Winner of the 2022 IndieReader Discovery Award for short stories

A sinister cook, a cursed cake, and a casual dinner between neighbours that goes murderously wrong.

Fourteen heart-stopping stories ascend the jagged culinary heights you’ve hungered to explore but could never find on a map: a family business that depends on a curse, a remote mountain village with a taste for revenge, a restaurant with a peculiar business model and a particularly peckish ghost.

As the characters swoon over every unforgettable mouthful and sometimes bite off more than they can chew, you’ll find yourself asking: what would I be willing to give for the meal of a lifetime?

The collection includes recipes for the dishes featured in the stories. Most recipes are vegetarian. All recipes are cyanide-free.

‘The 14 well-crafted culinary noir stories in Spiljak’s debut collection efficiently establish character and mood. Fans of Rob Hart’s Take-Out and Other Tales of Culinary Crime will feel sated.’

Publishers Weekly

'The stories feature strong, interesting characters, imaginative situations that range from funny to terrifying to everything in between, excellent plot twists, beautiful writing to please the senses, and great integration of the culinary aspects.'

IndieReader

‘For fans of the Twilight Zone, Tales From the Dark Side and Night Gallery, this book will delight.’

Laura's Interests

‘Špiljak has a knack for the short story – not everyone has – and for creating sharp bursts of darkness.’

Cheryl M-M's Book Blog

‘This is not just a feast for all culinary lovers, it is a feast for all crime and murder mystery lovers. It has the feel of an Agatha Christie cozy murder magic and mayhem with a slightly more fiendish twist.’

Zoe's Book Nook