Shelf To Table
Food Spotlight: Gingerbread Cookies
The perfect food pairing for this novel is Gingerbread Cookies. Gingerbread cookies are the perfect sweet companion to this book, pairing warm holiday spice with the cozy yet unsettling atmosphere of the story. Their comforting aroma and nostalgic flavor contrast beautifully with the creeping tension of the plot, making each bite feel like a momentary escape from the mystery unfolding on the page.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
Ashley Smith’s magical Christmas at Starvewood Hall takes a dark turn when she discovers that Emma’s brother is a suspect in a local girl’s murder, and eerie sightings in the woods make her question whether she’s stepped into romance or menace. Decades later, a long-buried diary brings the chilling truth of that 1989 holiday back to life, echoing through to modern-day New York.
Page To Plate
Food Featured In The Book
A few standout dishes mentioned in the book include a delicate cheese soufflé, a savory mushroom Wellington, and the classic British favorite, sticky toffee pudding. These rich, comforting foods perfectly match the cozy yet suspenseful atmosphere of the story and bring the festive English setting to life.
Character Cravings
Christmas pudding is a rich, warm, and studded with dried fruits and spices; it’s the perfect traditional dessert to enjoy alongside a holiday thriller. Its comforting sweetness also mirrors the main character’s growing excitement about life again—especially as she begins forming new friendships after being on her own for so long. Just like the pudding, her world becomes richer, warmer, and unexpectedly full of flavor.
Book Club Bite
For a thrilling Christmas novel, pair it with a box of festive holiday cookies—especially your personal favorites. Their cozy sweetness adds a comforting contrast to the rising suspense, making every twist even more enjoyable.
“I’m working on the oldest boxes now, including one that smells like mothballs and contains my grandmother’s purse and another that has a childhood doll I’m loath, for some reason, to throw out.”
Peter Swanson