Three friends go on a Highland foodie road trip to an exclusive hotel and restaurant on an island in Loch Broom. They're celebrating one member's retirement, and they fully expect stunning scenery, great food, and fine wines, all backed up with plenty of memories about the good old days. They are convinced this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
But all is not what it seems. One of the three friends is a killer, one is a liar, and one will do whatever it takes to survive.
~
I was a great fan of Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series until he introduced a character that I loathed. Unfortunately, she became a fan favorite, and when she featured more and more in subsequent books, I stopped reading them. But I miss this man's writing. I read his first novel, halfhead, with mixed emotions, and I've been MacBride-less ever since. Then I found this short story on Amazon, and I just had to read it.
The three main characters are quite the combination. Michael Harris is a bestselling author who's pining for his former glory. After reading his latest manuscript, his publicist tells him, "Nobody wants gangster novels anymore; everyone's obsessed with cosy crime. Could you... tweak it maybe?" He was my favorite character; I loved his voice and enjoyed the pointed references to the world of publishing. Victor McAllister has been Michael's friend for years. Formerly a gangster, he's a bit of a Jack the Lad and is the one responsible for booking this foodie experience. The third character, recently retired Detective Inspector Alex Raith, is too much like the character who made me stop reading the Logan McRae books, so I have to admit that, if any one character had to die, I hoped it would be her.
Although I found the plot gave me a bit of indigestion, I did enjoy experiencing MacBride's humor again. He's got another series. I know I'll be giving it a try soon.
The Tasting Menu by Stuart MacBride
eISBN: 9781662518232
Amazon Original Stories © 2024
eBook, 127 pages
Short Story, Standalone
Rating C
Source: Purchased from Amazon.
Wow. This book did not hit the spot at Casa Kittling. One more not to add to the Leaning Tower of TBR lists.
ReplyDeleteSee? I can be helpful in that respect, too! ;-)
DeleteI have to admit, Cathy, I've not been much in love with MacBride's work myself. I do like his wit and writing style, so it's not that. I suppose I just haven't been drawn into the plots.
ReplyDeleteI have a small list of writers like that, too, Margot.
DeleteIt's a great first line. I haven't read any of McBride's books. I hope you end up enjoying his other series. :D
ReplyDeleteI do, too... but it's not like I have nothing else to read! LOL
DeleteOk, my TBR is big enough to wait for your thoughts on this author's other series.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, I have this sinking feeling that he's learned that this one sort of character is a fan favorite. I have a dread of opening the first book in this other series and finding her in another incarnation. I hope I'm wrong.
DeleteYou're probably wondering what sort of character I could dislike so much that I'd stop reading the books. (I would be!)
ReplyDelete