#Bookreview #cooking – My review of The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook by Charles F French

What Amazon says

Enjoy reading about and learning recipes from the characters who appear in Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1 and Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 2 by Charles F. French.
Their recipes should enchant you, tempt your palate, and entice your culinary curiosity. Unlike the villains they battle, this food will not frighten you.

Happy Reading, and Happy Eating!

My review

I have read all three books in The Investigative Paranormal Society series and the cookbook is an added bonus. Each recipe is contributed by a specific character from the series and is introduced with an overview of that character’s contribution to a specific book and the series as a whole.

I enjoyed reading a little more about my favourite characters in the more relaxed and culinary setting provided by this cookbook.

The cookbook offers a wide range of recipes, all of which are reasonably simple to make and covers the full spectrum of appetizers, main course and side dishes, desserts, and even drinks. The drinks was rather a fun addition for me and I was pleased to find some great recipes for cocktails including Helen’s Bethberg Iced Tea and Jeremy’s Mint Julep Mocktail (non alcoholic).

From the appetizers, Helen’s Grape and Walnut Side Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing grabbed my attention. I love walnuts and anything involving blue cheese. This salad is certainly a bit different and slightly sophisticated, and would certainly add to any dinner party.

The main course and side dishes range from the fun Roosevelt’s Cheeseburgers and Panfried Vegetables to the more unusual Sam’s Chicken Paprikash to Roosevelt’s Baked Beans. I am pleased to have this last recipe as homemade Baked Beans often come up in American literature and I’ve never tasted them. Now I will be able to try this dish.

The desserts all sound delicious and I am keen to try Roosevelt’s Bread Pudding and Whiskey Sauce and Sarah’s Irish Stout Brownies.

Overall, this book is a great introduction to the memorable characters in this terrific series and is also a useful recipe book with some delicious sounding recipes.

Purchase The Investigative Paranormal Society Cookbook

Amazon US

Charles F French Amazon Author Page

Free short story: The Christmas Ghost: An Investigative Paranormal Society Adventure

Blurb

The events in this ghost story take place between those of Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society, Book 1 and Gallows Hill: The Investigative Paranormal Society Book 2. The I. P. S. faces a ghost threatening an orphanage during the Christmas season.

My review

The four members of the Investigative Paranormal Society are called in just before Christmas to assist with a suspected haunting of the local children’s home.

Roosevelt is keen to take the case which will present a welcome distraction from memories of his beloved wife, Sarah, whose passing has left him bereft, especially at Christmas time.

As the foursome start digging into the case, they unexpectedly come across some new information about an unsolved murder case. The victim was a a good friend of Sam’s and a supporter of the children’s home.

The four must unravel the details of Randell’s murder and engage with his spirit in order to resolve the haunting and enable the orphans to return home before Christmas.

This is an exciting and well-written short story.

Link to download the free ebook

Amazon US