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Chocolate Centered Mystery #8
Custom-Made Murder
Ally and Charlotte Sweet love working together at ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ making chocolate delights. Ally is excited to finally be meeting Charlotte’s friend, Jeff, who has a special place in Charlotte’s heart.
But everything is put on hold when Jeff is accused of murder. Charlotte believes that he is innocent and enrols the help of Ally to try and clear his name. Arnold, their lovable pot-bellied pig, and Peaches, their trusted cat, support them in their investigative endeavours.
But with the evidence piling up against Jeff it is a race against the clock to find the murderer before he lands up permanently behind bars.
Will Charlotte and Ally be able to link together the chain of clues to solve the murder? Or has Charlotte been deceived and Jeff really is the murderer?
Recipe Included: Gooey Chocolate Cakes
But everything is put on hold when Jeff is accused of murder. Charlotte believes that he is innocent and enrols the help of Ally to try and clear his name. Arnold, their lovable pot-bellied pig, and Peaches, their trusted cat, support them in their investigative endeavours.
But with the evidence piling up against Jeff it is a race against the clock to find the murderer before he lands up permanently behind bars.
Will Charlotte and Ally be able to link together the chain of clues to solve the murder? Or has Charlotte been deceived and Jeff really is the murderer?
Recipe Included: Gooey Chocolate Cakes
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 10, 2017
256 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 13, 2018
Enjoyable quick read. Great for a weekend......and everyone likes a pet potbellied pig!
December 31, 2024
Book 8 and the main character and boyfriend have not even gone past first base. I realize these are "cozy" purposely not gross and violent, but seriously? Am I reading simply a Conservation Christian mystery series that is just subtle?
I will be totally honest. I am a chocoholic at heart and reading any book with chocolate has my heart. In the beginning, of this series, I adored Ally and her Grandma with her adorable pet pig amd cat. They had a relationship that was one I would loved to have had with my Grandma or Mom. And I had great ones with both. Their chemistry and energy together were wonderful. The chocolate shop centers on their famous candy and fudge. Yet, every recipes at the end of the book are cakes and brownies and cookies. Sigh.
This relationship is the only reason I am continuing reading to Book 10 as well as to get to my 2024 Reading Goal. I will not be continuing because there simply the same trope over and over and it has gotten tedious. This series as well as other similar series feel like they are just being factory-made and mass produced with little or no substance.
I will be totally honest. I am a chocoholic at heart and reading any book with chocolate has my heart. In the beginning, of this series, I adored Ally and her Grandma with her adorable pet pig amd cat. They had a relationship that was one I would loved to have had with my Grandma or Mom. And I had great ones with both. Their chemistry and energy together were wonderful. The chocolate shop centers on their famous candy and fudge. Yet, every recipes at the end of the book are cakes and brownies and cookies. Sigh.
This relationship is the only reason I am continuing reading to Book 10 as well as to get to my 2024 Reading Goal. I will not be continuing because there simply the same trope over and over and it has gotten tedious. This series as well as other similar series feel like they are just being factory-made and mass produced with little or no substance.
April 14, 2023
These books are entertaining and do take my mind off of the real world for a bit. I'm just frustrated that the main characters never learn from their past behaviors. The books are very formulaic. It's not a big surprise when Ally and Charlotte solve the mystery at the end but are always in some kind of dangerous situation that they have to be rescued from. I would be happier if they would at least remember what happened before and talked about it or learned from it. It's great that you can pick up any book in this series and not be lost. They all work as stand-alone novels. But if you are going to read more than one, prepare for Ally/Charlotte to end up in trouble only to be rescued by Luke/Arnold. That's how all 8 of the books I have read so far end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2018
Cindy Bell always has very intriguing well written books. Ally & Charlotte are enjoying their lives and Charlotte is ready for Ally to meet her new beau-that is until things take a turn for the worse and he winds up in jail under murder charges of a fellow jewelry maker.
Luke helps find and relate evidence, even though it is not in his jurisdiction to Ally & Charlotte, but can they help Jeff? Read on and find out.
I gave it four stars, only because it seems like they could have had a chance to run near the end and some things just seemed unlikely-although this is a story. But definitely a good read!
Luke helps find and relate evidence, even though it is not in his jurisdiction to Ally & Charlotte, but can they help Jeff? Read on and find out.
I gave it four stars, only because it seems like they could have had a chance to run near the end and some things just seemed unlikely-although this is a story. But definitely a good read!
July 7, 2021
I know that this is fiction, but I felt sorriest for Silvio. He didn't deserve what Dean did to him. Dean was not a very nice person. Even if Dean didn't deserve to die, I really don't feel anything for him. In my line of work, I run across many Troys who for some reason or another (possibly since this was a small town) seem to fall through the cracks. Somewhere along the way, before it came to Silvio, should have taken the time to teach Troy social skills and mentor him on a one-to-one basis.
Didn't mean to preach. Another good book in this series. Hopefully, we will see more of Jeff in future books.
Didn't mean to preach. Another good book in this series. Hopefully, we will see more of Jeff in future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2018
Secrets can be powerful! When Charlotte of “Chocolate Haven” reveals that her male friend is arrested for murder, she asks her granddaughter Ally and Ally’s boyfriend, Detective Luke Elm for help to prove his innocence. As the investigation goes along, Charlotte realizes that she really doesn’t know as much about Jeff as she thought.
Will the gang be able to prove Jeff’s innocence? If he’s innocent, then who is guilty?
A little slow in the beginning, however it picks up quickly and it’s a fun read!
Will the gang be able to prove Jeff’s innocence? If he’s innocent, then who is guilty?
A little slow in the beginning, however it picks up quickly and it’s a fun read!
September 11, 2021
Charlotte’s friend is the primary suspect in a murder, but she knows that he’s innocent.
Although Ally wasn’t as confident as Charlotte was, she would undoubtedly lend support wherever she could. Who killed the jewelry shop owner? Did the police have the wrong man? Or maybe Charlotte really didn’t know her friend as well as she thought?
An interesting mystery!
Although Ally wasn’t as confident as Charlotte was, she would undoubtedly lend support wherever she could. Who killed the jewelry shop owner? Did the police have the wrong man? Or maybe Charlotte really didn’t know her friend as well as she thought?
An interesting mystery!
February 13, 2022
Arnold
Charlotte's boyfriend is arrested for murdering his friend and employer Dean. Charlotte is convinced Jeff didn't do it. Convinces Ally that Jeff didn't kill Dean. As usual Ally and Charlotte look into the murder. Having Arnold is better than having a search trained dog. He seems to be able to find hidden things.
Charlotte's boyfriend is arrested for murdering his friend and employer Dean. Charlotte is convinced Jeff didn't do it. Convinces Ally that Jeff didn't kill Dean. As usual Ally and Charlotte look into the murder. Having Arnold is better than having a search trained dog. He seems to be able to find hidden things.
March 27, 2018
Another Good Cozy.
Arnold ,the pig saves the day again in this delightful Cozy mystery.
You want chocolate by the time you reach the end of the book.
Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this book.
Arnold ,the pig saves the day again in this delightful Cozy mystery.
You want chocolate by the time you reach the end of the book.
Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this book.
January 26, 2019
Great book!
So far I have enjoyed reading every book in the chocolate centered mysteries. However I don’t like that in every book Ally breaks into someone’s property. I’m not sure why authors allow their characters to commit felonies in order to find clues.
So far I have enjoyed reading every book in the chocolate centered mysteries. However I don’t like that in every book Ally breaks into someone’s property. I’m not sure why authors allow their characters to commit felonies in order to find clues.
October 4, 2019
Like and Ally, Charlotte and Jeffrey
Cindy Bell writes a number of series, but this is my favorite. Ally and her grandmother, Charlotte, are wonderful characters I would love having as neighbors. Their small town of Blue River appears to be a fascinating place to live.
Cindy Bell writes a number of series, but this is my favorite. Ally and her grandmother, Charlotte, are wonderful characters I would love having as neighbors. Their small town of Blue River appears to be a fascinating place to live.
April 28, 2021
I read this book for the ATY 2021 Reading Challenge Week 42: a mystery.
A chocolate shop...eating triggers, so beware! A jewelry designer and a rivalry. How do the people who know the murderer always characterize him/her: such a nice person. Too nice to have committed murder. So the chocolate shop owner and her granddaughter decide to clear his name with the help of a friendly detective. Hey, wait! Aren't the police supposed to warn one away from crime-solving? Anyway, in the end, because of a pot-bellied pig, the true murderer is brought to justice.
Don't sit there scratching your head, just read the book.
A chocolate shop...eating triggers, so beware! A jewelry designer and a rivalry. How do the people who know the murderer always characterize him/her: such a nice person. Too nice to have committed murder. So the chocolate shop owner and her granddaughter decide to clear his name with the help of a friendly detective. Hey, wait! Aren't the police supposed to warn one away from crime-solving? Anyway, in the end, because of a pot-bellied pig, the true murderer is brought to justice.
Don't sit there scratching your head, just read the book.
June 10, 2017
I loved this grand-daughter/grand-mother book. Charolett is a hoot. I love how they both use chocolate for a good-feeling remedy. Good ending. Look forward to more by this author in this setting.
November 29, 2017
Great story....
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense, the characters in the story are starting to seem like family. The author has done a great job of telling her story.
I enjoyed this story of adventure and suspense, the characters in the story are starting to seem like family. The author has done a great job of telling her story.
January 5, 2018
I gave up. Had to stop at the store and buy some Raspberry filled chocolate.
March 28, 2018
I'd forgotten how poorly written this series is. I won't be finishing it.
July 15, 2018
A nice clean book with humor, mystery, and recipes. You've got to love Arnold.
February 5, 2020
Great
Love this series and that they are cozy quick reads. World the potbelly pig steals the show in this book.
Love this series and that they are cozy quick reads. World the potbelly pig steals the show in this book.
April 11, 2020
The best one yet
This has been the best book yet in the series. Not one particular character stood out as the murderer. It kept me guessing until the end.
This has been the best book yet in the series. Not one particular character stood out as the murderer. It kept me guessing until the end.
June 9, 2020
Another goody!
Stores in competition. A new boy friend goes to jail. More detective work for Ally and her feisty grandmother. Yay!
Stores in competition. A new boy friend goes to jail. More detective work for Ally and her feisty grandmother. Yay!
April 12, 2024
Who killed Dean and why??? AND Charlotte, Arnold and Ally are great runners, aren't they??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
October 1, 2024
I love these books!❤️📚
March 31, 2020
Some pig!
Ally and Charlotte are back to prove that age is no barrier to chemistry, stubbornness, or foolhardiness! This lighthearted mystery has a surprise or two in store, and makes a quick read.
Ally and Charlotte are back to prove that age is no barrier to chemistry, stubbornness, or foolhardiness! This lighthearted mystery has a surprise or two in store, and makes a quick read.
April 18, 2017
Better Than a Box of Chocolates!
Cindy Bell's books are always enjoyable. This one will be sure to keep you entertained from beginning to end! Plenty of charming characters & a suspenseful plot.
Cindy Bell's books are always enjoyable. This one will be sure to keep you entertained from beginning to end! Plenty of charming characters & a suspenseful plot.
April 19, 2017
Custom-Made Murder (A Chocolate Centered Cozy My..
A very tasty mystery. At first, I thought Charlotte was being bamboozled by Jeff. But, as I firefighter into the story, I decided that just maybe he was innocent. Luke is a good guy and a good policeman. Peaches and Arnold are a great addition to the story.
A very tasty mystery. At first, I thought Charlotte was being bamboozled by Jeff. But, as I firefighter into the story, I decided that just maybe he was innocent. Luke is a good guy and a good policeman. Peaches and Arnold are a great addition to the story.
April 20, 2017
Hero Arnold chases the murderer and runs for his life to save Ally and Charlotte .
Ally and Charlotte investigate the murder of a jeweler that has put Charlotte's boyfriend, Jeff in Jail as chief suspect of the crime. Lots of twists and turns. Can hardly wait for the next book.
Ally and Charlotte investigate the murder of a jeweler that has put Charlotte's boyfriend, Jeff in Jail as chief suspect of the crime. Lots of twists and turns. Can hardly wait for the next book.
April 23, 2017
Great read
If you like great cozy mysteries with great stories and characters than Cindy Bells books are for you you will love them I can't wait till the next book
If you like great cozy mysteries with great stories and characters than Cindy Bells books are for you you will love them I can't wait till the next book
May 1, 2017
Great read
Another great installment of this series. I just love all the characters. The antics of Arnold the pot-bellied pig crack me up. I hope the area many more adventures ahead.
Another great installment of this series. I just love all the characters. The antics of Arnold the pot-bellied pig crack me up. I hope the area many more adventures ahead.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews