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Book Review of If You Can't Stand the Heat (Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop, Bk 1)

If You Can't Stand the Heat (Poppy Markham: Culinary Cop, Bk 1)
vintagejoy avatar reviewed on + 337 more book reviews


This is one of the best books I have read all year. This is the first book written by Robin Allen, but it seems like she has been writing for years, the writing style is great and there is pretty good character development for a first novel. The MC, Poppy Markham, is a restaurant inspector for the city of Austin, TX. Her father owns a restaurant and is having a grand re-opening after renovations and has a Michelin Star French chef to help out. Poppy is pressed into service on the big night to assist. Of course murder and mayhem follow. The cast of characters is good, the plot is excellent, and there are several subplots that make the book more interesting. I did not figure out "who done it" until the last. One of the really good things about this book is that there is no bad language. None. The closest the author gets is "dang." Recommend it highly.