This book is going to be extremely cute when it's an actual book, with color, in book form. Reading it on the Kindle was less than magical.

As far as recipes go, many of them were more on the simple side but I don't find that a problem. They are relatively easy to put together and are cute on the finished side. Very on brand with Elvira and great not just for Halloween but for, as the title says, any occasion. I plan to purchase this book when it's published so I can add it to my self. Partly because I have a collection of cookbooks from celebrities I enjoy but partly because there are several recipes I plan to make. All in all it's a cute set of recipes presented in a cute and spooky way.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with a 16-page preview of this book. Even as a more casual fan of Elvira/Cassandra Peterson, I had a great time reading the pages I got. I went ahead and pre-ordered it, and I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of it and making some of the recipes!

Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell!

I only got an excerpt from Elvira’s Cookbook from
Hell, but I instantly went and preordered it. I’m just sad that I have to wait until October for it to come out 😅

Elvira’s personality shines throughout — with silly comments & macabre recipes. Perfect for Elvira fans or those that just want to host a Gothic get together. Elvira also includes tips and tricks to the serving of the food, like a DIY on Spiky Napkin Rings.

The excerpt I got was her Brunch menu & all of the food sounded SO GOOD. The recipes also seem very straightforward and I’m very much looking forward to making some of the food like the Swamp Monsyer Frittata and Dark & Sticky Mourning Buns!

Cassandra Peterson, the legendary Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, casts her spell once again with Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell: Sexy, Spooky Soirées and Celebrations for Every Occasion, set for release from Grand Central Publishing on my birthday, October 7, this cookbook is a must-have for horror fans, cookbook collectors, and anyone eager to transform their next gathering into a "graveyard smash." Far from a gimmick, this book is a practical, creative, and wickedly fun guide to hosting unforgettable, ghoulishly good parties year-round.

Elvira’s infectious charm permeates every page, turning a standard cookbook into a Necronomicon of party planning. From “Beastly Bloody Brunch” to “Romantic Graveside Picnic” to “Having Your Friends for Dinner,” it’s packed with clever, thematic menus for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and sinister snacking. Recipes like “Swamp Monster Frittata,” “Ginger-Dead Men,” “Attack of the Killer Tomato Bites,” “Roasted Brains,” and the stunning “Til Death Do Us Party Cake” appear as tasty as their names are diabolical. Each dish is crafted with serious culinary intent—because, as Elvira notes, a spooky soirée demands food to die for.

This cookbook stands out for its thoughtful details. Beyond the delectable recipes, Elvira includes “creepy crafts” to make your presentations pop, ensuring dishes look as grotesque as they are delicious. Gorgeous photos of the food and Elvira herself, dripping with sass, pepper the pages. Practicality shines through with helpful tips, conversion charts, and complete menu suggestions, making party planning effortless, whether it’s a Halloween bash or a creepy cocktail night.

Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell is a love letter to horror buffs, B-movie lovers, and fans of the Mistress of the Dark, yet it’s also a versatile kitchen companion. Nostalgic, quirky, and brimming with creativity, it appeals to both Elvira enthusiasts and newcomers ready to unleash their inner party monster. This isn’t just a cookbook—it’s an experience that will have your guests screaming (with delight) and your table resembling a deliciously macabre movie set.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Elvira, for providing me with an advanced digital excerpt of this cookbook in exchange for an honest review.

First off, I did not receive the entire book for review, just a section. However the recipes in that sample all sounded delicious and were easy to follow. Elvira's personality definitely shone through the pages!

Thank you Netgalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Cassandra Peterson for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Unfortunately because this is an advance review copy, I was only able to view the Brunch section. I was not given the whole book to review, and only received approximately the first 10%. My review will not cover the rest of the book.

I absolutely adore the vibe of this cookbook. It is goth in every way you can imagine, and warms my dark little heart.

I love that it is set up in sections for different types of meals, like brunch, picnics, dinner, movie munchies etc. The photos are mouth wateringly stunning, and the table decoration ideas are fantastic!

The recipes I was able to view are great! I love the little fun notes before each one too. They look appetizing, and the ingredients are easy to find and work with. The instructions are detailed, and I think even a beginner could cook them with no issues. This is a solid cookbook, especially if you like to entertain guests. There are only a few recipes that actually look super creepy, and the rest would be great year round meals.

My one and only complaint is that the white text on a dark patterned background is hard to read if you have vision issues. Thankfully all the recipes have a white background, and it's only the short introductions to each section.

thank you to netgalley, the icon, cassandra peterson “elvira” and grand central publishing for this arc. my review and words are my own.

i am a very big elvira fan and was excited to see this come across my dashboard and approved to look at it in advance. as expected the queen delivers in beautiful photos and the most unique and cool parts are her talking about her personal style, i would want more of that.

this reminded me of most celebrity type cookbooks and that’s not a problem but it didn’t stand out as something outwardly special. though as a fellow avocado in smoothie enjoyer, i will be using that recipe post haste.

Welcome to the cookbook where all your nightmares come alive in the most delicious way! This spooky cookbook from Mistress of The Dark is packed full of some beautifully haunting recipes and spooky crafts too. This was only a partial book so I can’t give a full book opinion but from what I did read it definitely is a fun time for horror loving party planners. The photos that accompany some of the treats are wickedly gory and just right for any dark gothic lovers. The descriptions were cleverly written and sound yummy. Sink your teeth in and enjoy a “deadly” party loving event cookbook for the spooky season or anything time really.

This cookbook was made for me. I love Elvira and all things spooky scary.

I will say that I did not receive the entire cookbook for review, just the first section (brunch), so sorry I cannot speak for the entirety of the recipes.

In the sample I got, Elvira's unique brand of humor shines through: "they don't call me the Martha Stewart of the Macabre for nothin'!" "Stuff and meat, or anyone you meet..." 😱😂

I'm sure the rest is 10/10!

2.5 stars rounded up

It’s not like there’s anything wrong with this cookbook but there’s not necessarily anything right with it either. I think it’s a fun idea and very on brand for Elvira but something also feels a little soulless about it and the recipes are honestly pretty basic. Imagine anything you’ve ever seen on Pinterest for food to make for a Halloween party and that’s what this book is in a nutshell. I say this not as a hater but someone who wants to see more imaginative creations, I just expect more.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

So this was an excerpt and I didn't realize it and that's totally on me (apparently I may have reading issues lol), so I can't remove a star for that. I can only say to you that my rating is based on the recipes, crafts and text that I did have access to.

End result:
I will totally buy this.

This was fun, chatty, and a blast. The few recipes I had (I want more) were easy to follow and ghoulishly delicious.

Elvira's personality comes through in the text and the pictures were gloriously decadent and, yes, perfect for a Halloween date or party.

Wish I had the whole book...but eventually, I will!

I have been a fan of Cassandra Peterson for years and was thrilled to see this cookbook. I read it quickly and was fully entertained by the text and enticed by the recipes. They seem easy and accessible to all levels of cooks. The ingredients are very accessible too. I can't wait to try these.

Such a hilarious and macabre cookbook! These recipes are not only good for Halloween festivities but are great for just everyday life. Each recipe looks delicious (the pictures are amazing) and the instructions are clear and concise--and the introductions for each of them have Elvira's signature wit. Will definitely be using for any future Halloween parties!

Such a fun and witty cookbook! Elvira is a hilarious icon and shares some spooky fun recipes in this cookbook! Love it! Thanks NetGallery!