In Hollywood, the people you know define whom you are. In Madeline Bean's case, her connections have finally paid off. Her event-planning company has been chosen to serve breakfast to the visiting pope and 2,000 guests.
Madeline's former fiancé, Jesuit brother Xavier Jones is responsible for giving her the chance to host this ultimate party. While researching recipes, Madeline comes across a strange note tucked between the pages of a centuries-old cookbook. It appears to be a murder confession from within the Catholic Church.
Madeline shows the confession to Xavier in what turns out to be a fatal mistake. The Brother's young colleague is murdered and many members of the Catholic community are tied to the case.
Madeline decides to investigate. When she gets close to the truth, she finds her life in danger.
What is the story behind the confession? Is it related to the murder of a young priest? Can Madeline ensure the pope is not in danger and pull off the event of a lifetime? The answers to these questions can be found within the pages of Immaculate Reception.
This is the second installment in Jerrilyn Farmer's Madeline Bean series of catering mysteries. Due to circumstances the occurred in Sympathy for the Devil, Madeline sold her first catering company and started another which focuses on event planning. Her business partner, Wes, and employee, Holly, are still with her.
The papal breakfast preparation and accompanying murder mystery make up the plot. As with her first novel, Farmer dresses up this work with glorious descriptions of the food to be served. It is difficult to read the story on an empty stomach.
Also present is the celebrity name-dropping that occurs with any Hollywood setting. Controversial celebrities within the story have fictitious names, but real-life stars are casually sprinkled throughout the plot. This effect worked in Sympathy for the Devil because of the party setting. It does not work as well here.
Farmer should be given credit for creating such an original story line. Of the 500 or so other books I have read, I've yet to come across one that involves a papal mystery.
Some of the events in Immaculate Reception are far-fetched. There's a conspiracy theory involving a past pope, Nazis and murder. Devout folks may be offended. Realists may scoff. Others will just accept it as part of the story.
Farmer's second novel is a good enough read. I was hoping to learn more about Madeline Bean in this installment, but it wasn't meant to be. The author prefers to stick to the events of the story rather than the development of the characters. This is not a complaint, just an observation.
Like it's older sibling, Sympathy for the Devil, Immaculate Reception is a simple weekend read. The culinary aspect of the story is a fun angle. Settle down with some munchies and help Madeline Bean solve one holy heck of a mystery.
