Atria Books
February 2019
On Sale: February 12, 2019
384 pages ISBN: 150119643X EAN: 9781501196430 Kindle: B07GNVBYPR Hardcover / e-Book Add to Wish List
A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time,and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncleβs secretsβincluding the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.
When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estateβproperties, money, and his positionβto his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappiβs dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanniβs life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncleβs secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappiβs journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murderβall to protect an illicit love affair.
With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chefβs Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.
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