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First Corpse: The Appetizer
Who knew danger could be so delicious...
When celebrity chef Layne Stevens heads to San Francisco in search of appetizers to die for, she finds them on her hotel room floor, next to a dead man. Assigned to investigate the case, FBI Special Agent Ryan Cooke has finger worthy salt and pepper hair, a scrumptious smile, and a voice like warm caramel. He’s funny, and charming, and sexy as hell.
He’s everything Layne shouldn’t trust.
But the investigation plummets her into a deadly conspiracy that puts the people she loves at risk. To save them, she’s forced to dive into the rotten underbelly of the deception with the sinfully yummy agent. And it may be too late before she figures out which is more dangerous…the conspiracy, or Special Agent Ryan Cooke.
When celebrity chef Layne Stevens heads to San Francisco in search of appetizers to die for, she finds them on her hotel room floor, next to a dead man. Assigned to investigate the case, FBI Special Agent Ryan Cooke has finger worthy salt and pepper hair, a scrumptious smile, and a voice like warm caramel. He’s funny, and charming, and sexy as hell.
He’s everything Layne shouldn’t trust.
But the investigation plummets her into a deadly conspiracy that puts the people she loves at risk. To save them, she’s forced to dive into the rotten underbelly of the deception with the sinfully yummy agent. And it may be too late before she figures out which is more dangerous…the conspiracy, or Special Agent Ryan Cooke.
430 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2018
About the author
Carie Toeller
1 book12 followersCarie Toeller is a wife, mom, daughter, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, with a passion for writing, reading, and real food. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two grocery-guzzling boys, and two oversized couch-dwelling dogs. Her happy place is anywhere she can see, hear and smell the ocean. She has a proficiency for pairing organic wines with various potato dishes. She drives like a grandma with impaired vision in a red Dodge Charger named Fabio. And she brews her own kombucha. Seriously. True story.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 20, 2019
I have mixed reactions to this book. On the one hand, I liked the premise: Highly recognizable TV personality gets involved in some international intrigue and has her life taken over by the FBI investigation. There was a good balance between amusing and exciting moments. However, I thought that it took too long to get to a reason for all of the FBI involvement. There were several chapters at the beginning where I felt lost because enough wasn’t revealed in a timely manner. Even when I got a handle on the plot, there were still some murky international connections. The big reveal of the reason for the international intrigue also felt a little bit heavy-handed; I didn’t think there was enough build up to have it make sense. That being said, I liked the main characters enough to probably read follow up books in the series. I’ll give 3.5 stars for a hunky FBI agent and a likable heroine. Tightening the plot would have made it a solid 4.
August 4, 2018
Food and Men
Great read. Some spy action and a delicious man what more can a woman ask for. Lots of fun reading this book. You like action and truths or lies then you've got to read it.
Great read. Some spy action and a delicious man what more can a woman ask for. Lots of fun reading this book. You like action and truths or lies then you've got to read it.
November 19, 2018
I found the ending to this story to be interesting, although I have no idea how true it may be. I personally eat very little fast food or pre-prepared foods from markets. I do not pay the higher price for "organic" fruits and vegetables, as it's almost impossible to tell if that is truly what is being displayed on those shelves, and the cost would be painful as most of my cart is filled with items from the produce section. The best solution would be knowing my local organic farmer, or growing it myself. I no longer have room to plant anything, and the "dirt" where I live now is unforgiving red clay. Folks in apartments can't be expected to plant vegetables.
The rest of the book I found to be pretty ordinary with an almost uncomfortable romance that seemed to take forever to gel, and the female protagonist was somewhat overly puritanical in her modesty.
The rest of the book I found to be pretty ordinary with an almost uncomfortable romance that seemed to take forever to gel, and the female protagonist was somewhat overly puritanical in her modesty.
August 8, 2018
Loved it! Just what you want in a romance...a strong female lead you can relate to and kinda want to be. A hunky love interest with brains, a hot body and a badge. Lots of humor, food to die for and international intrigue. I can't wait for book 2!
November 15, 2018
Goodreads Kindle Copy Win
Celebrity chef gets more than she bargains when looking for appetizers that are to die for. From a dead body to an equally handsome agent who is in charge of the case.
Sexy romance with danger attached to it. A fun light hearted mystery read.
Celebrity chef gets more than she bargains when looking for appetizers that are to die for. From a dead body to an equally handsome agent who is in charge of the case.
Sexy romance with danger attached to it. A fun light hearted mystery read.
September 7, 2018
This is a great romantic comedy. It's got a fast pace and it's lots of fun. I would love to meet the hero, Ryan sometime. Any time! And the food sounds delicious. Highly recommend.
March 12, 2019
I received this free from a Goodreads Giveaway for my Kindle.
I wanted to like this so much. It had a promising plot, but the writing was not up to par and the characters were a little clunky.
I wanted to like this so much. It had a promising plot, but the writing was not up to par and the characters were a little clunky.
February 8, 2021
Great book
It kept me guessing what was going to happen to the very end. I
enjoyed reading this book very much
It kept me guessing what was going to happen to the very end. I
enjoyed reading this book very much
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews