“Penne Dreadful” earns 5/5 Pots of Sauce…Deliciously Engaging!

I am an eager fan of Catherine Bruns’ work from her seven-book Cookies & Chance Mystery to the three book Cindy York Mystery to her two-book Carrie Jorgenson series in the Aloha Lagoon Mystery multi-author collection, so I knew I'd not be disappointed by her new series…An Italian chef? Italian cuisine? Murder? Catherine penned a well-written first-person narrative with a compelling plot using some contemporary issues, vivid (some mouthwatering) descriptions, and entertaining banter illustrating tone and personality. From Tessa Esposito’s point of view we find she is slowing emerging from the depths of grief after the death of her husband. However, grief turns to resolve when her cousin/cop Gino Mancusi finally explains the officials believe her husband’s fatal accident may have been intentional. Can't be! Her husband was a good guy, well liked, who worked as an accountant for several businesses. But, evidence was suspicious and tracing his last moments have led authorities to a link with which Tessa can provide some assistance. She'll do anything to get answers and justice, so she goes undercover…as a cook.

I totally enjoyed this page turner which included several personal and professional motives to sift through, a satisfying conclusion, a bit of peril, and some great characters that I look forward to following. This new group do not appear to be unique, but do not misunderstand, they are not rehashed from her other series. I enjoyed the incorporating of the “Italian” culture and cuisine, like with her Cookies & Chance Mystery, and included in the book are some easy-to-follow recipes: Never-Fail Pizza Crust and Pepperoni Pizza, Tessa’s Tantalizing Tomato Sauce, and ‘Good to the Last Bite’ Stromboli. Don't miss this one!

Tessa's husband has died in a car crash and her Policeman cousin Gino tells her it wasn't an accident. To help her get through her grief he encourages her to go back to work, at the pizza parlour where her husband was last seen. Theres something strange going on at the pizza parlour, can Tessa discover whats going on and what happened to her husband?

There are secrets, lies and plenty of suspects,

Well done to author Catherine Bruns for penning a cozy mystery unlike any other I have ever read. Her seemingly effortless writing once again ensures this will be another big hit for her.

PEENE DREADFUL wan an intriguing mystery with more twists than corkscrew pasta. With each new chapter came jaw dropping revelations that made this story so much more than it originally seemed.

Love, loss, deceit, betrayal, grief, hope . . . there was so much going on in this tale that I was left emotionally drained by the last page. However, the author included wonderful recipes at the end, so I bounced right back. 😉

If you’re a fan of cozies, surprises, and a good tomato sauce, look no further than PENNE DREADFUL!

Tessa Esposito is struggling still struggling to get through her days. It's been a few weeks since her husband died in a car accident. Now she learns that his death was not an accident. Gino, her police officer cousin let her know before the news hit the streets. She is asked to take a job at one of the restaurants where her husband was last known to be, and to snoop around if possible.

While asking questions about Dylan's death, she learns that her marriage may not have been as happy as she had thought it was. Her husband had been keeping secrets from her. Lots of secrets. Now she questions who he really was, and if anything he had told her was the truth.

Tessa stirs up quite the hornets nest with her unwanted questions. And in the process puts not only her own life on the line, but also that of her cousin Gabby's, who owns a local book store.

This is a fun story that is more of a traditional mystery than that of a Cozy, which Catherine's other stories are. It has well developed characters, a strong story line, and descriptions that draw you into the story almost from the first line of the story and keeps your attention throughout.

I received this copy from NetGalley.

Penne Dreadful is the first in a new cozy mystery series "An Italian Chef mystery". Tessa is deep in her grief for her husband Dylan who died a month before in a fiery car crash. In an attempt to get Tessa back to living, her cop cousin Vino tells her Dylan's death looks like it murder and that one of the last places he was seen is looking for a cook. Tessa goes undercover at the "Slice" to sleuth around. But the further she investigates the more it seems her husband was up to his neck in lies and dirty dealings. Tessa and her sidekick/cousin Gabby ventures into dangerous territory when everyone in her life seems to be keeping secrets and their lives are on the line. Full of suspense and the little extra twist out of left field, the story draws you in and has the pages flying by for a quick, satisfying read. I cannot wait for more in this promising series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.