Caffeinated Reviewer

With the change of season, my eye has been drawn towards mystery thrillers, and the audiobook of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine caught my eye. This thriller, narrated by Lauryn Allman, drew me in with its atmospheric vibe and talk of food.

One husband, well done.

When infamous chef, restaurateur, and television personality Maria Capello's husband died, the media circus was intense…and quick to cast the blame. Whispers claimed Maria murdered her husband to build her culinary empire on his bones, and that there was an all-too-grisly reason his body was never recovered. Yet for the past few decades, the Capello family maintained their stony silence―until now.

Thea Woods has no idea why she was chosen to work with Maria on her sure-to-be-infamous memoir, but she doesn't question her luck. Spirited away to the Capello's rustic upstate farm, she's soon embroiled in the mystery―and cut off from the rest of the world. It should be the job of a lifetime, but something's not quite right with the close-knit clan, and Damien Capello isn't the only one to go mysteriously missing over the years. As the true story of Maria's past unfolds and the stench of rot hidden behind the kind coastal grandmother veneer rises, Thea finds herself trapped...and desperately afraid.

Because there are reasons why Damien's body was never found…and why, in over thirty years, Maria Capello has never revealed the secret ingredient in her most famous recipe.

If you are looking for a creeptastic and mysterious thriller with hints of genuine horror, look no further than The Dead Husband Cookbook. From savory dishes to pulse-pounding thoughts, you won’t be able to stop listening!

Television personality Maria Capello’s husband died, and his body was never recovered. Speculation and rumors ran rampant, from whispers that she built her culinary empire on his bones and even rumors of what she did with the body. For the past few decades, the Capello family has maintained its silence on the subject. That is until now. Maria has written a tell-all memoir, and she wants Thea Woods to edit it.

Thea Woods works in publishing, and when she gets called into the office, she assumes her boss is finally going to fire her for the debacle last year, instead she offers her the chance to edit Maria Capello’s memoir, a woman whom she follows and admires. This could change everything for her.

The tale unfolds in three parts with dual points of view. Most is in Thea’s voice, but we also get Marie’s via the book. Valentine hooked me from the start. Thea is invited into the Capello home, but things aren’t going exactly as planned. First, the woman who single-handedly almost ruined her career is present, her phone is confiscated, and she is cut off from the outside world, including from her husband and son. Then there is the Capello family, from the son to the strange toddler who appears to be drinking blood. Yep, I was all in.

What a unique book filled with twists and slow reveals that kept me guessing. What is Marie’s secret ingredient and what is happening at the slaughterhouse? Did her husband commit suicide, or was he murdered? As we read chapters from the memoir, all is slowly revealed.

If you like dark thrillers with plenty of mystery and suspenseful you’ll want to grab this on audio. Lauryn Allman does a fantastic job of capturing the tone of the story, from Thea’s emotions and fears to Marie’s powerful protection of her family. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author.

Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm

About Danielle Valentine

Danielle Valentine is the New York Times bestselling author of Two Sides to Every Murder, How to Survive Your Murder, and Delicate Condition, which was recently adapted into the twelfth season of American Horror Story, starring Emma Roberts and Kim Kardashian. Danielle lives in a haunted house outside of New York City with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

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About Lauryn Allman

2024 British Book Award Nominee : Best Audiobook Fiction (The Housemaid's Secret) Voice of The Housemaid audiobook series and over seventy audiobooks.

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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2025 Audiobook Challenge

About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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