A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time,and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncles secretsincluding the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.
When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estateproperties, money, and his positionto his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappis dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovannis life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncles secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappis journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murderall to protect an illicit love affair.
As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappis past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forceshis brother Cesare and Scappis former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chefs recipes.
With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chefs Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.
Genre: Historical Mystery
When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estateproperties, money, and his positionto his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappis dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovannis life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncles secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappis journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murderall to protect an illicit love affair.
As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappis past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forceshis brother Cesare and Scappis former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chefs recipes.
With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chefs Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.
Genre: Historical Mystery
Praise for this book
"The Chef's Secret is a sumptuous buffet, serving up a love story (two of them!); mystery and suspense so thick you could cut it with, well, a chef's knife; and such a vibrant panorama of Ancient Rome you'll feel you've walked its streets and inhabited its kitchens. Anyone who loves history, food, a great story--read this novel! Warning: it will make you hungry." - Jenna Blum
"In The Chef's Secret, Crystal King serves up a delectable read stuffed with passion, danger, and a plot worthy of Dan Brown. This fast-paced, engrossing novel brings Renaissance Rome and the Vatican to life through the eyes of a famous papal chef. You won't be able to put it down." - Stephanie Storey
"A veritable feast for the senses, The Chef's Secret is part mystery, part love story, and all sumptuous sixteenth century Italy. This tale of one of the world's first celebrity chefs--Bartolomeo Scappi, a DaVinci of Renaissance cuisine--sent me on a quest to know more, and to my kitchen to experiment--a sign of a great historical novel. Readers will delight in a plot as juicy as Scappi's braised beef!" - Heather Webb
"A fabulous immersion in the Renaissance Italy, full of passion, intrigue, secrets, danger, and of course food. Come hungry!" - Melodie Winawer
"In The Chef's Secret, Crystal King serves up a delectable read stuffed with passion, danger, and a plot worthy of Dan Brown. This fast-paced, engrossing novel brings Renaissance Rome and the Vatican to life through the eyes of a famous papal chef. You won't be able to put it down." - Stephanie Storey
"A veritable feast for the senses, The Chef's Secret is part mystery, part love story, and all sumptuous sixteenth century Italy. This tale of one of the world's first celebrity chefs--Bartolomeo Scappi, a DaVinci of Renaissance cuisine--sent me on a quest to know more, and to my kitchen to experiment--a sign of a great historical novel. Readers will delight in a plot as juicy as Scappi's braised beef!" - Heather Webb
"A fabulous immersion in the Renaissance Italy, full of passion, intrigue, secrets, danger, and of course food. Come hungry!" - Melodie Winawer
Visitors also looked at these books
Used availability for Crystal King's The Chef's Secret