The Dead Husband Cookbook
A deliciously wicked new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Danielle Valentine.
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 stoney 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.
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Community Reviews
Wow. Wow. Wow.
This book is definitely one of my favorites of 2025! I can’t even begin to describe the experience because I truly feel you just need to read it and see what it’s about. I loved that this book was an actual cookbook. I loved that the recipes had some kind of sarcastic and satirical element relating to the plot. I love that this book even after the fact, even after you got the ending, even after you got answers, you’re still second-guessing what is actually true.
This book was heavy on the theme of mothers having to juggle and balance multiple identities: the single mom, the working mom, the mom who does it all (and not by choice). Now, I don’t have children, but the book was written so well that I felt the weight and the burden of having to be a mom with a demanding career. I don’t know how mothers do it, but they do.
If you haven’t read this book, please do yourself a favor and pick up a copy, borrow a copy, do whatever you need to do to read it soon.
Also, this was the book of the month for bookclub, and it made for a wonderful conversation at our meeting. Possibly one of my favorite meetings/discussions the club has had to date!
A part of me wishes I had not read the whole book. It stays at a very slow pace for 75% of the book, almost making it hard to pick it back up. The only reason I kept picking it back up was to get to the end and confirm that my general idea was correct. The additional details or storyline at the end were not as dramatic or emotionally compelling as I was hoping for. If this were to be made into a movie, I think the overall storyline would come across as more entertaining.
“𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲. 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.”
What a delicious read!! With so many scrumptious recipes shared throughout the story, I simultaneously wanted to devour a plate of savory meatballs and, also, stop eating meat altogether. 🍅
Creepy characters, murderous rumors, secluded writing hideout, mystery meat… WTHelly?! Very good thriller, leaves you craving every chapter! A little slow to start (I started during a road trip) but picked up a good deal midway!
Great narration performance!! I thought the narrator was a cast of actors!! Thanks to @libro.fm for the great ALC 🎁
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