When Laurel Inwood features Italian cuisine on the Terminal at the Tracks menu, she knows she'll need to stock the shelves, the fridge, and the freezer with plenty of wonderful delicacies. She just never expected one of them to be her former employer, Hollywood superstar Meghan Cohan.
And one day, when Laurel is at the restaurant early to get ready for the regular rush of customers, that's exactly what she finds--Meghan dead in the Terminal freezer.
What's a Hollywood A-lister doing in Hubbard, Ohio?
For Laurel, that's the real question, because the first question she'd ask in any other murder investigation--who would want the victim dead?--seems pretty much a no-brainer in this case.
Who would want Meghan dead?
Just about anybody who had ever met her.[summary via Amazon]
Opening up Italian Iced felt so bittersweet for me. From the very first book in this series, Irish Stewed, I have been head over heels in love with Laurel, Declan and everyone at Sophie's Terminal at the Tracks!
Laurel was a child of the foster system, and she's found a home in the town of Hubbard, Ohio. She's discovered herself and found comfort in her relationship with The Irish Shop owner and lawyer, Declan. All seems perfect. That is until her ex-boss turns up dead in her kitchen! Laurel's past is about to creep up on her, as she tries to discover who would want her ex-boss, Hollywood superstar Meghan Cohan, dead.
For those that are unfamiliar with the Ethnic Eats Mysteries, each book concentrates on an ethnic food. Laurel introduced this concept to the restaurant, Sophie's Terminal on the Tracks, and it has been a raging success. This time the food of the month is Italian. I love this concept as it keeps the stories (and recipes) fresh and interesting.
It really felt like Laurel has come full circle in Italian Iced. She's so settled and content in Hubbard, but when Meaghan arrives in town, she causes a stir... and excuse the pun, but Laurel has to bury her past one last time. Literally. I have really liked watching Laurel grow and become "settled". She was a foster kid, and in Italian Iced I feel like she has finally accepted love into her life, not just with Declan, but everyone in Hubbard that cares about her. I love good character growth in cozy mysteries, and Kylie Logan does it so well. So even though I feel sad that the series is over, I'm also glad that I met Laurel and Declan, and was able to have one last adventure with them.
Kylie Logan always delivers a first class mystery, and Italian Iced is no different. The mystery was very detailed, and I had trouble solving it before Laurel. I loved the final denouement... with the mystery unravelling in front of all the suspects... very Hercule Poirot!
I love, love, loved Italian Iced. I will always hope that one day this series gets picked up again, because I want another adventure with Laurel and Declan. Maybe one day!
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