A Spirited Supper at
When chef Bridget “Bunny” MacBride got a role on the reality show Food & Spirits, she thought “spirits” meant cocktails. Instead, she’s cooking up dinners meant to tempt the departed to appear. And to her surprise, she’s discovered abilities to connect with the beyond—and crack murder cases . . .
Now that Bunny’s entrées come with a side of the Other Side, it comes in handy to have a grandma who’s friendly with the elderly owners of a haunted Scottish castle. During Bunny’s childhood she heard all about Dundoon’s bloody history and the “ghostly piper” who roamed the grounds—and soon she’ll be visiting the ancient place with her ghost hunter and psychic co-stars. The annual bagpipe competition in the late piper’s honor will make for some good footage as well.
After Bunny serves a feast fit for a 17th century king, including lamb chops with plenty of fresh herbs, she heads outdoors for the ghost hunt. But in the dark, dense fog, someone fatally plunges from the clifftop over the loch. The sound that follows is a mournful, otherworldly bagpipe . . . and once the body of another perished piper is retrieved, Bunny is determined to solve this Highlands homicide—and prevent a killer from getting off scot-free . . .
Includes Delicious Recipes!
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| World's Biggest Bagpipe Competition |
My Thoughts
A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah is the second in A Food and Spirits Mystery series but works well as a standalone with provided background. The story reads smoothly, with leisurely pacing and vivid descriptions of Scotland, Bunny’s childhood home, and Dundoon Castle. The cliffs with the fog were eerie. I wish more time had been spent inside the castle which had a creepy ambiance. I liked the ghost stories and the ghostly atmosphere. I find it annoying that Bunny does not like being around ghosts. I wish she would embrace her gift (like her grandmother).
I love Bunny’s
grandmother. She is a hoot as well as
helpful. The mystery was interesting,
but it was a snap to solve. I liked that Bunny’s grandmother and brother were
involved. There were some parts of the investigation that were a tad farfetched
(I rolled my eyes a number of times). I
wish there was less repetition and a snappier pace. Bunny whipped up a mouthwatering meal that
had the corporeal guests asking for seconds (recipes at the end of the book). A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle is a misneachail tale
with piper specter, a delicious meal, a bagpipe competition, wonderful whiskey,
an eliminated judge, craggy cliffs, and reunifying with
family.
A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle is available from Amazon*. The first book in A Food and Spirits Mystery series is A Fatal Feast at Bramsford Manor. You can find Darci Hannah's other novels here.
Thank you for joining me today. I will return on Tuesday, February 3 with The Great Amish Baking Battle by Debra Torres. It is the second book in the Amish Newspapers of Mercer County series. It has been a very cold week. I have exhausted my extreme cold weather wardrobe. I will need to do some shopping before winter next year. My mother employs a different approach. She wears long flannel nightgowns (they go down to her feet) along with a matching sweater. She keeps herself toasty by staying in bed. She has a heated mattress pad (instead of an electric blanket) and Snoopy flannel sheets (plus a Sherpa lined blanket and a quilt). When my mother needs anything, she rings a bell (she is not budging unless it is absolutely necessary). If I do not hear the bell, she uses a duck call (its loud).
My cat, Dickens, has taken to sleeping on the cable box in my mother's room. I hope that you have a relaxing weekend. I have a feeling that all of us will be staying indoors this weekend since another cold front is coming through (good reading weather). Take care, stay warm (and safe), and Happy Reading!
The Avid Reader
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
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