IT CANNOLI BE MURDER, the second book in the Italian Chef Mysteries by Catherine Bruns, is another delicious addition to a delectable series. Ms. Bruns crafts an intriguing tale featuring Tessa Esposito, a fledgling Italian restaurant owner. Tessa has had a heartbreaking year after losing her husband and she’s trying to recover while moving forward with their dream of opening a restaurant featuring her award winning Italian dishes. The author captures the angst of Tessa which brings an emotional element into the story. Ms. Bruns also has a strong descriptive voice that conveys the sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes of Tessa’s cooking along with the setting to make the reader feel like they’re right there, experiencing everything alongside her. With strong character development, Tessa and her cousin, Gabby, have great chemistry together. I greatly enjoyed watching the plot unfold as they work as a team to clear their names while their repartee brings some humor to the book.

Ms. Bruns writes a tightly plotted mystery involving Gabby’s old high school mean-girl nemesis, an egotistical best-selling author, his arrogant wife, and a detective that has his sights set on Tessa and Gabby. There were suspects aplenty and the author uses a creative method for the murder. As the story unfolded I found myself drawn in and suffered from the “just one more page” syndrome until the late hours of the night. But it was well worth it as the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat until the surprise reveal!

Tessa is a trained chef and makes all sorts of delicious foods and delectable desserts. As a reader, I was practically drooling over the yummy descriptions and I was happy that Ms. Bruns includes recipes at the back of the book.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

IT CANNOLI BE MURDER by Catherine Bruns
The Second Italian Chef Mystery

While Tessa Esposito is anxiously preparing to open her new restaurant, her cousin, Gabby, is worried about the survival of her bookstore. In hopes of saving her store Gabby has arranged for Preston Rigotta, a bestselling author, to come to Once Upon a Book for a book signing. Even with the surprise of an old high school nemesis being Preston's publicist and the fact that Preston turns out to be an overbearing jerk and his wife a snooty would be celebrity chef, the evening seems to be a success.The books are selling like hotcakes and everyone is devouring Tessa's cannoli. Unfortunately, the evening ends on a sour note when Daphne, the publicist, pushes Gabby too far. As bad as the evening ends, things get worse in the morning when Tessa discovers Daphne's dead body in the bookstore. With Tessa and Gabby as top suspects, Tessa realizes she's about to be involved in a murder investigation...again.

Dreams are in danger of being crushed while despicable characters rise up in the second Italian Chef Mystery. The "bestselling author" and his "better than you" wife are sadly realistic. And Daphne is the perfect victim we love to hate. The juxtaposition of Tessa realizing her dream of opening her own restaurant with Gabby's fear of losing her dream bookstore is poignant. And the fact that both could lose their dreams due to an old high school enemy is so frustrating.

I really enjoy the realistic touches in the book. From the problems that arise when starting a business to the fact that Gino and Lou can't investigate the murder, to the vivid characterizations presented, all combine to make the book more real and thus have readers more invested. I also like the fact that Tessa is not ready for romance, but two admirers are standing in the wings.

Catherine Bruns delivers another delectable page-turner in IT CANNOLI BE MURDER. I wouldn't say no to some cannoli while I wait for my reservation to Anything's Pastable and wonder what's in store for Tessa.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.

This is the second book in the Italian Chef Mystery series and it was just as good as the first book. It is six months after the death of Tessa's husband and she is slowly putting her life back together. She is about to open her restaurant and finally realize her dream when someone from her past is murdered at Gabby's bookstore. Once again, Tessa and Gabby find themselves involved in trying to solve a murder, only this time it is because they are suspects. I love the relationship between Tessa, Gabby, and Gino. Even though Tessa is their cousin, the relationship plays out in a very sibling manner among all of them. Tessa and Gabby can sure get themselves into trouble. I find them to be a bit too reckless and cavalier about the trouble they get themselves into. Sometimes it makes me want to smack them both.

The mystery was well done. The victim was not well-liked and had a history of causing trouble with Gabby and Tessa back to high school. However, age didn't change her and she was not necessarily a nice person, which allows the author to set up a number of viable suspects with very believable motives. I thought it unfolded nicely throughout the story and I was definitely surprised by the identity of the killer and the motive. I thought the author delivered a nice twist there.

I really enjoy the characters and I am looking forward to watching Tessa grow as a character as she works through her grief. I think the author has plenty of places to take this series and I am looking forward to seeing what's to come.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Sourcebooks, through Edelweiss Books.

Very fun cozy mystery! And so cool that there are recipes included at the back of the book. I will definitely want to read the next installment.

This was such a fun mystery. And the recipes in the back...I’m hungry now! When you need to escape with a string foodie mystery, this book won’t let you down.

Pretty much this book deserves to be read for the title alone. But, luckily, there's more to it than that! It's a perfectly fine cozy mystery with lots of tasty food descriptions and (of course) recipes in the back. I hadn't read the first book, which did put me at a slight disadvantage because I'm missing some of the relationship history. It's all explained, but I definitely don't have any connection to some of the possible romantic interests.

Quick and entertaining read witha whole cast of potential suspects. I will say though, the decision making, and the justifications behind those decisions, of the main protagonist and her cousin definitely left me frustrated at times. Where was the common sense?! Are you trying to get the case thrown out, because that's how you get a case thrown out... all the inadmissible evidence made me cringe.