Gliozzi tells a gripping story set in New York’s upscale restaurant world. When several well-known chefs are found dead in shocking ways, FBI Agent Isabella Ashford takes on the case. Her job is to figure out who is targeting them and what connects the murders. The plot keeps shifting in surprising directions. Every time a suspect seems obvious, something new emerges and alters the investigation’s path. Ashford pays close attention to things other people ignore, like equipment that doesn’t match someone’s explanation or a small mark that hints at a different truth. The author also ties together events from different years in a way that feels natural and clever.
The characters feel believable as well. For example, Ashford tries to stay focused on her work while missing her family. Jacques Vargoux starts out looking like someone in danger, but slowly shows a darker, more complicated side. Even brief characters, like Kelly and Charles, feel purposeful and easy to picture. In addition, the investigation feels true to life. The book shows how police work actually happens, including collecting evidence, sharing information between departments, and handling legal steps. These parts feel accurate without interrupting the story’s flow.
The pace slows a bit in the middle, and a few misleading clues take up more space than feels needed, but these issues are small compared to everything the book does well. The detailed setting, twisting plot, and surprising reveals make the story very satisfying. Overall, the novel works as both a strong character study and an engaging detective mystery. Gliozzi shows how danger can hide in places that seem safe and familiar.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review