I acquired a evaluation copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluation and all opinions are my very own.

The Lifeless Husband Cookbook by Danielle Valentine

Mogsy’s Score: 5 of 5 stars

Style: Thriller, Thriller

Collection: Stand Alone

Writer: Sourcebooks Landmark (August 5, 2025)

Size: 352 pages

I’ve learn a number of novels by this creator underneath her varied names (Danielle Valentine can be Danielle Vega), and as a self-described creator of books for “tweens, teenagers, and adults,” she’s positively lined a whole lot of floor. Nevertheless, over time I’ve realized that whereas her YA horror is enjoyable, it’s her grownup novels that basically seize me. With The Lifeless Husband Cookbook, she’s as soon as once more confirmed that time, delivering the identical type of totally absorbing and addictive suspense that made Delicate Situation such a standout for me.

The story follows Thea Woods, an editor whose profession is hanging on by a thread after costing her writer some huge cash within the wake of a really public scandal. The truth is, her boss has all however admitted to planning to fireside her, besides out of nowhere comes a second probability. Maria Capello, a star chef whose personal life has been marked by loads of sordid rumors and scandal, has apparently determined to put in writing a tell-all memoir, and for some cause, she has handpicked Thea to edit her guide. As a result of this is able to be the chance of a lifetime for his or her small writer, Thea is allowed to maintain her job—for now. Nevertheless, she will be able to’t afford to make any errors. One flawed transfer, and it may wreck her utterly.

In any other case, Thea is definitely fairly thrilled to be working with Maria. She has no thought why she was chosen—they’ve by no means even met—however Thea has admired Maria since childhood, faithfully following her cooking reveals and recipe books, which idealized the picture-perfect residence life. Nonetheless, Maria comes with some troublesome situations. First, Thea should journey to the Capello’s distant upstate farmhouse to do the work. Second, she’s going to give up her telephone and reside with no dependable web connection whereas she’s there. And third, she’s going to solely have entry to the manuscript one chapter at a time, handed over at a tempo set by Maria.

Regardless of all this, Thea tells herself it’ll all be value it. In any case, the memoir is all however assured to be a sensation, not simply because Maria is a family identify, however as a result of everybody continues to be obsessive about the decades-old thriller of her lacking husband, Damien. Formally, Damien Capello’s loss of life was dominated a suicide, backed by a observe and Maria’s alibi the evening of his disappearance, however that hasn’t stopped individuals from speaking. Did Damien actually kill himself, or was it one thing darker? Thea is aware of Maria’s memoir would possibly lastly reveal the reality, however how a lot does she actually wish to find out about her idol? Is she really able to study Maria’s secrets and techniques? And what’s going to it price her if she does?

From the outline of the novel to its unnervingly vivid cowl, I simply couldn’t let this one move me by! What actually labored for me was the way in which the story makes use of its construction to construct curiosity and stress. The majority of the narrative follows Thea within the current day as she navigates life’s challenges—a demanding toddler, an oblivious husband, a financially strapped mom, and now a tanking profession. However as soon as Thea arrives at Maria’s farmhouse, the tone shifts, tightening into the claustrophobic, managed ambiance the older girl has created.

It’s right here we start to see excerpts from the memoir itself, and I believed these sections have been brilliantly accomplished. Filled with juicy behind-the-scenes particulars, every chapter additionally included scrumptious sounding recipes with intelligent titles that instantly relate to Maria’s tales. I liked how these components gave us Maria’s perspective, to not point out making my mouth water! On the similar time, they raised extra questions than solutions. What precisely are Maria’s motives for writing the guide, and why now after so a few years of remaining guarded about her previous? Is she being as candid as she claims, desirous to set the file straight? Or is she in truth selecting her phrases fastidiously, attempting to reframe how the general public sees her?

One other spotlight for me was how practically each component clicked proper into place. Particularly the meals angle! Every recipe and culinary element felt genuine and thoughtfully built-in, and never only a gimmick. Cooking tied instantly into Maria’s storytelling and character, deepening the themes of reminiscence, household, secrets and techniques, and even management. I couldn’t assist however surprise if Danielle Valentine is a connoisseur herself, as a result of it’s that, or she poured tons of of hours of analysis into the culinary world. Both means, it paid off superbly, contributing to simply how nicely all the novel was deliberate and put collectively, even when the plot ran full pace into realm of outrageousness. And but, it labored as a result of a superb basis had been laid, and naturally it was additionally enjoyable as hell.

Total, The Lifeless Husband Cookbook is strictly the type of addictive and barely unhinged thriller that’s straightforward to devour in just some sittings. Danielle Valentine has as soon as once more delivered a novel that feels each meticulously plotted and wildly entertaining. If you happen to liked Delicate Situation or are merely within the temper for a darkish and twisty page-turner, that is the proper place to dig in.