Tuesday, November 5, 2013

DVdL: 'PRIME CUT' BY DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON (REVIEW)

Photo by Brother Andy
DOLCE VITA di LIBRO: BOOK REVIEW, "PRIME CUT" BY DIANE MOTT DAVIDSON
Reviewed By Esteemed Member Peggy Vermeer

"Prime Cut" by Diane Mott Davidson is mildly entertaining because of the plot twists concerning who the murderer is.  The story has an interesting portrait of the atmosphere of life in a small town and the plucky main character is likable.  Yet, I think the book could have been better written. It lacked an edge or a back-story or a real-life context that readers could relate to. In comparison to the meatier "Bruno, Chief of Police" which was a way for author Martin Walker to discuss politics and social issues, "Prime Cut's" addressing of issues was more than slightly lackluster in approach and delivery.

The mystery that surrounds a cook book that disappears and how the clues were revealed were nice enough plot devices but the overall tone wasn't all that suspenseful.  It's not a bad book.  It's just not a GREAT book.  Perhaps it is best to read this fare on a dreary winter's afternoon -- not an on-the-edge-of-your-seat, can't-put-it-down page-turning all-nighter.
 
Some of the recipes seemed pretty good.

I would recommend the book on the stipulation that the person I am suggesting the book to understands that the expectations should be about the reasons of why the author wrote it -- a sincere author who wanted to explore domestic violence -- more so than the actual book itself.  The author has written over 16 books in this series, so someone somewhere likes what she is doing.

I give it a "6" out of "10".

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