Book and Food Pairing: Mad Mabel and a Berry Pavlova

Send us Fan Mail An 80-year-old woman trying to disappear quietly in her neighborhood sounds calm until you learn why everyone once called her Mad Mabel. I’m sharing my latest book and food pairing, and it starts with a real moment: when I try to branch out creatively, I sometimes spiral into “is this worthy?” thinking. So I’m leaning into what feels grounded and fun right now, a good story and something tasty to go with it. Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth is a laugh-out-loud, big-hearted mystery you can dip in and out of without it feeling heavy. Mabel has a childhood shadowed by suspicious deaths, a name that followed her for years, and even a murder conviction in her past. Now she’s 80, living under a different name, hoping no one looks too closely. That plan gets messy thanks to unexpected neighborhood events and a curious seven-year-old who refuses to ignore her. The result is part mystery, part character study, and part found-family warmth. Because the book is set in Australia, I went searching for an Australian summer dish and landed on pavlova, the classic meringue dessert topped with whipped cream and fruit. We talk through the pavlova origin debate (Australia vs New Zealand), why it shows up at barbecues and summer Christmas gatherings, and what I learned from a BBC rabbit hole.  The surprising truth about pavlova’s origins I also walk through the practical steps of making a berry pavlova (Ina Garten style), plus my honest verdict on whether the time and effort are worth it and how to repurpose that incredible raspberry sauce. Mixed Berry Pavlova Recipe | Ina Garten | Food Network If you enjoy cozy mystery books, reading recommendations, Australian food traditions, and realistic home cooking tips, hit play and come hang out. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves books and baking, and leave a review. What book would you pair with your favorite summer dessert? Support the show Head to the website Novel and Nosh.com to join the community, grab our monthly newsletter, and read our blog posts.