The Vicious Vet (Agatha Raisin Mysteries)

Book Description

Beloved author M.C. Beaton has delighted readers and fans alike with her Agatha Raisin mysteries. Now here is the second novel in the series that started it all...A PURR-FECT CRIME IN THE COTSWOLDSFormer London PR agent, Agatha Raisin still hasn't adjusted to village life where the only prospect for a hot evening out is a meeting of the Ladies Society. And since her overtures toward James Lacey-the retired military man next door-have failed, Agatha jumps at the chance to visit the new vet, who's single and good-looking. Although Agatha's tabby hasn't a thing wrong with him, Hodge endures having a thermometer shoved up his bum in the name of romance. Unfortunately his sacrifice is all for naught when the vet is soon found dead next to a high-strung horse.The police call the vet's demise a freak accident, but Agatha convinces the hard-to-get James Lacey, who's also bored in the Cotswolds, that playing amateur detective might be fun. Unfortunately, just like curiosity killed the cat, Agatha's inept snooping is soon a motivation for murder.... "Anyone interested in a few hours' worth of intelligent, amusing reading will want to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Agatha Raisin."The Cleveland Plain Dealer"I simply love mysteries that have all the requirements necessary to make them great-the characters, the action, the plots, and that thing we call humanity. Beaton has them all inspades."Tulsa World

Customer Reviews:

Agatha Raisin's second mystery.......2007-08-29

If you are an Agatha Raisin fan this is book number 2. This mystery series is good reading out of order but better if you read them in order. It is a twist on the Miss Marple series and set in the countryside of England. This series is addicting... what will Agatha solve next?

Agatha Acquires a Detecting Partner.......2007-06-18

Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet (Veterinarian) is the second book in the Agatha Raisin series of mysteries by M. C. Beaton, author of the highly acclaimed Hamish Macbeth mysteries. If you haven't yet read the first book in the series, Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, I suggest you read that book before taking on Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet. The earlier book is a very strong introduction to this series: You'll like Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet much better if you have read the earlier book first.

As Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet opens, Agatha Raisin is frustrated by her unsuccessful pursuit of James Lacey, her handsome bachelor neighbor. Having heard that Lacey was off to the Bahamas for a vacation, Agatha headed there, too, only to find no James Lacey in situ. Returning to Carsely in the English Cotswolds, she's upset to learn that Lacey changed his plans for the Bahamas after learning that Agatha was scheduled to be there as well. He doesn't even answer his door when she stops by.

But she's mildly curious to learn about the new vet that the women at the Carsely Ladies Society are gushing over. Surely, her cat, Hodge, can provide an excuse. Imagine Agatha's surprise when a long wait to see Paul Bladen, the vet, leads to a dinner invitation. Her plans are foiled, however, by a winter storm, an accident, and a call to Bladen's home that encounters someone who claims to be his wife. But there is good news: James Lacey helps her after an accident.

In a separate story line, Agatha finds herself courted by James Pomfret who wants to open a new PR agency. Agatha is very impressed that Pomfret has two prestigious clients in tow . . . and must decide whether to invest her savings into this little venture. Disturbed by her failures with James Lacey and the setback with Paul Bladen, Agatha is seriously inclined to take up her old life in London. In the process, she finds herself acquiring a second cat.

Into the breach comes her good friend, Detective Sergeant Bill Wong, who wisely counsels a careful background check of Pomfret and taking it slower with James Lacey. On her own, she decides to confront Bladen about why he asked her out to dinner when he was married. Bladen offers an excuse and Agatha accepts a second dinner invitation. The date goes well (except for the wretched restaurant), and Agatha finds herself with the opportunity for romance. But before matters can progress much further, Bladen is found dead . . . having received an injection of a deadly poison that is used on horses. The police conclude it's an accident, but Agatha decides it would be fun to investigate anyway. In the process, she acquires a partner who enjoys turning over mysterious occurrences almost as much as she does.

Inevitably, this book will mostly be compared to Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death. The character development in that story was much better than this one, and the mystery was a little more satisfying to solve. Also, the predicament of being an embarrassed incomer made for a better nonmystery story line in that book. Agatha as a pursuer of men in Vicious Vet is portrayed mainly a series of virtual pratfalls as her aggressive nature gets her into what are more annoyingly awkward than funny situations. Vicious Vet's main virtue is that the character of James Lacey is developed into what could become a whole person eventually.

Unless you hated Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death, you'll probably find Vicious Vet to be an enjoyable, if somewhat disappointing, read.

Don't Mess with Agatha.......2007-04-19

#2 in the series. I love Agatha Raisin. This is a no holds barred woman that says what she thinks and lets the pieces fall where they may. Once again Agatha has found a murder where no one else sees one. She is still after James Lacey and Bill Wong is still a step behind. The new Carsley vet is found dead in a stable, but there seems to be too many women that wanted to see him gone so where do you begin. It is up to Agatha and her cats to save the day.

All the makings of a great mystery are present in the wonky world of Agatha Raisin!.......2007-02-28

Agatha Raisin may be a former London PR agent, but the educated retiree is still having trouble making the adjustment from big-city life to small-town village living. In the city, Agatha had the ability to partake in all sorts of exciting outings at the drop of a hat, but in her new village home, the biggest prospect she has for an adventurous night out is taking in a meeting of the local Ladies Society. Of course, Agatha is not one interested in sitting around discussing idle gossip, and even the decadent desserts offered during these meetings don't tempt her as much as you'd think. After all, Agatha wants nothing more than to spend her evenings alone with the dashing retired military man, James Lacey, who lives next door. However, as he refuses to return her affections, Agatha sets her sights on the new veterinarian, Paul Bladen, who happens to be absolutely scrumptious and single to boot! Sure, Agatha's tabby, Hodge, has absolutely nothing wrong with him, but, when visiting a vet, it's important to have a pet by your side, so Hodge is dragged into the office, only to endure one of the most gruesome, nasty physical exam's of his life. Paul Bladen has absolutely no bedside manner when it comes to animals, and his gruff treatment of the delicate Hodge is enough to send Agatha, as well as many other villagers into an uproar. Their cries of dismay, however, are not heard for long, for the handsome vet is soon found dead next to a horse that is a little too high-strung for comfort. The police refuse to call Paul Bladen's death anything more than a freak accident, but Agatha is sure that foul play is somehow involved, and resolves to solve the case herself. When she mentions her thoughts to James Lacey, however, she learns that he's just as interested in getting to the bottom of this mystery (as well as to avoid writing his newest book), and is soon traipsing around the Cotswolds alongside Agatha, as her delectable sidekick. Unfortunately, while playing amateur detective may be a fun game for the two retirees, Agatha soon realizes that her newest quest may be putting her in danger. Danger that could leave her in the exact same position as Paul Bladen...dead as a doornail.

While I have experienced the Scottish Highlands alongside M.C. Beaton's Hamish MacBeth, I had never delved into the village-life of Mrs. Agatha Raisin, until THE VICIOUS VET caught my eye at the bookstore just recently. From page one it is evident that Agatha Raisin is a spunky broad, whose quest for love is hilarious; while her sleuthing skills leave much to be desired. Agatha is a humorous character, who mixes elements of Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, and Auntie Mame together to create a nutty concoction of fun and fluff - which is exactly what her personality is. While Agatha's slightly silly pursuit of James Lacey oft-times borders on the ridiculous, and mimics a teenage crush; her clueless ways more than make up for her bizarre gallivants, and make her an endearing character who you can't help but welcome into your home with open arms. Beaton's ability to make Agatha, a middle-aged woman, appeal to readers both young and old is amazing, and truly illustrates her ability to bridge the gap between generations; while her descriptions of small-town village life are spot-on, and truly showcase just how quickly news travels when you're a part of a tight-knit community. All the makings of a great mystery are present in the wonky world of Agatha Raisin!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

A Good Light Read.......2006-11-06

I picked this book up the other day--in preference to all the "serious" books in my "to-be-read" pile--because I was in the mood for an amusing mystery. And, as always, M. C. Beaton delivered.

Agatha Raisin and neighbor--and, in Agatha's mind, potential love interest--James Lacey join forces as amateur detectives, this time to solve the murders of a vet and a local woman. Let's just say they aren't Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys. But, as inept as they may be, they deliver a mystery-solver's tour of the Cotswold "hot spots" as they stumble deeper and deeper into trouble.

Take this one to the beach or read it on a rainy afternoon.

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Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8CSCQ

Average customer rating:

Agatha Raisin And The Vicious Vet
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NY4RQQ

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Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: Ivy Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000SBZ72C

Average customer rating:

Beauty is Just Skin Deep!

Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet

Manufacturer: CONSTABLE & ROBINSON
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GM4LXY

Customer Reviews:

Beauty is Just Skin Deep!.......2006-07-25

Agatha Raisin returns in the 2nd book in this cozy mystery series. Still living in a small village in the Cotswolds of England, Agatha tries to keep herself occupied and to catch James Lacey's attentions. When a handsome new vet sets up a practice nearby, Agatha finds herself among his many female admirers. However, when the vet is found dead with a lethal shot meant for a horse, Agatha is the only one who truly believes it was murder. She sets out to find the murderer, but is too late to save a second victim. In true Agatha fashion, she stumbles on the murderer, and must save herself in the process.

I completely enjoy the Agatha Raisin series and look forward to the antics of Agatha in each new release. Agatha's sharp tongue, impetuous attitude, and desire to attract a handsome man makes for some hilarious situations. I laughed out loud several times while reading this book, and found it easy to find the "true, lovable" Agatha beneath the frosty exterior. If you enjoy reading cozy mysteries, you need to read this series!

The first book in the series is "Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death". Enjoy!

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Agatha Raisin and Vicious Vet
M. C. Beaton
Manufacturer: St Martins Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OT2MOE

Average customer rating:

very captivating
Summerblood
Anne Rudeen
Manufacturer: Warner Books, Incorporated
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0446825352

Customer Reviews:

very captivating.......2005-02-24

this is an excellent book! the whole story catches you and keeps you reading. You will feel for the characters. everytime you read it you will learn something new!

Average customer rating:

One big problem
good but not great!

Summerblood
Tom Deitz
Manufacturer: Spectra
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Fantasy | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0553582062
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Book Description

In this stirring sequel to the epic dramas Bloodwinter and Springwar, a new king must strive to heal a war-torn land, master a dangerous and world-altering magic, and defeat a secret and fanatical religious sect that will stop at nothing to gain total power.

Peace has come to the realm of Eron, and with it a new High King: young, inexperienced Avall, victor in the war against Ixti, sole possessor of the magical gems taken from the mines of the frozen north. But as Eron attempts to heal from the bloody conflict and a devastating plague, unrest once again grips this troubled land, stirred up by a secret cabal of powerful priests who call themselves the Ninth Face.

Avall struggles to quell the unrest and to understand and control the boundless magic of the mysterious gems. At the same time, his twin sister, Merryn, must make her own arduous journey a step ahead of those who would gladly claim her life. But it is the fanatical leaders of the Ninth Face who pose the greatest danger. They have put in motion a deadly plan to drive Avall from the throne, destroy the power of the noble clans, and take possession of the gems themselves–all in the name of their unbending god. For Eron the choice is stark indeed: an imperfect and inexperienced king...or the tyranny of the righteous.

Customer Reviews:

One big problem.......2003-09-05

There is a gaping plot hole is "Summerblood". Here's what happens. It picks up shortly after where "Springwar" left off. The good guys in Eron have driven off the bad guys from Ixti, and now they're settling down to the business of running a kingdom. Their first order of business is to have the magic regalia taken away from the capitol and hidden somewhere in the mountains. Why? The explanation provided doesn't really make any sense, and I was left with the impression that Deitz threw that twist into the book solely because he couldn't come up with any other way to create an interesting plot for the last two volumes of the series.

I'm torn about how to respond to "Summerblood", because other than that distraction, Deitz maintains the generally high quality level from "Bloodwinter" and "Springwar". Characters remain realistic, pacing remains fast, writing remains solid. There is one scene close to the middle of the book that is particularly noteworthy for its effectiveness. However, there's no getting away from the fact that the characters here sometimes act like idiots just because the plot requires them to, a tactic usually associated with the weakest authors. So I have to agree with the other reviewer who described this as the poorest book in the series.

good but not great!.......2001-05-09

This was decent fantasy novel but I thought it was probably the weakest in the series.Once again Deitz takes us to the war-torn land of Eron where Avall the war hero and reluctant young king must try to find ways rule his country by keeping the various clans happy.But Avall's problems become worse when a fanatical clan called the Priest cult plots to overthrow him and seize the magical jems that Avall used to defeat Ixians in the war.The problem I had with the book is that the characters behaved in stupid matter and even though the priest cult was suitable fanatical in the aims they were poor villians in comparision to King Baraxx from the previous two books.

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Summerblood A Tale of Eron
Tom Deitz
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000V8DQKW

Book Description

At last! This special cookbook puts flavor and choice back on the menu for people with diabetes and their families
Betty Crocker, America's most trusted friend in the kitchen, has teamed up with the International Diabetes Center (IDC)--one of the leading medical centers--to create an indispensable source of easy-to-make recipes and up-to-the-minute food and nutrition information for the growing numbers of people who have diabetes, more than 15 million of them.
Here is the first cookbook to include recipes featuring Carbohydrate Choices--the new, simplified approach to meal planning recommended by the American Diabetes Association. For people who find diet exchanges too hard, too limiting or too much work, this new method is a real breakthrough. Each of the book's 140 recipes shows the number of Carbohydrate Choices per serving, so that planning the rest of the meal is easy. From Old-Time Beef and Vegetable Stew to Creamy Vanilla-Caramel Cheesecake, the recipes are made with everyday ingredients, including sugar. No food groups or ingredients are left out, so there's no need for anyone to feel deprived or restricted to a special diet. Food exchanges are also included, making it easy for those who still count calories.
Betty Crocker's Diabetes Cookbook is also packed with expert medical and nutrition tips from Dr. Richard Bergenstal, an endocrinologist and diabetes doctor, and two registered nurses--invaluable for the newly diagnosed as well as for those who have been coping with diabetes for years. Throughout the book, real-life advice from people who have diabetes offers inspiration and great ideas on dealing with this chronic disease. When it comes to eating and living with diabetes, people need guidance and advice they can trust.

Customer Reviews:

LOVED this book!.......2007-10-03

My husband is diabetic and I have been trying hard to find recipes that are good and quick and easy. I FINALLY found a GREAT cookbook that does that! (leave it to Betty Crocker!) I grew up with the same Betty Crocker cookbook that was passed down from my grandmother to my mother and so on... and now Betty has done it again! These recipes are wonderful, and easy to use! I just wish there were more Diabetic cookbooks by Betty Crocker! This is a GREAT book to have!

The Best Diabetes Cookbook Ever!.......2007-10-02

The Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook is just as fantastic as the regular Betty Crocker Cookbook. The pictures are mouth-watering, the recipes are easy to follow, and they taste wonderful! My husband, who is diabetic, found it hard to believe they were from a diabetes cookbook. If you are diabetic and buy just one cookbook, buy this one!! If you don't have diabetes but are trying to eat healthy, this is the book for you. I recommend it whole heartedly!

Betty Crocker Diabetes Cookbook.......2007-09-27

Nothing at all wrong with the finished food. But the book is only good if you are rich and have plenty of time to shop. The women who presented the meals obviously fit into both categories. If they were just regular people (like the name, Betty Crocker, is supposed to represent) they would not have said that these are quick and easy to prepare.

Betty Crocker's Diabetes Cookbook: Everyday Meals, Easy as 1-2-3.......2007-08-24

Whether you are diabetic or not, this cookbook has some great meals that are easy to cook and taste good too.

Great Book.......2007-08-14

I really liked this cookbook. I was impressed by the speed at which it arrived at my door. For a "used" book it was in excellent condition. Thanks!!!

Betty Crocker's Diabetes Cookbook: Everyday Meals, Easy as 1-2-3

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Betty Crocker's Diabetes Cookbook: Everyday Meals, Easy as 1-2-3

Manufacturer: Rodale Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1594863164

Betty Crocker Tackles Diabetes: Carbohydrates are down for the count with new diabetic recipes the whole family can enjoy.(Food In The News)(Book Review): An article from: Saturday Evening Post

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Betty Crocker Tackles Diabetes: Carbohydrates are down for the count with new diabetic recipes the whole family can enjoy.(Food In The News)(Book Review): An article from: Saturday Evening Post

Manufacturer: Saturday Evening Post Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Tanita BC533 Glass Innerscan Body Composition Monitor

ASIN: B0007URBZ0
Release Date: 2005-07-13

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Saturday Evening Post, published by Saturday Evening Post Society on July 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1251 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Betty Crocker Tackles Diabetes: Carbohydrates are down for the count with new diabetic recipes the whole family can enjoy.(Food In The News)(Book Review)
Publication: Saturday Evening Post (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2004
Publisher: Saturday Evening Post Society
Volume: 276 Issue: 4 Page: 50(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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An Informative Guide for Meat Lovers

This is an amazing books

If You Like Meat, Buy This Book

Steaks, Chops, Roasts & Ribs

Manufacturer: America's Test Kitchen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Meats | Meat, Poultry & Seafood | Cooking by Ingredient | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
Barbecuing & Grilling | Outdoor Cooking | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0936184787

Amazon.com

A fine whole tenderloin of beef is a great piece of meat to roast and serve on a special occasion, and is expensive enough it could give one pause at the open oven door--that great What If, as in what if I don't really know what I am doing. The editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine have settled the issue. It's all right here in Steaks, Chops, Roasts, and Ribs: Where the tenderloin can be found on the beef, whether to buy it untrimmed or not, how to roll and tie it for uniform roasting (including a sidebar on how to tie the butcher's knot), the best temperature at which to roast this cut of meat, and the length of time you can expect to wait beside the oven door. Having tested the process with 11 tenderloin roasts, these editors tell you all you need to know to get the results you want.

Steaks, Chops, Roasts, and Ribs opens with meat basics. If you know where a specific cut of meat comes from, you have a leg up on how best to cook the meat. Pork, lamb, veal, and beef are all covered. The buying information leads to a section on cooking basics. And then into the chapters. This isn't a book based so much on the kind of meat as on what you want to accomplish with any meat. The chapters cover steak (cooking outside and indoors), chops, cutlets, ground meat, ham, roasts, and more--polus there's a chapter on Rubs, Sauces, Salsa, and Gravy.

The pace is moderate and the information is thorough, both about the product, the technique, and the truth by experience about the tools you need to achieve success. There are hundreds of helpful line drawings and pages of color photos. And most important of all, 300 recipes that have been tested and retested by the people who invented the test kitchen. Steaks, Chops, Roasts, and Ribs is the meat eaters insurance policy. --Schuyler Ingle

Customer Reviews:

An Informative Guide for Meat Lovers.......2006-01-15

If you are not familiar with Cook's Illustrated magazine and their numerous cookbooks, let me introduce them to you. What they do is they take a recipe into their test kitchen, prepare it over and over again until they reach the very best way to make it, and then publish the recipe, along with a detailed report on their testing and how they arrived at their findings. This is a wonderful concept for the serious home cook and baker, because aside from their delicious (mostly) foolproof recipes, the cook is invited to learn the science behind the recipe, and this is a valuable learning tool. To me, the people behind Cook's Illustrated and their cookbooks are more than just a source of good recipes, they are EDUCATORS. And I have learned a great deal from them in the couple years that I have been exposed to them. "Steaks, Chops, Roasts and Ribs" is one of the wonderful cookbooks in the Cook's Illustrated series that I wholeheartedly recommend to the home cook who wants to learn more about the art of preparing various meats. Although some of the recipes within can be found in their much more comprehensive and all-encompassing cookbook "The New Best Recipe", this book stands apart if not solely for its wonderful and fully detailed section on the various cuts of meat. Every type and cut of meat imaginable is addressed in the beginning of the book, with a description of the cut, its alternate names, a rating of its flavor and an idea of its cost. There is also an informative section about the primal cuts of meat, what "branding" means and basic cooking methods. The information doesn't stop there, however, because scattered throughout the book are many other tidbits of information, like how to successfully make pan sauces, the best wines for cooking, product reviews, and helpful cooking illustrations. The recipes themselves (and their cooking methods) are varied enough to placate any home cook, from the grill maniac to the stew lover. There is something for everyone in this wonderful book. And unless you're already an expert on meat, I feel confident that you will learn something new from this book!

This is an amazing books.......2005-08-10

I first encounted this book in the library, I was attracted by the title. I was a little skeptical at first, thinking it would be extremely boring since there is no fancy picture in the book, but as I started reading it, I was amazed by the info in the book, they tell you every single detail involved to make sure everything turns out perfect. And they tell you the every single little things e.g. the science behind aging your beef...
Even my husband who never cook in the kitchen enjoys reading it. One of our favourite receipe is beef kebob. My family and friends were all amazed how tasy they are, and begging for receipe. I like the book so much, so I ended up ordering if from Amazon, and since then I have also ordered a few more book published by the same published. I would strongly recommended this book to everyone.

If You Like Meat, Buy This Book.......2005-01-11

In general, this book is reliable, complete, and extremely useful to anyone who eats meat more than once in a while. It is good addition to your bookshelf and recommended highly. The primary value of this book is completeness. No matter what type of meat or cut you have, there is a relevant chapter and recipes for it; this book covers it all. Systematically developing recipes for all types of meat must have been a daunting task. Although this book is seriously flawed, if you cook based on the wonderful piece of meat you got at the supermarket or butcher rather than cooking from a cookbook from a famous celebrity chef, this book is pretty much the only game in town and rather indispensable. My main warning about this book: the recipes are focused on the proper procedure and technique, not on what is easy or convenient; some of the fussiest recipes I have ever seen come from this meat cookbook (I will refrain from complaining about the futility of Yankees trying to cook oriental food, chili, or barbecue).

The authors have focused on those wonky little details that are usually glossed over and can make or break a good meat dish: correct breading technique, meat thickness, internal temperature, proper resting method, etc. The first part of the book has a valuable catalog of meat cuts. Each cut has alternate names, a drawing, and ratings for flavor and cost. Only professional references available to butchers are more comprehensive. The chapter organization based on cut (ground, steak, etc.) rather than the usual type of meat (lamb, beef, pork, veal) is a good educational tool: it emphasizes proper preparation technique rather than animal type. Some recipes have been successfully re-engineered (mock Cassoulet; Beef Wellington, halleluiah), while others (osso buco, pot au feu) are no better than the ones I got from Joy of Cooking.

Although this book is indispensable to everyone but vegetarians, there is plenty to criticize and much room for improvement.
1) The authors have bland, Yankee taste buds (Cook's Illustrated facilities are located in New England). Many of the dishes are boring and insipid, and their renovations amount to little more than cutting back on spices and flavors (steak au poivre and pan-based wine reduction sauces to name just two disappointments).
2) The procedures seem to be rather fussy; I doubt that their version of blanquette de veau is any better than the one I have prepared successfully several times in a number of different circumstances (Professional Cooking, Gisslen).
3) The book suffers from side-bar mania: putting important information in little asides in random places in the text where you will never find them if you try to look them up.
4) There is the problem with names: they vary greatly depending on which part of the country you are in, and this issue is never addressed (ask a butcher in California for a spencer steak or shell steak and you will get a blank stare unless he is an old-timer).
5) The chapter organization by type of cut and preparation method (e.g. stew, chops outdoors, skewers, etc.) is intellectually more satisfying than a traditional one based on meat type (beef, veal, pork, lamb), but is more difficult to use. If you come home from the supermarket with some meat you got on sale, you will have to thumb through several different chapters to find relevant recipes.
6) The catalog of meat types would have been more useful if it also included tenderness, preferred preparation method, and recommended best recipes.
7) There are a few cases of sloppy editing (dried fig ingredient in a lamb dish disappeared halfway through the recipe; title confusion of Au Jus versus Yorkshire Pudding; skillets that magically become roasting pans ; not telling whether accumulated oil should be drained or used in the next step; the page reference on p. 347 should be "350", not "35"; p. 384 has "see page 000").
8) The home made tonkatsu sauce (Japanese pork cutlet) is a terrible, grade school imitation of the real stuff.
9) One sidebar suggests a dangerous procedure: picking up an electric wok by the handle with one hand and scraping out ingredients with the other hand (woks, electric or otherwise, should never be picked up with one hand, even those with western style stick handles). To remove ingredients from a wok, use one of those funny, shovel shaped wok spatulas.
10) The recipes tend to be long and fussy. Working your way through multiple steps can be frustrating.
11) A "time to execute" for each recipe would have been useful for beginners, as some recipes take many hours (or even days) to execute from beginning to end.
12) Some of the recipes are diffcult and for seasoned carnivores only. A difficulty rating would have been useful.
13) Even though a plurality of recipes require a grill, the authors never cover which one to get (also for gas grill recipes). It is clear that the recipe procedures assume that you have a Weber kettle grill; the recipes make no sense for some other commonly available grills.

It has chapers on: steak (grilled and indoors), kabobs, chops (grilled and indoors), cutlets, stir fry, stew, pot roast, roast (grilled and indoors), chili, barbecue, burgers, cured pork, and sauces.

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Steaks, Chops, Roasts & Ribs
Parragon Publishing
Manufacturer: Parragon Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1405460393

Product Description

One of lifes great joys is a hearty meal of delicious, good quality meat. This book is dedicated to the most tender cuts of meat and the tastiest of dishes. Steaks, Chops, Roasts & Ribs has the answer for every social occasion and taste; a family lunch, nibbles for an evening of fun or a simple dish to brighten the middle of the week.

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Steaks, Chops, Roasts and Ribs
Westly Sussex
Manufacturer: Parragon Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1405457511

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