On my recent book tour I had the pleasure of visiting Traci Andrighetti and picked up a copy of her book Limoncello Yellow. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and wanted to review it as a reader and a writer.
As a reader: I’ve been to New Orleans countless times. After reading Limoncello Yellow, I want to go back. Ms. Andrighetti really touched on the best parts of the town-the people and … the food. The book opens with Franki Amato, a patrol woman with a disgusting, gassy, condescending idiot of a partner. I liked her from that scene on. She goes on to join her best friend Veronica in a PI firm in New Orleans. I enjoyed the mystery as it traveled through the worlds of fashion, Italian families, Catholicism and Voodoo. Franki and Ronnie must solve a murder that revolves around a Limoncello scarf , meanwhile Franki is constantly dodging Italian suitors sent her way by her well-meaning Nana. Just hilarious! I can’t wait to see what happens with Franki’s love life in the next book 🙂
As a writer: I loved the characters in this book. My favorite was Glenda the good stripper. She was so well described as a ancient woman walking around in stripper clothes and then Andrighetti backed her up with a house where she rented rooms decorated like the inside of a bordello. I got to the point where I hoped she would be in another scene. I could even hear her gutteral over-smoked voice.
In contrast we had a Goth-dressing messed up teenager, a voodoo queen with some wonderful dialogue, and Franki’s Italian family. These characters were vivid and clearly illustrated. There were things about Franki that I liked as a main character. She isn’t skinny, she isn’t young and she emotionally eats. She also has a great eye for clues and her police training comes to the front when she needs it. How could I not love a woman who buys six lemon pastries planning to eat them all in one sitting? I would if I could, Franki!
The pacing of the mystery had a good flow and keeps you turning the pages. I loved the clue Franki picked up on with the picture of Stuart and how it was used to lead to the climax. Great read!
I give this book 5 Stars!