Welcome to my stop on The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King blog tour hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours! A big thank you to the lovely Amy for my invitation! I have a review and giveaway for you so make sure to read all the way to the bottom to check it out.
My Thoughts:
I’ve wanted to read a Crystal King novel for some time, and I’m excited to have started with The Chef’s Secret!
Renaissance Italy comes to life in this beautiful novel rich in historical detail. At the center of the story is Bartolomeo Scappi, the well-known and well-loved chef to popes.
When Scappi dies, his inheritance goes to his nephew, Giovanni, who was also his apprentice. Of note is that Scappi leaves to Giovanni two locked boxes with keys with orders to burn them. Along with that is a warning: what’s inside could be dangerous for Giovanni and others.
Instead of listening to his late uncle, Giovanni chooses to learn his uncle’s secrets at any cost. He starts with decoding his uncle’s journals; there, he begins to uncover scandal and even murder.
Giovanni also has his brother, Cesare, and another protege of Scappi’s, Domenico Romoli, who are desperate to find Scappi’s secret recipes.
Mmm! Crystal King’s writing evokes all the senses as she describes this place and time and the tempting feasts made by Scappi. The story is full of intrigue and is well-paced. I loved the suspense of who would find what and where. I loved the delicious details and the ultimate meaning of the story for Giovanni: his search for connection to the man he loved as a father.
Overall, The Chef’s Secret is engaging, superbly written, with complex, dynamic characters. I loved it!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
The Chef’s Secret
by Crystal King
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Atria Books
Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook, eBook
Genre: Historical Fiction
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 uncle’s secrets—including the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.
When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate—properties, money, and his position—to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi’s dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni’s life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle’s secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi’s journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder—all to protect an illicit love affair.
As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi’s past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces—his brother Cesare and Scappi’s former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef’s recipes.
With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chef’s Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.
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Praise for The Chef’s Secret
“King’s characters are drawn as lovingly, as sensually as the food and the Vatican world she describes, and the plot itself — part secret-code mystery, part love story — moves like a well-paced meal.” (Boston Globe)
“King supplies all of the elements historical fiction fans expect in a juicy Renaissance tale, including luscious meals, erotic interludes, and deaths by poison and blade. This rich tale should satisfy the appetites of fans of historicals.” (Publishers Weekly)
“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, author of Oil and Marble)
“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, international bestselling author of Last Christmas in Paris)
“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, New York Times and international bestselling author of Those Who Save Us and The Lost Family)
“Crystal King’s The Chef’s Secret is a fabulous immersion in the world of renaissance Italy, full of passion, intrigue, secrets, danger, and of course food. Come hungry!” (Melodie Winawer, author of The Scribe of Siena)
“With adventure, engaging characters, and an absorbing mystery, King expertly blends fact with fiction, intrigue, and a powerful love story. Well written and perfectly paced, The Chef’s Secret is a fascinating immersion into sixteenth-century Italian life, an introduction to the world’s first celebrity chef, and a reminder of the power of food to influence a civilization.” (Booklist)
“King twists in romance, mystery, cultural richness, and some zesty research. Scappi’s secrets are unveiled at a pace that simmers with intrigue…Mixed together with decadent banquets and sweeping historical detail, King has a recipe that entices the senses… vibrant in both visual and flavorful detail.” (Historical Novel Review)
About the Author
Crystal King is the author of THE CHEF’S SECRET and FEAST OF SORROW. A culinary enthusiast and social media professional, her writing is fueled by a love of history and a passion for the food, language and culture of Italy. She has taught classes in writing, creativity and social media at Harvard Extension School, Boston University, Mass College of Art, UMass Boston and GrubStreet, one of the leading creative writing centers in the US. A Pushcart-nominated poet and former co-editor of the online literary arts journal Plum Ruby Review, Crystal received her M.A. in Critical and Creative Thinking from UMass Boston, where she developed a series of exercises and writing prompts to help fiction writers in medias res. She resides in Boston.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, June 18
Review at Tar Heel Reader
Review & Interview at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, June 19
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Thursday, June 20
Review at My Reading Chronicles
Interview at Jathan & Heather
Friday, June 21
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Monday, June 24
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Tuesday, June 25
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots
Wednesday, June 26
Excerpt at The Lit Bitch
Review at Orange County Readers
Thursday, June 27
Review at Book Frolic
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story
Friday, June 28
Review at Mama’s Reading Corner
Feature at What Is That Book About
Monday, July 1
Review at Comet Readings
Review at Stephanie’s Novel Fiction
Tuesday, July 2
Review at Melissa Reads
Review at Clarissa Reads it All
Wednesday, July 3
Review at Henry and Benny’s Book Nook
Guest Post at A Bookish Affair
Thursday, July 4
Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, July 5
Review at Coffee and Ink
Review at Girls Just Reading
Review at Book Reviews from Canada
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, one winner will receive a set of Feast of Sorrow and The Chef’s Secret! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Wonderful review, Jennifer! I loved this book. I also want to reach through the screen and take one of those cupcakes 🧁😊❤️
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Thanks so much, Kris! I’m so happy you loved this, too. I think it’s pretty special! Those cupcakes were so yummy! ♥️
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Sounds like such an interesting story, Jennifer.
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It was fascinating, Marialyce! I had no idea going into it just how compelling it would be. ♥️
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Lovely review Jen! Those cupcakes have me drooling……not pretty!😂 Have a wonderful Tuesday my friend!🙋💗
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Thanks so much, Sus! 😂 I hope you have the best Tuesday! 💕
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Excellent review, Jennifer💜 I first thought this might be a cookbook and got excited when I saw the Italian setting for this historical fiction.
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Thanks, Jonetta! There actually is a super fun cookbook the author compiled. I think it’s available on her website. It’s amazing how timeless the recipe inspirations can be- all the way back to the Renaissance! ♥️
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Love the sound of this, Jennifer! Plus those cupcakes are making my mouth water😁
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Thanks so much, Tammy! It was a great read and those cupcakes were yummy!
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Oh this looks scrumptious! Wonderful review!
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Thanks, Berit! It was such a great read!
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Beware the secrets found in family journals! This sounds like a good read, Jennifer!
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So true, Jacquie! It was a fantastic read! The author made an accompanying cookbook, which is so fascinating. All the way back in the Renaissance, he was making early pastas and even tortellini! ♥️
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Imagine the work that went into making pasta then. No fancy machines to roll out the dough!
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So glad you loved it-I will come back and fully read your review once I’m done reading it! I’m starting it this week for my blog tour review…so excited! I’m planning to bake something from the companion cookbook for my pic and can’t wait for that! Happy Tuesday, my friend! I hope you’re feeling better! xoxo ♥
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I hope you love it, Steph! It was so much fun! The cookbook is SO YUMMY. I look forward to what you make! My eyes have been bothering me all day, but they have not been as bad as this morning. Thanks so much. ♥️
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Thank you, I bet I will! I’ll be transported back to my anniversary vacation! I know- there’s so many yummy things to make. Italian food is my favorite, which is a problem when you’re not eating carbs. I hope your eyes are better soon. That’s the worst. Xoxo ❤
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Lovely picture, blog tour, and review, Jennifer! I cannot wait to read this foodie and historical fiction and romance all rolled into one. Happy Tuesday! 🌸🌸💕📚🌻🌻😊😘🧁
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Thanks, Virginia! This was so much fun. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Happy reading! 💗
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I do enjoy a complex character! Excellent review, as ever!
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Thanks, Chrissi! It was quite a fun, engaging hist fic read!
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Lovely review! And now I really want one of those cupcakes, they look delicious! 🙂
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Thank you, Hayley! They were scrumptious!
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Great review, Jennifer! Thank you so much for hosting The Chef’s Secret blog tour! I loved this one so much and can’t wait for more!
Amy
HF Virtual Book Tours
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Thank you, Amy! It’s my pleasure! I am so grateful to have been a part of this one! So much fun! Thank you for inviting me! ♥️
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Sounds great! I would definitely have opened those boxes – the temptation would have been too much! A bit like the temptation of those yummy looking cakes… 😀
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Good to know, FF! I’ll keep my secret boxes over this way! With the cupcakes inside! 😂 ♥️ (No, really, I’d share all my cupcakes with you!)
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Hahaha! Now I’m definitely stealing that box! 😉
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This sounds like a unique and very interesting read. I have a thing for books that feature food, so I’m definitely intrigued by your review. Those cupcakes look delicious too. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Suzanne! It really was different. I should have mentioned in my review, the author compiled the most beautiful cookbook to go along side it with the recipes inspired by the book. It is amazing! He was making tortellini (I love tortellini!) for popes back in those days, and I see a few things I’d like to try.
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This sounds like such an interesting read – I’ve only read actual historical pieces about this time period, so this would def be something fresh for me!
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It was fascinating, LP, and I love to cook so that angle was really fun too!
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Excellent review, Jennifer! 🙂 I have heard a lot of praises about this book. Glad you loved this book too.
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Thank you, Debjani! It was a wonderful read- mystery, thriller, the food!
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Your photo made me crave cupcakes! 😉 I really love the sound of the setting and the story in general. Fab review!
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Thank you, Yvo! It was such a great read! So intriguing!
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Always intrigued by family secrets. This sounds like such an interesting read, Jenn. Great review!
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Thanks so much, Diana! It was something different, and I really enjoyed it!
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