Rating: 
Summary: Hope the series will continue
Review: Heroine: plump/abundant Zaftig and sassy waitress-turned-diner owner Tory Bauer may not look the part of a P.I. extraordinaire. She's 40-odd, frumpy, and a homebody who just wants to lead a quiet, simple life. But the Grim Reaper keeps dumping murdered bodies on her doorstep, so she has no choice but to find the killers before he comes after her!
What worked for me: I really enjoyed Ms. Taylor's writing and found it to be snappy and clever. While some readers won't care for the attention paid to minutiae, I thought that these were great characters with interesting lives. I'll always be happy to eavesdrop on the latest Delphi dirt.
The enjoyable mysteries with their hint of romance kept me racking my brains, but I found them to be a bit convoluted and had trouble figuring out "whodunit". I didn't mind it, but some folks might wish the mysteries presented themselves earlier and were brought to a conclusion faster. Size-wise Tory was 40 lbs overweight and a bit shy about her body at times. What didn't work for me: Occasionally the writing could have used a bit more polishing and proof-reading. I had some trouble suspending disbelief when it came to certain plot elements. Overall:
A fun read, especially for folks who like to immerse themselves in the everyday details of someone else's life. Warning: there is some coarse language in these books, some sexual scenarios and discussions, as well as religious insights that might offend some people. If you liked the Tory Bauer mystery series you might also enjoy the Stephanie Plum mystery series, the Odelia Grey mystery series, the Southern Sisters mystery series, the Josephine Fuller mystery series, "Death by Dessert", "Lady Blue", "Teacher's Pet", or "Love by the Pound".
Rating:
Summary: Hope the series will continue
Review: Heroine: plump/abundant Zaftig and sassy waitress-turned-diner owner Tory Bauer may not look the part of a P.I. extraordinaire. She's 40-odd, frumpy, and a homebody who just wants to lead a quiet, simple life. But the Grim Reaper keeps dumping murdered bodies on her doorstep, so she has no choice but to find the killers before he comes after her!
What worked for me: I really enjoyed Ms. Taylor's writing and found it to be snappy and clever. While some readers won't care for the attention paid to minutiae, I thought that these were great characters with interesting lives. I'll always be happy to eavesdrop on the latest Delphi dirt.
The enjoyable mysteries with their hint of romance kept me racking my brains, but I found them to be a bit convoluted and had trouble figuring out "whodunit". I didn't mind it, but some folks might wish the mysteries presented themselves earlier and were brought to a conclusion faster. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Size-wise Tory was 40 lbs overweight and a bit shy about her body at times. What didn't work for me: Occasionally the writing could have used a bit more polishing and proof-reading. I had some trouble suspending disbelief when it came to certain plot elements. Overall:
          A fun read, especially for folks who like to immerse themselves in the everyday details of someone else's life. Warning: there is some coarse language in these books, some sexual scenarios and discussions, as well as religious insights that might offend some people. If you liked the Tory Bauer mystery series you might also enjoy the Stephanie Plum mystery series, the Odelia Grey mystery series, the Southern Sisters mystery series, the Josephine Fuller mystery series, "Death by Dessert", "Lady Blue", "Teacher's Pet", or "Love by the Pound".
Rating: 
Summary: Slow
Review: I almost gave Funeral Food four stars because, as the blurb says, it's "spicy," which may not suit all readers. However, all of the sex in the book (none of it graphic) is the natural result of interaction between the characters. Indeed, once we get to know the people involved, the sex and violence seem tragically inescapable. Those who know the Midwest will recognize these characters: while Tory Bauer is surprised when she ends up laughing with the killer, we are not. Those completely unfamiliar with the Midwest will find this an even better introduction than Garrison Keilor's NPR show. My wife's family is from Sully County, SD, so I can say from personal experience that life there really does move as slowly as portrayed, and people there really do work hard to avoid saying anything important directly. Yes, the murder occurs after a hundred pages of what a fast-paced big-city reviewer might dismiss as "introduction," but not a word is wasted.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I read all these reviews that said this book is wonderful. This sounds to be such an interesting mystery book with non stereotyped strong female character and my favorite first-person narrative. So I bought it. Well, I was disappointed. The main character is indeed sort of interesting, but the book is too slow for my taste. After the author mentioned the murder at Prolog, nothing really occur for a long time. Perhaps some people will enjoy reading about the interaction between characters in DETAIL, but for me, a 240-page mystery novel that doesn't present main conflict until page 110 cannot be qualified as an engaging mystery story. I understand there is a need to set everything up... but half of the book? All I can say is that I am selling this novel to the local used bookstore. The book description is too misleading. If you want to read good, fast-paced mystery, skip this book (I recommand Janet Evanovich's "One for the Money" instead). ...
Rating:
Summary: I don't find it great
Review: I read all these reviews that said this book is wonderful. This sounds to be such an interesting mystery book with non stereotyped strong female character and my favorite first-person narrative. So I bought it. Well, I was disappointed. The main character is indeed sort of interesting, but the book is too slow for my taste. After the author mentioned the murder at Prolog, nothing really occur for a long time. Perhaps some people will enjoy reading about the interaction between characters in DETAIL, but for me, a 240-page mystery novel that doesn't present main conflict until page 110 cannot be qualified as an engaging mystery story. I understand there is a need to set everything up... but half of the book? All I can say is that I am selling this novel to the local used bookstore. The book description is too misleading. If you want to read good, fast-paced mystery, skip this book (I recommand Janet Evanovich's "One for the Money" instead). ...
Rating:
Summary: Taylor speaks to the Midwest woman!
Review: Kathleen Taylor actually wrote a couple of books prior to Funeral Food, but read this one first--it is a good introduction to Tory Bauer and her unique family of characters. Tory is a middle-aged, overweight, not extremely ambitious but very well-read and sensuous rural South Dakota native. A waitress at the Delphi Cafe, she somehow gets involved in some sticky situations where she cannot seem to leave a mystery unsolved. If you enjoy Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels, Joan Hess' Claire Malloy and Marne Davis Kellogg's Lily Bennett novels, you will enjoy Tory Bauer. Not quite as exciting as Evanovich, nor nearly as wealthy in status as Davis Kellogg (or Sophie Dunbar) writes about, Taylor's series speaks to most middle-working-class women of America. Be aware, however, the values of the Bible Belt are often overlooked here and Tory faces constant internal struggles throughout the series.
Rating:
Summary: Taylor speaks to the Midwest woman!
Review: Kathleen Taylor actually wrote a couple of books prior to Funeral Food, but read this one first--it is a good introduction to Tory Bauer and her unique family of characters. Tory is a middle-aged, overweight, not extremely ambitious but very well-read and sensuous rural South Dakota native. A waitress at the Delphi Cafe, she somehow gets involved in some sticky situations where she cannot seem to leave a mystery unsolved. If you enjoy Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels, Joan Hess' Claire Malloy and Marne Davis Kellogg's Lily Bennett novels, you will enjoy Tory Bauer. Not quite as exciting as Evanovich, nor nearly as wealthy in status as Davis Kellogg (or Sophie Dunbar) writes about, Taylor's series speaks to most middle-working-class women of America. Be aware, however, the values of the Bible Belt are often overlooked here and Tory faces constant internal struggles throughout the series.
Rating:
Summary: The real deal.
Review: Now this is a murder mystery worthy of the name. Richly drawn characters, a skillfully constructed plot and an ending which cannot possibly be forseen add up to make Funeral Food a terrific read. And as if all this weren't enough, the reader is treated to an unsentimental portrayal of life in small town America that rings true. Kathleen Taylor can write with the best of them.
Rating:
Summary: No murder till page 109
Review: Readers of McKevett and Joan Hess might like it. Enthusiasts for the hardboiled or the classic mystery might hate it. The body of the young Mormon missionary isn't found until page 109, although we're told on page one that he's going to be the victim. I think we're supposed to be reading this for the South Dakota small town atmosphere, which is well described, and for the overweight overworked waitress heroine, who is a great character. Some good sex scenes (try page 146).
Plot believability is a problem, not so much in the main plot as the sub-plot. In one scene Bauer fails to recognize a man who talks to her and kisses her because he's wearing a Santa Claus outfit.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Start to a Great Series!
Review: The best thing about the Tory Bauer series isn't the cast of amazingly lifelike characters, the thrill of the mystery, the snarky humor or the pearls of insight that begin each chapter - it's the incredible sense of place and cohesiveness that make Delphi, SC feel as familiar as your own hometown. When reading this book you will truly feel as if you know the sarcastic, insightful Tory. The characters literally leap off of the page. Who hasn't known a sexpot like Del, or an annoying know-it-all like Junior? Anyone who has lived in a small town knows that behind the monotonous exterior, a world of activity, secrets, and desires is brimming. Taylor has crafted an amazingly real world and injected it with a good deal of keen insight, warmth, and humor. A great cozy mystery for a rainy night.
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