Member Reviews
It is still raining so needed another short read and found this one (again with a food theme) a fun, intriguing and enjoyable book to read.
Although I didn't know Sally from previous books, having not read any others in this series, I found her an interesting character and one I could relate to. Loved the mystery, the sleuthing but it isn't so much a stand alone read/book so I now have to go find the previous ones and maybe re-read this one for it all to make more since.
But having said that I did enjoy it and found the story, the plot, the suspects and the twists all a bit of good fun reading.
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Laced With Delicacies..
The sixth in the Sally Solari mystery series finds our chief chef protagonist, once again, juggling culinary delights and murder most foul. Already known for her amateur sleuthing talents, she cannot help but continually come into contact with dastardly deeds. Can she match wits with the cookbook killer? Only Sally can get to the bottom of this particular brand of murderous intent. Another enjoyable and entertaining outing with a determined and likeable protagonist in Sally, a cast of colourful characters and a delicious plot laced with delicacies.
I really enjoyed Sally and all the characters written in this book. The mystery was well written to where I didn’t know who did it until the end. It was a bit drug out for my personal liking but well written. I will be checking out this series again in the future books to come.
The latest Sally Solari mystery has Sally investigating a murder at an auction to benefit unhoused teens. A valuable set of cookbooks is also stolen at the same time. Are the two related? Or is this all related to the unhoused situation in town?
Full of fun clues and good pacing for a cozy, this is a good addition to the Sally Solari series. We get some personal development for Sally as well.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first time reading a Sally Solari Mystery, and I felt like even though I haven’t read the others, you did not need to read the others to read this one. Sally had recently become part owner of a popular restaurant and had given up her practice as lawyer. She is known for her sleuthing abilities and helping to discover what happened. After volunteering to help cook for a charity event, she finds herself back on the trail of another murder.
Loved the way the author kept you on your toes to discovering who performed the murder and why. I also appreciated receiving recipes at the end. Will be looking into the other books so I can learn a little more about Sally.
A SENSE FOR MURDER is the sixth book in the Sally Solari Mysteries by Leslie Karst. This newest release tackles current day social issues while weaving in a complex mystery that keeps protagonist chef Sally Solari on her toes and the reader engaged! Sally has a solid personality that readers can relate to. She’s empathetic and has a caring relationship with her family, her friends, her employees, and her community. I applaud Ms. Karst for bringing the issue of homelessness to the forefront and showing how Sally gets involved with a fundraiser to benefit a charity that assists those less fortunate. The author’s vivid descriptive writing brings each scene and each character alive. I felt like I was right there, experiencing the festive atmosphere, tasting the delectable dishes, and shivering with anticipation over the chance to bid on a signed boxset of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child. I think I was just as distraught as Sally when the dining room manager was found murdered and the irreplaceable books stolen.
Ms. Karst is known for her logical approach to crafting Sally’s investigation into the murder. She’s methodical, yet flexible enough to adjust to the twists and turns that pop up. Sally, as owner of her restaurant, Gauguin, doesn’t shirk her responsibilities. Instead, she conscientiously juggles her job with her investigation, making it a more realistic read. And given that the murder happened during the fundraising dinner, there are a lot of suspects to sift through. It was a delight following along with Sally as she uncovered secrets and clues needed to solve the case. I didn’t figure out the culprit until the final clue fell into place for Sally.
As a fun side note, the author, Leslie Karst, is also a trained chef and brings her expertise to the story. Sally, being an owner of a restaurant, is frequently cooking, so be prepared to drool over the mouthwatering dishes mentioned on the pages. Fortunately for the home cook, there are several recipes included at the back of the book.
As a food lover and mystery enthusiast, A Sense for Murder by Leslie Karst had me hooked from the start. The main character, Chef Sally Solari, has an uncanny talent for stumbling upon dead bodies and becoming involved in investigations. This time, the case involves a cookbook killer and the coveted boxset of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.
Karst seamlessly blends the culinary world with the thrilling world of murder mystery. I loved the descriptions of the delicious food Sally prepares at her restaurant, Gauguin, and the farm-to-table dinner at Pages and Plums. The fast-paced plot kept me guessing until the very end and left me wanting more.
Although I would have liked to see more character development, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading A Sense for Murder and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and delicious cozy mystery. It's definitely a four-star read!
This culinary cozy mystery was delicious. It was fast paced and I love the recipes in it. This is the first in the series that I have read and I loved it!! I am going to have to go back and read the others
I just reviewed A Sense for Murder by Leslie Karst. #ASenseforMurder #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]
I probably should have read the rest of the series first, as I was missing a few pieces of context.
It is the sixth book following a well-known chef called Sally, who solves crimes in her spare time. I struggled to understand some of the relationship dynamics, and I wasn't sure why Sally was being asked to investigate murders, but this may be down to my missing context.
This was quick, fun, and easy to read. I probably would have preferred the book be a little longer, so the story could have more depth to it (a lot of the action felt quite rushed and most characters felt underdeveloped) - but that is just my personal preference, rather than a flaw. Overall, this is an enjoyable book, with a relatively compelling murder mystery, and I can see why the series has a following.
I love cozy mysteries so this book was right up my alley. Sally is a great main character - quirky and complex.
A fun summer read!
Wonderful food descriptions that make your mouth water while reading. Chef Sally Solar I is back cooking and solving. Having read the previous books in this series I was caught up. I can see where readers might be a little lost if they haven't. Sally is fun and quirky. I do wish the story had moved faster. But overall A fun book. Thanks#netgalley and #SevernHouse for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.
Sally Solari and back and she’s taking an interest in the homelessness situation in her community….and a murder at a charity dinner she was cooking at. Who would have wanted the activist for the homeless dead? Who had the gall to do it at a dinner where everyone was right there too? Those are the things Sally wants to figure out in this latest release in the series.
I’ve enjoyed this smart protagonist for quite awhile now and she never disappoints. A trained lawyer and chef with an appetite for justice and sleuthing makes for a great entry every single time. With a the cutest pup and and a family of blood and those closest to her make for some solid whodunits with plenty of red herrings along the way.
Sally Solari Mystery #6, "A Sense for Murder" by Leslie Karts is for sure a later in series book. I was a bit lost at the beginning of the book. If that was due to it being further into the series and not a standalone book or due to a really slow build up, I'm not totally sure. However, about 60% of the way into the book I finally was feeling like I was keeping up with the story and starting to enjoy it. So, I'll give the earlier books a chance and see if my view on this book changes.
The mystery was decent. I was bouncing around suspects. In the end I wasn't certain about anyone until Sally pretty much had it all figured out as well. So that redeemed the book a bit for me.
I had read all of the previous 4 books when I saw this new book with Sally at the helm, I immediately requested it from NetGalley and borrowed the fifth from the library to catch up. I am so excited to be selected to provide my honest review. I wasn't sure about Eric and Sally but they make sense. the mystery was solid as always and I love the Santa Cruz setting. My only critic is that Sally is so suspicious sometimes. She jumps to conclusions that seem really weak but I liked that she worked with others in the story to solve this crime
Interesting and fun but not overly exciting. The incorporation of recipes into the mystery was an interesting touch, but I've seen that done before. Overall, 3 stars-- good and entertaining but not out of this world or a "must read".
In "A Sense for Murder" by Leslie Karst, readers are treated to another thrilling culinary mystery starring the talented chef and accidental sleuth, Sally Solari. Karst once again combines delectable food descriptions, a vivid setting, and a dash of danger to deliver an engaging and entertaining read.
The story unfolds in Santa Cruz, California, during the bustling tourist season. Sally finds herself juggling her responsibilities at Gauguin, her French-Polynesian restaurant, while also dealing with her father's concerns about the growing homeless population near their family's Italian seafood restaurant, Solari's. When an opportunity arises for Sally to volunteer at a farm-to-table dinner at Pages and Plums, a trendy new restaurant and culinary bookshop, she eagerly takes it.
However, what was supposed to be a charitable event turns into a perplexing case when the dining room manager is found dead and a precious set of signed cookbooks by Sally's idol, Julia Child, goes missing. With her instinct for trouble, Sally once again becomes entangled in a criminal investigation, using her culinary skills and keen senses to unravel the mystery.
Karst's writing is engaging, painting a vivid picture of the bustling Santa Cruz backdrop and capturing the essence of the culinary world. The author's knowledge of food and cooking shines through, tantalizing readers with descriptions of mouthwatering dishes and cleverly incorporating recipes into the narrative.
Sally Solari is a relatable and tenacious protagonist. Her determination and wit make her an enjoyable character to follow as she navigates the twists and turns of the investigation. The supporting cast, including Sally's family and friends, adds depth and complexity to the story, creating a rich tapestry of relationships.
As the suspense builds, Karst expertly balances the elements of mystery, humor, and gastronomy. The plot unfolds at a satisfying pace, keeping readers guessing and engaged until the final reveal. The author skillfully weaves together the various threads of the story, culminating in a satisfying and unexpected conclusion.
"A Sense for Murder" is a delectable treat for fans of culinary mysteries. Leslie Karst's ability to seamlessly blend food, murder, and intrigue creates a captivating read that will keep readers entertained from start to finish. If you enjoy well-crafted mysteries set in the world of food and cooking, this book is a delectable choice.
Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.
I have mixed feelings about this book. The title and description caught my attention. It sounded like the type of cozy mystery that I enjoy. There were moments that Sally got on my nerves, but I still enjoyed the mystery. I would recommend this mystery to other cozy mystery readers.
This was a good cozy mystery! Sally was a fun character who was quirky. I enjoyed hearing her thoughts. This was an easy mystery to get through but it was more of a cozy mystery which I do not love. Overall, it was a good 3 star read. It was entertaining but it was not spectacular.
With thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher!
This is an incredibly, cosy mystery full of suspense mixed with light-hearted investigation. Sally is a fun main character and I liked seeing her quirky nature going through different trials and tribulations. This mystery/thriller didn't blow me away but I didn't expect it to. A Sense for Murder does what its meant to and gives you a perfect cosy summer mystery.