Customer Reviews

A Tasty Way to Die

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

 

 

I hadn't read one of British author Janet Laurence's Darina Lisle mysteries in a while, so I was glad to find a copy of the fifth book in the series called A TASTY WAY TO DIE (1990). The protagonist is a caterer who used to have her own business, but sold it to her partner when she wanted to move on to a new venture. In the meantime, she has agreed to help out an old schoolfriend whose new catering company, The Wooden Spoon, is overwhelmed with customers for private dinners, parties, and cooking demonstrations.

When one of the women, a partner in the company, dies from eating a poisonous mushroom, Darina can't resist trying to get to the bottom of the how, why, and whom. When there is a second murder, all the pieces begin to fall into place. You won't be surprised to learn that Darina's boyfriend is a Detective Sergeant in the police force of the West Country town where the murders occur. The difference in this series is that instead of lending his authority and/or expertise to help her solve the crimes, William Pigram tries to discourage Darina from getting involved.

There is one suspect who began his work life as a "Cockney barrow boy" in East London. However, he ascended into an upper middle class lifestyle by means of of his good looks and strong personality. He attracted the attention of a socialite who shocked her wealthy parents when she insisted on marrying him. Fortunately, he became an ambitious and successful businessman able to afford the services of The Wooden Spoon. Besides Darina and William, I considered him the only strong and interesting character in the book.

The other characters are a bit more nebulous and ill-defined, almost to the point of being insignificant. Not only do they seem boring, jealous, and petty, but they are predictable as well. I did guess the murderer's identity almost from the start which is unusual for me. In a way I was relieved because she struck me as the most annoying, unstable, and greedy suspect in the story. Actually, the most compelling aspects of the book were the descriptions of the dishes being prepared, the tools used to prepare them, and the kitchen facilities where they were prepared.

A TASTY WAY TO DIE is what I consider an upper crust (pun intended) murder mystery. It does escape being a "death by food" cozy to the extent of most American series of this genre. The reason for this, in my opinion, is better writing with no attempt at lame humor. Murder and food is taken seriously in Janet Laurence's mysteries.

I would give A TASTY WAY TO DIE 3 stars, mostly for being British.