 Queen Esther’s Court
Publication Date: November 19, 2024
In the heart of ancient Persia, the empire’s Jewish citizens face an ominous edict that threatens their very existence. Roxannah, the daughter of an impoverished Persian lord, is devastated by the news but feels helpless to come to the aid of her Jewish friends. Desperate to support her family, Roxannah approaches the royal physician, Adin—the man whose kind eyes haunt her—and seeks his help to find employment in Queen Esther’s kitchens.
In the opulent palace of Susa, Roxannah tries to survive the spiteful ploys of the other cooks as she ascends through the ranks. Her loyalty earns her the trust and friendship of Queen Esther, who is navigating dangerous politics with wisdom and grace. When Roxannah and Adin uncover a sinister plot against Amestris, the king’s most powerful wife and Esther’s archenemy, they find themselves tasked with the impossible job of discovering the culprit. As secrets unravel and alliances are tested, the fate of Esther’s reign hangs in the balance.
A Persian woman and a Jewish physician are on a collision course as a royal edict decrees impending death for an entire race.
Author Tessa Afshar brings the past to light in The Queen’s Cook. This engaging tale kicks off a new series focusing on Queen Esther’s Court.
The characters of Roxannah and Adin are well-developed, illustrating the contrast between their backgrounds. It is Adin who helps find Roxannah work in the royal kitchens. The author meticulously describes dishes of the day and the complex flavors created with spices.
A secondary storyline overlays the main one and pulls first-person excerpts from Queen Esther’s secret scrolls. Not only does this add more perspective to events, but it gives additional insight into the Jewish queen.
These two women demonstrate how God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways. In a time where political intrigue can mean the difference between life and death, Roxannah and Adin must uncover the details of a devious plot that could impact Esther.
The Queen’s Cook uses biblical themes to deliver a breathtaking slice of historical fiction.
Tessa Afshar’s award-winning biblical fiction has been on Publishers Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and has been translated into twelve languages. Born in the Middle East, Tessa spent her teen years in England and later moved to the United States. Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life. Tessa is a devoted wife, a mediocre gardener, and an enthusiastic cook of biblical recipes.
