Tart of Darkness (Chef-to-Go Mysteries, 1)

A few issues with proof reading, but the story and characters are very relatable. Will start the next one for my weekend read.

Dani has left behind a career that was turning her into a person she didn’t know or like. A person willing to compromise her principles. After compromising her principles for the last time Dani moves into an apartment building filled with young college women. While she attempts to find a new career she tries out new recipes on her neighbors and finds herself taking on the role of big sister. The unexpected inheritance of a mansion provides the perfect opportunity for her to open her own business and put her cooking passion to good use. Chef-to-Go provides ready-made lunches to local college students, catering, and personal chef services. After experiencing some trouble at their old residence, three of her former neighbors move in, renting rooms and providing time to Dani’s business.When life seems to be going in the right direction a tragedy throws the household in turmoil. A client and friend of one of Dani’s boarders is murdered and Dani becomes one of the prime suspects. Dani must work hard to clear her name and save the future of her business.I am a huge Denise Swanson fan, and I hoped I would like this book when I pre-ordered it. I was not disappointed. We are introduced to some new characters and revisit some characters we’ve met before. The new characters are developed well and we quickly get to know them. The new setting is not too far from Scrumble River, which gives it a familiar Midwest feel. Having lived in a Midwest college town myself, I can relate to the milieu of the town. This story is filled with several colorful suspects who each have their own stories. The plot is very engaging and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I like this book very much and will be recommending it.

Swanson has created a main character who is simply loves to cook! And everyone loves her cooking. I enjoy reading about people who provide love and care through their culinary skills.Dani Sloan comes to the cooking world from the heated corporate insurance world where she has made a decision to follow her conscience and remain true to her ethical code. It was a tough choice for her; made easier by a surprise inheritance.While I enjoyed reading this novel, I think that the crime being solved was unexpected, difficult to describe and somewhat “tortured”. The investigating officer was certainly a most unpleasant character who I imagine will reappear in future books. I disliked him intensely and can’t wait to see him receive his due. I wish that Dani had taken a more assertive style with him because he was certainly a nasty character and way out of line.I look forward to the developing relationship between Dani and Spencer. Nothing like a little romance to mix in with good cooking!

First book in a new series, Chef-to-Go Mysteries by Denise Swanson, author of the Scumble River series.Dani is a chef who has inherited a Victorian mansion after losing her HR job. She loves to cook and opens a business selling healthy brown bag lunches, a catering service and does private chef work for a wealthy family in the college town where she lives. She also has three students rooming at her spacious home. When a popular and beautiful wealthy student dies at an event that Dani caters, Dani becomes the main suspect in what turns out to be murder.I really liked this mystery. The characters are likeable with the exception of a few who are fairly obnoxious to everyone. Scumble River is mentioned, and I hope this series takes off and does as well as the Scumble River series has done. Looking forward to the next Chef-to-Go mystery.

New to me author. Good writing, great main characters with an original occupation. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Ms. Swanson's new series is off to a terrific start. Dani Sloan, her main character, is enjoyable, and the secondary characters are well drawn. The fact that some of the folks tie in with the Scumble River crowd is a plus, too. The Chef-to-Go business is good with Dani running a boarding house work house (not in the Dickens' tradition!) for college students adds to the delight of the story. Spencer, a visitor from a Scumble River book, is great as the possible boyfriend for Dani.While the mystery starts off great, it peters out. That was why this novel didn't receiver five stars. I like my murderers to be baddies, and not something soft as this one turns out. Ms. Swanson could've cut some of the food prep and recipes. I love to cook, but too many got in the way of the flow of the story.I look forward to reading the next book in this series!

If you've finished all the Scumble River books, this is a great series. Same great writing and a couple of familiar characters since it's only an hour or so away!

The new Chef-to-Go series is already a favorite for me starting right out with the delightful first book! Denise Swanson's books are always so enjoyable and this one does not disappoint. The protagonist Dani is so likable, and the author's sense of humor shines through her characters. How fun to revisit characters from Denise Swanson's Scumble River series. Those characters 'stand alone' in the new series so it's not necessary to know them from the Scumble River books but is extra-fun if you do. PS: if you haven't read the Scumble River series you might want to try one if you love 'cozies'. If you do I can almost guarantee you'll be hooked and will have a whole new series to read. I'm on Facebook and joined Denise Swanson's FB page to get to know the author (she's great about responding to questions and comments), get recipes and join in on drawings. Really looking forward to book # 2 in the Chef-to-Go series.

Dani is awesome I love her, she has a great strength and I can't wait to read more from her character.It was great to catch a glimpse of Frannie I do that that girl.Ivy, Starr and Tippi are all interesting characters I'm looking forward to getting to know.Spencer Drake is a great character and I am excited to read more from him and hopefully watch he and Dani develop a relationship together they seemed to have a great connection.As for psycho detective I am figuring he is going to be a recurring pain in the butt for a while 'sigh' I don't like him but then we can't love every character lolThe mystery was great and intense, the setting is interesting the only thing I was disappointed in was no recipes at the end lol I am used to foodie mysteries having recipes at the end and I was looking forward to some new ones to try.