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The Secret Spice Cafe Trilogy #1
Cooking for Ghosts
Do hearts broken long ago forever leave a tangible trace?
A Vegas cocktail waitress. An Indian herbalist. A British chemistry professor. An Italian-American widow. Four unique women with one thing in common: each is haunted by a tragedy from her past.
Cynthia, Rohini, Jane, and Angela meet on a food blogging site and bond over recipes. They decide on impulse to open The Secret Spice, an elegant café on the magnificent ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary, currently a floating hotel in Long Beach, California. Rich in history and tales of supernatural occurrences, the ship hides her own desperate secrets.
The women are surrounded by ghosts long before they step aboard, but once they do, nothing is quite what it seems. Not the people they meet, not their brooding chef’s mystic recipes, and not the Queen Mary herself. Yet the spirits they encounter help them discover that there’s always a chance to live, as long as one is alive.
Nominated for the prestigious National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, COOKING FOR GHOSTS is an unforgettable tale of love, redemption, and divine female power.
A Vegas cocktail waitress. An Indian herbalist. A British chemistry professor. An Italian-American widow. Four unique women with one thing in common: each is haunted by a tragedy from her past.
Cynthia, Rohini, Jane, and Angela meet on a food blogging site and bond over recipes. They decide on impulse to open The Secret Spice, an elegant café on the magnificent ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary, currently a floating hotel in Long Beach, California. Rich in history and tales of supernatural occurrences, the ship hides her own desperate secrets.
The women are surrounded by ghosts long before they step aboard, but once they do, nothing is quite what it seems. Not the people they meet, not their brooding chef’s mystic recipes, and not the Queen Mary herself. Yet the spirits they encounter help them discover that there’s always a chance to live, as long as one is alive.
Nominated for the prestigious National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction, COOKING FOR GHOSTS is an unforgettable tale of love, redemption, and divine female power.
360 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2016
42 people are currently reading
1642 people want to read
About the author
Patricia V. Davis
5 books313 followersPATRICIA V. DAVIS's SECRET SPICE CAFE TRILOGY is a magical realism/paranormal mystery series set aboard the historic RMS Queen Mary. Research for these novels took her far and wide, from meeting with a genuine voodoo priestess to chatting with the world's greatest magician, David Copperfield. The trilogy is available in paperback, eBook, audiobook, and library hardback. Her first feature film, LYVIA'S HOUSE, a 'Twin-Peaks-meets-Get-Out' psychological thriller was released in 2024. Patricia lives with her poker player/rice farmer husband. They divide their time between southern Nevada and northern California. Represented by Gordon Warnock at FUSE LITERARY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
December 25, 2017
Four women from very different backgrounds decide to buy a restaurant on the historic Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, California. While each brings their unique skills to the venture, they also bring along skeletons from their past. They are each hoping that this opportunity will help dampen the pain and allow them to move forward with their lives.
Conflicts, romance, and ghosts shortly ensue while the four work together on establishing their restaurant. Each character has an experience with a spirit which leads to exposing the mysteries behind the Queen Mary. At first, each of them hardly believes spirits exists until they collectively share their different confrontations. At the same time, these spirits become the catalyst to confront their issues from the past.
This novel by Patty V. Davis is a nice combination of historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery. The characters are nicely developed and the author does a wonderful and fun job of introducing surreal beings into the story. The second book in this trilogy, Spices & Oregano, was released November 30, 2017.
Conflicts, romance, and ghosts shortly ensue while the four work together on establishing their restaurant. Each character has an experience with a spirit which leads to exposing the mysteries behind the Queen Mary. At first, each of them hardly believes spirits exists until they collectively share their different confrontations. At the same time, these spirits become the catalyst to confront their issues from the past.
This novel by Patty V. Davis is a nice combination of historical fiction, paranormal, and mystery. The characters are nicely developed and the author does a wonderful and fun job of introducing surreal beings into the story. The second book in this trilogy, Spices & Oregano, was released November 30, 2017.
October 18, 2016
I received this via Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
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RMS Queen Mary is an intriguing figure, so much history in there.. not all of it rosy. I do hope to have the chance to pay her a visit one day.
Ghosts, cooking, a trip of sorts aboard the Mary... sounded too good to pass up entering the giveaway :).
This was an interesting read. It is hard to say why in detail without giving spoilers away haha but I would recommend.
The girls are easy to root for and you get swept up in what is happening to them (one had my heart pounding the most). Each has their own baggage in their past that weighs them down, even if some don't quite admit to it fully. Sarita, while she doesn't have the complicated pasts of the others, is still dealing with her own issues as well.
The ghost stories included in here were fascinating and pulled at my heart-strings. One in particular hit close to home for a certain character particularly (I wanted to hug her even though she probably wouldn't have welcomed it at first)... the ending to it was beautiful in its own way though.. All I will say :)
The prologue was deliciously creepy and haunting. It draws you in, setting the stage so to speak. Like all good ghost stories, it sent tingles down my spine and I had to re-read that part again right away.
The recipes mentioned: Even though some of it isn't to my taste, they still sounded SO good! If this were a real restaurant with a cookbook available to buy I'd have been snatching a copy up for my mom and soul-sisters Stephanie and Jessie :).
Romance: Present in the story but not overly so, goes right along with what is happening in the book.
Now this is just me, but it took awhile for to grow on me. At first it seemed sort-of rushed into but as it went along, it was very sweet... just wish more time had been spent on it, not coming out right but close enough.
The ghostly elements were very well done, to see why... read for yourself ;-).
All in all, I had fun with this and look forward to reading the next book... a perfect Fall/October read
Happy reading!
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RMS Queen Mary is an intriguing figure, so much history in there.. not all of it rosy. I do hope to have the chance to pay her a visit one day.
Ghosts, cooking, a trip of sorts aboard the Mary... sounded too good to pass up entering the giveaway :).
This was an interesting read. It is hard to say why in detail without giving spoilers away haha but I would recommend.
The girls are easy to root for and you get swept up in what is happening to them (one had my heart pounding the most). Each has their own baggage in their past that weighs them down, even if some don't quite admit to it fully. Sarita, while she doesn't have the complicated pasts of the others, is still dealing with her own issues as well.
The ghost stories included in here were fascinating and pulled at my heart-strings. One in particular hit close to home for a certain character particularly (I wanted to hug her even though she probably wouldn't have welcomed it at first)... the ending to it was beautiful in its own way though.. All I will say :)
The prologue was deliciously creepy and haunting. It draws you in, setting the stage so to speak. Like all good ghost stories, it sent tingles down my spine and I had to re-read that part again right away.
The recipes mentioned: Even though some of it isn't to my taste, they still sounded SO good! If this were a real restaurant with a cookbook available to buy I'd have been snatching a copy up for my mom and soul-sisters Stephanie and Jessie :).
Romance: Present in the story but not overly so, goes right along with what is happening in the book.
Now this is just me, but it took awhile for to grow on me. At first it seemed sort-of rushed into but as it went along, it was very sweet... just wish more time had been spent on it, not coming out right but close enough.
The ghostly elements were very well done, to see why... read for yourself ;-).
All in all, I had fun with this and look forward to reading the next book... a perfect Fall/October read
Happy reading!
May 18, 2018
4.5 enthusiastic stars
Four women from very different backgrounds form a friendship on a cooking blog. Soon they have formed a partnership that will transform their lives forever.
For anyone who ever has made lasting, strong, bonding friendships through social media, you will immediately be drawn to these women. Each of them has secrets in their past that have made them the women they are today and each brings those secrets on board of the Queen Mary, the magnificent ship that houses their new restaurant.
While I was expecting a classic mystery, I soon discovered that Cooking for Ghosts, the first in the Secret Spice Café Trilogy, is anything but a mere mystery. Patricia V. Davis has managed to intertwine the genres of historic fiction, cozy mystery and magical realism into a genre bending intriguing tale. The timeline interweaves the past stories of the ship herself with the present tales of the women and their struggle to open their new restaurant. Davis has done an amazing amount of research on the RMS Queen Mary and her knowledge shines through with each detail that she masterfully includes. The ship, quite literally, comes alive with each of her pen strokes.
I admit that normally I don't read magical books - fantasy, ghosts, etc - they simply aren't my thing; however, from the first chapter I was so drawn in by the storytelling, the history and the women that I could not put down the book until I had completed it from cover to cover. There is something for everyone - history, food, mystery, magic, ghosts and romance. This is a book that anyone and everyone can enjoy and I think you will. It is going on my favorites shelf and I highly recommend it to you.
Four women from very different backgrounds form a friendship on a cooking blog. Soon they have formed a partnership that will transform their lives forever.
For anyone who ever has made lasting, strong, bonding friendships through social media, you will immediately be drawn to these women. Each of them has secrets in their past that have made them the women they are today and each brings those secrets on board of the Queen Mary, the magnificent ship that houses their new restaurant.
While I was expecting a classic mystery, I soon discovered that Cooking for Ghosts, the first in the Secret Spice Café Trilogy, is anything but a mere mystery. Patricia V. Davis has managed to intertwine the genres of historic fiction, cozy mystery and magical realism into a genre bending intriguing tale. The timeline interweaves the past stories of the ship herself with the present tales of the women and their struggle to open their new restaurant. Davis has done an amazing amount of research on the RMS Queen Mary and her knowledge shines through with each detail that she masterfully includes. The ship, quite literally, comes alive with each of her pen strokes.
I admit that normally I don't read magical books - fantasy, ghosts, etc - they simply aren't my thing; however, from the first chapter I was so drawn in by the storytelling, the history and the women that I could not put down the book until I had completed it from cover to cover. There is something for everyone - history, food, mystery, magic, ghosts and romance. This is a book that anyone and everyone can enjoy and I think you will. It is going on my favorites shelf and I highly recommend it to you.
September 19, 2016
This is a really fun book and I read over vacation. There is so much sand in my pages because I had it with me every second. It's called Cooking For Ghosts by Patricia V. Davis This book is such a great combination of things. Women friends who get together to create a restrauant on board of the RMS Queen Mary and what they encounter is so immaginative and so much fun, you won't want to put it down. I love a good ghost story but a ghost story that has more than thrills within it's pages makes a very rich ghost story indeed. It's really a quick and fun time, this book and the author is just lovely as well. It is also part of the Kindle Unlimited Program. Which means, if you're enrolled in that program, you can get the ebook for FREE
October 24, 2016
A quite wonderful paranormal mystery melodrama, set aboard the current Queen Mary (permanently docked near the wonderful Spruce Goose exhibit) in Long Beach, CA. Davis provides four main characters, along with a strong set of supporting ones. Each of the main characters has flaws and history and some inner conflict to be resolved.
The balance of elements and characters is perfect, the paranormal and the mystery adding spice, and the scenes aboard ship in modern day and in the past are nicely done. Only one personal history is a bit belaboured, and the clichés are few.
The story starts with the central mystery to set up the paranormal elements, and the main characters are introduced at a good pace. As the book progresses, more characters and scenes are added to create a wonderful "seafood gumbo" which is delicious.
The characters are human and mostly appealing, the past tragedies poignant and familiar, and Davis cleverly uses the Queen Mary herself as a delightful, mischievous character!
There is a rousing conclusion, a big splash of love and delight and resolution.
My favourite line (not repeated here) is the last line in Chapter One. Brilliant fun! Wonderful! A true reflection of the beautiful heart of the author! Well done!
UPDATE - The book also has an extraordinary and fun Reader's Guide!
http://www.patriciavdavis.com/new_coo...
The balance of elements and characters is perfect, the paranormal and the mystery adding spice, and the scenes aboard ship in modern day and in the past are nicely done. Only one personal history is a bit belaboured, and the clichés are few.
The story starts with the central mystery to set up the paranormal elements, and the main characters are introduced at a good pace. As the book progresses, more characters and scenes are added to create a wonderful "seafood gumbo" which is delicious.
The characters are human and mostly appealing, the past tragedies poignant and familiar, and Davis cleverly uses the Queen Mary herself as a delightful, mischievous character!
There is a rousing conclusion, a big splash of love and delight and resolution.
My favourite line (not repeated here) is the last line in Chapter One. Brilliant fun! Wonderful! A true reflection of the beautiful heart of the author! Well done!
UPDATE - The book also has an extraordinary and fun Reader's Guide!
http://www.patriciavdavis.com/new_coo...
January 15, 2017
What makes this book unique is that it crosses into so many different genres with a deft hand, denying being pigeonholed but without any feeling of contrivance or having tried too hard. Davis as an author weaves an incredible tapestry together, bringing out the best elements of each genre she courts without getting dragged down into hackneyed stereotypes. Is this a coming-of-age story? Absolutely. Is this about mumble-something aged ladies trying to find their way through the darkness of their past through the power of friendship and good food? Sure it is. Is it a ghost story? A mystery? At times, a pulse-pounding crime drama thriller? It's that, too, and it's also more. Each of these masterful stories are melded together into a delicious whole, much like the various ingredients that Rohini uses in her secret spice dishes.
Like a four star meal, the story is plated beautifully in the setting of the RMS Queen Mary, and like great meal it is garnished with delightful descriptions of the food and drink that the characters make in their cafe. The best of these can be found on recipe cards online, which I can't wait to try out myself- like Shrimp Rohini and chocolate hazelnut cupcakes- plus, I'm going to adapt my own favorite cheesecake recipe to try my hand on that devilish sounding ricotta limoncello cheesecake.
Delicious all around!
Like a four star meal, the story is plated beautifully in the setting of the RMS Queen Mary, and like great meal it is garnished with delightful descriptions of the food and drink that the characters make in their cafe. The best of these can be found on recipe cards online, which I can't wait to try out myself- like Shrimp Rohini and chocolate hazelnut cupcakes- plus, I'm going to adapt my own favorite cheesecake recipe to try my hand on that devilish sounding ricotta limoncello cheesecake.
Delicious all around!
May 15, 2018
I received a copy of the paperback edition on this book - and two recipe cards! - from HD Media Press free of charge. This did not influence my review.
★★★★✩ Lovely book. I don't read a lot of "chick-lit" so, I was surprised when the publishing company asked me to review this book. However, I do love a good mystery; and this is one! The main characters are four diverse, well-conceived female characters, willing to take a risk on each other and a new adventure. Fun - and scary enough before adding the ghosts!
Set aboard the historical, British luxury liner RMS Queen Mary, which I've actually been on, as it resides in Long Beach Harbor. Its glory days were between the 30's and 60's and it reputed to be haunted. I must say, that Ms. Davis captured the historical, luxurious ambiance of the majestic ship, making it become an interesting character herself. After all, during WWII Hitler put a bounty out on her — $25,000 if you could sink her!
It also has magical and paranormal elements, yummy cooking (don't read hungry!), new-found romance, and the power of friendship and sisterhood. All in all, a good read.
P.S. Beautiful cover in person. Nicely edited!
★★★★✩ Lovely book. I don't read a lot of "chick-lit" so, I was surprised when the publishing company asked me to review this book. However, I do love a good mystery; and this is one! The main characters are four diverse, well-conceived female characters, willing to take a risk on each other and a new adventure. Fun - and scary enough before adding the ghosts!
Set aboard the historical, British luxury liner RMS Queen Mary, which I've actually been on, as it resides in Long Beach Harbor. Its glory days were between the 30's and 60's and it reputed to be haunted. I must say, that Ms. Davis captured the historical, luxurious ambiance of the majestic ship, making it become an interesting character herself. After all, during WWII Hitler put a bounty out on her — $25,000 if you could sink her!
It also has magical and paranormal elements, yummy cooking (don't read hungry!), new-found romance, and the power of friendship and sisterhood. All in all, a good read.
P.S. Beautiful cover in person. Nicely edited!
August 2, 2017
MY REVIEW OF “COOKING FOR GHOSTS” by Patricia V. Davis
WOW! WOW! WOW! “COOKING FOR GHOSTS” BY Patricia V. Davis is a hauntingly delicious and entertaining novel!! I love the way that Patricia V. Davis has done the historical research and how she weaves her story, characters, and timeline together.
The story takes place on the RMS Queen Mary, the beautiful ocean liner which is now a floating hotel in Long Beach, California. The RMS Queen Mary has much historical detail, and is rumored to hold secrets, and spirits and ghosts, para normal activity. During World War Two, the ocean liner was painted steel gray and transported soldiers, and was involved in the war.
The timeline of the story goes back in history and forward to the present, I love the way the author describes the luxury ship in such artistic detail. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Para-Normal, Mystery, and references to Historical fiction. The author uses Poetic License in combining the history and the fiction.
The author describes her characters:”The main characters are diverse in birthplace, socio-economic status and life experience.” Four women meet on a food blogging site and decide to open “The Secret Spice Cafe. The characters are complex and complicated and each have secrets, and something tragic in their past. The Chef also is temperamental at times and has secrets. The characters seem dysfunctional in many ways, and their strengths and weaknesses make them work together.
Most of the crew is familiar with para normal activity. Many strange and questionable sounds and sights are seen.At times the ship seems possessed, and certain things have a mind of its own. The mysteries to past murders and deaths causes an intense edge, and the past characters and present are pieces of a puzzle that have to fit.
I love that the author deals with many relevant topics: the importance, independence and power of women. Each of the characters is held back by their past. The author discusses how some women are oppressed in certain cultures, and not given respect. In addition, some of the character’s rigid upbringing conflicts with their growth. Patricia V. Davis also brings up the topics of forgiveness and redemption. I appreciate that the author mentions the importance of family, hope, faith and love.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a lighthearted story with para-normal activities. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
WOW! WOW! WOW! “COOKING FOR GHOSTS” BY Patricia V. Davis is a hauntingly delicious and entertaining novel!! I love the way that Patricia V. Davis has done the historical research and how she weaves her story, characters, and timeline together.
The story takes place on the RMS Queen Mary, the beautiful ocean liner which is now a floating hotel in Long Beach, California. The RMS Queen Mary has much historical detail, and is rumored to hold secrets, and spirits and ghosts, para normal activity. During World War Two, the ocean liner was painted steel gray and transported soldiers, and was involved in the war.
The timeline of the story goes back in history and forward to the present, I love the way the author describes the luxury ship in such artistic detail. The Genres for this story are Fiction, Para-Normal, Mystery, and references to Historical fiction. The author uses Poetic License in combining the history and the fiction.
The author describes her characters:”The main characters are diverse in birthplace, socio-economic status and life experience.” Four women meet on a food blogging site and decide to open “The Secret Spice Cafe. The characters are complex and complicated and each have secrets, and something tragic in their past. The Chef also is temperamental at times and has secrets. The characters seem dysfunctional in many ways, and their strengths and weaknesses make them work together.
Most of the crew is familiar with para normal activity. Many strange and questionable sounds and sights are seen.At times the ship seems possessed, and certain things have a mind of its own. The mysteries to past murders and deaths causes an intense edge, and the past characters and present are pieces of a puzzle that have to fit.
I love that the author deals with many relevant topics: the importance, independence and power of women. Each of the characters is held back by their past. The author discusses how some women are oppressed in certain cultures, and not given respect. In addition, some of the character’s rigid upbringing conflicts with their growth. Patricia V. Davis also brings up the topics of forgiveness and redemption. I appreciate that the author mentions the importance of family, hope, faith and love.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a lighthearted story with para-normal activities. I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
May 18, 2017
This was such a great, satisfying read! Davis weaves together many characters, plots, and subplots, and yet somehow manages not to leave anything hanging in the end.
I loved the setting of this book, as I recently spent time on the Queen Mary, and Davis's novel brought to mind the places I'd been and some I hadn't seen. I could easily visualize The Secret Spice Cafe and wish it had existed when I was there. I would have been first in line.
Ghosts aside--and Davis does a beautiful job melding factual history with fiction. So much so that I thought some of her fiction was fact--this is, at its heart, a story about female friendship and all the ways women can support and celebrate each other. And it's a story well told.
Don't skip the author's notes. They're worth a read.
I loved the setting of this book, as I recently spent time on the Queen Mary, and Davis's novel brought to mind the places I'd been and some I hadn't seen. I could easily visualize The Secret Spice Cafe and wish it had existed when I was there. I would have been first in line.
Ghosts aside--and Davis does a beautiful job melding factual history with fiction. So much so that I thought some of her fiction was fact--this is, at its heart, a story about female friendship and all the ways women can support and celebrate each other. And it's a story well told.
Don't skip the author's notes. They're worth a read.
October 29, 2019
Four diverse women come together to open the Secret Spice Cafe aboard the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, CA. While readying for the opening and afterward, they discover the ship inhabited by ghosts. A little girl searching for her dolly. A soldier looking for redemption. And the women search for resolution of the tragic events that lead them all there.
This book was a little slow starting off for me as I had some difficulty keeping all the women and their stories straight. About halfway through, the story kicked into high gear for me and the second half was a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was a little slow starting off for me as I had some difficulty keeping all the women and their stories straight. About halfway through, the story kicked into high gear for me and the second half was a very enjoyable read.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2017
Cooking for Ghosts was an interesting ghostly mystery that tells the story of four women linked through a food blog and personal tragedy. They come up with a plan to open a restaurant on a permanently-docked cruise ship and the story starts out with them finalizing the opening of the restaurant and getting settled prior to opening. Each woman has a different skill-set and each one brings something unique to their new business venture, although tempers run a bit high during this time of stress. Things get really interesting when each one of them meets several mysterious people and from that point on, that’s where the mystery unfolds.
This book was a super-interesting mashup of several different genres - there’s an old murder mystery, a ghost story, a little bit of magic, a romance (or two. or three.), and a story of female strength and how each of the four women are slowly but surely overcoming the tragedies they’ve faced in their past. It’s not the tragedy that brings them together, as each one doesn’t know the full story of the other women, but the tragedies are certainly something that brings them closer in the end.
While the mystery aspect certainly well done, I as was the story surrounding the various ghosts, the same can’t be said for the characters —specifically their relationships and interactions, which left a little to be desired for me. The romance between two of the characters was entirely too fast and entirely too shallow to be believable. I don’t mind quickly-developing relationships and characters who sleep together in a matter of weeks, provided the catalyst for the is something other than a look or a smile, and that didn’t happen in this book. Similarly, two of the characters are related (in-laws), but again, from they way they were presented and the way they interacted with one another, they may as well have been complete strangers. That’s not to say the characters singularly didn’t have depth, they did, but the relationships between all of them lacked that depth and the chemistry that would make me believe some have a history with one another.
Bottom line - Cooking for Ghosts was an enjoyable read, but I can’t say for certain I’m all that interested in continuing on with the trilogy. Had the characters been a little more realistic, their relationships between one another a little deeper, I’m sure my opinion would change a bit. Overall it wasn’t a bad read, and I’d still recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for an interesting mystery-slash-ghost story.
*I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaways program.
This book was a super-interesting mashup of several different genres - there’s an old murder mystery, a ghost story, a little bit of magic, a romance (or two. or three.), and a story of female strength and how each of the four women are slowly but surely overcoming the tragedies they’ve faced in their past. It’s not the tragedy that brings them together, as each one doesn’t know the full story of the other women, but the tragedies are certainly something that brings them closer in the end.
While the mystery aspect certainly well done, I as was the story surrounding the various ghosts, the same can’t be said for the characters —specifically their relationships and interactions, which left a little to be desired for me. The romance between two of the characters was entirely too fast and entirely too shallow to be believable. I don’t mind quickly-developing relationships and characters who sleep together in a matter of weeks, provided the catalyst for the is something other than a look or a smile, and that didn’t happen in this book. Similarly, two of the characters are related (in-laws), but again, from they way they were presented and the way they interacted with one another, they may as well have been complete strangers. That’s not to say the characters singularly didn’t have depth, they did, but the relationships between all of them lacked that depth and the chemistry that would make me believe some have a history with one another.
Bottom line - Cooking for Ghosts was an enjoyable read, but I can’t say for certain I’m all that interested in continuing on with the trilogy. Had the characters been a little more realistic, their relationships between one another a little deeper, I’m sure my opinion would change a bit. Overall it wasn’t a bad read, and I’d still recommend it to anyone who’s in the mood for an interesting mystery-slash-ghost story.
*I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads giveaways program.
February 6, 2019
Fair warning: I won a free Kindle copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Four women enter a partnership to start a restaurant on the Queen Mary, which of course is haunted. And, as if dealing with starting a restaurant and dealing with ghosts isn't bad enough, each woman is also dealing with some dark secret in her past.
So we’ve got four separate women, each with her own secret to deal with in the course of the book. This makes the various character arcs rather short. After all, each one requires 1) an introduction, 2) several hints about their past, 3) a revelation, and 4) a resolution of their problem. Now multiply that by four--actually, make that eight since the head chef, the daughter of one of the women, and two of the ghosts also have their own arcs--and add in the scenes necessary to get the restaurant up and running and have its opening night and all that. The only way this book isn’t four times as long is by having the resolutions of the various problems go relatively smoothly. There are very few complications to anyone's problems.
So, yes, the drama is a little flat, but the characters and setting are engaging enough to make up for it. This was a short but fun read. Recommended!
Four women enter a partnership to start a restaurant on the Queen Mary, which of course is haunted. And, as if dealing with starting a restaurant and dealing with ghosts isn't bad enough, each woman is also dealing with some dark secret in her past.
So we’ve got four separate women, each with her own secret to deal with in the course of the book. This makes the various character arcs rather short. After all, each one requires 1) an introduction, 2) several hints about their past, 3) a revelation, and 4) a resolution of their problem. Now multiply that by four--actually, make that eight since the head chef, the daughter of one of the women, and two of the ghosts also have their own arcs--and add in the scenes necessary to get the restaurant up and running and have its opening night and all that. The only way this book isn’t four times as long is by having the resolutions of the various problems go relatively smoothly. There are very few complications to anyone's problems.
So, yes, the drama is a little flat, but the characters and setting are engaging enough to make up for it. This was a short but fun read. Recommended!
August 16, 2019
This is the first in the Secret Spice Café Trilogy.
From the book jacket: A Vegas cocktail waitress. An Indian herbalist. A British chemistry professor. An Italian-American widow. Four unique women with one thing in common: each is haunted by a tragedy from her past. Cynthia, Rohini, Jane and Angela meet on a food blogging site and bond over recipes. On impulse, they decide to open The Secret Spice, an elegant café on the magnificent ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary, currently a foloating hotel in Long Beach, California.
My reactions
I expected a chick-lit light story with some ghosts and recipes to add flavor. The basic premise might be good, but it failed in execution for me. I didn’t buy any of the relationships, didn’t particularly connect with any of these women. All their secrets (and all the hints that they had secrets) just struck me as the author trying too hard to make this interesting.
I did like some of the history / background of the ship.
I received this in a giveaway drawing. The prize included a coupe of recipe cards which sound absolutely delicious. Unfortunately for me, my husband is allergic to shellfish, so I won’t be able to try that one anytime soon.
From the book jacket: A Vegas cocktail waitress. An Indian herbalist. A British chemistry professor. An Italian-American widow. Four unique women with one thing in common: each is haunted by a tragedy from her past. Cynthia, Rohini, Jane and Angela meet on a food blogging site and bond over recipes. On impulse, they decide to open The Secret Spice, an elegant café on the magnificent ocean liner, the RMS Queen Mary, currently a foloating hotel in Long Beach, California.
My reactions
I expected a chick-lit light story with some ghosts and recipes to add flavor. The basic premise might be good, but it failed in execution for me. I didn’t buy any of the relationships, didn’t particularly connect with any of these women. All their secrets (and all the hints that they had secrets) just struck me as the author trying too hard to make this interesting.
I did like some of the history / background of the ship.
I received this in a giveaway drawing. The prize included a coupe of recipe cards which sound absolutely delicious. Unfortunately for me, my husband is allergic to shellfish, so I won’t be able to try that one anytime soon.
October 7, 2019
This book has a touch of everything in it. Four friends who met on a on-line cooking site and decide to buy the restaurant on the Queen Mary ocean liner docked in Long Beach, CA. The women come from all over- one from India, one from England, one from New York City and one from Las Vegas and only two, sisters-in-laws, knew each other in person before they meet up in their new investment.
There's so much going on like running a new restaurant, getting to know each other, meeting men and starting new romances, healing relationships with children and spouses, and turning out delectable cuisine night after night. And there's meeting all the ghosts that roam the decks of the Queen Mary and solving their problems too. There's even an incident of time travel.
This is a fun, clever romp that kept me interested the entire story. I just wish there was more food talk in it and maybe some recipes. I'd love to eat food from that Grand Old Dame. Sigh. That's really nitpicking. It made for a fun week-end and I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
There's so much going on like running a new restaurant, getting to know each other, meeting men and starting new romances, healing relationships with children and spouses, and turning out delectable cuisine night after night. And there's meeting all the ghosts that roam the decks of the Queen Mary and solving their problems too. There's even an incident of time travel.
This is a fun, clever romp that kept me interested the entire story. I just wish there was more food talk in it and maybe some recipes. I'd love to eat food from that Grand Old Dame. Sigh. That's really nitpicking. It made for a fun week-end and I can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
January 30, 2018
Wow - this is unlike any other book I have read before! A delightful whirlwind of a novel – packed with lots of intriguing characters and dizzying plot twists. Cooking for Ghosts really grabs the reader. Sit back and enjoy the “ride” on the Queen Mary as you discover secret pasts, supernatural surprises, and some gut-wrenching emotion. Patricia Davis does a marvelous job of tackling some pretty heavy issues while creating a page-turner that makes you both laugh and sit back and ponder some of the tougher things that life deals all of us. This book is a boatload of fun and a great mystery story and I am really looking forward to reading the sequel, Spells and Oregano.
February 8, 2018
I just finished this last night and I loved this book. What do you get when you have: a little romance, a little magic, a little history, and a lot of secrets? A really good entertaining piece of work. I can't wait to read book 2. I'm curious to see if Cynthia and Raul's story continues. and I may need to read it again, I think I missed the story behind the ghost that sought out Angela. and I think I'm a little nervous to eat shrimp now 🤔 Thanks for the freebie Patricia Davis, I totally enjoyed being taken away for a little while.
March 9, 2019
Four women with different personalities and backgrounds open a restaurant on a stationary ocean liner. The Queen Mary holds a mystery and as ghosts appear these women become entangled in the ship’s history. The prologue in the beginning of the book got me hooked, the ghosts were very ghostly 😉, and the murder/mystery moved along at a decent pace. All in all it was a good book and I most likely would read #2 in the series.
September 25, 2017
Charming characters, engaging story, and fun facts/"facts" of the Queen Mary. Plus a recipe! The only thing not to love is that the next book in this series isn't out for a few more months! (Though, truth be told, this book works as a standalone. I just love the characters so much that I'm excited that there will be more.)
January 11, 2018
I love food. I love ghosts. This book was for me. There were times when some situations were way too contrived, but that didn't detract too much. Love the distinct women who star in the story. Very fresh setting for a story like this. Not just a restaurant, but a restaurant aboard an iconic cruise ship. I recommend it.
October 21, 2016
Absolutely loved this book! Wonderful plot and character development, exciting twists, and encounters with the paranormal, all set on the grand dame Queen Mary. Can't wait for Book 2 of the Secret Spice Cafe Trilogy to learn what new adventures await our heroines.
September 6, 2019
I liked the way the ghosts and history of the queen mary were incorporated in this story. I thought the story itself was slow in parts and I had a hard time distinguishing the 4 main partners but otherwise it was enjoyable. I liked how everyone's main problem was resolved by the end of the book. #CookingForGhosts #NetGalley
October 18, 2019
Cooking for Ghosts was a delightful read - a blend of women’s friendships/relationships, mystery, romance, paranormal (ghosts), and history. I was immediately attracted to this novel due to its taking place on the RMS Queen Mary, which I toured a few years ago in Long Beach, CA. The ship could actually be considered the main character! I very much enjoyed the women featured in this story. Each had a unique and interesting backstory that contributed to the plot. A fun read at any time of year, but particularly for anyone who likes to read slightly spooky stories in October.
June 14, 2017
**** this review contains some spoilers ****
This is a novel about four women that met on a cooking blog and decide to seize an opportunity of a lifetime to buy a restaurant on a historic ship, one that also happens to be haunted hence the title "Cooking with Ghosts". I did enjoy this book, but I do have some issues with this book that keep me from being able to say I loved it.
First I want to start with the things I really enjoyed about this novel. First, I have to commend the author in her prologue, it grabbed my attention and got me super excited about what would lie ahead in the novel. Second, I love the authors treatment of the ghost characters, she did not leave them one-sided like I have seen in many other books. I really enjoyed how complex they were, they were not just pawns set in the book to scare, but they had feeling and some even had humor, they even helped protect the women and their families. A third item I will say I am really glad was added, it was not needed per say, but it did add a lot to the story and that was the end note. In this end note the author gave information of the people and events in the novel and how many were based on true events, people and places. It gives trivia and the answers which to many, including myself, is always fun.
Now to talk about the negatives, the things that prevented me from fully loving this book. The first really to me is the biggest, and it is the fact that the prologue built up this great murder mystery that the novel itself did not live up to. The novel is technically a murder mystery, but for me not so much it really is just a chick lit book, since the murders are solved somewhat, like it is resolved that the child did not just accidently drowned and the Nanny did not run off, but the killer is never really fully exposed like you would see in other mystery novels, and even the resolutions are rushed like a after thought of the author to just tie up all the loose ends at the very end, like the last 10-20 pages. Second major one would be it had too many happy endings, as a reader you do want the characters to live happily ever after, but when everything works out even things that were never really explained it becomes hard to believe and to me I felt it took away from the book. Third is minor and it is the story line had a lot of lulls in it, making it not the easy fun read I wanted it to be.
So in conclusion I would have to say I would give the overall novel a 3 out of 5 stars. But I am looking forward to reading the others in this trilogy to see if anything improves.
This is a novel about four women that met on a cooking blog and decide to seize an opportunity of a lifetime to buy a restaurant on a historic ship, one that also happens to be haunted hence the title "Cooking with Ghosts". I did enjoy this book, but I do have some issues with this book that keep me from being able to say I loved it.
First I want to start with the things I really enjoyed about this novel. First, I have to commend the author in her prologue, it grabbed my attention and got me super excited about what would lie ahead in the novel. Second, I love the authors treatment of the ghost characters, she did not leave them one-sided like I have seen in many other books. I really enjoyed how complex they were, they were not just pawns set in the book to scare, but they had feeling and some even had humor, they even helped protect the women and their families. A third item I will say I am really glad was added, it was not needed per say, but it did add a lot to the story and that was the end note. In this end note the author gave information of the people and events in the novel and how many were based on true events, people and places. It gives trivia and the answers which to many, including myself, is always fun.
Now to talk about the negatives, the things that prevented me from fully loving this book. The first really to me is the biggest, and it is the fact that the prologue built up this great murder mystery that the novel itself did not live up to. The novel is technically a murder mystery, but for me not so much it really is just a chick lit book, since the murders are solved somewhat, like it is resolved that the child did not just accidently drowned and the Nanny did not run off, but the killer is never really fully exposed like you would see in other mystery novels, and even the resolutions are rushed like a after thought of the author to just tie up all the loose ends at the very end, like the last 10-20 pages. Second major one would be it had too many happy endings, as a reader you do want the characters to live happily ever after, but when everything works out even things that were never really explained it becomes hard to believe and to me I felt it took away from the book. Third is minor and it is the story line had a lot of lulls in it, making it not the easy fun read I wanted it to be.
So in conclusion I would have to say I would give the overall novel a 3 out of 5 stars. But I am looking forward to reading the others in this trilogy to see if anything improves.
April 23, 2021
I don't know what it was about this book but I read my first few chapters in the morning and when I eventually put it down to go about the rest of my day I felt disappointed. All throughout the day when my mind wandered I caught myself thinking about the characters and what their stories were, until I could finally pick the book back up and dive in. In the end I finished the whole thing within 24 hours.
I'm not sure where to place this book. It could be a mystery - there are secrets, and puzzles and even murders. It might be a cozy - it leans into a very a common cozy theme (cooking) and isn't intense or explicit. It's definitely a paranormal as there are ghosts and psychics. It could be a chick lit with the four different protagonists whose stories unwind and fold in together. Or maybe it's a romance, there's lots of falling in love, though only a little bit of sex. In the end I decided it's just one of those books that can't be categorized and I'm really ok with that.
I loved the diversity of characters. I loved having four female protagonists over 35. I loved the way the stories were unwound and pulled free at just the right pace. There were no annoying tropes and the lack of clear genre meant most of the frustratingly common plot stereotypes (except for the "Happily Ever After") were avoided. While the book had a clear beginning, middle and end (as all great stories must) it wasn't one of those where you could practically read the road signs pointing us through the plot along the way. Instead, I was surprised when the end came because I was so immersed in the lives of these women.
I'd happily read the next books (when do they come out again), or even this one again.
I'm not sure where to place this book. It could be a mystery - there are secrets, and puzzles and even murders. It might be a cozy - it leans into a very a common cozy theme (cooking) and isn't intense or explicit. It's definitely a paranormal as there are ghosts and psychics. It could be a chick lit with the four different protagonists whose stories unwind and fold in together. Or maybe it's a romance, there's lots of falling in love, though only a little bit of sex. In the end I decided it's just one of those books that can't be categorized and I'm really ok with that.
I loved the diversity of characters. I loved having four female protagonists over 35. I loved the way the stories were unwound and pulled free at just the right pace. There were no annoying tropes and the lack of clear genre meant most of the frustratingly common plot stereotypes (except for the "Happily Ever After") were avoided. While the book had a clear beginning, middle and end (as all great stories must) it wasn't one of those where you could practically read the road signs pointing us through the plot along the way. Instead, I was surprised when the end came because I was so immersed in the lives of these women.
I'd happily read the next books (when do they come out again), or even this one again.
October 4, 2016
**I received an advanced reader copy of this book in a giveaway at Goodreads.com, This is a fair, honest review.**
Four women meet online. They all have dreams of a new life. So they band together on a food blogging site, and decide to open a restaurant. But this restaurant will be special -- it's on the Queen Mary, permanently docked in Long Beach, CA since the late 60's. Cynthia, Jane, Rohini and Angela all carry their own secrets and ghosts of the past within them. Little do they know that the Queen Mary has spirits of her own.
This supernatural tale of redemption, love, loss, friendship, and the strength of women is outstanding! I was hooked from the start! The characters are diverse and well-developed. The supernatural elements are not cheesy or over-done, but an integral, fascinating part of the plot. Wonderful book! Once I started reading, I didn't want to put the book down.
Cooking for ghosts is the first book in the Secret Spice Cafe series. I enjoyed this book so much I will definitely be reading more books in this series!
Davis is the author of several other books including Harlot's Sauce and The Diva Doctrine. Learn more about the author and her books on her website: www.patriciaVdavis.com
Four women meet online. They all have dreams of a new life. So they band together on a food blogging site, and decide to open a restaurant. But this restaurant will be special -- it's on the Queen Mary, permanently docked in Long Beach, CA since the late 60's. Cynthia, Jane, Rohini and Angela all carry their own secrets and ghosts of the past within them. Little do they know that the Queen Mary has spirits of her own.
This supernatural tale of redemption, love, loss, friendship, and the strength of women is outstanding! I was hooked from the start! The characters are diverse and well-developed. The supernatural elements are not cheesy or over-done, but an integral, fascinating part of the plot. Wonderful book! Once I started reading, I didn't want to put the book down.
Cooking for ghosts is the first book in the Secret Spice Cafe series. I enjoyed this book so much I will definitely be reading more books in this series!
Davis is the author of several other books including Harlot's Sauce and The Diva Doctrine. Learn more about the author and her books on her website: www.patriciaVdavis.com
March 1, 2018
Cynthia, Angela, Jane and Rohini decided to open The Secret Spice Cafe' aboard the mysterious Queen Mary. The way Patricia V. Davis enhanced the readers appetite by adding secret spices to the shrimp - changing the way the customers behaved - was enticing. And to further keep us hungry, she stirred ghosts into the mixture, that cooked up some surprises of their own. Even though the ghosts were scary, their dark stories helped the owners conquer their fears from the past. The book was thought provoking and mysterious. It had a mixture of different elements which consisted of love, family, friendship, history, murder and even humor. I enjoyed it very much.
April 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I love when an author combines reality and fiction. I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to the next installment of the series.
February 28, 2018
Patricia V. Davis brilliantly weaves together historical fiction, mystery, paranormal activity, and romance in this wonderful story. The characters in this story are unique and fascinating! I loved the setting of the Queen Mary and the history and otherworldliness that it brings to the story. A very entertaining read!
June 17, 2019
What a fantastic read! Intriguing and gave me goosebumps at one point! Set upon the Queen Mary and the Secret Spices Restaurant. Don't miss this one!
October 31, 2019
This is the first book in the "Secret Spice Cafe Trilogy". This is my first by the author. I really enjoyed this ghost story with a wonderful historical setting. Thank you for the ARC. My review opinion is my own. Review is cross posted across platforms.
This is a story involving four women. Each woman has a secret past that haunts them. They find each other through blogging about food and soon are fast friends. They open a cafe business together called "The Secret Spice". The cafe reflects each other's interest in food and cooking. It is set in a most unique setting and what is marvelous about this is that the business is within the grand Queen Mary. I have been to the Queen Mary many times and can attest the author wrote the historical aspects of this mystery to perfection.
Ghosts appear to the women as they enter the Queen Mary who has a long history of haunting by ghosts. Soon each woman has a lesson to learn and amid the secrets friendships stand strong .
I loved this book ! This is a great story of moving beyond what haunts us and living life with good friends to the fullest. The charcters, the writing and the historically aspect was done to perfection.
This is a story involving four women. Each woman has a secret past that haunts them. They find each other through blogging about food and soon are fast friends. They open a cafe business together called "The Secret Spice". The cafe reflects each other's interest in food and cooking. It is set in a most unique setting and what is marvelous about this is that the business is within the grand Queen Mary. I have been to the Queen Mary many times and can attest the author wrote the historical aspects of this mystery to perfection.
Ghosts appear to the women as they enter the Queen Mary who has a long history of haunting by ghosts. Soon each woman has a lesson to learn and amid the secrets friendships stand strong .
I loved this book ! This is a great story of moving beyond what haunts us and living life with good friends to the fullest. The charcters, the writing and the historically aspect was done to perfection.
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