In John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk, set in in the England of 1625, we find folk doing what they often do (even now) with a woman who has extraordinary professional skills and competence - calling her a witch and driving her out of town. Before the woman, Susan Sandall, meets her death, she inculcates her son John with the knowledge of "the book" - including decoctions, recipes and libations to preserve, cure and enhance life. She also ensures that the boy is sent to Buckland Manor where he meets with some unknown aspects of his mother's history, his own heritage, the opportunity to use his considerable natural talents and the knowledge carefully passed on to him. As John forges a career in the kitchen of the manor there is a great deal of enjoyable detail for readers concerning the operation of a noble household and the labour required to keep such an enterprise going. Of course there is also the human drama of lost love, necessary if unpleasant alliances, war, destruction, unrequited love and dastardly (ig)noble bullies.

The story is segmented by John Saturnall's recipes including one for a dish that is "most fit for One whose Sourness wants Sweetness or One whose hot Humour wants Coolness. Or Both." (p 238) Now that sounds like a handy addition to any cook's repertoire. This is an accomplished and interesting book despite treading some well worn ground in terms of plot.