Helpful Score: 4
Interesting. Part of a series which I plan to read. Great recipes included. A twist which I didn't expect so kept it interesting to the end.
Helpful Score: 3
A mystery set in New Orleans. You could use this book as a guide book to all the great eateries and tourist sites!! Similar to Diane Motts Davidson's books but not as "cute". I absolutely loved this book and am looking forward to the rest of the series!!
Helpful Score: 2
Carolyn Blue has just become a food writer, after years as a stay at home mom & wife. The kids are gone and she has decided to start a job of her own. She travels to New Orleans to review the cuisine with her husband, Jason, who is university professor and scientist. He has traveled to the Big Easy for a scientific convention. They are also planning to connect with a group of old friends. One of the friends goes missing and the mysteries begin. I loved this book - a great first novel. Good initial character development. Lots of twists, turns and action as Carolyn learns not only the ropes as a food writer, but also as an amateur sleuth.
Helpful Score: 2
Disappointing - rather uninventive story line that was overall just really depressing. Recipes were a fun point however.
Helpful Score: 1
good mystery book, not great
Helpful Score: 1
First in a really good series of culinary mysteries. This one takes place in New Orleans. A more intelligent funny "cozy" type of book.
It started out a bit slow for me, but once I got into it, it was pretty good. It's nice to see a main character that doesn't like foul language. It's still there, but at least Carolyn makes it clear she doesn't like it. I wish the ending could have been different.
Fun, fun, fun.
The discription and ambiance of New Orleans was very good. I thought the mystery was slow to develope and rather lame. If you are interested in New Orleans I would recommend this book, but not for the mystery. Has a yummy sounding recipe for Banana Bread Pudding with Banana-Rum Sauce plus others.
Homemaker Carolyn Blue is through with cooking and cleaning. She's finally decided to throw in the dishtowel and take a dream job as a food writer. She accompanies her husband to an academic conference in New Orleans, and uses the opportunity to write a story about Cajun cuisine. But her best friend Julienne disappears at a dinner party. Carolyn has a mystery to solve. Includes lots of gourmet recipes.
This series is a lot of fun - always in a cool and different place and I love the way you get 2 view points - hers and his. great recipes as well!
Food columnist Carolyn Blue hits the Big Easy and finds more than just Creole cooking. When her college friend disappears, she takes off her culinary hat and puts on her detecting cap. Good reading and recipes.
A decent cozy mystery. I didn't like this author as well as Laura Childs or Susan Wittig Albert, but she did a decent job. Some of the characters weren't very likable, but the main one was a delight. Worth the read for the New Orleans ambiance alone.
Priscilla B. (Skeeter1942) reviewed Crime Brulee (Culinary Mystery, Bk 1) on + 131 more book reviews
This is the first in a series featuring homemaker Carolyn Blue. A culinary mystery that includes recipes. One dozen of them. Set in New Orleans, Carolyn accompanies her husband to an academic conference in New Orleans. While there her friend Julienne disappears at a dinner party.
The book was a little hard for me to get into, but I know that others have enjoyed it.
First ever of this series that I have read. Look forward to reading more. I love humorous mysteries.
Good book!
First in a food & crime series. Will read more.
Very good read
Fun read. She gets into numerous, humerous and dangerous situations.
This book was big fun except for the ending, which I won't give away here, of course. Nancy Fairbanks is very humorous, the book was well-written, but I sure hated the ending. But hey, I enjoyed it until the last few pages so it was worth my time.
Fun and fast.
An offensive comment about the disabled put me off this book before I got to the third page. This author just isn't for me.
"Namcy Fairbanks has whipped up the perfect blend of mystery, vivid settings, and [yummy] foods... 'Crime Brulee' is a lusious start to a delectible series, " states The Mystery Reader." 'Crime Brulee' is an entertaining amature sleuth tale that takes the reader on a mouth-wattering tour of New Orleans... [pure] Fun.", says Painted Rock Reviews. "Fairbanks has a real gift for creating charactrs based in realilty, but just the slightest bit wacky in a shyly humorous way... It will tickle your funny bone as well as stimulate your appetite for good food,'according to the El Paso Times.
2001 Culinary Mystery with Recipes entry, 1st in the new series. 40-something homemaker Carolyn Blue is through with cooking and cleaning. She's taking on a job as food writer. She'd already planned to accompany her husband, Jason, to an academic conference in New Orleans where'll she catch up with old friends, including Julienne, who disappears.
Found this book to be a dissapointment....I just could not get into it...I did not finish it....recipes were a plus however.....
Found this book a little hard to get into.
1st book in the Carolyn Blue culinary mystery series
Do not find her series very good
First in the series. Recipes included
Set in New Orleans!
