Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? [Mass Market Paperback]

Phyllis Richman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002

An ambitious young reporter with the looks and brains to become a star, new hire Ringo Laurenge is poised for a great future with the Washington Examiner. Too bad most of the staffers -- including Chas Wheatley -- wish the arrogant, back-stabbing creep would get his just desserts. Not only does this egomaniac steal other reporters's stories, he's also determined to destroy a restaurant Chas is researching. Her worries over Ringo have even begun to cut into Chas's love life. It's only a matter of time before the cheesy writer headlines the obituary page. But the insatiably curious Chas -- a journalist with a taste for sleuthing and scoops -- isn't sure she wants to find out which of her colleagues, and the rest of the capital, finally had enough...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her third excursion into culinary crime (after Murder on the Gravy Train and the Agatha-nominated The Butter Did It) Richman throws in the requisite ingredients for a tasty whodunit, but with mixed success. Food editor Chas Wheatley is fuming over the Washington Examiner's latest hire: slick, slimy Ringo Laurenge. He may have the stuff of great reporters, but he also has a knack for annoying just about everyone else on the staff. Chas has been working on a story about America's most expensive restaurants, but she makes the mistake of telling her new colleague about it. She soon discovers that Laurenge is worming himself into a position to take over the story and leave Chas out in the cold. Her best friend, African-American theater critic Sherele Travis, encounters a more vicious side of Laurenge when he brutally assaults her. As Richman goes to tedious lengths to build a damning portrait of the obnoxious reporter, Chas and Sherele delve into Laurenge's past, trying to find some way of spiking his guns. Long after many readers will have given up on ever getting to a dead body, someone on the staff resorts to murder as the solution, when Laurenge dies from apparently lethal Virginia ham served at a work function. Though the author writes with clarity and passion about food, she explores character at the expense of suspense. The anticlimactic solution to the crime comes too late. Most readers will have put the book down and gone in search of food, thanks to the mouth-watering descriptions of the goodies Chas likes to eat. Agent, Bob Barnett. 7-city author tour. (May 3)Forecast: With The Butter Did It to be a CBS-TV Movie of the Week this fall and other film adaptations to follow, Richman should make a delicious leap in sales.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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

From Library Journal

In her third culinary mystery (Murder on the Gravy Train, The Butter Did It), Chas Wheatley, food critic for a Washington, DC newspaper (and amateur sleuth), reels with shock after the paper's new hire, a charming but dangerously ambitious and deceitful young man, tries to put one of her favorite restaurants out of business. Fortunately, Chas, by now knowing the score, goes on the offensive, digs into his past for ammunition, and counterattacks. The man's murder, already foreshadowed, comes as no surprise, nor does the lengthy list of willing suspects. Very nicely written, with plenty of attention to food, character, and motive; an excellent selection.
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

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061097829
• ISBN-13: 978-0061097829
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #883,133 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Taking care of business, June 24, 2008

By 

Linda Pagliuco "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? (Mass Market Paperback)

It takes little insight to figure out who the victim is here, even 150 pages before it happens. Anyone of the people in this novel would probably have done it with a smile. Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham is less a mystery than a foodie/restaurant novel, centering upon newsroom competition and backstabbing and insider culinary dope. And those are facets that author Richman does well. Characters, relationships and narrative are OK, but she needs to work on omitting all the cutesy dialog ("a very hungry belly at your service") and ecstatic descriptions of kisses bestowed upon Chas by her lover Dave.

Who's Afraid, light and frothy as a cozy, would make a good selection for beach or long plane ride. Fun and undemanding.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong character development, mystery is a little weak., April 18, 2002

By 

Mystery_Fan "Blondie2004" (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? (Mass Market Paperback)

I agree with the reviewer who wrote that this book was not a page turner. However, I still think it was a very good book, just not terribly strong as a mystery. The food descriptions, and Ms. Richman's knowledge of food and the industry is incredibly strong and accurate. The characters are interesting and realistically developed. It is a very enjoyable read, and I recommend it!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tasty, satisfying--a meaty book, June 5, 2001

By 

"pingpng50" (bethesda, md United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Who's Afraid of Virginia Ham? (Hardcover)

This is P. Richman's third mystery with Chas. Wheatley, a food reporter, as the narrator. It is her best. Richman was the Washington Post editor for many years, and easily rivals Julia Child in her knowledge of food. Her knowledge of food, restaurants, and newspapers shines through this book. Her keen observation of people and scenes enriches this book. But what really sets this book off from her two earlier and excellent mysteries is the depiction and development of the the creepy Ringo--a new face in the newsroom. Keep scribbling them out Phyllis and we will keep eating em up.