Emily Toll

Do you ever watch those TV cooking shows – the ‘reality’ ones? This book is like one of those reality TV shows on steroids. Hannah Wendt was an aspiring chef at one time. But many of the now-famous chefs had wronged her in various ways. Some had used her managing to up their game while diminishing hers; others had simply not considered her worthy at all. It’s been years since she’s been out of the picture, but she’ll never forget the chefs … and they’ll remember her while they’re taking their last breath.

When the third chef, Byron Peppers, died in a pizza oven, food blogger, Jason Bainbridge, began seeing a connection — someone seemed to be targeting established and rather well-known chefs. He brings this information to the attention of Kimberly (Kim) Douglas, FBI. To that time, the FBI had not made the connection. Kim had no intention of working with Jason as he was suggesting, but after a while, it became clear to her that he had specific knowledge of the various chefs that she needed. Besides, she was getting to like him.

I do need to let you know that providing the killer’s name in the first paragraph is not a spoiler. Hannah was known to the reader early on. She’s a psychotic living in some dream world. Metaphorically speaking, her boat had left the dock a long time ago. Now for Hannah, it is all about the revenge. She had been targeting one chef, Ricky Zelinsky, but he recognized her even with her disguise. So, instead of killing him, they went back to having the same type of kinky sex they used to have while in culinary school. Other than the book’s title, I’m not sure I actually get the idea of the parody to Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. The novel had humor, but in a dark way. I actually felt sorry for Hannah so I never had that ‘rooting for the bad guy’ feeling for her. Several authors collaborated on this novel using the pen name, Thalia Filbert. They are Kate Flora; Gary Phillips; Katy Munger; Lisa McClendon; and Taffy Cannon. Rating: 3.5 out of 5.… (mehr)

I did not get into the "Eat, Pray, Love" maelstrom that swept the nation, but I do have to admit that the play on that title, along with the book description, did make me pick this ebook when it was offered as a free title. I also enjoy watching food shows, so I enjoyed the setting of this book. That said, there are a few point of view slips where the reader ends up head hopping.

Hannah chooses to blame many things in her life on others. Her father, other chefs, foodies, previous boyfriends--everyone is fair game. She sets out to take her revenge on those she feels has wronged her, and she does so in some innovative ways. The only one who manages to escape is an old boyfriend who rekindles his romance with her and apologizes for what he did years earlier (without knowing that he was in danger due to it).

Unfortunately for Hannah, a food blogger has spotted the fact that a number of people in the food industry have been murdered. He floats this theory to the FBI and when additional murders occur, they can no longer ignore them.… (mehr)