The Butter Did It : A Gastronomic Tale of Love and Murder

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Summary: Restaurant reviewing is a clandestine business
Review: As the Washington Post's restaurant critic for the past 20 years, I've grown accustomed to using an assumed name, investigating everything I eat, stealing menus and keeping my opinions under wraps. Thus it was a short step to writing mysteries. In inventing Chas Wheatley, Washington Examiner restaurant critic who unexpectedly becomes a sleuth, I also created a platform for the juicy stories of the restaurant world (here populated by real and imagined chefs), the lore of cooking and the lure of journalism. It gave me the opportunity to enjoy the dishes of my dreams with no overcooking, excessive salting or clashing flavors. And I could at last shine a spotlight on the people behind those meals I've been critiquing all these years. Chas Wheatley, unlike me, has been a chef--and the former lover of a superstar chef who suddenly dies in the prime of his career. The police consider his demise a "natural", but Chas suspects murder, so she plies a food-fanatic detective with fritto misto to enlist his cooperation. Her world is filled with chefs, headwaiters, reporters and a grown daughter who'd rather have "just a salad." Even the (real) White House pastry chef plays a role in solving the murder. But this is more than a murder mystery. It's a murder mystery that explains why you shouldn't order clam fritters for lunch on Monday, how to handle a supercilious waiter and what you'll need to prepare your own risotto, fat-free potato salad or chocolate-hazelnut calzone.

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Summary: There is alot of drooling even if you eat before reading
Review: Death of a great chef. Cause heart attack. But Chas Wheatly feels it is more than that. We get to read about great foods and life of a food critic. Keeps you guessing. Just when you think you might have it a curveball is thrown in. Hard to put down. Love the recipe at the end. Easy for us who are not chefs.

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Summary: Delicious fluff!
Review: For gastronomic mystery buffs, this is a must read. It's a light confection, but perfectly delicious on a rainy afternoon. Enjoy!

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Summary: A cullinary mystery that is a tasty treat
Review: Highly renowned Washington DC French cuisine chef Lawrence Levain runs the most popular restaurant in town. Only a seat at a White House dinner is harder to obtain (though some recent news reports during the campaign may prove that to be false). Chef Levain has the world by the frying pan until he suddenly dies of a heart attack. Everyone thinks the forty plus year old chef died from years of eating his own cooking, delicious foods loaded with cholesterol. Everyone that is except restaurant critic Chas Wheatley, who believes her ex-lover was murdered. ........ Chas decides to investigate the death of Lawrence. She starts by trying to wine and dine detective Homer Jones, a police officer who relishes his palate. However, the line-up of possible suspects is longer than the lines of people trying to get into the popular Chez Lawrence restaurant. Even though she may be placing herself in danger, Chas cannot let go of this case until the culprit receives his or her just deserts. ........ Culinary who-done-its are one of the fastest growing mystery sub-genre and in her debut novel, Phyllis Richman enriches the entire genre with a seven course gourmet novel. Chas is a wonderful amateur detective, but it is the insight into the world of food critics (Ms. Richman) that provides THE BUTTER DID IT with a unique tasty flavor. Harriet Klausner

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Summary: Insatiable read
Review: I am an insatiable reader and eater, so this book certainly satisfied both apetites! This mystery is witty with sardonic asides and pragmatic touches that relate to Washington, D. C., and especially to people and their relationships. One of its strongest points is the observation of the relationshipps, past and present, which are essential to the plot and forwarding its actions. This is an enjoyable summer-reading book.

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Summary: It was a fast moving, entertaining story
Review: I enjoyed reading Phyllis Richman's first murder mystery- so much so I hope she continues to write more. Having lived in the Washington area, I have enjoyed her restaurant reviews. I also like cooking. Combine murder mysteries with cooking and I'm hooked. The plot to "The Butter Did It" is well constructed and it has plenty of suspects. You learn a lot about the main character, food critic Chas Wheatley. She is not perfect, though. I have a hard time believing she loves to walk in Washington D.C. Traffic, construction and pollution make that difficult. Never mind, it's a good read.

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Summary: Swell book! Great characters, well written and about FOOD!
Review: I loved this book! It was very well written and flowed smoothly. Kept me guessing all the way to the end, always a plus. Each of the characters was likable, although they were all flawed (or real). Are there really that many sensitive men in the world? It was interesting to read the "behind the scenes" happenings of the restaurant world. And the descriptions of the food got my culinary juices going. The receipe at the end was a great touch. Can't wait for the next one!

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Summary: The Real McCoy
Review: I really enjoyed this debut effort by Phyllis Richman. As a DC transplant and wife of a native, Ms. Richman goes a long way in painting a detailed and accurate picture of the region I call home, even when peppered with fictitious places and landmarks. She also draws a fine mystery novel, encouraging readers to follow through on her false-leads, as far as her title character, Chas. While I did guess who the real murderer was pretty early on- this did not detract from my enjoyment of this novel and anticipation for her next entree'. Ms. Richman has taken such care with all of the character's close to Chas that I feel that I would know many of them if I encountered them on the Metro, the Mall, or Georgetown! I look forward to hearing more about Lily, Ari, Paul, Dave, Sherele, Homer, and Brian. Bravo!

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Summary: Former Washington Post Restaurant Critic Becomes Novelist
Review: Phyllis Richman is a many-faceted woman. She wrote restaurant reviews that were outstanding for The Washington Post. She has written articles for Gourmet Magazine. She has written several mysteries weaving the food scene with the storyline. Phyllis, when can we expect your next book and isn't there a screenplay in the offing? She also sits on the prestigious James Beard Committee for culinary awards. When I think of restaurants, I think of Phyllis Richman. Purchase this book; you won't be disappointed.

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Summary: Fabulous summer reading.
Review: Phyllis Richman, whose restaurant reviews have delighted me for decades, now comes out with the stories behind the foie gras. As someone who watched the Washington restaurant scene grow, I'm delighted by her authentic behind-the-scene look at the showbizzery of the restaurant world. Books are best when people write what they know, and Richman is the most knowledgeable, entertaining critic there is... who knew she could do fabulous fiction too