"Delicious mystery seasoned with humor."

Desiree Shapiro, the full-figured PI with remarkably hennaed hair, is back to her constant career of snooping, investigating and cajoling the police to "share" information. This case is unusual for Desiree; she starts an investigation where the victim is still alive! In between mentioning and partaking the tantalizing fare from area restaurants and her own kitchen and planning gourmet meals for her boyfriend with the kid from H-E-double-hockey- sticks, Desiree cooks up time to interview suspects, drag specialty donuts to the police station and help her niece fret over her upcoming wedding.

As usual, Eichler creates a delicious mystery seasoned with red herrings, spicy characters and great dollops of humor. Desiree Shapiro is an amusing and realistic protagonist, even as she juggles cooking, eating, worrying and investigating.

Reviewed by Vicky Gilpin
Posted January 14, 2005

Summary

New York's plus-size PI, Desiree Shapiro, discovers that her latest would-be client is harder to say no to than a second—make that a third—slice of Little Angie's pizza. There have already been two attempts to kill charismatic pharmaceutical exec Gordon Curry, and he wants Desiree to prevent number three. Fearful of accepting the responsibility for someone's life—or death— Desiree prefers to take cases after the body has been carted away. However, the charming Curry wins her over. He even supplies her with the name of the disgruntled ex- employee who, he is convinced, is the only one who could possibly want to do him in. But before Desiree has the chance to follow up, Curry is shot to death. What's more, she learns that the ex-employee—her sole suspect—committed suicide two months earlier! With a tough case like this on her hands, Desiree needs to get cracking... but not before she polishes off that pizza.