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Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite
The Soufflé Also Rises by Lauren Johnson is the first book in the Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Series. When divorce takes Lizi’s husband, best friend, and even her dog away from her, she’s left with nothing, and losing her job shortly after is the icing on the cake. Taking a job at Whole Foods, 54-year-old Lizi makes some surprising friends, including Frankie, an artist half her age. A public humiliation involving her ex-husband sees her lose that job, but a win on the lottery and encouragement from Frankie see Lizi set off for Paris. Instead of rediscovering her forgotten dreams, Lizi gets involved in a mystery. An ex-convict and a missing yellow diamond lead Lizi into danger at every turn. Frankie arrives to help, but things have become more dangerous, and the two must outrun the Serbian mafia, tripping over bodies in their bid to escape. Will they solve the mystery, or are they about to become the next targets?
The Soufflé Also Rises by Lauren Johnson is a sharp, fun look at midlife reinvention. At times laugh-out-loud funny, it’s also an emotional journey from disaster to rediscovery. The main character, Lizi, is easy to relate to, with a personality that shouts from every page, and her story is enjoyable and moving in places. Her sidekick, Frankie, is also relatable and easy to like. It’s refreshing to have an intergenerational friendship at the center of the story, where the characters provide help and encouragement. The message is that it’s never too late to seize new chances. There's plenty of action here, and Lauren’s descriptive prose helps readers feel like they are there with Lizi. Themes of resilience, self-discovery, and new friendships make this a heartwarming read, perfect for anyone who loves a story about finding hope in the darkness mixed with a comedic crime caper. This wonderful combination made the book a true pleasure to read.
