Chili Con Corpses

I’ll admit, I rolled my eyes at the title—*Chili Con Corpses* screams ‘gimmick’—but Adams subverts expectations by making the cooking retreat a backdrop for something sharper. The murder mystery is solid (the victim’s a smug food critic, so the suspect pool is satisfyingly deep), but the real hook is the Flab Five’s interpersonal drama. James’ anxiety over Lucy’s waning affection feels painfully real, and White’s narration amplifies it with a rawness that caught me off guard. She doesn’t just *read* his self-doubt; she *embodies* it, with a hesitant stutter here, a defensive snap there. It’s a performance that elevates the audiobook beyond its genre trappings. That said, the pacing isn’t perfect. The first hour meanders through cooking lessons and character catch-ups, which will delight series fans but may test newcomers’ patience. And while the culinary details are vivid (you’ll *smell* the cumin), a few red herrings feel forced—like the sudden focus on a minor character’s alibi that goes nowhere. Still, White’s ability to distinguish the large cast by voice alone (Lindy’s brash confidence vs. Nikki’s wry sarcasm) keeps the listen engaging. The climax, set during a chaotic cooking competition, is a standout, with White’s tempo mirroring the frenzy of knives, secrets, and a last-minute reveal that’s both surprising and earned. If you like your cozies with a side of emotional honesty—and a narrator who can sell both a joke and a heartache—this is your next listen.