The Chili Showdown is in Las
Vegas. They have added a special category, Devil's Breath
Chili, to the lineup. This type of chili is said to peel paint
right off the walls. They even have celebrity judges to taste
and vote on the best chili of the four regional winners. These
celebrities are the performers at Creosote Cal's Cactus Casino.
Those selling items will be set up in little shops right out
of the old west. Maxie and her half-sister, Sylvia, have the
best location to sell Texas Jack's Hot Cha Chili Seasoning
Palace items. Unfortunately, they got the bordello. Naturally,
Sylvia is horrified. The Showdown people are treated to a
night of entertainment. It goes from bad to worse. The comic,
Dickie Dunkin, makes Don Rickles look like a choir boy. None
of the other entertainers like what he has to say. The audience
is split.
The next day the Devil's Breath Cook-Off is being set up.
The judges have arrived. Dickie gets into a scuffle with The
Great Osborn knocking the place settings off the judging table.
Each judge tastes the four chili recipes. Right after, Dickie
is looking a little green. He ends up with his head in the
last bowl of chili he was served. So, now we have a dead comic.
Ruth Ann asks Maxie to investigate – she is afraid it
will be the end of the Showdown and her husband, Tumbleweed.
Maxie had better be careful or she could end up on fire.
Things to ponder: Why did Maxie search Sylvia's purse? Why
is the woman contestant giving Maxie the evil eye? Will Maxie
find out anything that will help her find her missing father?
Did someone poison Dickie Dunkin?
This sophomore book in the Chili Cook-Off series does not
disappoint. The author sets up the story by providing the
reader with multiple suspects. Then you get to tag along with
Maxie and play detective. Can you eliminate the suspects until
you are left with the killer? I found it very hard to put
down. Cozy mystery lovers will be delighted to read this spicy
mystery. It is a fast- paced page turner of a read. So if
you like your mystery filled with engaging characters and
lots of spice, then you should be reading Death By Devil's
Breath.
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