Do you want to step into Queen Esthers' palace in Susa? You can if you listen to her story and the story of her and her friends' lives!
Roxannah, a young impoverished noblewoman, has to take care of her alcoholic soldier father and her courageous mother in ancient Persia.
Adin, a court physician,comes to treat her father and he is intrigued by her intelligence and her passion for creating delicacies out of humble ingredients.
Roxannah's father is plagued by creditors, so after his death she obtains a low position as an assistant in the kitchens of Queen Esther.
You will be mesmerized as you get caught up in palace intrigue, Roxannas' tumultuous rise in position and how she and Adin assist Queen Esther!

Have you ever wanted a book that combines political intrigue, scrumptious cooking, and Ancient Persia? If that interests you then I’d highly recommend 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤 by Tessa Afshar!

Out of the myriads of Esther retellings, this one stands out. I admit, sometimes authors inventing stories in the perspective of prominent Biblical characters makes me uncomfortable. However, the approach that Afshar wrote this Esther retelling really stood out as it’s mainly from the perspective of her fictional courtiers, and not from Esther herself.

Another part I loved was the food! The descriptions of the Persian cuisine was exquisite and well-researched. I also enjoyed the insights into Persian court and culture. I thought Roxannah had beautiful character growth, and I was very invested in her faith journey.

Regarding the audiobook narration, Rachel Botchan and Jonathan Todd Ross did an excellent job narrating. Nothing takes me out of a story more than a bad narrator, but a good one makes me want to listen to the entire book in one sitting! I’m happy to say that these narrators were of the latter kind.

Overall, I was wholly engrossed with this atmospheric book, and I loved every moment of it.

I wholeheartedly recommend!

*** I received a complimentary audio copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tessa Afshar’s The Queen’s Cook serves up a thoughtful blend of historical mystery, palace intrigue, and richly imagined culinary detail, set in the court of Queen Esther. Roxannah, a young Persian woman with a gift for cooking, seeks employment in the palace kitchens after the death of her abusive, alcoholic father. Struggling to rebuild her life while shielding her mother from poverty, Roxannah enters a world rife with political maneuvering and secrets. Allied with Adin, the palace’s Jewish physician, the two uncover a plot against Amestris, the king’s consort, whose envy of Esther has far-reaching consequences.

Haman’s infamous scheme against the Jews creates tension, directly impacting Roxannah and Adin’s growing relationship, but the story stays centered on the hidden dangers within the palace walls. Afshar balances themes of betrayal, forgiveness, and sacrificial love with Roxannah’s slow recognition of God as a refuge. “It takes time for your soul to learn these deeper truths,” a key character reminds her, reflecting the book’s steady focus on trust.

Afshar’s attention to detail shines most brightly in the food descriptions, which immerse readers in the textures and flavors of Persian cuisine. Though aromas remain tantalizingly out of reach, her prose captures the care and creativity of Roxannah’s craft, adding depth to the story. The audiobook, narrated by Rachel Botchan and Jonathan Todd Ross, enhances the experience with seamless dual narration, skillfully giving voice to both Roxannah and Adin. This novel will appeal to fans of biblical fiction, historical intrigue, and foodie fiction alike.


I received a complimentary copy of this book from RBMedia through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.

My favorite parts of 'The Queen's Cook' are the rich descriptions Persian culture and food and seeing Gentiles turn to follow the God of Israel. Thank you, Tessa Afshar, for writing this riveting 5th century BCE era novel set in Susa. Though stories concerning biblical figures require creative imagination on the author's part, I found it encouraging to my faith in God and understanding of Old Testament context.

If you enjoy reading clean historical romance, then I recommend this audiobook to you! Though there are no accents to immerse me in the culture, Rachel Botchan's and Jonathan Todd Ross's narrations are clear and engaging.

Special thanks to RBmedia and Net Galley for a complimentary copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

What a treat to listen to an audiobook written by Tessa Afshar! I don’t think I’ve read any of her books that I didn’t give at least 4 stars.

The Queen’s Cook is a Biblical fiction set during the reign of Esther. The story follows the story Roxannah, a capable but vulnerable woman who is more skilled than she has received credit for. It is lovely to watch her grow and flourish in her changing and expanding roles.

To anyone who has felt undermined, abused, or neglected, I highly recommend checking out this book.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook!

Book Title: The Queen’s Cook
Series: Queen Esther’s Court Book #1
Author: Tessa Afshar
Format: 🎧
Narrators: Rachel Botchan and Jonathan Todd Ross
Publisher: RB Media
Genre: Historical Biblical Fiction
Pub Date: November 19, 2024
My Rating: 3.3 Stars
Pages 400

I have read many Christian mysteries and always enjoy them. This story is actually Biblical Fiction which is a first for me.
Story is told from the POV of Roxannah, who is the daughter of a once-privileged but now impoverished Persian lord and Adin a Physician.

Roxannah’s father through his own foolishness loses his wealth and leaves Roxannah destitute. With desperation and determination to survive and support her mother while settling her father’s debt, Roxannah find employment in Queen Esther's kitchens with the help of the
physician Adin.
I hoped Roxannah and Adin were interested in each other – Then was hoping for a HEA!

Although not my typical read I did enjoy it. I loved the narrators - I thought they were great in performing the characters.


About the Author ~ Tessa Afshar’ has written twenty books which have been translated into 11 languages, Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there the first fourteen years of her life before attending boarding school for girls in England. She fell in love with Jesus after moving to the United States. Tessa and her husband live in New England where they tend their mediocre garden.

Want to thank NetGalley and RM Media for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 19, 2024.

Another author that is a first read for me, and was phenomenal!

So, as I've mentioned before, any book that gets me to look into things while I am reading...or gets me emotional... or, just makes me think...well, that's a huge plus for me...and this one had me doing all of the above!

This book takes place in the times of Ancient Persia, and our FMC is Roxannah who comes from royal bloodlines, but is now just the impoverished daughter of a drunken lord...one who is NOT in the least bit nice to her, or her mother. But, Roxannah is a kind, sweet soul who always seems to see the best in people...

When her father's life is taken as he is on a crusade to the death, Roxannah falls into a depression, trying to figure out HOW she and her mother are going to survive. Her father was the one who brought home the money...even though most of it went to buying his liquor. Now, they have nothing.

BUT, she realizes that she does have something to fall back on. Her grandmother's cook taught her how to cook, and she has been creating amazing dishes since she was small. So now, she decides that this just might be the way to earn some cash and keep the debtors away.

She approaches a physician who was kind to her and her family, to see if he might need kitchen help. He does not, but he promises to ask if the Queen might just need help in her kitchen...

And so the book and it's origins begin...

This was NOT at all like I thought it was going to be. It was full of hope, and messages of love, and messages of God...as well as mentions and some details of the killing sprees that are interspersed, as so happens in times of war...and afterwards.

But the community that Roxannah, and the physician Adin created, from the kindness and caring that they continually showed others...well, that was worth just ALL THE STARS!

I'm going to stop here, but if you enjoy Historical Fiction, stories of Kings and Queens, and/or some thoughts of romance, then look 👀 no further! You have hit gold!! 🏆🏆

#TheQueensCook (Queen Esther's Court #1) [So...YAY...there will be more!!!]
By #TessaAfshar and narrated beautifully by #RachelBotchan and #JonathanToddRoss.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Thanks to #NetGalley, #RecordedBooksMedia and #RBMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released TOMORROW, 11/19/24, SO LOOK FOR IT THEN!!!!

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