Book tour stop! Today I’m delighted to be the host for Add Cyanide to Taste, a culinary noir written by Karmen Špiljak.
First thing first, let me thank Rachel and the author for providing me with an e-copy of this book. Much obliged *hat tip*
MEET THE BOOK
A sinister cook, a cursed cake, and a casual dinner between neighbours that goes murderously wrong.
This debut collection of dark tales and recipes by Karmen Špiljak ascends the jagged culinary heights you’ve hungered to explore but could never find on a map. 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 pay for the meal of a lifetime?
If feasting on culinary noir leaves you hungry, extend your pleasure by preparing the dishes featured in the stories. All recipes provided are cyanide-free.
Short stories collection
265 pages
Publication date: 30/09/21
Purchase link
https://www.karmens.net/books
READ MY REVIEW
Cover: A bit quirky, but nice.
In theory, I’m not that fond of short stories. Why? Because it takes an enormous amount of talent to pull them off and not everyone has it. Short stories need to be quick, engaging, and to the point – in a way, it’s easier to write a full-length novel, as there are less constraints, technical or otherwise.
An enormous amount of talent, I said. Well, Špiljak has it. Her Add Cyanide to Taste is a noir made of stories linked together, and the central theme is food. Food can be useful, a delight, or a comfort; here it’s also dangerous, in many different ways. Sometimes it has to do with a curse placed upon a cake or a pub; sometimes it’s a simple allergy; sometimes it’s about a characteristic of the food itself. Say, apricot pits are toxic, just like apple seeds. Did you know that? The protagonist of one of the stories does.
Another one I want to mention features cookies and a ghost, while my very favorite? It has spies and curry that sounds divine in it.
The second part of Add Cyanide to Taste is dedicated to recipes, and that’s where I draw the line. They look yummy, but I’m not skilled enough to try them out, haha.
Writing-wise, Špiljak’s style is captivating and able to take readers on different journeys. A stronger editing would have made Add Cyanide to Taste further stand out, but no matter: it’s a little gem in itself. Enjoy.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Karmen Špiljak is a Slovenian-Belgian writer with a taste for dark and twisty tales.
Her short fiction has been awarded and anthologised. Her as yet unpublished thriller was shortlisted and received an honourable mention on ‘The Black Spring Crime Fiction Prize 2020’. She writes across different genres, from suspense to horror and science fiction.
She currently lives in Brazil with her husband and two cats.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/karm3ns33ta
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmenseeta/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6862662.Karmen_piljak
Bookshelves & Teacups 
Hi, I would like a quote for copy editing a novel. SciFi/Alien/Romance… does have some high heat level scenes (no more than 3).
currently the page count is at 346, word count is 107422
Still editing it. I wouldn’t be ready til beginning of November…. I can send the draft, with the final corrections, to you on Monday if you need it to know how long and how much.
Thank you, Kathleen Osborne
On Thu, Sep 30, 2021 at 11:42 AM Bookshelves & Teacups wrote:
> lilaclicoricetissie posted: ” Book tour stop! Today I’m delighted to be > the host for Add Cyanide to Taste, a culinary noir written by Karmen > Špiljak. First thing first, let me thank Rachel and the author for > providing me with an e-copy of this book. Much obliged *hat tip* ” >
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