To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes

by Rosie Grant

An inspiring collection of recipes preserved on gravestones, with fascinating interviews from the families, celebrating the beloved food legacies of their dearly departed.

For so many, food is a touching, nostalgic thing that brings us together. So much so that some families choose to remember their loved ones through the dishes they made and the food that brought comfort to those around them by immortalizing their recipes on their gravestones.

Rosie Grant, the creator behind @GhostlyArchive, has been searching out and documenting this interesting phenomenon. In To Die For, Rosie collects 40 recipes she’s found across the globe, carved into headstones or associated with a grave that has a story to share. Each recipe is accompanied by an interview with the remaining family, plus photography of the food, the gravestone, and any memorabilia the family wanted to share.

Recipes include:
- Spritz Cookies
- Homemade Fudge
- Chicken Soup
- French Silk Pie
- Guava Cobbler
…and more!

Thoughtfully and respectfully explored, Rosie has documented this connection between food, legacy, and family, remembering the deceased through the recipes they most loved, and giving their families a platform to share their loved one’s story and cherished dish with the world.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Nonfiction, History, Cooking, Death

176 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Rosie Grant is the creator behind @GhostlyArchive on TikTok and Instagram, where she researches and re-creates recipes found on gravestones. She works at the Center for the Study of Women at UCLA and is currently working on a food studies certificate at the UCLA Extension School. She received her Masters in Library Science (MLIS) at the University of Maryland with a concentration in digital archives in 2022, where she got to combine her love of food writing, cemeteries, and archival work. The gravestone recipe project first began during her digital archives internship at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC.

Reviews

[OutlawPoet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both a wonderful tribute and very sad.

Every family has someone known for the food they always bring to the party. For my mom, it was her potato salad. It wasn't a party without it and it's part of our family lore and an indelible part of our memories.

This book gives us the recipes that were so much a part of family tradition that they were literally put on headstones. More than that, though, the author introduces us to the people behind the recipes as their families share stories, memories and the pictures of the deceased.

And, yes, it made me sad.

I haven't cooked any of these. Instead, I took a tearful walk down memory lane - a walk both grief-filled and wistful as I remembered some of the wonderful people I've lost - and the recipes that were sometimes lost with them.

It's a fabulous and touching book. And I need a tissue.

* ARC via Publisher

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly sweetly poignant cookbook. Judging by the description and title, it sounded like something I’d very much enjoy, I’m so glad I read it! The concept of a cookbook honoring folks who passed away and are honored by sharing their signature recipes on their headstones is just lovely—better yet, the execution was flawless.

The author worked in the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. and I think this gave her a healthy and gentle outlook on death and cemeteries. I’m one of those people who enjoys visiting cemeteries so the concept of these headstones has been something I’ve loved since I first heard of them. What a nice way to see so many of them all together!

Rosie Grant spent a lot of time speaking to the loved ones and families of the people whose recipes she used and it was wonderful to read these details of their lives, like the adorable old lady who could swear like a trucker, people who shared their food with anyone and everyone, and the memories of joy throughout. The photos she took of the dishes she made from the recipes are gorgeous, it’s truly an original and lovely cookbook from start to finish.

Thank you Rosie Grant, Harvest, and NetGalley for this ARC, it was a truly incredible read.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a different book! Sort of a cookbook, but really, a book about how food brings people together. I am definitely going to be looking up the information the author shared about death-positive groups, websites, and more. She is absolutely correct that we (Americans, in my mind) know death is coming but we do NOT want to talk about it, let alone plan for it.

The quote that will stick with me is in her own chapter, the recipe that she would - at this point in her life - have on her headstone. She mentions that she's fallen in love with the idea of a gravestone recipe, but that, more than that, she's "moved by the idea that what matters in life is not our accomplishments, but how we connect with others."

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This was not only a wonderful cookbook, but it would be an amazing keepsake for the families. I love the idea of keeping a recipe secret until you die, just to then put it on your gravestone for everyone to see. It is one way to make sure everyone remembers you. Too bad funeral costs are so high (which is ridiculous, by the way), that everyone can't add more things than just their name and dates.

There are not only amazing recipes but stories and photographs of each person. Of course, like every cookbook should, there are gorgeous pictures of the food. Will yours ever look exactly like it? Unless it is as simple as a no- bake cookie, probably not. Then again, there are some people out there that are able to, so?

Loved this cookbook and would definitely recommend it!

[Jessica Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such an interesting experience reading this book. First of all, I’m not sure I’d call it a cookbook. This is mostly a collection of obituaries of people who have recipes on their gravestones- mostly white women who were dedicated mothers. The author also noted most gravestone recipes are desserts. The recipes chosen are associated with memories of love and comfort from their family matriarchs.
So then when I finally started cooking, I was unimpressed with the recipes. “Okay,” I thought, “these are more about nostalgia for the families than about being good foods for all to try.” BUT THEN- and I am proud of this- I questioned one of these recipes. 2 ounces of pasta in a 1.5 quart casserole? There’s no way. So I went to the picture of the actual gravestone and discovered the author had written the recipe wrong!! This happened again in the next recipe I made! These dead women were being misrepresented! I did not go back and check all of the book but at least 2 of these recipes were altered to be worse than the deceased intended. I feel like quite the culinary detective and thank you for that, Harvest Books.
🪦
Here’s what I made-
🍪 Gramma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies- follow the picture of the gravestone for this one and use a tablespoon cookie dough scoop and you’ll be golden. I was scared of shortening but it’s actually great. I’ve been sharing these cookies because even a half batch is a lot and everyone loves them.
🍑 Peach Cobbler- this was fine. A little bland. And only good on the first day so make it for a party or don’t make it at all!
🍞 Meatloaf- this is my favorite gravestone. It simply says “She made the best meatloaf.” I can feel the sadness and longing so clearly in this one sentence. The meatloaf was fine other than being a bit salty. Bbq sauce helped.
🐔 Spaghetti Chicken Casserole- Use the highest amount of pasta recommended by the deceased for this one. My kids and I were surprised by how much we liked it! Total comfort food!

[Kate Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for digital access to this book for this review. This book really feels like a cozy hug, even though the huge topic of one’s death and legacy could be really depressing. I love the idea that someone “took this recipe to their grave” and the result was this delightful book. The recipe is really lean into that warm and cozy Grandma vibe. It’s also such an interesting conversation starter and a candidate for favorite new coffee table book. I can’t wait to make more recipes out of it.

I love the little “ recipe notes” callouts on certain recipes because it feels like a handwritten note from your grandmother, reminding you to follow a special instruction. My family cookbook looks very similar!

I would be absolutely tickled if I was one of the included recipe makers to know that my family recipe was written into a book with my life story, what comfort this must bring their loved ones!

[Xine Segalas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was shocked when I first learned that people leave recipes on their gravestones — and fascinated, too.  To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant turns that surprising tradition into something tender and deeply human. I loved the concept and the way it connects memory, legacy, and comfort food. These are family recipes — often cookies, pies, and casseroles — that once filled kitchens with warmth and now live on beyond the family table. Grant handles the material with sincerity and respect, memorializing the people behind each dish beautifully.

That said, the reading experience can feel uneven. Some entries are rich in personal detail, while others read more like brief obituaries. The repetition of similar cookie recipes also lessens the overall variety. Still, the idea behind this collection — and its message about how food preserves love — is quietly powerful. To Die For is a thoughtful, moving, and memorable cookbook, even if it’s not one I’ll revisit often.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow |Harvest for the opportunity to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Anastey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, William Morrow, and Rosie Grant for sending me this advanced review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was such a unique cookbook. I love the idea of making gravestone recipes, and I'm going to watch for interesting recipes from gravestones in my own area. I'm glad these recipes will be passed down through time, until eventually they will be too worn to read anymore. It's also interesting to see how many variations there are of the same type of thing, especially cookies!

I love that each recipe has an interview, and a little bit of history with it. That is a really nice touch. The photos were beautiful, and I'm glad we got to learn so much about all these lovely people. I enjoy finding out the personal histories of the people who came before us, and there were even a few people who are still alive, but had their gravestone made in advance.

The recipes were easy to follow, and all look delicious. I'm looking forward to making a few, especially the date cake.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay so I mostly skimmed through this as it is primarily a cookbook, but it made me cryyy. The author collected gravestone recipes and also put not only the recipe, complete with glorious photos of the food, but also short info about the person on whose gravestone it was, with stories about them or the recipe, and sometimes also photos of the person. It made me so happy to read some of these and I can't wait to try the recipes. It made me think about the amount of love that goes into cooking and how special family favorites really are, more for the memories than the taste. I think these people would all be so happy to see their recipes collected in this little book.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Die For is more than just a cookbook. Much like the gravestones Grant investigates, it serves as a warm-hearted in memoriam for the departed. It’s very clear that Grant took her time getting to know the families, listening to their stories, eating their food, and empathizing with them deeply, as well as collecting each requisite recipe.

The photos are sharp, pleasant to look at, and nicely arranged, with warm, autumnal colors predominating, and props selected for resonance with the recipe creator’s story. Of course we have the gravestones themselves, as well as the occasional portrait.

Can I just say, I love the idea behind a recipe memorial marker? It balances whimsy and respect, sharing positive memories of departed with loved ones and strangers alike. I’d never run across one before, but now I’ll be keeping an eye out for them. (The Boston area, where I live, has a lot of really pretty park-style cemeteries.)

I do wish this book showcased a little bit more diversity, especially more recipes from People of Color. But given the limits of Grant’s subject matter, she found the gravestones she found. While the obit-style stories were generally nicely written, some had a bit of noticeable repetition another editing pass would likely have caught.

In this particular case, testing the writing of the recipes isn’t the point, but I will say, many of them do sound delicious, and I certainly plan on making them. (The very first recipe for Spritz Cookies taught me what a cookie press was. Yes, I didn’t know before. Feel free to point fingers and laugh.)

All in all, I’m really glad I picked this book up, and I think others will be as well. Four stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow/Harvest for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.

[nickel_reads_everything · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I really wanted to. I actually bought it months ago on pre-order. And then I received it. I read the book and while the stories of the people’s recipes are great and well written, I think the book, since it is sold as a cookbook and not a book, needs more recipes. And also, there were quite a few duplicates. Who needs three chocolate chip cookie recipes? Two no bake cookie recipes? Or a brownie recipe that says to use 2 boxes of brownie mix.
I think this book needed more time to find a better selection of recipes. And more of them.
Or another option could have been to have left it on social media and make money that way. That way when you post multiple recipes for chocolate chip cookies we really love the persons story behind it and move on.
I didn’t find one recipe I was excited to make in the whole book. As an avid and passionate reader and lover of physical books…it honestly pains me to write this.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prefacing my review: I received an ARC of To Die For: a Cookbook of Gravestone recipes, but my opinions and experience are my own.

I expected a lot of cookie recipes- when we've visited love ones at grave sites before, I have always marveled at the heirloom cookie recipes that have been shared with the world posthumously. While there was a thriving dessert section within the cookbook, I was also surprised to see a number of savory recipes from different cultures and traditions. We had fun cooking through the book and reading about the decedents that were known for these recipes.

The book felt respectful, intentional, and thorough. Each recipe was accompanied by an interview with the family of decedent. The author also included a suggested reading list surrounding food, death, grief in addition to her sources.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the premise and the book itself is very attractive; however, I borrowed this from the library and I'm not adding it to my purchase list. And I'm like the target demographic for this! Social history + food + deathways? Yes please! I think it helps to think of this more as just a small collection documenting these gravesites and less as a "cookbook," because on cookbook terms, it's pretty unimpressive. A subtitle "A Collection of Gravestone Recipes" or thereabouts would lower the bar accordingly.

Each recipe comes with...well, basically an obituary for the person whose gravestone it appears on. This is sweet but at the same time, you're still mostly just reading glossy post-mortem praise of everyday strangers. Again, I should be the target demographic here -- when we had a newspaper delivered when I was a teen, I did actually regularly read the obits.

The recipes themselves thankfully all have photos, but there's little to no commentary about them. This makes sense: it'd be awkward to share Sentimental Beloved Grandma's Cookie Recipe only to mention that it's actually kind of bland and overly sweet compared to other cookies of this kind... (and when the majority of your content fully relies on the cooperation of strangers to provide family photos and stories...) But at the same time, I do wish there were a little more of Grant in there to talk about e.g. guesswork for some of the more vague cookies, or her personal favorites that she has made more than once.

And again, thinking of this less as a cookbook... because by the nature of the premise, it's a motley assortment of dishes, mostly cookies and baked goods, none of which are especially unique in the grand scheme of recipes. We get two recipes for those no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies, two or three sugar cookie recipes.... It's a very small collection and there are repeats. Fine ethnography, bad cookbook.

Probably due to time and culture, the recipes were generally not very unique, either -- nothing you probably haven't already seen a million versions of for the most part. The stand-outs in my memory are the apricot ice cream and the rolled sweet bread that calls for jam and Turkish delight candy.

The "obituaries" often mentioned other dishes the deceased were known for making, and including those, too, I think, would have plumped up the content. Sure, it's not what's strictly on the grave, but if food helps us understand people, why not try for a bonus one or two more dishes from their repertoire? Especially because of them sounded really good, and then I'd turn the page and be disappointed by which one was The Recipe.

It's by no means a bad book. I was just a little disappointed by it -- I wish it had done more to make the leap from social media to published collection. It's not a cookbook many people would put in their regular go-tos. It's a novelty that will probably be gifted by a lot of folks, and after a few years, spring cleaning will see it dropped off at a used book shop.

[Pattie Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who finds joy in wandering through ancient cemeteries like the 7th-century Saint Peter’s Churchyard in Monkwearmouth, England, or the historic Myles Standish Burial Ground in Massachusetts, I’m captivated by the stories etched on headstones. So when I discovered To Die For, A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant, a book that weaves my love for cemeteries with tales of food and family, I couldn’t wait to dive in. Its release on my birthday made it feel like a gift meant just for me.

Grant, known for her @GhostlyArchive, has thoughtfully collected 40 recipes inscribed on gravestones worldwide, from Spritz Cookies to Guava Cobbler. Each recipe is paired with heartfelt family interviews and stunning photos of the dishes, graves, and cherished keepsakes. These recipes hit close to home, reminding me of my own “Top Secret” potato leek soup I plan to pass to my sons. The stories reveal how dishes like a grandmother’s Chicken Soup or a mother’s French Silk Pie become lasting bonds, connecting families even after loss.

Grant’s careful approach transforms this unique concept into a universal celebration of love, memory, and legacy. Every page is rich with emotion—I found myself laughing one moment and tearing up the next as families shared what these recipes meant to them. The book’s gorgeous design, with vivid photography, makes it a keepsake you’ll treasure. A thoughtful glossary introduced me to the term “taphophile,” describing my passion for the history, art, and culture of cemeteries—a delightful discovery.

I was especially charmed by Grant’s inclusion of curated menu sections, pairing gravestone recipes into thoughtful combinations like “Comfort Food Classics,” “Sunday Brunch Spread,” and “Backyard Barbecue Favorites.” These menus inspire readers to bring these dishes to life together, adding a practical and creative touch.

Reading To Die For left me eager to try these recipes myself—if they’re special enough to be carved on a gravestone, they’re worth cooking. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves food with a story or cherishes family traditions. It’s a beautiful reminder that food can keep love alive long after someone’s gone. I’m already inspired to honor my own family’s recipes, and I wholeheartedly recommend this gem to food lovers, history buffs, or anyone who values the legacy of family.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Rosie Grant, and William Morrow for allowing me to read this advanced, digital copy, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rachel Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t baked any pastries in quite a while, but after reading To Die For I am feeling quite inspired to honor the people within its pages by baking a recipe or two. A unique book by gravestone explorer Rosie Grant, whom I’ve followed on instagram for quite a while, To Die For is a good little memorial book for a number of people who loved cooking or baking and wanted to pass it off to their family and posterity. Grant has collected not only the recipes but also the stories from the living family members of those whose gravestones bear those recipes, in short mini-obituary-style stories. Those stories became a bit repetitive after a while, so I wished Grant would have gone a bit more in depth than she did—and it got tedious hearing “this woman worked hard for her family but still had time to cook and bake” over and over, as if romanticizing traditional gender roles is ever a good angle to take. But the concept of the book is interesting and unique, and I’m sure there are more that Grant could go find for a more thorough and well-rounded companion to this book. So I’ll give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Ariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a cook, but I can tell you exactly which recipe I hold dearest in my heart and who made it for me every Thanksgiving throughout my childhood: it was my Dad's turkey stuffing recipe (his special ingredient was water chestnuts).

This is a fantastic book for anyone who values the connection between food and loved ones. Our worldviews are all vastly different, but the inevitability of death and the enjoyment of good food both happen to be something we all experience. This book celebrates the lives of many people who were beloved for the meals they cooked and baked, not only by sharing their most precious recipe but also by sharing their stories. There's also lovely advice on how to document your food history, personal archiving, choosing one's own gravestone recipe, and some lovely sample menus if you chose to make a dinner with recipes featured in this book.

Although I read this as an ARC on Netgalley, I plan to buy a physical copy and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves cooking, community, and family history.

[Sharon M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow | Harvest for gifting me a digital ARC of this unique cookbook by Rosie Grant. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Food is a nostalgic thing that brings families together, so much so that some people immortalize their recipes on their gravestones. Rosie Grant researched this phenomenon and now shares 40 of the recipes she has found, each accompanied by a story and pictures of the food, family, and gravestone.

What a beautiful concept and it was perfectly executed. I was enthralled with the stories and the pictures and the recipes were the proverbial icing on the cake! I also appreciated the respectful way everything was presented, with helpful hints on preserving your own legacy for your family. I enjoyed Rosie's own personal connection to the Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC and thought the community activities there were wonderful. This book didn't make me sad; instead, it is a beautiful tribute to family connection through food.

[Zoe | CozyMoodReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

"To Die For" is one of the most unique and moving cookbooks I’ve ever read. Rosie Grant takes recipes inscribed on gravestones and brings them to life with so much care and respect. Each recipe carries the story of a life, a family, and a memory, and Rosie presents them with such care that you can feel the love behind every dish.

Some of the recipes are comfortingly familiar, like potato rolls and chicken soup, while others are delightfully unique, like clubhouse cracker bars, tea biscuits, and even something called Dr. Death ranch. That mix of nostalgia and discovery makes the book a joy to read.

I had never seen Rosie’s Instagram or TikTok before picking this up, but by the time I finished the book I immediately subscribed. Her voice, her vision, and her dedication to preserving these recipes and the stories behind them are inspiring.

Truly, thank you Netgalley, Rosie Grant, and William Morrow | Harvest for giving me a copy of this ARC.

[Kim Gilligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To quote Ernest Hemingway, “Every man has two deaths: when he is buried in the ground and the last time someone says his name.” What if we had another way to keep the legacy of our loved ones living on? By cooking the recipes of our dearly departed, it is a way to continue to keep a piece of them present in our hearts at any given time.

The author has put together a collection of recipes from around the world that have been permanently etched on graves, and looked into the importance of that dish to the person and families that shared in it. Some of our best memories are around food and gathering at the table and I felt this was a wonderful tribute. I did not make any of these recipes yet but I have a few saved that I can’t resist trying. This is a great novelty cookbook, a poignant glimpse at the recipes that make our families happiest. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such an unusual and interesting cookbook. It features a collection of recipes that were carved on people’s gravestones, along with a little life story about each one with interviews with their loved ones, the recipe and a photo of the gravestone, of the dish, and sometimes of the deceased.

The recipes themselves tend to be simple classics— cakes, cookies, meatloaf and such. They are very much the types of recipes your elderly loved ones probably had hand written on index cards that were stained from years of use. They tend to be very standard— ingredients like margarine, ranch dressing mix, cream of mushroom soup, brownie mix and so on— and not really secret ingredient kind of recipes or unusual recipes. The stories of the ordinary, wonderful, well loved people are really the stars of the book.

I read an ARC of this book via netgalley.

[Ali Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly my cup of tea and what a unique and incredibly meaningful premise for a book!!!

This is a cookbook containing recipes from gravestones along with the stories behind the person each recipe came from. I really loved the introduction where you learn the WHY behind this cookbook and the concept that cemeteries are more than a final burial place for the deceased.

I would have liked if the author had included notes from the recipes as she made them — maybe additional tips/tricks she used or things she found helpful as she made each one.

Either way: I love that this cookbook exists. So very much. What a wonderful way to be remembered. Now I know I’ll forever be keeping an eye out for recipes on gravestones at every cemetery I visit from now on.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the digital ARC for my thoughts!

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ran into Rosie Grant, aka @GhostlyArchive online one day and was fascinated. I love cemeteries, they tell you so much about the place they are in, and the people. Filled with recipes? That I hadn’t thought of. They are! What a great way to leave your mark. I made Gramma’s (Marjorie Dawn Guppy’s (Dawn) Chocolate Chip Cookies last weekend, and they were rich and sweet, but the perfect amount of both! She sounds like a wonderful person.

Rosie Grant, tells us about the people who left behind the recipes making if feel extra special to make a recipe from this book. Dawn owned the Choo Choo Grill with her husband, Don. It’s still open in Grand Rapids and run by their daughter and son in law.

If you like cooking, and hearing about people this is a great cookbook to pick up!
Thank you Harvest and Net Galley. #ToDieFor #NetGalley

[Ade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a unique and unusual cookbook which honours the dead and the legacy they leave behind. It is a contrast between the living and the dead.

It is the dead’s parting gift to the living- connection, window, contribution, legacy and love. I haven’t tried any of the recipes but they are easy to follow.

As a superstitious person, I admire the author’s courage and determination in seeking out recipes written on headstones and opening my eyes to new experiences.

The book was very colourful, detailed and there were a whole lot of recipes to choose from ranging from baked goods to spaghetti chicken casserole. Each recipe began with a story that gave a voice to the dishes. The author also shared the recipe she wants on her gravestone.

This would make a perfect gift for foodies and taphophiles. I received a copy of this book and my review is voluntary.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have ever had a person in your family that put love into everything they baked, then this recipe book should tug on your heartstrings and wrap you in a hug. From chocolate chip cookies to a chicken spaghetti casserole and everything in between, this book covers beloved family recipes that are found on headstones in cemeteries. It is a very interesting concept and the author has woven the stories, recipes and photos perfectly. Even though the majority of the recipes featured are from people who are deceased, the author has interviewed the families and they have told the stories of their loved ones and the why the particular recipe was chosen.

This would make a lovely gift for family members who also remember special cooks in their family.

Thank you to William Morrow | Harvest and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Denver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this creator on TikTok/Instagram a few years ago and fell in love with the idea. I was so surprised when I saw this book on Netgalley. The idea is simple: she found recipes from tombstones and made them! As simple as the idea is, the execution is immaculate. The pictures are gorgeous, and Rosie got personal stories for every person to include with the recipes themselves. There are family photos, photos of the tombstones themselves, and of course photos of the food that has been made. The book has an introduction and glossary, and each recipe has personal stories from friends and families. You can tell this is a true passion project, and a ton of work and heart went into it. I will definitely will be buying this book when it's published (all of the cookies look delicious).

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandmother passed a few months ago and the loss has weighed heavily on me. This book was a beautiful reminder of how we can keep the memory of our loved ones alive and connect with them via food.

While the concept of a cookbook entirely of tombstone recipes is interesting enough, this book goes even further and introduces us to the person behind each recipe thanks to interviews with the surviving family. You can hear how much each person was loved and the lasting impact their recipe made on the entire family.

This book truly is a treasure. The photos are beautiful, the recipes are written well and often include helpful tips from the family. I look forward to trying many of the recipes in this book.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of To Die For.

This is the coolest premise for a cookbook.

The author has collected recipes preserved on gravestones with interviews behind the women and men whose enduring food legacies continue to inspire their family, friends and community.

I also love how the majority of the recipes revolve around sweets! 😆

I've noticed the women and men being honored have similarities in that they had close social ties with their neighbors and communities, participating in local activities and inspiring so many people.

This is a wonderful book commemorating loved ones who have touched so many lives, not only family, and continue to inspire others afterwards.

No one is ever gone as long as they're remembered.

[Aftan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first found Rosie on social media and quickly became invested in the recipes and stories behind the recipes. So when I heard that this cookbook was coming out, I couldn't get my preorder in fast enough!

This cookbook satisfies every expectation I had for it. Great photography. Stories of the people who made these recipes with love for their family. Easy to follow directions with hints and tips throughout.

This cookbook will quickly become a treasured part of your cookbook collection. My hope is that it also encourages you to share your recipes with loved ones. We connect and make memories so much over food.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful little book, and although I enjoyed reading it, it was not exactly what I hoped it would be. Most of the book was taken up by biographies of the women whose gravestones included recipes. I would have liked more information about the gravestones, and also about the recipes, really. The majority of the recipes were for cookies, and seemed to be variations on very similar recipes. So, since I don't like to bake (and my mother had the best sugar cookie recipe of all time) I don't think I'll be actually using many of these recipes. And, perhaps that is not the point of this book at all and I am just missing it.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get my hands on this book for spooky season (which starts July 5th). I was thinking it would be slightly haunted, a little spooky, with some ghost stories. But this cookbook is so heartwarming and wonderful.

I love the recipes and the personal stories of the people behind them. It's a really meaningful book about the love we pass on through our cooking and the legacies we leave behind.

(I was gifted a copy of this book without the expectation to review. My opinions are unbiased and my own).