_readwithstephanie's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
peggyemi's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I have read by this author and the start of a new series for her. I found it to be a very enjoyable read. The book had a good steady pace that kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. I thought the main character Tessa was well written. She has just become a young widow and discovered her husband's car accident may have been murder. I thought the author did a good job of balancing Tessa as a grieving widow with a good sense of inner strength to help her deal with all of the things she uncovers along the way. The secondary cast of characters has real potential as well. Her cousins Gino and Gabby both complement Tessa in different ways. The mystery was also well done and like one of Tessa's lasagna's it had a lot of layers. The author did a good job of writing plenty of twists and turns as well as dropping subtle clues along the way. The reveal unfolded in several different ways but led to what I thought was a satisfying conclusion.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style and these characters. I will be back to see what is next for Tessa as the series continues.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Edelweiss book reviews.
I really enjoyed this author's writing style and these characters. I will be back to see what is next for Tessa as the series continues.
I voluntarily read a digital ARC provided to me by the publisher through Edelweiss book reviews.
katiya's review against another edition
4.0
The sudden death of her thirty-year-old husband has left Tessa Esposito bereft. Struggling to get through the day, she is stunned when she is told his car accident may have been foul play. Stirred to action, Tessa takes a job at the restaurant where he'd last been seen in hopes of uncovering her spouse's final days. The more she digs, the more mystery she finds. Did Tessa really know her husband at all?
It didn't take long for me to become fully engrossed in this story. I enjoyed the twist and turns and was particularly pleased that the person I'd pegged as the culprit was not guilty. Looking forward to the next one.
It didn't take long for me to become fully engrossed in this story. I enjoyed the twist and turns and was particularly pleased that the person I'd pegged as the culprit was not guilty. Looking forward to the next one.
kristins911's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
zellerella's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Penne Dreadful is a great start to a cozy series. This book has been out for a while, but I'm just getting the chance to read it. The book starts out really good with a great setting and a relatable main character. My heart broke for her as she was grieving the loss of her husband and then finding out he was keeping things from her. Her determination to find out what really happened to her husband was a great set-up for the book.
As the story progresses, I had to suspend disbelief at times as Tessa barged into dangerous situations full force. However, I like the relationship between Tessa and her cousin/best friend Gabby and the way they can be honest with each other. The book kept my interest and I wanted to find out what would happen next. The hint of future romance was jarring since Tessa was such a recent widow and extremely grief-stricken. This is the biggest negative for me with the book. There were other parts of the story that were unrealistic and some were predictable. However, I enjoyed the book as a whole and would rate it 3.5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
As the story progresses, I had to suspend disbelief at times as Tessa barged into dangerous situations full force. However, I like the relationship between Tessa and her cousin/best friend Gabby and the way they can be honest with each other. The book kept my interest and I wanted to find out what would happen next. The hint of future romance was jarring since Tessa was such a recent widow and extremely grief-stricken. This is the biggest negative for me with the book. There were other parts of the story that were unrealistic and some were predictable. However, I enjoyed the book as a whole and would rate it 3.5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
neverloweonbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This audiobook was so dang good!!!
It starts off pulling at your heartstrings and gets twisty real quick. The twists and turns continue right up to the end, but they’re done so well. All the characters are wonderful and very easy to like right away, but my favorite might be Gino. Unlike most cozies where the amateur sleuth stumbles upon a body, the victim in this book has already died and the death only becomes suspicious a couple weeks later.
It starts off pulling at your heartstrings and gets twisty real quick. The twists and turns continue right up to the end, but they’re done so well. All the characters are wonderful and very easy to like right away, but my favorite might be Gino. Unlike most cozies where the amateur sleuth stumbles upon a body, the victim in this book has already died and the death only becomes suspicious a couple weeks later.
rynflynn12's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
oracle's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75