I know by heart that this book deserves a 5⭐s. Everything about it pulled me in completely, the prose, the plot, the premise, the unsettling vibes, even the book cover. It is one of those reads where you already feel obsessed before you turn the final page.
Set in the early 90s, the story begins with a culinary world scandal that still lingers decades later. Legendary chef Damien Capello vanished without a trace from his family’s farm, leaving behind rumours that grew darker with time. Whispers of murder, cannibalism, and secret ingredients circulated wildly, all tied to his wife, Maria Capello. From grieving spouse, Maria emerged as a celebrated cookbook author and television icon, admired and untouchable.
Years later, Maria agrees to publish a memoir with a small publishing house and personally requests that it be edited by Thea Woods. For Thea, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Maria has been her idol for as long as she can remember, and the Capello case has haunted her curiosity for years. This book is meant to be the highlight of her career.
But as days pass, Maria begins to unravel Thea’s carefully constructed image of her. She is guarded, elusive, and deeply unsettling. The farm where Damien disappeared feels less like a home and more like a carefully protected secret. As Thea digs deeper, the truth behind Damien’s disappearance slowly surfaces, and what she discovers is far more shocking than any rumour.
The shifting narratives kept me completely hooked, blurring the line between truth, myth, and obsession. Each chapter is paired with one of Maria’s recipes, which feels both intimate and unsettling, as if food itself becomes part of the confession. By the time the final revelations surfaced, I was stunned by how expertly the story had been layered. This is a dark, seductive read that creeps under your skin and stays there long after the last page is turned.