Dying for a Taste

A Sally Solari Mystery, Book 1

By: Leslie Karst

Narrated by: Adrienne Cornette

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

After losing her mother to cancer, Sally Solari quits her job as an attorney to help her dad run his old-style Italian eatery in Santa Cruz, California. But managing the front of the house is far from her dream job.

Then, in a sudden twist, her Aunt Letta is found murdered in her own restaurant, and Sally is the only one who can keep the place running. But when her sous chef is accused of the crime and she finds herself suddenly short-staffed, Sally must delve into the world of sustainable farming - not to mention a few family secrets - to help him clear his name and catch the true culprit before her timer runs out.

Leslie Karst serves a platter of intrigue in her stirring and satisfying debut Dying for a Taste, which is sure to become a new favorite of food mystery fans.

©2016 Crooked Lane Books (P)2020 Paradise Audio

A Who Done It

I decided to read this book because it takes place in Santa Cruz, CA where I live. I always attempt to read local authors. It is amazing how many writers and poets live in this area. I use to think that authors and artist primarily lived in the Monterey-Carmel area, but that is no longer true. It is amazing how many writers live in the area from beginners to very famous authors and poets. There is about a dozen or so that primarily write mystery stories. Many of the set in the story locally as does this book.

The book is well written and mainly stays focused on the crime. I enjoyed the descriptions of the local area. The protagonist is a local native Italian girl who obtained a law degree but went back to work in the family’s local Italian restaurant after her mother’s death. Her aunt is murdered and she inherits her aunt’s restaurant and sets off to solve the murder of her aunt. The story is an easy read.

The book is seven hours and fifty-four minutes. Adrienne Cornette does a good job narrating the book. Cornette is an audiobook narrator. While working on her Ph.D. she began narrating textbooks then went on to narrate for the Foundation for the Blind.

Great start to a new food series

Dying for a Taste is a terrific start to a new culinary series, and makes you want to keep on reading – or listening. Sally Solari grew up working in her family’s old-style Italian eatery in Santa Cruz, California but left home to become an attorney. After her mom dies from cancer, Sally comes home to help her dad in the restaurant. However, even if she might have been getting a little burnt out as an attorney, working the front of the house for her demanding dad isn’t fulfilling her dreams either. Problem is, she’s not sure just what those dreams are and will feel guilty leaving her father.

The story introduces a lot of interesting, well-developed characters and circumstances that put Sally in danger and make her consider her life choices sooner than she may have left at her own pace. I enjoyed the mystery with secret after secret being revealed, Sally’s still-close relationship with ex-fiancé Eric, her Nona and life in an Italian family, and a glimpse into the restaurant business complete with present-day issues regarding sustainable farming. The fact that the scene is Santa Cruz is a bonus – close to home for me and the vivid descriptions took me right there.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dying for a Taste and recommend it without hesitation. I listened to an audiobook and the narration was as wonderful as the content. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

A yummy cozy mystery

Leslie has written a great and delicious cozy mystery that will keep you guessing and you will need to stop after reading about each dish.

Boring

Dying for a Taste might be a good book, but the pace is very slow. I couldn't finish it.