Penne Dreadful

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!

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.

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.

There is nothing dreadful about Penne Dreadful; in fact, reading it was a delight. Penne Dreadful is the first in a new series by Catherine Bruns, who takes a unique and refreshing approach to the cozy mystery format.

Tessa Esposito is barely coping following the death of her husband, Dylan. The police had presumed it was an automobile accident, but was it? Tessa’s inquiring mind needs to know. Her investigation soon reveals that Dylan’s life – and his death – were not what she thought them to be. Seeking further answers, Tessa uses her formidable skill with pasta sauce to get a job at a local pizza parlor that just might hold the key to her husband’s death.

There is no doubt that Penne Dreadful is a wonderfully written novel, full of the requisite twists and turns, viable suspects, red herrings, and an intrepid heroine. And while the culprit was ultimately revealed, there were several surprises – not all of them good – for Tessa along the way. Where this book shines, however, is its emotional impact. Tessa’s grief is so strong and her desperation so palpable that it brought tears to my eyes. Kudos to Catherine Bruns for crafting such a heartfelt mystery. I am very much looking forward to the next installment.

Note: I received an ARC of Penne Dreadful from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press. The above is my honest review.

Penne Dreadful is definitely a five-star cozy! Tessa Esposito thought she had the perfect life, until her husband was suddenly killed in a tragic car accident. Feeling despondent, she turns to the one thing that comforts her the best. Making batches and batches of her “Tantalizing Tomato Sauce”, a family favorite. When cousin Gino, shows up at her door to notify her that her husband’s death wasn’t an accident, and gives further information, Tessa begins to question all she knew about her husband. The more she learns, the more her questions spiral out of control like a bag of Angel Hair pasta. When Gino offers to have her be an informant for a local pizza place, Tess jumps in with both feet! With her cousin, Abby as a sidekick, encouraging her on her quest to find the truth, Tessa finds herself in more than one sticky situation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy. Tessa was easily likeable, her emotions heartfelt. The family dynamics played out well, as I thought back to my Italian family members and friends. The plot was not slow, and the surprises plentiful. I felt Tessa’s distress and she uncovers on thing after another about her husband. I was also pleased to see her determination to uncover the truth. Recipes at the end were a plus – especially after the references to Italian food.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to #NetGalley. I was happy to leave a review of my thoughts.