The Spice Maker's Secret

Renita D'Silva is an award-winning author of more than 15 novels, many of them historical fiction. She grew up in a picturesque coastal village in the south of India, which has inspired the setting and backstory of many of her novels. Her novels include Monsoon Memories, The Forgotten Daughter, The Stolen Girl, A Sister's Promise, A Mother’s Secret, A Daughter’s Courage and Beneath An Indian Sky. D'Silva was the winner of the 2023 Joffe Books Prize. Her most recent novel is a psychological thriller: Two Perfect Couples (2025).

Nikki Patel is a British actress and voice artist. Having started her acting career as a teenager, her character driven performances now expand across a wide range of voice work too. Most recently Nikki has lent her voice to numerous audiobooks, video games and more. Her screen credits include Call The Midwife (BBC), Matilda (Netflix) and Little English (Resource Productions). Her stage work includes Kenneth Branagh’s Romeo & Juliet in the West End, Future Conditional at the Old Vic and Sunshine on Leith at West Yorkshire Playhouse.