Death al Dente: A Gourmet Detective Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) [Paperback]

Peter King (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2000 | Series: Culinary Mysteries

While in Bologna, the Gourmet Detective discovers food and passion are two Italian delicacies to die for...

Dispatched by London's premier restauranteur to find the ultimate Italian chef, the Gourmet Detective heads for Italy undercover. Accompanied by a seductive guide, he sets out to savor the delicacies-- and plumb the secrets-- of the three top contenders. But while sampling the region's gustatory delights, the Gourmet Detective discovers that his secret mission is public knowledge. Who spilled the beans? Are the culinary competitors ready to kill for the job? And when an agricultural magnate is found marinating in a swimming pool, and a killer monk tries to pare him to the core, the Gourmet Detective is ready to give a murderer his just desserts...

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Gourmet Detective (Spiced to Death, LJ 7/97) ultimately confronts dire danger when called upon to choose which of three talented Italian chefs will work at a fancy new restaurant. Their cooking competition, unfortunately, results in murder and more. Fast fun, delightful characters.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

The Gourmet Detective, an ex-chef, so far nameless(Spiced to Death, 1997, etc.), has been hired by famed actor/restaurateur Desmond Lansdowne to take on what appears a delightful mission: to travel to Italy and choose the best chef of the three generally acknowledged as that countrys finest. Lansdowne wants to open what he insists will be the best Italian restaurant in London, and the chosen chef will rule its kitchen. Gourmet, whose ostensible mission will be to gather material for a restaurant guide (... la Michelin), is met in Italy by charming Francesca, a friend of Desmonds who runs an escort service and knows everyone. In Bologna, the two are invited by chef Silvio Pellegrini to visit a mozzarella factory and a buffalo herd at his farma visit that ends with Pellegrinis death in what looks like murder. Gourmets life is threatened tooby a man dressed in a monks robe as well as by others. Between dissertations on the wines and regional dishes of various areas, theres a murky plot involving extramarital affairs, legal chicanery, and greedy business dealsmost of it near-incomprehensible except to theatrically handsome policeman Captain Carlo Cataldo, who seems to have a grip on the confusing mess. For some, wines and meals to die for. Others may feel a compelling urge to head for the nearest McDonalds. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (March 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312970382
• ISBN-13: 978-0312970383
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,839,863 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars death al dente, May 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Death al Dente: A Gourmet Detective Mystery (Culinary Mysteries) (Paperback)

Peter King's writing, like a fine wine improves with age. "Death al Dente" The fourth book in the Gourmet Detective series, is possibly King's finest work to date. The food descriptions make your mouth water and the information about Italy and Italian wines is truly enlightning. Combine the food, the wine and a multiple murder mystery and you have a book well worth reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with a penchant for culinary mysteries.