I am always so excited to read a Danielle Valentine book. This is probably the third or fourth one I've read and she's always surprising me. Sometimes you read a" thriller" and it's a lot of fluff and predictability. This was super interesting in the way it was written, perspectives, a cookbook, cannibalism?

I will absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a good read. I look forward to reading her future books and can't wait to see what else this woman can think of!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

The Dead Husband Cookbook follows main character Thea, struggling with her job in the publishing industry, as she is given the once in a lifetime opportunity to work with celebrity chef Maria Capello on her upcoming, top secret, tell-all memoir. Maria will finally reveal the truth that everyone has been dying for - what really happened the night that Maria's beloved husband went missing, and is she as innocent as she wants everyone to believe?

This was certainly a captivating thriller, one that had my attention the whole time. I think the pacing worked well for the story, making me want to keep coming back for more - I found myself using the phrase "just one more chapter and I'll be done" many times while reading this. Things start off seemingly straightforward but the deeper you are pulled into the mystery, the more dark it becomes until you are caught up in the danger, realizing it is too late to go back. I've only read one other book by this author, but both were cases in which a pretty average feeling thriller devolves into something much more by the end, and I liked the direction this went.

Similarly to Valentine's other novel that I read, this one touches on themes of motherhood, family, belonging, and protecting those you love. If you're looking for an easy thriller to get into that also dips into the darkness, this might be one to pick up.

4.5***
The premise is outrageous in all the best ways. It starts with Thea, who is about to lose her job as an editor of a publishing house over a scandal that was leaked to the media. All of a sudden, Maria, a renowned culinary icon, wants Thea to edit her tell all. And also eludes to unveiling the mystery of what really happened to her husband Damien. Was it suicide, did he just disappear, or did she really murder him and use his remains in her recipes. Which of these speculations is true? But, beneath this quirky concept is a gripping thriller. Each chapter peels back layers of secrets, and I found myself both grinning and wincing as the story unfolded. It would have gotten all 5 stars from me if some of the chapters at the beginning were a little shorter, but I am just being petty with that one.

Is it possible for a book to produce aromas? Because if it is, sauce is the aroma of “The Dead Husband Cookbook”- a delicious homemade long simmered sauce the go along with the story.

Thea is down on her luck and struggling financially - something she’s hiding from her husband. To top it all off, she screwed up big time at work. So when she is called into the boss’s office she assumes she’s about to be fired- but instead she’s offered to opportunity to edit a celebrity chef’s book finally breaking her decades silence about the suspected suicide of her late celebrity chef husband, Damien. Maria Capello has never spoken or written about this before, but has decided now is the time- but only if Thea is her editor and agrees to a very odd reading of her manuscript.

With little choice, Thea packs her bags to go read the manuscript piece by piece in Maria’s family home- isolated from the world by distance and no internet or phones. Each chapter Thea gets to read draws her more and more into Maria’s story leaving her with more questions than answers. Soon she suspects Maria has her own devious reasons for secluding Thea up here. Thea needs to figure out what’s going on before she goes missing just like Damien.

I really enjoyed this story. Maria is a mysterious character leaving her motives unclear. Thea seems a little too under her mother’s whims for my taste but that’s what draws her to the comfort of Maria’s cooking and mothering persona. The recipes described in each of Maria’s chapters had my mouth watering and craving a good Sunday sauce to eat alongside this story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

If you love dark, twisty thrillers with a dash of scandal, you’ll want to pick this up. I was hooked by the story of Maria Capello, the celebrity chef with a spotless public image; until she decides to spill her secrets in a tell-all memoir. The questions pile up fast: what really happened to her husband Damien all those years ago, and why does she want a random editor, Thea, to help her tell it? I loved the suspense, the gossip, and the unsettling feeling that maybe Maria’s secret ingredient is more sinister than it seems. Think Bella Mackie meets a cooking show gone very, very wrong!

Thank you dreamscape audio for my gifted ALC! I was so excited for this book when I saw the cover! I have loved all of Danielle’s books and was excited for another adult novel! This book was somewhat of a departure from her previous adult novel, but I loved it! It brings family drama and thriller with a dash of horror! I loved the book within a book, having that added so much to this story! I really enjoyed the narrator and thought she did an incredible job with this book! I especially loved the ending of each chapter with the recipes! I need a print copy of this one, obviously for my shelf, but also for the recipes! My mouth was watering! I had no idea where this book was going and I loved that! There are so many twists and at first when I was nearing the end and thought it was wrapped up, I found myself thinking there are still some loose ends, but of course Danielle whips in more drama and everything is tied up neatly in a bow!! I recommend this for all my thriller lovers, especially domestic thrillers! I think this will be a hot one this summer!

Thanks so much to @netgalley and @bookmarked for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delicious thriller this ended up being. I was expecting just a regular old thriller but I found myself enjoying this one more than I expected to. There was a lot of layers and dimension to the suspenseful plot which made this thriller separate itself from the herd.

The author @daniellevalentinebooks usually does an excellent job of changing your perspective and impression of characters during her novels and this was no different. Not everyone is as terrible as they seem and I found myself reconsidering throughout which I enjoyed.

Our FMC, Thea, is relatable and somewhat reliable which makes the reader feel more immersed with the layers unfolding, deepening what the mystery is. The setting was definitely fitting for the story and there’s a lot for blood and butchery than I anticipated. The gore was tastefully illustrated and was just enough to get a point across while still making the reader feel a smidge uncomfortable. The ending got a little over explained and muddy for me because so much was revealed at once but there are definitely no loose ends.

As weird as it is, I definitely have a hankering for meatballs after reading this one, which concerns me just a little bit.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

4.5 Stars rounded up

This book was an absolute delight. Dark, clever, and so much fun. The Dead Husband Cookbook reads like a deliciously twisted piece of mixed media, with an editor unraveling the manuscript of a famed Martha Stewart type of TV chef. The inclusion of actual recipes (many of which I now need to try) adds a wonderfully immersive layer to the experience.

Yes, the pacing starts out slow, but it’s clearly intentional. Laying the groundwork for complex characters and a brilliantly twisted plot that absolutely pays off. Once the pieces start falling into place, it becomes a fast, addictive read.

Books, food, and murder? Honestly, what more could you ask for in a premise? This is sharp, wickedly entertaining, and wholly original. Highly recommend for fans of dark humor, domestic thrillers, and stories that blend genres with flair.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Danielle Valentine for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Maria Capello is finally ready to tell her story, with the help of Thea editing it at her secluded abode far from the prying eyes of family, publishing company, and anyone else. What really happened to her husband? What's her special ingredient that makes her food taste amazing? Thea is determined for this memoir to knock all others out of the water so she can keep her job, but things turn out to be more than she originally anticipated.

With a title like "The Dead Husband Cookbook" i was looking for more, everything. I felt like the premise was strong, and I was really intrigued with the ideas. However, it felt odd to, as an author, make an editor ignore all other life responsibilities to cater to every whim. The story felt disjointed with recipes thrown in between chapters. I understand it was to mimic Maria's memoir, but I didn't feel it translated well.

Overall, I had a decent time reading it. I enjoy Danielle Valentine's other thrillers, but this one wasn't as big of a hit for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(4.5 starts rounded up)

The Dead Husband Cookbook is an absolute rollercoaster of chaos, suspense, and dark humor and I devoured every page, as well as listening to the audiobook!
From the opening line, the tone is sharp,clever and addictive. Danielle Valentine does an incredible job blending fast paced suspense with biting wit. The plot is wild in the best way each chapter escalates the stakes, twisting into unexpected territory without ever losing momentum.
The writing is tight and engaging,the pacing never lags,and the humor was exactly my brand dark, sassy and just a little unhinged. If you're looking for something that reads like a mix of satire and true crime with a feminist bite , this one's it

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advance audio and ebook this was a blast from start to finish.

3.5 ⭐️s rounded up

This book was pretty much what I thought it was going to be. Don’t get me wrong, that’s NOT a bad thing. Honestly after so much romcom/romanstasy this was kind of a pallet cleanser (no pun intended).

I hate these kind of books because they make me hungry. I don’t know what that says about me but I’m craving meatballs.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book and honestly kind of want to make at least one of the recipes in this book. The fact that this was thriller, memoir, and cookbook scratched all the itches.

While the book was well written and executed in a clever way, the ending was predictable. I found myself saying “please don’t let it be this” a little too much for my liking.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Twisty, chilling, and messy, come together into this wild ride by Danielle Valentine. This story takes the phrase “I would do anything for my family” and quite literally does everything, including murder. We have Maria, the chef known for possibly killing her husband, Thea, an editor, who is desperate to keep her job after a mistake that ruined her reputation, and Damien, the presumed dead husband. Maria is the epitome of an unreliable narrator; she expertly twists stories into a polished victim tale, benefiting not only herself but those in her family. Strangely enough, Maria is only willing to share her story with Thea, and no one has any idea why.

The multiple POVs were done well in this book; each chapter contained Thea’s account, and then a finished chapter written by Maria. I enjoyed the layout and having another chapter of Maria’s book kept the reader engaged and wanting to know more. However, when Thea is there, things are not quite right in Maria’s household. No contact with the outside world, no personal car, the sound of screaming animals as they're being slaughtered, and very odd occurrences with Maria’s very sickly granddaughter create a chilling atmosphere for the reader as Thea tries to understand this strange family and make it back home to her husband and daughter.

Some of the twists this story takes are implied from the beginning of the book, so when the rumors are revealed to be true, they lack shock value. I prefer thrillers that have unpredictable plot points without the obvious setups. However, there are a few twists in the story that are not heavily set up, giving the reader the thrill of reading a story full of mysteries and questions. This story does not have the most likable characters for me, but the beauty of reading is finding compelling and entertaining stories, even with characters that frustrate you to no end.

Oh the vibes and the unhinged characters ... absolutely loved this! I love a good food-themed book with some crazy tension and thriller/mystery vibes. I devoured every word, because Danielle clearly knows how to write a vibe, mincing words if you will. Every word mattered in this unhinged yet realistic story.

Tiny spoiler: not going to lie, it's going to be awhile before I eat meat again. Never going to look at meatballs the same way! And definitely trying out the braciole recipe.

I would shelf this with Piglet, A Certain Hunger, and even maybe Nightbitch. It's definitely Julie & Julia but with some horror vibes.

I enjoyed this book a lot! It really contained some of my favorite tropes/plots in a mystery/thriller! Thea, an editor at a publishing house is on her last leg when she is personally selected to edit the memoir for the elusive Maria Capello, who's husband death caused mystery and speculations for years. Maria is ready to tell her her story and invites Thea to come spend time at the elusive farmhouse in order to hear the full story. Thea must decide who is telling the truth and that every family has it's secrets.

I really liked our MC Thea. I enjoyed being in her head and figuring everything out along with us. She was a really dynamic character. So was Maria. I really enjoyed her storyline and seeing her through her book chapters but also in the present day. The pacing was also perfect, it had me constantly turning to the next page to keep going. It was easy to get lost in.

The only issue I had, which is a common one I have when reading mystery/thrillers that prevents a 5 star is I don't love when a character monologues the reader with information or plot reveals. I prefer for things to be shown rather than told. This did not take away from the shock of the twists (some of which I did not see coming).

Overall, this was a reliable book that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of mystery/thrillers, especially with prominent female roles.

Thank you for the ARC copy to review!

What happens when you meet someone famous and you are tasked with editing their memoir….including the juicy gossip parts? How does one decide what is true and what isn’t? And how do you give them notes when they have taken your phone and internet away, just to protect their privacy?
This story has a good premise-a missing husband, a tabloid story that is 25 years in the making, and a mysterious family with secrets to hide. The story is well paced until the end, however, the final few chapters have the reader in a tailspin as more secrets are revealed.

This is not my typical kind of read but I wanted to give it a try. It was entertaining but maybe just not for me. I think someone who loves this trope with adore this book. Thank you netgalley for the arc.

When I first saw this title, I knew there was no way I wasn't going to love it. I was so afraid it would be a let down, but it lived up to all my lofty expectations. It truly nailed everything I love in books: dark humor, creepy houses, the culinary scene, books about books, and your husband's untimely demise. Maria Capello is the star of a long running cooking show and author of several cookbooks, who came to fame after the death of her husband, famed restaurant owner Damien, which she has long been suspected of being involved in. She is the ultimate unreliable narrator as she feeds her memoir to editor Thea chapter by chapter, finally revealing after 30 years what happened that night. One of the big twists in the story was very obvious and I was mad that I was correct, but there were several other smaller reveals that kept me on the hook till the very end. I related to Maria's true story, and she even used some of the exact turns of phrase I had been using myself in conversation recently to describe how life with Damien made her feel. If your husband has ever taken credit for your recipes, or if you've ever felt your that your sacrifices have been taken advantage of and you're stuck in your life while your husband is free to come and go as he pleases, you won't blame Maria for anything she did either. There's a bit of cannibalism here as well, but it's very is it or isn't it, and not as in your face as some other recent releases. Perhaps a few minor Italian American stereotypes, but as someone who also watches The Sopranos as their comfort series, I really can't say anything there, and the old world kitchen witchery remedies were interesting to me. This was just overall a really fun ride, full of long simmering female rage and dishes best served cold.

overall really good but it feels slow for the first 60%. which isn't necessarily bad, but made me want to skip around (i didn't). i think if the plot was tightened up and if i was a bit quicker, it would be a solid thriller.

In the 30 years since Maria Capello's husband Damien committed suicide, Maria has managed to transform herself from a traditional housewife to a world renowned celebrity chef. The circumstances around Damien's death have been mysterious, leading to conspiracy theories from fans ranging from just a disappearance to cannibalism. Everyone has been dying to know what really happened that fateful night.

Thea Woods, a disgraced book editor, is absolutely shocked when she finds out the Maria Capello has finally decided to publish her memoir. She's even more surprised to learn that Maria had specifically requested for her to be her editor. Maria has some unusual demands to keep everything under wraps, like a strict NDA and insisting Thea stay at Maria's house while editing. After Thea's last editing job ended in a scandal, she's under no condition to do anything but agree to Maria's terms. When things get weirder and weirder at the Capello house, Thea is left with more questions than answers as she desperately tries to figure out what Maria is hiding.

The Dead Husband Cookbook was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and I absolutely loved it. Every time I thought that I had figured something out, there was another twist that had me questioning everything. The inclusion of Maria's memoir in the book kept me completely invested. As I read, I couldn't put the book down because I was dying to find out more about Maria's life with Damian and to figure out what really happened on the night Damien died.

As a big fan of Danielle Valentine's, The Dead Husband Cookbook was one of my most anticipated books of the year, and it certainly exceed my expectations. The Dead Husband Cookbook would be perfect for anyone that enjoys dark campy thrillers that leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. If you love a "Good For Her" book/movie, this is the perfect book for you. Overall, I absolutely loved The Dead Husband Cookbook, and can't wait to read more from her in the future.

Thank you to SourceBooks and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF at 12%. Using the framing of the most bland framing character for this seemingly salacious story took me out immediately, I’m also not into the recipes