Joey Bonnati enjoys a quiet life on his farm until he is served a murder investigation when a
social media influencer is found dead in a hotel. Joey must uncover the truth while saving his
food company and avoiding betrayal. In a charming hotel, a beloved social media influencer is found dead. While initial whispers
suggest a drug overdose, the local sheriff and medical examiner aren't convinced. A forensic
autopsy reveals a far more sinister truth: the influencer was murdered.
Dragged from his serene life, Joey finds himself embroiled in a high-stakes investigation. As
secrets simmer and tensions boil over, Joey must navigate a treacherous path, blending his
culinary expertise with a sharp instinct for survival.
In a world where the perfect dish can turn deadly, Joey must confront his past and navigate the
danger lurking around every corner, learning that even the freshest ingredients can hide the bitter
taste of betrayal. In Murder Simple and Fresh, the truth is served with a side of suspense, and
Joey's life depends on finding the right recipe for justice.
Plot/Idea: 8 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Prose: 6 out of 10
Character/Execution: 6 out of 10
Overall: 6.75 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Murder Simple And Fresh is a Mystery/Thriller about Joey Bonnati, a low-key rich guy who just wants a quiet life, but gets pulled into a murder investigation that threatens his friends, his company, and ultimately his life.
Prose: Grossi's prose is almost too precise; this is a mystery that reads almost like a textbook at times, and his use of unnecessary words can be distracting for the reader. Quite a bit of the dialogue is without contractions, which has the unfortunate effect of making the characters sound similarly in tone and cadence.
Originality: While there are many books about reluctant heroes, secretly wealthy recluses, and mysteriously murdered strangers, Murder Simple And Fresh has a clever plot and puts a fun spin on familiar conventions. Intriguingly, the victim isn't murdered until over halfway through the book.
Character/Execution: Beyond the sometimes flat dialogue and a degree of predictability, Murder Simple and Fresh introduces some intriguing entanglements and will keep readers turning the pages.
Date Submitted: August 18, 2024
