Truffled to Death

A Chocolate Covered Mystery #2

by Kathy Aarons

Two best friends sell books and bonbons—and solve crimes—in this mystery from the author of Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates …

Hoping to sweeten sales for their shop, Chocolates and Chapters, Michelle and Erica host a reception highlighting a new museum display of ancient Mayan pottery curated by Erica’s former mentor, Professor Addison Moody. The evening has a few hiccups, but the ladies soon smooth things over with ample servings of wine and chocolate.

Yet with the sweet comes the bitter. The very next day, the antiquities from the reception are discovered missing. The professor accuses Erica of having sticky fingers, claiming she wants revenge on him. And she’s only in more trouble after he’s found stabbed to death with one of the artifacts. Now Michelle must help Erica track down the real killer before someone else finds themselves in less than mint condition…

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Culinary, Romance, Contemporary

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 2, 2015

Reviews

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 Michelle and Erica were having a Maya Art Event in there shop Chocolates and Chapters ( which has Michelle creations of chocolate candies and Erica family books) with an Painting and a diary of a man Bertrand River that he recorded his travels his travels in it. He was a black sheep of the family of Rivers back in the 1800's. Dr. Smug ( aka Dr. Addison was a was an professor turned musical curutor. He arranged the The River Family to come to Michelle and Erica store for an publicity of Mayan Art and Artifacts.When the Event started all the Rivers family attended to Chocolates and Chapters. After Event was over and they all went home. There was a man was a security guard to take the Maya Artifacts to the Museum. But he got drugged and someone stole them. So Bobby ( Erica on again off against boyfriend ) and chief went to Michelle store and asked them what they knew. And The Dr. Addison started screaming that Erica and Michelle did it to get even with him. So they were suspects. But then Dr. Addison died and Erica had a motive to want him dead. This 2 book of series was a interesting story about Mayan Artifacts and a cool video shot for young adults starting with arts and the Maya Lord's. Love the cool candy store. That has different interesting flavors like BlackBerry and Goat cheese dark chocolate, Cherry Ambrosia Truffles, Bee Pollen and Fennel truffles, Mint Julips Flag milk Chocolates, and a lot more I would try out. Loved these books will read more of these series.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was flat all the way through. There were no surprises or twists, just a long drawn out book that I kept putting down, while picking up others, before I could drag myself back to it.

Michelle and Erica, owners of Chocolates and Chapters agree to host a reception to display Mayan pottery before the collection can be transported to the museum. Unfortunately, the antiquities are stolen before they can make it to their final destination. At this point, the story becomes so convoluted that the reader might have a hard time keeping everyone straight.

You have a professor that has a history of assaulting his female students, an older woman with dementia that mistakes one man for another and discloses where the antiques have been hidden. You have a reporter on the trail of “the white cat”; you have a police officer that is mad at his girlfriend because she is smarter than he is. You have an art thief that has his sights on a vase that is more valuable than first thought. Then there is a spoiled man that thinks he should be entitled without having to put in any effort at life. There are a few other characters but frankly, I have forgotten since Ms. Aarons is throwing them at you constantly.

All this is taking place as Michelle is trying to run a chocolate shop and trying to tempt new customers but yet, never seems to be there and just happens to have an already made supply of confections in her home cooler.

This is just a bothersome book and I will be hard pressed to move anymore in this series to the top of my list.

[Natalia R · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one,there was almost no suspense and the Whodunit was very predictable.While I liked the plot enough to keep reading,my dislike of Michelle really took away from the book. Michelle was very immature and rude,she constantly pointed out how stupid one of side character was when she herself didn't make the best decisions,she compared another character to having a "frog face" and being ugly.I just could not get behind Michelle insulting other women and almost wanted to stop reading because of it.I will pick up the next book in the series since I really liked the other characters in the book and I did like the plot but unless Michelle grows up a bit,I don't think my rating will change.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

With wine and chocolate you can’t go wrong …can you? Apparently if you have them with Maya antiquities things can turn out badly.

Michelle and Erica thought the reception for the museum’s new display would be great promotion for their book store/chocolate shop, but when some of the pricey pieces fail to make it back where they belong the curator points the finger at Erica. The man, her former mentor, says she is seeking revenge. Well that theory did not have much promise until the man ends up dead and the weapon happens to be one of the missing artifacts. Erika is still on the hot seat so the girls have no choice than to try to track down the killer themselves.

I love the characters in this series. Michelle and Erica have my dream job. Books and chocolate, every town needs a place like Chapters and Chocolate! The author has added an unusual family to the mix this time. The Rivers family is donating some Maya artifacts to the museum but it seems someone in the family in not on board with the rest. Just which one is the mystery. Would they steal and kill to prevent this gift?

Kathy Aarons writing is silky smooth, the story just flows. I found myself doing the just one more chapter thing over and over again until I reached the end. I had an inkling of the guilty party was but the more I read the more I realized I was wrong. Great twists keep us readers guessing. The investigation was very in depth but due to a unexpected event the girls find themselves in a heap of trouble.

I enjoyed the Maya/Mayan debate. I have been using the wrong form of the word forever.

There is only 1 thing that could make this book better. That would be including a box of chocolate truffles with every book.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A chocolate shop and a bookstore combined? Why on Earth doesn’t every town in every city have one of these? Chocolates and Chapters, the shop in this book, would be my everyday hangout. Oh, that would be so bad for my wallet.

The first book in the Chocolate Covered Mystery series, DEATH IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES, was the perfect beginning treat to prepare reader’s appetites for this second delicious course, TRUFFLED TO DEATH.

Author Kathy Aarons has a smooth writing style. You know the kind…where the words flow easy and you keep saying, I’ll just read one more page, one more chapter, and before you know it, you close the finished book with a happy sigh and a “Wow”.

Between the theft of ancient Mayan pottery, and the murder of the professor who was accusing protagonist Erica of stealing them, the action and suspense heat up this yummy read enough to melt the chocolates on the cover of the book. By the time of the exciting reveal, I was out of breath, but as satiated as if I had just eaten a seven course meal...of chocolate. ;-)
Make sure to check out the back of the book for three mouthwatering recipes!

Sweet lover or not, you are sure to enjoy this delightful mystery.

[Stacie Amelotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really LOVE this series. Chocolate, books, history, murder, kittens and mystery – all the elements that lead to a great read. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the close friendship between Michelle and Erica. Complete opposites, they complement each other while adding a bit of humor to the story. The author does a great job of pulling you into the story and maintaining your interest until the very end. Looking forward to reading what’s next for these characters. I really enjoy everything about this series and hope it continues for awhile.

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's so beautiful," I practically cooed at the plain clay bowl sitting just inches from my face behind the glass.

Michelle and Erica have allowed their combined shops Chocolates and Chapters to be the spot for a reception showcasing Maya historical articles. The air is filled with tension when two unsavory characters show up to the Rivers family big night. The former professor in charge of the museum exhibit has a bad history with Erica. Erica becomes a suspect when the exhibit is stolen after the reception and then again when the professor is found dead.

This second book in A Chocolate Covered Mystery series expands upon the characters that were introduced in the first. We are gradually learning more about Michelle and Erica and their past experiences. Sweet kitty Coco is back and looking for a place to have her kittens.

I enjoyed the interaction of the characters and the strength of family. Michelle gets into enough trouble to give her brother nightmares. Erica and Bean do the same to Colleen. There are twists and turns with false leads and some heavy clues. Coco once again is featured in a huge mystery.

I suspected several people before the culprit was revealed. The story line is strong and the characters are well developed. There is lots of good information on chocolate and chocolate blends. I accidentally read the third book before this one so I am looking forward to book four in the series.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle and Erica agree to host a museum reception and their store, Chocolates and Chapters. The hope to find some new customers and create a buzz about the store. They did not realize the buzz would be due to the happenings afters the reception. A display of ancient Maya pottery goes missing and Erica is blamed by the curator and her former mentor, Professor Moody. Things take a downward spiral when Professor Moody is found murdered and his accusations against Erica place her on the suspect list. The woman work to track down the real killer and clear Erica’s name.

This is the second book in the Chocolate Covered Mystery series. As I found with the first book, the first chapter was very slow and did not have a hook to get me interested. From the second chapter on, however, this book was very good. I didn’t want to put it down. There were a few lulls in the action, but they did not affect my interest level. The main characters in this book are interesting and authentic. Supporting characters are developed and a few make you want to know more about them. Also, this book makes me hungry for chocolate. This is a cozy mystery I recommend reading. If you have not read the first book you will be fine.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in A Chocolate Covered Mystery series and so far I am enjoying it. Michelle and Erica own a combined chocolate shop and book store which is what they both dreamed of doing but they didn't expect to get so involved with murders also. They are hosting a reception for the museum to announce the donation of Mayan pottery from the Rivers family. Professor Moody of the museum is all excited about the donation until the next day when all the pottery is stolen and he points a finger at Erica saying she is jealous because of her past with working with him. Then Professor Moody is found dead the next day and Erica is the number one suspect. So Michelle and Erica set out to prove her innocents. Great mysery, fun characters and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

[Chanel Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mom and I found this cozy mystery as good as the first. The ending was a little fast, but the build up was great. Michelle’s chocolate making was amazing, especially how the author and the character Michelle tied in the chocolate with the Mayan theme going through out the book, it was quiet creative. Mom and I also loved reading about Coco and her antics throughout the book. Overall it was a cozy mystery worthy of the cozy mystery sub-genre.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten how much I liked this series. I love the characters from Erica and Michelle to Detective Bobby (Erica's love interest) to Bean Michelle's love interest. I am wondering though at Detective Lockett and if maybe he is interested in Michelle.
The story line is great and kept me turning pages and guessing till the end. I loved the descriptions of the towns, the kitties, and all the people in town. I also would love to try some of the chocolates that are listed at the back.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the series finds Erica and Michelle hosting a museum event featuring Maya pottery. While the event goes off well, the pottery is stolen during transportation back to the museum. Several new faces show up in town from South America and the girls immediately start investigating them. Add in a pregnant cat, a family family member with dementia, hidden diaries and the case is going full speed ahead.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chocolate and Chapters is every girls dream, I know it's mine if it were not a fictional shop A shop specializing in chocolate and books. With one of Erica's books in hand and savoring one of Michelle's scrumptious truffles. To top it all off you can't go wrong with two best friends that are beyond eager to investigate a murder of a professor.....

Chocolate and Chapters shop is in full swing with a gathering to honor a display from a museum of ancient Mayan Pottery with Michelle serving up her chocolate and curious book worms scouring the book shelves. Erica's former mentor and curator of the Mayan Pottery is Professor Addison Moody.

The wealthy River family has generously donated the pottery to the museum. But soon there's soon trouble when the valuable relics are discovered missing on their way back to the museum. Erica becomes a suspect of the theft when the Professor accuses her because of wanting revenge from a past relationship.

When the professor is found murdered by a valuable "Bloodletting" tool stabbed through his ear. With more suspects start to surface like certain members of the River family, among others. Michelle and Erica are out to prove Erica's innocence find the artifacts and a murderer before they strike again.

Best friends chocolatier, Michelle and book store owner make a terrific sleuthing team. Kathy Aaron's writing is as smooth and flows as delicious as milk chocolate. A mystery revolving around books,chocolate and a murder, nothing could be better. My sweet tooth is craving the next book in this mouthwatering mystery.

FTC Disclosure: Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy of this book for review.This did not influence my thoughts in any way. All the opinions of the book and review are my own and my reviews are honest.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truffled To Death is the second book in the A Chocolate Covered Mystery series.

Michelle Serrano and Erika Russell own Chapters and Chocolates, with Michelle making delicious chocolate candies and Erika managing the bookstore side. Things have been busy preparing for reception celebrating the Rivers family's donation of a collection of Mayan artifacts. Addison Moody, a former professor and mentor of Erika, is handling things for the museum that is receiving these prized pieces of art. The reception comes off without any major problems.

The next morning it is learned that the guard transporting the artifacts has apparently been drugged and the Maya pottery pieces have been stolen. Later that morning Moody comes to Chapters and Chocolates to accuse Erika of being responsible for the disappearance. Then, when the lifeless body of Moody is found in a local park, Erika becomes a person of interest. So it's time for Kona and Kayla to work some extra hours so that Michelle can do some investigating to clear her best friend. See soon learns that the theft mine be the responsibility of persons from Central America, but the Rivers family might have a family secret that they would like kept a secret.

The romance department for Michelle and Erika seem to be to take a step forward and one back. But everyone seems to understand the other and seem to be working in a positive direction.

A very good followup to Death Is Like A Box Of Chocolates. Recipes are also included in the book.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the Maya artifacts premise of TRUFFLED TO DEATH and it made me want to hunt down an historical fiction account of this ancient civilization! While the author doesn’t delve into the history, she does provide interesting bits and pieces about the artifacts themselves, which added to the authenticity of the story. Even though this is the second book in Kathy Aarons’ Chocolate Covered Mystery series, it is easily read as a stand-alone…which is good since I somehow missed the first book in the series. I’ve remedied that and now have it in my TBR pile! The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the close friendship between Michelle and Erica. Complete opposites, they compliment each other while adding a bit of humor to the story. Of course a book called TRUFFLED TO DEATH would be incomplete it it didn’t include recipes for truffles, and Kathy doesn’t disappoint! She has included several incredibly sounding recipes and I know from personal experience, the Mocha Truffles are heavenly!

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle are Erica are pleased when their combined chocolate and bookstore is chosen to host a reception to honor a donation of ancient Maya artifacts to a local museum. However, the day after the reception, the artifacts are missing, and a day later someone is murdered. Can the friends figure out what is going on?

I enjoyed the first book, but I liked this one even more. The characters are strong, and I loved seeing how the returning characters developed further over the course of the book. The plots was strong, and because of the subject matter included more than the typical cozy plot, which I also enjoyed. I’m already looking forward to book three.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle and Erica hold a Maya artifact reception at Chocolates and Chapters. The artifacts go missing during the transfer to the museum. Then Professor Moody, the expert at the museum is murdered. Michelle and Erica investigate, again to the displeasure of the local and state police. Fun and a little suspenseful.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The is is the second book in this entertaining series. . Brings us back to the misadventures of Michelle Serrano and her friend/business partner, Erica Randall they own Chocolates and Chapters: a combination bookstore and chocolate shop. Michelle is a chocolatier by trade, and Erica is a bookworm. They also get involved in a rather sticky situations and act as amateur detectives. In this particular book, Professor Addison Moody, Erica's mentor from college., Is finding a new display at the local museum, and wants Erica and Michelle to cater the event, with Michelle's well-known chocolates. So they figured the night will be all about chocolates and champagne, the display is of Mayan artifacts brought back from South America. Everything seems to be going smoothly, that is until they find out that the artifacts have been stolen. Later Michelle is informed by new to town lead investigator, Roger Lockett, that the professor has been found dead. Suspicion falls on Michelle and Erica, they decide to investigate again and get involved. The rest is pretty good, it provides a still compelling murder mystery with complex and interesting characters. The setting is great as well. I can practically picture the small, sleepy new England village of West Riverdale, Marilyn down to the last detail. This would definitely be a book i'd recommend if you like whodunit's and small towns.

[Khanson919 · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don't often find international art thieves in cozy mysteries but that's what we have in this one, and it was a very nice change of pace. Michelle and Erica are really good characters and I like how their various skill sets compliment each other. I appreciate how their relationships are changing with their significant others and I like the storylines of their family members. All in all this is a very good series. I plan to read the next book, which is unfortunately the last in the series so far. I hope the author writes more.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second in series. I love the theme of this series, a bookshop that sells chocolate ! The descriptions of the chocolates are to die for. To boost business Michelle and Erica throw a event for antiquities display. Afterward a murder occurs and unfortunatly this time Erica is the prime suspect. Can Michelle and Erica find the right clues to lead them to the right suspect? You have to read and enjoy the chocolate and books theme to find out.

A enjoyable cozy series I recommend .

[Ann Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me guessing.
Hard to put the book down because each chapter ends with a surprise

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, chocolate & wonderful characters! What more could one ask for? Great series!

[Mikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent storyline although somewhat convoluted and stretches any level of believability, but was entertaining.

[Sara Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second one of the series I’ve read and I will read others.

[Sherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I kept picking this book up and putting it down. Unfortunately this book did not work for me.

[Pat Sawtelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful chocolates, mysterious international characters that disrupt the small town, and a flash mob, mixed with a cat and her kittens just to keep you grounded. Stellar!

[Ruby_blue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light & fun!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, but the author peppers the story with too many characters. I was constantly trying to remember who these people were who only appeared occasionally.

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would still rather read the books as told from Erica's perspective, but Michelle didn't annoy me as much as the first book, so I will continue on with this series.

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book was much like the other, the biggest perk was Erica.

A good cozy read with a nice little romantic spark.