Sunday, October 2, 2011

One Foot in the Gravy-Delia Rosen

One Foot in the Gravy


Delia Rosen

Kensington, Oct 4 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780758241719



Following her nasty divorce, Gwen Silver inherits her late Uncle Murray’s Jewish deli, the Pastrami Swami in Nashville, Tennessee. She packed her bags, reverted back to her maiden name and quickly became dubbed the Nashville Katz as she takes over the deli although she was unprepared for a side order of murder (see A Brisket, A Casket). The native New Yorker miraculously adjusts to living in the "Music City" and feels welcomed by her employees except for the Pastrami Swami boss of bosses Thomasina Jackson.



Wealthy socialite Lolo Baker hires the deli to cater a murder mystery-themed dinner. Lolo rings the crystal bell to start The Cozy Foxes’ gala, but horrible noises from the room above frighten the deli employees and the attendees. The racket upstairs is quickly accompanied by a crash through the ceiling; Chocolatier Hoppy Hopewell has fallen dead with One Foot in the Gravy. NPD Detective Grant Daniels leads the homicide investigation that turns stranger when Lolo's housekeeper Lizzie Renoir is murdered. Unable to mind her deli, the former Manhattan forensic accountant, as well as the Cozy Foxes, tries to find the ties between the two victims; with only Lolo connecting them.



The second lighthearted Nashville Katz amateur sleuth is a fun cozy as the heroine using her New York shtick investigates the homicides knowing Grant will be unhappy with her placing herself in a pickle as someone who kills twice will have no remorse adding a body to the gravy. The support cast is a horde of quirky individuals who enhance the tale with a touch of mustard. Readers will enjoy a Reuben with a knish as Delia Rosen provides an entertaining deli whodunit.



Harriet Klausner



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