Two Cooks A-Killing: An Angie Amalfi Mystery

by Joanne Pence

Nothing could drag chef Angie Amalfi away from San Francisco and her beloved policeman fiance Paavo Smith -- except for a job preparing the banquet her all-time favorite soap opera characters will... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060092165
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Avon
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

Sweating Plastic Snowflakes; Skidding In Sticky Goo

Absolutely enjoyed the expansion of Angie's character in TWO COOKS A-KILLING. Pence gave Paavo's history a focus in TO CATCH A COOK; in this book she gave Angie a stretch of space and plot. I continue to be entertained by the changing nuances in Pence's style in each of the books. Most series novels seem to plot a pattern and stick to it, or at least they follow a composition type to a "T." But, each of the Angie books has a unique identity and "talking" technique, and each one works. Maybe most readers won't notice the writing method changes, but they're fun for me to pick up on. This book seems to have less of the Sidney Sheldon type of scene shifting which Pence seems to enjoy playing with; the generally uninterrupted narration in this novel gives a pleasantly slower pace than the other books I've read. In the case of this story, the smother flow of scene changes fits the character development, plot, and theme, and made the reading, for me, even more pleasant and the capture more absolute; it made the story ease along naturally, so I was more relaxed reading this novel than the others. To relax while I'm reading is a definite plus, and that cozy mood does not take away from the interest or intrigue. For an author to successfully work a sensual pace yet keep interest kindled is truly an art, especially in a market climate in which more, more, more speed, shock, action, and gut ripping seems to be demanded of authors by what feels like a profit-panicked-industry understandably terrified of keeping up with TV's RC. Could write a book on that subject, but better get off it for now. Each of the Angie books has its unique, more-than-the-others qualities, so I can honestly say I love each book and haven't found one yet which seems to "work" less than the others in any way, in providing good escape reading enjoyment with tidbits of complexity and depth to munch on. However, it's been said by folks wiser than I that most series contain certain books which feel better or less than the others. That thought has niggled at me each time I pick up a new Angie book, wondering, "Will this be one of the ones which isn't as good as the others? If so, why?" Of course, since my mission seems to be to find the heart or core of value in each novel, I'm looking for that, and am aiming to be able to "christen" each with honest, 5 Star raves. Speaking of core value, Joanne Pence certainly accomplished a coup working a springtime reality into a winter plot! The seasonal-contrast-tension from an April-living-scheme shoved seamlessly into a December ambiance fueled one of the best banquet bashing scenes I've ever read! I'll never doubt it. Pence is a master of contrast. She knows when/how to build and relieve tension. She pushes, drives, and manifests her talents in amazing and thorough ways. Was she the first to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear? LOVED the tasty detail in that food fight scene!! What an ingenious slant on collecting suspects at a

Soap Opera Reunion, Food and Murder

Angie Amalfi has been offered a chance of a lifetime. She is to prepare a Christmas meal for the reunion special of her favorite soap opera, Eagle Crest. This meant she had to be separated from her San Francisco homicide detective finace Paavo Smith. But it is only for a short time. The special is being filmed at the Waterfield estate owned by Dr. Sterling Waterfield. Dr. Waterfield, a friend of Angie's father, is a widower and lives with his two sons, Junior and Silver. Junior once dated Angie's sister, Frannie, but things hadn't worked out.Eagle Crest had ended ten years earlier, but now the cast was being reassembled for a ten year reunion, a Christmas reunion.When she arrives, she finds the crew there, but no stars have arrived. She also finds out that Emery Tarleton, the director, wants her to recreate the Christmas meal from an earlier Christmas show and that the actress Brittany Keegan who had played Julia Parker had died in the house. The official reports were that she died in Los Angeles, but in reality she had died in the house. Worse yet, she fell out of the window of the third floor bedroom Angie has been given! Soon Angie becomes aware that someone is trying to sabotage the filming. The actors arrive and it is soon apparent that they are not very friendly Angie starts looking into the death of Brittany. It was classified as a suicide, but things just don't appear to be so simple. Many things happen on the set and Angie knows that she needs to unravel the mystery before someone else is hurt, including herself.I like this series. Angie is a very likeable character. The soap opera actors in this book are so realistic and Angie is the ultimate fan put into a very strange situation.The setting of an estate really assists in this book because everyone is living together but they can leave the estate when needed.I highly recommend this book and series.

Angie and Paavo are as great as Nancy and Ned...

Imagine getting a job working in Courtlandt Manor of Pine Valley. To a soap fan this is a dream job, one Angie Amalfi has a chance to live when she lands a job providing the Christmas dinner for the cast of her favorite soap's, Eagle Crest, reunion show. The dream quickly is transformed to a nightmare. The "chef" is an odious little man who makes Angie's life miserable whenever they come into contact. He's determined to not let her into "his" kitchen. The stars are aloof and not nearly as likeable in person as their characters. Everyone Angie knows seems to be dropping in to leave a prop for her to place on the set so they can say their knick knack is a part of the scene, and she has discovered that getting this job might be less a measure of her talent and more a facet of her father's match making schemes. Toss in an old, unsolved murder, a tabloid reporter, and a fresh "accidental" death, and you have a fine hash. The love of Angie's life, Paavo, is not too thrilled with life either. He misses Angie, and her cooking. Then, referred by Angie's pesky friend Connie, he has a missing person's case dumped in his lap by a "little person", Minnie Petite. The only good part of that is it ties to Angie's situation, and brings them together again. **** Angie and Paavo are the best mystery couple since Nancy and Ned. You might die laughing, but it is a good way to go. As always, there are recipes guaranteed to kill your diet if you make them included. ****