To Catch a Cook: An Angie Amalfi Mystery (Angie Amalfi Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Joanne Pence (Author) "San Francisco Homicide Inspector Paavo Smith wrenched himself awake in the dark bedroom..." (more)
Key Phrases: samizdat movement, research clerk, restaurant reviews, San Francisco, Eldridge Sawyer, Cecily Campbell (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Joanne Pence outdoes herself with this intricate and intriguing novel...without a doubt, Ms. Pence's greatest book to date." -- --Romantic Times

"Joanne Pence shows her talent as a mighty good mystery writer." -- --BookBrowser Review

"Pence's tongue-in-cheek humor keeps us grinning." -- --San Francisco Chronicle

"Will have readers rapidly turning the pages...snatches of humor, real life intrigue and sparks of passion." -- --Rendezvous

Product Description

A Nasty Stew

Between her latest "sure-fire" foray into the food industry--video restaurant reviews--and her concern over boyfriend Homicide Detective Paavo Smith's depressed state, Angie Amalfi's plate is full to overflowing. Paavo has never come to terms with the fact that his mother abandoned him when he was four, leaving vehind only an antique brooch to remember her by. But when the bauble vanishes, the jeweler who was repairing it is murdered, and Paavo's surrogate father is critically wounded by a would-be burglar, Paavo decides it's time to discover the truth about his errant parent's life and mysterious disappearance.

Gourmet chef and eager sleuth Angie Smells a tasty mystery cooking. But what's bubbling in this pot is a lethal goulash of intrigues, betrayals, FBI deceptions, and murderous Russian mafia mayhem--an old family recipe for disaster for Angie and her policeman beau.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Avon (April 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061030856
• ISBN-13: 978-0061030857
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #625,729 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This series is an old familiar friend you want to read, November 7, 2000

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Homicide detective Paavo Smith grew up believing his mother was a good time girl, who always dumped him and his sister with her neighbor when she decided not to play mommy. The only thing he has that was hers is a cheap cameo broach, which he gives to his San Francisco girlfriend Angie Amalfi, who treasures the gift that comes from Paavo's heart. She wears it everyday until the broach falls out of the setting.

Angie takes it to a jeweler only to learn the piece is a valuable Russian antique that he wants to buy due to its museum-like quality. Angie refuses to sell it and the jeweler agrees to fix it. As soon as she leaves the store, the jeweler places a mysterious call that places everyone connected to the cameo in danger. Paavo's stepfather is in a hospital suffering from a coma after being shot in the head. The jeweler is dead. Numerous efforts to kill Paavo and Angie occur. Paavo believes the current vendetta is tied to something his parents did three decades ago that impacts the Russian Mafia today.

This work is a bit different than the previous Amalfi mysteries because for the first time Paavo accepts comfort and help from someone else. The audience learns more about the inner demons that have driven him for years. By Paavo learning the truth about his past, the healing process finally begins and his girlfriend Angie lovingly assists in the process. Jeanne Pence shows her talent as a mighty good mystery writer and adds a great human element that turns this tale into a fabulous drama.

Harriet Klausner

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Current mystery & old family intrigue combine, November 3, 2000

By	Pamela James "jopence" (Kansas) - See all my reviews

Angie Amalfi has messed up big time. She has lost the antique broach that once belonged to her significant other's mother. She knows her detective boyfriend will not be amused that he only thing he has to remember his mother by has vanished. She must have a replacement made and soon. To top it all off her apartment, Paavo's place and his stepfather's house have all been broken into. The result is his stepfather is in the hospital. When Angie learns that the jeweler has been murdered, she knows deep down that it's time to panic. The answers lie from Arizona to Russia, from family secrets to an unknown past, all leading to Paavo and his family and a recipe for disaster. TO CATCH A COOK is murder most baffling and nobody stirs a murderous brew like Joanne Pence, complete with colorful characters, and a recipe to die for, Pence serves up a murder so hot, a plot twist so unique that you'll be left dying for another sample. I simply cannot wait to read the next tasty culinary treat that Pence has penned. Pamela Cornwell James

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre, February 9, 2005

By	pech "food lover, mystery lover" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Pence seems to remember how to weave a mystery in this one- she forgot in the past few books. Its also refreshing that Angie does her best to be supportive this time, and not as pushy, letting Paavo's character finally get a little development finally after 7 books. The Angie which doesn't have to be so forceful is definitely an improvement- too bad Pence couldn't hold Angie back for more then this book, as Angie emerges self-centered and shallow (except for random moments of lucidity coming from seemingly nowhere now and then) and the bizarre background story to make it "interesting" (but really just ridiculous) in the next book, Bell Cook and Candle. This one though, is passable.