Fine Dining

A Trudie Fine Mystery, Book 2

By: Gale Deitch

Narrated by: Kristin James

Trudie Fine's romantic dinner with Detective Daniel Goldman is cut short by a gruesome murder. When her good friend, May Dubois, is discovered sitting by the body of her dead brother, holding a bloody knife, the case seems as cut and dried as sliced okra. From the start, however, Trudie believes in her friend and sets out to prove May's innocence. But if May isn't the killer, who is? Taking over as temporary manager at May's New Orleans-themed restaurant to do some sleuthing plunges Trudie into a jambalaya of dangerous waters.

©2014 Gale Deitch (P)2015 Gale Deitch

Don't miss this one!

Excellent mystery! Fine NOLA food, good friends, a whodunit, and a good cop, what more could you ask for? The plot moves along quickly and the characters are basically fun. Some good situational humor and snappy dialog add to the story. The publisher's blurb gives hints so there is no need for spoilers.
Kristin James is great at providing voice and emotion to the text.
I requested and received a free review copy from the publisher, author, or narrator courtesy of AudioBookBOOM.

A brilliant series.

Would you consider the audio edition of Fine Dining to be better than the print version?

I didn't read the print version but the narration of the Trudie Fine series is excellent. I listened to Fine Dining straight away after listening to a Fine Fix (reviewed at Audible UK).
Once I start a series that's good in audio I tend to stick with it rather than read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fine Dining?

There are too many to mention! I think what I love most about this series is that the author doesn't limit the action and suspense to a big finale at the end of the story. Trudie gets into all kinds of dangerous situations throughout the story which makes it very exciting to read and listen.
I also love the way Trudie expresses herself through food metaphors. She is a really sweet, funny, and true to life kind of character.
I love the romantic entanglements she gets herself mixed up in and how a little bit of competition keeps Daniel and Trudie on their toes!

What does Kristin James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I like the expressions and tone of voice she uses for the different characters. I can imagine the characters better because they sound so real. There were also a couple of emotional and tear jerking moments in the story which were performed very effectively.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I got very cranky when I got interrupted whilst listening to this book!

Any additional comments?

I voluntarily received a review copy.

Super Entertaining, wonderful narrator

This book was a little silly and I absolutely loved it. definitely worth picking up! I will definitely be checking out the next in the series.

The biggest thing I took away, though, is how much I enjoyed the voice actor who read the story. I can't wait to listen to more of her work!

Fine novel. With recipes!

There's a lot of good calories in this book. You can almost smell the foods described... but you can feel May's emotional struggle as well - thanks to Kristin James's great narration.

Overall, this is a very readable (or listenable - is that a word?) book. I liked Daniel's father, such a nice character. Trudie is wonderful as a friend, and just a bit irritating as woman in love (having bouts of jealousy and getting upset Daniel couldn't be on time to escort her to a party... I just wished she'd cut the poor policeman on a murder case some slack). Otherwise, I'd go out to a dinner with her no problem - even if that meant discovering a murder :)

The story itself is quite nicely set up. It flows and you find yourself listening to it long after you vowed to go to sleep...

Great job, Gale and Kristin!


I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Twists and turns keeps you wanting more

If you could sum up Fine Dining in three words, what would they be?

Very good mystery!

What other book might you compare Fine Dining to and why?

"A Fine Fix" by the same author. Trudie finds herself in a case to solve in her culinary world.

Which scene was your favorite?

When they were scattering the ashes of May's brother. Very poignant.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it held your attention throughout.

Any additional comments?

"I was voluntarily provided this review copy at no charge by the author, publisher and or narrator.”