A Food and Spirits Mystery Book 2
Author: Darci Hannah
Genre: Mystery/Paranormal
Hardcover; Digital Book (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9781496747471
Kensington Cozies
320 Pages
$27.00; $12.99 Amazon
January 27, 2026
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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 entrees 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 roast 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...
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Bridget "Bunny" MacBride is a chef who got herself in a pickle when she accepted a job in a new show, "Food & Spirits". She thought it was about food and cocktails, but it seems the 'spirits' is actually about contacting ghosts. After a first successful show, she's on to the next one, in her hometown in Scotland. She realizes she needs to tell her mother about her newly-discovered ability to connect with those on the other side -- along with the help of her white rabbit, Hopper; who passed many years ago -- and that of her late brother. But even knowing this, she's not looking forward to the newest project.
She and her co-stars and crew arrive at Dundoon Castle ready to set out a meal for a revered piper: that of a piper who died centuries ago protecting his master. The show coincides with a piping contest on the grounds, one that has been held for decades. At least the pipers are supposed to end at 8pm, allowing them to get some rest. But it doesn't turn out that way...
When they are traversing the grounds one night searching for a piper who obviously wasn't given the news, they follow the sound. Unfortunately, it leads them to a very dead man on the ground below. But while it appears to have been an accident, Bunny and her co-star Brett think it was murder. Following her intuition, and with the help of Brett they are determined to find the truth...even if it leads them both into deadly trouble...
This is the second book in the series, and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the first. I do like paranormal mysteries (to an extent), and especially those written like this one. The characters are all interesting, and seeing Bunny in her own familiar surroundings is enjoyable. She interacts with her family, and you learn more about her past.
I, for one, do enjoy the sound of pipers, (if it's done right), probably leading me into the minority! Although it seems many of the characters do not; still, they are investigating a murder and are willing to dig deep to find a killer among their midst. It brings them in touch with some unsavory characters (to say the least), and gives them an even stranger mystery to uncover while they're at it.
Without saying more about about the book in order as to not spoil it for others, I will say that the climax was one of the most intriguing and enjoyable that I have read. There is plenty going on in this book, and if you miss the clues, you will miss the person who murdered the poor man. The ending was both done well and a bit bittersweet, but worth it; giving us even more to look forward to in the next book. Highly recommended.
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Darci Hannah's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/h/darci-hannah/
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