Suspense, betrayal and twists and turns abound in this debut book in the in the Italian Chef Mystery series. In picturesque Harvest Park, NY everyone knows everyone. Most of the businesses are locally owned and family ties and friendships are paramount. But a cloud of suspicion settles over the town when Tessa Esposito finds herself prematurely widowed at the age of 30 and the police deem the accident he died in was not so ‘accidental.’ Devastated and disconcerted, Tessa vows to find the individual responsible for her beloved husband’s death. She takes a job at her husband’s favorite lunch destination to learn more about the conversations he had before his crash. But she quickly finds herself entangled in secrets and clues that lead her in all sorts of directions. This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series. There is a quirky ensemble of likable characters, the perfect ratio of charm to suspense and an amusing, satisfying and multilayered plot.

I received a free copy of PENNE DREADFUL (An Italian Chef Mystery Book 1) by Catherine Bruns from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Tessa Esposito is just coming out of her shock caused by her husband Dylan’s tragic and unexpected death; she’s been cooking her way to coping. Just as she’s ready to re-engage with the world, her cousin Gino, a police detective, drops a figurative bomb. Dylan was murdered. Gino mentions the homicide could be related to Dylan’s activities with a local restaurant called “The Slice” and asks Tessa to apply for a job there to help him out with the investigation. Tess vows to herself that she will find Dylan’s killer if it’s the last thing she does, and it very well may be.

I knew I liked this book and recommended it to a friend before I hit chapter three! The rest of the book did not disappoint. I recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries, food, and big, all-up-in-your-business families.

#PenneDreadful #NetGalley

PENNE DREADFUL is the first book in the brand new Italian Chef Mystery series by Catherine Bruns. This debut book contains all the ingredients for a page-turning mystery and is filled with lies, betrayal, and murders. The protagonist, Tessa Esposito, is edgier than Ms. Bruns’ previous characters in her other series, and her sleuthing is aggressive. Yet the reader can’t help but cheer for her to move forward and find answers. The author provides good character development and growth over the course of the book, for the protagonist and the supporting characters. I especially enjoyed Tessa’s sidekick, Gabby, who is also her best friend and cousin. Gabby is willing to stick her neck out and help Tessa find answers, no matter how crazy the scenario may seem. Another great supporting character is Gabby’s brother, Gino Mancusi, who is a police detective. He balances the amateur sleuthing with professional insight, despite wanting to keep Tessa safe.

The story contained several subplots on top of Tessa trying to find out who murdered her accountant husband. While labeled a cozy, Penne Dreadful pushes the boundaries a little, which raises the level of tension. While it was fairly obvious who the “bad” guy was, Ms. Bruns manages to raise the stakes by providing mind-boggling twists that I didn’t see coming and a heart-racing climax to wrap up the mystery. I look forward to reading more in this new series!

Tessa is an Italian cook, who dreams of opening her own restaurant. Throughout the story she cooks amazing dishes that will keep the reader drooling. Tessa also goes to work in a pizzeria, to hunt for answers about her husband’s death. There she creates some amazing pizza pies and I was tempted to succumb to a delivery service for my own pizza while reading. Fortunately, Ms. Bruns includes a few Italian recipes at the back of the book and they sound fabulous!

“Penne Dreadful” earns 5/5 Pots of Sauce…Deliciously Engaging!

I am an eager fan of Catherine Bruns’ work from her seven-book Cookies & Chance Mystery to the three book Cindy York Mystery to her two-book Carrie Jorgenson series in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery multi-author collection, so I knew I'd not be disappointed by her new series…An Italian chef? Italian cuisine? Murder? Catherine penned a well-written first-person narrative with a compelling plot using some contemporary issues, vivid (some mouthwatering) descriptions, and entertaining banter illustrating tone and personality. From Tessa Esposito’s point of view we find she is slowing emerging from the depths of grief after the death of her husband. However, grief turns to resolve when her cousin/cop Gino Mancusi finally explains the officials believe her husband’s fatal accident may have been intentional. Can't be! Her husband was a good guy, well liked, who worked as an accountant for several businesses. But, evidence was suspicious and tracing his last moments have led authorities to a link with which Tessa can provide some assistance. She'll do anything to get answers and justice, so she goes undercover…as a cook.

I totally enjoyed this page turner which included several personal and professional motives to sift through, a satisfying conclusion, a bit of peril, and some great characters that I look forward to following. This new group do not appear to be unique, but do not misunderstand, they are not rehashed from her other series. I enjoyed the incorporating of the “Italian” culture and cuisine, like with her Cookies & Chance Mystery, and included in the book are some easy-to-follow recipes: Never-Fail Pizza Crust and Pepperoni Pizza, Tessa’s Tantalizing Tomato Sauce, and ‘Good to the Last Bite’ Stromboli. Don't miss this one!

Tessa's husband has died in a car crash and her Policeman cousin Gino tells her it wasn't an accident. To help her get through her grief he encourages her to go back to work, at the pizza parlour where her husband was last seen. Theres something strange going on at the pizza parlour, can Tessa discover whats going on and what happened to her husband?

There are secrets, lies and plenty of suspects,

Well done to author Catherine Bruns for penning a cozy mystery unlike any other I have ever read. Her seemingly effortless writing once again ensures this will be another big hit for her.

PEENE DREADFUL wan an intriguing mystery with more twists than corkscrew pasta. With each new chapter came jaw dropping revelations that made this story so much more than it originally seemed.

Love, loss, deceit, betrayal, grief, hope . . . there was so much going on in this tale that I was left emotionally drained by the last page. However, the author included wonderful recipes at the end, so I bounced right back. 😉

If you’re a fan of cozies, surprises, and a good tomato sauce, look no further than PENNE DREADFUL!

Tessa Esposito is struggling still struggling to get through her days. It's been a few weeks since her husband died in a car accident. Now she learns that his death was not an accident. Gino, her police officer cousin let her know before the news hit the streets. She is asked to take a job at one of the restaurants where her husband was last known to be, and to snoop around if possible.

While asking questions about Dylan's death, she learns that her marriage may not have been as happy as she had thought it was. Her husband had been keeping secrets from her. Lots of secrets. Now she questions who he really was, and if anything he had told her was the truth.

Tessa stirs up quite the hornets nest with her unwanted questions. And in the process puts not only her own life on the line, but also that of her cousin Gabby's, who owns a local book store.

This is a fun story that is more of a traditional mystery than that of a Cozy, which Catherine's other stories are. It has well developed characters, a strong story line, and descriptions that draw you into the story almost from the first line of the story and keeps your attention throughout.

I received this copy from NetGalley.

Penne Dreadful is the first in a new cozy mystery series "An Italian Chef mystery". Tessa is deep in her grief for her husband Dylan who died a month before in a fiery car crash. In an attempt to get Tessa back to living, her cop cousin Vino tells her Dylan's death looks like it murder and that one of the last places he was seen is looking for a cook. Tessa goes undercover at the "Slice" to sleuth around. But the further she investigates the more it seems her husband was up to his neck in lies and dirty dealings. Tessa and her sidekick/cousin Gabby ventures into dangerous territory when everyone in her life seems to be keeping secrets and their lives are on the line. Full of suspense and the little extra twist out of left field, the story draws you in and has the pages flying by for a quick, satisfying read. I cannot wait for more in this promising series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.