Frida's Cook

A Novel

Read by Cynthia Farrell, Aida Reluzco and André Santana

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About The Book

This colorful, emotive historical debut whisks us to the home of Frida Kahlo, where food, art, and love weave together an unforgettable story of friendship and loyalty, with a bright Coyoacán as a vivid background.

A hidden painting. A buried past. A legacy waiting to be uncovered.

Mexico City, 1939: Young and determined Nayeli Cruz flees from her Oaxaca home to arrive in Mexico City with neither friends nor prospects. Alone and armed only with her sharp wit and extraordinary talent in the kitchen, she finds herself in front of La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. As she begins work as the artist’s cook, Nayeli is pulled into Frida’s world of pain, passion, and defiance. But it isn’t long before amid the vibrant tapestry of flavors, scents, and colors, the two women form a deep bond—one that will shape the course of Nayeli’s life and leave behind a secret buried in art.

Buenos Aires, Present Day: Paloma, Nayeli’s granddaughter, stumbles upon a mysterious painting depicting her grandmother as a young woman. The artist’s identity is unknown, but the artwork’s existence threatens to unravel long-held family secrets. As Paloma delves into her grandmother’s past, she uncovers a tale of passion, betrayal, and resilience that challenges everything she thought she knew about the one woman who raised her.

A lyrical and timeless portrait of the human side of one of the world’s most famous painters, Frida’s Cook celebrates the power of female friendship, art, and love.

About The Author

Photograph by Alejandra Lopez
Florencia Etcheves

Florencia Etcheves is an award-winning journalist, writer, and news presenter. She is also the author of several novels, two of which have been made into feature films, Perdida (Lost) and Netflix’s La Corazonada. Follow her on Instagram @FloEtcheves.

About The Readers

Cynthia Farrell

Aida Reluzco

André Santana

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio (March 10, 2026)
  • Runtime: 12 hours and 44 minutes
  • ISBN13: 9781668118962

Raves and Reviews

"

This historical novel is set in 1939 Mexico City and present-day Buenos Aires. Etcheves tells the colorful stories of Nayeli Cruz, who works as a cook at Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s home, and Nayeli's granddaughter, Paloma, who, years later, discovers a mysterious painting of her grandmother. Cynthia Farrell gives an emotional and tender performance in the Nayeli sections, adding an accent when she portrays Indigenous Tepehuán characters. As Paloma, Aida Reluzco narrates in a lower voice, using an accent for the names of people and places. André Santana narrates the sections set in Argentina in a pleasant voice and at a comfortable pace.
Together, the three narrators unite past and present."

– —Kirkus

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