Happy Wednesday! Last week I hosted my B*tches to discuss The New Couple in 5B by Lisa Unger while dining on food from the book. It’s not what I thought it was, but that turned out to be a good thing because I’m not sure I would have read it had I known. I really enjoyed the story and character development. Lisa Unger is now on my radar! You can purchase the novel here: https://amzn.to/4erauTz

Rosie and Chad Lowan are barely making ends meet in New York City when they receive life-changing news: Chad’s late uncle has left them his luxury apartment at the historic Windermere in glamorous Murray Hill. With its prewar elegance and impeccably uniformed doorman, the building is the epitome of old New York charm. One would almost never suspect the dark history lurking behind its perfectly maintained facade.

At first, the building and its eclectic tenants couldn’t feel more welcoming. But as the Lowans settle into their new home, Rosie starts to suspect that there’s more to the Windermere than meets the eye. Why is the doorman ever-present? Why are there cameras everywhere? And why have so many gruesome crimes occurred there throughout the years? When one of the neighbors turns up dead, Rosie must get to the truth about the Windermere before she, too, falls under its dangerous spell.

The New Couple in 5B

The book is a newer release and I had a hard time finding discussion questions, so I made my own. I’ll include them here in case any of you choose this for your book club. The New Couple in 5B has plenty to discuss!

Discussion Questions MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

1. Reviews compare the story of the Windermere to “Rosemary’s Baby.” Have you seen it? Do you believe buildings can be cursed or have weird energy? The television series “666 Park Avenue” and Riley Sager’s Lock Every Door are also mentioned in some reviews, if you’re interested in stories like this.
2. I was not expecting such a supernatural element. Was that a turnoff for you?
3. Age: Why do you think Charles, Ella and Abi look so young? How old do you think Lillian is? She’s portrayed as close to Chad’s age (in my opinion), but she’s actually in her 60’s if you do the math.
4. Did you ever think Chad was innocent?
5. Rosie’s family: What are your thoughts on mediums and healers? Tarot cards? Do you think Rosie’s psychiatrist provided reasonable explanations, or are some people “seers?”
6. Dual timeline: At what point did you realize the identity of Willa’s lover? Did you have any inkling before he was placed at the Windermere?
7. Max’s termination as editor: Do you think he’s guilty of the actions he is accused of committing? Why does the author include this storyline?

My menu consisted of a salad, Ella’s chicken noodle soup with crusty bread and butter and the Tiramisu Max and Rosie share at their Italian lunch spot. I used Ina Garten’s chicken noodle soup and Tiramisu recipes. She never fails me! I’d never made Tiramisu until now. Turns out it’s not difficult! The salad was a mix of arugula, hearts of romaine, sliced olives, garbanzo beans, grape tomatoes and croutons tossed with store bought balsamic vinaigrette. Recipes linked and shared below:

Ina Garten’s Chicken Noodle Soup

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/chicken-noodle-soup-recipe-2048981

Ingredients

1 whole (2 split) chicken breast, bone in, skin on

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

2 quarts homemade Chicken Stock (see recipe)

1 cup medium-diced celery (2 stalks)

1 cup medium-diced carrots (3 carrots)

2 cups wide egg noodles

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Chicken Stock:

3 5-pound roasting chickens

3 large yellow onions, unpeeled, quartered

6 carrots, unpeeled, halved

4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds

4 parsnips, unpeeled, cut in half (optional)

20 sprigs fresh parsley

15 sprigs fresh thyme

20 sprigs fresh dill

1 head garlic, unpeeled, cut in half crosswise

2 tablespoons kosher salt

2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place the chicken breast on a sheet pan and rub the skin with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until cooked through. When cool enough to handle, remove the meat from the bones, discard the skin, and shred or dice the chicken meat.
3. Bring the chicken stock to a simmer in a large pot and add the celery, carrots, and noodles. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, until the noodles are cooked. Add the cooked chicken meat and parsley and heat through.
4. Season to taste and serve.

Chicken Stock:

Yield: 6 quarts.

Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, and seasonings in a 16- to 20-quart stockpot. Add 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander and discard the solids. Chill the stock overnight. The next day, remove the surface fat. Use immediately or pack in containers and freeze for up to 3 months.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I used store bought chicken stock and it was still delicious.

Tiramisu

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tiramisu-recipe-1913352

Ingredients

6 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup good dark rum, divided

1 1/2 cups brewed espresso, divided

16 to 17 ounces mascarpone cheese

30 Italian ladyfingers, or savoiardi

Bittersweet chocolate, shaved or grated

Confectioners’ sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Whisk the egg yolks and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on high speed for about 5 minutes, or until very thick and light yellow. Lower the speed to medium and add 1/4 cup rum, 1/4 cup espresso, and the mascarpone. Whisk until smooth.
2. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup rum and 1 1/4 cups espresso in a shallow bowl. Dip 1 side of each ladyfinger in the espresso/rum mixture and line the bottom of a 9 by 12 by 2-inch dish. Pour half the espresso cream mixture evenly on top. Dip 1 side of the remaining ladyfingers in the espresso/rum mixture and place them in a second layer in the dish. Pour the rest of the espresso cream over the top. Smooth the top and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate overnight.
3. Before serving, sprinkle the top with shaved chocolate and dust lightly with confectioners’ sugar, if desired.

Cook’s Note

To make espresso for this recipe in your electric drip coffee maker, use enough water for 4 cups of coffee plus 1/3 cup of ground espresso. You can find savoiardi and mascarpone in an Italian specialty store.

*I used my regular drip coffee maker following Ina’s instructions above and it worked like a charm.

**I could not find lady fingers at Publix, so I ordered from Amazon. If you find yourself in the same predicament, click here: https://amzn.to/3VxMLZi

My decor consisted of Tarot cards scattered down the center of my dining room table. I ordered them from Amazon. Each guest had a little evil eye necklace at her place setting, also from Amazon! Easy, simple and on point. You know I love a theme!

Table

If you choose this same book for your book club and need some inexpensive decorations, click here to order the Tarot cards: https://amzn.to/3RtAQKz. And if you want evil eye necklaces for a little surcee, they’re available here: https://amzn.to/3Ry3IkY.

Happy reading!