Review by Sharon Marchisello

This week we have a review of the latest cozy mystery by Ang Pompano, along with an interesting interview with Ang. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Diet of Death by Ang Pompano

Review by Sharon Marchisello

Diet of Death is the first book in a new humorous cozy mystery series by Ang Pompano, and it will be interesting to see where he takes it.

The story is told in first person by Quincy Lazzaro, the amateur sleuth protagonist. Although he strives to become an investigative reporter, Quincy took a job ghost-writing a food column in a regional newspaper run by a friend. They never dreamed “Cooking with Betty” would become so successful, and it’s a closely guarded secret that Betty doesn’t exist. And that Quincy, “her assistant,” can’t even cook. He relies on his octogenarian Italian neighbor for recipes, along with a few left behind by his hostile ex-wife.

➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for more articles ⬅

Image Source Level Best Books

When the novel opens, the arrogant diet guru, Dr. Alan Tolzer, inventor of the Westport Diet, has requested a meeting with Betty. He wants her to plug his latest book touting an enhancement to the Westport Diet featuring Miracle Kopi Berries. Quincy shows up to “gather the information for the column on Betty’s behalf.” During Quincy’s visit, the doctor has several confrontations with various individuals: a disgruntled former employee, a fired spokesperson, an angry politician’s wife. Before Quincy gets a chance to conduct the interview, the famous diet doctor drops dead.

Quincy smells a story. Signs point to a heart attack, but if the diet was so great, why does the doctor who follows it have a heart condition? Stephen Richardson, Tolzer’s attorney and possible successor to take over the institute, and Dr. Bernard Lang, Tolzer’s personal physician, try their best to deflect his inquiries.

But the cause of death turns out to be worse than a heart attack. It’s murder. And Quincy keeps digging despite warnings to leave it alone.

This was a well-constructed mystery with an ample number of suspects, surprising relationships, and some motives that turned out to be red herrings. Quincy is an endearing character despite his flaws. I enjoyed his banter with his neighbor and emergency Betty stand-in, Mary Ticarelli, as well as his spars with his ex-wife, Brooke, and her new boyfriend, tennis pro Rob. And, in cozy fashion, there’s a dog, although he’s only present for the first half of the book.

There is also a love interest, which I can see continuing throughout the series. Quincy and Nina, the police officer in charge of the investigation, have a romantic history that might not be buried yet.

I enjoyed this fresh spin on the traditional cozy mystery. Recommended.

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer cat rescue mysteries published by Level Best Books, starting with Trap, Neuter, Die (2024). Her other mysteries were published by Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014), Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), and Murder at Leisure Dreams – Galapagos (2025). She has also written a nonfiction book (Live Well, Grow Wealth - 2018), travel articles, and short stories. She earned Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California and is active in Sisters in Crime. Sharon lives in Peachtree City, GA, where she does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society and the Fayette County Master Gardeners.

KRL News

Message History

Delivery option(s)