Customer Reviews

Simmer Down (A Gourmet Girl Mystery)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've read both Steamed and Simmer Down--they are now on my "favorites" list. Very entertaining, particularly for food-o-philes who will love the passionate and detailed way that food is described. The recipes included are a real bonus. Very contemporary story lines that make these two books both fast reads and great beach books! Can't wait for the next one!

Simmer Down is part cozy, part chick-lit, and part cookbook -- three of my favorite types of books. Loved the recipe for Seared Shrimp with Corn Polenta and Sweet Corn Sauce at the back of the book -- and can't wait to try more of the recipes. Looking forward to the next installment!

This Christmas Chloe Carter believes life is great as she has a terrific loving boyfriend, Josh Driscoll, who is also a gourmet chef. When they met he was between jobs so she was his only "customer" in the kitchen and in bed. However, Josh has accepted the executive chef position at Simmer, a restaurant opening on New Year 's Eve in downtown Boston's posh Newbury Street so is quite busy with hiring and the menu.

However, to showcase their food in advance, Simmer has provided some of their items at the Food for Thought fundraiser. Things are defiantly looking good until someone kills Oliver Kipper of the Full Moon Group using Josh's state of the art Robocoupe food processor as a murder weapon. The publicity helps make the new restaurant a success, but Chloe realizes the notoriety in the long run is not good so she begins to draw up a list of suspects starting with Josh's ex girlfriends that could fill up Fenway Park.

This is a fun "Gourmet Girl" mystery as a STEAMED Chloe seeks a motive and opportunity to narrow down her list; however, motives and opportunity are abundant so she has a standing room only horde to inquire about. Readers will enjoy the heroine's escapades as she risks her life to uncover the identity of a killer. The mother-daughter author team provides the audience with a delicious chick lit cozy filled with lists, recipes and asides as Chloe takes on Beantown.

Harriet Klausner

Loved the first Gourmet Girl Mystery - Steamed. Love this one, too! Chloe sniffs out a murder plot as though it were a plate of Josh's culinary concoctions. Surrounded with an engaging cast of characters, Chloe brings a witty, quirky and sometimes self-deprecating charm you won't find elsewhere! Can't wait for the third title in the series!!

The female lead, Chloe, comes off as kind of a spoiled brat, whining about a lot of mundane stuff, and although she tries to improve, she goes about it so begrudgingly it is uncomfortable. Partly because it's very clear that Chloe is an incarnation of the daughter half of the team. (red hair, social work, etc.)

The food detail, though, and the cooking stuff: very good. If you've ever worked in a pro kitchen, the nuances of an expert's voice comes through in the writing. it actually made me a little 'homesick' for working in a cramped kitchen, filled with people wearing their whites, speaking lots of Spanish and nibbling on the bits and scraps of stuff that can't be served, like the remnants on a sheet pan when circular portions have been cut out if it.

ok, ok, sorry, got a little dreamy-eyed there; back to the review.

I don't think I'd get along with Chloe, but I'd love to work with Josh. The writing about his intensity in the kitchen really comes across. I kind of imagine him to act like the guy who won the first top chef. The tall dark and handsome one, kind of brooding and quiet, but very focused on his work.

So I'm giving it four stars, out of five. All the cooking and food-related stuff was spot-on. The relationships between the characters came off as kind of dodgy. Maybe an extra make-out scene or two would be nice, too.

Overall, I liked this book, and I'm looking forward to catching up and reading their other book, "Steamed".

Chloe Carter finally feels that her life is falling into place. She's managed to leave the Online dating scene in the dust by snagging a hottie boyfriend, Josh Driscoll, who just happens to be a chef with the ability to concoct amazing meals out of little to no ingredients; she's finally getting the hang of working at the Boston Organization Against Sexual and Other Harassment In the Workplace - aka The Organization - by advising callers to commit brutality towards their offenders; and she's free from school - at least until the holidays are over. All in all, everything is perfect. That is, until Chloe takes into consideration the amount of time the new love of her life will have to slave away at his job, as the head chef at new Boston hotspot, Simmer. Sure, Chloe wants Josh to succeed in his chosen career, but she also wants him around to cook her elaborate dinners, and cuddle when it gets cold outside. And his new job, working six days a week? It sure doesn't seem to leave room for Chloe. Things only seem to get worse when Josh's ex-girlfriend, and turkey burger fanatic, Hannah Hicks, makes an appearance at a fund-raiser where The Organization and Simmer have teamed up to give out pamphlets about harassment, and offer samples of Josh's decadent creations. Hannah is as horrible as Chloe pictured her to be: thin, well put together, pretty...the list goes on and on. It doesn't help that Hannah seems convinced that she's going to reclaim her man, and cast Chloe out of the picture. But things turn sour when, during the fund-raiser, Oliver Kipper, the owner of a string of trendy Boston nightclubs - that feature atrocious frozen foods on the menu - turns up dead. Chloe doesn't want to be involved in yet another murder, but, alas, the deceased was found bludgeoned to death at the hands of Josh's newest toy - a professional-grade food-processor titled the Robocoupe - landing her, and her beloved, smack dab in the middle of another homicide investigation. Luckily, Josh isn't even a suspect in this case, leaving Chloe interested in pinning the murder on someone she despises - like little Miss Hannah. But, as much as Chloe would love to see Hannah arrested, and locked behind bars, she finds that there's no proof linking Hannah to Oliver's untimely demise. In fact, other than the fact that Hannah was working for Oliver's company, the Full Moon Group, there's no evidence that she wanted him dead. Unfortunately, there is a finger pointing at someone close to Chloe - her granola-loving, Birkenstock-wearing boss, Naomi Campbell. Naomi is known to hold grudges against any sexual harassment offenders she encounters, and word about town is that the wealthy Oliver was known to go way beyond flirting. In fact, he was often found surfing the touchy-feely wave, leaving both female employees and acquaintances, with a desire to avoid the creep. Chloe can't help but wonder if one of his conquests didn't kill him for going too far. But, in the same thought, that leaves Oliver's Botoxed wife, Dora, with motive, as well. After all, there's not one woman who would be happy learning about her husband's unfaithfulness. Now Chloe just needs to check her alibi, and she'll be able to learn the truth. But, as the grand opening of Simmer looms, Chloe realizes that solving a crime isn't as easy as the detectives on TV make it look. And, if she doesn't hurry, she won't be able to finger the killer before dinner is served.

Combine two parts Dr. Phil, a spoonful of Carrie Bradshaw, a pinch of Jessica Fletcher, and one cup of Julia Child, stir vigorously, and what do you have? Chloe Carter. Chloe is a girl who could win anyone over. Her sizzling good looks, penchant for over-indulging - especially when it comes to fine foods, like those prepared by her uber-cute boyfriend, Josh - and struggles with both her classes at Sociology school and her bizarre intern placement at the Boston Organization Against Sexual and Other Harassment In the Workplace, working under the tree-hugging Naomi Campbell, often make her a harried wreck, but never detract from the amount of time she spends getting ready in the morning. The presence of her - okay, let's just face it - totally off-the-wall, deranged family adds a sense of dysfunction to the tale which is too good to resist; while Chloe's stable, yet oft-times jealous-ridden relationship with Josh balances out the equation. While Naomi held just a small part in STEAMED, SIMMER DOWN gives her character the chance to shine, and have her voice be heard, while making her a more prevalent piece of the puzzle; the same can be said for Chloe's best friend, Adrianna "Ade," and her job-hopping boyfriend, Owen, who are both given larger parts within the pages of SIMMER DOWN. No matter how many characters enter the story, however, none have the ability to outshine the irresistible Chloe, or, oddly enough, her newly acquired pet hermit crab, Ken, who has the makings of a star - especially once he works up the courage to peer out of his shell, and crawl around his cage a bit. Boiling over with delectable characters!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

This is the 2nd book in the Gourmet Girl series and continues the more light-hearted, younger vibe in the cozy mystery setting. Chloe is continuing her studies in social work, while her boyfriend Josh is gearing up for the opening of a new restaurant in a popular area of Boston. While excited for Josh, Chloe is worried that his new working hours will put a dent in their relationship. At a art/charity function, Chloe is manning the booth with her externship boss, Naomi when trouble arises. First she has to deal with both her ex and Josh's ex. Then there is a murder in the gallery of a rival restauranteur which may implicate Josh's new boss. As Chloe tries to help figure out the culprit, she must deal with her daily life challenges along with some odd behavior from her best friend. There is a lot of humor sprinkled throughout the story and the book includes some delicious looking recipes at the end.

Loved this book. I really couldn't put it down once I finished this one couldn't wait to start the others. Now that I have read the whole series cant wait for the next one.

How do you spell fun? S-i-m-m-e-r D-o-w-n! The 2nd installment in the delightful Gourmet Girl series is even zanier than the first. Conant~Park & Conant are more in sync & @ ease w/ their hilarious heroine Chloe. Let me tell you, friends, she is definitely full of energy. Spending time w/ Chloe is like hanging out w/ your bestie. I do my best not to sip anything while flipping the pages for fear of ruining the book... just a lil' warning ; ).

Simmer Down is as yummy as a brownie straight from the oven. It is a fast-paced read filled w/ hijinks. I just lose myself in the pages & consider the Gourmet Girl series one of my all time favorite comfort reads.

I am a moody reader & when I just can't find something to whet my appetite, I reach for a Gourmet Girl Mystery. I just adore Chloe.


Simmer Down is an animated adventure bubbling w/ humor, charm & straight out screwball comedy. You will bolt from your seat as soon as the last page is read to devour the next whimsical stew Chloe has gotten herself into.

Chloe is a well developed protagonist. Where this mother & daughter team shine is in creating engaging characters. Every character is entertaining, witty & just riotous. From the most charismatic cast member to the most unruly, these ladies keep you turning the pages.

What this duo does best is endear Chloe to the readers, foibles & all. Chloe is not your "cookie cutter" heroine, you know, all pulled together & just waiting for a body to "appear". No, she's authentic, appealing, intelligent, unassuming, self-conscious, whimsical, vacillating & exposed. She is me, she is you ~ she is every woman riding this wave we call life.

The writing is smooth, the witticism skillfully crafted & Josh... well decadent!

I think they are the perfect recipe like REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS!


When I first read Steamed, I thought Lindsay Lohan would make an excellent Chloe but unfortunately, she would be more of a hindrance & I want to see this series thrive on the screen.

Isla Fisher would make one fantastic Chloe on the big screen but if Lifetime or Hallmark did a TV verison, Amy Davidson has it hands down!

I had to give this a 5 because no matter how much stress I had, I read it before bed and forgot all my troubles. It is witty, cute, funny and charming. It continues right after the last book. I will no doubt rush to get the 3rd installment because the characters do hook you like a soap opera.

I do have one reservation, and that is that the plot and mystery itself is not as clever as it might have been. There were plenty of "red herrings" and in the end, I think this team could have been more creative and followed up on many of the background characters. Maybe they do in the next installment? Still a great read!