Pence knows how to tell a great mystery, October 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Cook in Time: An Angie Amalfi Mystery (Angie Amalfi Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Although Chef Angie Amalfi and homicide inspector Paavo Smith remain an item, they seem to spend little time together. Angie, tired of being a failure, desperately wants her newest business venture to work. She spends all her time on Fantasy Dinners. Her concept centers on a form of entertainment built around an evening of theme oriented events. Paavo hunts San Francisco's latest serial killer. This psychopath cuts the lips, nose, ears, and the entire area between the pubis and the colon from his victims. He completes his gruesome task by carving a number on the casualty's chest.

Angie's first client is society doyenne Triana Crisswell, a member of the Prometheus Group that believes in extraterrestrial life. Triana wants to host a reception for the group's leader Algernon, who is publishing his first book. The two women decide that Roswell Area 51 is the ideal theme. Paavo learns that the serial killer's victims are linked to Area 51 and the Prometheus Group. As Angie works her party and Paavo treks a gruesome trail, they soon find themselves working together.

Joanne Pence does her usual fine job with her latest Angelo Amalfi mystery although this time the author includes otherworldly elements to focus the plot. Ms. Pence's explanation for Roswell and Area 51 seems plausible. The protagonists feel as if they are familiar dear friends and acquaintances from previous tales add to the welcoming feel of the novel. An Angela Amalfi story is always a treat, but A COOK IN TIME is a feast.

Harriet Klausner

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pence's Best Yet, December 13, 1999

By 

volchef (Winter Park, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Cook in Time: An Angie Amalfi Mystery (Angie Amalfi Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Joanne Pence's latest thriller is the best yet in the Angelina Amalfi series. Her story is a cross between the X-Files and all of the Y2K hype. If you are looking for an intriguing, yet light read I strongly recommend this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good, February 24, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Cook in Time: An Angie Amalfi Mystery (Angie Amalfi Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Joanne Pence's books are very good. I think out of all of the Angie/Paavo books I have only not liked one. This one was good (and strange)but I read it in one night. Angie is ditzy and when you team her up with her friend, Connie, it kind of reminds you of Lucy and Ethel. Paavo is serious, but his homicide investigations balance out the comedic adventures of Angie. Angie's adventures always tie up with Paavo's investigations towards the end and Paavo saves the day each time. I like these books. They are what I consider light reading and the characters have real like depth to them where you really find yourself caring what happens to them. Each book advances their background and you find out more about them. The only thing that I consider irritating is the name brand mentioning in the descriptions. That gets a little old. Yes, we know she is rich, but please I don't care what brand of clothes, shoes, jewelery, etc. Angie is wearing. All in all I would highly recommend this series if you want something light and fast to read. The books can definitely deliver up some comedy and will get your mind working to try to figure out who done it.