The Spice Box

By Lou Jane Temple

Book Overview

A delicious new mystery series that takes readers on a cook's tour of kitchens through history. A fresh new series begins-- one which will follow a spice box--and the cooks who use it--through different historical periods, each with a mystery to solve and a handful of precious recipes. Bridget Heaney escaped from Ireland's Great Famine to New York City, where she spent her childhood as a pickpocket, supporting herself and her younger sister. But ever since she made her first pot of soup at the orphanage, she knew she wanted to be a cook. Now, in the home of wealthy and powerful department store owner Isaac Gold, her dream is about to come true. But on Bridget's first day of work, amidst gleaming copper pots and mighty woodstoves, she finds a body hidden inside the dough box. It is Gold's youngest son, whose whereabouts have been a mystery for several days. Bridget's courage and street sense take her from cook to crime-solver as she helps the heartbroken Gold family unravel the story of their son's fate. Justice will be served-along with a home-cooked meal. A taste of The Spice Box's recipes: Mustard Fruit Compote 1 tablespoon mustard seeds 1 teaspoon turmeric 1 teaspoon dried powdered mustard 1/2-cup brown sugar 1/4 cup honey mustard 2 cups apple juice 15-20 pitted prunes, chopped 15-20 dried apricots, chopped 1-cup raisins 1-cup dried cranberries or cherries 6-8 dried figs, chopped 3 fresh pears, chopped In a small saut? pan over medium heat, heat the mustard seed and turmeric until the seeds begin to pop, about two minutes. Be careful not to inhale directly over the pan, as the mustard gas is strong. Remove from heat. Combine all ingredients in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until the pears are soft, about 25 minutes. Serve with ham, turkey, or a prime rib of beef or pork.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0425200434
• ISBN13: 9780425200438
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.2" x 1.2" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

NEW YORK HISTORICAL NOVEL

LIVELY ANIMATED BOOK. BRIDGET HEANEY A YOUNG IRISH WOMAN IS HIRED INTO SERVICE AS A COOK IN THE HOME OF MR. GOLD. HE OWNS THE GOLD DEPARTMENT STORE IN MANHATTAN. THE WHOLE STORY TAKES PLACE DURING THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD IN NEW YORK CITY. THROW IN SOME FAMILY DEATHS AND THE INTRIGUE MOUNTS. BRIDGET IS ALSO TRYING TO LOCATE HER SISTER.

I was prepared to HATE it... LOL

I don't like changes. I want the next Heaven Lee mystery in the series YESTERDAY. But I caved and bought this book recently. It is a great read. Well written, thoughtful plot, interesting and tough female characters. So I promised myself, even though I don't like change, I will order and read the next book in the "Spice Box" series. The second book has a new heroine and yet another historical time period, but I will trust that I will enjoy the works of this author! :-)

New historical mystery

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.

New York City 1860's mystery

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.

delectable culinary historical mystery

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 . Harriet Klausner