Inspired by 18th-century household books of recipes, AN APPETITE FOR VIOLETS allowed Martine to indulge in her obsessions with food, history and travel. As an amateur cook, Martine won the Merchant Gourmet Recipe Challenge and was a former UK Dessert Champion, cooking at Le Meurice in Paris. In pursuit of authenticity she has studied with food historian Ivan Day and experienced Georgian food and fashion at firsthand with an historic re-enactment society.

Martine lives in Cheshire, England after recently returning from a 20-month stay in New Zealand. She is married with one son and is currently writing a second historical novel for Hodder & Stoughton.

Books by Martine Bailey

An Appetite for Violets

by Martine Bailey - Fiction, Historical Fiction

Forced to accompany her new mistress to Italy, under-cook Biddy Leigh documents her adventures and culinary discoveries in an old household book of recipes. In London, she finds herself attracted to her mistress’s younger brother. In France, she discovers her mistress’s dark secret. At last, in Italy, Biddy becomes embroiled in a murderous conspiracy, knowing that the secrets she holds could be the key to a better life --- or her downfall.