Lord of the Pies

In Nell Hampton's Lord of the Pies, the second installment in the Kensington Palace Chef Cozy Mystery, this caper was a bit warped and twisted in every sense of the word. For Chef Carrie Ann Cole, her new life brimmed with new mysteries on her full plate. When she received a new assistant chef named Agnes, she appeared to fit right in and work with Carrie Ann to serve meals to the duchess and the prince at the place. First she had to contend with a Peeping Tom who took her photo. And when she discovered it was, she reported it in to Security Chief Gordon. And when she had the opportunity to serve a bridal shower at the Orangery, she had to contend with Chef Wright, someone who has the way with the ladies. But besides all that, she found out who spied on her and how he was poisoned with one of her pies. And that leaves her as the prime suspect once again. Then, she competed on a reality cooking show for charity, and things turn up awry, when her arch-nemesis ended up poisoned somehow. Carrie Ann believes something was fishy with the production crew, since she's been the main focus with the British tabloids. Lastly, while she skated on thin ice, she came across the slain body of Chef Wright. Now it was up to her to deal with the possibilities of one or two killers who wanted to do her in as she fought for her own life.

This was another great story set in Kensington Palace in the heart of London. I cared for Carrie Ann and how she dealt with everyone that's been thrown at her... like a potential love triangle between her, Ian and Jasper. My oh my! I'm so pleased on how she had grown into her new life in London and how she worked well with Agnes and how she dealt with her own life issues. I still think Penny is a hoot and doesn't deserve to have Evie and Rachel as her friends. I continued to love the English locations and the vast settings inside and outside of the palace. This would make you dig deep into delicious recipes and have a taste of your own with shocking twists right to the end of the novel with non-stop action, drama, intrigue and a dollop of mystery with a sprinkle of romance.

Will you be checking out the Lord of the Pies today?