The Spice Box by Lou Jane Temple Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Spice Box
Book Review: I'll definitely read the next one too!
Summary: 3 Stars
Lou Jane Temple's latest novel The Spice Box is a historical mystery set in 1860's New York City.
Bridget Haney is an Irish immigrant who grew up on New York's mean streets and in an orphanage with her sister Maggie. Bridget has always loved to cook and has aspired to cook for a wealthy New York family.
Bridget realizes her dream when she is hired as the Gold family cook. Her first day on the job is marred when she finds the twice-shot body of Seth, the Gold's son, in the dough box. Bridget and Isaac Gold, Seth's father join forces to find the killer and Bridget's missing sister, Maggie.
The Spice Box is an interesting look at 1860's New York life and the differences between the serving class and their employers. Temple has also included some delicious mouth-watering recipes.
While the novel and its characters are somewhat predictable and formulaic, The Spice Box is a satisfying and enjoyable read and worth the time. I'll read her next novel too.
Book Review: New York City - 1860s
Summary: 2 Stars
Young, orphaned, Irish immigrant Bridget Heaney fortunately learned to cook during her employment at a German boarding house. This skill has landed her a job as assistant cook in the Manhattan mansion of Jewish department store owner Isaac Gold. On the first day of work she discovers the body of the family's youngest son, and is recruited by Mr. Gold to help him uncover the perpetrator of the crime and reasons for his son's death.
The story illustrates nineteenth century upstairs-downstairs distinctions and the rigid hierarchy among the staff according to the jobs they do. Bridget's forays downtown to the "real" New York let us see the world of poor Irish and Germans, uncared for children, prostitutes, crime, and unhealthy sanitation. Blackwell Island's "lunatic asylum," the alms houses, the orphan house, New York's stock exchange, and Jewish rituals surrounding mourning, all appear in the story. But the textbook like narrative in the telling of all this makes for dull reading. As difficult to handle are the times the characters speak in late twentieth century language, and the moments when Bridget, this orphan so new to the upper class world, pontificates in a way that seems out of character. And would wealthy Mr. Gold develop a companionate relationship with a servant he just met?
The author is a caterer and chef who has written contemporary mysteries featuring a chef and food themes. Cooks will love the story's detailed descriptions of the meals Bridget prepares. At the end are recipes of some of the dishes featured in the book.
Book Review: New York City 1860's mystery
Summary: 4 Stars
What a great blend of food lore, history and mystery. A wonderful view of the teeming NYC life both above and below the stairs-- An Irish immigrant becomes a cook in a Jewish businessman's home
I enjoyed the Heaven Lee series and look forward to Temple's next story.
Book Review: New historical mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
Lou Jane Temple is famous for her culinary mystery series featuring caterer Heaven Lee. This is a new culinary series set before 1900. I did not realize this until I started reading it. I normally shy away from historical mysteries, but I am so glad I read this one. Bridget Henry is an Irish Immigrant. She is all alone now. Her friend helps her get a job as a cook in the home of Isaac Gold, the wealthy owner of a department store.
She finds the body of Mr. Gold's son in the dough box on her first day. He'd been shot twice in the chest. Mr. Gold has no faith in the police finding his son's killer, so he decides he'd better do it. He enlists Bridget's help. He also ends up assisting her in her search for her sister. They set off on many adventures until Mr. Gold's wife tries to put a stop to it. Bridget still assists, but Mr. Gold is not as free to join in.
Bridget finds herself in quite a few interesting situations. She is such a wonderful character, and her interaction with Mr. Gold as well as the rest of the staff is terrific. The setting of the late 1800s really adds to this story. I can't wait to read more in this new series. Ms. Temple has a real winner! I highly recommend it.
Book Review: delectable culinary historical mystery
Summary: 5 Stars
Irish Immigrant Bridget Henry has not had an easy life. Her family was forced to leave Ireland during the potato famine by their English landlord; her mother died on their ship while en route to America; and when they finally arrive, she and her younger sister have to survive on their own because their father disappears for months at a time. They both get sent to the orphanage where Bridget learns to be a cook and she lands a job at the home of wealthy department storeowner Isaac Gold.
On her first day on the job she finds the body of Mr. Gold's son in the dough box. He was shot twice in the chest and the police are so incompetent Mr. Gold decides to find his son's killer with Bridget's help. While they are chasing down every clue, Bridget is also looking to solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance, a quest that she can finally do now that she has Mr. Gold to help her.
This is one book that should not be read on an empty stomach because the mouth-watering descriptions of the food that the chefs serve to the Gold family will make the reader very hungry. Bridget and Mr. Gold are a great pair of amateur sleuths and readers get a look at life in New York City during the Civil War. The division between upstairs and downstairs classes gives the reader a feel for what it was like to be a servant for the rich and powerful. Lou Jane Temple has written a delectable culinary historical mystery.
Harriet Klausner
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Harriet Klausner