Carbs and Cadavers: A Supper Club Mystery
by J. B. Stanley
Published by Midnight Ink
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Reviewed by Patty Inglish, M.S.
Carbs and Cadavers is a refreshing entree from a menu of serial mystery and amateur sleuthing by our talented hostess, J.B. Stanley. Halfway through this main course, I was already anticipating a second helping from her first sequel.
Moving back to his home in Quincy's Gap, Virginia from William and Mary College after a stinging divorce, blooming obesity, and the news that his father needshim, James Henry feels like a loser. As the town's new librarian, he hides in books, amid mounds of cheese puffs. He makes some efforts to interact with local townspeople and joins a supper club for dieters, hoping to make new friends and lose fat.
The "Flab Five" supper club includes ex-literature professor James Henry, postman Bennett, aging hippie Gillian, deputy hopeful Lucy, and teacher Lindy. It is amusing that James' name is the reverse of that of writer Henry James, and many of the characters made me smile. They have real-life problems, but also real dreams and talents. Society may look at the overweight as gluttonous airheads, but that is not the case here. Some passages evoke the image of James looking 150 pounds overweight, rather than 50, and in his own mind he may feel that image is correct. This is a pointed insight into the heart of those trying to lose weight--writer Henry James's brother William was, after all, a pioneer in psychology.
A mysterious death drives the dieters to action and the group shed pounds and seeks out a killer at the aptly named Sweet Tooth Bakery. There is bloodshed, kidnapping, and all manner of danger for the heroes; and their handling of it kept my interest high. There are many surprises as well, such as what James's father is doing out there alone in the shed all the time.
This book includes recipes and the chapter titles are names of select dishes that parallel the dieter's eating adventures. I made the "Crustless Pumpkin Pie," finding it light and delicious. Quincy's Gap is already becoming a second home to my mind.
Armchair Interviews says: Recommended to readers who want relaxation and excitement all at once.