Title: The Secret Ingredient Murders: A Eugenia Potter Mystery Author: Nancy Pickard type of book: Culinary Mystery call number: Fic

This book is strong in character, story and setting.

Summary:
Euginea Potter, owner of a Ranch in Arizona, is staying in the small town of Devon, Rhode Island, to help her niece by marriage with her teenage son and daughter (twins). While there she becomes good friends with Stanley Parker, her late husband's mentor and fellow avid cook. Stanley is also the richest man in Devon.

When he fails to show up for the tasting party he and Genia are hosting to promote their cookbook, Genia seems to be the only one worried about him. When he is found dead -- by murder -- Genia's sleuthing will hopefully find the murderer before the wrong person is charged.

I would recommend this book!

Why?
This is a fairly good book, although not as suspenseful as I normally like the mysteries I read to be. The ending was a suprise, though. The characters are well-developed and the setting wonderfully described.

Other suggested reading:
There is at least one other book written by this author with Eugenia Potter as the main character, as well as 3 (I think) books by the late creator of the character, Virginia Rich.

Employee Initials: ALSM Review Date: May 2003

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