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An Appetite for Violets edition by Martine Bailey Literature Fiction eBooks

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An Appetite for Violets edition by Martine Bailey Literature Fiction eBooks

I would be delighted to accompany Martine Bailey's eighteenth-century heroine, Biddy Leigh, with her practical head, indomitable sense of survival and robust sense of humor on any journey.

In AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS Biddy, a young under-cook who dreams only of marrying her handsome swain and opening a tavern, is inveigled into accompanying her new mistress to Tuscany. Biddy has never left England before and finds herself embroiled in an expedition of drama, intrigue and danger. Nothing is as it seems; secrets and skullduggery abound and the company is populated with a cast of characters redolent of the earthy Georgian era.

Armed only with her sharp wits and a parting gift from the cook she worked for; a homemade almanac: "The Cook's Jewel," a sort of scrapbook of recipes and remedies in which Biddy stores such fascinating concoctions as Viperine Wine, Burnt Toast Tea and, less outlandishly, a simple recipe for Portable Soup for Travelers, Biddy uses her almanac as a journal to record her journey and observations as this mismatched group of travelers wind their way through England, France and into Italy. As they journey south, Biddy finds herself drawn into a mystery that she must unravel to survive.

Martine Bailey's debut novel is rich in detail and fluid in its evocative descriptions depicting time and place and an engrossing read. Most of all, we are instantly drawn to Biddy; a most real and utterly admirable heroine.


Tags : An Appetite for Violets - Kindle edition by Martine Bailey. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading An Appetite for Violets.,ebook,Martine Bailey,An Appetite for Violets,Hodder & Stoughton,AF: Historical,Crime & Mystery,Crime & mystery fiction,England, France, Italy,FICTION Historical General,Fiction Historical,Historical & Mythological Fiction,Historical Mysteries,Historical Romance,Historical fiction,FICTION Historical General,Fiction Historical,Historical & Mythological Fiction,Historical mysteries,Historical fiction

An Appetite for Violets edition by Martine Bailey Literature Fiction eBooks Reviews

Biddy Leigh is young under-cook at Mawton Hall in 1773, where her ambitions are no higher than marriage to Jem Burdett and opening a local tavern. However, her plans and dreams are interrupted by the sudden arrival of a carriage one day, bearing Sir Geoffrey’s new young wife, Lady Carinna. No sooner has Lady Carinna arrived than she is eager to leave again - for her Uncle’s villa in Tuscany -taking the famous jewel belonging to the previous Mistress of the house, the ‘Mawton Rose,’ and as much money as she can gather with her. Obviously things are amiss and Mr Pars, Sir Geoffrey’s steward, vows to accompany her to protect his Master’s interests. Also included in the trip is her Lady’s Maid, Loveday the footman and an unwilling Biddy.

Biddy is told by the Cook, Mrs Garland, that marriage to local boy, and heavy drinker, Jem, would be a waste of her talents. She entrusts her with “The Cooks Jewel,” a cookbook kept by her previous Mistress, Lady Maria, which includes recipes, folklore and advice and tells Biddy that she will get a good position if she learns to cook in the French style. Lady Carinna also seems keen to include Biddy and tries to teach her to speak well and act more like a lady. Yet, why should Lady Carinna show such interest in an under-cook and why is she fleeing her new home so shortly after her marriage?

This entertaining and interesting historical novel follows the band of travellers across the Continent to the Villa in Tuscany and shows what befalls the characters on the way. There are many secrets being kept, but Biddy and Lovelace do their best to protect each other. Lovelace is an interesting character – a man who has been captured as a slave and who dreams only of the tropical paradise and the family he has been forced to leave behind. Both he and Biddy are underestimated by their ‘betters’; while Biddy discovers that, far from being appreciated by those she serves, she is seen of little consequence and that those in charge are no less intelligent or worthwhile, regardless of titles or fine clothes.

The novel is interspersed with recipes and letters, which help tell the story from the point of view of all the characters, but it is Biddy who is central to the novel. Taken away from all she knows, manipulated, used, and often disregarded, she is always strong, loyal and trustworthy. There are plots, love affairs and tragedy along the way, in a novel which takes us from the English countryside, through London, to Paris and on to Italy. Good characters and interesting settings, as well as an intricate and involved plot, makes this a really enjoyable historical novel.

Lastly, I received a copy of the this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Totally enjoyed the book, not what I was expecting.
Fun adventure!
I didn't realize I was getting a signed book. I just finished reading this novel and I loved it!! I wasn't sure what to expect when I got this book but once I started reading it I couldn't put it down!
What a fun, entertaining read! I literally could not put the book down, that's how diverting and suspenseful it was. The genre, historical-travel-culinary-suspense, is unusual, yet Martine Bailey, a wonderful writer, pulls it off successfully.

You are drawn into 18th century Europe in all its aspects, from glamorous to gritty, as a band of travelers sets off from Mawton Hall in central England to Villa Ombrosa in Tuscany at the whim of the capricious Lady Carinna, who is fleeing an unfortunate marriage and who brings several of her servants, as well as her husband's steward, along to support her needs. The plot, with its many surprises, develops through the framework of letters and ancient recipes (don't try these at home). The characters are well drawn, especially that of Biddy Leigh, the cook, whose story is most affecting. The descriptions of how people ate, dressed and spoke, as well as those of the scenery, social customs, and household details are most interesting and informative.

I consider myself a fairly sophisticated reader and this book, while easy to breeze through, gave great insight into another time and place with all the pleasures of a roaring-good story. I look forward to Martine Bailey's next book.
I would be delighted to accompany Martine Bailey's eighteenth-century heroine, Biddy Leigh, with her practical head, indomitable sense of survival and robust sense of humor on any journey.

In AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS Biddy, a young under-cook who dreams only of marrying her handsome swain and opening a tavern, is inveigled into accompanying her new mistress to Tuscany. Biddy has never left England before and finds herself embroiled in an expedition of drama, intrigue and danger. Nothing is as it seems; secrets and skullduggery abound and the company is populated with a cast of characters redolent of the earthy Georgian era.

Armed only with her sharp wits and a parting gift from the cook she worked for; a homemade almanac "The Cook's Jewel," a sort of scrapbook of recipes and remedies in which Biddy stores such fascinating concoctions as Viperine Wine, Burnt Toast Tea and, less outlandishly, a simple recipe for Portable Soup for Travelers, Biddy uses her almanac as a journal to record her journey and observations as this mismatched group of travelers wind their way through England, France and into Italy. As they journey south, Biddy finds herself drawn into a mystery that she must unravel to survive.

Martine Bailey's debut novel is rich in detail and fluid in its evocative descriptions depicting time and place and an engrossing read. Most of all, we are instantly drawn to Biddy; a most real and utterly admirable heroine.