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A Chocoholic Mystery #12
The Chocolate Moose Motive
When Lee hires a free-spirited employee with a tie-dyed, troubled past, she discovers that even the counter-culture can conceal a killer…
As much as the chocolate concoctions at TenHuis can tantalize people’s tongues, Lee’s newest hire is more likely to make them wag. Forsythia “Sissy” Smith is the granddaughter of Warner Pier’s only remaining resident hippie, and lives out at the Moose Lodge—once an informal commune in the forest east of town. But the fact that Sissy is a third-generation flower child is the least of Lee’s concerns.
The previous winter, Sissy’s husband, Buzz, was found shot to death, and local talk named Sissy the number one suspect. Even though her alibi was airtight, the gossips are still pointing their fingers at her. Lee sympathizes with the young woman—even more so when Buzz’s dad, a tough retired Army colonel, threatens to sue Sissy for custody of her son.
Then the chief gossip is found dead, with Sissy on the scene. Was she lured there? Or is she the killer? Lee has a sneaking suspicion that there is someone even more sinister to blame. Someone out to keep a dark secret from coming to light. And they would have no problem killing a certain clever chocolatier who might uncover the truth…
As much as the chocolate concoctions at TenHuis can tantalize people’s tongues, Lee’s newest hire is more likely to make them wag. Forsythia “Sissy” Smith is the granddaughter of Warner Pier’s only remaining resident hippie, and lives out at the Moose Lodge—once an informal commune in the forest east of town. But the fact that Sissy is a third-generation flower child is the least of Lee’s concerns.
The previous winter, Sissy’s husband, Buzz, was found shot to death, and local talk named Sissy the number one suspect. Even though her alibi was airtight, the gossips are still pointing their fingers at her. Lee sympathizes with the young woman—even more so when Buzz’s dad, a tough retired Army colonel, threatens to sue Sissy for custody of her son.
Then the chief gossip is found dead, with Sissy on the scene. Was she lured there? Or is she the killer? Lee has a sneaking suspicion that there is someone even more sinister to blame. Someone out to keep a dark secret from coming to light. And they would have no problem killing a certain clever chocolatier who might uncover the truth…
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2012
27 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
About the author
JoAnna Carl
34 books434 followersJOANNA CARL is the pseudonym for the multi-published mystery writer Eve K. Sandstrom. The author writes about the shores of Lake Michigan and has been reviewed in Michigan newspapers as a “regional writer.” She has also written about Southwest Oklahoma and once won an award for the best book of the year with an Oklahoma setting.
Eve K. Sandstrom is an Oklahoman to the teeth: she was born there, as were five previous generations of her mother’s family. Both her grandfathers and her father were in the oil business, once the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy. One grandmother was born in the Choctaw Nation, and Eve is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Eve and seven other members of her immediate family are graduates of the University of Oklahoma. Eve even knows the second verse of “Boomer Sooner.”
Eve wrote two mystery series: the “Down Home” books, set on a ranch in Southwest Oklahoma, and the Nell Matthews mysteries, semi-hard-boiled books laid in a mid-size city on the Southern Plains.
But Eve married a great guy whose family owned a cottage on the west coast of Lake Michigan, not far from the Michigan towns of Fennville, Saugatuck, and Douglas. Every summer for more than forty years she, her husband and various combinations of children and grandchildren have trekked to the community of Pier Cove for vacations that lasted from two weeks to three months.
The area features gorgeous beaches, lush orchards, thick woods, and beautiful Victorian houses. Eve grew to love it. So when her editor asked her to come up with a new, “cozy” mystery series, Eve set it in a West Michigan resort town, scrambling up Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, Holland, Manistee, Ludington and Muskegon with her own ideas of what a resort ought to be to create Warner Pier.
As further background, she plunked her heroine into a business which produces and sells luscious, luxurious, European-style bonbons, truffles and molded chocolates. Most small towns couldn’t support a business like this, but the resorts of West Michigan – with their wealthy “summer people” – can. The “Chocoholic Mysteries” were on their way.
Eve’s editor requested that she use a pen name for the new series, and Eve picked the middle names of her three children, Betsy Jo, Ruth Anna, and John Carl. “JoAnna Carl” was born. So that’s how JoAnna/Eve became a regional author in two widely separated regions.
JoAnna/Eve earned a degree in journalism at the University of Oklahoma and also studied with Carolyn G. Hart and Jack Bickham in the OU Creative Writing Program. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business, working as a reporter, editor, and columnist at The Lawton Constitution in Lawton, Oklahoma. She took an early retirement to write fiction full-time.
She and her husband, David F. Sandstrom, have three grandchildren, whom they love introducing to the lore of their two homes – Oklahoma and Michigan.
She spent 25 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, feature writer, editor, and columnist, most recently at the Lawton Constitution. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of OK and also studied in the O.U. Professional Writing program. She lives in Oklahoma but summers in Michigan where the Chocoholic Mystery series is set. She has one daughter who is a CPA and another who works for a chocolate company and provides yummy insider information on the chocolate business.
Eve K. Sandstrom is an Oklahoman to the teeth: she was born there, as were five previous generations of her mother’s family. Both her grandfathers and her father were in the oil business, once the backbone of Oklahoma’s economy. One grandmother was born in the Choctaw Nation, and Eve is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Eve and seven other members of her immediate family are graduates of the University of Oklahoma. Eve even knows the second verse of “Boomer Sooner.”
Eve wrote two mystery series: the “Down Home” books, set on a ranch in Southwest Oklahoma, and the Nell Matthews mysteries, semi-hard-boiled books laid in a mid-size city on the Southern Plains.
But Eve married a great guy whose family owned a cottage on the west coast of Lake Michigan, not far from the Michigan towns of Fennville, Saugatuck, and Douglas. Every summer for more than forty years she, her husband and various combinations of children and grandchildren have trekked to the community of Pier Cove for vacations that lasted from two weeks to three months.
The area features gorgeous beaches, lush orchards, thick woods, and beautiful Victorian houses. Eve grew to love it. So when her editor asked her to come up with a new, “cozy” mystery series, Eve set it in a West Michigan resort town, scrambling up Saugatuck, Douglas, South Haven, Holland, Manistee, Ludington and Muskegon with her own ideas of what a resort ought to be to create Warner Pier.
As further background, she plunked her heroine into a business which produces and sells luscious, luxurious, European-style bonbons, truffles and molded chocolates. Most small towns couldn’t support a business like this, but the resorts of West Michigan – with their wealthy “summer people” – can. The “Chocoholic Mysteries” were on their way.
Eve’s editor requested that she use a pen name for the new series, and Eve picked the middle names of her three children, Betsy Jo, Ruth Anna, and John Carl. “JoAnna Carl” was born. So that’s how JoAnna/Eve became a regional author in two widely separated regions.
JoAnna/Eve earned a degree in journalism at the University of Oklahoma and also studied with Carolyn G. Hart and Jack Bickham in the OU Creative Writing Program. She spent more than twenty-five years in the newspaper business, working as a reporter, editor, and columnist at The Lawton Constitution in Lawton, Oklahoma. She took an early retirement to write fiction full-time.
She and her husband, David F. Sandstrom, have three grandchildren, whom they love introducing to the lore of their two homes – Oklahoma and Michigan.
She spent 25 years in the newspaper business as a reporter, feature writer, editor, and columnist, most recently at the Lawton Constitution. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of OK and also studied in the O.U. Professional Writing program. She lives in Oklahoma but summers in Michigan where the Chocoholic Mystery series is set. She has one daughter who is a CPA and another who works for a chocolate company and provides yummy insider information on the chocolate business.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
June 2, 2016
I’m not one who normally reads many cosy mysteries but I enjoyed this one. It was a light fun read that held my interest. I liked the character of Lee McKinney Woodyard, owner of the chocolate concoction business TenHuis Chocolade. I also liked the interesting trivia about chocolate that is interspersed between several chapters. Particularly I liked learning about the history of chocolate. There were warnings about the dangers of chocolate to dogs, which I already knew. Not so sure about chocolate encouraging sleep and curing the common cold, but it sounds like good excuse for eating chocolate. The book even includes a recipe for chocolate fudge which I won’t be trying as I am not a fan of fudge. I also liked the other main character Sissy Smith, real name Forsythia, who Lee hires despite a lot of people who believe she murdered her husband Buzz. Alibis cleared her of the crime but not suspicions. When a second Murder occurs Sissy is the one to find the body sparking more suspicions.
I found the murderer to be fairly obvious from fairly early on, but I seem to have a knack for pinpointing the culprits in books and movies. It didn’t take away from enjoying the story. This is the first book I have read by this author. There is a whole collection of other chocolate themed mysteries. I might read another at some other time. Good entertainment value for a light read, although I did find the tongue twisting by Lee which started as amusing became wearying very quickly. Those who like cosy mysteries should really enjoy it.
I found the murderer to be fairly obvious from fairly early on, but I seem to have a knack for pinpointing the culprits in books and movies. It didn’t take away from enjoying the story. This is the first book I have read by this author. There is a whole collection of other chocolate themed mysteries. I might read another at some other time. Good entertainment value for a light read, although I did find the tongue twisting by Lee which started as amusing became wearying very quickly. Those who like cosy mysteries should really enjoy it.
October 17, 2019
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this entry in the series. I like the characters and chocolate trivia sprinkled throughout the story. I'm not so sure about some of the truffle flavors Lee was describing this time but the animal shapes they had sounded cute. The mystery was good and kept me guessing.
September 12, 2018
This is the 12th book in the series. One of the series that I have never managed to read in order. I mainly read them as I can find them, and it seems okay as far as not getting mixed up.
In this one, Lee and her grandmother hired Sissy as a bookeeper. No one else will hire her, as she has been accused of killing her husband, although witnesses place her in another town at the time. Then, another person is murdered, one Sissy also has a connection too. Lee and Joe jump in to see if they can't help solve the mystery.
In this one, Lee and her grandmother hired Sissy as a bookeeper. No one else will hire her, as she has been accused of killing her husband, although witnesses place her in another town at the time. Then, another person is murdered, one Sissy also has a connection too. Lee and Joe jump in to see if they can't help solve the mystery.
January 7, 2023
Definitely one of my favorite books of the series so far. Love the characters, loved the story and mystery. It was a super quick, summer-based easy read.
October 22, 2013
Readers return to Warner Pier in the twelfth book in The Chocoholic mystery series by JoAnna Carl. The Chocolate Moose Motive continues the adventures of Lee Woodyard and the crew from TenHuis Chocolate. Fans of the series will enjoy the quaint Michigan setting and returning to characters that have become old friends. The long lived series is full of interesting chocolate facts and trivia and some excellent recipes, but the main ingredient is always murder!
One of the things that I like about this series and The Chocolate Moose Motive in particular is the characters. Carl has created a town that will make readers nostalgic and having them missing their own hometowns. Warner Pier is like most small towns, full of interesting and sometimes eccentric people and always ripe for gossip. I liked the fact that Carl introduced two new characters in Sissy and her grandmother Wildflower in this book. I hope we see them again in future installments. Carl often mentions intriguing people that she doesn't always go on to incorporate more fully into her stories. There are so many that I hope get their own story someday.
Readers will enjoy returning to their old favorites, Lee and Joe and Aunt Netty of course, but it was nice to see Sissy in this novel. She is a young woman who the whole town suspects of murder, even though it was proved she didn't kill her husband. I liked the fact that Lee takes a chance on Sissy and tries to help her. I liked Sissy's hippie influences and die-dyed attire. She brought a new kind of interest to the series. She is just a young woman who seems to have gotten on the wrong side of the town gossip. In a small town that can be very awkward.
As usual, Lee is more curious than any cat you've ever seen. When she overhears Sissy and her father in law arguing she does a little snooping and finds out Sissy's story. She then hires her to work at TenHuis Chocolate. I liked the fact that Lee was able to figure out what most of the town didn't want to believe, Sissy was innocent. Lee is one of those heroines you don't find too often in cozies. She doesn't have an overly inflated attitude about her sleuthing. She doesn't think she is better than the police, nor does she come across as super nosy. Carl writes her as a very curious lady, who happens to find a clue here and there and puts two and two together with the best of them.
I think the author put a little too much emphasis on Lee's speaking issues and not quite enough on the main ingredient other than murder, chocolate. I loved all the facts about chocolate and the fudge recipe in the back of the book is too die for, but I felt like there was not as much info as we usually get with Carl's chocoholic books. I guess as a reader I'm just used to Carl writing a bit more detail when it comes to the family business. I haven't read too many cozies where the protagonists day job is a chocolatier and that's one of the reasons I love this one.
The mystery was a little predictable and I figured out whodunit quite awhile before the big reveal. That's not always a bad thing, as most of the it's all about the journey. In this one, each clue that Lee found reinforced my idea of who it was and that was kind of nice for a change. It didn't keep me second guessing like a lot of them do. I thought the suspect was believable as the murderer, but the motive was a little sketchy and wasn't as well fleshed out as I would have liked.
Overall this was good book, not the best in the series, but certainly not the worst.
One of the things that I like about this series and The Chocolate Moose Motive in particular is the characters. Carl has created a town that will make readers nostalgic and having them missing their own hometowns. Warner Pier is like most small towns, full of interesting and sometimes eccentric people and always ripe for gossip. I liked the fact that Carl introduced two new characters in Sissy and her grandmother Wildflower in this book. I hope we see them again in future installments. Carl often mentions intriguing people that she doesn't always go on to incorporate more fully into her stories. There are so many that I hope get their own story someday.
Readers will enjoy returning to their old favorites, Lee and Joe and Aunt Netty of course, but it was nice to see Sissy in this novel. She is a young woman who the whole town suspects of murder, even though it was proved she didn't kill her husband. I liked the fact that Lee takes a chance on Sissy and tries to help her. I liked Sissy's hippie influences and die-dyed attire. She brought a new kind of interest to the series. She is just a young woman who seems to have gotten on the wrong side of the town gossip. In a small town that can be very awkward.
As usual, Lee is more curious than any cat you've ever seen. When she overhears Sissy and her father in law arguing she does a little snooping and finds out Sissy's story. She then hires her to work at TenHuis Chocolate. I liked the fact that Lee was able to figure out what most of the town didn't want to believe, Sissy was innocent. Lee is one of those heroines you don't find too often in cozies. She doesn't have an overly inflated attitude about her sleuthing. She doesn't think she is better than the police, nor does she come across as super nosy. Carl writes her as a very curious lady, who happens to find a clue here and there and puts two and two together with the best of them.
I think the author put a little too much emphasis on Lee's speaking issues and not quite enough on the main ingredient other than murder, chocolate. I loved all the facts about chocolate and the fudge recipe in the back of the book is too die for, but I felt like there was not as much info as we usually get with Carl's chocoholic books. I guess as a reader I'm just used to Carl writing a bit more detail when it comes to the family business. I haven't read too many cozies where the protagonists day job is a chocolatier and that's one of the reasons I love this one.
The mystery was a little predictable and I figured out whodunit quite awhile before the big reveal. That's not always a bad thing, as most of the it's all about the journey. In this one, each clue that Lee found reinforced my idea of who it was and that was kind of nice for a change. It didn't keep me second guessing like a lot of them do. I thought the suspect was believable as the murderer, but the motive was a little sketchy and wasn't as well fleshed out as I would have liked.
Overall this was good book, not the best in the series, but certainly not the worst.
October 19, 2018
Personal Response:
The Chocolate Moose Motive is one of the most attention-grabbing novels I have read all year. I believe that Adults and even teens would enjoy this mysterious book immensely. Just by the title you can tell you are going to have a good chuckle and a shaken expression on your face.
Plot summary
The Chocolate Moose Motive is based of a fiction murder case. As much as the chocolate concoctions at TenHuis can tantalize people’s tongues, Lee’s newest hire is more likely to make them wag. Forsythia “Sissy” Smith is the granddaughter of Warner Pier’s only remaining resident hippie, and lives out at the Moose Lodge. Sissy’s husband, Buzz, was found shot to death, and local talk named Sissy the number one suspect. Even though she claims to not have done it, the gossips are still pointing their fingers at her. Later they find out that it wasn’t Sissy it was the shopkeeper because he was tired of what people were doing and what Sissys husband has been doing.
Recommendation:
I Recommend The Chocolate Moose Motive to anyone who would enjoy an eye widening and unthinkable book. If you like having good laugh and hearing funny jokes, then this is the book for you. Also if you enjoy hearing descriptive words about food or even chocolate, then this book will make your mouth water.
The Chocolate Moose Motive is one of the most attention-grabbing novels I have read all year. I believe that Adults and even teens would enjoy this mysterious book immensely. Just by the title you can tell you are going to have a good chuckle and a shaken expression on your face.
Plot summary
The Chocolate Moose Motive is based of a fiction murder case. As much as the chocolate concoctions at TenHuis can tantalize people’s tongues, Lee’s newest hire is more likely to make them wag. Forsythia “Sissy” Smith is the granddaughter of Warner Pier’s only remaining resident hippie, and lives out at the Moose Lodge. Sissy’s husband, Buzz, was found shot to death, and local talk named Sissy the number one suspect. Even though she claims to not have done it, the gossips are still pointing their fingers at her. Later they find out that it wasn’t Sissy it was the shopkeeper because he was tired of what people were doing and what Sissys husband has been doing.
Recommendation:
I Recommend The Chocolate Moose Motive to anyone who would enjoy an eye widening and unthinkable book. If you like having good laugh and hearing funny jokes, then this is the book for you. Also if you enjoy hearing descriptive words about food or even chocolate, then this book will make your mouth water.
September 16, 2013
"The Chocolate Moose Motive" is a cozy mystery. It's the twelfth book in the series. You don't need to read the others to follow this one, and this novel doesn't spoil any of the previous mysteries. This story had the unique ability to make my mouth water--fine chocolates, yum!
The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. I liked that the heroine didn't think she was smarter than the police or some great detective. It was more that she heard things, and she wanted to help her friend.
She calls herself "nosy," but she wasn't rude and didn't come across as someone who felt they had the right to know and judge everyone else's business. It was more that she was super-curious. I liked her. Even when she did not-so-smart things, I understood why she did them (as they were mostly heat-of-the-moment, impulsive reactions). There was also a mild humor throughout the book that I enjoyed.
The mystery was clue-based and could be guessed before the big reveal. The clues seemed pretty straight forward, though, and I had no trouble identifying whodunit. The clues progressively confirmed my guess. Often it's the gossip that reveals clues in cozy mysteries. I liked that the heroine in this mystery kept discovering how wrong the gossip was.
There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
The characters were complex and reacted realistically to events. I liked that the heroine didn't think she was smarter than the police or some great detective. It was more that she heard things, and she wanted to help her friend.
She calls herself "nosy," but she wasn't rude and didn't come across as someone who felt they had the right to know and judge everyone else's business. It was more that she was super-curious. I liked her. Even when she did not-so-smart things, I understood why she did them (as they were mostly heat-of-the-moment, impulsive reactions). There was also a mild humor throughout the book that I enjoyed.
The mystery was clue-based and could be guessed before the big reveal. The clues seemed pretty straight forward, though, and I had no trouble identifying whodunit. The clues progressively confirmed my guess. Often it's the gossip that reveals clues in cozy mysteries. I liked that the heroine in this mystery kept discovering how wrong the gossip was.
There was no sex. There was a very minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher.
March 8, 2016
The 11 predecessors to this book had a lot in common. One of the hallmarks was the numerous, if not surplus, characters present in each book. Compared to the rest this book has few murder suspects. So it was likely for anyone to guess the culprit - not I though. The threadbare cast aside, this book has the same painstaking set up for suspense and danger for the heroine. The latter didn't solve the mystery. There was shadowing involved, but alas no deductions.
I often wonder what is the purpose of unambitious books like this. Are purists who read the hardcore stuff justified in their ostracizing behavior? The number of twists in this book is negligible, but I believe that books that are liked have their place on the same shelves as classics. There's something about a paragraph that's about not much substance. A description of a moment or a scene, or a person or the weather, if done well, deserves existence. There's something about the written word that is hallowed and inspiring and dignified. I'm a liker of books, and I never let myself forget about the simple pleasures of life when reading harmless books that authors like JoAnna Carl write.
I often wonder what is the purpose of unambitious books like this. Are purists who read the hardcore stuff justified in their ostracizing behavior? The number of twists in this book is negligible, but I believe that books that are liked have their place on the same shelves as classics. There's something about a paragraph that's about not much substance. A description of a moment or a scene, or a person or the weather, if done well, deserves existence. There's something about the written word that is hallowed and inspiring and dignified. I'm a liker of books, and I never let myself forget about the simple pleasures of life when reading harmless books that authors like JoAnna Carl write.
April 20, 2013
another cute book of this series.
July 31, 2017
When Lee hires Forsythia “Sissy” Smith at TenHuis Chocolates, Lee knows she’s in for some trouble. The townspeople have it in their minds that Sissy was responsible for her husband’s death. The previous winter, Sissy’s husband was found shot to death, and the case was officially declared to be a murder. In fact, many feel that Sissy got away with murder, even though she had a supposedly airtight alibi. Lee’s prepared to weather the storm of gossip but what she doesn’t realize is that soon another murder will occur with Sissy right in the middle of things and that Lee will herself be the main suspect.
December 31, 2018
I knew the murderer real early, but tracking him down was still interesting. I loved the minor characters. I like Lee, but some of her repetitive comments are slightly annoying.
I’m glad it all ended happily and some of the wrap up was not a surprise because it was telegraphed well. Some of the ending was too happy. Some of the issues the author got us into felt bigger than it was written to be in the wrap up. (Sorry I’m not specific, but I don’t want to give spoilers.) Just know that you might be a little to a lot put off by the wrap up and some of the why.
I’m glad it all ended happily and some of the wrap up was not a surprise because it was telegraphed well. Some of the ending was too happy. Some of the issues the author got us into felt bigger than it was written to be in the wrap up. (Sorry I’m not specific, but I don’t want to give spoilers.) Just know that you might be a little to a lot put off by the wrap up and some of the why.
January 21, 2017
Well, I'm happy to see that Joe is finally answering his phone! 11 books and it seemed like the major problem was that Joe would never answer his stupid phone.
This one felt shorter than the others. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Not sure if I would continue reading if the library didn't have them. But they do, so on I read.
This one felt shorter than the others. I enjoyed it, but didn't love it. Not sure if I would continue reading if the library didn't have them. But they do, so on I read.
February 28, 2017
Oh this book is so good...I dearly love this book. I love all of JoAnna Carl's Books. This has some funny parts in it as well too and they make you laugh out loud. My favorite character in this book is the Grandmother. She is so funny and very witty.
I give this book 5/5 Stars on Goodreads.
I give this book 5/5 Stars on Goodreads.
March 5, 2018
Warner Pier is a fun place to visit. The characters are enjoyable and I hope to see more of them in future books. I borrowed this book from my local library and will be looking for more books by this author during my next visit.
April 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It was fun and cute, even with murder. It was a little predictable, but I do read, listen to and watch a great deal of crime books/shows. Even with this being a series, it reads well as a stand alone.
February 26, 2021
Woman accused by idiots of killing her husband is hired as the shop's bookkeeper. If I can figure out the guilty party that early, it's not that difficult a mystery, but that's not why I read them. More fun characters and well paced writing.
May 17, 2017
Chocolate, dead body, hippie and a moose!! Only JoAnna Carl can weave this together for a interesting mystery! Love her Chocoholic Mystery collection!!
March 12, 2019
Ditto
May 28, 2020
Fun! Love this series!
November 9, 2020
I can't decide if I liked the book or not. I figured out who was the bad person in the beginning. The characters were okay, but I felt like I was reading a formula of a story.
January 29, 2022
Just a light mystery set in Michigan. I like the series for its chocolate trivia, clean language, and atypical blonde "detective".
September 30, 2022
Awesome!
Sissy is someone Lee wants to figure out. Well, she is nosy, after all. Now she just needs to figure out if the rumors are true or not.
Enjoy!
PS A recipe in this one!
Sissy is someone Lee wants to figure out. Well, she is nosy, after all. Now she just needs to figure out if the rumors are true or not.
Enjoy!
PS A recipe in this one!
December 21, 2022
I originally thought this book was a Christmas one due to the chocolate but it wasn't but I wasn't disappointed. Although it is December, it was quite interesting! A good little mystery read.
January 20, 2023
Back on track and just plain fun.
February 20, 2023
A book I probably wouldn't have picked it was a library Valentine special. But I am glad I did it was well worth reading.
Read
January 14, 2024Not my favorite book. Very predictable and in some ways corny. Quick read.
August 12, 2025
I enjoyed reading about Lee as she put things together to discover who killed who. I think I would like to read more of her mysteries.
October 4, 2012
A scrumptious mystery! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:
Since the death of her uncle, Lee McKinney Woodyard has taken over as business manager of her Aunt Nettie’s company, Ten Huis Chocolates, working alongside her aunt. As a young girl, she spent summers with her aunt and uncle, working for them at their business. Later, when her own marriage broke up, they took her under their wing again. The chocolate shop became a secure haven for her. Living in Warner Piers, she had met and married her present husband, Joe. The company, known for their delectable chocolates, has rapidly grown. Although Lee could have used some help with the bookkeeping, she had put off hiring anyone. That is, until the day she literally ran into Forsythia ‘Sissy’ Smith at the supermarket. Hearing an altercation in the aisle next to hers, she went to the rescue and bumped carts with Sissy, allowing her to escape her father-in-law, Colonel Ace Smith, who was giving Sissy a hard time. Although Lee knew Sissy looked familiar, she did not place her until she ran into her vehicle as she was leaving the parking lot. Exchanging information, she saw Sissy’s full name and realized who she was.
Living in the small town of Warner Piers, Sissy is the granddaughter of the town’s only remaining hippy. Her home had once been a commune, but now Sissy lives there with her young son and her grandmother, Wildflower Hills. Wildflower is a taxidermist, who runs the business from her home. Sissy had married Buzz, the son of a wealthy summer person, one of the people who spent their summers at the small resort town. Growing up, the girls of Warner Piers were warned not to get involved with the summer residents, but she had fallen in love and they had married, despite his father’s disapproval. As she and her grandmother returned home from a trip one day, they made a gruesome discovery; Buzz’s dead body was lying in front of the fireplace. He had been shot to death. The local sheriff had wanted to arrest her, but she had an airtight alibi. Still this does not keep many of the locals from believing that she killed her husband. Unable to concentrate with the notoriety, she had quit her job, which is one of the things her father-in-law is using against her in his attempt to gain custody of his grandson. He had tried to have her declared an unfit mother, but visits to her home by social services had proved him wrong.
She is getting her life back in place and is happy to be working as a bookkeeper for Ten Huis Chocolates when Ace’s housekeeper, Helen, who was trying to help Ace in his fight against Sissy, turns up dead after sending a text to Sissy to meet her. Finding the body and believing that the killer may be nearby, Sissy had run to Lee and Joe’s home. Previously, she had gone to Joe, a part-time attorney, for advice. When someone breaks into Sissy’s home while she is not there, Lee gets involved. In the past, her tendency to involve herself as an amateur sleuth in certain cases had met with success. But someone is trying to keep a dark secret from being disclosed and is not above killing a nosy chocolatier. Will Lee find the killer before it is too late? Was the text from Helen, or was Sissy set up and lured to the site of the body?
An intriguing tale, THE CHOCOLATE MOOSE MOTIVE, the twelfth book in talented author Joanna Carl’s CHOCOHOLIC series, is an exciting, suspense-filled cozy mystery. This story is made even more special by the addition of a delicious chocolate recipe as well as some little known facts about chocolate. Lee’s investigation leads to more questions as she gathers clues leading up to the successful unveiling of the villain by the end of the book, where all of the loose ends are nicely tied up. Lee has one problem though. Whenever she gets nervous, she unwillingly substitutes the wrong word into her speech, for instance, frying instead of flying. This often leads to embarrassing, and at times, hilarious, results. Although she corrects herself, she worries about how her listener perceives her and her mistakes. Packed with witty repartee, murder, burglary, secrets, humor, chocolate, interesting characters and a fast-moving plot, this light, cozy mystery is one you will not want to miss. The one drawback is that reading this book will leave your mouth watering for chocolate. So be sure to have some handy. For further insight into the series’ background and for additional enjoyment, I advise reading the entire delightful series. However, each book, including this one, can be read as a standalone. Do not miss it!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
Since the death of her uncle, Lee McKinney Woodyard has taken over as business manager of her Aunt Nettie’s company, Ten Huis Chocolates, working alongside her aunt. As a young girl, she spent summers with her aunt and uncle, working for them at their business. Later, when her own marriage broke up, they took her under their wing again. The chocolate shop became a secure haven for her. Living in Warner Piers, she had met and married her present husband, Joe. The company, known for their delectable chocolates, has rapidly grown. Although Lee could have used some help with the bookkeeping, she had put off hiring anyone. That is, until the day she literally ran into Forsythia ‘Sissy’ Smith at the supermarket. Hearing an altercation in the aisle next to hers, she went to the rescue and bumped carts with Sissy, allowing her to escape her father-in-law, Colonel Ace Smith, who was giving Sissy a hard time. Although Lee knew Sissy looked familiar, she did not place her until she ran into her vehicle as she was leaving the parking lot. Exchanging information, she saw Sissy’s full name and realized who she was.
Living in the small town of Warner Piers, Sissy is the granddaughter of the town’s only remaining hippy. Her home had once been a commune, but now Sissy lives there with her young son and her grandmother, Wildflower Hills. Wildflower is a taxidermist, who runs the business from her home. Sissy had married Buzz, the son of a wealthy summer person, one of the people who spent their summers at the small resort town. Growing up, the girls of Warner Piers were warned not to get involved with the summer residents, but she had fallen in love and they had married, despite his father’s disapproval. As she and her grandmother returned home from a trip one day, they made a gruesome discovery; Buzz’s dead body was lying in front of the fireplace. He had been shot to death. The local sheriff had wanted to arrest her, but she had an airtight alibi. Still this does not keep many of the locals from believing that she killed her husband. Unable to concentrate with the notoriety, she had quit her job, which is one of the things her father-in-law is using against her in his attempt to gain custody of his grandson. He had tried to have her declared an unfit mother, but visits to her home by social services had proved him wrong.
She is getting her life back in place and is happy to be working as a bookkeeper for Ten Huis Chocolates when Ace’s housekeeper, Helen, who was trying to help Ace in his fight against Sissy, turns up dead after sending a text to Sissy to meet her. Finding the body and believing that the killer may be nearby, Sissy had run to Lee and Joe’s home. Previously, she had gone to Joe, a part-time attorney, for advice. When someone breaks into Sissy’s home while she is not there, Lee gets involved. In the past, her tendency to involve herself as an amateur sleuth in certain cases had met with success. But someone is trying to keep a dark secret from being disclosed and is not above killing a nosy chocolatier. Will Lee find the killer before it is too late? Was the text from Helen, or was Sissy set up and lured to the site of the body?
An intriguing tale, THE CHOCOLATE MOOSE MOTIVE, the twelfth book in talented author Joanna Carl’s CHOCOHOLIC series, is an exciting, suspense-filled cozy mystery. This story is made even more special by the addition of a delicious chocolate recipe as well as some little known facts about chocolate. Lee’s investigation leads to more questions as she gathers clues leading up to the successful unveiling of the villain by the end of the book, where all of the loose ends are nicely tied up. Lee has one problem though. Whenever she gets nervous, she unwillingly substitutes the wrong word into her speech, for instance, frying instead of flying. This often leads to embarrassing, and at times, hilarious, results. Although she corrects herself, she worries about how her listener perceives her and her mistakes. Packed with witty repartee, murder, burglary, secrets, humor, chocolate, interesting characters and a fast-moving plot, this light, cozy mystery is one you will not want to miss. The one drawback is that reading this book will leave your mouth watering for chocolate. So be sure to have some handy. For further insight into the series’ background and for additional enjoyment, I advise reading the entire delightful series. However, each book, including this one, can be read as a standalone. Do not miss it!
Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com
January 16, 2016
TenHuis Chocolade is such a busy place Lee thinks they may need more help. When she overhears an argument in the grocery store and does a little investigating she believes she has found her new payroll clerk.
Forsynthia "Sissy" Smith is a the granddaughter of the area's only remaining hippie. She lives east of town with her grandmother at the Moose Lodge. The place was once an informal commune. Lee has learned that Sissy's husband Buzz was found shot to death the previous winter and Sissy was the prime suspect according to all the local gossip even though she had an airtight alibi. The argument Lee overheard in the grocery store was between Sissy and Buzz's dad, a retired army colonel. He is planning to sue Sissy for custody of her son.
When the biggest gossip in town is found dead -- by Sissy -- Lee knows they is much more to the story. But she knows if this person has killed twice already they will have no problem killing again, even if it is just a clever chocolatier trying to uncover the truth.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Yes, I am a chocoholic and I am addicted to chocolate and to JoAnna Carl's Chocoholic Mysteries.
This series is fun and the characters are addicting. I anxiously await each installment to see what Lee and Aunt Nettie and the other residents of Warner Pier are up to this time.
This time we meet two new residents that I hope come back in the future, Sissy and her grandmother Wildflower. Wildflower is a taxidermist and yes there is a moose head above her fireplace. It was there when they moved in and is the reason she is now one of the best taxidermists in the area. Sissy is would at TenHuis Chocolade and thinking about going to college.
The book is a fast lighthearted read and even includes a fudge recipe and a few interesting chocolate facts. You can't go wrong with a JoAnna Carl cozy!
Forsynthia "Sissy" Smith is a the granddaughter of the area's only remaining hippie. She lives east of town with her grandmother at the Moose Lodge. The place was once an informal commune. Lee has learned that Sissy's husband Buzz was found shot to death the previous winter and Sissy was the prime suspect according to all the local gossip even though she had an airtight alibi. The argument Lee overheard in the grocery store was between Sissy and Buzz's dad, a retired army colonel. He is planning to sue Sissy for custody of her son.
When the biggest gossip in town is found dead -- by Sissy -- Lee knows they is much more to the story. But she knows if this person has killed twice already they will have no problem killing again, even if it is just a clever chocolatier trying to uncover the truth.
Dollycas's Thoughts
Yes, I am a chocoholic and I am addicted to chocolate and to JoAnna Carl's Chocoholic Mysteries.
This series is fun and the characters are addicting. I anxiously await each installment to see what Lee and Aunt Nettie and the other residents of Warner Pier are up to this time.
This time we meet two new residents that I hope come back in the future, Sissy and her grandmother Wildflower. Wildflower is a taxidermist and yes there is a moose head above her fireplace. It was there when they moved in and is the reason she is now one of the best taxidermists in the area. Sissy is would at TenHuis Chocolade and thinking about going to college.
The book is a fast lighthearted read and even includes a fudge recipe and a few interesting chocolate facts. You can't go wrong with a JoAnna Carl cozy!
October 1, 2012
The Chocolate Moose Motive is the 12th book in The Chocoholic Mystery series.
Shortly after hearing a somewhat heated discussion between Sissy Smith and her late husbands father, Ace Smith,in the grocery store, Lee McKinney,runs into Sissy again in the parking lot. Literally. While exchanging insurance information, Sissy mentions that she is the famous murderess of the area. As soon as Lee returns to TenHuis learns that Sissy's husband had been murdered a couple years ago, she was cleared of any wrong doing, but tongues still wag in a small town. After talking with a few close friends, Lee offers Sissy a job at TenHuis. This doesn't sit well with some of the residents, so Lee starts doing a little investigation of her own. The father-in-law. after his talk with Sissy in the grocery, that Lee had overhead, puts him at the top of list. Then is the couple that live in the next house over from Sissy and her Grandmother have caught Lee's attention. They seem to show up at convenient times and seem to know a lot that they aren't sharing. Then there is Sissy's dead husband's cousin, Chip.
The pieces start to fall in place for Lee, but first she must save Sissy and her Grandmother before the killer strikes again.
Another exciting read in the Chocoholic series. Interesting tidbit about chocolate are also included.
Shortly after hearing a somewhat heated discussion between Sissy Smith and her late husbands father, Ace Smith,in the grocery store, Lee McKinney,runs into Sissy again in the parking lot. Literally. While exchanging insurance information, Sissy mentions that she is the famous murderess of the area. As soon as Lee returns to TenHuis learns that Sissy's husband had been murdered a couple years ago, she was cleared of any wrong doing, but tongues still wag in a small town. After talking with a few close friends, Lee offers Sissy a job at TenHuis. This doesn't sit well with some of the residents, so Lee starts doing a little investigation of her own. The father-in-law. after his talk with Sissy in the grocery, that Lee had overhead, puts him at the top of list. Then is the couple that live in the next house over from Sissy and her Grandmother have caught Lee's attention. They seem to show up at convenient times and seem to know a lot that they aren't sharing. Then there is Sissy's dead husband's cousin, Chip.
The pieces start to fall in place for Lee, but first she must save Sissy and her Grandmother before the killer strikes again.
Another exciting read in the Chocoholic series. Interesting tidbit about chocolate are also included.
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