Down-on-his-luck journalist Jack Sutherland has one last shot to resurrect his career: an exclusive profile on the magnetic, larger-than-life culinary empire builder, Serendipity Brown. Arriving at her magnificent estate beyond Johannesburg’s city borders, Jack is drawn into a sensory world of vibrant flavours, sharp wit, and deep secrets. Officially, he’s there to capture the real woman behind the famous recipes. Unofficially, he’s hunting for the truth behind her husband Richard — a dodgy attorney who vanished without a trace three years ago, leaving her legally bound but penniless. As Serendipity prepares her upcoming cooking demonstrations, a riotous circle of eccentric guests descends upon the house: from a preening food blogger and a diamond-touting society host to a brilliant, non-binary tech genius. Everyone is playing a game of observation. Jack is tracking Serendipity like a hawk, but Serendipity is an expert at pulling the strings. Beneath the flow of chilled Sauvignon Blanc, the fragrance of garlic and blistering cherry tomatoes, a quiet game of deception is simmering. Who is hiding the truth, and what really happened to Richard Brown?

My first chapter is live: Down on his luck, journalist Jack Sutherland pitches a profile on famous foodie Serendipity Brown, tasked by his editor to uncover her husband Richard's disappearance. Jack arrives at her art nouveau-style estate, Bishops Ridge farm, and is boisterously welcomed by the flame-haired chef. Serendipity settles Jack into her missing husband’s former study, fueling his investigative instincts. Over strong drinks, she invites him to her upcoming cooking demonstrations at her home. My novel: A week-long demo by a famous cook has four guests hide links to her missing husband. A romance with a visiting journnalist uncovers the truth. I'll be posting a chapter at a time on my site. (I hope I'm allowed to post this, @Faye Ellis?)

Hi! Welcome to Writers Block Academy. This community is designed to help you start and complete your journey of writing and publishing your book in 90-days. Step 1: Introduce yourself in THIS THREAD below! (✄ copy/paste template 👇) Where are you from? What are you working on? What immediate help do you need?

Hello everyone, I’m Holly Black, an author of fantasy and speculative fiction, and I’m excited to be part of this community. Over the years, my work has been honored with the Nebula, Newbery, Mythopoeic, and other literary awards, but beyond the accolades, I’ve always believed the heart of writing lies in curiosity, imagination, and persistence. Fantasy has given me the freedom to explore power, fear, desire, and the darker corners of human nature through worlds that feel both impossible and strangely familiar. I joined this space because I love conversations about storytelling, worldbuilding, character complexity, creative process, and the messy reality of writing books. Whether you’re outlining your first story or deep into revisions, I know how challenging and rewarding the creative journey can be. Looking forward to connecting with fellow writers, sharing insights, and hearing about the worlds you’re building.