Roux Morgue
By Claire M. Johnson
Read How You Want, (2010)
EasyRead Large Print, in 16 Point Font
(Originally Published in Standard Print by Poisoned Pen Press)
ISBN: 978-1458742971 Genre: Mystery
Reviewed by Angela Evans - March 7, 2011
Claire M. Johnson has brought Mary Ryan back for second culinary mystery in Roux Morgue. Having been out of work for more than two months, pastry chef Mary needs a job, any job and when she's offered a teaching job at the École d'Epicure she jumps at it. Her new employers are honored to get such a skilled and respected chef on their staff but they are a bit leery about having her around. After all, at her last job, she developed a talent for stumbling over dead bodies. A talent that, it turns out, she brings to her new job as well!
Like the first book in this series Beat Until Stiff, this is a funny and edgy mystery that will keep you turning the pages from beginning to end. Mary's new job does help with her financial problems, but she finds that it is anything but stress free. There is an ongoing rift between the older instructors and their younger counterparts, and her students can be more than a handful. Especially one student in particular, by the name of O'Connor, who just happens to be a San Francisco Police Department - Homicide Division inspector, already married, and the best friend of Jim, Mary's ex-husband. He is also a man who Mary is more than just a little interested in. While O'Connor remains true to his marriage vows, it is obvious that he is interest in Mary is more than just casual.
The story starts to get spicy as the bodies begin to pile up, and once again, Mary finds herself at the center of the action. It will take all of Mary's skills and knowledge of the restaurant business and culinary lore, paired with O'Connor's detective skills and police acumen to find the killer and to discover what was the real cause of all this mayhem.
Although the story does get a bit silly at times, this just adds to the cozy feel of this well-plotted mystery. It is a story full of unique characters, love interests, and insider information on cooking schools, restaurants, and the culinary industry as a whole. A must for both foodies and cozy mystery fans. If you've not read Beat Until Stiff yet, never fear, these books can be read out of order.