Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

In this unique debut novel Konstantin “Kostya” Duhhovny has a disturbing ability to sense the presence of ghosts by tasting their favorite meal. But he only discovered this ability after losing his own father and recognizing the taste as his favorite dish, and now the aftertastes won't stop haunting him. After his mother's extreme reaction when he told her of sending him to a mental institution, he's kept his ability a secret. Then one night he decides to act on it and learns that he can briefly reunite people with their loved ones by serving the food. 

I love all the descriptions of different foods and the high stress atmosphere of a busy New York kitchen. Kostya clawed his way up through the ranks with no professional training, trying to learn, believing in the good he can do, and hoping finally to get closure with his own father. Things start to turn toward the end with Kostya not fully realizing the danger of what he's done until it's too late and the ending is a nailbiting twist I never saw coming. Great debut novel... I can't wait for more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.