Fine Arts

The Trudie Fine Mystery Series, Book 3

By: Gale Deitch

Narrated by: Kristin James

Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

It's the week before Thanksgiving, and business is bounteous for Trudie and Zach's catering company, A Fine Fix, beginning with a posh art exhibit at the prestigious Christine Dugan Gallery. When the guest list includes art connoisseurs, wealthy collectors, and prominent socialites, not to mention a well-respected art critic from The Washington Post, a successful event can only mean future bookings. But the discovery of a gruesome murder brings the high-class evening to a screeching halt. In the days that follow, Trudie faces a cornucopia of troubles as her curiosity lands her in plenty of hot gravy. Not even her new canine friend, Zeus, can protect her against threats to her life or keep the killer off her trail. Trying to get her footing and find the murderer is like walking through a sweet potato casserole. Trudie has seen how deadly art can be, and now she's a sitting duck. Recipes Included.

©2016 Gale Deitch (P)2016 Gale Deitch

Fine Arts

Fine Arts: The Trudie Fine Mystery Series, Book 3
: Gale Deitch

Trudie Fine and friends return for another round of murder, mystery, suspense, and lovely romance!!! An art gallery is the setting for a showing, Trudie and Zach are catering. And the story takes off, twists and turns and a dog for good measure. You got me on this one Gale, my prime suspect wasn't the one.Great sounding recipes to try as well. I loved the ending, and CAN'T wait for the next installment!


The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Kristin James added great emotion and feeling in this book.



"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."

Just Okay

I listened to book one in this series but I have not read or listened to book 2 so maybe that is part of my problem. I thought Kirstin James did a nice job with the narration. Kirstin has a pleasant voice but I did find the changing of voices for the characters a bit distracting. The story was okay but again it was missing something for me. I was gifted this audio-book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.

"YOU TOLD!"

I enjoy listening to these books. Trudie, Daniel and her friends are back with another murder needing to be solved. This is a great series to listen to if you don't want something to heavy. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Another great addition to the series

Who was your favorite character and why?

Trudie is definitely my favourite character. She dives headfirst into any drama that comes her way and does so out of a keen sense of justice and loyalty to her friends. The mystery kept me entertained. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the series.

Any additional comments?

I voluntarily received a review copy

excellent read

Good story line and very enjoyable read with loads of yummy recipes at the end!!!

My heart began to rise like a pop over in the oven

Any additional comments?

Some cozy mysteries can be superb, with a simple story, great characters and dialogue, and sense of time and place. Others are just - cozy. This one falls somewhere in the middle. There are some great characters, at times reasonably developed, and the idea of a catering company allows for overhearing evidence in passing conversation. The story itself was rather silly, but then, this is a 'cozy'. It would probably make a delightful T.V. adaptation with actors fully entering into the lives of the characters and enhancing their personalities. An enjoyable frivolous evening's entertainment along the lines of Midsommer Murders.

Unfortunately, the overacting of the narrator, whose voice changes from cloying sweetness to angry bull at the slightest opportunity, increased the sense of silliness. At one point, she even sounds like a cackling witch: the character being voiced might be unpleasant, possibly getting close to insanity, but ... A pity because Kirstin James has a very pleasant sounding voice, if one with a strange intonation, and her repertoire of voices seems potentially huge. But this story would have been much better if delivered in a less frenetic way. Better to read the printed book.

As a special tasty treat, the final chapters give seven recipes for various dishes, including the tomato based drink, Bloody Mary, and tasty dog biscuits, as mentioned in the book. My thanks to the rights holder for gifting me a copy of Fine Arts, via Audiobook Boom, and whilst I have been critical of it, I did find the light-hearted story fun at times and especially warmed to the other half of the catering company, Zak.

The best culinary mystery I've read!

I have read many culinary mysteries, but I think this is the best one yet! Trudie caters an art exhibition showing the works of her baker partner's lesbian partner, Rose. At the exhibition, the owner of the gallery gets murdered with the necklace given to her by Rose. The police arrest Rose, though Trudie is certain of her innocence and is determined to help prove that.

The characters in this book are well-written, and I love the dog in the book. Trudie helps out Rose, who does agility competitions with Zeus, by filling in for her at the state finals because Rose is still stuck in jail, waiting to get a chance to get bail.

I really love the way that Trudie uses food words to swear with. "That scared the shitake out of me!"

I also was impressed that the book contains a lesbian couple, something unusual for cozy mysteries.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book for free from the author, but that had no influence on my review.