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Food & Spirits Mysteries #1
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor
While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . . It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night. Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost!
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2024
72 people are currently reading
4259 people want to read
About the author
Darci Hannah
15 books752 followersCozy mystery author, Darci Hannah, is a native of the Midwest and currently lives in a small town in Michigan. Darci is a lifelong lover of the Great Lakes, a natural wonder that inspires many of her stories. When Darci isn't baking for family and friends, hiking with her furry pals, Ripley and Finn, or concocting her next cozy mystery, she can be found wandering around picturesque lakeside villages with her hubby, sampling baked goods, and breaking for coffee more often than she should.
In addition to cozy mysteries, Darci's other passion is writing historical fiction. She is the author of The Exile of Sara Stevenson
(Ballantine Books, 2010, 2nd edition by Piffle & Bombast 2016) and The Angel of Blythe Hall (Ballantine Books, 2011)
In addition to cozy mysteries, Darci's other passion is writing historical fiction. She is the author of The Exile of Sara Stevenson
(Ballantine Books, 2010, 2nd edition by Piffle & Bombast 2016) and The Angel of Blythe Hall (Ballantine Books, 2011)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
August 20, 2024
This is a great start to this new series by Darci Hannah with fun, likable characters and an interesting premise. Bridget "Bunny" MacBride, Scot born chef, works for a famous foodie and has a small segment on the TV show, is excited to get her own show, Food and Spirits, with two other co-hosts. She knows food but not drinks, only the "spirits" refers to ghostly spirits. She is not happy about that but has already signed the contract. The ghost hunting part of the team is a connection to the author's Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries series, a group of guys with a ghost hunting show that was canceled. Their first assignment is an English manor with the ghost of the Mistletoe Bride who went missing on her wedding day in December centuries ago. The devastated groom found her skeleton in a chest in the attic fifty years later. On the first day of filming of the new show, the manor's historian is found dead in the infamous chest. Bunny is the prime suspect with her knife in his chest, but her knife was stolen. Bunny has special paranormal properties that she has ignored for years and so calls her Gran to come help her. Thus is the start of the journey to find who the killer is but there are many layers to unravel with surprises, twists, and turns along the way. I am not a paranormal fiction reader as a rule, but I really enjoyed this one. I like the characters with their light humor and banter and an interesting mystery to solve in a lovely and fun setting. I look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
I received a copy for the purpose of an honest review. These are my thoughts.
August 28, 2024
Ghosts and food?! How fun! What a great concept for a start to a new cozy series. I really loved the idea of Bunny traveling to a fancy manor house, cooking a great feast and presenting it to a ghost - I would definitely watch that show! However, I don't know if it's just me, but I couldn't really get into the story. It seemed quite obvious how the story was going and it was very slow; I think it could be a bit shorter and more to the point. The cozy vibes were definitely there which I enjoyed. I also didn't love the characters, other than Granny Mac. I just couldn't really get a read on Bunny - she says shes all sweet and bubbly, but never actually acted like that so I was torn. And I didn't love any of the other ghost hunter / sleuthing partners. Maybe this series just takes a little bit to warm up and get to know the characters; I will be curious to see where this series goes from here (can they really have someone die on every set?)
Thanks to the publisher for a free arc copy of this novel; my thoughts and review and my own.
Thanks to the publisher for a free arc copy of this novel; my thoughts and review and my own.
August 15, 2024
Having read her other series, I was looking forward to checking out this new series by Darci Hannah. Anyone who had read her other series will notice the "connections" to her other series in this new one. I am not usually a fan of ghost stories, to be honest, but I enjoy this author, and the thought of creative cooking also drew me in. I hoped it would be enough. Well, the characters really drew me in Bridget, Bunny, is a wonderful MC, and we learn about her and her gifts as she makes many self-discoveries. Bramsford Manor is a hotel with a famous haunted history. Our ghost hunting team, which includes a ghost hunter, a medium, and our very reluctant chef, Bunny, who was tricked into the gig, is off to a promising start until the Manor historian, who invited them, misses the Ghost Dinner and is then found dead. Unfortunately for Bunny, she finds the body, which has her boning knife in his chest. From here, we are on a romp with modern-day murderers and ghosts, tangling with historic murderers and ghosts. This was an engaging story that will keep you turning the pages. Thanks to #Netgally, #Kensingtonbooks, and the author for a chance to read #AFatalFeastatBramsfordManor #DarciHannah #DineandSpiritsMysteries #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
September 25, 2024
"A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor (A Food and Spirits Mystery #1)" by Darci Hannah is the first book in, what I hope, is a new series. Bridget MacBride, aka Bunny, is a Scottish transplant to the US and a tv sous chef when she is offered her own hosting opportunity. She doesn't realize that she's signing on to be the cooking part of a cooking and ghost hunting show. The problem being that she's been avoiding ghosts and anything remotely paranormal.
We also get the guys from the ghost hunting show that visits Beacon Harbor in the "Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant (Beacon Bakeshop Mystery #4)." There also seems to be a tie in with them and Griff to Darci Hannah's other cozy mystery series, "A Very Cherry Mystery." I haven't read that series yet, so I'm not sure of what book that connects to specifically.
The mystery is much more paranormal than the Beacon Harbor ones. Bunny, and later her grandmother joins them, are able to communicate with ghosts and spirits. Bunny doesn't want to accept this about herself but a little white ghost rabbit keeps making her get involved. Together with her grandmother and the ghost guys they solve the mystery of the Mistletoe Bride and a more current murder. Are the two linked? It kept me guessing.
We also get the guys from the ghost hunting show that visits Beacon Harbor in the "Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant (Beacon Bakeshop Mystery #4)." There also seems to be a tie in with them and Griff to Darci Hannah's other cozy mystery series, "A Very Cherry Mystery." I haven't read that series yet, so I'm not sure of what book that connects to specifically.
The mystery is much more paranormal than the Beacon Harbor ones. Bunny, and later her grandmother joins them, are able to communicate with ghosts and spirits. Bunny doesn't want to accept this about herself but a little white ghost rabbit keeps making her get involved. Together with her grandmother and the ghost guys they solve the mystery of the Mistletoe Bride and a more current murder. Are the two linked? It kept me guessing.
April 28, 2024
#AFatalFeastatBramsfordManor #NetGalley is a really good story that kept me guessing until the end.
Bunny doesn't like ghosts, but she loves too cook, so when the opportunity to cohost a paranormal reality show, she thinks it maybe fun.
Unfortunately, Bunny has to face her fears but while doing so, solves a few ancient murder mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Bunny doesn't like ghosts, but she loves too cook, so when the opportunity to cohost a paranormal reality show, she thinks it maybe fun.
Unfortunately, Bunny has to face her fears but while doing so, solves a few ancient murder mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
August 25, 2024
Dollycas's Thoughts
Chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride has been given a special opportunity for her own cooking show with a new reality TV show Food & Spirits. She will team up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady and travel around the world to visit haunted places to hunt out any spirits that have failed to cross over and try to lure them to the table for a special meal prepared by Chef Bunny.
The first episode of Food & Spirits takes Bunny, Brent, Giff, and the rest of their team to Hampshire, England to investigate a historic house that has been turned into a famous haunted hotel, Bramsford Manor. It is said to be haunted by a young woman who died on her Christmas wedding night in the 18th century.
Bunny prepares a traditional English holiday wedding dinner to tempt the Mistletoe Bride to come to the table so Brett and Giff can do their thing but before that can happen, her custom-made boning knife is found in the chest very human dinner guest. She wasn't sure about the whole premise of Food & Spirits but she never imagined she would find herself the top suspect in a murder investigation. Bunny now needs her ghost-hunting friends to help her hunt down the real killer with a big assist from her clairvoyant Grandma Mac.
____
This is the first book in a new series by Darci Hannah (Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries) and she introduces us to some very interesting characters. Bridget “Bunny” MacBride is a naturally gifted cook who was raised on a family farm in Scotland. She learned from her mother and at the age of ten she knew she wanted to be a chef. Years later a young Bunny MacBride arrived in New York City to hone her culinary skills. This helped her land a job as menu developer and guest chef for a show on the Mealtime Network where she was quite popular. This all leads to her "lucky day" when she was offered the job as host chef on Food & Spirits. We then enter her life and learn more about Bunny and her family, specifically her Grandma Mac who has a special gift. We also meet her co-hosts Brent Bloom and Giff McGrady and the people at Bramsford Manor. Some of the names may be familiar to Ms. Hannah's fans. I found Bunny very relatable and genuine. Being just the first book in the series I know I will enjoy getting to know her and her supporting cast better as the series continues.
Ms. Hannah's writing style makes it so easy to envision each person and scene both in past and present times. This story starts with an old mystery, the Mistletoe Bride, and then includes a new mystery of murder and more. The author twists them together with detail and precision. She also places bits of humor and romantic tension perfectly throughout the story. I found the current mystery to be complex with several suspects. I was kept guessing right up to the reveal. The past mystery was heartbreaking but had a heartwarming end.
As I turned the last page of the story and an author's note about the inspiration for this book I was delighted to see "Bunny's Culinary Corner: Recipes & tips to entertain your family & friends. (And ghosts, if that's what you're into.)" There are seven recipes, several I would like to try but I have copied the Rustic Apple Tart with Butterscotch Sauce for my personal chef husband to bake up soon. Hopefully, it won't bring any spirits to the table. :-D
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor has set this series off to a fabulous start. The theme for this series is unique. Cozy mysteries are wonderful places for food and ghosts. This book shows how entertaining putting them together can be. I am so excited to see this series continue and what the author has planned for book two.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride has been given a special opportunity for her own cooking show with a new reality TV show Food & Spirits. She will team up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady and travel around the world to visit haunted places to hunt out any spirits that have failed to cross over and try to lure them to the table for a special meal prepared by Chef Bunny.
The first episode of Food & Spirits takes Bunny, Brent, Giff, and the rest of their team to Hampshire, England to investigate a historic house that has been turned into a famous haunted hotel, Bramsford Manor. It is said to be haunted by a young woman who died on her Christmas wedding night in the 18th century.
Bunny prepares a traditional English holiday wedding dinner to tempt the Mistletoe Bride to come to the table so Brett and Giff can do their thing but before that can happen, her custom-made boning knife is found in the chest very human dinner guest. She wasn't sure about the whole premise of Food & Spirits but she never imagined she would find herself the top suspect in a murder investigation. Bunny now needs her ghost-hunting friends to help her hunt down the real killer with a big assist from her clairvoyant Grandma Mac.
____
This is the first book in a new series by Darci Hannah (Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries) and she introduces us to some very interesting characters. Bridget “Bunny” MacBride is a naturally gifted cook who was raised on a family farm in Scotland. She learned from her mother and at the age of ten she knew she wanted to be a chef. Years later a young Bunny MacBride arrived in New York City to hone her culinary skills. This helped her land a job as menu developer and guest chef for a show on the Mealtime Network where she was quite popular. This all leads to her "lucky day" when she was offered the job as host chef on Food & Spirits. We then enter her life and learn more about Bunny and her family, specifically her Grandma Mac who has a special gift. We also meet her co-hosts Brent Bloom and Giff McGrady and the people at Bramsford Manor. Some of the names may be familiar to Ms. Hannah's fans. I found Bunny very relatable and genuine. Being just the first book in the series I know I will enjoy getting to know her and her supporting cast better as the series continues.
Ms. Hannah's writing style makes it so easy to envision each person and scene both in past and present times. This story starts with an old mystery, the Mistletoe Bride, and then includes a new mystery of murder and more. The author twists them together with detail and precision. She also places bits of humor and romantic tension perfectly throughout the story. I found the current mystery to be complex with several suspects. I was kept guessing right up to the reveal. The past mystery was heartbreaking but had a heartwarming end.
As I turned the last page of the story and an author's note about the inspiration for this book I was delighted to see "Bunny's Culinary Corner: Recipes & tips to entertain your family & friends. (And ghosts, if that's what you're into.)" There are seven recipes, several I would like to try but I have copied the Rustic Apple Tart with Butterscotch Sauce for my personal chef husband to bake up soon. Hopefully, it won't bring any spirits to the table. :-D
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor has set this series off to a fabulous start. The theme for this series is unique. Cozy mysteries are wonderful places for food and ghosts. This book shows how entertaining putting them together can be. I am so excited to see this series continue and what the author has planned for book two.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
June 20, 2024
If there is one thing Scottish chef Bridget 'Bunny' MacBride won't consider getting involved with, or even talk about, it's spooky stuff! Everything from Halloween to ghouls and ghosts are off limits! She has, however, always been quite happy working in Connecticut on one of the most popular shows on the Mealtime Network. Things have become a little frosty of late, though, and when she's offered her own show, Food and Spirits, Bunny is delighted to jump ship and accept. Unfortunately, it seems she has agreed to be part of a ghost hunting show where her meals will be used to entice a ghostly presence and help them pass over into the spirit world!
Bramsford Manor, a beautiful, historic, five-star hotel in the heart of Hampshire, is where Bunny and her team will be filming first. Regrettably, after preparing a sumptuous meal for her part of the show, a body is discovered, with one of her knives being used as the murder weapon! Scared, Bunny contacts her Grandma Mac, a clairvoyant who still lives in her native Scotland, for help, while finally admitting to her own psychic powers, which she has kept hidden for over a decade! Alongside her grandmother and new co-stars, the hunt begins to discover the killer’s identity before their new show is cancelled, and Bunny has to remain in England at His Majesty's pleasure!
Darci Hannah has written an excellent series starter, and after enjoying her Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series, I was excited to read this. I wasn't disappointed. The mystery was fast moving, the main protagonists were all well-rounded from the start, and I like the premise of Bunny and her team visiting haunted properties across the globe for their series. There are also notes on the actual ghost story as well as some relevant recipes included at the end, and I look forward to reading more.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
Bramsford Manor, a beautiful, historic, five-star hotel in the heart of Hampshire, is where Bunny and her team will be filming first. Regrettably, after preparing a sumptuous meal for her part of the show, a body is discovered, with one of her knives being used as the murder weapon! Scared, Bunny contacts her Grandma Mac, a clairvoyant who still lives in her native Scotland, for help, while finally admitting to her own psychic powers, which she has kept hidden for over a decade! Alongside her grandmother and new co-stars, the hunt begins to discover the killer’s identity before their new show is cancelled, and Bunny has to remain in England at His Majesty's pleasure!
Darci Hannah has written an excellent series starter, and after enjoying her Beacon Bakeshop Mystery Series, I was excited to read this. I wasn't disappointed. The mystery was fast moving, the main protagonists were all well-rounded from the start, and I like the premise of Bunny and her team visiting haunted properties across the globe for their series. There are also notes on the actual ghost story as well as some relevant recipes included at the end, and I look forward to reading more.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and happily recommend it.
October 25, 2024
I have a new favorite whimsical cozy mystery and I can't wait for more travel and mysteries for Bunny and the "Food & Spirits" gang! The book should come with a warning though as it will make you hungry with all the great food they describe during the food part of "Food & Spirits!" The best is how they work the ghosts into the mystery with this cast of wonderful ghost hunters! This first book really set a solid foundation by introducing us to the main characters that are fun, quirky, unique and lovable. The mystery in this book is intriguing as they are trying to unravel the mystery of the ghost, but they also are in a race to unravel a current murder to salvage their show and their reputations! It's a fun read that captures you and keeps you reading. In my case, I listened to the audiobook and I am absolutely thrilled that I did. The narration was outstanding and I can definitely say that this series is now on my must listen list! It's whimsical fun that helps lift me out of reality and into a great escape!
August 20, 2024
Rounding up from 4.5⭐
Any reader recognizes that intoxicating feeling when within the first few pages of a new book/series that you know are going to love this book. And you feel an immediate engagement with the lead character. And that was this book for me. While already a fan of Darci Hannah's Beacon Bakeshop series, this new series tops it for me. When Bunny McBride, an up-and-coming chef featured, is offered a new show titled Food and Spirits, little did she know that spirits aren't booze, but those of the ghostly variety. Why this such a concern to her becomes apparent as the show starts to tape the first episode in a haunted stately home in England. Great characters and a fast moving twisty plot that kept me guessing. Thanks to netgalley andKensington Publishing the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Any reader recognizes that intoxicating feeling when within the first few pages of a new book/series that you know are going to love this book. And you feel an immediate engagement with the lead character. And that was this book for me. While already a fan of Darci Hannah's Beacon Bakeshop series, this new series tops it for me. When Bunny McBride, an up-and-coming chef featured, is offered a new show titled Food and Spirits, little did she know that spirits aren't booze, but those of the ghostly variety. Why this such a concern to her becomes apparent as the show starts to tape the first episode in a haunted stately home in England. Great characters and a fast moving twisty plot that kept me guessing. Thanks to netgalley andKensington Publishing the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 20, 2024
With a ghostly legend and delicious food, A Fatal Feast At Bramsford Manor is the perfect cozy fall read! While my time at Bramsford Manor has come to an end, I'm excited to see what's next in store for Bunny, Brett, Giff, and Granny Mac.
September 16, 2024
This was a great start to a new series. Bunny is a semi celebrity chef that gets tricked into joining the cast of a show about cooking and ghost hunting. That sounds like a crazy combination, but it really works here. While seeking ghosts at a famously haunted hotel and manor home, Bunny and her crew come across a murder. Now they're investigating two mysteries. I really enjoyed this and am definitely looking forward to the next one in the series.
July 14, 2024
“A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor ” by Darci Hannah the 1st instalment in the "A Food & Spirits Mystery" series. I loved this book it’s a fun mystery. I totally added it to my favourite series list!
I really enjoyed getting to know Bunny and visiting Bramsford Manor. I’m hoping Bunny’s Grandma Mac will be in the next book .
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Bunny did.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I really enjoyed getting to know Bunny and visiting Bramsford Manor. I’m hoping Bunny’s Grandma Mac will be in the next book .
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Bunny did.
I highly recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I requested and received an advanced readers copy from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
October 25, 2024
eBook [Hoopla] - 4 Stars
Audiobook - 3 Stars
This is my first Darci Hannah book, but it will absolutely not be my last!!
What I liked:
* The premise and setting. Such a fun mix of those who believe in ghosts and spirits and those who don't. I also liked how they used food to draw out the spirits as well [I hope there is more of that in book 2].
* Bunny and Granny Mac. I might have liked the "lads" more, but the narration was...[more on that later].
* The mystery. I knew who the killer was early on, but not the [VERY BIG] why, so I will take that as a win!!
* No tedious repetition [which is a real crisis in mysteries right now]. This was a GINORMOUS win for me.
What didn't work for me:
* The narration. Her British/Scottish is absolutely amazing and I loved those, even if she struggled to remember who had which voice [this is NOT shade. I am, as always, in awe of anyone who can do narration, even the ones that don't resonate with me. I cannot even imagine trying to keep all the characters AND their voices straight, but I would be remiss if I didn't say something about this as it did affect my listening experience], but her American voices left much to be desired [especially Giff's flamboyant "voice"] and I had a tough time connecting with the "lads" because of it. If there is a book 2, I am hoping some of this smooths out because it WAS distracting.
* The semi-rushed reveal. I will never, ever be a fan of that. Also, there were two things going on at once and we never really got to "see" how the second thing was resolved and I was really looking forward to that and to Giff having to...well, lead. ;-) That was a bit disappointing.
I do hope there is a second book because even with my issues with the narration, this was a really good read; I never once wanted to skip ahead, the mystery [even with me knowing the killer] kept me engaged, I really connected with Bunny, and that end? SO unexpected [cue: HUGE tears], but truly almost perfect.
Well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Darci Hannah, Charlie Albers - Narrator, and RB Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Audiobook - 3 Stars
This is my first Darci Hannah book, but it will absolutely not be my last!!
What I liked:
* The premise and setting. Such a fun mix of those who believe in ghosts and spirits and those who don't. I also liked how they used food to draw out the spirits as well [I hope there is more of that in book 2].
* Bunny and Granny Mac. I might have liked the "lads" more, but the narration was...[more on that later].
* The mystery. I knew who the killer was early on, but not the [VERY BIG] why, so I will take that as a win!!
* No tedious repetition [which is a real crisis in mysteries right now]. This was a GINORMOUS win for me.
What didn't work for me:
* The narration. Her British/Scottish is absolutely amazing and I loved those, even if she struggled to remember who had which voice [this is NOT shade. I am, as always, in awe of anyone who can do narration, even the ones that don't resonate with me. I cannot even imagine trying to keep all the characters AND their voices straight, but I would be remiss if I didn't say something about this as it did affect my listening experience], but her American voices left much to be desired [especially Giff's flamboyant "voice"] and I had a tough time connecting with the "lads" because of it. If there is a book 2, I am hoping some of this smooths out because it WAS distracting.
* The semi-rushed reveal. I will never, ever be a fan of that. Also, there were two things going on at once and we never really got to "see" how the second thing was resolved and I was really looking forward to that and to Giff having to...well, lead. ;-) That was a bit disappointing.
I do hope there is a second book because even with my issues with the narration, this was a really good read; I never once wanted to skip ahead, the mystery [even with me knowing the killer] kept me engaged, I really connected with Bunny, and that end? SO unexpected [cue: HUGE tears], but truly almost perfect.
Well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Darci Hannah, Charlie Albers - Narrator, and RB Media for providing this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2024
Chef Bridget "Bunny' MacBride is offered her own cooking show. The concept pairs gourmet meals and ghosts. With a team consisting of a ghost hunter and a medium the idea is to try and communicate with a ghost living in a haunted locale. It's a great opportunity. The only problem is Bunny hates anything having to do with ghosts.
Up first is Bramsford Manor in England. There Bunny and her team learn the tale of the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died tragically on her wedding night in the 1700's. Bunny wants nothing to do with that part of the show. Instead she focuses on creating a perfect meal. They're off to a great start until the murder of a dinner guest and Bunny becomes the prime suspect.
I was immediately drawn into this wonderful story. The characters are charming and I was instantly comfortable with them. They are not cookie cutter stand ins. Bunny is a refreshing lead character.
The writing is fantastic as well. The setting is perfect. The ghost element is well done. I also loved seeing what they were doing for the show.
I love how Bunny and friends worked together to solve the mystery which is quite layered. It has elements of a classic mystery.
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor is just so well done. It was a fast read because I didn't want to stop reading. Have you ever read a book where you keep telling yourself while reading that you love it? This was me every other page. It's a fantastic book that hits all the right notes. I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
Up first is Bramsford Manor in England. There Bunny and her team learn the tale of the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died tragically on her wedding night in the 1700's. Bunny wants nothing to do with that part of the show. Instead she focuses on creating a perfect meal. They're off to a great start until the murder of a dinner guest and Bunny becomes the prime suspect.
I was immediately drawn into this wonderful story. The characters are charming and I was instantly comfortable with them. They are not cookie cutter stand ins. Bunny is a refreshing lead character.
The writing is fantastic as well. The setting is perfect. The ghost element is well done. I also loved seeing what they were doing for the show.
I love how Bunny and friends worked together to solve the mystery which is quite layered. It has elements of a classic mystery.
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor is just so well done. It was a fast read because I didn't want to stop reading. Have you ever read a book where you keep telling yourself while reading that you love it? This was me every other page. It's a fantastic book that hits all the right notes. I can't wait for the next one!
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!
August 19, 2024
Bunny MacBride is excited when she signs a contract to be the chef of a new TV reality series, Food & Spirits. She’s sent to an English manor which is rich in history and dark secrets. What she doesn’t know is it’s also haunted, and the ghosts can’t rest until their mystery is solved. This is way more than Bunny thought she’d be getting when she agreed to do this show.
Bunny is a trooper and takes it all in stride. She works with her new ghost hunter team to solve a three-hundred-year-old case. They never expect a murder in the present time and now they must solve that as well. In fact, the current death is priority since it could mean they have a killer in their midst.
This series is a combination cozy mystery with paranormal overtones. It’s a good premise and the series has much potential.
It got off to a slow start for me. It took me awhile to warm up to these characters. There were some slow spots in the middle, but then the story took off and I was intrigued. The story stayed in the present day with the characters investigating the past. I was totally absorbed in the story as it moved along. I wanted to know how it would all end.
I liked our main character, Bunny, as well as the supporting cast. Her grandmother was fun, as were the group of ghost hunters. This could be really entertaining and I’m looking forward to reading the next entry into this series. It felt very much like a gothic adventure set in an old manor.
The series is off to a solid start.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bunny is a trooper and takes it all in stride. She works with her new ghost hunter team to solve a three-hundred-year-old case. They never expect a murder in the present time and now they must solve that as well. In fact, the current death is priority since it could mean they have a killer in their midst.
This series is a combination cozy mystery with paranormal overtones. It’s a good premise and the series has much potential.
It got off to a slow start for me. It took me awhile to warm up to these characters. There were some slow spots in the middle, but then the story took off and I was intrigued. The story stayed in the present day with the characters investigating the past. I was totally absorbed in the story as it moved along. I wanted to know how it would all end.
I liked our main character, Bunny, as well as the supporting cast. Her grandmother was fun, as were the group of ghost hunters. This could be really entertaining and I’m looking forward to reading the next entry into this series. It felt very much like a gothic adventure set in an old manor.
The series is off to a solid start.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 29, 2024
I am not usually a fan of ghost stories but I love this author so I wanted to check out this series. This book is the first book and it has a few secondary characters from her Beacon Bakeshop series.
Bridget “Bunny” is the main character in the series and she is fantastic. A lot of personality and I could connect with her. She has a segment on a TV show to showcase her culinary talents. She was offered a spot on her very own TV show with a two co hosts. She took the gig without fully reading what the show was about… Ghosts!
Bunny has tried to runny away for the paranormal world for years but alas it has found her. Bunny has premonitions in the form of a rabbit, which has led her to a dead body.
Bunny along with her team must solve the murder because Bunny is a suspect. Bunny’s grandma also makes an appearance and I hope she becomes a permanent fixture.
The main mystery is very engaging along with the learning the background stories of the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Bridget “Bunny” is the main character in the series and she is fantastic. A lot of personality and I could connect with her. She has a segment on a TV show to showcase her culinary talents. She was offered a spot on her very own TV show with a two co hosts. She took the gig without fully reading what the show was about… Ghosts!
Bunny has tried to runny away for the paranormal world for years but alas it has found her. Bunny has premonitions in the form of a rabbit, which has led her to a dead body.
Bunny along with her team must solve the murder because Bunny is a suspect. Bunny’s grandma also makes an appearance and I hope she becomes a permanent fixture.
The main mystery is very engaging along with the learning the background stories of the characters.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 11, 2024
Thank you NetGalley and Trantor Audio for the ARC of this audiobook for my honest review
Amazing murder mystery with delicious descriptions of food, and a really cool Scottish accent in the audio book. I wouldn’t say the American accents were at all good but Scottish and English was haha. About the book itself though I loved the characters , the location was so interesting, the mystery was so intriguing and I had no idea who it was till they told me so it was really well done. I recommend this to anyone who loves a murder mystery with some great mysteries and twists and loves food!
Amazing murder mystery with delicious descriptions of food, and a really cool Scottish accent in the audio book. I wouldn’t say the American accents were at all good but Scottish and English was haha. About the book itself though I loved the characters , the location was so interesting, the mystery was so intriguing and I had no idea who it was till they told me so it was really well done. I recommend this to anyone who loves a murder mystery with some great mysteries and twists and loves food!
January 18, 2025
I really thought I would like this more since it features some characters we meet in Beacon Bakeshop mystery series and has paranormal elements but I just didn’t. I enjoyed Granny Mac but I didn’t really care for emotional FMC Bunny very much. Not sure I’d read more in this series. I liked the ending but it was slow going for me until 3/4 of the way through
August 4, 2024
A Fatek Feast at Bransford Manor by Darci Hannah is a great introduction to a new Cozy series. The idea of a ghost hunting show meets a food network show was a little wiered and hard to belive, but once you got reading, you were drawn into the story. I love how Bunny is tricked by her boss to take a job where she's cooking for a paranormal show after her boss finds out she's skittish about all things Holloween. I enjoyed the characters, especially Bunny’s grandmother. She was so much fun and brought the story to life. I also loved how Bunny's powers are connected to a trauma in her past and how's she's forced to face them. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the second installment.
July 25, 2024
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor is a spooky, fun first in a new series! The cast of characters grew on me exponentially throughout the story; I especially loved Granny Mac. The premise of this mystery was a little different and totally worked for me. The ghost hunting part even got a little spooky for a cozy, though I would’ve liked to see Granny Mac get rid of the negative entity—I hope we’ll see more of her talents in future books! I can’t wait to see Bunny settle into her abilities either! The food made me pretty hungry, I hope we get to spend more time with Bunny as she prepares delicious eats! The mystery kept me guessing until the reveal, and the sleuthing was top notch. The backdrop of Bramsford Manor gave a Clue vibe, and the story of the Mistletoe Bride was eerie and sad, I was rooting for the closure of her tale. I’ll absolutely be reading more of this series!
July 21, 2024
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Murder is the first in a new series by Darci Hannah and my first Darci Hannah book! I enjoy mysteries with a bit of a ghost element and with this one taking place in England, it sounded right up my alley! Bunny MacBride, a cook on a Martha Stewart-type show, finally gets her own show, but instead of food and alcohol like she assumes, it involves ghost-hunting! I loved the main character and getting to know the other cast and crew. There wasn't as much food descriptions as I expected, but the mystery itself was great! Looking forward to where Hannah takes the series in the future!
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!
June 1, 2024
The story is as gentle as the MC, not sassy like her Scottish grandmother. But it is as fun as her ghostly bunny and her denial that she is clairvoyant in any way. Not like the guy on the film crew who Knows he isn't but pretends that he is.
Bunny is a known American TV chef who has been talked into returning to the UK to be in a new series called the Food & Spirits with the first one set in picturesque Hampshire. So she wasn't prepared to find a recently dead body nor be tossed in the cells as the primary suspect. And then it really gets laughable! Did I mention that the "Spirits" means ghosts, not potables?
Great story in a new series from a fun author of cozies.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you! Available Aug 20, 2024
Bunny is a known American TV chef who has been talked into returning to the UK to be in a new series called the Food & Spirits with the first one set in picturesque Hampshire. So she wasn't prepared to find a recently dead body nor be tossed in the cells as the primary suspect. And then it really gets laughable! Did I mention that the "Spirits" means ghosts, not potables?
Great story in a new series from a fun author of cozies.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Kensington Publishing | Kensington Cozies via NetGalley. Thank you! Available Aug 20, 2024
June 17, 2024
Bridget "Bunny" McBride has signed on to be the chef on a new show, unaware that it is a cooking and ghost hunter show. Her task is to recreate a meal to draw out the ghost being investigated. First stop is Bramsford Manor in Scotland for the Mistletoe Bride. When the historian is murdered with her boning knife. She becomes the prime suspect. Fortunately, the tapes filmed prove her innocence. Bunny is able to see ghosts and spirits and contacts her grandmother to uncover the killer. As she, her grandmother and the ghost crew investigate, they seek to discover the big reveal the historian had planned and is most likely the reason for his murder.
Interesting characters - look forward to their next adventure.
#AFatalFeastatBramsfordManor #Kensington #NetGalley
Interesting characters - look forward to their next adventure.
#AFatalFeastatBramsfordManor #Kensington #NetGalley
May 9, 2024
A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor has everything you could want in a cozy mystery series starter! There’s ghosts, murder, secrets, food, and a budding romance. It has several twists, most of which I didn’t see coming. It even has some recipes in the back that correspond with the food in the book.
If you’ve read the author’s other two series, Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries and Very Cherry Mysteries, then you may recognize a character or two. However, if you haven’t read either of the other two series, you won’t feel like you’re missing any information for this book.
I loved this book and can’t to see where the series goes from here!
If you’ve read the author’s other two series, Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries and Very Cherry Mysteries, then you may recognize a character or two. However, if you haven’t read either of the other two series, you won’t feel like you’re missing any information for this book.
I loved this book and can’t to see where the series goes from here!
November 30, 2024
This was a very fun cozy mystery. Although not my typical genre I really liked the whole ghost hunting TV show angle, and the tie ins with Darci's other series' was really fun.
Gif was my favorite and I love Granny Mac. I really liked how they are trying to film a TV show while solving a old mystery and a current day murder. I think there's a lot of opportunity for this series to expand, and think it would be a very fun TV show or movie.
Gif was my favorite and I love Granny Mac. I really liked how they are trying to film a TV show while solving a old mystery and a current day murder. I think there's a lot of opportunity for this series to expand, and think it would be a very fun TV show or movie.
August 23, 2024
"A Fatal Feast At Bramsford Manor" is book #1 in the "Food & Spirits Mystery" by Darci Hannah.
"While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . . It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night. Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost!"
My thoughts:
To be clear, I don't really believe in ghosts or spirits but given that I've read and enjoyed two other series by Ms. Hannah, I was willing to take a chance on this unique concept.
For those who have read Darci's "Very Cherry Mystery" series and the "Beacon Bakeshop" series, you will be delighted to see mentions of both - and crossover characters of Gifford McGrady and Brett Bloom. They, along with Chef Bunny McBride and the camera/tech crew of Ed, Mike and Cody make for an interesting blend of "talents" and communication skills.
The dialogue is sprinkled with bits of humour as well as what I would call ghost hunter gibberish but at the same time the conversations also felt fairly realistic. The core characters are quite likable.
Bunny is clearly not comfortable with the "Spirits" part of the new reality series - especially when it awakens some inner issues of her own. She really doesn't have much of a choice but to go along with it once the team gets to England. Thankfully she can also call on her Granny Mac to help her sort out some things. Gran is a pure delight!
Giff is definitely in over his head when it comes to being a medium but his flair for the dramatics kept me chuckling!
Brett is the "professional" when it comes to ghost hunting but even he seems at times to be awed and/or dumbfounded by what is happening around him.
The mystery of the Mistletoe Bride is a dark tale from 1700 that Marcus Bean had been working on finding answers as to why and how it happened. Before those answers could be revealed, a guest at the Spirit Supper is murdered. The murder and the 300 year old tale are clearly connected - somehow.
Some well placed twists and turns - as well as a few spine tingling frights keep readers turning the pages. The suspect list for the current murder wasn't long but I honestly wasn't sure which of the characters had been guilty. The ultimate reveal and take down were well done as were the scenes that followed to tie up loose ends.
A few of Bunny's recipes are included at the end to tempt the taste buds even more than some of the food descriptions in the book.
I did come across an odd typo that I suspect may have been a character name change at some point in the writing/editing phase that wasn't caught in the proof reading. In chapter 20, page 156 of the Kindle edition, it says: "Frank heckled with a grin". However, there is no one in the story by that name. Given the seating and commentary at the table, it was most likely said by Ed, Mike or Cody.
All in all, this was an entertaining read - even though I'm not a big fan of ghost or spirit reads. I will be reading more of this series if Ms. Hannah continues with it.
"While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . . It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night. Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost!"
My thoughts:
To be clear, I don't really believe in ghosts or spirits but given that I've read and enjoyed two other series by Ms. Hannah, I was willing to take a chance on this unique concept.
For those who have read Darci's "Very Cherry Mystery" series and the "Beacon Bakeshop" series, you will be delighted to see mentions of both - and crossover characters of Gifford McGrady and Brett Bloom. They, along with Chef Bunny McBride and the camera/tech crew of Ed, Mike and Cody make for an interesting blend of "talents" and communication skills.
The dialogue is sprinkled with bits of humour as well as what I would call ghost hunter gibberish but at the same time the conversations also felt fairly realistic. The core characters are quite likable.
Bunny is clearly not comfortable with the "Spirits" part of the new reality series - especially when it awakens some inner issues of her own. She really doesn't have much of a choice but to go along with it once the team gets to England. Thankfully she can also call on her Granny Mac to help her sort out some things. Gran is a pure delight!
Giff is definitely in over his head when it comes to being a medium but his flair for the dramatics kept me chuckling!
Brett is the "professional" when it comes to ghost hunting but even he seems at times to be awed and/or dumbfounded by what is happening around him.
The mystery of the Mistletoe Bride is a dark tale from 1700 that Marcus Bean had been working on finding answers as to why and how it happened. Before those answers could be revealed, a guest at the Spirit Supper is murdered. The murder and the 300 year old tale are clearly connected - somehow.
Some well placed twists and turns - as well as a few spine tingling frights keep readers turning the pages. The suspect list for the current murder wasn't long but I honestly wasn't sure which of the characters had been guilty. The ultimate reveal and take down were well done as were the scenes that followed to tie up loose ends.
A few of Bunny's recipes are included at the end to tempt the taste buds even more than some of the food descriptions in the book.
I did come across an odd typo that I suspect may have been a character name change at some point in the writing/editing phase that wasn't caught in the proof reading. In chapter 20, page 156 of the Kindle edition, it says: "Frank heckled with a grin". However, there is no one in the story by that name. Given the seating and commentary at the table, it was most likely said by Ed, Mike or Cody.
All in all, this was an entertaining read - even though I'm not a big fan of ghost or spirit reads. I will be reading more of this series if Ms. Hannah continues with it.
May 5, 2024
Bridget "Bunny" MacBride is a Scottish chef who's come to live in the USA. She's part of a cooking show with a famous chef, having her own segment. But when she clashes with the woman, suddenly her life has changed. She's offered her own show -- Food & Spirits, -- and jumps at the chance. What she doesn't know until later is that the "spirits" part isn't about alcoholic beverages. It's about actual spirits. In other words, ghosts.
Bunny isn't happy about this, since she left Scotland to get away from ghosts of her old life. But soon enough she finds out that they're traveling to England to contact the Mistletoe Bride -- a woman who died on her wedding night at Christmas -- and there's no way out for her. What she really doesn't expect is to see the ghost of her white rabbit, Hopper, or to need the help of her grandma, who is an actual psychic. But here, the unexpected becomes reality, and she soon finds that reality isn't all what it's cracked up to be...
This is the first book in a new series by Darci Hannah, one of my favorite authors. It's a sort of a spin off from the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, in that Brett Bloom, who was a 'guest' ghosthunter in that series, and turns up again in this series, as part of the group. Saying that, let's get to the story without giving away any spoilers (if I can).
The crew is invited to the Manor by a historian who is chronicling the past of the manor and the tale of the Mistletoe Bride, and wants them to attempt to contact her. But on the night of the dinner -- being made magnificently by Bunny, and filmed by the ghosthunters, she sees the ghost of Hopper, and her life changes. Suddenly she's now a murder suspect, and calls her grandma for help. During the investigation, she doesn't know who believes her and who doesn't; but it doesn't matter anyway because she and grandma -- and the crew -- are trying to figure out who killed the person.
Unfortunately, it has to be someone who was at Bramsford Manor that night, which includes all of the staff, and even the owners. Can Bunny figure it out? But what's even more important, can she figure out what is going on with her, and can she stop running from herself at last?
I have to say that I just loved this book. It had all the elements of a good story -- a protagonist with a tragic background (explained in the book so no cliffhangers!); interesting characters all around, and the best, a little paranormal activity to keep you interested. And interested I was, finishing this book far too soon and wanting more! Giff is a hoot, and when he's with grandma, you have two hoots and a half...if I may say so (ha). Brett is a bit more skeptical, but being a ghosthunter, he'd better figure it out, and he does; but I think unwillingly, anyway. I also liked many of the secondary characters as well, which is a big plus.
When the ending comes and we finally figure out the murderer, I have to say that I was completely surprised by this. That's a good thing. I read far too many mysteries where I figure out the killer way before our protagonist does. But this also was intriguing in the fact that we find out more than the motive -- the killer gives us enough reasons to wonder how anyone in the manor couldn't even suspect them. They go to great lengths to keep it all hidden, and do so magnificently.
In the end, we are given a hint of what is to come in future books (which I hope will happen soon) and some truly delicious-looking recipes that I plan to try myself! Highly recommended.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Bunny isn't happy about this, since she left Scotland to get away from ghosts of her old life. But soon enough she finds out that they're traveling to England to contact the Mistletoe Bride -- a woman who died on her wedding night at Christmas -- and there's no way out for her. What she really doesn't expect is to see the ghost of her white rabbit, Hopper, or to need the help of her grandma, who is an actual psychic. But here, the unexpected becomes reality, and she soon finds that reality isn't all what it's cracked up to be...
This is the first book in a new series by Darci Hannah, one of my favorite authors. It's a sort of a spin off from the Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, in that Brett Bloom, who was a 'guest' ghosthunter in that series, and turns up again in this series, as part of the group. Saying that, let's get to the story without giving away any spoilers (if I can).
The crew is invited to the Manor by a historian who is chronicling the past of the manor and the tale of the Mistletoe Bride, and wants them to attempt to contact her. But on the night of the dinner -- being made magnificently by Bunny, and filmed by the ghosthunters, she sees the ghost of Hopper, and her life changes. Suddenly she's now a murder suspect, and calls her grandma for help. During the investigation, she doesn't know who believes her and who doesn't; but it doesn't matter anyway because she and grandma -- and the crew -- are trying to figure out who killed the person.
Unfortunately, it has to be someone who was at Bramsford Manor that night, which includes all of the staff, and even the owners. Can Bunny figure it out? But what's even more important, can she figure out what is going on with her, and can she stop running from herself at last?
I have to say that I just loved this book. It had all the elements of a good story -- a protagonist with a tragic background (explained in the book so no cliffhangers!); interesting characters all around, and the best, a little paranormal activity to keep you interested. And interested I was, finishing this book far too soon and wanting more! Giff is a hoot, and when he's with grandma, you have two hoots and a half...if I may say so (ha). Brett is a bit more skeptical, but being a ghosthunter, he'd better figure it out, and he does; but I think unwillingly, anyway. I also liked many of the secondary characters as well, which is a big plus.
When the ending comes and we finally figure out the murderer, I have to say that I was completely surprised by this. That's a good thing. I read far too many mysteries where I figure out the killer way before our protagonist does. But this also was intriguing in the fact that we find out more than the motive -- the killer gives us enough reasons to wonder how anyone in the manor couldn't even suspect them. They go to great lengths to keep it all hidden, and do so magnificently.
In the end, we are given a hint of what is to come in future books (which I hope will happen soon) and some truly delicious-looking recipes that I plan to try myself! Highly recommended.
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
April 4, 2025
Bridget “Bunny” McBride is a chef on a food network. She loves her job but her boss is a bit jealous of her popularity and offers her the opportunity to have her own show – Food & Spirits. She’s led to believe it will be a travel show where she will work with the food of the place she is visiting and her co-host will handle the “spirits.”
Her obvious assumption is that spirits means alcohol. Of course, it has another meaning. One which Bunny is not okay with. You see, Bunny died in a boating accident in her home country of Scotland when she was about eighteen, but was revived. Her twin brother did not survive.
It isn’t until she arrives at a meeting about the upcoming show that she learns what is really going on. She will be making meals to entice the “spirits” into manifesting while her co-host, ghost hunter Brett, tries to get proof of their existence.
This is the last thing Bunny wants to be involved with, but she is in too deep to back out now. She is particularly unhappy to learn their “psychic medium” Giff is no medium at all, but an actor. Her own gran actually is a medium, so Bunny knows how real and serious this is.
Bunny goes with the team to Bramsford Manor in England and throws herself into the cooking, determined to avoid the ghost side of things. Of course, they stick her in the very bedroom where the “Mistletoe Bride” is purported to manifest.” (That was a bit of a plot hole to me since the ghost hunting team should want to set up and monitor equipment in there.)
It becomes even more serious when a present day inhabitant of Bramsford Manor is murdered with one of Bunny’s chef knives, and Bunny becomes a suspect.
One of the really bright spots in this book is Bunny’s gran, who she calls to bail her out when she is arrested as the main suspect in the murder. Gran arrives and helps set things to right, getting the show back on course.
Another thing that I really liked about the book was that while Bunny can be a little overwrought she doesn’t just lie down and take it, she fights back.
Overall, this is a fun romp of a paranormal cozy mystery. More than anything, this story reminds me of Scooby Doo, where the whole “gang” is investigating the murder.
The mystery is well developed with a real investigation going on and lots of good interaction between the characters, as well as misdirection.
The actual writing itself could use a little more editing, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
The writing and the reader on the audio can be rather melodramatic, but it certainly held my attention. I don’t think I’ll listen to another one right away, but I would certainly come back to it when I need something light to take my mind off other things.
Her obvious assumption is that spirits means alcohol. Of course, it has another meaning. One which Bunny is not okay with. You see, Bunny died in a boating accident in her home country of Scotland when she was about eighteen, but was revived. Her twin brother did not survive.
It isn’t until she arrives at a meeting about the upcoming show that she learns what is really going on. She will be making meals to entice the “spirits” into manifesting while her co-host, ghost hunter Brett, tries to get proof of their existence.
This is the last thing Bunny wants to be involved with, but she is in too deep to back out now. She is particularly unhappy to learn their “psychic medium” Giff is no medium at all, but an actor. Her own gran actually is a medium, so Bunny knows how real and serious this is.
Bunny goes with the team to Bramsford Manor in England and throws herself into the cooking, determined to avoid the ghost side of things. Of course, they stick her in the very bedroom where the “Mistletoe Bride” is purported to manifest.” (That was a bit of a plot hole to me since the ghost hunting team should want to set up and monitor equipment in there.)
It becomes even more serious when a present day inhabitant of Bramsford Manor is murdered with one of Bunny’s chef knives, and Bunny becomes a suspect.
One of the really bright spots in this book is Bunny’s gran, who she calls to bail her out when she is arrested as the main suspect in the murder. Gran arrives and helps set things to right, getting the show back on course.
Another thing that I really liked about the book was that while Bunny can be a little overwrought she doesn’t just lie down and take it, she fights back.
Overall, this is a fun romp of a paranormal cozy mystery. More than anything, this story reminds me of Scooby Doo, where the whole “gang” is investigating the murder.
The mystery is well developed with a real investigation going on and lots of good interaction between the characters, as well as misdirection.
The actual writing itself could use a little more editing, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the story.
The writing and the reader on the audio can be rather melodramatic, but it certainly held my attention. I don’t think I’ll listen to another one right away, but I would certainly come back to it when I need something light to take my mind off other things.
January 14, 2025
This was a hard start for me. Our main character, Bunny, started off as very naive. Her boss was predictable and the end result, almost like a fairy tale witch, placing the deadly object within reach of the princess, was 100% expected and almost the point of where I stopped listening. I thought perhaps this was not one I should be listening to and maybe I could revisit in written form. BUT I forged ahead and it was exactly at this point that everything took a turn for the better!
Bunny finds herself the head chef of a new tv show. What a dream job! (Just a word of advice, when your boss is smiling like a cheshire cat, it's best not to sign the paperwork.) She later finds out the show isn't JUST traveling and cooking, but also involves ghost hunting. She panics! She wants nothing to do with the paranormal! It was at this point I realized, wait...the ghost hunters...their back story is familiar. I've read this.... low and behold, this new (I hope) series combines characters from Darci Hannah's other books. The ghost hunters made an appearance in the Beacon Bakeshop book #4, Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant. Another character from her A Very Cherry Mystery series also joins the group. (I have not read this series, only the Beacon Bakeshop.) This was an unexpected twist. It was also when Bunny went from sparkles and rainbows to a real emotional, likable and relatable character.
I loved how Darci Hannah combined the back story of Bunny, and the ghost hunters and thread it throughout the story of Bramsford Manor both past and present. It moved well and although the audio version is longer than I normally would volunteer to listen to, the story was so well narrated and so engaging, I hadn't noticed how long it was. I just couldn't wait till I could listen to the next chapter. I probably would have stayed up late reading the written version. I am giving A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor 2 thumbs up with the additional intent on buying the physical book. I enjoyed it that much. I did enjoy the narrator. But keep in mind I'm an American and the accents are not typically heard outside of a TV series for me. Give it a listen (or a read) and suggest that if like me, you roll your eyes at Bunny while she sparkles in the beginning, that you give it a few chapters before making any rash decision to put stop listening. Also, you do not have to ready any of the previous Darci Hanna series to enjoy this story. The characters back stories are explained and you're missing nothing. Other than more books by the author. Thank you #netgalley #TantorAudio #Kensington Cozies for audio version for review.
Bunny finds herself the head chef of a new tv show. What a dream job! (Just a word of advice, when your boss is smiling like a cheshire cat, it's best not to sign the paperwork.) She later finds out the show isn't JUST traveling and cooking, but also involves ghost hunting. She panics! She wants nothing to do with the paranormal! It was at this point I realized, wait...the ghost hunters...their back story is familiar. I've read this.... low and behold, this new (I hope) series combines characters from Darci Hannah's other books. The ghost hunters made an appearance in the Beacon Bakeshop book #4, Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant. Another character from her A Very Cherry Mystery series also joins the group. (I have not read this series, only the Beacon Bakeshop.) This was an unexpected twist. It was also when Bunny went from sparkles and rainbows to a real emotional, likable and relatable character.
I loved how Darci Hannah combined the back story of Bunny, and the ghost hunters and thread it throughout the story of Bramsford Manor both past and present. It moved well and although the audio version is longer than I normally would volunteer to listen to, the story was so well narrated and so engaging, I hadn't noticed how long it was. I just couldn't wait till I could listen to the next chapter. I probably would have stayed up late reading the written version. I am giving A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor 2 thumbs up with the additional intent on buying the physical book. I enjoyed it that much. I did enjoy the narrator. But keep in mind I'm an American and the accents are not typically heard outside of a TV series for me. Give it a listen (or a read) and suggest that if like me, you roll your eyes at Bunny while she sparkles in the beginning, that you give it a few chapters before making any rash decision to put stop listening. Also, you do not have to ready any of the previous Darci Hanna series to enjoy this story. The characters back stories are explained and you're missing nothing. Other than more books by the author. Thank you #netgalley #TantorAudio #Kensington Cozies for audio version for review.
August 16, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Darci Hannah for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor coming out August 20, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . .
It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night.
Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost!
This is an author I’ve wanted to check out before, but haven’t had a chance yet. I was excited to receive this book. I loved this book! Cozy mysteries is one of my favorite genres. I’m not sure why she wants to go by Bunny, but other than that I really loved the book. I loved the setting in a haunted English manor. It’s a fun place. The cooking show plot was interesting to me. I loved the paranormal aspect to the book. The writing was fun for me. I loved the recipes at the end. I’m definitely excited for more books in the series!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy paranormal mysteries!
While filming at a haunted English manor, chef Bunny MacBride’s big break on her first reality TV show may be cut short by an unscripted murder in Darci Hannah’s new Food & Spirits cozy mystery series . . .
It isn’t how chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride imagined her own cooking show unfolding. But, if preparing historic meals with a modern flair is what it takes to get her cooking on the air, she can deliver, even if her dinner guest is a ghost. That’s the premise of the new reality TV show Food & Spirits, where Chef Bunny teams up with ghost hunter Brett Bloom and psychic medium Giff McGrady to visit haunted locales around the world and tempt lingering spirits back to the table with a beloved meal. For their first episode, the Food & Spirits team sets off to investigate Bramsford Manor, a historic house turned famously haunted hotel, in picturesque Hampshire, England. The sprawling estate is said to be home to the Mistletoe Bride, a young woman who died in the 18th century, the victim of a tragic accident on her Christmas wedding night.
Disliking spooks but loving food, Bunny leaves the spectral search to the pros and focuses on the feast, creating a traditional English holiday wedding dinner, complete with a gorgeous prime rib, Yorkshire pudding, and rustic apple tarts. It’s a sumptuous meal she hopes will entice the ghostly Mistletoe Bride to take a seat and join them while the cameras roll. But Bunny’s task is made more difficult when someone steals a boning knife from her custom kit. Alas, when the blade finally turns up again—in the chest of an all-too-human dinner guest—Bunny’s woes only grow as she is named a lead suspect in the case! Now, with a haunted house full of living residents, staff, and crew, Bunny will need the help of Brett, Giff, and her clairvoyant Grandma Mac, to solve this murder before the manor gains another ghost!
This is an author I’ve wanted to check out before, but haven’t had a chance yet. I was excited to receive this book. I loved this book! Cozy mysteries is one of my favorite genres. I’m not sure why she wants to go by Bunny, but other than that I really loved the book. I loved the setting in a haunted English manor. It’s a fun place. The cooking show plot was interesting to me. I loved the paranormal aspect to the book. The writing was fun for me. I loved the recipes at the end. I’m definitely excited for more books in the series!
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy paranormal mysteries!
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