The Secret Ingredient Murders: A Eugenia Potter Mystery

Eugenia Potter was called to leave her Tucson ranch and head to Maine to help her great-nephew when he finds himself in trouble. Upon her arrival her long time friend Stanley Parker convinces Genie to help him publish a secret ingredient coockbook. The two decide to throw a small dinner party to test a few of the recipes, asking each guest to also bring a recipe with one secret ingredient. When Stanley doesn't show up to his own party, the crowd soon discovers Stanley is dead. Genia decides to investigate the circumstances surrounding his murder, especially because her nephew is the chief suspect. Genia soon finds that the none of area residents are saddened by his death, and now any number of people are under suspicion. Nancy Pickard deftly continues the Eugenia Potter culinary mystery series. Her writing seems much more relaxed in this book, and flows well for an easy and enjoyable read. It isn't easy to assume another authors writing style and voice, but Pickard has accomplished that and more as she has thrilled Eugenia Potter fans with three more stories than they would otherwise have enjoyed if she had not stepped up to the plate. The Secret Ingredient Murders: A Eugenia Potter Mystery

I wouldn't go so far as to compare Eugenia Potter with Jessica Fletcher. Potter is too laid back for that. But I do think that for a rather leasurely Cozy, this book is a fine read. Enjoy it for what it is and move on to the next title on your reading list. If you don't feel like spending money on this novel check it out at the local public library. You will still like reading it.

I thought this was a good book. It starts out with a missing man who is then found dead. Who killed him.? There were many who hated him.The book totally keeps you guessing and the ending is great. It did not deserve only one star. It was a good book.

Her family asked Eugenia Potter to return home to Devon, Rhode Island to help her grandnephew Jason stays clean following his possession conviction. Unable to say no, Genia leaves Arizona for the East Coast. In Devon, gourmand Stanley Devon persuades Genia to join with him in producing a cookbook, The Secret Ingredient Cookbook. Six guest chefs are providing their favorite recipe.A special dinner at Genia's rented cottage is arranged for the chefs. On his way over to attend the dinner, someone kills Stanley. Unable to ignore the murder of her long time friend, especially since Jason is the prime suspect, Genia begins to investigate in hopes of finding who had a motive. To Genia's shock, many of the locals, including the guest chefs, preferred seeing Devon dead.Renowned author Nancy Pickard (see the Jenny Cain tales) affectionately pays homage to the late Virginia Rich by continuing the latter's popular Genia Potter series. The story line does justice to the original novels especially its star, leaving most readers unable to discern any difference between the two writers. As expected with a culinary amateur sleuth tale, the novel is filled with delectable recipes and savory food descriptions. Although the support cast is amusingly stereotyped to the extreme, there is no secret that this novel is a gourmetís delight.Harriet Klausner