Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Book Review: Italian Iced by Kylie Logan (Ethnic Eats Mysteries #3)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros
: Strong mystery and characters
Cons: All cons put on ice
The Bottom Line:
Laurel’s past comes back
And starts a great mystery
For fans old and new




The Star in the Freezer

The past always comes back.  Okay, so that might not be the case in real life, but it is definitely the case in the series I love to read.  Italian Iced is a perfect example of what I’m talking about.

The series stars Laurel Inwood, who left Hollywood in disgrace a year ago after being fired by mega movie star Meghan Cohan.  She’s gone from being personal chef to planning the ethnic menus at Terminal at the Tracks, the diner in Hubbard, Ohio, owned by Sophie, her foster aunt.  She’s also started dating Declan, the owner of The Irish Store across the road.  In fact, she’s become quite happy with her new life, different as it was from her old one.

The diner rotates various ethnic foods each month, and the current country is Italy.  After a successful first night with the new menu, Laurel returns home to find that it has been trashed.  Nothing appears to be taken, but someone was searching for something.  Before she can figure out what they were looking for, she makes an even worse discovery, the body of Meghan in the freezer down at the diner.  Laurel has had no contact with Meghan for the past year.  What was she doing in town?  And how did she come to die in the freezer?

See what I’m talking about?  The past came back into Laurel’s life.  It provides a good chance for her to reflect on her life then versus now, and it’s fun watching her grow as a result.  The series doesn’t have a lot of recurring characters, but those it does have make great appearances here.  That leaves us plenty of time to get to know the new characters, aka the suspects.  They are memorable and strong, making the mystery hard to figure out.

They mystery features quite a few twists, turns, and surprises.  It kept me guessing the entire way through.  Yet at the end, I was satisfied with how everything tied together and was wrapped up.

And if your mouth starts watering for Italian food while reading the book, you’ll be glad to know there are two recipes at the end you can enjoy later.

Italian Iced brings the past into the present with a well plotted mystery that will have you turning pages.  If you’ve already met Laurel, you’ll be delighted to pick up this book.  And if you have yet to start the series, be sure to so today.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy of this book to give away.  Because it is a physical book, the contest is limited to residence of the US.

Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address so I can get in touch with you if you win.  I will pick the winner Tuesday July 3rd, so please leave your comment before midnight Pacific Time on 7/3.  You will have until midnight on 7/8 to get back to me, or I will choose a new winner on 7/9.

23 comments:

  1. Thanks for your review. Looking forward to reading this. i have added it to my TBR.

    kckendler at gmail dot com

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  2. Love your review, and that cover is so cute. Thanks for the chance to win! mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  3. Mark, I’ve never seen this series. Thank you for the intro. You intrigued me. I look forward to finding it. And if I try a recipe, I will let you know how it went.
    Tbarker8264@gmail.com.

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  4. Enjoyed your review and will be adding to my TBR list. Thank you for the giveaway also bookaddictioninnc@yahoo.com

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  5. Thank you for this chance. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Thank you, Mark! So glad you enjoyed the book. And since I know this is posting from Casey Daniels, I'll just let everyone know I'm Kylie Logan, too!

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  7. Thank you for the review. I really like Kylie Logan.
    debprice60@gmail.com

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  8. Can't wait to read Italian Iced! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  9. I love this series! I got to meet Kylie at the Buckeye Book Fair! Thanks for the chance to win.
    MarshaMysteryreader@yahoo.com

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  10. This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thanks for your review and chance to win.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Maryann

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  11. Would love to read this book. Thanks for the chance to win!
    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

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  12. Thanks for the info. This is a new series to me! Sounds good! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. Intrguing cover. Thanks for the opportunity.
    browninggloria(at) hotmail(com)

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  14. This sounds like an intriguing series and your review just made me want to read it more! Thanks for the giveaway! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Thanks for your great review. This is a new series to me and I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!

    salvatoresmom71(at)yahoo(dot)com.

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  16. I really liked Irish Stewed (book #1), but lost track of this series. Glad I stopped by, going to check out French Fried.

    acm05atjuno.com

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  17. I'm just about to start this and am super excited. I own the first 2 but haven't read them yet but I love the switch of the cuisines.

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  18. I haven't read this series yet and I really enjoyed your review. Looking forward to reading this series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  19. A great book cover is what catches my eye. I've found so many great books and Authors just from a book cover. I love this book cover . Would love to read this !!!

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  20. No need to enter me in the giveaway - I already read this one. I loved it too. Great series.

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  21. Great review - great series! Thanks!
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  22. This is a new series for me. It sounds like a good one. Thankyou for your review. BTW, I love Italian food. minishoes(at)msn(dot)com

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  23. I've started reading her League of Literary Ladies Series & am really liking it. I think I'll enjoy this series, too.
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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