LOST by James Patterson - Book Review

 

Lost is a mystery novel in the police procedural, organized crime thrillers and suspense thrillers genres. 

Synopsis of Lost

Detective Tom Moon, the main character in Lost, is a Miami PD officer who is now the new leader of an FBI task force combining the FBI, DEA and Miami police. Called Operation Guardian, Moon and his team investigate International Crime.  

Lost

The Lost novel focuses on two Russian nationals - brothers Roman and Emile Rostoff unofficially known as the ‘Blood Brothers’ - who are building a powerful and deadly crime syndicate in Miami, with ties to Amsterdam.

As the story begins, Moon and his team are at Miami International Airport observing a Dutchman attempting to go through customs with six children being brought in from Amsterdam for the purpose of child sex trafficking. The man is arrested and the children taken into protective custody. 

Lost takes place primarily in Miami, Florida, with a side trip to Amsterdam when Moon accompanies the rescued children back to where the crime began. There, he meets with Marie Meijer, his counterpoint in the Dutch National Police who is working on the European end of these international crimes being organized by the Rostoff brothers. Working together, Tom & Marie discover that a large group of human trafficking victims are about to be sent by ship from Amsterdam to Miami. Now all they have to do is figure out when this will happen, what ship will be used, and in which one of dozens of Florida ports the ship will show up. 

Miami is Tom Moon’s backyard. A born and raised local, he knows the area well. But the task before him is huge. Will he be able to guess right and save the victims before it is too late?

Summary

Lost is written by James Patterson, in conjunction with author James O. Born. Born, who is a crime and science-fiction novelist as well as a career law-enforcement agent, is a native of Florida. 

I really enjoyed and readily recommend this book about Detective Tom Moon and his multi-talented team who worked to defeat an international crime ring trying to seize control over Miami.

Other James Patterson Book Reviews:

• The Christmas Mystery, reviewed by Brenda Little
• The Golf Miracle Trilogy, reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• Shattered, reviewed by Wednesday Elf
• The President is Missing, reviewed by Brenda Little

For more Book Reviews on ReviewThisReviews, 

check out ReviewThisBooks.com

*Book Review of James Patterson’s ‘Lost’ written by Wednesday Elf

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A Healthy Place to Die - Episode 2 of Gourmet Detective Series Reviewed

I have really been enjoying the Hallmark Mystery Series, the Gourmet Detective.  Last week I reviewed the pilot movie of the series where we first met Detective Maggie Price and the "Gourmet Detective", Henry Ross.  

When forced to work together to solve a murder, the duo provide a light touch of comedy with their snippy comments to each other. 

The murder in this movie takes place at a gourmet convention.  Of course,  Henry is already attending and has two rooms, but it turns out his assistant is unable to go.  When he offers one of Maggie's co-workers the option to take his assistant's "already paid for" room at the conference, he ends up getting roped into taking Maggie instead.  Maggie's police captain believes it will provide the perfect opportunity for Maggie to take a much needed and earned vacation.  Henry offers the room to Maggie and she somewhat reluctantly agrees to go when she is assured they would not be going as a couple, just in tandem to the same place.

There is no way either of them could know one of the other conventioneers will be murdered.  Once again, Henry is immediately involved because he is the one to see the body floating in the mineral baths from his balcony.

A Healthy Place to Die Synopsis

Gourmet Detective: A Healthy Place to Die

Kathleen Evans is a magazine writer who doesn't hesitate to reveal nasty personal information about the notable people she features in her articles.  She previously taped an unflattering video that she shared, along with her article, on a popular actress and convention guest, Danielle Stark.  When aired, that article and video had cost Danielle her acting contracts for 3 years.  

Kathleen's tenancy to tell all, makes her a very unpopular attendee, especially after Danielle publicly confronted her at one of the convention's meet and greet events.  When Danielle stormed out of the room, the confrontation continued when Danielle's agent took it up, demanding that Kathleen leave the convention.   

It comes as no surprise that Kathleen is the murder victim.

Identifying the killer is much harder.  Both Detective Price and Henry Ross witnessed the confrontational scene which initially gave them their first set of suspects.  But, that would be too easy!

Be sure to watch how Henry Ross uses his skillet in this episode.  It gives any cook a new appreciation for their cookware.  It is close to the end of the movie, so you will need to watch the whole movie to see his unique cookware skill.

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You may also enjoy reading my review of the pilot movie, Gourmet Detective, here!

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A Healthy Place to Die - Episode 2 of Gourmet Detective Series Reviewed by:

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Reviewing Fun Facts about the Great Lakes

 

Lake Michigan Lighthouse- Point Betsie

The Great Lakes are a series of 5 freshwater lakes found in the north central United States.  In this post I will share some fun facts about each of the lakes and I will also share some photos of lighthouses that I have taken while visiting the Great Lakes.  Did you know that there are over 200 lighthouses that are currently active along the over 11,000 miles of coastline?  Each lighthouse is unique, and my husband and I spent several years exploring these lighthouses and photographing all that we could reach by car.

Lake Michigan

The lighthouse above is Two Harbors lighthouse and is found on the shores of Lake Michigan in Minnesota.  This lighthouse is currently an active lighthouse that is also serves as a bed and breakfast inn.  We were fortunate to be able to stay there two nights and I was able to get up and take this photo at sunrise.

Here are a few fun facts about Lake Michigan.

• Lake Michigan is the third largest of the Great Lakes.
• Along the shores of Lake Michigan you will find the largest freshwater sand dunes in the world.
• In the 19th century, Lake Michigan had a pirate problem and the booty they were seeking was timber.
• The first recorded "Big Great Lakes disaster" happened on Lake Michigan when a steamer carrying 600peole collided with a schooner delivering timber.  450 people died.

Lake Ontario

Fort Niagra lighthouse is found along the shores of Lake Ontario in New York.  It is close to Niagra Falls. 

Here are some fun facts about Lake Ontario.

• Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in surface area.
• The province Ontario was named after the lake.
• Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run in Toronto, and it landed in Lake Ontario where it is still believed to be today.
• A lake on Saturn's moon is named after Lake Ontario.

Lake Superior

The above is Big Bay lighthouse which sits on the shores of Lake Superior in northern Michigan.  This lighthouse houses a bed and breakfast that my husband and I stayed in for two days.  I enjoyed having plenty of time to photograph the lighthouse from various settings.  This photo is one that I had printed on canvas, and it sits on our mantle.

Here are some fun facts on Lake Superior.

• It is the largest of the lakes and in fact all of the other Great Lakes could fit inside of it with room to spare.
• It is estimated that there are 100 million lake trout in Lake Superior.
• Lake Superior contains 3 quadrillion gallons of water.
• Lake Superior is actually not a lake at all, rather it is an inland sea.

Lake Erie

Marblehead lighthouse is found on the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio.  We stayed near there on night and I was able to get up early and photograph it in the early morning light.

Here are some fun facts about Lake Erie.

• There is said to be a monster in this lake.  It is 30-40 feet long and was first seen in 1793.  It is named Bessie.
• During the war of 1812 a naval battle called the Battle of Lake Erie was won by the US over the British, forcing the British to abandon Detroit.
• Lake Erie is the fourth largest in surface area.
• Lake Erie is surrounded by more industry than any of the other Great Lakes.

Lake Huron

Tawas Point lighthouse is found on the shores of Lake Huron in eastern Michigan.  I found it to be a very picturesque setting.

Here are some fun facts about Lake Huron.

• If it were not for the Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan might be considered to be one lake.
• Goederich Mine is the largest salt mine in the world and part of it runs under Lake Erie.
• Lake Huron is second largest of the Great Lakes and is the fifth largest lake in the world.

Lighthouse Reviews

The links below are reviews of lighthouses that I visited on the Great Lakes.

• Reviewing Lighthouses in Erie Pennsylvania (reviewthisreviews.com)
• You Too can be a Lighthouse Keeper (reviewthisreviews.com)
• Photographic Review of Buffalo New York Lighthouse (reviewthisreviews.com)
• Review of Small Town Fun in Conneaut Ohio (reviewthisreviews.com)

Footnote

Facts for this article were gathered online at targetwalleye.com/things-you-probably-never-knew-about-the-great-lakes

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Have You Heard? A Fantastic New Kitchen Helper Is Here! A Product Review

There are some things in life that make me happy!  They are little things that don't cost a fortune but put a smile on my face whenever I see them.  

My son, who came for a visit just recently, put me onto one of these things that make me happy!   Have you heard about "Scrub Daddy's"?  

I love my little kitchen, everything has a place and everything I need is within reach.  But, here's the catch! In a small kitchen, you can also have a problem with smelly things!  Yeah, you know what I'm talking about!  It doesn't take much to have a smell "grow" in a small kitchen.  That's okay if you are talking about coffee or some new recipe for cakes or dinner, but when you are talking about dish cloths, well that's another whole story.

So back to my son's visit.  He happens to go into the kitchen and sure enough earlier in the day I had been cleaning out the fridge, stove top and counters.  The dish cloth I was using was in the sink and sure enough it had started to give off an odor that was not pleasant at all.

Mom, you need a Scrub Daddy!  Well , I just looked at him and told him I already had one of those and he doesn't work that well.  After a good laugh, he says, "Seriously, I found these Scrub Daddy's and they are fantastic in the kitchen! Needless to say, a few days passed by and sure enough the aforementioned son returns with a little package in hand!

Here you go Mom, these will help you in the kitchen and maybe make you smile too!  

Well I must tell you that they did indeed make me smile and having used my Scrub Daddy for over a year now, I am in love with this little gizmo.  

What is this Scrub Daddy?  Well it's a kitchen sponge, but not really a sponge!  It is make of polymer foam, that is BPA Free, as well as being stain and odor resistant.  When it is not in use it is has a firm composition, but put Scrub Daddy into warm water and he is very soft and pliable, yet still firm enough to do any job you set him to!  This Scrub Daddy can be used on any number of surfaces and will not scratch or mar even the most delicate surface!

I have used my Scrub Daddy for everything from scrubbing refrigerator shelves, to washing my crystal vases that have become gungy from the last bouquet.  Scrub Daddy does it all and leaves thing shiny and spot free!  What more could you want?  The best part is that after a particular messy work out with my Scrub Daddy, he goes into the dishwasher for a deep clean and comes out smiling.  

If you haven't yet had a chance to try these fantastic little guys, I would suggest that you do and do it soon.  With a 5 Star rating and thousands of people purchasing these little guys, there must be something good here.

Oh and just for a little extra fun, you can also purchase Scrub Mommy's as well.  They are similar to Scrub Daddy but they have a sponge side to them that is also very strong and yet resists odors.  

All these can be put into the dishwasher if needs dictate.  Well, I would suggest that if you haven't heard about these Scrub Daddy and Scrub Mommy's, give them a try and I'm sure you will find another reason to smile while doing those everyday chores in the kitchen!

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Reviewing Sensory Garden For A Person With Sight Loss Part One

 

My husband has been gradually losing his sight and this is something we both need to learn and adjust to.

One of the areas I have been looking into recently is how to have a garden that will be beautiful, fun and interesting to him as his sight declines. We are also anticipating a house move in the next few years  to make life easier long term so I am looking into what will work and how I need to change my gardening style. 

There are always five elements to take in to account when making a garden and these revolve around the five senses of

Smell, Hearing, Sight, Touch and Taste and then the next important area is safety.

It is vital that we work together on this project so that I understand what he wants and needs from the garden. Our aim is to retain his independence as much as possible in all areas of life and that includes the garden.

We aim to arrange it so that he will know where he is in the garden by the location of key plants and structures and take notice of the five senses.  

In Part One we will discuss the senses of Smell, Touch and Sound and in Part Two we will discuss Sight, Taste and Safety. 

I have presented these elements in the order my husband would like me to concentrate. I find the best approach to be led by him in what he needs and wants in the garden. 

In this article we will be using the terms sight impaired, blind, low vision, partially sighted and sight loss as these are the current acceptable terms in my country for people with sight loss. This may change over time and be different in different countries. No offence is intended by any of these terms.

Elements To Address in The Garden

Smell : Scent: Scented Plants

Touch : Different textures and feel. Safe to Touch Plants

Hearing : Sound: Windchimes Water Features and Birds

Sight : Colour and form, Light

Taste : Fruit, veg and herbs Edible Plants. Avoid poisonous plants. 

Safety : Moving around independently and safely

Sense Of Smell-Scent

Scented Sweet Peas

Scented plants are very important in any garden but particularly when thinking of a person with sight loss. I am aware of many scented plants. The next step was to ask which scented plants he preferred, so I made sure I included those. 

I will not be limited to these plants though as I always think it is good to have surprises. Some plants are all year round scent from leaves, others only have scent for a part of the year they are in flower. 

We discussed having these plants mainly in raised beds so that it is easier to smell them and easier to maintain, plus better to be able to give them the conditions they like. In addition, the plants that have Mediterranean origins like free drainage, difficult to provide on our mainly heavy clay soil.

So we will plant:-

Lavender

Lemongrass

Basil

Thyme

Rosemary

Jasmine

Salvia

Scented Sweet peas

Artemisia

Curry plant

Scented roses

Thyme

Honeysuckle

Chamomile

Scented Daffodils

Cushion Bush/Silver sand 

Rosemary

Sense Of Touch

Although I love plants like Holly and pyracantha, they are both very prickly and  it is not a great idea to have them central in a garden suitable designed for a sight impaired, partially sighted or blind person. 

A better idea is to have plants that can be touched safely and that do not mind being touched. 

Some of these plants can be the same as the ones with lovely distinctive scents, many have leaves that are evergreen and release amazing scent when touched. Also they are not harmed by being touched.

So we will plant:-

Choisya Shrub

Curry plant

Artemisia

Lavender

Rosemary 

Chamomile

Lambs ears

White Scented Roses

A reality check are our love of roses. Now roses usually have thorns which is not a great idea. However we both adore roses and do not want to give them up so we worked on what we hope is a solution by planting roses in raised beds and surrounding them with lavender and chamomile. 

That way my husband will know if he smells or feels lavender or chamomile he has a safe space before he gets to roses. However once in flower the roses will have a gorgeous scent he can enjoy safely.

Sense Of Hearing -Sound

Plants

In the garden sound can be achieved by  plants making the sound such a bamboo or grasses. The distinctive rustling in the wind or a gentle breeze is a lovely sound for anyone and makes it a restful place for a bench to sit and listen. 

Wind Chimes

Materials are also useful in making a sound such as wind chimes.  They can be a useful item in the garden to provide a different element and even announce a separate area.

Bamboo

Water In The Garden

Water is an important element but while we both want a pond for wildlife it can be a real danger for someone who is sight impaired.

 So our solution is to have elements near the pond that will alert him to the water such as a physical barrier of a fence around the pond, a windchime near it and for added safety we will add a grid over the pond in case he does walk onto it.

We may have a small running water feature pump, not so much so that it disturbs wildlife but enough for it to be heard.

We will change the ground near the pond to something very different so if there is grass mainly near the pond we will put slabs down. 

Bird Bath

We will also continue to have a bird bath. Even if he eventually cannot see the birds very well, he can hear them having a bath as they splash around. We love our garden birds so we intend to have maybe three bird baths in different areas.

A Bird In The Bath
by RaintreeDesigns

 

So with a little thought and discussion and some plant knowledge it is I believe very possible to make a beautiful sensory garden with Touch, Sound and Scent for a person with sight loss and being an interesting garden for everyone. 

See Part Two in a few weeks, which will cover Sight, Taste and Safety. 

Read More Gardening Articles

Essential Wildlife Gardening Gifts

Diary Of A Wild Country Garden

Raintree Earth Design

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Book Review Coming of the Storm: Book One of Contact: The Battle for America by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

Coming of the Storm: Book One of Contact: The Battle for America begins in the company of an exiled trader and his pack of dogs during their travels. Black Shell, the trader, is able to move through the lands of various Indian groups under the Power of Trade. His dogs are his family, his protection, and his pack animals. Other than his dogs, he is alone. He is trading through Florida as usual, until he meets a beautiful woman named Pearl Hand and until he hears about the Kristiano visitors; whom he is literally dying to see.

Black Shell is of the Chicaza clan but he was banished after telling others he heard the voice of a Spirit Being named Horned Serpent. His people were sure he had lied. After being banished from a people who are known to be superior warriors he could only support himself through trade and gambling. Being a trader, he was able to travel onto the lands of all Clans; even those who war with the Chicaza.

Black Shell desires Pearl Hand the moment he sees her. His desire is unlike the desire of men who wish to own her. But she is a possession of the Irriparacoxi leader of the village he has just entered. She has been the possession of a variety of different groups of people. The only way Black Shell can be with Pearl Hand is to win her in gambling.

Pearl Hand is an exquisitely beautiful woman. Her beauty makes her the target of all men who wish to own her. She wishes to leave the Timucua Irriparacoxi and the village. She wants to be free.

Even if Pearl Hand is freed from her Irriparacoxi owner will she able to be free while De Soto is alive and pillaging the area?

Read more reviews for The Battle for America; Book One on Amazon here. 

Why I Enjoy Historical Fiction Novels

My knowledge of history is limited. Native Americans in North America and Europeans did not make first contact when settlers came around the time of the Mayflower landing, as I had thought. They made first contact long before that. One of those times was when the Kristianos led by Hernando de Soto, Spain, came into Florida in 1539. That information surprised me. 

De Soto led a brutal expedition from southern Florida into Arkansas. His military was considered the most advanced at that time.  He arrived in Florida via ships and traveled across the region with a huge number of soldiers and staff. He took slaves, which he considered temporary and easily replaceable. They labored in metal collars and chains until the couldn't then they were brutally killed. His army with guns, metal swords, lances and other tools of war easily cut through the Indian warriors village after village.  De Soto decimated village after village. He was, in large part, looking for gold. 

Part love story, part epic tale of survival against the odds, part mythical miracles, and part historical lesson, this book kept me engrossed. And I learned just how little I truly know about the beginnings of the country in which I was born.

Authors W Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear

I was introduced to author W Michael Gear when I read his western series  Saga of the Mountain Sage. I highly recommend that story. I enjoyed it so much that I recommended that series to a co-worker who is extremely knowledgeable about history and enjoys reading.  He read it and loved W Michael Gear's writing and knowledge. My co-worker then read The Battle for America series by Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear and told me that it is a must-read.

That was a lot of rambling to try to say that these books are written for both people like me, who know little about history but would like to know more, as well as people who are history buffs. 

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Why I Love the Movie "Letters to Juliet" - A Five Star Review

Discovering "Letters to Juliet"

Released in 2010, Letters to Juliet is a romantic drama that captures viewers' hearts with its blend of love, adventure, and nostalgia. 

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Verona, Italy, the movie follows the journey of Sophie, an aspiring writer who stumbles upon a 50-year-old letter addressed to Juliet Capulet. 

This letter, written by a woman named Claire, sparks a quest for a long-lost love that has been dormant for decades.

The Cast: A Talented Ensemble

The movie features an ensemble cast that brings the story to life with charm and authenticity. 

Amanda Seyfried stars as Sophie, the inquisitive and hopeful lead who embarks on a journey of discovery. 

The legendary Vanessa Redgrave joins her as Claire, whose poignant portrayal of a woman seeking closure resonates deeply with audiences.

Christopher Egan plays Charlie, Claire's skeptical yet protective grandson and Gael García Bernal rounds out the cast as Victor, Sophie's fiancé, whose culinary dreams often take precedence over their relationship.

A Beautiful Setting and a Timeless Premise

One of the most enchanting aspects of Letters to Juliet is its setting. 

Filmed in the picturesque countryside of Italy, the movie transports viewers to a world where romance feels tangible. 

The story's connection to the legendary tale of Romeo and Juliet adds another layer of depth as it explores the timeless themes of love, fate, and second chances.

The Perfect Soundtrack

Taylor Swift's mega-popular hit song "Love Story is the theme song for the film's trailer, adding to the movie's romantic atmosphere. 

The song's lyrics and melody perfectly capture the essence of the story, making it an ideal choice to set the tone for what unfolds on screen.

Why I Enjoyed the Movie Letters to Juliet

I enjoyed the movie Letters to Juliet for several reasons. 

The cast, led by Amanda Seyfried and Vanessa Redgrave, delivered heartfelt and relatable performances. 

The gorgeous setting of the Italian countryside added a sense of magic to the story, making it feel like a true escape. 

The romantic premise, inspired by the tale of Romeo and Juliet, was captivating and emotional. 

Perhaps most importantly, the film's exploration of lost love and the idea of second chances struck a chord, especially with older viewers who may have experienced similar feelings in their own lives. 

All these elements combined create a movie that is enjoyable and reflective.

I Have My Own Story of Lost Summer Love

Perhaps I relate to this movie mostly because I have my own personal Romeo and Juliet story. 

In 1978, when backpacking through Europe for two months, I experienced unforgettable summer love that is still frozen in time to this day. I wrote about it here if you're curious. 

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Croissant Toast - A Food Review

 Anyone who knows me knows that bread is my favorite food of all. I could live on that old food punishment of only ‘bread and water’... as long as I could choose the kind of bread. 

You see, along with my love of breads, I am also somewhat a ‘bread snob’. I have certain breads I prefer, and know where I can get them. For instance, the very best French Bread is found in only three places - San Francisco, New Orleans, and, believe it or not, Houston. No other French Bread tastes as good. 

Bakery breads are my very favorite and fresh baked breads are next in line. I no longer get store-bought bread, but go to the bakery section instead. I also keep frozen bread loaves in my freezer for stormy winter days when it is not easy to get out to the stores and bakeries.

Recently, my son asked me if I liked Croissants. I assured him that I did and he told me about a new bread he had just discovered that was delicious. He brought me a loaf to try.  It’s called Croissant Toast.  The loaf he brought is made by La Boulangerie, a San Francisco bakery begun by a Frenchman, but I have since discovered that there are several other brands out there.

Croissant Toast

Croissants are a French Pastry made from puff pastry usually in a crescent shape - a buttery layered treat often served for breakfast in Europe.

Croissant Toast is a super flaky bread made with real butter in the style of croissants. It is a loaf-style bread made from yeasted pastry that has the taste and smell of a croissant but slices like bread. The flaky crust and the soft buttery interior is unbelievably delicious. It combines a favorite pastry into a loaf style bread

As toast for breakfast, it melts in your mouth.

It is absolutely fantastic when fixed as French Toast ~ fluffy and thick, and very tasty.

Summary

Croissant Toast breads are available in several different brands and found in many stores, including online at Amazon. To date, I have only tried the Croissant Toast by La Boulangerie, which was delicious, and which I highly recommend to fans of breads and croissants.  But, if you try this tasty product from other companies, come back and give me your opinion. Toast has never tasted better! 

Happy Eating!

Croissant La Boulangere Pains Au Chocolat, Chocolate Croissants, Individually Wrapped, Non GMO, Free From Artificial Flavors & Colors, Kosher d, 1.59 oz

Thomas' Croissant Bread, 13.5 oz

LA BOULANGERIE Croissant Toast, 15 OZ

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For more Food Reviews and Recipe Reviews

*Croissant Toast Food Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Gourmet Detective - Hallmark Movie Review

If you enjoy an intriguing mystery combined with a hint of romance, then you will love the movie, "Gourmet Detective".  

Currently, the Gourmet Detective Hallmark series offers 5 episodes.  However, today I will only be reviewing the pilot movie of the series where Detective Maggie Price meets the "Gourmet Detective", Henry Ross. 

Price and Ross first encounter one another when Henry is filling in as the instructor of a cooking class.  Maggie is there on a date.  She immediately takes exception to Henry's nickname, the Gourmet Detective, and shows annoyance when he exhibits his ability to read people and know things about them based on observation.

From the very beginning of the movie, it is clear a restaurant is being sabotaged.  It is impossible to know if the timing of the sabotage is due to the health inspector's upcoming visit or if it is to run off customers.  Either way, when roaches and rats are released in the kitchen, it is obvious someone wants to shutdown the restaurant.

However, a murder at dinner is rather extreme and unexpected.

The Gourmet Detective Movie Synopsis

Gourmet Detective

When the Gourmet Detective is asked to help figure out who is sabotaging the Duquette Restaurant, he readily agrees to help out his friend.  At an exclusive dinner, one of the guests is murdered and Henry (the Gourmet Detective) is a witness.  In order to avoid being considered a suspect, he agrees to work with Detective Price to offer his food expertise and insider information.

Mostly due to Maggie's confrontational and combative attitude with Henry, he has to work harder to be friends with her.  She reluctantly allows him to cook for her and her family while working on the murder case together.  

Eventually, their relationship becomes more comfortable as they work together to find the identity and the reason for the murder.  

I did not suspect the real murderer until the two "detectives" found the incriminating evidence which made this a fun mystery movie to watch.

I look forward to the next episode in the series!

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Reviewing Husband and Wife by K L Stater

I have read books by K L Slater before and really enjoyed them so when this book appeared on my Amazon recommended list with the byline 'We promised to keep each other's secrets. Until they found the body...' well I just had to read it!

This book does not disappoint. If you have yet to be introduced to author K L Slater she is a British author known for her psychological crime thrillers.

This book, Husband and Wife, is told from various POVs and also jumps timelines, but it's always easy to keep track of. The main POV is Nicola who, if I'm being honest, is a little irritating at times. Let's have a look at who is in the book:

Nicola and Cal are husband and wife, parents to Parker and doting grandparents to Barney. Cal is a self-employed plumber while Nicola is a former cancer patient who just wants to spend more time with her son and grandson.

Parker is Nicola and Cal's son and he is married to Luna and the father of Barney. Parker is in sales and very ambitious. Luna is a fashion influencer - her parents are very well to do and Parker, Luna and Barney spend most weekends at her family's estate.

Sarah is a young mother to a four-year-old daughter who went out for a night with friends and ended up being discovered dead from strangulation in an alley.

In this book Parker and Luna drop their son Barney off at Nicola and Cal's for the night as they are going into the city to an event and spending the night in a hotel. Parker also tells his mum he wants to talk to her the following morning when neither his father or his wife will be around.

During the night the police pay Nicola and Cal a visit as there's been a car accident and both Parker and Luna have been seriously injured. This is the start of a great book that will have you guessing. I was convinced I'd worked out who had murdered Sarah, I thought I had seen through the red herring and was so confident - I was also completely wrong.

The guilty party took me completely by surprise which is a refreshing change and makes me want to read it a second time to see if I can pick up on some different clues.

Let me know if you've read this book and if you have - did you guess the right culprit?

This book was free for me to read as part of my Amazon Unlimited membership which I tell people is like having a library card for Amazon!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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