FROM AMAZON: Things aren't going well for Jake Russo. He's been transferred from Sarasota to New Orleans, and he's had to leave his reporting beat and girlfriend behind. Now he's a lonely food critic--not the best job for a man who's on a diet.

But things get worse when a mysterious death occurs at the trendiest new restaurant in the city. Jake has to explore the world of traditional New Orleans cuisine, brave the new frontier of "molecular gastronomy," and handle the police in order to solve the case. His octogenerian cameraman tags along for the ride and discovers his own new talents.

As Jake investigates the murder, he'll learn the truth about New Orleans food, discover when to fake it to make it, and try to figure out what--and who--he really loves.

As sweet as a drive-thru daiquiri and as strong as a Hurricane, this light mystery is cooked to perfection. ( )

As far as light mysteries go, this one is fun and entertaining, well written for a bit of quick reading. Don't expect great literature, but sometimes we want to just be entertained.

The plot was creative and about as non-bloody as a murder mystery can be. Poor Jake Russo is somewhat of a loser, but really likable. For being a fairly smart guy, he sometimes acts pretty stupid. I really, really cheered him on. And did he get what he wanted in the end? I'm not telling.

Four stars not because this is a classic but because it is a very good example of this lightweight genre. ( )