Comment

Apr 28, 2019DT_kcls rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
‘The Chef’ poses an interesting problem to review. I enjoyed the plot of solving the threat/mystery, but it's overshadowed by romance and food. It's a very odd combination, especially for James Patterson and Max DiLallo. I found the writing exceptionally simplistic (and am pretty insulted by it), with far too much repetition. How many times should we read that ‘The Chef’ is on his own, that he's running out of time, that it's his city he's trying to save, that stakeouts are miserable, that the FBI is mean to the locals (eyeroll), that he's attracted to another man's wife and shouldn't be? Yawn. On the other hand, Patterson/DiLallo did write a great travel/food guide to New Orleans. The problem is I wanted to read a novel, not a travel or food guide and the New Orleans tour was simply not integrated well into the story nor does it become part of the story. They should contact Linda Fairstein to learn how she weaves New York, it's neighborhoods and history into a novel. Also, ‘The Chef’ I imagined is not the blonde frat boy looking person they describe. I imagine a big man, dark haired, a bit scruffy and scarred from life as a cop. My favorite character is the put upon, straight talking ex-wife, Marlene. 3 stars, given with generosity because I think the lead character has potential IF Patterson and to whomever he assigns/allows to write the next chapter focuses on one thing and does it well, whether food, city guide, romance or mystery. But really, lose the food/travel guide, please.