Death Dines at 8:30 [Paperback]

Various (Author), Claudia Bishop (Editor), Nick DiChario (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 5, 2002

Sixteen stories of crime and cuisine from: Claudia Bishop * Camilla T. Crespi * Bill and Judy Crider * Barbara D'Amato * Nick Danger * Diane Mott Davidson * Patricia Guiver * Jean Hager * Edward D. Hoch * David A. Kaufelt * Nancy Kress * Tamar Myers * Sharan Newman * Mike Resnick * Elizabeth Daniels Squire * Valerie Wolzien

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Editors Bishop and DiChario serve a delicious menu of murder and mayhem in this inspired anthology of 16 short mysteries, each with its own recipe. Written by a mix of mostly major mystery authors, both masters of the culinary cozy and those venturing into this subgenre for the first time, these varied tales, each featuring a death occurring during dinner at 8:30 p.m., are sure to please even the most discriminating palate. The one reprint, Diane Mott Davidson's Anthony Award-winning "Cold Turkey," has caterer Goldy Bear dealing with the consequences of finding a dead body in her walk-in refrigerator, while in Sharan Newman's "Death Before Compline" a similar if more grotesque discovery in a wine cask preoccupies medieval sleuth Catherine LeVendeur. Known for her suburban mysteries, Valerie Wolzien, in "Just One Bite Won't Kill You," presents an ingenious tale of a husband, wife and mother-in-law triangle. In "The Theft of the Sandwich Board," master short-story writer Edward D. Hoch takes the notorious Nick Velvet to a homeless campsite under New York City's Henry Hudson Parkway, where beef stew becomes a lethal weapon. The volume also includes a superb story by relative newcomer Nick Danger, "8-3-oh," which one can only hope is just an appetizer for more work from this promising writer. Intriguing mysteries and tempting recipes make for a delectable feast. (May 8)royalties to Second Harvest, the nation's second largest hunger relief organization.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This collection mixes old hands at the cuisine-centered mystery like Diane Mott Davidson and Tamar Myers with first-timers like Edward Hoch and Sharan Newman. The result is highly entertaining, especially since each story concludes with a tasty recipe. For all collections.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (March 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425184420
• ISBN-13: 978-0425184424
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,149,272 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

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Yummy Mysteries, September 20, 2001

By 

Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death Dines at 8:30 (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this collection of short stories with a culinary theme. There is a recipe at the end of each story. I found great stories by old favorites like Claudia Bishop and Tamar Myers, and some stories by authors I am going to look for in the future. Myer's story was pretty good but not the best of the lot. I really enjoyed Just One Bite Won't Kill You, by Valerie Wolzien and Steak Tartare, by Barbara D'Amato. Quite honestly, there isn't one story in this collection that isn't worth reading. I love short story collections. It's like a buffet of different author's offerings, you get a little taste of each author's works. This collection left me wanting more of all of them.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A delectable array of mysteries., September 7, 2001

By 

K. Peterman "kentskie" (Vallejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Death Dines at 8:30 (Hardcover)

An excellent anthology. The stories are for the most part excellent. From an Amish innkeeper to homeless New Yorkers from humourous to serious mysteries this book runs the gamut. A great read. A quick read. A fun read. And it had the added bonus of introducing me to some new mystery authors whose works I wish to explore. Well done and rare a feat almost as impossible in mysteries as in steaks. A sumptuous literary repast.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mouthwatering, October 20, 2005

By 

Sal (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Death Dines at 8:30 (Hardcover)

The book was delicately arranged as a project to fight against hunger. In doing so, the result could certainly make the readers feel the pang of appetite with mentions and recipes of scrumptious dishes. It absolutely was a superb idea to bring a group of thematic authors together for a great cause. The food varies from appetizers to desserts. It is not mandatory to finish the volume from first page to last. A summary of each author and their short stories are provided at the back of the compilation. One could pick and choose if desired. Some of the proses invite the mystery lovers to determine the killers and others ascertain the murderers from the beginning. In a way, the latter challenges the readers to establish the proof along with the writer. It is all fun and good.