Death By Chocolate

Josiah Reynolds Mysteries #6

by Abigail Keam

Josiah Reynolds is tracking down the disappearance of an old friend’s son. But while she is chasing a missing person, O’nan is hot on Josiah’s trail chasing her. And he is threatening, conniving and blackmailing others to help destroy the woman he thinks ruined his life. Will he finally succeed? Or will Josiah outwit him as she has always done? One thing is for sure . . . when Josiah and O’nan finally clash at the Cumberland Falls, justice will be done. The question is who will survive the thundering and treacherous waters of the Cumberland Falls? But one thing is sure – someone is going to die!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Ebooks, Suspense

284 pages, ebook

First published October 17, 2013

About the author

Hello Gentle Reader,

I am Abigail Keam, the award-winning author of the Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series and the 1930s Mona Moon Mystery Series.

I am a professional beekeeper and have won 16 awards for my honey. I live in a metal house overlooking the Kentucky River. I have the great fortune to live near some of the most beautiful horse farms in the Bluegrass.

In addition to the Josiah Reynolds Mysteries, I also write the Princess Maura Tales (Epic Fantasy) and the Last Chance Motel Series (Sweet Romance).

I love animals, Kentucky bourbon, and chocolate. Now if they could combine bourbon and chocolate together, I would be in heaven.

I come from a family of storytellers, so it was only natural I would put my stories to paper. I do so hope my tales give you some pleasure and enjoyment. I would certainly love to hear from you. Signing off now to get back to writing. Yours truly,
Miss Abigail

AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery

2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine

2020 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery

2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking

2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A Full Moon

2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A New Moon

2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery

Reviews

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wise woman.

A good fast paced mystery with strong characters. This is a stand alone book but reading previous Books would have helped to understand the importance of some of the story.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness is reading a Josiah Reynolds mystery out in my garden.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

nope

This book is a big no from me because of the adultery, fighting and general angst. Life is hard enough without having to read about other peoples twisted lives.
I don’t care that is a mystery murder, cozy at that, the other stuff is a huge put off.

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Keam's book are a joy to read. A whodunit that will keep you guessing and having a few laughs.

[Cissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While apparently there was some noise about this being the last of the series, it is not. However, one tory arc that had been going on long enough to start to bore me IS resolved, and that's a very good thing!

At this point, for me the series is more about the relationships of the characters, and the Kentucky setting, than about the mysteries per se. These remained interesting even in the shadow of a fairly twisty plot.

I like that Josiah's mysterious daughter is getting more attention, even when she is something of a deus ex machina in various situations.

If you are reading the series, you will probably like this installment. If not, it's not the place to start.

[Betty Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of a journey

I am really sorry to see this series end. I feel like I've just lost a friend. I think I would have liked to see the connection with Jake developed a little more, but I guess it was not to be. I become immersed in the heroine life so much she became almost real. the author did a fine job developing the character with out her becoming stale

[Suzanne Ben-Aida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Winner!

I can't get enough of Josiah Reynolds. I love her spunk, her earthiness, and her curiosity. The geographic and historical tidbits relating to Kentucky add a wonderful touch. Can we look forward to another in the series? I hope so!

[Leanne Beadle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book. An old lady who has turned private detective helps her best friend find closure after the disappearance of her son.
It's a real feel Good, cheesy novel but I really enjoyed it.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in this series. I really like the quirky characters and the bit of humor she throws in the mix. Quite a enjoyable read. Looking forward to additional books by this Author.

[Georgie Gail Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

A easy read

could not put down. the author is one of my favorite story tellers.would read again. looking forward to the next book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

very good

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail Keam's Josiah Reynolds Mystery series is so much fun to read. In Death By Chocolate, Josiah is still determined to keep on the lookout for Fred O'nan, who is still out to get her. She also has agreed to help out Ginny Wheelwright whose son, Dwight, has disappeared without a trace. His case has gone cold so Josiah begins asking questions, collecting information, and doing her "sleuthing" thing. The motley bunch of secondary characters are back and living their own adventures as well. I like that Keam has created an imperfect heroine with ongoing health problems who still lives life to the fullest!

[Valorie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What obsession does to people!!!!!!

20 stars!!!!
Boy, what a mess Josiah has gotten into in this book.
Her good friend June asked her to help a mutual friend Jenny and stuff hit the fan.
Matt, Goetz, Franklin and her daughter with her special friends were great in keeping things together for awhile then, BOMB!!!!!!
Who to look at for a missing person, and their financial situation has changing. Josiah's past problem is back with a vengeance!!!!
Deception, many suspects and motives.
You won't be disappointed!!!!!!

[Ty Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very similar to the other books in the series. As always we find Josiah helping out a friend in a murder investigation but, this particular book has more chapters than any of her previous Josiah Reynolds mysteries. As for the storyline, all of the comfortable suspense, drama and humor that make the series enjoyable is there and as always it's an easy read that you can crank out in a day or two if you have the time.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josiah helps out a friend by investigating her son's disappearance. Nosy and clever and smart mouthed as ever, she is puzzled by the many contradictory stories and lack of clues. She and her friends and daughter spend a nice Christmas together until a couple of incidents shake things up. Her arch nemesis rears his ugly head once again.

[Lorna Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped right into this series at book 6 and what a thrilling read that I simply could not put down. I am obviously going to read the series from the beginning, as Death by Chocolate was such an engrossing read that has me hooked. Brilliantly written mystery full of intrigue with super characters and bags of character.

[Janice Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book

Former professor, widowed, grown daughter follows clues to solve mysteries (usually murders). She lives in Kentucky in an unusual house designed by her former husband with her dog, some cats and various other creatures she is responsible for. Great read.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

This series is one of my favorites, I've read several of the books and enjoyed all of them. The characters are one of a kind and the plots are great, exceptionally well twisted and surprising. Good job Ms. Keam!

[Georgene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often, "cozy" mysteries can be pretty awful. This one is pretty good, IMHO. The only problem I had with the story is that the back story was not described very well. But, all in all, the story was well plotted and kept my attention.

[Loretta Gabriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good mystery story

The author has written a mystery story with many interesting twist and turns that will keep you in the story and as well keeping you guessing what is coming next.

[Nefol_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I cannot abide cheating, especially not when they're all willfully continuing and blithely ignoring the pain and humiliation these situations cause.
I don't know if the book is good, great, or unbelievable, I couldn't move past the situations.

[Donna Ann Sutcliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. I got this three box set for Christmas and have enjoyed everyone moment. This book was a complicated mystery for our amateur slueth. It does not help having a nutter trying to kill you at every turn. The characters are wonderful, I just love them all. Well done wonderful read.

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was clear that if you haven't read the other books in this series that you would be slightly confused about the characters. Besides this the characters were very confusing and the writing wasn't clear. I don't recommend this book.

[Belinda Laumbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Mystery but Not Excellent.

I enjoyed reading “Death by Chocolate, however there were a few events included that did not really enhance the plot. For example, the characters involved with jewelry theft were not developed enough to contribute much to the story.

[Tracie Duenas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Inconsistencies drive me mad

Did the person who proofed this book even check for inconsistencies in plot? In characters? This story had potential, but there were too many inconsistencies for my reading enjoyment.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josiah Reynolds Mystery #6 makes me want to read the entire series asap. I've grown to love Josiah as a person and as an unpaid private eye. She's smart and clever as well as genuine.

[Rosemary Onderko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read. I enjoyed it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book

I enjoyed reading this book and was so glad to find out a little bit more about Asa and more about the process of raising honeybees.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

They better pull a body out of the water this time.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars