From Publishers Weekly
In Page's third Aleford, Mass., mystery (after The Body in the Kelp ), young minister's wife Faith Fairchild, formerly a trendy New York gourmet caterer, scatters upscale brand names like confetti while acting as an amateur investigator. Asked to look into strange doings at a luxurious retirement retreat operated by saintly old Dr. Hubbard, his doctor son and nurse daughter, Faith soon turns up blackmail, illicit sex, cocaine and murder. The Fairchilds, who apparently haven't heard of Christian charity, cold-shoulder a graceless divinity student intern and poke lighthearted fun at folks who neither serve nutty basmati rice for lunch nor wear Faith's designer originals. (Readers may find themselves longing for V.I. Warshawski, rooting around in her dirty laundry in search of a decent outfit she can don one more time.) There are some hair-raising scenes, however, as well as a leisurely, happy final chapter featuring a yuletide party at the parsonage and the Christmas Eve children's pageant at the church. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
Faith Fairchild, former New York City caterer, investigates a suspect retirement home in the small New England town where she now lives. Third in a series.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Kirkus Reviews
Here, spunky New England minister's wife Faith Fairchild (The Body in the Kelp, The Body in the Belfry)--while volunteering at a posh retirement facility under the aegis of venerable Dr. Roland Hubbard--barely has time to introduce herself before an old-timer falls face down into a cup of soup that she brings him. Then when a severe snowstorm forces Faith to stay the night, Eddie the groundskeeper/drug-dealer is waiting in her bed--dead. Despite warnings from husband Tom and best friend Pix, Faith persists in snooping--and discovers: several of Eddie's blackmail victims; a resident kleptomaniac; a philandering wife; and the black sheep Hubbard son, James, who quickly becomes a hit-and-run statistic. A final confrontation with the murderer will find Faith scurrying around the Hubbard House grounds just as Tom drives up. Not very plausible, and the author's strengths--genteel satire and wry humor--are not much in evidence here. Still, those in search of mild-mannered amateur-sleuthing might appreciate the nosy Faith (and enjoy her catering touches, too). -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.



"Jaunty, breezy...Bouillon tastes great"



"The combination of crime, Faith's cordon bleu dishes, and New England in the snow is, as usual, irresistable."



"There are many strings in this cat's cradle, all woven with sophistication and quiet humor and style."



"Entertaining and ingeniously deceptive murder mystery."



"Katherine Page's characters are delightful and the plot in each subsequent book gets better and better...funny and exciting."


Book Description
Murder Served Piping Hot Minister's wife, sometime sleuth, and culinary artist Faith Sibley Fairchild is intrigued by rumors of mysterious doings at Hubbard House -- an elegant, secluded retirement home for the well-heeled Yankees of Aleford, Massachusetts. Determined to do some surreptitious snooping, she joins the pricey retreat's flu-depleted kitchen staff, only to witness an aging resident collapse face-first into a bowl of Faith's hot and savory bouillon. But it isn't until a blackmailing drug dealer turns up dead in Faith's bedroom that the amateur investigator realizes that Murder not only happens at Hubbard, it's the specialty of the house! And Faith's own demise might very well be the next item on the menu.


About the Author
Katherine Hall Page is the author of eleven mystery novels featuring Faith Fairchild, the first of which, The Body in the Belfry, was awarded the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery.

ANNOTATION

From the Agatha Award-winning author of The Body in the Belfry comes a third entertaining cozy featuring minister's wife/amateur sleuth Faith Fairchild. Intrigued by rumors of mysterious doings at a secluded retirement home, Faith joins the kitchen staff to do some snooping--only to witness an aged resident collapse face-first into a bowl of soup. Author signings. Martin's.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Murder Served Piping Hot

Minister's wife, sometime sleuth, and culinary artist Faith Sibley Fairchild is intrigued by rumors of mysterious doings at Hubbard House — an elegant, secluded retirement home for the well-heeled Yankees of Aleford, Massachusetts. Determined to do some surreptitious snooping, she joins the pricey retreat's flu-depleted kitchen staff, only to witness an aging resident collapse face-first into a bowl of Faith's hot and savory bouillon. But it isn't until a blackmailing drug dealer turns up dead in Faith's bedroom that the amateur investigator realizes that Murder not only happens at Hubbard, it's the specialty of the house! And Faith's own demise might very well be the next item on the menu.

Author Biography:

Katherine Hall Page is the author of eleven mystery novels featuring Faith Fairchild, the first of which, The Body in the Belfry, was awarded the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery.

FROM THE CRITICS

Boston Herald

Jaunty, breezy...Bouillon tastes great.

Mostly Murder

Katherine Page's characters are delightful and the plot in each subsequent book gets better and better...funny and exciting.

Drood Review of Mystery

The combination of crime, Faith's cordon bleu dishes, and New England in the snow is, as usual, irresistable.

American Ellsworth