Josi Kilpack sent me this book back in February to read, and sadly I am a total slacker and just barely finished it. IN TWO DAYS, I finished it.
I really enjoyed Lemon Tart: A Culinary Mystery. It was an exciting, quick read! There are actual recipes littered throughout the book, and I found myself craving brownies as she talked about brownies and Fettuccine when she talked about Fettuccine! (thank heavens I actually had some leftover Costco Fettuccine on hand!)
I cannot even begin to tell you how refreshing it was to read a book that is clean. There were no swear words, and no sex scenes. However, the lack of those two elements did not make this a boring, cheesy read.
On the contrary, there were affairs, illegitimate children and murder for Googles sake. Josie just handled the subject matter in a tasteful way. That to me speaks of the raw talent that is Josie Kilpack's writing. She did not have to rely on the lowest common denominator--sex and swearing-- to move her plot along because her words, writing and story carried itself without them.
While Josi's book is being sold in LDS bookstores (ie: Deseret Book), there is not one mention of religion in this book. I appreciated her ability to write a great story, and leave the religion on the shelf.
At the center of the story is the busy-bodied main character Sadie. She takes the art of homemaking to an all-new, hyper level. She perfects recipes, eats a small portion and then proudly delivers her culinary masterpieces to her neighbors. All in the name of "gathering information".
I really thought I had the entire plot figured out and was completely thrown when it nose-dived in the total opposite direction. I really like books that allow me to think I have it all figured out, only to show me in the last few chapters that I'm not as smart as I think I am.
Lemon Tart: A Culinary Mystery is that kind of book. Read it. You won't be disappointed.
