Great first in series! I would hooked from the beginning by the punny title, likable main character, and of course the food!! Who would have thought pasta sauce could be used as a weapon? So meany great cozy mystery elements are woven into this book. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series!

Recently widowed, Tessa Esposito's family is concerned about her grief and depression. Her cousin, Gino -- a police officer, tells her that her husband's death was not an accident as originally thought. He asks her to get a job at th
the local pizzeria Slice where her husband had been spending an inordinate amount of time in the months before his death. With her cooking skills she should be able to see if anything suspicious was happening at the restaurant. The story takes off from there with plot twists and an endless supply of suspects. just when you think you have figured it out along comes another doozy. This new series debut has plenty of potential along with engaging characters that I hope to see again.

Tessa recently lost her husband in a car accident and has been struggling to make it through each day ever since. The only thing that brings her a touch of happiness is cooking and feeding those around her. When she learns that her husband Dylan's death wasn't actually an accident it throws her for a loop. Who would have wanted to kill her husband and why? Her husband was a great guy and everybody loved him. It doesn't look like the police are getting anywhere and Tessa is tired of waiting for them to figure things out so she decides that it is time for her to start her own investigation. She knows Dylan had been frequenting a pizza place more so than usual so she decides to start there. They have a help wanted sign in the window and she knows that she will have no problem blending in because she is a great cook. While there she soon realizes that something is going on other than pizzas and deliveries, she must delve deeper to find the answers. Along the way she starts learning things about her husband that just can't be true, at least she doesn't want them to be true. If what she finds out is real then she feels like she didn't really know the man she married. These knew feelings of hurt and betrayal don't stop her from looking into who killed him though. She needs answers and she needs them sooner rather than later, especially if she is ever to get any kind of closer on the whole matter. Follow along as Tessa's looks for clues and finds herself in trouble more times than she can count. Will she find the answers she seeks or will she find herself in the same boat as her husband, murdered? This was truly a great start to what I hope is a lengthy series. The characters were easy to get to know and I look forward to seeing where the author takes them to next.

This was a solid read with a strong plot, a visually descriptive narrative, engaging dialogue and a small-town setting that added to how well this story was being told. The author knows how to take a concept that had me in the middle of all the action. The author did a great job in staging this mystery by introducing the main characters and the role they play in this well-written drama that had me immersed in all that was happening. Who wanted her husband dead? There were plenty of people with motives and I like how the author vetted each one by the clues that were sprinkled throughout the story. The more Tessa searched, danger found its way to her and there was an intense scene that had me holding my breath. I love the supporting cast and the relationship between Tessa and her cousins. And we can’t forget Luigi who played a pivotal role in what had transpired. When it was all said and done, this was an enjoyable story and I like the direction and opportunities awaiting Tessa in this delightfully delectable new series.

A solid first in a new series. The characters and premise were interesting and the whodunit was what you would expect from a cozy.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

I had never read a Catherine Bruns book before this one but it was a cozy mystery based around food, and Italian food at that, so it was clearly going to be my jam. (Or my tomato sauce, as it were.)

Tessa is a chef who has been trying to move on after the untimely death of her husband. One day, she finds out that his death may not have been so accidental as she had believed so she sets out to find the truth about really happened the day Dylan died.

I found this book to be something of a slow burn but I can’t quite pinpoint why. Maybe Tessa was a little more passive a main character to me, investigating, yes, but seemingly just wishing to know the truth rather than more immediately doing everything in her power to discover the truth. I still enjoyed this book a lot, though, and I look forward to trying the recipes included at the end for pizza and Tessa’s pasta sauce.

I love when I get to read the first book in a series because if I get hooked then I continue on the next book. Tessa's husband is murdered, and she discovered so many things about his past. Who wouldn't have wanted to kill him? Is the question the readers should ask. People aren't always who you think they are. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I wait with bated breath that NetGalley will have that gem as always, if not I know that Amazon will have it.

Penne Dreadful is the first in the Italian Chef Mysteries by Catherine Bruns. This was also the first of Bruns' books that I've read. I will definitely be back for more!

Tessa Esposito is a wonderful chef. She's also now a widow, reeling from the death of her husband Dylan. He died in what she thought was a car accident, but now she's learned that it was no accident. Gino Mancusi, her cousin, is a police officer working on the investigation, and he gives Tessa the heads up. He also encourages her to apply for a job at a restaurant Dylan used to frequent, where she might have a chance to do a little investigating of her own. (Not police approved, of course.) Gabby, Gino's sister and Tessa's best friend, is happy to help root out information. As the story progresses, Tessa learns some things that make her question not only who might have wanted Dylan dead, but how well she really knew him.

This book is a joy to read. There are twists and turns and intrigue, and hints of romance yet to come in the series. I cheered for Tessa and wanted to bop her over the head sometimes, putting herself in situations that had me on the edge of my seat. The characters are believable and engaging (sometimes you love them, sometimes you don't, and that's how books should be), and the story doesn't drag. I look forward to more books in this series.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like.

Tessa Esposito is trying to recover from her husband’s fatal accident and although her family and friends want to help, she needs time to grieve. She will not get that time as her cousin, Detective Gino Mancusi, has disturbing news for her…the accident may not have been an accident! Tessa, an accomplished chef, decides to work at Slice Pizzeria, her husband’s favorite restaurant and where he was last seen prior to his death. Will she learn anything that will tell her why or who would have wanted her husband dead? What secrets will she learn about her husband’s life? They had only been married six years, why was he trying so hard to make sure they were financially sound? A pleasant beginning to a new series by Ms. Bruns. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

PENNE DREADFUL is the first in a new series by Catherine Bruns featuring Tessa, a young, recently widowed Italian who loves to cook. The series, Italian Chef Series, is proposed to follow Tessa as she adjusts to widowhood, and, of course, solves mysteries she is compelled to solve.
In this first book of the series, Tessa is in the early stages of widowhood, finding it hard to get out and begin living again. This is immediately compounded when her policeman cousin, Gino, tells her the apparent accident that killed her husband was no accident but rather murder. He then suggests Tessa get a job at the local pizzeria where her husband was just prior to getting into his car and driving to his death.
Tessa agrees to this suggestion, determined to find the murderer of her husband. Later we learn the suggestion was not so much to engage Tessa in sleuthing but rather to get her out of the house. By that time, though, it is too late. Tessa has done some digging, been the target of some threatening activity and become more determined than ever to find out who was responsible for her husband’s death.
There are multiple twists and turns throughout the book as Tessa tried to investigate the owner of the pizzeria, his daughter, other employees, etc through her work. In addition, there is some suggestion that her former boyfriend who appears to still be carrying a torch for Tessa, may be guilty of the murder himself. Tessa spends her time running around town, asking pointed questions and snooping around places where her husband last spent his time, oblivious to the potential danger to herself.
The reader can easily follow Tessa as she explores the possibility of first one then another of the characters who might have a reason to have murdered her husband. She is routinely getting into sticky situations and taking risks that make it a bit hard to believe she would actually explore some of the places and/or people, It’s as if she has no clue what might be dangerous or what might be better left done with stealth or in a surreptitious way. This made it a bit hard to maintain believability in the book and Tessa’s activities.
The twist and reveal of the murderer at the end of the book was good although perhaps somewhat predictable to the veteran mystery reader. Hopefully, as the series continues Tessa will become more sophisticated in her investigative techniques.
There are some interesting side characters who will hopefully add depth and increase interest in the series. These include Gino, Tessa’s policeman cousin, Gabby, his sister and Tessa’s close friend, and Vince the new owner of the pizzeria and potentially Tessa’s partner. In addition, there are two men who present potential love interests for Tessa, Justin, a long-time friend and her husband’s best friend and Matt, her former boyfriend with whom she has a complicated history and relationship.
In addition to the mystery, the book also has several recipes appended to the end and promises more with future books. For anyone interested in trying new Italian recipes, this may be just the extra something they need to engage them in a new series. Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an Advance Reader Copy of the novel in exchange for an unbiased review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series and I honestly can’t wait to see what Chef Tessa Esposito does next! While this was a cozy mystery and I expected it to follow the format, I was pleasantly surprised when it carved out its own niche and took me places I didn’t expect to go. The mystery will keep you guessing and the descriptions of the food will have you wondering what you have in your kitchen.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. The premise of this book is very solid; a recently widowed woman is asked by her cousin, a policeman, to work in a local pizza parlor to help discover if his death was not an accident. The writing is good; the characters are well-written and the author does a solid job of telling the story. The story's logic is good and makes sense. The recipes look yummy. However, I found this book wasn't really for me. The heroine's reactions and feelings are strong and, given they are based in the very recent death of her husband, powerfu and sad.. It's not a 'cosy' read in that regard. Sometimes, she makes choices that I found very frustrating and not as realistic as I think a person would make. The author's story arc is well told so the crafting of the story is good. Just not really to my taste.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was immediately impressed with the story.
Finding a new author is always a pleasant surprise and this book captured my attention from the very beginning.

This is a quick and entertaining read that I finished in an afternoon. Tessa and her sidekick make good amateur sleuths but they quickly get over their heads. The killer I didn't expect. This is a book with murders, blackmail, lots of good food (recipes) and a happy ending.

Penne Dreadful is a book you'll have a hard time putting down. There're lots of twists that will keep you guessing. What and how you feel after sudden death of your husband. Disturbing questions arise. No matter what you keep searching for answers and who dunit.

This is an excellent cozy mystery, definitely a pleasant surprise.

The author crafts an sophisticated plot with a giant puzzle (or puzzles?) for readers to solve, which is not common for the cozy genre. A widow who is a gifted chef has to find out the motive and the culprit behind the tragic "accident" which takes away the life of her husband very recently. Not wanting to give away too much details, all I can say is "Penne Dreadful" is an engaging read from the beginning to the end. The journey of grieving for a recent loss of a true love, oh boy, the author well describes the heartbreaking journey. I know because I am one. In many ways, this book resonates with me. The situation of the armature sleuth is grim, but her prospect is hopeful and promising. "Penne Dreadful" is a uplifting and engrossing page-turner. A perfect vacation read or something to snuggle with for a lazy weekend. Can't wait for the next book from this new series.

Penne Dreadful (Italian Chef Series #1) by Catherine Bruns is the first book of hers that I have had the pleasure to read. It definitely will not be the last. This book was a quick read with lots of twists and turns keeping you turning the pages. I did not want to put this book down. Just when you think you have a grip the story changes. I love that there are recipes at the end of the book. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I highly recommend this series to anyone that loves z good cozy with awesome recipes to boot. You will not be disappointed. Thank you to Catherine Bruns and NetGalley for this awesome book.

I should start this off with a warning to readers: don’t read this book without snacks nearby. Especially tasty snacks. Because this book has described food that made me hungry and craving pasta for lunch (which I successfully had while reading this book!) and it’s description of food is definitely on par with a lot of chefs that I’ve met who know what they’re talking about when they talk about food. The type of food in this book is my favorite kind too-pizza, pasta, and many other things besides (except for eggplant. Blagh.)

This was a fun, yet depressing at times, mystery book. There was a murder, plenty of suspects, an overly helpful cat, another murder, several attempted murders, blackmail, robbery, and even a happy ending. This book was a non-stop action ride from beginning to end, and I spent two days flying through the pages wanting to know who would was the killer. I was half right in my guess, but forgot several factors, and was therefore still taken by surprise at the end. Clever of the author to do so!

I highly recommend this author’s book. It’s very fun, it’s a quick read, and it’s definitely one to be added to my shelves at home. Her writing is flawless, and her characters are realistic and entertaining each with their own secrets that will keep you guessing until the very end.

5/5 stars!

A compelling mystery from start to finish! Even though the story seems to be something familiar, the author puts such a fresh take on it that it is nothing short of entirely enjoyable. A engaging cast of characters and a wonderfully executed mystery leads to a read you will not be able to put down until the very end.

Great story, about a wife who lost her husband in an accident. But sonn she discovers it was no accident it was murder. She tries to find out what happend and the news will change her life. Easy to read, very entertaining