Nancy Pickard
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Subjects -> Mystery & Thrillers -> Authors, A-Z -> ( P ) -> Pickard, Nancy
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Subjects -> Mystery & Thrillers -> Mystery -> Women Sleuths
Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8
Average rating: 3.0 of 5
The 28th Ingredient is Missing 2 out of 5 stars.
19 of 20 people found this review helpful.
I ordered this book before I knew that it was a Eugenia Potter mystery, based on the characters created by Virginia Rich. I always considered Rich's mysteries "lightweight." They are lacking in plot and suspense. Ms. Pickard religiously recreates these flaws.The phrase, "Where's the beef?" for this chili comes to mind. If you want to read a nice romance between Eugenia and a former college sweetheart, then this book is for you. If you want a challenging mystery, look somewhere else. The dead body was found way too late and I guessed who done it way too soon.
With respect to the recipes, Diane Mott Davidson's series of Goldy of Goldilock's catering provides more and better ones, some of which I have tried and liked.
Beyond The Grave; Gaining On The Murder Monster 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Preferring the clarity of focus of a solitary mind, I normally detour around dual authorship fiction. But, in the case of Nancy Pickard's continuing the late Virginia Rich's Eugenia Potter series, I was intrigued by the potence of a fictional character surviving the grave of her creator.
I chose "The 27 Ingredient CHILI CON CARNE MURDERS" as my introduction to this Genia character, because it contained contributions from both authors, with Nancy working from plot notes Virginia left behind. That Chile offering bridged Rich's original three Potter novels, to Pickard's two continuations (two published, as far as I know).
Reading the Chili novel, I could easily see why Eugenia Potter had prevailed in her fictional world, and into our reality. She has embodied the prime ingredients of the endearing and enduring profile of Female Amateur Sleuth, the spunky, curious, "older" (or at least mature) woman seasoned with wisdom, wit, and wherewithal.
Who is Miss. Marple, Jessica Fletcher, Mrs. Pollifax, Chas Wheately, etc.?
It's uncanny that Eugenia is not only a spin-off of Virginia's personal life, but Genia fits-like-a-dove into Nancy's life as well. These two authors didn't know each other prior to each publishing a mystery of her own. Yet both authors were wives of cattle ranchers in the Southwestern US, with each couple owning a cottage in the Northeast. The main path divergence (if I recall my research correctly) is that Nancy is a decade or two younger than Virginia was, and is still enjoying the companionship of her cattle rancher husband; on the other hand, Virginia's husband is the survivor in that marriage. Though ... I might wonder who survived what.
Don't want to get into the story of these two authors, other than to say that the situation is so coincidentally uncanny as to be almost eerie, seeming very much like a pre-destined, meant-to-be deal. Of course, at this point in my life (prior to sprouting wings myself), I have speculations but no clues to the true underpinnings of this awesome parallel.
In any case, I'm thankful to have a continuing line of Potter mysteries to enjoy. (Potter ... is there something about that NAME??)
Chapter One of the Chili book tastefully toyed with a paranormal conundrum, as it opened with Eugenia thoughtfully preparing an Albondigas Soup, talking to herself as she absently handled herbs. I love an author who's able to capture readers with sensual ease, without resorting to surging the heartbeat to the heavens with a sudden, searing shock.
Eugenia's self-dialogue introduces an intuitive intrigue, as she wonders why she's slipped into unlikely behaviors and seemingly inappropriate spice choices, which don't fit her normal routines and present setting. Soliloquies and actions seem to be pivoting on a paranormal precipice of an impending dramatic change. Around this puzzling pique, Eugenia remains generally at one with herself and her morning machinations. With the reader salivating over the soup aroma's aura, the story slithers forward with such a natural flow that the reader is retained throughout the plot, without realizing that the novel has accomplished an absolute kidnap.
How can a book be a cozy, relaxing read, yet prevent the reader from noticing he's holding a book rather than walking through it? The continual "ins" are so seamless, I never noticed (so didn't dread) that awkward few seconds of releasing reality and tuning into a novel, when effort is required to shift gears and re-connected with the characters.
Add to these ever-present, engrossing, easy entries, a mystery which has a full-bodied complexity, a depth and timelessness worthy of the sleuth herself. Opening the book to any page sets off the aura of one of those ancient tomes of true fiction, which transport the old-soul-richness of a born and reborn story-weaver.
According to certain reports, Virginia Rich was the first true culinary author to be inspired to include recipes in a novel. Of course Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe series initiated a sleuth surrounded in gourmet goodies, but, Rich flamed up foodie features by offering The Recipe, sliding the realm of fiction closer to the sensual reality of life.
If this seeming "pre-destiny" continues, crossing borders of authors and sub-genres, we Earth residents may well discover a recipe for ending the mystery of murder.
Wide-Eyed & Hopeful,
Linda G. Shelnutt
Editorial Review:
When a dinner guest of Eugenia Potter is found poisoned, supposedly from Mrs. Potter's famous twenty-seven-ingredient chili, the flabbergasted hostess knows she must act quickly before someone else is murdered. Reprint. NYT.
