Jane Reads: The Hunger Pains by Chelsea Field

Thursday, September 1, 2016

The Hunger Pains by Chelsea Field | Review

I just read an amazing book, y'all — The Hunger Pains, by Chelsea Field. Let me tell you a little about it.

Synopsis, from Goodreads:

Isobel Avery is on her second assignment as an undercover poison taster for Los Angeles's rich and famous. And she’s actually enjoying herself. Until her sweet, agoraphobic client mysteriously leaves the safety of his apartment and winds up dead.

When crucial evidence goes missing, investigator Connor Stiles will need Izzy's inside knowledge to help track down the killer. But despite three months of absence to make Connor’s heart grow fonder, he doesn't seem pleased to be working with her again. The LAPD commander is even less pleased to have Izzy on the case since he considers her a suspect and, even worse, a mere civilian. To top it all off, her least favorite relative in the whole wide world drops by for an unexpected visit.

Meanwhile, the killer is destroying anything that might link back to them. Including Izzy if she's not careful.

In this fun-packed romantic sequel to Eat, Pray, Die, join Izzy as she learns where she stands with the enigmatic Connor and tries to put another bad guy behind bars.

The Hunger Pains by Chelsea Field
Series: An Eat, Pray, Die Humorous Mystery, #2

Genre: Cozy Mystery

The Hunger Pains by Chelsea Field is amazing, y'all. You can read an excerpt from Chapter One, on Author Chelsea Field's website.

What a great book this is! No sophomore slump for Chelsea Field. The Hunger Pains, Book Two in the Eat, Pray, Die Humorous Mystery Novel series, is a fun, quick read, with twists and turns, and a unique story line.

Ms Field's characters are all real and likable, even a man who works as a "leg-breaker" for a loan shark. The main character, and my favorite, is Isobel Avery, aka Izzy, who narrates the book in first person. I like Izzy so much because of her kick-ass personality and snarky wit.

The romance between Izzy and Connor, the romance that she isn't sure exists at the beginning of The Hunger Pains, grows during the book. Behold some examples of their tender moments.

• "Has it been long enough since you worked at Bakers Bliss that you can enjoy a jelly-filled donut, or should we go somewhere else?" he asked.

I opened my mouth and shut it again without any words coming out.

"You've had a rough morning. From what I remember, you're partial to comfort food, right?"

My heart swelled like a bread roll you dropped in the lake. Before it was devoured by the ducks. I was so touched that I had to fight back tears. You know it's been a bad day when the offer of a jelly donut makes you cry.

"A jelly-filled donut sounds great," I said.

• "...In that case, how would you feel about having Dudley in your SUV?" I eyed the spotless interior and silently amended my question to your immaculate SUV. Better not to draw his attention to it.

"Sure."

"Really?"

He gave an infinitesimal shrug. "Greyhounds don't have the normal dog odor because of the lack of oil in their skin. They don't shed much either."

I stared at Mr. Encyclopedia as if he'd sprouted a second head.

"Some friends of mine have greyhounds," he said.

"Wait, you have friends?"

Really, the only part of The Hunger Pains that I didn't like? It ends too soon! I wanted to keep reading about Izzy and Connor! Oh well, I'll just have to wait as patiently as possible for the next book in the series, Black Little Lies.

I highly recommend The Hunger Pains to all fans of cozy mysteries, especially madcap mystery romps such as Gretchen Archer's Davis Way series. I loved The Hunger Pains, and bestow upon it the highest rating of Five Kitties!

Five out of Five Kitties