It Cannoli Be Murder is the second book in the Italian Chef Mysteries series by Catherine Bruns. Tess is getting ready to open her own restaurant, Anything Pastable. It is been a dream of her's for awhile! Why does a dead body have to go and ruin this happy time and all people it had to be Daphine, Tess' high school rival. Another great book by Catherine Bruns!

Holy smackers, I am drooling for Italian food after finishing this book. And while reading it, too, for that matter. This was a nice, cozy mystery for people like myself who do not enjoy violence or heavily suspenseful scenes. There’s nothing fancy or any big ‘wow’ factor, and that was just what the doctor ordered. Sweet friendships and family relationships, plenty of suspects, and a satisfying ending.

This time Tess and Gabby are in the hot seat as a former rival from high school is found murdered in Gabby's bookstore after an author event. It seems the canoli is the culprit. Since Tess baked some goodies for the event, it's Gabby's bookstore, and they both had qualms with the deceased...they are suspects. Can they figure out who the murderer is before one or both are hauled off in handcuffs?

This is such a fun series. I mean who doesn't love murder, food and mysteries right? LOL Cozy Mysteries will always be my go-to genre when I don't know what else to read. Definitely grab this one if you love this genre too or are wanting to try it oiut. It can be read standalone as most Cozies can.

This is the second novel in the Italian Chef Mysteries. I did not read the first novel but was easily able to keep up with the storyline. This was a great cozy mystery with a nice twist that was centered around food and a bookstore so it was a great combination!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the gifted e-book.

An excellent addition to this lovely series. It's fun a read, engrossing and highly enjoyable.
I was happy to meet again the characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4.5 stars!

This was my 1st cozy mystery and I'm so happy I picked it up!! It was so enjoyable!!!

First, it was pizza. Now, it's cannoli. What's next? Why do I keep torturing myself with food related stories while on a diet? This book made me so hungry my mouth was watering and my stomach was rumbling all throughout!

After solving her husband's murder, Tessa is about to fulfill one of her dreams, to open a restaurant. When her cousin's high school nemesis is found dead in Gabby's bookstore after a book signing by a famous author both of them turn into suspects, Gabby because her long time enmity with the victim and Tessa cause police think she made the murder weapon, a cannoli (if that's the weapon, murder me a thousand times, please!). So if they don't want both their businesses to go under they must unveil the real killer.

"It cannoli be murder" is your typical food themed cozy mystery filled with a lovable amateur sleuth (although I might have yelled some other "really, girl?" to my kindle with some of her actions), some nice secondary characters and a handful of hateful suspects, all seasoned with some delicious italian recipes.

The mystery resolution came a bit out of nowhere but it was satisfying. Also, am I the only one thinking that there was a plot hole in the first chapters relating the missing bookstore keys?

Light and quick read with the perfect mix of intrigue and humour.

3,5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars!

My very first cozy mystery!!!! Lol I started this long ago and never got much through it. I’m so excited and happy that I enjoyed it. It was slightly annoying at times but I loved the feel of like an adult version of Nancy Drew is what this reminded me of

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.