Review

Gigi Fitzgerald is very busy making and delivering healthy meals for her business, “Gigi’s Gourmet De-Lite”. Gigi is dating detective Bill Mertz, but she finds time in her hectic schedule to assist the charming Declan McQuaid with a catering gig for an influential client. Mertz isn’t thrilled, but Gigi goes forward with her plan to help Declan at an engagement party that includes plenty of high profile guests. The food at the event is delicious, but the party’s arrogant host is found dead and Declan is Mertz’s top suspect. Now Gigi has to help her friend Declan prove his innocence without offending Mertz or her sister Pia, neither of whom appreciate the extra attention Gigi is paying to Declan.

Iced to Death is a pleasant book with several positives. I like Gigi’s investigative style, which seems believable and is easy to relate to. Gigi casually talks and gossips with witnesses and is able to get the inside scoop on suspects and their possible motives. The book is the third in this series, but it’s easy to get to know the main characters and enjoy the mystery. Gigi’s free-spirited sister Pia is an added complication to Gigi’s busy life. Pia is sometimes selfish, temperamental, and a little childish. She is annoying at the beginning of the book, but she becomes more likeable as the book goes on. Her crush on Declan made me feel sorry for her, because he is a character I can’t read. He seems like a nice guy, but his reputation for being a ladies man seems to be well-deserved. Pia has told Gigi she is interested in Declan and I think Pia is justified in feeling jealous of Gigi and Declan. Gigi appears to be devoted to Mertz, but she practically swoons every time she’s around Declan. She doesn’t seem to have romantic feelings for him and yet she reacts more strongly to Declan’s good looks and charm than to her own boyfriend. Mertz treats her well, cares about her, but doesn’t try to control her and seems to be a good match for Gigi. I think they can have a great relationship in future books, if Gigi can ignore her obvious attraction to Declan.

Gigi’s investigation remains interesting throughout the book. I like the ending of the story, both for the way the mystery is wrapped up and for the unexpected turn Gigi’s life takes. It also looks like there’s a good chance Pia will be sticking around, and by the end of the book, I felt this was a good thing. One thing I don’t like is that for a cozy mystery that is completely centered on food, there is a shortage of recipes in this book. There are only three recipes in the back of the book. I admit the “Lighter Chicken Tetrazzini” recipe sounds really good, but I would expect to see a greater number of recipes. Gigi is sometimes hard to read, but I enjoy her style of investigation and the way she stands up for her friends, so I would definitely read other mysteries in this series.

Reviewed by Christine