"Devil's Food Cake" is a book that, once it's picked up, entices a reader to cover a good number of pages quickly, even if that wasn't the original plan.
It's an interesting read, the third in a culinary mystery series by Josi S. Kilpack — a series that combines recipes and murder.
Sadie Hoffmiller is on the case, swept into the mystery when someone dies after a gun rigged into a podium fires at a fancy dinner and kills a man.
Her efforts to help are not appreciated by the local police, and though she tries, she can't seem to stay out of the fray.
She bumps into clue after clue and, without meaning to, involves herself in a case that has all the makings of a diabolical plot.
It makes for a mildly entertaining piece of fiction.
There's just enough romance tossed in and one or two twists that aren't entirely expected.
There's some light humor as well.
Plus there are a number of delicious-sounding recipes along the way: Angel Snowball Cake, Melinda's French Chocolate, Tina's Turtle Cookies, Killer Nachos and Heavenly Hot Wings, for starters. (This book is not for the dieting reader.)
The plot does move a little fast, especially when you add up all of the complications — a murder, a misbehaving reporter, snowy weather, a fall into the bushes, a bang on the head, an injured arm, an arrest, etc., all coming together in the space of a single night.
It's hard not to want to shout, "Stop for just a minute! Take a bathroom break!"
It's almost as if Kilpack decided, "OK, I'm on a roll here, I'll throw in the kitchen sink, too."
But it's still a good read, and the recipes are to die for — no pun intended.
"Devil's Food Cake," published by Deseret Book, retails for $17.99.
Sharon Haddock