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Corinna Chapman #2
Heavenly Pleasures
No one has less interest in mysteries than Corinna Chapman, who has bread to bake, but they seem to be arising spontaneously in the vicinity of her bakery, Earthly Delights. Between the mouthwatering distractions of loaves and muffins, of Jason her apprentice and Horatio the cat, she's keeping an eye on the door as she waits for the exciting Daniel, her recently acquired lover, to walk back into her life.
After a week of no communication Daniel finally returns, bruised and battered from a run-in with a so-called messiah. But disturbing things are also happening close to home. Juliette Lefebvre, the owner of Heavenly Pleasures and maker of the most gorgeous chocolates in town, is distraught. Someone is spiking her very expensive chocolates. Is it an elaborate and horrible joke, or is it a warning that worse may yet happen?
After a week of no communication Daniel finally returns, bruised and battered from a run-in with a so-called messiah. But disturbing things are also happening close to home. Juliette Lefebvre, the owner of Heavenly Pleasures and maker of the most gorgeous chocolates in town, is distraught. Someone is spiking her very expensive chocolates. Is it an elaborate and horrible joke, or is it a warning that worse may yet happen?
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
199 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Greenwood
86 books2,540 followersKerry Isabelle Greenwood was an Australian author and lawyer. She wrote many plays and books, most notably a string of historical detective novels centred on the character of Phryne Fisher, which was adapted as the popular television series Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. She wrote mysteries, science-fiction, historical fiction, children's stories, and plays. Greenwood earned the Australian women's crime fiction Davitt Award in 2002 for her young adult novel The Three-Pronged Dagger.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
July 19, 2017
When baker and owner of Earthly Delights, Corinna Chapman bit into the delectable chocolate from Heavenly Pleasures, her delight was immediately quashed at the terrible taste. It was filled with chili sauce! And it seemed Corinna’s chocolate wasn’t the only one – Juliette Lefebvre, owner of Heavenly Pleasures had just realised someone was spiking her designer chocolates. But why? Corinna’s new beau and private investigator Daniel was on the case…
There was also trouble at Corinna’s residence – a couple of new residents, one of whom kept to himself but seemed to draw trouble. The police were on the scene, the residents all had to be evacuated – it was certainly something that needed to be cleared up, and quickly. But could Corinna solve the mystery before somebody was hurt? And where was Soot?
Heavenly Pleasures is the 2nd in the Corinna Chapman cosy mystery series by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood and I enjoyed it as much as the others. I’ve read them out of order which is a shame, but they are all individual stories (though growth of the characters would be good to follow) Set in Melbourne, it’s very easy to recommend this series highly to lovers of a cosy mystery!
There was also trouble at Corinna’s residence – a couple of new residents, one of whom kept to himself but seemed to draw trouble. The police were on the scene, the residents all had to be evacuated – it was certainly something that needed to be cleared up, and quickly. But could Corinna solve the mystery before somebody was hurt? And where was Soot?
Heavenly Pleasures is the 2nd in the Corinna Chapman cosy mystery series by Aussie author Kerry Greenwood and I enjoyed it as much as the others. I’ve read them out of order which is a shame, but they are all individual stories (though growth of the characters would be good to follow) Set in Melbourne, it’s very easy to recommend this series highly to lovers of a cosy mystery!
March 13, 2023
Corinna Chapman’s bakery in Melbourne is doing well. Her bread is selling out and her new apprentice Jason is working out well and coming up with his own line of delicious muffins. She worries when her new lover, private investigator Daniel goes missing for a few days in search of a missing girl and returns bruised and battered in catching the madman who enslaved her. Soon however, they have more than enough mysteries on their own steps to deal with. The speciality chocolate shop, Heavenly Pleasures, is being targeted by someone randomly spiking their chocolates with chilli sauce or soy sauce and Daniel is hired to find out who is involved and why they are doing it. There is also a mysterious man hiding out in one of the apartments who seems to be attracting the attention on both thugs and the police and may bring danger to all who live in the building. An enjoyable cosy mystery, with recipes for some of the delectable food cooked up and consumed by Corinna and Jason.
September 25, 2024
Halloween Bingo 2024
This novel really qualifies as the ultimate in cozy mystery. If you are looking for tons of action, you will be disappointed. This is a book which deals primarily with relationships: friendships, workmates, neighbours, and romantic relationships. Not to mention the cats and kittens! And the baking (the main character is a baker, after all). It takes quite a while to meander its way to the first mysterious happening at the neighboring chocolate shop (from which the book gets its title). The development of the characters is front and centre.
If I care about the main character, I have infinite patience for this kind of thing. I really appreciate Corrina Chapman, so I plunged into the pages and inhaled the book in one evening. The mystery was solved, but more significantly, Corrina and Daniel survived their first serious argument and Jason was rescued after his first drug relapse since coming to work with Corrina. There are two more important interventions, both masterminded by Corrinna.
Not for the adrenaline junkie, but excellent for the humanitarian. Also satisfying if you like to see the patriarchy given a kick to the curb.
I read this book to fill the Death Down Under square on my Bingo card.
This novel really qualifies as the ultimate in cozy mystery. If you are looking for tons of action, you will be disappointed. This is a book which deals primarily with relationships: friendships, workmates, neighbours, and romantic relationships. Not to mention the cats and kittens! And the baking (the main character is a baker, after all). It takes quite a while to meander its way to the first mysterious happening at the neighboring chocolate shop (from which the book gets its title). The development of the characters is front and centre.
If I care about the main character, I have infinite patience for this kind of thing. I really appreciate Corrina Chapman, so I plunged into the pages and inhaled the book in one evening. The mystery was solved, but more significantly, Corrina and Daniel survived their first serious argument and Jason was rescued after his first drug relapse since coming to work with Corrina. There are two more important interventions, both masterminded by Corrinna.
Not for the adrenaline junkie, but excellent for the humanitarian. Also satisfying if you like to see the patriarchy given a kick to the curb.
I read this book to fill the Death Down Under square on my Bingo card.
November 26, 2015
Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood is the second book in the Corinna Chapman Mystery series. Heavenly Pleasures is the name of a specialty chocolate shop owned by two sisters and is being sabotaged by someone tampering with the chocolates, Corinna, baker and owner of bread shop Earthly Delights, and her friend Daniel are asked to investigate.
I loved this book. It was fun to catch up with all the various odd and quirky characters, and with all the other goings on, the mystery played only a small part. There were a few mysterious new inhabitants in the building which added to the drama. I drooled over Jason's new chocolate muffin creation, which fortunately for my diet was only fiction. No murder, but plenty of drama and mystery and a very entertaining book
I loved this book. It was fun to catch up with all the various odd and quirky characters, and with all the other goings on, the mystery played only a small part. There were a few mysterious new inhabitants in the building which added to the drama. I drooled over Jason's new chocolate muffin creation, which fortunately for my diet was only fiction. No murder, but plenty of drama and mystery and a very entertaining book
July 9, 2020
What can I say about these quirky mysteries that I find I like a lot? I'll repeat why I like them so much with apologies to those who've read my other reviews in this series.
1. A great narrator I could listen to forever. But these books are also good to read.
2. The MC is an actual adult, who acts like one. She's not living her life in search of the perfect man or a size 2 body.
3. The hero is perfect. Absolutely perfect. :)
4. Their relationship develops. There's immediate attraction, but not instant love. They don’t jump into bed on the first meeting.
5. Melbourne and Insula are a wonderful setting. I feel like I've been there when I read one of these books.
6. The MC is a baker, and the author appears to actually know about baking bread. Time involved, care of yeast, etc., are all correct. I hate reading books about bakers full of silly mistakes.
7. These books are full of great minor characters. They have anorexia or they eat nachos for breakfast, some are young and some old, some have money and others don't - what a wonderful cross section of people! I love visiting them. And this book adds a wonderful new one into the mix.
8. I don't have to wallow in tons of swearing or sex when I read these books. There's a little cursing but not much and the sex that happens is off screen.
9. This book is full of details that ring true. While I read them as a sort of alternate-fantasy series, perhaps because I first read the Christmas book which is quite unreal, it's a world that is firmly grounded in small details.
10. Corinna thinks she cares more about her cats than people, but she's really compassionate. She cares about the people around her and she's willing to fight on their behalf. I like her a lot.
1. A great narrator I could listen to forever. But these books are also good to read.
2. The MC is an actual adult, who acts like one. She's not living her life in search of the perfect man or a size 2 body.
3. The hero is perfect. Absolutely perfect. :)
4. Their relationship develops. There's immediate attraction, but not instant love. They don’t jump into bed on the first meeting.
5. Melbourne and Insula are a wonderful setting. I feel like I've been there when I read one of these books.
6. The MC is a baker, and the author appears to actually know about baking bread. Time involved, care of yeast, etc., are all correct. I hate reading books about bakers full of silly mistakes.
7. These books are full of great minor characters. They have anorexia or they eat nachos for breakfast, some are young and some old, some have money and others don't - what a wonderful cross section of people! I love visiting them. And this book adds a wonderful new one into the mix.
8. I don't have to wallow in tons of swearing or sex when I read these books. There's a little cursing but not much and the sex that happens is off screen.
9. This book is full of details that ring true. While I read them as a sort of alternate-fantasy series, perhaps because I first read the Christmas book which is quite unreal, it's a world that is firmly grounded in small details.
10. Corinna thinks she cares more about her cats than people, but she's really compassionate. She cares about the people around her and she's willing to fight on their behalf. I like her a lot.
November 23, 2020
Heavenly Pleasures is the second book in the Corinna Chapman series by award-winning Australian author, Kerry Greenwood. The audio version is read by Louise Siversen. I read the print version well before I was writing reviews, so I can only say what a pleasure it is to return to these charming characters.
In this instalment, there are adulterated chocolates, a bomb threat, a nasty man with a god-complex, two new tenants for Insula (one elegant, one mysterious), a missing kitten, a balcony climberand a dramatic rooftop scene.
It may be wise to eat before reading as the regular mention of delicious breads and muffins may stimulate the appetite.... This is just as enjoyable a read second time around.
In this instalment, there are adulterated chocolates, a bomb threat, a nasty man with a god-complex, two new tenants for Insula (one elegant, one mysterious), a missing kitten, a balcony climberand a dramatic rooftop scene.
It may be wise to eat before reading as the regular mention of delicious breads and muffins may stimulate the appetite.... This is just as enjoyable a read second time around.
May 20, 2024
A good mystery with interesting characters.
June 12, 2014
Aw!! I wasn't a huge fan of the voice (/writing style) here, as it got tiresome after a little while. But it had some darn cute moments! Loved the SUPER fat-pos character and storyline, loved all the random queers showing up all over the place, loved the silly cozy plotline and sleuthing.
I picked this up because my partner and I had totally gotten a kick out of the the Miss Fisher Mysteries on Netflix, so Kerry Greenwood was on my radar and on the shelves at my library. Not sure if I'll read the Phryne Fisher books or not, but if anybody ever made this Corinna Chapman series into a TV series, I would be ALL OVER THAT.
I picked this up because my partner and I had totally gotten a kick out of the the Miss Fisher Mysteries on Netflix, so Kerry Greenwood was on my radar and on the shelves at my library. Not sure if I'll read the Phryne Fisher books or not, but if anybody ever made this Corinna Chapman series into a TV series, I would be ALL OVER THAT.
March 16, 2014
A reluctant detective, baker Corinna once again finds herself in the middle of a mystery.
Jason her apprentice seems also to be worth his weight in gold and I'd love a batch of those muffins. Also wouldn't mind getting my mitts on a chap like Daniel the love interest, well a girl can dream.
This book has two mysteries, two new people have moved into apartments in Corinna's building, but whilst one seems a great addition the other isn't such a good prospect.
The other case involves sabotage of the chocolates from heavenly pleasures which Daniel is asked to look into.
Jason her apprentice seems also to be worth his weight in gold and I'd love a batch of those muffins. Also wouldn't mind getting my mitts on a chap like Daniel the love interest, well a girl can dream.
This book has two mysteries, two new people have moved into apartments in Corinna's building, but whilst one seems a great addition the other isn't such a good prospect.
The other case involves sabotage of the chocolates from heavenly pleasures which Daniel is asked to look into.
July 29, 2014
Didn't like this one as much as the first. Actually, I couldn't finish it. It was much to slow and frankly, too much romance (no offense to romance lovers). I thought this was a mystery series, but I was wrong. Too much Daniel (yes, he handsome, perfect, an angel, etc. etc.) It didn't help that Corinna is a cat lover and hates dogs (I'm a dog lover!) I don't think I will be reading anymore from this series.
November 21, 2017
An enjoyable mystery that takes place in Australia. I love how the characters in Corinna's apartment building interact and support one another. Highly recommended! Read the first also, Earthly Delights!
didnt-finish
February 15, 2009I like Corinna Chapman a lot, but I wish she would shut up about her damn cats.
November 18, 2017
I still adore her cat observations and political snark. This "mystery" fell a bit flat for me.
March 27, 2018
Slow.
April 9, 2017
Another enjoyable read from Kerry Greenwood.
Set in a slightly fictional Melbourne, this was an easy, relaxing and enjoyable read - nothing to nasty happened -but an enjoyable read none the less. The characters are great - I'm loving Jason the apprentice and the other residents of the block. Above all though I want to start making my own bread, if only I had the time.
Looking forward to reading Devil's Food the next book in the series.
Set in a slightly fictional Melbourne, this was an easy, relaxing and enjoyable read - nothing to nasty happened -but an enjoyable read none the less. The characters are great - I'm loving Jason the apprentice and the other residents of the block. Above all though I want to start making my own bread, if only I had the time.
Looking forward to reading Devil's Food the next book in the series.
August 31, 2023
One of the things I really like about this series, so far, is how many mini mysteries are happening at the same time. It's not easy to know right away which will be the big mystery.
Although, how they didn't figure out that it was causing the problems sooner is beyond me.
Although, how they didn't figure out that it was causing the problems sooner is beyond me.
April 1, 2021
3.5 stars! I enjoyed it but not as much as the first story!
February 12, 2025
What fun! I'm really enjoying visiting with Corinna and her motley band of companions. It really feels like visiting, with all of the small life details included. The lavish descriptions of food leave me drooling! Louise Siverson does an excellent job narrating.
March 7, 2016
It's hard to believe that this series was started in 2005, after Greenwood had been writing successfully for 20 years. How is it that the Phryne Fisher novels are so engaging, so complete, and so interesting, and yet the Chapman series is so bland? Another sleepless night required some fluff, so I decided to give the tubby bakeress another try but oh dear, things have not improved since Earthly Delights. Yes, she now has her man, and there are some "mysterious" goings-on, but...can you say "predictable"? And are we really expected to believe that a straight Australian male would actually say, "Aren't they just so sweet together?" about a male-gay-couple? I don't know of any who would. A woman might, certainly. A gay man, perhaps. But not super-stud-straight guy Daniel, surely? Not only that, Greenwood's use of language (let alone scenes) was repetitive enough to become annoying. Each day there is a blow-by-blow account of the same basic activities, to wit:
1. Get up at 4 AM
2. Go to bakery, feed cats, make bread, blahblahblah
3. Eat food
4. Have hawt sex with hawt man who is younger than she is and yet adores her middleaged spread.
5. Eat food
6. Watch "Buffy"
7. Eat food and drink booze
8. Have hawt sex...ad nauseum. At least we are spared descriptions of her sexual activities this time round.
9--and just occasionally--weave in a little talk and less action about what's going on.
10. Recipe in the back. Errrh.
The reveal was silly and not terribly believeable, even for a cozy series. And why would they allow Corinna in to the prison to see snakeboy? Is security really that loose in Australian jails that you can just walk in because "oh, she's with so-and-so, it's okay"? Certainly in other countries you have to be an approved visitor on that person's list, and it takes more than a nod from a nun to get you in.
Did Greenwood run out of steam in Phryne's 1929? I begin to think so. With the TV and audiobook sales, as well as the books--surely she didn't do it for the money. Or maybe she did.
I really don't care about Corrina and her cats and her hawt boyfriend. I really don't.
1. Get up at 4 AM
2. Go to bakery, feed cats, make bread, blahblahblah
3. Eat food
4. Have hawt sex with hawt man who is younger than she is and yet adores her middleaged spread.
5. Eat food
6. Watch "Buffy"
7. Eat food and drink booze
8. Have hawt sex...ad nauseum. At least we are spared descriptions of her sexual activities this time round.
9--and just occasionally--weave in a little talk and less action about what's going on.
10. Recipe in the back. Errrh.
The reveal was silly and not terribly believeable, even for a cozy series. And why would they allow Corinna in to the prison to see snakeboy? Is security really that loose in Australian jails that you can just walk in because "oh, she's with so-and-so, it's okay"? Certainly in other countries you have to be an approved visitor on that person's list, and it takes more than a nod from a nun to get you in.
Did Greenwood run out of steam in Phryne's 1929? I begin to think so. With the TV and audiobook sales, as well as the books--surely she didn't do it for the money. Or maybe she did.
I really don't care about Corrina and her cats and her hawt boyfriend. I really don't.
February 17, 2009
Corinna is a baker and owns a shop called Earthly Delights. Where he lives in Flinders Lane, Melbourne is an area that has a wonderful assortment of people and buinesses. One such business is a chocolate shop called Heavenly Pleasures (my type of shop).
The chocolate shop is being sabotaged by someone who is doctoring the chocolates with chilli!.
Corinna enlists Daniel, her lover to help solve the mystery.
Lots of cat antics through the story, as the tenants in the building where Corinna works and lives have these beloved animals.
Young Jason, is the apprentice in the bakery, who experiments with making the perfect muffin. He comes up with a good chocolate muffin recipe, which is featured in the book and I will put the recipe on my blog. (http://burrum-bookgroup.blogspot.com/)
The chocolate shop is being sabotaged by someone who is doctoring the chocolates with chilli!.
Corinna enlists Daniel, her lover to help solve the mystery.
Lots of cat antics through the story, as the tenants in the building where Corinna works and lives have these beloved animals.
Young Jason, is the apprentice in the bakery, who experiments with making the perfect muffin. He comes up with a good chocolate muffin recipe, which is featured in the book and I will put the recipe on my blog. (http://burrum-bookgroup.blogspot.com/)
March 2, 2009
Australian author Kerry Greenwood brings us a new series featuring Corinna Chapman, bread baker extraordinaire. This new heroine is poles apart from Greenwood's most well known, Phryne Fisher but
just as likable. Corinne solves a couple of mysteries and manages a hectic life including an orphan and new boyfriend. This is a tasty new culinary series. Can't wait to try the Chocolate Orgasm muffins with the liquid chocolate center.
just as likable. Corinne solves a couple of mysteries and manages a hectic life including an orphan and new boyfriend. This is a tasty new culinary series. Can't wait to try the Chocolate Orgasm muffins with the liquid chocolate center.
October 3, 2011
I started reading this, and then realized it was the second book in the series. The first 15 pages were intriguing enough that I went and found the first book, in audiobook format, and listened to it before continuing.
I liked the first book, but somehow when I returned to this book, it didn't work for me. Maybe one quirky Australian mystery novel about a baker is my yearly quotient? I don't know, but I gave up on it about 35 pages in.
I liked the first book, but somehow when I returned to this book, it didn't work for me. Maybe one quirky Australian mystery novel about a baker is my yearly quotient? I don't know, but I gave up on it about 35 pages in.
July 15, 2013
This is the 2nd in the Chapman series. Very exciting and dramatic it is too. There are new occupants of Corrina's apartment block, mysterious happenings, and then things wind right up to the roof top ending.
Greenwood is fun, and clever and witty. She pokes fun at, or makes the reader think about a lot of stuff we take for granted but shouldn't. All done in an easy pleasant way with her dry Aussie style.
A good cheering read for blue days.
Greenwood is fun, and clever and witty. She pokes fun at, or makes the reader think about a lot of stuff we take for granted but shouldn't. All done in an easy pleasant way with her dry Aussie style.
A good cheering read for blue days.
January 11, 2016
Corinna Chapman is a fabulous heroine and this is a truly delicious series. It is the epitome of cosy mystery - funny, lovely, with plenty of delicious food and the most glorious size XXL main character. I love how Kerry Greenwood writes and I thoroughly enjoy this series. It is like being cuddled up in a furry blanket with a plate of fresh muffins in front of you and a cat purring in your lap.
September 28, 2015
For a cozy mystery, this has a lot of excitement: food tampering, bomb threats, armed intruders, missing persons. The narrator has changed Meroe's voice to a deeper, more Slavic sort of sound. Otherwise, this is a good story, nicely narrated.
May 31, 2016
Another enjoyable addition to the series. I love the side characters Greenwood has created. In many ways her characterisations remind me of Charlaine Harris even though the genres are completely different!
February 6, 2009
I like this series but I still like the Phyrne one better ;)
April 10, 2011
Another great book from Kerry Greenwood.
July 6, 2012
More melbourne sleuthing and food fun...and Daniel-where is my Daniel!!!!
September 6, 2012
Gag! As smart and witty as the Phryne Fisher series is, this was the opposite, saccharine and trite.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews