Title: Devil’s Food Cake
Author: Josi Kilpack
Publisher: Deseret Book
Published Date: 2010
ISBN#: 978-1-60641-232-9
I first met Josi Kilpack in a hallway all dressed up in a dark blue gown and waiting for the very first Whitney Awards Gala to begin. Sheila, Hillary and I introduced ourselves as LDS Women’s Book Review and interviewed her for the first Whitney Award podcast.
Since then, Josi’s been hard at work writing her culinary mystery series that began with Lemon Tart, which is currently a 2009 Whitney Award finalist. English Trifle, the second book in the series, took us “across the pond” and gave us all a craving for crumpets and scones while trying to figure out whodunit. I thoroughly enjoyed both Lemon Tart and English Trifle, and though I anxiously awaited the release of Devil’s Food Cake I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Sadie.
I was not disappointed in the slightest.
Sadie has been back from England for several weeks and is struggling to stick to her diet after making several Devil’s Food cakes for the library fund-raiser. When the agent of a former-resident-turned-famous-author is murdered on stage during the fund-raiser, Sadie really does want to let the local authorities handle the situation. When she starts noticing details that the police are overlooking, Sadie tries to inform them but due to her previous meddling several members of the police department, including her date, Detective Pete Cunningham, are reluctant to listen and Sadie is told to leave.
Before Sadie has the chance to gather the remaining Devil’s Food cakes and leave for home, an encounter with a person-of-interest in the case leaves Sadie with questions that can only be answered with a little investigating of her own. Sadie soon finds herself, as well as her son, Shawn, on a road filled with risks that will lead them to answers but at a cost that Sadie finds she may not be able to live with.
Devil’s Food Cake is full of fresh material and new twists. We are introduced to Sadie’s adopted son, Shawn, an impressively-large, Polynesian young man who is more than willing to jump into the fray. Some additional new characters are introduced, including a certain someone I hope we will see again.
What worked for me: I love all three books in this series so far and each one is just as good as the others. I’ve rarely read a series where I’ve liked all the books equally. There are usually a few in the series that I don’t care for as much. Not so with Lemon Tart, English Trifle and Devil’s Food Cake. I love how Josi writes Sadie, and the story never fails to grab me from the start and keep me turning pages. You’ve done an amazing job, Josi. Best of luck at the Whitney Awards!
What didn’t work for me: Waiting for Key Lime Pie to be released, though I will wait, because there are only going to be so many books and I don’t want to rush the end of the series. (Heather, I am SO jealous! I’m seriously “key lime” green with envy!)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Would I read it again? Definitely!
Would I recommend it? Absolutely. To everyone.
Would I read more of Josi Kilpack’s books? That’s the plan!
FTC FYI: The copy of Devil’s Food Cake that I reviewed was a free review copy sent by the publisher and did not affect my review in any way.
“In fact, it’s possible he was in fear of his life.”
“It means we’re on your side.”
