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Book Reviews of The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1)

The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1)
The Spice Box - Spice Box, Bk 1
Author: Lou Jane Temple
ISBN-13: 9780425206652
ISBN-10: 0425206653
Publication Date: 4/4/2006
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 36

4 stars, based on 36 ratings
Publisher: Berkley
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

12 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 366 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Loved this novel about Bridget, who in 19th century NYC was reduced to being a pickpocket to help her mother and sister survive. Fate does have its twists and turns - and she becomes what today is called a personal chef-this in the home of a wealthy family! Not intriguing enough? Well - she finds a body in the kitchen and moves to the role of crime solver.
What adds to its interest, as one review said is "a melange of recipes, cooking hints, and tidbits of Manhattan history"
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an historical cozy mystery set in 1860 New York. Very enjoyable read.
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Enjoyable reading not requiring a lot of thinking along with some good recipes. This is a mom-readable book. In other words there is no sex, no swearing, and no explicit violence. This is a bit racier than "The cat who" books but not by much.
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 131 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Bridget Heaney, an Irish immigrant, spent her childhood as a pickpocket to support herself and her sister. But ever since she started cooking at the orphanage, she knew she wanted to cook in one of the big houses in New York. She lands a job with wealthy department store owner Isaac Gold, but on her first day discovers a body hidden inside the dough box. It's Gold's son, who has been missing for a few days. Bridget's street sense takes her from cook to crime solver.

Very good book for mystery and food fans alike. An interesting glimpse into what it was like to work in a wealthy home in 1860s New York.
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 136 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A melange of recipes, cooking hints, tidbits of Manhattan history and intrigue. Justice served with a home cooked meal.
PBSmaven avatar reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 107 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I just finished this book and I loved it. I didn't want it to end. I ordinarily don't like mysteries but this one was fun. A great read!
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. It might not have been totally realistic, but I felt that it gave some historical perspective. It was very interesting, and the characters had depth. I liked the main character, of course, or I wouldn't have like the book.
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 68 more book reviews
1st in "the spice box" series.
reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 81 more book reviews
Excellent Book. I loved her other series and this is just as good
bobbiejo avatar reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 49 more book reviews
Loved this story line. I was disapointed to learn that the other books have different characters
I hope they are just as good
rufusmom avatar reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Enjoyable period mystery that spent time building the sense of the time - nice details.
hardtack avatar reviewed The Spice Box (Spice Box, Bk 1) on + 2541 more book reviews
This was a good mystery which I enjoyed. It took place in 1864 New York, with interaction between the Irish, Negroes, and Jews, against the backdrop of the Civil War.

After reading the description, I'm not so sure I would enjoy the next book in this series, which takes place much earlier in Europe. So I won't be looking got it.

There were a few not-quite-understandable comments the author placed in the book which I found disconcerting. In one case she has her female protagonist "taking a pee." I have no idea why that was mentioned.

Then, in another sentence, the female protagonist considers casual sex with a guy who winks at her in a bar. What? Yet, at all other times she behaves properly.

Then there was the numerous mention of "photos." While "photograph" was coined long before the 1860s, the type of photography common in the 1860s was daguerreotype, and this was used to refer to the images produced.