FEAST OF SORROW

An enthralling debut set amongst the scandal and intrigue of imperial Rome’s ruling class, based on the life of Marcus Apicius--author of the world's oldest cookbook.

On a blistering day in the twenty-sixth year of Augustus Caesar’s reign, a young chef, Thrasius, is acquired for the exorbitant price of twenty thousand denari. His purchaser is the infamous gourmet Marcus Gavius Apicius, wealthy beyond measure, obsessed with a taste for fine meals from exotic places, and a singular ambition: to serve as culinary advisor to Caesar, an honor that will cement his legacy as Rome’s leading epicure.

Apicius rightfully believes that Thrasius is the key to his culinary success, and with Thrasius’ help he soon becomes known for his lavish parties and fantastic meals, while Thrasius finds a family in Apicius’ household, his daughter Apicata, his wife Aelia, and her handmaiden, Passia whom Thrasius quickly falls in love with. But as Apicius draws closer to his ultimate goal, his reckless disregard for any who might get in his way takes a dangerous turn that threatens his young family and places his entire household at the mercy of the most powerful forces in Rome.


Crystal King is a writer, marketer and business communications expert. She has taught classes in writing, creativity and social media at Harvard Extension School, Boston University, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, University of Massachusetts Boston and at GrubStreet. Crystal received her masters in Critical and Creative Thinking from University of Massachusetts Boston. She lives in the US with her husband, Joe and their two cats, Nero and Merlin.