A Taste of Evil

Hani's Daughter Mysteries #5

by N.L. Holmes

The head cook of the vizier of the Upper Kingdom is mysteriously poisoned, and it starts to look like his wife may be guilty. But she is Neferet's parents' cook, the beloved family retainer of our heroine's childhood. Can it be? Or is something more sinister afoot? Neferet, Bener-ib, and their apprentice , Mut-tuy, had better find out fast before somebody else goes down and war with an enemy vassal state breaks out.

249 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2025

About the author

N.L. Holmes is the pen name of a professional archaeologist who received her doctorate from Bryn Mawr College. She has excavated in Greece and in Israel, and taught ancient history and humanities at the university level for many years. She has always had a passion for books, and in childhood, she and her cousin (also a writer today) used to write stories for fun.

Check out her interview with the Teaching, Learning, Leading K-12 podcast here!

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

A Taste of Evil is another captivating instalment in NL Holmes’ Hani's Daughter series. This historical fiction novel is set in ancient Egypt and is deeply rooted in history, with vivid descriptions of a time long-lost. With each book, I learn a little more about this fascinating place I have always wanted to visit.

The story is filled with intrigue, mystery, suspense, murder, drama, and secrets. We follow Neferet, Bener-ib, and Mut-tu on their dangerous journey to uncover the truth, track down a murderer, and save a friend. They are thrust into dark underground areas where evil lurks, putting their lives at risk.

A Taste of Evil is an intriguing cozy crime mystery that offers a fully immersive experience not to be missed. I recommend reading the books to fully understand the characters and their backgrounds.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars
A Taste of Evil (Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Book 5) By N.L. Holmes

A Taste of Evil is the fifth book in the Hani’s Daughter Mysteries Series and is a Historical Fiction/ Cozy Mystery that once you start reading there’s no putting it down until you’ve finished. This story is packed with action, mystery, suspense, murder, secrets, drama and so much more. The characters are developed relatable and bring the story to life. Follow along on their dangerous journey to uncover the truth and save a friend. The twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next.

[Zoe Piengkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book of this series can be read on its own but if you like this story you will enjoy joy the others in this series. This series is my new favorites! I love Egypt and the way the author wraps you in the time period, culture and feel of Egypt is wonderful. Each book is a great story on its own but I highly recommend buying and reading each.
Highly recommendation for this book as well as the other 4 books in this series.

[Chell Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another immediate author read! This was really well written like most mysteries I’ve read! Very suspenseful and full of secrets!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil (Hani's Daughter Mysteries) by N. L. Holmes.
5 of 5 Stars.
Having read and enjoyed the previous books in this historical cozy mystery series, I was eagerly awaiting this latest instalment, and it didn’t disappoint. Set in Ancient Egypt and once again the setting and era were brought vividly to life through the wonderfully written and detailed descriptive narrative. Whilst the added historical details transported me back in time and made me feel immersed in the story. The main character Neferet is Hani’s (from a previous series of books) daughter. When the head cook of the vizier of the Upper Kingdom is poisoned his wife, who is Neferet’s parent’s cook is the main suspect. As she is a beloved family retainer, Neferet along with Bener-ib and their apprentice Mut-tuy are determined to prove her innocence. They haven’t got long to investigate as if somebody else is poisoned it may start a war with an enemy vassal state. This is a real page turner and I was kept reading way past my bedtime, unable to put the book down!

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Neferet, Bener-ib and Mut-tuy are back and having a quiet period, not with patients as the city's sunets with a riding reputation , the patients keep coming, including an old man who had been severely beaten whom they send home with the person who brought them in, as he is not local, no, but with mysteries to solve.

This all changes when they visit Neferet's parents home for a meal and they find their mother instead of Cook in the kitchen because it turns out that Cook's husband had passed away and she has been given some time off, the three girls immediately want to go to visit her and give their condolences as she has served their family for as long as Neferet can remember, however, when they arrive there, Cook asks them to look into his murder because she believes he was poisoned!

This is something the young ladies insist on investigating and so they start out by talking to the kitchen staff where Cook's husband worked and it is there that they learn that there was a rivalry with another Cook there, as well as other juicy pieces of gossip, but there are other things on the ladies minds when they find out about a group of visiting dignitaries, but something seems off with them and nobody can quite put their fingers on why.

As the investigation continues, Neferet, Bener-ib and Mut-tuy uncover secrets, deceptions and revelations but none of them really solve the murder but still leaves them in danger, but will they be able to survive long enough to put Cook's mind at rest and restore the disrupted balance? This is an historical mystery with plenty of action where the pace is fast and the twists and turns keep on coming and you will not want to miss the end!

[Beejai Bohls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series but can be read as a stand alone. If you read this series in order you will find that not only does the authors writing get better with each book but so does the plots. IF you just picked this book up and its the first one you read, you are in for a treat. This book has been thoroughly researched with the way things were described about Egypt. It is an amazing historical fiction read that has suspense and mystery along with some other surprises. I normally don't read historical fiction but I am finding that I do tend to like it the more I read it. This book kept me turning the pages while sitting on the edge of my seat. I had to figure out what was going to happen next. This is a great, quick paced read. I felt that the words flowed easily off the pages and were so descriptive that I could honestly see everything happening like a movie. I found that I got swept away in the mystery and suspense of the book that I was trying to figure things out before the book would tell me. I wasn't often correct with the way I was thinking versus how things actually went, which is an amazing feeling while reading. I couldn't figure out how things were going to go means this was a fresh new perspective for me and it was refreshing. Not saying that this isn't similar to other historical fiction books but I have yet to read to one, that might change the more that I read this genre.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and loved every book in this series, but this one has surpassed all my expectations! It is okay if you haven’t read any of the previous books (but you totally should!) because this can be read as a standalone without a problem. Just the vivid imagery and descriptions of Egypt alone create such an immersive story. One thing that I really loved was that the author included a map, character list, and glossary at the beginning. It helps me picture everything so much easier and if I forget who someone is, I can just flip back to the first pages to find out!

We start off with a shocking poisoning that feels small and personal at first, but you can tell right away it’s about to spiral into something way bigger. There is this emotional tension that makes you second-guess everyone instead of just hunting for clues. Neferet, Bener-ib, and their apprentice Mut-tuy make a really fun investigative trio, and their dynamic keeps things moving even when the stakes get heavy. The plot balances intrigue and personal loyalty really well without getting confusing. Every new detail made me think, “Okay, but what if this is the real threat?” And just when you think it’s only about solving a mystery, the looming possibility of war raises the pressure fast. If you like historical mysteries where the drama feels both intimate and world-shaking, this one’s an easy recommendation.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

A Taste of Evil is the fifth book in the Hani’s Daughter Mysteries series by N.L. Holmes. As I have said before, I really enjoy these historical mysteries which are woven with wonderfully rich historical details, texture, depth, interesting characters, adventure, suspense, drama, tension, intrigue, family dynamics, and danger.
When the family cook becomes the prime suspect in her husband’s murder, Neferet’s finds herself with another mystery to unravel in order to clear her name… what ensues makes for engrossing reading.
Another intriguing cozy historical mystery, set in ancient Egypt- with plenty of vivid detailing and descriptions which helped to bring everything to life There is a definite ‘crime and investigation’ aspect to the story- another ‘whodunnit’ mystery that kept me hooked as I followed along to find out how everything played out in the end.
This series is a direct spin-off from ‘The Lord Hani Mystery Series’, which I also love– but this time we follow Hani’s daughter, Neferet (and friends), as she gets drawn into some very intriguing mysteries.
Looking forward to more from Ms. Holmes.
Happy Reading…

[Kerry carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the Hani's Daughter Mystery series. I have loved this authors work right from the beginning when we went solving mysteries with Hani. Now his daughter has taken over and the amazing stories continue.
Another element that I love about these stories are that they are sent in Ancient Egypt which I adore. My love for everything to do with Ancient Egypt means these books are definitely written for me. The author attention to details really being the story to life and the amount of factual names that run alongside the characters makes these books really unique.

When the cook of the Vizier comes home sick and then dies of suspected poisoning the widow (who is also the cook to Hani's family) begs Neferet and her friends to find out who murdered her husband. However when all the evidence starts to point to the widow being the murderer Neferet wonders if that could truly be the case .
Did she murder her husband? Is her family safe? And if it wasn't her then can Neferet figure out who it is before they have a chance to strike again?

I love these books so much and I am always captivated by the stories this author produces.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil is the fifth book in the Hani’s Daughter Mysteries series, itself a sequel to the Lord Hani series. I love these historical mysteries, set in Ancient Egypt, for their fantastically immersive worldbuilding and diverse cast of characters.

This story focuses on a cook who has been poisoned, leading Neferet, Bener-ib and the rest of the crew to dig into his life and try to work out how and why he was poisoned. This means we get to go behind the scenes in a large kitchen and meet the various people who work there, as well as learning more about different foods (and poisons) they would have had at the time.

As usual, Brute the dog plays a starring role and I loved getting to meet some of his relatives! I hope we get to see more of them in the coming books.

This book gets five stars from me. I love this series, and A Taste of Evil is an intriguing mystery with lots of fascinating historical details. This is a great series if you like historical stories that bring a different time and place to life.

[Wendy Tanguay · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Neferet's cook's husband dies unexpectedly cook thinks he was poisoned and asks Neferet to find out who
murdered him. The investigation leads back to the house of the woman who trained Neferet and Bener-Ib to be
physicians. What follows is full of professional as well as personal rivalry between cooks. Two men having an affair
with the same woman, a poisoned lunch jar and a mysterious bunch of castor beans in the lunch jar brought home
by the cook's husband who died. Meanwhile a trip to the country to pick up two puppies that Neferet has bought for her
friend and her father turns into an attempt to kill the girls as a ship rams into theirs repeatedly trying to sink them.
Pair this with spying, a foreign emissary who is not who he says he is and the chase to detain the emissary before he gets
away with gold meant for his king and you have another great story. I'm going back soon to start reading the mysteries
written about Hani as I love the setting of ancient Egypt and the author's style.

[S. Bittles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back for another fast paced mystery with book five of the Hani’s Daughter Mysteries!

Nothing is what it seems in this mystery that hits close to home, literally at home! When the family cook becomes their main suspect, tensions get high and questions become many. The ladies once again find themselves in high stakes trying to solve another murder while they have to question what they know and not cloud their judgement with knowing the suspect personally.

The Author has clearly took the time and dedicated to their period piece books. We are given strong and curious female leads who are eager to prove their worth and dedication to their practice. The Author has created a series with fantastic world building and relatable character developments.

This book can be read as a stand alone without missing anything from the previous books. With that being said, I recommend reading this series from the beginning!

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth and final book in the Hani's daughter mystery series and boy did it not disappoint! The author did such a wonderful job on this set. I haven't read a lot of ancient Egypt books so I didn't know much about the topic at all. I know a lot more now! It was all so interesting. Each book had me guessing who the killer was. sometimes I got it and other times I was way off. Lol. It's still fun to try to guess though. The book has a character list, a map, and a glossary to help you if needed. But if you read the whole series, in order, you can keep up with it all pretty easy. You CAN read these all as stand alones , but I say just read them all. It is so good and you will not regret it one bit!! In this last book , you are trying to find out who poisoned the head chef of the upper kingdom. Who would want to kill him , and why?? So the trio is at it again, searching for the killer before anyone else gets killed or a war starts!! Such a great series!!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is by an author that I have enjoyed reading and never hesitate to pick up. One of the things I enjoy about this author is their creative details that make their stories pop off the pages. This story is no different. It is engaging, well written and the characters bring their story to life. This is a story about a head cook being poisoned with his wife looking like she did it. Will this mystery get solved before a war starts? I enjoyed all the characters in this story. They are strong, determined and kept me turning pages fast just to find out what happened to them next. There is great growth throughout with not only the characters but with the plot as well. This is a fast paced, hard to put down story and one you will enjoy reading. I also found this easy to read and one I truly enjoyed reading. I highly recommend this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil pulled me in right away with its mix of mystery and emotional weight. The poisoning of the vizier’s head cook is disturbing enough, but what really hooked me was Neferet’s personal connection to the accused woman—someone who had been a trusted, beloved presence in her childhood. That emotional tie makes the investigation feel urgent and heartfelt, not just procedural. As Neferet, Bener-ib, and Mut-tuy race to uncover the truth, the tension steadily rises, especially with the threat of more deaths and a possible war hanging over everything. I loved how the story blends intrigue, loyalty, and danger in a vividly imagined ancient Egyptian setting, making the mystery feel both intimate and high-stakes.

[Rhonda Pulk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil by N.L. Holmes
4 Star Review
The two main characters are Neferet and her father, Hani. Neferet is curious by nature and becomes involved in the mystery about deaths that are threatening her family’s livelihood. Hani is a skilled brewer whose business and reputation are in the middle of the mysterious deaths. Hani is deeply rooted in the community and finds that trusting some people could be a mistake.
Although I am not usually a fan of historical books, this story was interesting. N.L. Holmes has created a story that is entertaining and informative. I didn’t know anything about Egypt so it was interesting to read about. I think this is a good book for people who really like historical mysteries.

[Ayla Phipps · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t always read Historical Fiction, but when I do its by N.L. Holmes. Her blend of historical Egypt (my favorite topic) and mystery leads to works of art that keep you wrapped up in the world from start to finish. I have been with this series since book one and seeing how far Neferet, Bener-ib and company have grown and developed with each book has been a journey itself. While this is the fifth book in the series each book I feel could be read as a standalone as they each have their own plot and mystery to solve. Though I do recommend reading them all eventually you won’t be disappointed. For Neferet this case hits much closer to home when she personally knows the suspect. Nothing is what it seems, but Neferet and company must work fast to find the truth no matter what it is.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted to get to read this story, I didn’t realize initially that it was 5th in a series, but it was well written and can be read as a standalone, but I plan to go back and read the first four novels. I love reading about stories set in ancient times, but I am not as well versed in Egyptian history, but this story had me feeling like I was back in ancient Egyptian times. The author clearly did a lot of research and has sparked a further interest into ancient Egyptian studies! I loved how well written the mystery was and the author did an awesome job of weaving the different pieces together, keeping you guessing until the end.

[Lydia Pelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting story. It has a great mix of historical information, mystery, and suspense. I was extremely thankful for the guide in the front that allowed me to feel more immersed in the story and not be confused by the different pronunciations. I loved getting to see how Neferet, Bener-ib, and Mut-tuy deal with the different twists and turns while trying to figure out what happened. It felt so small at first but as they went on and on they uncovered so much more happening than what they expected. Add in the pups and you got an awesome story. This story was the first in the series that I read but I am definitely going to grab the first four!

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read any of the books in this series you are missing out. It has been a journey growing with Neferet, Bener-ib and their apprentice Muttuy. I have always been fascinated with Egypt, it is on my bucket list of places to visit, and I can say that I have learned quite a bit from this author. You can tell they put in a lot of time and effort researching this time period so that it would fit in with her story perfectly. Historical fiction isn't a genre I read often but I can say this is definitely one author I will pick up outside of this series. I hope this isn't the last book in the series.

[Katie Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Taste of Evil is a fun, fast-moving mystery that earns a solid four stars with its unique setting and engaging characters. The stakes feel real right from the start, and the ancient-world backdrop adds a refreshing twist to the classic whodunit. Neferet and her companions make a great investigative team, and the tension builds nicely as personal loyalty clashes with political danger. With plenty of intrigue and a smart, satisfying mystery, this book keeps you hooked while delivering an enjoyable blend of suspense and atmosphere.

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 5th book in the series but can be read as a standalone. I've read other though and definitely recommend reading them also because they are quite enjoyable as well.
I love a cozy mystery, and this one really delivered. The storyline is great, kept me guessing through the whole thing and the writing was so well done I felt like I was there.
5 out of 5 stars. A great mystery, a fantastic author, definitely recommend.

[Finn Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil is book 5 of "Hani's Daughter Mysteries" series by N.L. Holmes. I would suggest reading these in order, you'll miss character backgrounds and some other things if you dont! This series is such a cozy mystery read for me, every time I pick up one of these books I just know Im going to enjoy it! Ive loved each and every single one of the books in this series and this is absolutely no exception!

[destinee Haydon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a little hard for me to read however still interesting. I like the guide in the front they really help with the names. This is a mystery and I love how it played out and kept you guessing till the end. The dogs were a great add in. I gave the 5/5 ⭐️ because the mystery kept playing out and being added to. This was a great read.

[Kat Mellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this whole series so much! The characters are wonderfully written and are so unique. I love the storylines, the settings, but I'm a sucker for all things ancient Egypt. The history given is super interesting but doesn't seem to bog the story down if you're not much into history. Can't wait for the next.

[Ashley Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful story line! This book keeps you turning the pages from start to the end. Some of the names of the characters in the book are a little tough to read, but the guide they have int the front of the book helps a ton! There was so much suspense surrounding the death of the vizier that truly I was not able to put this one down!

[John Ivery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil by N.L. Holmes delivers an engaging mystery layered with intrigue and emotional stakes.

The story skillfully balances personal connections with a wider sense of danger, creating steady tension as the truth unfolds. A compelling and well crafted historical mystery.

[Sandra Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Taste of Evil by N. L. Holmes is an engaging historical mystery filled with intrigue, tension, and rich atmosphere.

The blend of political danger, personal loyalty, and ancient Egyptian setting creates a compelling and immersive read from beginning to end.

[Julie Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and interesting read. There were a lot of twists and turns that held my interest till the very end. A good read.