Summary

Damnation never tasted so sweet…….

When Rosemund Tomkins was born, in London in the 17th Century, the midwives believed she was so unusual with her very dark eyes and strange laughter, that they thought she would live a charmed life. But her unfortunate life could never be described as being charmed.

After living a life of poverty and abuse, circumstances found Rosemund married off to a wealthy nobleman, which sees her life change drastically and undergo a transformation unimaginable to her. In no time at all Rosemund presides over her extremely popular chocolate house, making her the darling of the rich and famous.

But there is much bad news coming and Rosemund’s seemingly charmed life takes a turn for the worse. As she experiences The Plague and the Great Fire of London, Rosemund realises that she will be forced to make the decision to walk away from the life she has come to love and lose her wealth.  Her other choice is to make a deal with the devil…..

My Thoughts

This historical novel perfectly depicts seventeenth century London as the city is coping with the return of  King Charles to the throne. I really enjoyed reading and learning about the chocolate making, which was new at the time, and the way the wealthy flocked to the chocolate house which was new to the times. I especially loved the descriptions of the additives that were added to chocolate to cure all ills.

Rosemund’s experiences of The Plague and the Fire of London, were both educational and compelling to read. I now understand more about this period of Restoration London, with its political and religious upheavals and dramas. Poverty and wealth existed side by side, with all the challenges that such diversity could bring.

The Chocolate Maker’s wife is a story of treason, deceit and lies that oozes chocolatey deliciousness. I found this book to be ‘unputdownable’, and read all 588 pages very quickly.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

About The Author

Karen Brooks was born in Sydney and now lives in Hobart, Tasmania, with her partner and two children.

In 2007, Brooks received a citation from the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, part of an Australian Government program to recognise and reward teaching excellence in higher education.  Brooks was made Honorary Senior Fellow of the University of Sunshine Coast. She has established both a national and international reputation for her work, and her research and social commentary is regularly published in Australia and overseas.

Recommendations

‘A gripping historical thriller that will quite literally steal your breath’ – Kate Forsyth

‘Meticulously researched and historically compelling’ – Australian Books Publishing

Published in 2019 by Harlequin Enterprises (Australia) Pty. Ltd

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