It Cannoli Be Murder, book two in An Italian Chef Mystery series by Catherine Bruns, takes place shortly after where Penne Dreadful, book one, left off. Tessa is getting ready for the grand opening of her new Italian restaurant, Anything's Pastable, and she's making lots and lots of sauce. That's a sure sign that she's stressed out! I wish I made sauce when I was stressed out, but I'd rather just eat it. And I'd rather eat the cannoli that Tessa makes for the book signing at her cousin Gina's bookstore! If only they'd known that those cannoli were going to play a part in murder...

As in the first book of the series, the characters make the story. Tessa is still grieving the loss of her husband, but she's determined to follow through on the dream they had before he died. Opening the restaurant is bittersweet for Tessa, and it is cathartic. It's a new beginning for her...the next step in her life. She isn't ready for another relationship, yet two men seem willing to wait until she is. Gina and Gino, Tessa's cousins, play a big part in Tessa's life. They're like the siblings she never had. I really enjoy the interaction among these three the most.

The mystery in It Cannoli Be Murder is not easy to solve! When the victim is such an unlikable character, you are going to have lots of suspects. The problem here though is that Gina seems to be the only suspect the police are after. Tessa and Gina have to find the real murderer, and it's fun trying to figure out who really killed the victim right along with them.

If you love cozy mystery books with yummy food, great characters, a cozy setting, and a puzzling mystery, you will love It Cannoli Be Murder!