What do you think?
The Dead Husband Cookbook
A deliciously wicked new thriller from New York Times bestselling author Danielle Valentine.
One husband, well done.
When infamous chef, restaurateur, and television personality Maria Capello's husband died, the media circus was intense…and quick to cast the blame. Whispers claimed Maria murdered her husband to build her culinary empire on his bones, and that there was an all-too-grisly reason his body was never recovered. Yet for the past few decades, the Capello family maintained their stoney silence—until now.
Thea Woods has no idea why she was chosen to work with Maria on her sure-to-be-infamous memoir, but she doesn't question her luck. Spirited away to the Capello's rustic upstate farm, she's soon embroiled in the mystery—and cut off from the rest of the world. It should be the job of a lifetime, but something's not quite right with the close-knit clan, and Damien Capello isn't the only one to go mysteriously missing over the years. As the true story of Maria's past unfolds and the stench of rot hidden behind the kind coastal grandmother veneer rises, Thea finds herself trapped...and desperately afraid.
Because there are reasons why Damien's body was never found...and why, in over thirty years, Maria Capello has never revealed the secret ingredient in her most famous recipe.
One husband, well done.
When infamous chef, restaurateur, and television personality Maria Capello's husband died, the media circus was intense…and quick to cast the blame. Whispers claimed Maria murdered her husband to build her culinary empire on his bones, and that there was an all-too-grisly reason his body was never recovered. Yet for the past few decades, the Capello family maintained their stoney silence—until now.
Thea Woods has no idea why she was chosen to work with Maria on her sure-to-be-infamous memoir, but she doesn't question her luck. Spirited away to the Capello's rustic upstate farm, she's soon embroiled in the mystery—and cut off from the rest of the world. It should be the job of a lifetime, but something's not quite right with the close-knit clan, and Damien Capello isn't the only one to go mysteriously missing over the years. As the true story of Maria's past unfolds and the stench of rot hidden behind the kind coastal grandmother veneer rises, Thea finds herself trapped...and desperately afraid.
Because there are reasons why Damien's body was never found...and why, in over thirty years, Maria Capello has never revealed the secret ingredient in her most famous recipe.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,709 reviews
August 10, 2025
4.5* Loved this. Made me hungry 😋
September 10, 2025
Listened on audio per book club recs. This one did not disappoint and I’ve never read/listened to anything like it. So so good!
July 21, 2025
── 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
✦ “i've included the recipe in the back of my new book. you're welcome to try making them yourself. but they won't taste the same”
i absolutely devoured this one. i don't know what secret ingredient Danielle put into this bookwell I do, but it was ridiculously addictive.
┆ ⤿ 🍴 ⌗ plot
ᰔ was I disturbed? yes. was I questioning my sanity? yes. was i not only losing my mind but my appetite? yes. did i keep reading? hell yes. The unexpected twists and actual recipes included in the book were chefs kiss indeed.
┆ ⤿ 🍷 ⌗ final thoughts
ᰔ can't wait to share the recipes with my chef husband—only thing i won't tell him where I got them from.
꒰ trigger warning ꒱
⤿ descriptive animal slaughter
.𓂃⊹ ִֶָ pre-read
this is my first arc and i'm crazy excited. since my #1 toxic trait is justifying questionable actions of disturbed female characters i hope this eats 🍝 🥩
thank you to netgalley, sourcebooks landmark and danielle valentine for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
✦ “i've included the recipe in the back of my new book. you're welcome to try making them yourself. but they won't taste the same”
i absolutely devoured this one. i don't know what secret ingredient Danielle put into this book
┆ ⤿ 🍴 ⌗ plot
ᰔ was I disturbed? yes. was I questioning my sanity? yes. was i not only losing my mind but my appetite? yes. did i keep reading? hell yes. The unexpected twists and actual recipes included in the book were chefs kiss indeed.
┆ ⤿ 🍷 ⌗ final thoughts
ᰔ can't wait to share the recipes with my chef husband—only thing i won't tell him where I got them from.
꒰ trigger warning ꒱
⤿ descriptive animal slaughter
.𓂃⊹ ִֶָ pre-read
this is my first arc and i'm crazy excited. since my #1 toxic trait is justifying questionable actions of disturbed female characters i hope this eats 🍝 🥩
thank you to netgalley, sourcebooks landmark and danielle valentine for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 5, 2025
so i was expecting more cannibalism, but it wasn't that bad.
i read this in one sitting at midnight, so it felt like a fever dream—which is definitely a way to maximize your experience.
after chef damien capello's enigmatic disappearance/suicide, speculation arose that his wife, maria, killed him. sometimes a woman has gotta do what she's gotta do! anyway, we follow a journalist, thea woods, as she reviews maria's drafts for her memoir wherein she is finally willing to address the situation. as time goes on and more secrets are uncovered, she thereby gets further tied up in maria's world and she discovers some life-changing information. maybe her being chosen to cover maria's story wasn't such an arbitrary decision after all?
this wasn't exactly groundbreaking for me, but it was a page turner. i am a slut for a good recipe—though i seldom cook high-effort meals. thus i will say the idea of scattering maria's recipes throughout the book was great. admittedly, at times, it was a little predictable. but if you're a fein for a good recipe and love culinary mysteries that explore messy families and the plights of motherhood, this book wouldn't be a bad choice.
-
the release date is soon so i should probably start this 😭. they had me when they said that this book is similar to a certain hunger (i haven't read it yet but i bought it because books on cannibalism are always fun)
thank you so so much to raincoast books for the physical arc <33
i read this in one sitting at midnight, so it felt like a fever dream—which is definitely a way to maximize your experience.
after chef damien capello's enigmatic disappearance/suicide, speculation arose that his wife, maria, killed him. sometimes a woman has gotta do what she's gotta do! anyway, we follow a journalist, thea woods, as she reviews maria's drafts for her memoir wherein she is finally willing to address the situation. as time goes on and more secrets are uncovered, she thereby gets further tied up in maria's world and she discovers some life-changing information. maybe her being chosen to cover maria's story wasn't such an arbitrary decision after all?
this wasn't exactly groundbreaking for me, but it was a page turner. i am a slut for a good recipe—though i seldom cook high-effort meals. thus i will say the idea of scattering maria's recipes throughout the book was great. admittedly, at times, it was a little predictable. but if you're a fein for a good recipe and love culinary mysteries that explore messy families and the plights of motherhood, this book wouldn't be a bad choice.
-
the release date is soon so i should probably start this 😭. they had me when they said that this book is similar to a certain hunger (i haven't read it yet but i bought it because books on cannibalism are always fun)
thank you so so much to raincoast books for the physical arc <33
August 16, 2025
With a title like this, you’d expect horror, or even cannibalism, judging by the cover! But I’ll leave the details a mystery and just say: read it to find out. It's a good book.
What really stood out for me was how Maria shared her memoir one chapter at a time with Thea, the book editor in the story. That back and forth gave the book such a strong past and present vibe that kept me hooked. A satisfying conclusion with a neat little twist. 3.5 Rounded Up.
What really stood out for me was how Maria shared her memoir one chapter at a time with Thea, the book editor in the story. That back and forth gave the book such a strong past and present vibe that kept me hooked. A satisfying conclusion with a neat little twist. 3.5 Rounded Up.
August 23, 2025
Jealous of the dead husband because he didn’t have to read this.
September 28, 2025
"She has the recipe for the perfect murder..."
This dark, twisty thriller is sure to please most readers, maybe even stun some, but all will enjoy the unraveling of this culinary intriguing mystery. There are some strong female characters and Thea is no exception. The day she thinks she is getting fired, she is handed a famous client's request to edit her memoir. Maria Capello is a celebrity chef with dozens of cookbooks, TV shows, and her own supermarket sauces all from her Italian kitchen. She can't take all the credit because her husband that mysteriously disappeared 20 years ago was the brain behind all of the family recipes that he spent years perfecting.
Is she about to break her silence about his disappearance? Many have thought she was the reason for his absence to steal his fame. You will enjoy the juxtaposed cozy veneer of food and family with a creeping sense something rotten is going on. It is very atmospheric on this isolated farm away from civilization as she invites Thea to her home to work on her manuscript. It becomes tense with some strange behavior going on. Told in two timelines with Thea's perspective and Maria's past memoirs coming to life. What is that secret ingredient to her recipes........An excellent thriller!!
Thank you Edelweiss Books and Sourcebooks Landmark for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This dark, twisty thriller is sure to please most readers, maybe even stun some, but all will enjoy the unraveling of this culinary intriguing mystery. There are some strong female characters and Thea is no exception. The day she thinks she is getting fired, she is handed a famous client's request to edit her memoir. Maria Capello is a celebrity chef with dozens of cookbooks, TV shows, and her own supermarket sauces all from her Italian kitchen. She can't take all the credit because her husband that mysteriously disappeared 20 years ago was the brain behind all of the family recipes that he spent years perfecting.
Is she about to break her silence about his disappearance? Many have thought she was the reason for his absence to steal his fame. You will enjoy the juxtaposed cozy veneer of food and family with a creeping sense something rotten is going on. It is very atmospheric on this isolated farm away from civilization as she invites Thea to her home to work on her manuscript. It becomes tense with some strange behavior going on. Told in two timelines with Thea's perspective and Maria's past memoirs coming to life. What is that secret ingredient to her recipes........An excellent thriller!!
Thank you Edelweiss Books and Sourcebooks Landmark for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2025
Thea is an editor that is minutes away from losing her job after some controversy on her handling of the last book she worked on. That is until renowned chef and cookbook author, Maria Capello, asks for Thea, and Thea only, to be the editor of her upcoming memoir.
Not only is Thea one of her biggest fans but the lucky timing couldn't have worked out better.
As the story goes Maria's famous chef husband, Damien, disappeared years ago under a veil of mystery. The assumption by all is that he committed suicide though some have doubts and rumors have swirled ever since that Maria is a woman that got away with murder. She has always refused to address the rumors and if any interviewer even approaches the subject she will immediately cut the interview short.
This could be the big break Thea needs to earn back her reputation.
When she arrives at Maria's secluded farmhouse and is asked to turnover her phone, she hesitates. Something niggling her brain. Something about all of this seems off but she has a job to do.
Are there some secrets we'd rather not know? You'll have to read this to find out.
What a tasty treat this was in the beginning. I was savoring every word. Getting lost in the aroma of a delectable mystery. Valentine chooses the low and slow method of storytelling making me restless with hunger pains and checking the timer wondering when I'd be rewarded with something delicious to sink my teeth into. In the end though it seems that the story got overcooked and tough to chew leaving me to feel a little unsatisfied with the final results.
This may not have been fine dining but it still far exceeds fast food. Opinions will vary. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy.
Not only is Thea one of her biggest fans but the lucky timing couldn't have worked out better.
As the story goes Maria's famous chef husband, Damien, disappeared years ago under a veil of mystery. The assumption by all is that he committed suicide though some have doubts and rumors have swirled ever since that Maria is a woman that got away with murder. She has always refused to address the rumors and if any interviewer even approaches the subject she will immediately cut the interview short.
This could be the big break Thea needs to earn back her reputation.
When she arrives at Maria's secluded farmhouse and is asked to turnover her phone, she hesitates. Something niggling her brain. Something about all of this seems off but she has a job to do.
Are there some secrets we'd rather not know? You'll have to read this to find out.
What a tasty treat this was in the beginning. I was savoring every word. Getting lost in the aroma of a delectable mystery. Valentine chooses the low and slow method of storytelling making me restless with hunger pains and checking the timer wondering when I'd be rewarded with something delicious to sink my teeth into. In the end though it seems that the story got overcooked and tough to chew leaving me to feel a little unsatisfied with the final results.
This may not have been fine dining but it still far exceeds fast food. Opinions will vary. 3 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy.
August 10, 2025
Grotesquely delicious!
The Dead Husband Cookbook can be described as The Best Way to Bury Your Husband meets Misery.
Wow! This book immediately gripped me in the first chapter! Valentine perfectly executes the multiple perspectives and book within a book structure. While exploring themes of marriage, motherhood, and sacrifices, she keeps readers engaged and completely unsettled with just a hint of horror.
I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla, which is fantastically narrated by Lauryn Allman. She made my mouth water by bringing Maria’s delicious recipes to life! I highly recommend this format.
Side note: if you are squeamish or vegan, this book might not be for you!
I can’t wait to read Valentine’s backlist!
4.25/5 rounded down
The Dead Husband Cookbook can be described as The Best Way to Bury Your Husband meets Misery.
Wow! This book immediately gripped me in the first chapter! Valentine perfectly executes the multiple perspectives and book within a book structure. While exploring themes of marriage, motherhood, and sacrifices, she keeps readers engaged and completely unsettled with just a hint of horror.
I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla, which is fantastically narrated by Lauryn Allman. She made my mouth water by bringing Maria’s delicious recipes to life! I highly recommend this format.
Side note: if you are squeamish or vegan, this book might not be for you!
I can’t wait to read Valentine’s backlist!
4.25/5 rounded down
September 3, 2025
Not that I’ll ever make them, but I enjoyed the very detailed recipes. RTC
Thea ~ the editor
Maria ~ the author
What to expect:
~ dual 1st person POV
~ Woodstock, NY setting (I lived in the next town over for years)
~ book within a book
~ animal slaughtering
~ a bit drawn out mystery
~ long chapters
Narration notes:
She did a really good job distinctifying the tone between both FMC’s.
Pre~reading notes:
Giving this one a listen on my engagement anniversary 🤣❤️
Thea ~ the editor
Maria ~ the author
What to expect:
~ dual 1st person POV
~ Woodstock, NY setting (I lived in the next town over for years)
~ book within a book
~ animal slaughtering
~ a bit drawn out mystery
~ long chapters
Narration notes:
She did a really good job distinctifying the tone between both FMC’s.
Pre~reading notes:
Giving this one a listen on my engagement anniversary 🤣❤️
January 22, 2026
EXCERPT: THEA
The woman was watching me carefully. After a beat of silence, she asked, 'You aren't another social media person, are you?'
'No, I'm not.'
She still didn't pull the door open any further, didn't invite me inside. But she swallowed, seeming to make some decision. 'You want some friendly advice? Don't believe a thing Amy Ryan tells you.' She met my eye, not a hint of humor in her expression. 'That woman's full of shit.'
'What do you mean?' I wanted to know.
But the woman only said, 'She's a liar,' and slammed her door in my face.
I stared at the door for a moment. I wanted to laugh or scream or both.
Amy was a liar. Maria was manipulative. And someone back at the farm was trying to stop me from leaving.
Who the hell was I supposed to trust?
ABOUT 'THE DEAD HUSBAND COOKBOOK': She has the recipe for the perfect murder...
Maria Capello is a celebrity chef like no other. A household name, an inspiration, an icon. Her dozens of cookbooks and weekly television show, broadcast from her beautiful Italian-style kitchen, not to mention her line of bestselling supermarket sauces. And of course there's her history. Once just the timid wife of famous chef Damien Capello, she stepped into the spotlight after Damien's mysterious disappearance twenty years before. An event she's never spoken about publicly until now, when it is announced that she is looking for a publisher for her memoirs.
Why is Maria willing to finally break her silence? Why does she turn down seven-figure offers from large publishing houses and sign up with a small press? And why does she do so on the condition that it is edited by Thea Woods? Thea is a lifelong fan but has never met Maria and can't figure it out, plus she had been planning to hand in her notice that very day. But when she is invited to Maria's remote farm to work on the manuscript, she can't resist. After all, she may finally learn whether the rumours are that Maria killed Damien for his recipes and the legendary 'secret ingredient'...
MY THOUGHTS: Delicious and creepy.
The Dead Husband Cookbook (I love that title!) is about a thirty-year-old mystery - did Maria Capello kill her husband? He has never been seen again since the night he disappeared from a party being held at their home . . .
The Dead Husband Cookbook is told from the POVs of the two main characters - Maria Capello, celebrity chef, and Thea Woods, disgraced editor at a small privately owned publishing company.
Why does Maria eschew the publisher she has used for all her cookbooks in favor of a small boutique publisher?
Why does she demand that her memoir be handled only by disgraced editor Thea Wood?
Why does she demand that Thea come to her farm to read the manuscript?
Why does she give Thea only one chapter at a time and demand that it is returned to her before she gives her the following chapter?
What on earth is going on in Maria's home - it's a very strange set-up!
There were so many questions bouncing around my brain as I read, I couldn't help but feel unsettled and on edge. Danielle Valentine has created a tense and uncertain atmosphere that kept me guessing right to the very end. And I mean THE VERY END.
Delicious, disturbing, dark and compelling.
Complete with recipes.
A 'Must Read.' I don't believe I will ever forget this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheDeadHusbandCookbook #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: DANIELLE VALENTINE lives in a (probably haunted) hundred-year-old house right outside of New York City with her husband, kid and two angry cats. She's also written under the pseudonyms Danielle Vega, Danielle Rollins, and Ellie Rollins. (Source daniellevalentinebooks.com - abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine was published August 2025
The woman was watching me carefully. After a beat of silence, she asked, 'You aren't another social media person, are you?'
'No, I'm not.'
She still didn't pull the door open any further, didn't invite me inside. But she swallowed, seeming to make some decision. 'You want some friendly advice? Don't believe a thing Amy Ryan tells you.' She met my eye, not a hint of humor in her expression. 'That woman's full of shit.'
'What do you mean?' I wanted to know.
But the woman only said, 'She's a liar,' and slammed her door in my face.
I stared at the door for a moment. I wanted to laugh or scream or both.
Amy was a liar. Maria was manipulative. And someone back at the farm was trying to stop me from leaving.
Who the hell was I supposed to trust?
ABOUT 'THE DEAD HUSBAND COOKBOOK': She has the recipe for the perfect murder...
Maria Capello is a celebrity chef like no other. A household name, an inspiration, an icon. Her dozens of cookbooks and weekly television show, broadcast from her beautiful Italian-style kitchen, not to mention her line of bestselling supermarket sauces. And of course there's her history. Once just the timid wife of famous chef Damien Capello, she stepped into the spotlight after Damien's mysterious disappearance twenty years before. An event she's never spoken about publicly until now, when it is announced that she is looking for a publisher for her memoirs.
Why is Maria willing to finally break her silence? Why does she turn down seven-figure offers from large publishing houses and sign up with a small press? And why does she do so on the condition that it is edited by Thea Woods? Thea is a lifelong fan but has never met Maria and can't figure it out, plus she had been planning to hand in her notice that very day. But when she is invited to Maria's remote farm to work on the manuscript, she can't resist. After all, she may finally learn whether the rumours are that Maria killed Damien for his recipes and the legendary 'secret ingredient'...
MY THOUGHTS: Delicious and creepy.
The Dead Husband Cookbook (I love that title!) is about a thirty-year-old mystery - did Maria Capello kill her husband? He has never been seen again since the night he disappeared from a party being held at their home . . .
The Dead Husband Cookbook is told from the POVs of the two main characters - Maria Capello, celebrity chef, and Thea Woods, disgraced editor at a small privately owned publishing company.
Why does Maria eschew the publisher she has used for all her cookbooks in favor of a small boutique publisher?
Why does she demand that her memoir be handled only by disgraced editor Thea Wood?
Why does she demand that Thea come to her farm to read the manuscript?
Why does she give Thea only one chapter at a time and demand that it is returned to her before she gives her the following chapter?
What on earth is going on in Maria's home - it's a very strange set-up!
There were so many questions bouncing around my brain as I read, I couldn't help but feel unsettled and on edge. Danielle Valentine has created a tense and uncertain atmosphere that kept me guessing right to the very end. And I mean THE VERY END.
Delicious, disturbing, dark and compelling.
Complete with recipes.
A 'Must Read.' I don't believe I will ever forget this book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#TheDeadHusbandCookbook #NetGalley
MEET THE AUTHOR: DANIELLE VALENTINE lives in a (probably haunted) hundred-year-old house right outside of New York City with her husband, kid and two angry cats. She's also written under the pseudonyms Danielle Vega, Danielle Rollins, and Ellie Rollins. (Source daniellevalentinebooks.com - abridged)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile Books via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine was published August 2025
July 28, 2025
Danielle Valentine is a relatively new author for me, but she is rising in the ranks when it comes to thrillers and horror novels, and her newest book THE DEAD HUSBAND COOKBOOK is a solid fun ride!
Maria Capello, once the shy wife of a famous chef, became a culinary icon after her husband Damien vanished without a trace. Now, decades later, she's finally ready to tell her story—and shockingly chooses a tiny press and unknown editor Thea Woods to help her do it. As Thea heads to Maria's secluded farm, she can't help but wonder: is she about to uncover the truth behind the gossip that Maria killed Damien for his recipes and secret ingredient?
This book is just as fun as it sounds! I loved Maria and her lifestyle, think Real Housewives of New Jersey, Mob Wives, and The Sopranos, but on a farm in Upstate New York! As Thea dives into Maria's world, the mystery and intrigue that is the Capello family becomes a major whodunnit. There's a book within a book aspect to this story, which is a lot of fun (and I usually do not like that style of writing, but it works here and works well). The book leans more thriller than horror so if you are like me and started reading Valentine after Delicate Condition, have fun being surprised by this book's pivot into psychological thriller. This is a fun one, readers!
Maria Capello, once the shy wife of a famous chef, became a culinary icon after her husband Damien vanished without a trace. Now, decades later, she's finally ready to tell her story—and shockingly chooses a tiny press and unknown editor Thea Woods to help her do it. As Thea heads to Maria's secluded farm, she can't help but wonder: is she about to uncover the truth behind the gossip that Maria killed Damien for his recipes and secret ingredient?
This book is just as fun as it sounds! I loved Maria and her lifestyle, think Real Housewives of New Jersey, Mob Wives, and The Sopranos, but on a farm in Upstate New York! As Thea dives into Maria's world, the mystery and intrigue that is the Capello family becomes a major whodunnit. There's a book within a book aspect to this story, which is a lot of fun (and I usually do not like that style of writing, but it works here and works well). The book leans more thriller than horror so if you are like me and started reading Valentine after Delicate Condition, have fun being surprised by this book's pivot into psychological thriller. This is a fun one, readers!
September 21, 2025
me? i support women’s rights and wrongs
September 2, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up
A deliciously twisty mystery/thriller that had me turning the pages to find out the truth! The Dead Husband Cookbook follows a disgraced editor who gets the opportunity to turn her career around when a famous and infamous celebrity chef wants to work with her to publish a memoir. There are rumors that the chef murdered her husband and even puts his remains in her famous meatballs... Now she might finally open up about what happened on the night her husband disappeared. But she has a few conditions. The editor can't tell anyone about the book, she has to come out to Maria's farm to work on the pages in person, and Maria will only dole out a chapter at a time for her to read.
A long time fan of Maria's show, our heroine is initially excited about the project, and she desperately needs the boost. But the farm is not what she expected, and she has some skeletons in her own closet as well... This had fantastic atmosphere and I wasn't sure where it was going. It's a lot of fun and the audio narration really sucks you in as well! I have a couple of minor quibbles about changing perspectives towards the end of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
A deliciously twisty mystery/thriller that had me turning the pages to find out the truth! The Dead Husband Cookbook follows a disgraced editor who gets the opportunity to turn her career around when a famous and infamous celebrity chef wants to work with her to publish a memoir. There are rumors that the chef murdered her husband and even puts his remains in her famous meatballs... Now she might finally open up about what happened on the night her husband disappeared. But she has a few conditions. The editor can't tell anyone about the book, she has to come out to Maria's farm to work on the pages in person, and Maria will only dole out a chapter at a time for her to read.
A long time fan of Maria's show, our heroine is initially excited about the project, and she desperately needs the boost. But the farm is not what she expected, and she has some skeletons in her own closet as well... This had fantastic atmosphere and I wasn't sure where it was going. It's a lot of fun and the audio narration really sucks you in as well! I have a couple of minor quibbles about changing perspectives towards the end of the book, but overall I really enjoyed it. I received a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own.
August 21, 2025
It was very slow and the ending was very all over the place. Everything just felt very forced and there wasn’t really a pay off.
August 26, 2025
Thanks to LibroFM for the audio copy.
It was fine. I was entertained for the most part. It’s a really easy audiobook to listen to. There wasn’t too much shocking or new in this story. But it’s like a quick, interesting enough “airport read”. Although the ending/reveal was a bit ridiculous but oh well. It kept me company and kept the thoughts away. So it served its purpose. I skipped some of the recipes at the ends of chapters. But the ones I did listen to had some fun quips in there.
And it made me really hungry for pasta.
It was fine. I was entertained for the most part. It’s a really easy audiobook to listen to. There wasn’t too much shocking or new in this story. But it’s like a quick, interesting enough “airport read”. Although the ending/reveal was a bit ridiculous but oh well. It kept me company and kept the thoughts away. So it served its purpose. I skipped some of the recipes at the ends of chapters. But the ones I did listen to had some fun quips in there.
And it made me really hungry for pasta.
April 17, 2025
5 out of 5 stars – Twisty, Dark, and Totally Unputdownable!
First, thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an ARC copy of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine.
The Dead Husband Cookbook (releasing August 5,2025) is a darkly delicious thriller about celebrity chef Maria Capello, famed for her meatballs—and the decades-old mystery of her missing husband. This chilling tale blends murder, motherhood, and the irresistible power of food.
This book is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. I went in expecting a dark domestic mystery, but what I got was so much more—twists I never saw coming, a plot that kept me glued to the pages, and a cast of unreliable characters that made me question everything I thought I knew.
Valentine masterfully balances suspense and wit, crafting a story that’s both chilling and addictive. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she pulled the rug out from under me. The layers of secrets, betrayal, and manipulation were so expertly done, I stayed fully hooked the entire time.
If you love twisty thrillers, unreliable narrators, and a storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end, The Dead Husband Cookbook should be at the top of your TBR. Absolutely loved it!
First, thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for sending me an ARC copy of The Dead Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine.
The Dead Husband Cookbook (releasing August 5,2025) is a darkly delicious thriller about celebrity chef Maria Capello, famed for her meatballs—and the decades-old mystery of her missing husband. This chilling tale blends murder, motherhood, and the irresistible power of food.
This book is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. I went in expecting a dark domestic mystery, but what I got was so much more—twists I never saw coming, a plot that kept me glued to the pages, and a cast of unreliable characters that made me question everything I thought I knew.
Valentine masterfully balances suspense and wit, crafting a story that’s both chilling and addictive. Every time I thought I had it figured out, she pulled the rug out from under me. The layers of secrets, betrayal, and manipulation were so expertly done, I stayed fully hooked the entire time.
If you love twisty thrillers, unreliable narrators, and a storyline that keeps you guessing until the very end, The Dead Husband Cookbook should be at the top of your TBR. Absolutely loved it!
September 28, 2026
Thoughts
This is my second reading experience with this author, I was obsessed with Delicate Condition which ironically nothing was delicate about it 😂 she has yet again won me over with her mind. I really enjoyed this one, I loved the balance between past and present, the plot pacing did fall on the slower side at times but overall I had fun time reading it.
Plot Summary
Celebrity chef Maria Capello has built an empire since her famous husband mysteriously disappeared twenty years ago. Now, she is finally ready to tell her story and chooses a little-known editor, Thea Woods, to help with her memoir. Invited to Maria’s remote farm, Thea hopes to uncover the truth behind Damien’s disappearance — and the rumours surrounding his famous recipes and secret ingredient.
My Bookstagram
This is my second reading experience with this author, I was obsessed with Delicate Condition which ironically nothing was delicate about it 😂 she has yet again won me over with her mind. I really enjoyed this one, I loved the balance between past and present, the plot pacing did fall on the slower side at times but overall I had fun time reading it.
Plot Summary
Celebrity chef Maria Capello has built an empire since her famous husband mysteriously disappeared twenty years ago. Now, she is finally ready to tell her story and chooses a little-known editor, Thea Woods, to help with her memoir. Invited to Maria’s remote farm, Thea hopes to uncover the truth behind Damien’s disappearance — and the rumours surrounding his famous recipes and secret ingredient.
My Bookstagram
February 9, 2026
Really enjoyed this book. The title stuck to me right in and when I saw the cover, I knew I had to read it. It was such a unique concept and layout (anybody make them beat balls yet?). I love how it was a book within a book and all of the characters were fun to follow. The Timeline bounces back-and-forth, but it was very easy to follow. There was a perfect amount of Intrigue and a good amount of unexpected twists.
May 24, 2025
DV is a sort of refuge from book slumps and mediocre readings for me, especially if I want something to keep me hooked till the last page.
Because — and if you’ve already read anything by her you know it — something big is gonna happen at the end, some sort of plot twist that will make the journey even more terrific.
That said, this book has lots of other great qualities, especially the food aspects.
I've always considered myself someone who doesn't particularly like recipes and cooking in books because I don't have that great of imagination, and most of than not people put Italian names to dishes Italians wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. But not here, not under the supervision of DV.
The Italian spelling is perfect, the Italian recipes are perfect, and the cooking jokes are miserably hilarious.
I haven't got all that was promised, so I'm a little sad I didn't witness the gruesome glorification of cannibalism that I thought I’d have found, but I'm also not disappointed in the meaning of this at all — girl power, am I right?! 😏
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Because — and if you’ve already read anything by her you know it — something big is gonna happen at the end, some sort of plot twist that will make the journey even more terrific.
That said, this book has lots of other great qualities, especially the food aspects.
I've always considered myself someone who doesn't particularly like recipes and cooking in books because I don't have that great of imagination, and most of than not people put Italian names to dishes Italians wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. But not here, not under the supervision of DV.
The Italian spelling is perfect, the Italian recipes are perfect, and the cooking jokes are miserably hilarious.
I haven't got all that was promised, so I'm a little sad I didn't witness the gruesome glorification of cannibalism that I thought I’d have found, but I'm also not disappointed in the meaning of this at all — girl power, am I right?! 😏
↠ 3.5 stars
Thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
August 14, 2025
I was left a little disappointed. the premise was really intriguing, and I went in with pretty high hopes. unfortunately, it was a bit slow and uneventful for me. not much really happens for quite a while, and I found myself loosing interest and skimming through it. I was expecting more horror and gore.
August 8, 2025
Deliciously dark!
I devoured this book. I honestly didn't want to stop reading. I loved the book within a book narrative, the unreliable memoir writer, the mystery, the tension, and the amazing food descriptions. Twice, I wanted to shake Thea for stupid decisions, but my annoyance didn't last. The ending was such fun! A strange, disturbing, well-written, and hypnotizing read.
I devoured this book. I honestly didn't want to stop reading. I loved the book within a book narrative, the unreliable memoir writer, the mystery, the tension, and the amazing food descriptions. Twice, I wanted to shake Thea for stupid decisions, but my annoyance didn't last. The ending was such fun! A strange, disturbing, well-written, and hypnotizing read.
July 20, 2025
THE DEAD HUSBAND COOKBOOK
pub date 08.05.25
Told in a mix of news articles, recipes, a manuscript, and the POV of Thea, the book publisher — this book is intriguing and so fun to read. And despite the cover photo - made me pretty hungry for some Italian food 🤣 essentially a book within a book that kept me eager to turn the pages.
Maria’s husband, Damien, went missing 30 years ago. He was a chef - and after his presumed death, Maria took over his passion and started a cooking show of her own. Now, she’s ready to tell her story to the world in a memoir— and she’s chosen Thea to be the ghostwriter.
I read a LOT and sometimes it’s easy to forget most details of a book, but this was so unlike anything I’ve ever read and I know for a fact this story will stick with me! It was such a fun read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thanks so much to @bookmarked for my #gifted ARC!
pub date 08.05.25
Told in a mix of news articles, recipes, a manuscript, and the POV of Thea, the book publisher — this book is intriguing and so fun to read. And despite the cover photo - made me pretty hungry for some Italian food 🤣 essentially a book within a book that kept me eager to turn the pages.
Maria’s husband, Damien, went missing 30 years ago. He was a chef - and after his presumed death, Maria took over his passion and started a cooking show of her own. Now, she’s ready to tell her story to the world in a memoir— and she’s chosen Thea to be the ghostwriter.
I read a LOT and sometimes it’s easy to forget most details of a book, but this was so unlike anything I’ve ever read and I know for a fact this story will stick with me! It was such a fun read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thanks so much to @bookmarked for my #gifted ARC!
August 18, 2025
If you love books that are delightfully weird, morbid, and sprinkled with real recipes—this one will stir up your curiosity! 🥘
Danielle never shies away from the strange, and that's exactly where she shines. While this wasn’t my top favorite from her, it was still a solid, entertaining read with a fun plot and unique twists. The recipes woven into the story made the experience feel immersive, and half the fun was trying to figure out what on earth was actually happening. I enjoyed the journey even more than the ending—this is a ride for readers who embrace the unexpected.
✨ Final Takeaway: If you go into this book knowing it leans into the bizarre and experimental, you’ll appreciate the creativity and originality even more.
Danielle never shies away from the strange, and that's exactly where she shines. While this wasn’t my top favorite from her, it was still a solid, entertaining read with a fun plot and unique twists. The recipes woven into the story made the experience feel immersive, and half the fun was trying to figure out what on earth was actually happening. I enjoyed the journey even more than the ending—this is a ride for readers who embrace the unexpected.
✨ Final Takeaway: If you go into this book knowing it leans into the bizarre and experimental, you’ll appreciate the creativity and originality even more.
November 2, 2025
Okay, maybe the cannibalism wasn’t explicitly promised but don’t tease me with a title like that! I was expecting way more than what we ended up getting. Still, the fast pacing and chaotic energy made it an entertaining ride overall. Just don’t go in expecting a full cannibal feast and think more like light snacking.
July 12, 2025
4.5⭐️
Omg I loved this one!! Thank you so much Sourebooks and NetGalley for my gifted copy! Run to your tbr and add this twisted thriller to the list! It comes out 8/5!
This was better than I had anticipated. I did not figure the twists out and it kept me on my toes until the very end. I absolutely loved the Italian grandmother cooking vibes as someone who is Italian and takes the Italian cuisine very seriously. While there are many delicious recipes and family secrets throughout this book be sure to watch out for the deceit, lies, and murder that also take place.
A mind boggling thriller with an ending you won’t see coming. I highly recommend going into this one blind like I did - it made the reading experience even better! I can’t wait to check out more of Danielle Valentines books.
Omg I loved this one!! Thank you so much Sourebooks and NetGalley for my gifted copy! Run to your tbr and add this twisted thriller to the list! It comes out 8/5!
This was better than I had anticipated. I did not figure the twists out and it kept me on my toes until the very end. I absolutely loved the Italian grandmother cooking vibes as someone who is Italian and takes the Italian cuisine very seriously. While there are many delicious recipes and family secrets throughout this book be sure to watch out for the deceit, lies, and murder that also take place.
A mind boggling thriller with an ending you won’t see coming. I highly recommend going into this one blind like I did - it made the reading experience even better! I can’t wait to check out more of Danielle Valentines books.
February 3, 2026
This was so fun! I loved the chapters with the recipes, it made me feel like I was reading about a deranged Julia Child. The audiobook was also chef’s kiss 🤌🏼
September 2, 2025
I gave it three stars because it did keep me reading till the end so I could see what the ‘secret ingredient was’ . I skipped over the talks about slaughtering animals. I did step out of my cozy box that I’ve been in for the last 15 years. My library is short on cozies :(
The majority of the book was about women that can’t stand up for themselves and keep being doormats to their mothers and the men in their lives . No thanks !
The majority of the book was about women that can’t stand up for themselves and keep being doormats to their mothers and the men in their lives . No thanks !
December 10, 2025
this was not what i thought it was, but honestly this was a solid thriller and once i got time to read i devoured it. it was slightly predictable, but then other times some plot twists had me :0 the best of both worlds. wished there was more horror and cannibalism, was a bit light on the gory details
Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,709 reviews