Customer Reviews

Truffled Feathers (Culinary Food Writer)

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

 

 

This is the second book in this series that I have read. I would consider these a type of culinary cosy type mystery with a few elements of quaint hard boiled detective, which normally I would love......... BUT I found the main character incredibly offensive. I think Fairbanks was trying to create a prim and proper heroine, but someone who stuck to her guns as well, a kind of steel magnolia. It sounds like it would be a cute combination, but consistently thrown in are degrading remarks about feminists and/or women with jobs, etc. In the first book in the series she mentioned with pride that she was not part of the counter culture revolution in the 60s. Gah!! Does Carolyn Blue (the main character) wish that the path towards racial and sexual equality didn't happen? She seems so out of touch with everything, as though something went wrong in the way how Fairbanks characterized/wrote Blue.

In the first book, there were strange racial comments about a French chef and a New Orleans maid. In this book, the Indian cab driver and the Japanese, well, stereotypes abound. There is some Muslim bashing too- although the main character did not utter them, still, ick.

I think Fairbanks was using ethnic and racial stereotypes to add more of a locational flavor to the books, but well, for me it backfired. I don't think she was trying to be racist or sexist, but eventually all of the little "oddities" combined together into something where I was so uncomfortable I couldn't enjoy the book, which is really annoying since normally I love the type of mystery book it appeared to be. The anti-feminist comments that Carolyn makes are in some ways even ickier than the racist ones because they aren't only stereotypes, but a type of judgment. Yes, Fairbanks tries to counter Carolyn's attitude by mentioning every now and then her strong, intelligent daughter, but it can't erase what has already been written.

Also, I felt that the book had a hard time coming together at the end, but I can't bring myself to go back and re-read to see if I missed some trivial line that would help it make more sense.

In essence, Truffled Feathers kind of ruffled my feathers. Sorry! Couldn't help myself.

The worst of the comments are really in the first few chapters of the book, which maybe that Fairbanks was only trying to set stages and solidify characters instead of being... not nice. So maybe if a reader would just skim over the first part they would have a better reading experience than me. The one star I gave this book feels too high.

I enjoyed this second entry in the series much better than the first one; in fact, I had almost decided not to buy this one. I am glad, however, that I did.
Both husband and wife, Carolyn and Jason Blue, take part in solving this mystery and I like both characters. Jason was not an essential part of the first book. The mystery, revolving around industrial espionage, murder, and the Russian mafia, is intriguing and Nancy [Herndon] Fairbanks does a good job balancing the husband/wife interfacing, the humor, the mystery, the zany characters, and the recipes. I give it three stars rather than four because one of the articles that Carolyn Blue writes for a potential newspaper job is rather offensive to Japanese-Americans (sorry if that sounds too politically correct).
I am looking forward to the third entry in the series and will definitely buy & read it.

This book was not only offensive with racial and sexual stereotypes, but the heroine was insipid and annoying. I don't know what kind of impression Nancy Fairbanks was trying to make with Carolyn Blue. After two books with this character, I can't say that I like her. The husband, Jason Blue, had his own turn at solving a murder mystery in this book. Unfortunately, it became hard to distinguish his voice from his wife's. That was disappointing because I like reading plots that are told from two different points of view.

The plot was ridiculous and hard to believe. The ending was an insult to the reader. It seemed as if the author threw a basketful of ideas in the sky and grabbed a random idea to end the book. The conclusion was so unbelieveable and silly that I felt cheated.

I am an avid reader of "foody" mysteries, so I know what to expect. It seems as if the author tried too hard to include food and recipes in this novel. Many of the foods she described did not sound appetising. Ususally a "foody" mystery would encourage me to try a recipe, cook, or eat. This book didn't.

I give this book 2 stars because it had some potential. If you're interested in reading this book, I would suggest borrowing it.

Budding food columnist (amateur sleuth) Carolyn Blue finds herself knee deep in another murder mystery -- this time in New York City. And while "Truffled Feathers" is not as quirky as "Crime Brulee," this second Carolyn Blue murder mystery is as interesting and as engrossing as the first.

The Blues have come to New York on business: Jason is being recruited by Hodge, Brune and Byerson for a consultancy gig, while Carolyn has an appointment to meet her agent (face-to-face) for the first time. And while Jason is looking forward to his interview, Carolyn is girding herself to let her agent know that she has no desire to write the book on New Orleans culinary delights, esp because of the traumatic memories attached to that trip. However minutes after landing in the city, they learn that the head of research and development who had been responsible fore recruiting Jason, Max Heydemann, had keeled over and died over a pastrami sandwich. (Actually he was murdered in a manner that suggests a professional hit.) The Blues are shaken, and things at Hodge, Brune & Byerson seem to be especially tense. Gossip reveals that while Max was well liked by nearly everyone, he was hated by his ex-wife and children. And then Jason discovers that there have been some rather shady goings-on at H, B & B, that Max was investigating. Could that have been the reason why Max was murdered? Jason leans towards that theory, and determined to keep Carolyn from getting herself entangled in another murder mystery, he starts poking around H, B & B hoping to unmask a killer. In the meantime, Carolyn is lunching with the wives of H, B & B and picking up all kinds of gossip that leads her to suspect Max's neurotic ex-wife and his poisonous children of having offed him. Who is right: Jason or Carolyn? Both the Blues are determined to get to the bottom of this perplexing mystery.

While "Truffled Feathers" did not have quite the same wry tone that "Crime Brulee" did, it was still an entertaining read. I think that Nancy Fairbanks did a rather good job at capturing the tone and essence of New York City; I also liked the manner in which she portrayed the different scientists at H, B & B, as well as those she ran into in the publishing world. And for a mystery novel that was divided into two different narratives -- since both Carolyn and Jason were independently investigating Max's murder, but from different angles -- the book unfolded smoothly and flawlessly.

"Truffled Feathers" is a fun read: Fairbanks has peopled this mystery novel with enough eccentric and shady characters and red herring plots that should keep any avid mystery readers happily guessing for a couple of hours. I liked her first novel, and her second one has proved to be as good. This series is shaping up to be a rather drool and fun one, and one that is worth recommending.

Forty-something food writer, Carolyn Blue, used to love cooking. Now, she loathes being in the kitchen, but that hasn't stopped her from cashing in on her love of the edible. Putting pen to paper, Carolyn has begun placing her culinary expertise in an arena that can't be missed: the local newspaper. Now, however, as publishers begin showing an interest in her writing, Carolyn has taken the title of culinary gourmand, traveling to different areas of the country - from New Orleans to New York - to taste some of the most delectable dishes, and put her opinions in one very illustrious volume. This time, Carolyn is accompanying her husband, Jason, a research scientist and professor, on a trip to New York, where Jason is being wooed - not to mentioned wined and dined - by a big-time corporation interested in hiring him on as a consultant. While saddled with her husband, however, Carolyn plans on getting a little work done herself, meeting her agent and publisher for the first time, tasting the best of what the Big Apple has to offer, and shopping for new clothes, as well as small decorative touches to spruce up her and Jason's new home in El Paso, Texas. But shortly after stepping off the plane and into the freezing metropolis weather, Carolyn and Jason are greeted with a piece of shocking news that instantly threatens to throw their so-called relaxing vacation completely off course. Dr. Heydemann, Jason's contact at Hodge, Brune, was stabbed by a sharp object - perhaps an ice pick - while dining at the local coffee shop, where he was indulging in his weekly artery-clogging treat - a pastrami sandwich. The stabbing has left Dr. Heydemann dead, and the entire company up in arms. Jason is shocked by the news, while Carolyn is more interested in doing a little digging into the dead man's life to find out who was desperate enough to kill him. Now, between being forced into clothes shopping by her demanding agent, being dragged to a handful of restaurants by Dr. Heydemann's colleagues day and night, and writing a portfolio-filled amount of food columns, Carolyn finds herself in a frenzy to fit in as much sightseeing, as well as sleuthing, into her tight schedule, before she's forced to board her flight, and say farewell to the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. Jason, on the other hand, finds that Dr. Heydemann's sudden death is more than unsettling, and, unbeknownst to Carolyn, begins his own semi-investigation to finger the perp. Unfortunately, the more digging he does, the more bizarre clues and information he turns up - from references to the Russian mob, to a slew of employees who had the means, and the motive to do Dr. Heydemann in. While this trip was meant to provide a little R & R for Jason and Carolyn, the two middle-aged lovebirds have begun to realize that seeing even more than a few hours of one another each day - usually in the company of Hodge, Brune employees is the best they'll be able to do until this investigation, and this trip are complete, and they're back in the sticky heat of El Paso. But if they're not careful, this time, they may not make it back home.

While CRIME BRULEE presented more of a character sketch of Carolyn Blue, as opposed to an in-depth look at her personality and life, TRUFFLED FEATHERS gives readers the chance to get to know the culinary writer a bit more. However, what we are presented with is often tedious, and downright irritating. While Carolyn is an intriguing character, her obsession with money seems to be prevalent in everything she does - from shopping to eating out - and can truly grow tiring after awhile. After all, not many characters feel the need to give you a breakdown on their finances, complete with the fact that they have no mortgage, and that her husband is being paid double for his consultation - the list goes on and on. That, in and of itself, can be boring, but it is Carolyn's blatant prejudice towards anyone who is not a white, middle to upper class American, that really irks me. Carolyn voices her racial and cultural biases every time she meets someone new, and, in this day and age, this is just ridiculous, and extremely aggravating. Still, even I must admit that Carolyn's personality does give-way to some interesting pieces, which make her a fun character at times. Her relationship with her husband, Jason, is enjoyable to learn more about. However, while I love Jason as a character, the fact that TRUFFLED FEATHERS breaks each chapter into differentiating voices between Jason and Carolyn annoyed me to no end. Both characters just keep reiterating what the other has already told the reader, simply using different terms and points of view. It makes for a tedious read. It doesn't help that Nancy Fairbanks trots out a barrage of supporting characters who possess no interesting quirks to make the reader feel as if they would like to learn more about them - making them pass by in one big blur. A slightly sour sequel.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

I just finished this book and enjoyed it, despite the fact that it contained only 8 recipes (a few in the beginning and then a few more near the end, not well-spaced) while the book jacket declared "contains a dozen authentic New York recipes!". It and others in the series are meant to be very light, entertaining mysteries with travel tidbits and recipes, so I take them as just that -- entertaining. Having lived in NYC for many years, I was not overly troubled by the ethnic stereotypes because 1) many, many NYC cab drivers actually sound like the one described in the opening pages, and 2) totally assimilated characters that sound and act the same as "you and me" would be BORING. Carolyn's perception of the cab driver is also totally believable considering she's from Texas (another stereotype but, hey, Nancy describes Carolyn that way -- a naive country "girl") and the cab ride is her first introduction to the Big City. My only other beef would be that the proofreader should pay more attention: near the end, Carolyn gives the baguette to Jason to hold onto before she goes to deal with the villain, then when she's with the villain suddenly she has the baguette after all. Maybe a small detail, but when Nancy seems to describe every other detail of Carolyn's actions, we shouldn't have to suddenly fill in the lines. That, and the missing recipes and minor spelling errors means the proofreader didn't do his/her job! I've read three books in the Carolyn Blue series so far and they've all had minor spelling errors, but this is the first one with a plot mistake (the missing/appearing baguette), so that's why I gave it only 3 stars. However, this is a good read, stereotypes and all!

The premise is fine. ...Part of the story is told from Carolyn's point of view and part from Jason's. Both character's put their own spin on what has transpired, with very different results.

Nancy Fairbanks likes her characters and makes this a fun read. The finish may leave you shaking your head in wonder, as it did me, but I would like to check out Carolyn's other adventure (in New Orleans) and see what's cooking at the Blue's.

As for 'Truffled Feathers', it was a nifty way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. I give it three stars: Five stars for interesting, likable characters and two stars for the slightly muddled ending.

Scientist Jason Blue specializes in how to clean toxins from the environment while his wife Carolyn is a gourmet chef. Carolyn receives an advance to write a cookbook on New Orleans cuisine. They travel to New York because Hodge, Bruce & Byerson want to hire Jason to help them with their "Cleaning the Environment Through Chemistry" mission while Carolyn meets with her editor.

Upon their arrival in the Big Apple, they learn that someone murdered the person who recruited Jason. Without informing one another, Jason and Carolyn independently investigate the homicide. Though approaching the puzzle differently, each of them draws the same conclusions about the perpetrators.

This reviewer provides two tips before reading this complex mystery. First fill up with a big meal before starting because the descriptions of food are salivating and torturous. Second ignore why two amateurs would investigate a killing especially since they are at best remotely impacted. Nancy Fairbanks writes a delicious, often amusing amateur sleuth story that will satiate the sub-genre's gourmands.

Harriet Klausner

Don't be fooled by the cover. This promising and potentially enjoyable story falls well short of expectations.

Even to a `lay person' it is clear that the finished product required more critical editing and rewriting. I am at a loss to understand how this book was published. Giving the author the benefit of the doubt, I would suggest it was written to a deadline and then given very little editorial attention. Even on a very basic level, the book contains some clumsily composed sentences that interrupt the flow of the author's otherwise adept writing style. One might expect this in an unpublished, unrevised manuscript, but not in a published book.

In a highly unsatisfying ending, the police detective simply tells us `who dunnit', over the course of four chapters. There is no action involved, and we are not given any further glimpses of the other characters introduced throughout the novel, many of whom have little relevance to the central story.

Another frustrating aspect of the book is the constant switching of narrators between the main character, Carolyn Blue, and her husband. We have to be told each time the narrator changes because the narrative voice and style does not substantially change. The husband narrator lacks authenticity; he has no voice of his own. Often, he just tells us what his wife is doing. Perhaps some other device or narrative voice could have been used to explain events not witnessed by the main narrator, Carolyn Blue.

The main problem is that the murder mystery, which should be the central story, is treated as a subplot. The main plot is `Carolyn Blue's trip to New York'. Carolyn meets her editor. Carolyn attends an appointment. Carolyn goes out to lunch and orders scallops. Carolyn catches the subway. Carolyn goes to the opera. Carolyn goes shopping for a rug. Carolyn catches a Taxi. Carolyn goes shopping for clothes. Carolyn's narration is filled with condescending opinions about what constitutes good taste and manners. At the end of the story, we know more about her taste in rugs and clothes (and how nice she looks in them), than we do about the murder.

Like other reviewers here, my main objection to this book is the portrayal of ethnic characters. The story starts with a crazy Indian limo driver, more reminiscent of a patronising 1970s caricature than any Indian person I have ever met. He is followed by other `foreign' characters, all of whom speak with the kind of clichéd accents one might expect from a B grade action movie. There is an astonishing guide to eating in a Japanese restaurant, a newspaper column purportedly written by the main character. While this is presumably intended amuse, I can't tell whether she is poking fun at foreigners (again), or at culturally inept Americans who find the idea of eating Japanese food challenging. Perhaps it is the latter, as the narrator repeatedly draws our attention to her cultural superiority over dumb waiters.

Having looked up the author on the internet, she seems to be a well educated, well travelled sort of person, so I would like to give her the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps she is writing particularly for a culturally unsophisticated market - the kind of people who think they are culturally aware because they eat ethnic food.

Either way, I can't help feeling disappointed.

After being slightly disheartened at what might have been a cute whodunnit in Creme Brulee, I decided to give Caroline Blue (main character) another chance. Now after two books I feel that the mystery part of the story is good: There are a number of clues and twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the end. However, like Creme Brulee, I felt that the wrap up was very Matlock-ish/Scooby Doo and the gang "I would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for those meddling kids"-ish. The story itself was rather wordy and I found myself wondering how my high school English teacher would've edited the manuscript. I do realize that the book is a bit dated and that might account for some of my issues with it, but I think I'll stop reading the series with this book and move onto something new.