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IT CANNOLI BE MURDER, the second book in the Italian Chef Mysteries by Catherine Bruns, is another delicious addition to a delectable series. Ms. Bruns crafts an intriguing tale featuring Tessa Esposito, a fledgling Italian restaurant owner. Tessa has had a heartbreaking year after losing her husband and she’s trying to recover while moving forward with their dream of opening a restaurant featuring her award winning Italian dishes. The author captures the angst of Tessa which brings an emotional element into the story. Ms. Bruns also has a strong descriptive voice that conveys the sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes of Tessa’s cooking along with the setting to make the reader feel like they’re right there, experiencing everything alongside her. With strong character development, Tessa and her cousin, Gabby, have great chemistry together. I greatly enjoyed watching the plot unfold as they work as a team to clear their names while their repartee brings some humor to the book.
Ms. Bruns writes a tightly plotted mystery involving Gabby’s old high school mean-girl nemesis, an egotistical best-selling author, his arrogant wife, and a detective that has his sights set on Tessa and Gabby. There were suspects aplenty and the author uses a creative method for the murder. As the story unfolded I found myself drawn in and suffered from the “just one more page” syndrome until the late hours of the night. But it was well worth it as the twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat until the surprise reveal!
Tessa is a trained chef and makes all sorts of delicious foods and delectable desserts. As a reader, I was practically drooling over the yummy descriptions and I was happy that Ms. Bruns includes recipes at the back of the book. I had the honor of creating the recipe for Cinnamon Chip Biscotti for this book. The biscotti has been a long-time Christmas favorite of my family and friends. The generous amounts of ground cinnamon along with the sweet-spicy bit of the cinnamon chips are complemented by the crunchy cookie base. While these might take some extra time to double bake the biscotti, the batch makes a plentiful amount to share with grateful friends. These store well in an airtight container for three weeks, so you can enjoy them dipped in tea, coffee, or hot cocoa for a sweet treat.
Amazon Synopsis
Six months after her husband’s death, Tessa Esposito is hoping to drum up reservations for her restaurant’s grand opening. And since a signing with bestselling author, Preston Rigotta, is sure to draw a crowd, Tessa agrees to cater her cousin’s bookstore event—whipping up some of her famous Italian desserts. But the event soon takes a sour turn when Preston’s publicist, an old high school rival, arrives and begins to whisk up their old grudges.
That night, a fight breaks out in front of the crowd, and it becomes clear there’s bad blood in Harvest Park. And when the publicist is found dead on the bookstore floor the next morning, a stray cannolo at her side, Tessa knows who will be framed as the prime suspect.
To clear both her cousin’s and her own name, Tessa must investigate the murder. But Preston’s publicist has many secrets to hide, and in the end, the truth is bittersweet…
A special thanks to Catherine Bruns for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of IT CANNOLI BE MURDER! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 1/2 cup (4 ounces) butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (7 ounces) granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2-1/2 cups (11 ounces) all-purpose flour (use the lightly spoon & level method)
- 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cinnamon chips
- 1/2 cup cinnamon chips*
- 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening
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In the bowl of a standing mixer beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until thoroughly blended. Add vanilla and blend.
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In a separate bowl, whisk flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder together. Slowly add to butter mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly incorporated.
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Stir in the cinnamon chips.
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Leaving the dough in the mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees (F).
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Divide dough into four equal pieces and shape into logs about 8 – 10 inches long. Long & skinny logs are better than short & wide logs since the dough spreads while baking. If needed, spritz your hands with non-stick cooking spray while handling the dough.
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Place on parchment lined baking sheets, 2 logs per sheet approx. 8 inches apart. Slightly flatten the logs then bake 25 – 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Be aware if you prick a cinnamon chip it won’t give you an accurate read. Try to get the dough only.
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Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet at least 30 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and cut logs crosswise into 1/2 inch wide slices. A serrated bread knife works best.
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Place slices, cut side down, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Return to oven and bake 6 minutes at 325 degrees (F). Turn each slice over and bake an addition 7 to 9 minutes, until slightly golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes on baking sheet then remove and let completely cool on wire rack. Biscotti will harden as they cool.
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Be sure to use cinnamon chips for this. Cinnamon Sweet Bits* won't work.
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In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt cinnamon chips with 1 teaspoon vegetable shortening for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. If necessary, heat in additional 10 second increments, stirring well each time. (Be careful not to overheat.) Pour the cinnamon chip mixture into a piping bag fitted with a small circle tip (or use a small zipper seal bag with the corner cut off). Drizzle over the biscotti. Allow the drizzle to set before storing in an airtight container.
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Without drizzle, biscotti will last for 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container away from heat. If drizzle is added, consume within 3 days.
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*Hershey’s makes cinnamon chips but I typically only find them during the holidays at my local grocery store. King Arthur Flour carries Cinnamon Sweet Bits and can be mail ordered year-round.
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These sturdy cookies are excellent for shipping to family and friends!
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I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have not had an opportunity to visit an book signing. No authors have come to central MO.
Thank you for the opportunity to win your book. The recipe sounds yummy. Love to dip biscotti in tea or coffee. madamhawk at gmail dot com
Congrats on the new book – sounds great!
I have not attended a book signing. I live far from a bookstore so it’s just not been an option. I’m loving the virtual events, and hope once we get past the pandemic some of those continue.
I attended a book signing once for Sophie Kinsella, and I didn’t even have the book because my credit card had been hacked and I didn’t receive the new card yet, and I had no cash!
I would love to attend a book signing by one of my favorite authors some day. Virtual “signings” are pretty cool because you can attend from anywhere!
I have never attended one but would like to.
I have attended several book signings and author talks.
I have been able to attend 2 book signings but would like to attend more. I have been looking forward to reading this book. I also need to try this recipe. Thanks for the chance!
I have attended one about a year ago. It was at a bookstore in Pittsburgh PA and featured authors Amanda Flower and Christin Brecher. It was very nice and lots of fun! That recipe for biscotti looks delicious! Gonna try it! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have attended a few author bookstore signing events. Most recently, a signing for Ellie Alexander last fall. Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes, I have.
I have attended a few (YEARS ago). Not many authors come to my area 🙁
I love when books contain recipes from the story. These biscotti look amazing!
In the past I did attend author signing events. I moved 25 years ago to an area where attendance was not possible.
No I haven’t and I was so hoping to this year but Covid-19 happend so I will just have to wait like everyone else!
I always want to attend author events, talks and fairs, but never seem to make it. Maybe next year!
I have been to I think only one book signing – for a children’s book. I live in a small town so not a lot of book signings happen here.
Just love this series of yours I read Penne Dreadful and just loved it left reviews and have talked about it since I read it. Thank you so much for giving away a print copy of the next one so excited !
Love to win a copy of the book. I don’t have a pinterest acct. Can I enter the contest anywas?
Kathleen, by all means enter using the Rafflecopter which gives you several ways to enter. Good luck!
I miss being able to go to in person author events.
When we lived in the NYC area we used to go to signings at Books of Wonder in The Village.
We met JKRowling there, before she was really known in the USA.
Biscotti is so amazing with coffee or tea!! I like all kinds, but this one sounds scrumptious!!
This is for Cannolli book which looks great! I love Italian cookies – Stella D’Oro and Pizzelles are two of my favorite store boughts as I can’t bake much anymore.
I have never attended a book signing. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
I have only attended two, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Christine Feehan!
I have attended a few over the years. Thanks for the recipe I love Biscotti! Thanks for the chance!
No, I’ve never attended one.
I’ve never been to a book signing event. Thanks for your great generosity.
i have attended a couple of book signings.
i have attended a couple of book signings.
I haven’t lived close enough to them to attend but would like to.
I have never attended a book signing event. Thanks for the chance. The cover is cute and the book sounds like a good mystery.
Years ago I did attend several book signings, a couple at a library, 2 at a bookstore and 3 at a festival. Congrats on the book Catherine! Yum on the Cinnamon Chip Biscotti recipe Kim!!!
No I haven’t attended bookstore author signing events. Thank you for the chance to win a print copy of It Cannoli Be Murder.
I have never attended a bookstore author signing.
I’ve been to a lot of author book signings. I look forward to meeting Catherine as she lives close to me. ?
I’ve never been to a book signing but I would love to!
I have been lucky enough to attend author events at a bookstore. A few at a big chain and a few at an indie bookstore.
I don’t live in an area where there have been book signings, so, no.
I have not ever attended a bookstore signing. My town only has a used bookstore but I would love to attend if we had one! Thanks for the chance!
Maybe – but I can’t remember that long ago!
I have never attended a book signing, but I was planning on attending one in April in St. Augustine.
Book signings don’t usually come to my town. I do hope to attend one sometime now that I am retired!
I have never attended an author book signing but I would love to one day.
We no longer have any bookstores in this town of 15,000 but several years ago, a couple authors did do book signings here. I was able to attend both of them.
Never have been but really want to some day.
I have attended signings by Beverly Lewis and Colleen Coble, both at a now closed bookstore in my town. Also, I really like the title for this book, it looks like a lot of foodie mysterious fun!
I haven’t had the chance to yet.
I have never attended an author book signing event, but I have always wanted to. Thank you for sharing the recipe, and for this chance!
I attended one signing event when I lived in MA of Daniel Palmer, son of Michael Palmer. He came to our library. I had just had neck surgery a few weeks ago but I wanted to go so bad as I love his books. I talked my husband into dropping me off and I stuck up like a sore thumb with my hard neck brace. But Daniel was very gracious and appreciative that I wanted to meet him so bad that he gave me first choice of the books he brought with him and he personalized them for me. I found out he was living in the town next to where I grew up. There are so many authors that I would love to meet if only for a moment. Thank you so much for this chance!!
I have attended an author signing but it aas a long time ago. I need to do it again!
I have not had an opportunity to attend a book signing and hope to some day in the future. This book sounds really interesting and can’t wait to read it. Thanks and good luck
I haven’t attended a book signing yet but hope to some day
I didn’t even know you could buy cinnamon chips but I have seen cinnamon candies. My mother use to melt them in hot water and add to buttercream frosting to make cinnamon frosting. She also put them in the cake mix to make it pink. This was her valentine cake recipe. Yummy!