Helpful Score: 2
Loved this novel about Bridget, who in 19th century NYC was reduced to being a pickpocket to help her mother and sister survive. Fate does have its twists and turns - and she becomes what today is called a personal chef-this in the home of a wealthy family! Not intriguing enough? Well - she finds a body in the kitchen and moves to the role of crime solver.
What adds to its interest, as one review said is "a melange of recipes, cooking hints, and tidbits of Manhattan history"
What adds to its interest, as one review said is "a melange of recipes, cooking hints, and tidbits of Manhattan history"
Helpful Score: 1
This is an historical cozy mystery set in 1860 New York. Very enjoyable read.
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable reading not requiring a lot of thinking along with some good recipes. This is a mom-readable book. In other words there is no sex, no swearing, and no explicit violence. This is a bit racier than "The cat who" books but not by much.
Helpful Score: 1
Bridget Heaney, an Irish immigrant, spent her childhood as a pickpocket to support herself and her sister. But ever since she started cooking at the orphanage, she knew she wanted to cook in one of the big houses in New York. She lands a job with wealthy department store owner Isaac Gold, but on her first day discovers a body hidden inside the dough box. It's Gold's son, who has been missing for a few days. Bridget's street sense takes her from cook to crime solver.
Very good book for mystery and food fans alike. An interesting glimpse into what it was like to work in a wealthy home in 1860s New York.
Very good book for mystery and food fans alike. An interesting glimpse into what it was like to work in a wealthy home in 1860s New York.
Helpful Score: 1
A melange of recipes, cooking hints, tidbits of Manhattan history and intrigue. Justice served with a home cooked meal.
Helpful Score: 1
I just finished this book and I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I ordinarily don't like mysteries but this one was fun. A great read!
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. It might not have been totally realistic, but I felt that it gave some historical perspective. It was very interesting, and the characters had depth. I liked the main character, of course, or I wouldn't have like the book.
1st in "the spice box" series.
Excellent Book. I loved her other series and this is just as good
Loved this story line. I was disapointed to learn that the other books have different characters
I hope they are just as good
I hope they are just as good
Enjoyable period mystery that spent time building the sense of the time - nice details.
This was a good mystery which I enjoyed. It took place in 1864 New York, with interaction between the Irish, Negroes, and Jews, against the backdrop of the Civil War.
After reading the description, I'm not so sure I would enjoy the next book in this series, which takes place much earlier in Europe. So I won't be looking got it.
There were a few not-quite-understandable comments the author placed in the book which I found disconcerting. In one case she has her female protagonist "taking a pee." I have no idea why that was mentioned.
Then, in another sentence, the female protagonist considers casual sex with a guy who winks at her in a bar. What? Yet, at all other times she behaves properly.
Then there was the numerous mention of "photos." While "photograph" was coined long before the 1860s, the type of photography common in the 1860s was daguerreotype, and this was used to refer to the images produced.
After reading the description, I'm not so sure I would enjoy the next book in this series, which takes place much earlier in Europe. So I won't be looking got it.
There were a few not-quite-understandable comments the author placed in the book which I found disconcerting. In one case she has her female protagonist "taking a pee." I have no idea why that was mentioned.
Then, in another sentence, the female protagonist considers casual sex with a guy who winks at her in a bar. What? Yet, at all other times she behaves properly.
Then there was the numerous mention of "photos." While "photograph" was coined long before the 1860s, the type of photography common in the 1860s was daguerreotype, and this was used to refer to the images produced.
