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A Chocolate Whisperer Mystery #1
Criminal Confections
Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on everything chocolate, helping clients develop new products and revamp recipes until they're irresistible. But sometimes, a dash of murder finds its way into the mix. . .Hayden Mundy Moore has bushwhacked through African jungles and haggled in exotic markets to find the finest cacao beans and the most flavorful blends. It's thrilling work but rarely dangerous--until a colleague turns up dead at the exclusive chocolate-themed Lemaître resort spa in San Francisco.
Adrienne Dowling's heart attack is blamed on an accidental overdose of the secret ingredient used in Lemaître Chocolates' new line. Hayden can't believe that conscientious Adrienne would make that mistake. And between chocolate body scrubs, cocoa mud baths, and a non-stop frenzy of chocolate-based treats, Hayden starts to suspect that she, not Adrienne, was the intended target. Finding a killer among the rival chocolatiers and potential suspects won't just be satisfying--it might save her life. . .
Adrienne Dowling's heart attack is blamed on an accidental overdose of the secret ingredient used in Lemaître Chocolates' new line. Hayden can't believe that conscientious Adrienne would make that mistake. And between chocolate body scrubs, cocoa mud baths, and a non-stop frenzy of chocolate-based treats, Hayden starts to suspect that she, not Adrienne, was the intended target. Finding a killer among the rival chocolatiers and potential suspects won't just be satisfying--it might save her life. . .
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2015
98 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Colette London
9 books123 followersColette London is the pseudonym of a best-selling novelist who’s published more than three dozen books worldwide. Her Chocolate Whisperer series from Kensington Books features Criminal Confections, Dangerously Dark, and The Semi-Sweet Hereafter, and will continue with Dead and Ganache in October 2017.
Visit Colette on the web at colettelondon.com, friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/colette.london.books, follow her on Twitter @ twitter.com/Colette__London, or circle her on Google+ at google.com/+Colettelondonbooks today.
Visit Colette on the web at colettelondon.com, friend her on Facebook at facebook.com/colette.london.books, follow her on Twitter @ twitter.com/Colette__London, or circle her on Google+ at google.com/+Colettelondonbooks today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
May 3, 2016
Come for the chocolate....stay for the murder
I read a lot of mixed reviews on this book. Some good, some bad. The characters were unrelatable, the story was too wordy, it was too long. In a way I agreed with most of that but decided to give it a chance any way because I loved the synopsis. I for one was not disappointed.
Hayden Mundy Moore loves her job as a chocolate consultant where she advises chocolate companies how to make their chocolate better. She rubs elbows with award winning chefs. With this job she also travels the world. Christian, CEO of Lemaitre Chocolates invites Hayden whom he also hired to improve his prized confections to a welcome reception chocolate retreat at Maison Lemaitre, where she will be among executives, restauranteurs, and her friend and “bodyguard” Danny. A Chocolate themed resort and spa for a annual industry get together. I was more and more excited as I read.
Adrienne Dowling is Lemaire's head chocolatier and friend of Hayden. She was found dead in Nina Wheeler, the companies PR exec and right hand gal's arms stained in blood. Speculations over Adrienne ingesting a new caffeinated healthy chocolate or a green energy juice and Hayden also thought that that juice was really meant for her to die.
Benard Lemaitre, who founded the chocolate company was banished by nephew,Christian along with the motives and suspects starting to stack up with infidelity, jealousy and sabotage and a rival chocolate company being the name of the game. It was a fun and delicious murder mystery with scrumptious food, with a chocolate themed scavenger hunt, a almost deadly chocolate infused mud bath. Hard to put down, a chocolate lover's kind of mystery. I found Hayden spunky, young and her relationship with her financial advisor, Travis had me in stitches as it reminded me of a friend of mine along with Travis and Danny made it hard for me to resist.
I read a lot of mixed reviews on this book. Some good, some bad. The characters were unrelatable, the story was too wordy, it was too long. In a way I agreed with most of that but decided to give it a chance any way because I loved the synopsis. I for one was not disappointed.
Hayden Mundy Moore loves her job as a chocolate consultant where she advises chocolate companies how to make their chocolate better. She rubs elbows with award winning chefs. With this job she also travels the world. Christian, CEO of Lemaitre Chocolates invites Hayden whom he also hired to improve his prized confections to a welcome reception chocolate retreat at Maison Lemaitre, where she will be among executives, restauranteurs, and her friend and “bodyguard” Danny. A Chocolate themed resort and spa for a annual industry get together. I was more and more excited as I read.
Adrienne Dowling is Lemaire's head chocolatier and friend of Hayden. She was found dead in Nina Wheeler, the companies PR exec and right hand gal's arms stained in blood. Speculations over Adrienne ingesting a new caffeinated healthy chocolate or a green energy juice and Hayden also thought that that juice was really meant for her to die.
Benard Lemaitre, who founded the chocolate company was banished by nephew,Christian along with the motives and suspects starting to stack up with infidelity, jealousy and sabotage and a rival chocolate company being the name of the game. It was a fun and delicious murder mystery with scrumptious food, with a chocolate themed scavenger hunt, a almost deadly chocolate infused mud bath. Hard to put down, a chocolate lover's kind of mystery. I found Hayden spunky, young and her relationship with her financial advisor, Travis had me in stitches as it reminded me of a friend of mine along with Travis and Danny made it hard for me to resist.
February 7, 2015
I love mysteries, have a background in culinary arts, and am addicted to chocolate, so this book totally piqued my interest when I received the email on it. With a cover that caught my attention, I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book.
I really liked how the author begins the story. A "You probably already know..." "But you might not know..." when it comes to chocolate quickly showed me that this book was definitely going to calm my cravings for chocolate, and after all the discussions of it throughout, I felt like I had watched the opening credits of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory ... full, and yet satisfied.
The characters are awesome - even the ones that I'm supposed to dislike. I immediately liked Hayden from page one and found each person that she ran into very interesting. The story is told from her point-of-view, and you get a lot of her snark, and interest in chocolate, throughout the story. I love how she is awkward. She's one of those intellectual people who has had a lot of experiences, and luckily has a trust fund (and financial manager) to help her to not have to deal with money woes, but she really has a hard time dealing with people. It's endearing, to be honest. In a time when there are so many "perfect" heroines in books, it's nice to see some that are real, even if she is real with a trust fund haha.
The resort spa in the story sounds like a place I would love to visit ... but I could do without the murder on my visit. The author describes the setting well, and you learn more about the layout of the place - and the people involved - when they do a chocolate-themed scavenger hunt shortly after her arrival.
The murder was unexpected. Well, not exactly the murder, considering it's a MURDER mystery, but I have a bad habit of reading the first couple of lines of the book synopsis, and nothing more. In this particular case, though, I'm glad that I didn't know who was going to die. I actually thought it was going to be one of two other people, so finding the body was way more surprising for me. (Maybe authors should be elusive with who the murdered party is in their storylines so that their readers can be completely surprised.)
The adventure to find the murderer was exciting and I liked the little side stories along the way. One of my top two favorite mysteries so far this year. These are the kind of mysteries that I like to find and I can only hope that the rest of the mysteries that I read this year are on this level. I can't wait for book #2 to come out. Well done, Ms. London. Well done!
Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my own personal impression of the book.
I really liked how the author begins the story. A "You probably already know..." "But you might not know..." when it comes to chocolate quickly showed me that this book was definitely going to calm my cravings for chocolate, and after all the discussions of it throughout, I felt like I had watched the opening credits of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory ... full, and yet satisfied.
The characters are awesome - even the ones that I'm supposed to dislike. I immediately liked Hayden from page one and found each person that she ran into very interesting. The story is told from her point-of-view, and you get a lot of her snark, and interest in chocolate, throughout the story. I love how she is awkward. She's one of those intellectual people who has had a lot of experiences, and luckily has a trust fund (and financial manager) to help her to not have to deal with money woes, but she really has a hard time dealing with people. It's endearing, to be honest. In a time when there are so many "perfect" heroines in books, it's nice to see some that are real, even if she is real with a trust fund haha.
The resort spa in the story sounds like a place I would love to visit ... but I could do without the murder on my visit. The author describes the setting well, and you learn more about the layout of the place - and the people involved - when they do a chocolate-themed scavenger hunt shortly after her arrival.
The murder was unexpected. Well, not exactly the murder, considering it's a MURDER mystery, but I have a bad habit of reading the first couple of lines of the book synopsis, and nothing more. In this particular case, though, I'm glad that I didn't know who was going to die. I actually thought it was going to be one of two other people, so finding the body was way more surprising for me. (Maybe authors should be elusive with who the murdered party is in their storylines so that their readers can be completely surprised.)
The adventure to find the murderer was exciting and I liked the little side stories along the way. One of my top two favorite mysteries so far this year. These are the kind of mysteries that I like to find and I can only hope that the rest of the mysteries that I read this year are on this level. I can't wait for book #2 to come out. Well done, Ms. London. Well done!
Note: I received a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Please remember that this review is my opinion based on my own personal impression of the book.
January 24, 2015
3-1/2 Stars. If you're a chocolate connoisseur, this is your dream story! Hayden Mundy Moore is a chocolate whisperer. She troubleshoots for major, fine-chocolate manufacturers, fixing inside problems, and suggesting new, innovative ideas to ensure these companies more sweet success. Focusing on the Lemaitre Chocolate Company, Hayden's currently in San Francisco, California, at a posh chocolate-themed resort, headed by Christian Lemaitre, an ego-maniac, bully, liar, and cheater, just to name a few of his undesirable traits. During her evaluation of the company, Hayden's become friends with Adrienne, the head chocolatier. This resort is built around everything chocolate you can imagine, and some you never have!!
When guests are shocked by a sudden death at the resort, Hayden realizes there are all kinds of conspiracies entangled amongst several of the guests and employees at Maison Lemaitre. In fact, someone may even be trying to kill Hayden!! Her longtime best friend, Danny, is hired by Hayden to be her bodyguard. He's a hot, tattooed, muscular guy, and it's kind of hard to believe their relationship is platonic. Hayden is also independently wealthy, but living one year under some mysterious stipulations in her Uncle Ross's will. Mysterious, and frustrating, because the reader isn't given any details on that. Also in play, is Hayden's relationship with her financial advisor/accountant, Travis Turner. She's got a thing going on for his sexy voice, but has never seen or met him in person.
I had difficulties understanding why the police didn't investigate the sudden death. And, why the inheritance part wasn't fully explained--because that also made the ending abrupt. Hayden's character came off as feisty at times--she could talk a great game; but an airhead at other times. The killer was staring her right in the face, but she was oblivious. I figured it out by Chapter 7.
Taking this all into consideration, I feel this plot has good bones, but it needs quite a bit of strengthening of the lead character, Hayden. I hope the second book clears up the information needed about the inheritance.
I was provided a complimentary ebook by NetGalley and Kensington. This review is my own personal opinion and not influenced by anyone else.
When guests are shocked by a sudden death at the resort, Hayden realizes there are all kinds of conspiracies entangled amongst several of the guests and employees at Maison Lemaitre. In fact, someone may even be trying to kill Hayden!! Her longtime best friend, Danny, is hired by Hayden to be her bodyguard. He's a hot, tattooed, muscular guy, and it's kind of hard to believe their relationship is platonic. Hayden is also independently wealthy, but living one year under some mysterious stipulations in her Uncle Ross's will. Mysterious, and frustrating, because the reader isn't given any details on that. Also in play, is Hayden's relationship with her financial advisor/accountant, Travis Turner. She's got a thing going on for his sexy voice, but has never seen or met him in person.
I had difficulties understanding why the police didn't investigate the sudden death. And, why the inheritance part wasn't fully explained--because that also made the ending abrupt. Hayden's character came off as feisty at times--she could talk a great game; but an airhead at other times. The killer was staring her right in the face, but she was oblivious. I figured it out by Chapter 7.
Taking this all into consideration, I feel this plot has good bones, but it needs quite a bit of strengthening of the lead character, Hayden. I hope the second book clears up the information needed about the inheritance.
I was provided a complimentary ebook by NetGalley and Kensington. This review is my own personal opinion and not influenced by anyone else.
January 16, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Hayden’s job is to help rescue chocolate companies and their products when their formulas go awry. She is a chocolate expert that has traveled the world honing her knowledge. She seems to enjoy her job but is quite a procrastinator when it comes to paperwork and filing reports. Oh and she is independently wealthy with a financial adviser she has never met in person but he has a wonderful phone voice that curls her toes. She has known Danny forever and he always comes when she calls. He is a hunk with plenty of woman vying for his attention but his relationship with Hayden is strictly platonic.
I enjoyed this story and it has a great theme for a cozy mystery, but I did have some issues with the whole thing. First, Hayden is rich because of an inheritance she received and it has some unusual caveats and many things the reader is kept in the dark about. And Hayden is supposed to be a very intelligent woman but she does some really stupid things.
Next, I was just completely floored by the way the police just wrote off both the first and second deaths as complete accidents. They did relatively minor investigations that left too many unanswered questions.
Lastly, the mystery seems very more complex than it really is. Sadly I had it figured it out very early but kept reading just so that I knew I was right.
The good thing is that the author has all the right ingredients for this series to be a great success. Hayden and her back story needs to be more defined. She needs to be a much stronger protagonist. The other characters are interesting and as the series continues they need to evolve as well. Also the mystery itself needs be bigger, the clues more hidden to keep the reader guessing. The chocolate theme is fantastic as is Hayden traveling to each new assignment. I am very interested in seeing if the author can take the story to the next level in book #2. She has a good start now she needs to run with it.
September 21, 2016
A fast moving cozy mystery told in first person. I found only a slight plot but the book held my interest most of the time. There is an interesting back story mention at times and I feel we will learn more in later books. The characters need more development. At times I lost interest reading all the chocolate information. Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on all things pertaining to chocolate. She is consulting with Lamaotre Chocolates And at an all chocolate conference. A friend Adrienne Downing dies of apparent overdose of an ingredient in chocolate manufacture. As the conference continues Hayden asked her boyfriend for help as attacks are made on her life. She must find the answer before the act is successful.
Full Disclosure : I received a free copy from Kinsington Press through Netgalley for a honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure : I received a free copy from Kinsington Press through Netgalley for a honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
July 21, 2016
This debut was rather rough for me to finish. I often lost interest and just wasn't intrigued by the story. The main character really annoyed me. I didn't connect with her at all and was put off by the arrogant way she often mentioned her past travels or talked about her expertise because she clearly did nothing professional in this book. She slept in, ate, went to the spa, procrastinated on her reports and then repeated that whole schedule the following day. Her love interest with the financial advisor was strange as well as her "friendship" with the ex con bodyguard. None of them seemed legit or believable. I figured out the culprit fairly early on so the mystery just seemed to drag along. It was strange that the police weren't involved since there were two dead bodies found throughout the week. The author's writing style was a turn off too. There wasn't much character dialogue. Mostly thoughts or descriptions and the MC even addressed the reader a few times which was odd. The only parts I enjoyed in this book were the excessive chocolate chatter and the scenes with Isabel and her adorable dog!
January 22, 2015
A fast moving cozy mystery told in first person. I found only a slight plot but the book held my interest most of the time. There is an interesting back story mention at times and I feel we will learn more in later books. The characters need more development. At times I lost interest reading all the chocolate information. Hayden Mundy Moore is an expert on all things pertaining to chocolate. She is consulting with Lamaotre Chocolates And at an all chocolate conference. A friend Adrienne Downing dies of apparent overdose of an ingredient in chocolate manufacture. As the conference continues Hayden asked her boyfriend for help as attacks are made on her life. She must find the answer before the act is successful.
Full Disclosure : I received a free copy from Kinsington Press through Netgalley for a honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
Full Disclosure : I received a free copy from Kinsington Press through Netgalley for a honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.
January 27, 2015
Okay, a cozy mystery based on chocolate? Of course I'm going to read it!
This first in the Chocolate Whisperer series was a pretty good start. I enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story. I will absolutely read another in this series. However, the story could have been a little stronger. There were a few inconsistencies.
Colette London will have a wonderful series here if she tightens up a few things.
I would recommend you give this book a chance so you too can see just how fun this series could be.
This first in the Chocolate Whisperer series was a pretty good start. I enjoyed the characters and the premise of the story. I will absolutely read another in this series. However, the story could have been a little stronger. There were a few inconsistencies.
Colette London will have a wonderful series here if she tightens up a few things.
I would recommend you give this book a chance so you too can see just how fun this series could be.
September 19, 2018
A worthy first effort in a new series. I was so excited to read a cozy all about chocolate! I enjoyed it, but there wasn't enough substance to go with all the goodies. Hayden is a ditzy protagonist, but she seems a more than a little too goofy to take very seriously. I hope to see more world chocolate destinations and seriously scary situations in future books. I didn't solve the mystery until almost the end so that's a big plus, too.
January 10, 2020
3 Stars because I love mysteries & chocolate, but the plot didn't thrill me.
August 7, 2017
This was a very enjoyable read. Definitely one of the better cozies I have read recently.
First off, let me warn you - this book will make you hungry! Specifically, it will make you constantly want to shove chocolate into your face . . . at least, it made ME want to shove chocolate into my face the entire time I was reading it. Seriously, setting a murder mystery at a resort owned and operated by a famous [fictional] chocolatier and which uses chocolate in everything from the food to the spa treatments, means that almost every page mentions some delectable thing made of chocolate. If you have better willpower than I do, maybe you can get through this book without snacking. If so, more power to you - you are made of stronger stuff than I! For the rest of you, plan to take an extra walk or schedule a few more workouts, because you'll need them to offset the chocolate you'll need to eat as you read this book. Personally, I see that as a selling point!
Hayden is a hilarious character. I love that she talks to the reader as she goes through her adventure at the chocolate resort. She is funny and sarcastic, and she has a very healthy appreciation for the ridiculous, of which there is plenty in this that she experiences. That is my kind of main character and I liked her from the first page, not JUST because she loves everything about chocolate, but that doesn't hurt.
I like Hayden's two potential suitors, both of whom are completely different, but have places in her life, but also there are obstacles [aren't there always, with a cozy?!] for both of them becoming more in Hayden's life. There were introductions of these two guys, but it is definitely early days. The interplay between Hayden and Danny, and Hayden and Travis was very entertaining and very cleverly conceived. I like this triangle quite a bit.
The murder mystery was enjoyable, and the murderer was not someone I even considered as the killer, so I guess that is a good thing, although I never try to figure out the killer in advance so I can't say if sufficient clues were given for those who do. The way the story played out, the setting of the resort, and the inclusion of chocolate-related stuff into almost everything was a fun focus, especially if you like chocolate [and if you don't - what the HECK???]
The one thing that perplexed me a little about this was the situation with Hayden's inheritance from an uncle that is mentioned, but only briefly, and with no real explanation for what seems to be odd stipulations about what Hayden has to do to keep the money she's inherited. I don't know if the author intended to be mysterious about this aspect, but it bugged me that there were only a couple of vague mentions without any more clarification about this. Hopefully the next book in the series will explain this.
But the inheritance was a minor gripe. Basically, this was the perfect cozy for me, focusing as it did on something I am ALL IN about - chocolate! The recipes at the end were good, the story was fun, I loved the characters, and there's plenty of potential for future books. I will definitely be watching for more books in this series.
First off, let me warn you - this book will make you hungry! Specifically, it will make you constantly want to shove chocolate into your face . . . at least, it made ME want to shove chocolate into my face the entire time I was reading it. Seriously, setting a murder mystery at a resort owned and operated by a famous [fictional] chocolatier and which uses chocolate in everything from the food to the spa treatments, means that almost every page mentions some delectable thing made of chocolate. If you have better willpower than I do, maybe you can get through this book without snacking. If so, more power to you - you are made of stronger stuff than I! For the rest of you, plan to take an extra walk or schedule a few more workouts, because you'll need them to offset the chocolate you'll need to eat as you read this book. Personally, I see that as a selling point!
Hayden is a hilarious character. I love that she talks to the reader as she goes through her adventure at the chocolate resort. She is funny and sarcastic, and she has a very healthy appreciation for the ridiculous, of which there is plenty in this that she experiences. That is my kind of main character and I liked her from the first page, not JUST because she loves everything about chocolate, but that doesn't hurt.
I like Hayden's two potential suitors, both of whom are completely different, but have places in her life, but also there are obstacles [aren't there always, with a cozy?!] for both of them becoming more in Hayden's life. There were introductions of these two guys, but it is definitely early days. The interplay between Hayden and Danny, and Hayden and Travis was very entertaining and very cleverly conceived. I like this triangle quite a bit.
The murder mystery was enjoyable, and the murderer was not someone I even considered as the killer, so I guess that is a good thing, although I never try to figure out the killer in advance so I can't say if sufficient clues were given for those who do. The way the story played out, the setting of the resort, and the inclusion of chocolate-related stuff into almost everything was a fun focus, especially if you like chocolate [and if you don't - what the HECK???]
The one thing that perplexed me a little about this was the situation with Hayden's inheritance from an uncle that is mentioned, but only briefly, and with no real explanation for what seems to be odd stipulations about what Hayden has to do to keep the money she's inherited. I don't know if the author intended to be mysterious about this aspect, but it bugged me that there were only a couple of vague mentions without any more clarification about this. Hopefully the next book in the series will explain this.
But the inheritance was a minor gripe. Basically, this was the perfect cozy for me, focusing as it did on something I am ALL IN about - chocolate! The recipes at the end were good, the story was fun, I loved the characters, and there's plenty of potential for future books. I will definitely be watching for more books in this series.
March 7, 2017
Hayden Mundy Moore is a chocolate whisperer. Due to her insanely, insanely high level of knowledge of all things chocolate, companies in trouble hire Hayden to troubleshoot their chocolate and turn business around. Thanks to an inheritance from an eccentric uncle, Hayden has traveled the world in search of the perfect cacao bean and found a niche in the chocolate market. Though part of her longs to settle down and get a dog, her uncle's will and her own free spirit dictate she grab her duffle and crossbody bag and go. Now she finds herself at a chichi San Francisco hotel consulting for the prestigious Lemaître Chocolates new "healthy" caffeine infused chocolate line. Hayden thinks the line is doomed to start but reluctant to tell the demanding Lemaître Chocolates head, Christian. Who wants to write a report when there's a scrumptious chocolate spa and a yummy chocolate themed retreat to attend? While she waits for her guy pal Danny to show, Hayden reconnects with chocolatier Adrienne, desperate to please her boss with this new healthy chocolate line. Hayden agrees to help Adrienne in the kitchen and break the bad news later. When after a frantic reception, Adrienne turns up dead, Hayden is freaked. Adrienne was such a sweetheart and so good at her job. Who would want to kill her? Danny, an expert in all things criminal, believes Hayden was the actual target. Who would want to kill a chocolate whisperer and why? Hayden is determined to honor Adrienne's memory by solving the mystery despite the insistence of the police that Adrienne overdosed on something.
Be still my heart. I want to move in to Maison Lemaître NOW! I don't do chichi or gourmet chocolates. I don't think I'd like the spa but that breakfast buffet? The chocolate caramel frappes? The free samples? I'd sign up for that retreat! The setting is unique for a cozy mystery. San Francisco is not a small town by any stretch of the imagination but the hotel provides the insular community common to this type of mystery. Needless to say the descriptions of all the chocolate had this chocoholic drooling. Actually, I felt like I overdosed on sugar and needed a big drink of water and something more healthy to eat It provides a fun vicarious experience to read about chocolate. The recipes in the back look like fun and I want to try that chocolate mousse.
The mystery itself is very engaging. I couldn't put it down. I was not surprised by the identity of the murderer. I figured it out just before Hayden stumbled into the truth. I was surprised by the reason behind the murder. That was tragic and unexpected.
The characters in the novel are not super appealing. I like Hayden, my fellow chocoholic and anti-exercise soul sister. She can be too stubborn and too naive at times though. I didn't like how she stumbled into the mystery but she did play it safe and smart while investigating. I have mixed feelings about her friend Danny. I'm not sure what to make of him. Hayden can be naive but I believe Danny is a loyal friend who deserves Hayden's support. The other two characters I liked were Bernard and Nina. Poor Bernard is obviously passionate about chocolate and his company. He seems like he was a great boss but of course he's now elderly by business standards and his ideas outdated. He seemed nice but his erratic behavior frightened me as much as it did Hayden and I wondered whether he could be a murderer. If he is, he has a good motive. Nina is overworked and anxious. She could use some time at the Maison Lemaître spa. Her stress level made me nervous.
I disliked Christian, Rex and Isabel. Christian is a ruthless businessman. At least he seems that way at first but I found his character surprisingly well developed. He was on my list of suspects due to his behavior. He certainly had motive to kill. Rex is a total sleaze. I couldn't stand him. His character is not well developed. Rex had motive for murdering someone but I'm not sure if he had a good motive to murder Adrienne. Isabel confused me. She's a spoiled trophy wife. She is alternately nice and witchy at the same time. I don't know what to make of her but for sure she had a motive for murder!
I can't wait to read the next two books in this series! I am eager to see where Hayden ends up next.
Be still my heart. I want to move in to Maison Lemaître NOW! I don't do chichi or gourmet chocolates. I don't think I'd like the spa but that breakfast buffet? The chocolate caramel frappes? The free samples? I'd sign up for that retreat! The setting is unique for a cozy mystery. San Francisco is not a small town by any stretch of the imagination but the hotel provides the insular community common to this type of mystery. Needless to say the descriptions of all the chocolate had this chocoholic drooling. Actually, I felt like I overdosed on sugar and needed a big drink of water and something more healthy to eat It provides a fun vicarious experience to read about chocolate. The recipes in the back look like fun and I want to try that chocolate mousse.
The mystery itself is very engaging. I couldn't put it down. I was not surprised by the identity of the murderer. I figured it out just before Hayden stumbled into the truth. I was surprised by the reason behind the murder. That was tragic and unexpected.
The characters in the novel are not super appealing. I like Hayden, my fellow chocoholic and anti-exercise soul sister. She can be too stubborn and too naive at times though. I didn't like how she stumbled into the mystery but she did play it safe and smart while investigating. I have mixed feelings about her friend Danny. I'm not sure what to make of him. Hayden can be naive but I believe Danny is a loyal friend who deserves Hayden's support. The other two characters I liked were Bernard and Nina. Poor Bernard is obviously passionate about chocolate and his company. He seems like he was a great boss but of course he's now elderly by business standards and his ideas outdated. He seemed nice but his erratic behavior frightened me as much as it did Hayden and I wondered whether he could be a murderer. If he is, he has a good motive. Nina is overworked and anxious. She could use some time at the Maison Lemaître spa. Her stress level made me nervous.
I disliked Christian, Rex and Isabel. Christian is a ruthless businessman. At least he seems that way at first but I found his character surprisingly well developed. He was on my list of suspects due to his behavior. He certainly had motive to kill. Rex is a total sleaze. I couldn't stand him. His character is not well developed. Rex had motive for murdering someone but I'm not sure if he had a good motive to murder Adrienne. Isabel confused me. She's a spoiled trophy wife. She is alternately nice and witchy at the same time. I don't know what to make of her but for sure she had a motive for murder!
I can't wait to read the next two books in this series! I am eager to see where Hayden ends up next.
November 5, 2017
This is a story about a chocolate whisperer. Her job is to go to high end chocolate companies, taste their chocolate confections and tell them how to fix the recipe. Of course, all this is done incognito because no company wants to advertise that they have a problem with a product. Hayden gets invited to this high end resort because she is working for the owner of the resort Lemaitre confections. She is allowed to bring a plus 1 with her and chooses her long time friend Danny. Danny spent time in prison and is now running a security company. He is your typical bad boy and everyone warns Hayden away from him. While there her new friend Adrienne dies of an overdose suspected to be in the green health drink she was consuming and gave some to Hayden. Hayden decides that Adrienne wouldn't overdose so suspects she is murdered and set out to prove it and there are plenty of suspects. I thought the book was well written with bigger than average words - some I had to look up to ensure their meaning - but they fit. I liked that. Due to the way that the author treated the suspects in the story, I knew who it was long before the end so only a 3 on this one folks. I will read on in the series because I thought the topic and premise good and hopefully the author gets a little bit more conniving in her presentations on the next ones.
I learned a lot about chocolate making too!!!
I learned a lot about chocolate making too!!!
June 29, 2017
Rating: 4.5 stars
Lovely setting, good mystery, interesting characters, learned about chocolate...what could be better?
Hayden Mundy Moore is known as the 'chocolate whisperer' due to her job as a consultant to chocolate companies needing anything from a look at why their recipe is failing to how to boost sales. However, she gets herself embroiled in murder during a weekend of chocolate festivities in San Francisco. When an employee of Lemaitre Chocolates is found dead after trying to develop a secret new line of chocolates Hayden finds herself scared, intrigued, and possibly a target. Complicating matters are Lemaitre family politics, a nosy reporter, and Hayden's personal manager Travis and friend Danny which make for a very entertaining first entry in a series. Recipes included.
Lovely setting, good mystery, interesting characters, learned about chocolate...what could be better?
Hayden Mundy Moore is known as the 'chocolate whisperer' due to her job as a consultant to chocolate companies needing anything from a look at why their recipe is failing to how to boost sales. However, she gets herself embroiled in murder during a weekend of chocolate festivities in San Francisco. When an employee of Lemaitre Chocolates is found dead after trying to develop a secret new line of chocolates Hayden finds herself scared, intrigued, and possibly a target. Complicating matters are Lemaitre family politics, a nosy reporter, and Hayden's personal manager Travis and friend Danny which make for a very entertaining first entry in a series. Recipes included.
March 8, 2018
Great mystery! The main character has an interesting “voice” and style. At first all of her metaphors wore me out but I started to enjoy her quirky style in time. I’ll definitely try book 2.
February 12, 2015
3, maybe 3.5 stars
Chocolate! How could I resist a book about chocolate, and a cozy mystery at that? I don't walk away from chocolate (though I probably should once in a while. :D) Anyway, I had to read it. If you're a chocolate lover, you'll learn more about chocolate and there are recipes! I intend to try out the chocolate butter, nom, and the chocolate espresso pedicure scrub. Some of the food descriptions in the story had me drooling; I suggest you eat before reading this book!
But I digress. Hayden is a chocolate gourmand and expert who makes her living troubleshooting for companies that sell chocolate, both big and little. She's attending a retreat hosted by the company that she's currently working for. She invites her friend Danny, a former con who now has his own security company, to attend the retreat with her.
Things happen quickly once Hayden arrives at the retreat - she has an encounter with her employer, an encounter with a chef she's become friends with, and before long she receives both a business and sexual proposition from her employer's competition, and then her friend the chef dies suddenly. Was it accidental, a suicide, or a murder? That's just the beginning of the questions - who is the saboteur? Is there even a saboteur? Who was sleeping with whom? Who is smarmier, the current CEO of Lemaître, or the CEO of his competitor, Melt? Is the former CEO going senile? Is his wife having an affair? Does anyone at this retreat ever eat healthy food that's chocolate free? Will Hayden ever get her accountant/business manager Travis to tell her what he's wearing? Hayden is attracted to his deep, sexy voice (I am a sucker for those too, sigh) and determined to break through his seemingly rigid, narrow behavior. We never actually meet Travis, his scenes are all on the telephone. He is the trustee of an estate left to Hayden by her now deceased uncle.
For reasons that London never makes clear, Hayden inherits and keeps the money only if she keeps traveling; three months in one location appears to be her allowed max. That part was odd and never made sense. London established that Hayden enjoys traveling and it's a large part of her work. Then later, after that's been well established, suddenly Hayden has a yearning to settle down.We never get an explanation for the switch or for why her uncle's will had such a strange stipulation. I couldn't help but wonder if such a stipulation would be legal in the real world or would a court throw it out. It helps to ensure that Hayden will travel and books in the series will take place in different locations but for me the believability factor was low. London also had Hayden think and state ad nausem that this is the first, last, and only murder she's ever, ever, EVER going to investigate. Well of course, we know that's not true because the book is clearly marked as the first in a series. Now the author will have to work overtime to make Hayden's involvement in the next book believable. I think she was trying for foreshadowing but instead we were hit over the head repeatedly with Hayden's insistence. Also, her friend Danny the security expert? A really rotten body guard. He should fire himself. He was conveniently MIA whenever Hayden was being injured or threatened.
So, those problems aside, I did enjoy the story. I was completely able to relate to Hayden's procrastination tendencies and her dislike of being bossed around. I also enjoyed her snarky humor. She was a mix of smart, sassy, spunky, and oh my gosh can she really be so dimwitted? She sees evil intentions everywhere but when the killer is staring her in the face, literally staring her in the face and admitting guilt, it goes right over head for far too long. I did guess who the killer was but not the motivation. The company, Lemaître, is practically overflowing with backstabbing, plots and plans, theft, and sabotage. Apparently, working for a chocolate company is not as musical or whimsical as, say, Willie Wonka's chocolate factory. London gives us many clues and red herrings and there are several viable candidates for the killer.
London writes an engaging story, one that kept me scrolling the pages to see what would happen next. Hayden, Danny, and Travis as well as Nina the PR person, Isabel the former CEO's trophy wife, etc. were quirky, interesting, and never boring. The mystery kept me guessing, the food scenes sounded delicious, and I am curious to see what happens next and see both Hayden and Danny again, as well as encounter Travis again. If this book comes out in audio, I hope the narrator can pull off Travis's deep, sexy voice, or the audio version will be disappointing. Anyway, if you like quirky characters and foodie cozies, pick up "Criminal Confections". But remember to eat first!
Chocolate! How could I resist a book about chocolate, and a cozy mystery at that? I don't walk away from chocolate (though I probably should once in a while. :D) Anyway, I had to read it. If you're a chocolate lover, you'll learn more about chocolate and there are recipes! I intend to try out the chocolate butter, nom, and the chocolate espresso pedicure scrub. Some of the food descriptions in the story had me drooling; I suggest you eat before reading this book!
But I digress. Hayden is a chocolate gourmand and expert who makes her living troubleshooting for companies that sell chocolate, both big and little. She's attending a retreat hosted by the company that she's currently working for. She invites her friend Danny, a former con who now has his own security company, to attend the retreat with her.
Things happen quickly once Hayden arrives at the retreat - she has an encounter with her employer, an encounter with a chef she's become friends with, and before long she receives both a business and sexual proposition from her employer's competition, and then her friend the chef dies suddenly. Was it accidental, a suicide, or a murder? That's just the beginning of the questions - who is the saboteur? Is there even a saboteur? Who was sleeping with whom? Who is smarmier, the current CEO of Lemaître, or the CEO of his competitor, Melt? Is the former CEO going senile? Is his wife having an affair? Does anyone at this retreat ever eat healthy food that's chocolate free? Will Hayden ever get her accountant/business manager Travis to tell her what he's wearing? Hayden is attracted to his deep, sexy voice (I am a sucker for those too, sigh) and determined to break through his seemingly rigid, narrow behavior. We never actually meet Travis, his scenes are all on the telephone. He is the trustee of an estate left to Hayden by her now deceased uncle.
For reasons that London never makes clear, Hayden inherits and keeps the money only if she keeps traveling; three months in one location appears to be her allowed max. That part was odd and never made sense. London established that Hayden enjoys traveling and it's a large part of her work. Then later, after that's been well established, suddenly Hayden has a yearning to settle down.We never get an explanation for the switch or for why her uncle's will had such a strange stipulation. I couldn't help but wonder if such a stipulation would be legal in the real world or would a court throw it out. It helps to ensure that Hayden will travel and books in the series will take place in different locations but for me the believability factor was low. London also had Hayden think and state ad nausem that this is the first, last, and only murder she's ever, ever, EVER going to investigate. Well of course, we know that's not true because the book is clearly marked as the first in a series. Now the author will have to work overtime to make Hayden's involvement in the next book believable. I think she was trying for foreshadowing but instead we were hit over the head repeatedly with Hayden's insistence. Also, her friend Danny the security expert? A really rotten body guard. He should fire himself. He was conveniently MIA whenever Hayden was being injured or threatened.
So, those problems aside, I did enjoy the story. I was completely able to relate to Hayden's procrastination tendencies and her dislike of being bossed around. I also enjoyed her snarky humor. She was a mix of smart, sassy, spunky, and oh my gosh can she really be so dimwitted? She sees evil intentions everywhere but when the killer is staring her in the face, literally staring her in the face and admitting guilt, it goes right over head for far too long. I did guess who the killer was but not the motivation. The company, Lemaître, is practically overflowing with backstabbing, plots and plans, theft, and sabotage. Apparently, working for a chocolate company is not as musical or whimsical as, say, Willie Wonka's chocolate factory. London gives us many clues and red herrings and there are several viable candidates for the killer.
London writes an engaging story, one that kept me scrolling the pages to see what would happen next. Hayden, Danny, and Travis as well as Nina the PR person, Isabel the former CEO's trophy wife, etc. were quirky, interesting, and never boring. The mystery kept me guessing, the food scenes sounded delicious, and I am curious to see what happens next and see both Hayden and Danny again, as well as encounter Travis again. If this book comes out in audio, I hope the narrator can pull off Travis's deep, sexy voice, or the audio version will be disappointing. Anyway, if you like quirky characters and foodie cozies, pick up "Criminal Confections". But remember to eat first!
November 6, 2017
I admit, at first, I was hesitant to start this series because the reviews are so mixed. I’m glad I gave it a chance. Culinary cozies are my favorite and this book will definitely activate your sweet tooth. Since I live close to Chocolate Town, USA (Hershey, PA), I’ve had the pleasure to indulge in some of the treatments and “all things chocolate” experiences. It was fun to get lost in that decadence.
The characters are engaging. I immediately liked Hayden from page one and found each person that she ran into interesting. The story is told from her point-of-view, and you get a lot of her personality throughout the story. I love how she is awkward. She's one of those intellectual people who has had a lot of experiences. She easily makes friends but is by no means a people person. It's nice to see her imperfections and how the author makes her relatable. The setting is divine and will have you craving a chocolate fix. You can easily lose yourself envisioning the spa treatments. The book held my interest most of the time. There is an interesting back story mentioned and I feel we will learn more in later books. The premise of not being in any location for more than a few months opens up endless opportunities for future settings. The characters have plenty of room for growth and development. At times reading all the chocolate information becomes a bit too detailed but I still found it very interesting. I was completely able to relate to Hayden's procrastination tendencies. She was a mix of smart, sassy, spunky, and humor. The mystery and the motive kept me guessing. I am curious to see what happens next and see both Hayden and Danny again, as well as getting the opportunity to finally meet Travis.
The characters are engaging. I immediately liked Hayden from page one and found each person that she ran into interesting. The story is told from her point-of-view, and you get a lot of her personality throughout the story. I love how she is awkward. She's one of those intellectual people who has had a lot of experiences. She easily makes friends but is by no means a people person. It's nice to see her imperfections and how the author makes her relatable. The setting is divine and will have you craving a chocolate fix. You can easily lose yourself envisioning the spa treatments. The book held my interest most of the time. There is an interesting back story mentioned and I feel we will learn more in later books. The premise of not being in any location for more than a few months opens up endless opportunities for future settings. The characters have plenty of room for growth and development. At times reading all the chocolate information becomes a bit too detailed but I still found it very interesting. I was completely able to relate to Hayden's procrastination tendencies. She was a mix of smart, sassy, spunky, and humor. The mystery and the motive kept me guessing. I am curious to see what happens next and see both Hayden and Danny again, as well as getting the opportunity to finally meet Travis.
January 25, 2015
Who couldn't like a book where the main character is the "chocolate whisperer" and there is food and spa items with chocolate in them?! It was like I could almost taste it but without all those calories!
I have to say that I suspected the killer a little over halfway through it. As per my usual, I just suspected something about this person but couldn't pin anything down as to why I thought they were the killer. Hey, I'm just thrilled to have guessed the right person!
I would have liked to learned more about how Hayden helped chocolate companies or restaurants with their chocolate problems. There is a brief mention but I would really like to see more detail in the explanation mainly because I love to cook and wonder how others are able to fix recipes and dishes.
There could be a love triangle between Hayden, Danny and Travis (who she hasn't met yet) but not sure if Danny really feels anything for her other than friendship. So maybe no love triangle but only future books will tell.
I think the concept of this book is very interesting and am hoping with future books we learn more about how Hayden inherited all the money she has and why there is a stipulation on why she has to keep moving and not stay in one place more than 3 months.
Lots of good characters in this first book but only a few will mostly likely continue on to future books since the majority were tied to her current job.
I have to say that I suspected the killer a little over halfway through it. As per my usual, I just suspected something about this person but couldn't pin anything down as to why I thought they were the killer. Hey, I'm just thrilled to have guessed the right person!
I would have liked to learned more about how Hayden helped chocolate companies or restaurants with their chocolate problems. There is a brief mention but I would really like to see more detail in the explanation mainly because I love to cook and wonder how others are able to fix recipes and dishes.
There could be a love triangle between Hayden, Danny and Travis (who she hasn't met yet) but not sure if Danny really feels anything for her other than friendship. So maybe no love triangle but only future books will tell.
I think the concept of this book is very interesting and am hoping with future books we learn more about how Hayden inherited all the money she has and why there is a stipulation on why she has to keep moving and not stay in one place more than 3 months.
Lots of good characters in this first book but only a few will mostly likely continue on to future books since the majority were tied to her current job.
January 23, 2015
**I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.**
What can I say other then I loved this book. I really liked the premise of this story, as a roving Confectioner, there is no small town feel. While I love that it can occasionally become stagnant. This option opens up an unlimited umber of possibilities. I love Hayden and Danny and Travis. I was a little worried that this was a set up for a love triangle that would span 15 books with no end. Thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case. I was pleasantly surprised by the recipes at the end and the chocolate knowledge interspersed through out the book. I was worried it would be like some other series that can come across as patronizing or seeming to just fill the word count quota with endless facts about whatever food the main character centers on. This wasn't the case. I am also finding that I like a younger heroine in my cozies who has her stuff together a little more and isn't constantly struggling to make ends meet. Its nice to change it up once in a while. I was also impressed with the mystery. I didn't know who it would be until just before the big reveal. All in all a great first book in what I am sure will be a successful series.
What can I say other then I loved this book. I really liked the premise of this story, as a roving Confectioner, there is no small town feel. While I love that it can occasionally become stagnant. This option opens up an unlimited umber of possibilities. I love Hayden and Danny and Travis. I was a little worried that this was a set up for a love triangle that would span 15 books with no end. Thankfully that doesn't seem to be the case. I was pleasantly surprised by the recipes at the end and the chocolate knowledge interspersed through out the book. I was worried it would be like some other series that can come across as patronizing or seeming to just fill the word count quota with endless facts about whatever food the main character centers on. This wasn't the case. I am also finding that I like a younger heroine in my cozies who has her stuff together a little more and isn't constantly struggling to make ends meet. Its nice to change it up once in a while. I was also impressed with the mystery. I didn't know who it would be until just before the big reveal. All in all a great first book in what I am sure will be a successful series.
January 3, 2015
I received this book through NetGalley, and was quite excited to read it as it sounded like a charming little mystery book. Unfortunately, I was rather disappointed. I'm giving this book 2.5 stars. The book started out well, and I found it to be rather endearing~ reminding me of watching Murder, She Wrote. The main character arrives at an event, a murder takes place, and she subsequently spends the rest of her time trying to solve "whodunit".
The disappointing part of this book is that the main character, Hayden and her bodyguard pal are the only ones to suspect a murder. The police are not involved, but Hayden takes it upon herself to uncover this supposed murder, putting herself in silly and often ridiculous scenarios. By the halfway point of this book, it really starts to unravel as the actions of the other characters just seem to go in circles, and it becomes rather confusing of what has been happening at Lemaitre Chocolates.
Overall, a disappointing storyline with little action and very poor character development.
The disappointing part of this book is that the main character, Hayden and her bodyguard pal are the only ones to suspect a murder. The police are not involved, but Hayden takes it upon herself to uncover this supposed murder, putting herself in silly and often ridiculous scenarios. By the halfway point of this book, it really starts to unravel as the actions of the other characters just seem to go in circles, and it becomes rather confusing of what has been happening at Lemaitre Chocolates.
Overall, a disappointing storyline with little action and very poor character development.
January 27, 2015
In the first installment of Colette London's Chocolate Whisperer Mystery cozy series, Criminal Confections, we were introduced to Hayden Mundy Moore, a chocolate whisperer in the world of chocolate-making. When she was a consultant for the Le Maitre Chocolate retreat convention in San Francisco. But not everything's so sweet for Hayden's experience. First her first close friend, Adrienne, was poisoned by something in her drink. Then one of the chocolate company's rivals was accidentally killed and fell off the cliff. Now it was up to Hayden to find out what was going on in the company, when she learned secrets and lies and vicious rumors. She needed her friend Danny as her bodyguard and advice from her boss Travis on the phone. The closer to the truth she had gotten on who was the killer, the more attempts were made on her life. This was a new delicious new culinary cozy that featured chocolate recipes, a real delectable treat.
February 12, 2015
Hayden helps chocolatiers enhance their reputation and expertise in the specialist market. She's invited to a weekend retreat for one chocolate company who have secretly employed her to investigate one of their new lines. She is due to submit a report but is enjoying everything the retreat has to offer whilst she is there. When one of the girls she's befriended at the company dies in suspicious circumstances she begins to wonder how safe she is. When a rival chocolate maker is also found dead she looks at each person she's been in contact with - wondering whether it could be them!
It was a lovely easy read - set in a wonderful world of chocolate!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
It was a lovely easy read - set in a wonderful world of chocolate!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
December 13, 2016
The first in a series of chocolate themed cosies. I enjoyed this very much, not least because it really sounds like a dream job - travelling the world and discussing, reporting about and tasting chocolate AND getting paid for it!
The characters were well fleshed out and I liked the San Francisco-area setting, too. It was well done. There were enough characters to make it interesting but not too many to confuse it, and the mystery was done well enough that, although I had an idea who had done it, I finished it to see if I had been right (I was).
A solid first book and I'll definitely be looking for the next one in the series.
The characters were well fleshed out and I liked the San Francisco-area setting, too. It was well done. There were enough characters to make it interesting but not too many to confuse it, and the mystery was done well enough that, although I had an idea who had done it, I finished it to see if I had been right (I was).
A solid first book and I'll definitely be looking for the next one in the series.
May 11, 2016
Interesting that this had a little bit more of a chick lit feel than your typical cozy mystery. It still takes place within a contained set of characters, but Hayden is a little more career-minded and sexually active than you usually find in cozies. This first in the series is enjoyable, even though the murderer was pretty obvious, but the luscious descriptions of chocolate desserts and spa treatments were delightful to read (as long as I had a good supply of Cadbury Mini Eggs on hand).
February 5, 2015
This is an enjoyable read, it was slow to start but it did hold my interest and I liked getting to know Hayden Mundy Moore, a chocolate whisperer.I'm looking forward to finding out what she is up to in the next one.
September 25, 2023
Criminal Confections by Colette London offers a sweet, chocolate-infused mystery that will satisfy your craving for a cozy culinary read. While it didn't quite melt my heart like a perfectly tempered truffle, it delivered an enjoyable mix of intrigue and indulgence.
The premise of a chocolatier-turned-sleuth is undeniably charming, and the author does a commendable job of immersing readers in the tantalizing world of high-end chocolate-making. Hayden Mundy Moore's expertise in all things chocolate is an intriguing backdrop, and her globetrotting adventures in pursuit of the finest cacao beans add a dash of exoticism to the narrative.
However, despite the delectable setting and promising premise, the execution of the mystery left me somewhat unsatisfied. The plot's development was a bit predictable, and I found myself deducing the identity of the culprit well before the big reveal. The character development also left a little to be desired, as many of the supporting characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional.
On the positive side, the chocolate-themed resort and its extravagant amenities were vividly described, making me wish I could indulge in such an experience myself. The various chocolate-based treats and spa treatments were a delightful touch, and it's evident that the author has a genuine passion for the subject matter.
In summary, Criminal Confections is a light and entertaining read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a culinary twist. While it didn't fully satisfy my literary palate, it provides a pleasant diversion into the world of chocolate, making it a decent choice for a cozy night in.
The premise of a chocolatier-turned-sleuth is undeniably charming, and the author does a commendable job of immersing readers in the tantalizing world of high-end chocolate-making. Hayden Mundy Moore's expertise in all things chocolate is an intriguing backdrop, and her globetrotting adventures in pursuit of the finest cacao beans add a dash of exoticism to the narrative.
However, despite the delectable setting and promising premise, the execution of the mystery left me somewhat unsatisfied. The plot's development was a bit predictable, and I found myself deducing the identity of the culprit well before the big reveal. The character development also left a little to be desired, as many of the supporting characters lacked depth and felt one-dimensional.
On the positive side, the chocolate-themed resort and its extravagant amenities were vividly described, making me wish I could indulge in such an experience myself. The various chocolate-based treats and spa treatments were a delightful touch, and it's evident that the author has a genuine passion for the subject matter.
In summary, Criminal Confections is a light and entertaining read for those who enjoy cozy mysteries with a culinary twist. While it didn't fully satisfy my literary palate, it provides a pleasant diversion into the world of chocolate, making it a decent choice for a cozy night in.
October 10, 2018
A cozy mystery wit a cute cover, this is what got me interested in the book. It ended up being an ok read. It was entertaining and some characters were pretty fun, but it had some problems.
The main one is that I knew who the killer was too early into the book. Way to early. And the problem is that I was 100% sure, not questioning it at all as it was too obvious. This kind of takes a lot away from a mystery/crime book. The author went with a very overdone formula that any person who reads crime books knows and there were too many obvious clues for us.
I didn't dislike the main character, she had a bit of an arrogant character but it wasn't too annoying. Yet her world traveling and inheritance were mentioned way too often and they had nothing to do with the story. Maybe there will be more about it in the second book.
The chocolate theme was pretty original. I liked it. I was very jealous of the characters who went to the chocolate spa. I sure would like that. And I also ate a bit of chocolate while reading. I will most likely read the second book as well. But if I solve it as fast as this one I will probably be done with the series,
The main one is that I knew who the killer was too early into the book. Way to early. And the problem is that I was 100% sure, not questioning it at all as it was too obvious. This kind of takes a lot away from a mystery/crime book. The author went with a very overdone formula that any person who reads crime books knows and there were too many obvious clues for us.
I didn't dislike the main character, she had a bit of an arrogant character but it wasn't too annoying. Yet her world traveling and inheritance were mentioned way too often and they had nothing to do with the story. Maybe there will be more about it in the second book.
The chocolate theme was pretty original. I liked it. I was very jealous of the characters who went to the chocolate spa. I sure would like that. And I also ate a bit of chocolate while reading. I will most likely read the second book as well. But if I solve it as fast as this one I will probably be done with the series,
June 19, 2017
Hayden is a interesting character. I like her due to her adventures in life. I love Chocolate and reading this book my mouth watered listening to all the chocolate. She is on a job and her last assignment is almost done she just has to do this retreat. Unfortunately one of the people she met on her assignment dies of a heart attack. through the turmoil you learn she was actually murdered and someone seems to be after Hayden. Their were few characters I liked. I loved Bernard for some reason, I think other than the mystery I was into who was Travis, her financial advisor. I do say i was not all that surprised on the murderer. Maybe it was because my first impression was I didn't like this person. Overall i did enjoy this book and cant wait to read the next.
July 9, 2018
Charlie's Angels, well sort of. If you only had one and if they were completely unprepared for the role. Great read
Fabulous. Working with chocolate is most people's dream, however what should have been a great couple of day's turns into a nightmare with murder, attempted murder and company espionage galore. A shadowy trustee and a body guard might be the only thing standing between her and a untimely end. Great humour and a tightly woven plot will keep you guessing and reading until the end. The characters are delightful and the heroine is just the right mix of naivety and confidence. Reminds me of the series Charlie's Angels but with an angel that is totally unprepared for her role. A recommended read.
Fabulous. Working with chocolate is most people's dream, however what should have been a great couple of day's turns into a nightmare with murder, attempted murder and company espionage galore. A shadowy trustee and a body guard might be the only thing standing between her and a untimely end. Great humour and a tightly woven plot will keep you guessing and reading until the end. The characters are delightful and the heroine is just the right mix of naivety and confidence. Reminds me of the series Charlie's Angels but with an angel that is totally unprepared for her role. A recommended read.
March 10, 2018
Had a love-hate relationship with this book. Loved all the technical chocolate tasting details. Thought this was truly unique and well done. This was in first half of book with great food descriptions. This will make me give the second book in series a chance.
Second half of book was back and forth from suspect to suspect. Anything chocolate related was not in second half, except cursory mentions. It was like 2 different books. Also an older business owner was constantly thought of as an Alzheimer candidate by protagonist. Horrible ageism.
Second half of book was back and forth from suspect to suspect. Anything chocolate related was not in second half, except cursory mentions. It was like 2 different books. Also an older business owner was constantly thought of as an Alzheimer candidate by protagonist. Horrible ageism.
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