Food & Spirits #2
In Darci Hannah’s second Food & Spirits mystery, famous chef Bridget ‘Bunny’ McBride had thought she was finally getting her big break in her televised culinary career when she joined up with the Food & Spirits team. She learned the hard way that one should always read a contract in its entirety, especially the fine print. But because she didn’t, she is now stuck on a ghost hunting team that serves meals specifically tailored to the period and tastes of the ghost they are hunting. Her gift for communicating with said spirits is definitely helpful, and now Bunny is embracing her role as part of the ghost hunting team and exploring her abilities to better help spirits find peace.
Bunny gets to head home to Scotland to look into Dundoon Castle, which is said to be very haunted. The way is paved by her very own grandmother, who is excited for the opportunity to have Bunny home again, but also to help her learn and hone her spiritual gifts. The return home is a bit more complicated for Bunny, however, as she has not been home since the death of her twin brother. Luckily, she has her Food & Spirits team, including the charming and attractive Brett Bloom, behind her, ready to support and help her through it alongside her family. The ghost they are specifically going to see is that of a bagpiper whose music haunts the halls of the castle.
As it happens, there is a bagpiping competition being held at Dundoon Castle. The musical art of the bagpipe is sacred to the Scottish, and the castle is flooded with enthusiasts and competitors. One of the Judges is the former bagpiper to the Queen herself. Bunny isn’t too interested in the competition, and is more focused on preparing a 17th century meal for the deceased bagpiper. When the night comes, and the team heads out to investigate the sounds of bagpipes on the castle grounds, no one expects to hear a very real and living person’s screams. Following the sounds, they find that another piper has met their end on Dundoon Castle grounds. Bunny and the others are determined to find out what happened to the poor soul lost during their ghost hunt, and to find the very real and living killer before anyone else gets hurt.
Darci Hannah takes readers along Bunny’s journey of self-discovery, closure, and justice for those lost souls trapped in the world. I recommend A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle for those who enjoy supernatural mysteries that afford a very respectful passage for spirits, as well as a protagonist that has a strong sense of justice even in the face of her own fears and insecurities. New readers will be able to enjoy the story without getting lost, but might appreciate Bunny’s personal growth and the development of the relationship between characters more if they have read the previous volume. For those who have read the previous book in the series, this is a wonderful addition, and readers will be ready for Bunny’s next adventure, as well as finding out how things continue to develop for Bunny and Brett. – Carla Schantz