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Chocolate Centered Mystery #1-4
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
Start a new cozy mystery series by getting the first four books in the Chocolate Centered Cozy Mystery series in this boxed set.
Book 1: The Sweet Smell of Murder
Ally Sweet is happy to be returning for a short break to the small town where she grew up. She is planning on using the time off to get over her messy divorce and she is looking forward to spending time with her much-loved grandmother and relaxing making chocolates and anything chocolaty.
But then… the delivery driver for her grandmother’s chocolate shop is found murdered. The detectives investigating the crime have a prime suspect, Ally’s high school sweetheart, Brent. Ally believes that Brent would never murder anyone, so with the help of her trusted feline friend, Peaches, she tries to uncover the truth.
The search for the killer leads Ally straight into the line of danger. Will she be able find the murderer before she becomes a victim herself?
Triple Chocolate Muffin Recipe Included!
Book 2: A Deadly Delicious Delivery
Ally Sweet is settling into life in Blue River. She loves spending time with her grandmother and making delicious chocolate creations. But then someone is poisoned by the chocolates from ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ and all the evidence points to Ally and Charlotte.
Detective Luke Elm is on the case, but with her grandmother’s business on the line and their freedom at stake Ally feels she has no choice but to try and find out the truth. Ally and Charlotte, with some help from Peaches and Arnold, do some digging to try and uncover the murderer. With the suspects piling up it is a race against the clock to discover who the murderer is so the chocolate shop doesn’t remain shut and Ally and Charlotte don’t land up behind bars.
Will Ally and Charlotte be able to find the killer before they go to jail? Or worse get murdered themselves? Will hunky Detective Luke arrest Ally? Or will they develop a new romance?
Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe Included!
Book 3: A Bitter Sweet Murder
Ally Sweet is excited to be staying the night at a new luxury hotel for free because ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ is negotiating a lucrative deal for the hotel’s bed turndown service, where a chocolate will be placed on each guest’s pillow every night.
But then Ally stumbles across a dead body. It looks like she is being framed and when hunky Detective Luke Elm is inadvertently implicated in the murder, Ally does everything she can to find the killer.
With a little help from her grandmother, feline friend, pot-bellied pig and some chocolate creations, Ally sifts through the suspects to uncover the truth.
Will Ally’s snooping make the shop lose the deal? Will Ally find the murderer and clear her and Luke’s names before there is another victim?
Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Ganache Frosting Recipe Included!
Book 4: A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Ally and Charlotte Sweet are running a booth for ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ at a local farmer’s market. Their primary concerns are selling cookies and keeping their cat, Peaches, and pot-bellied pig, Arnold, under control at the market.
But then the son of a prominent and influential farmer is found dead and an old acquaintance of Ally’s is suspected of the murder. Ally’s investigative nature takes over and she goes on a search to find the killer.
Book 1: The Sweet Smell of Murder
Ally Sweet is happy to be returning for a short break to the small town where she grew up. She is planning on using the time off to get over her messy divorce and she is looking forward to spending time with her much-loved grandmother and relaxing making chocolates and anything chocolaty.
But then… the delivery driver for her grandmother’s chocolate shop is found murdered. The detectives investigating the crime have a prime suspect, Ally’s high school sweetheart, Brent. Ally believes that Brent would never murder anyone, so with the help of her trusted feline friend, Peaches, she tries to uncover the truth.
The search for the killer leads Ally straight into the line of danger. Will she be able find the murderer before she becomes a victim herself?
Triple Chocolate Muffin Recipe Included!
Book 2: A Deadly Delicious Delivery
Ally Sweet is settling into life in Blue River. She loves spending time with her grandmother and making delicious chocolate creations. But then someone is poisoned by the chocolates from ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ and all the evidence points to Ally and Charlotte.
Detective Luke Elm is on the case, but with her grandmother’s business on the line and their freedom at stake Ally feels she has no choice but to try and find out the truth. Ally and Charlotte, with some help from Peaches and Arnold, do some digging to try and uncover the murderer. With the suspects piling up it is a race against the clock to discover who the murderer is so the chocolate shop doesn’t remain shut and Ally and Charlotte don’t land up behind bars.
Will Ally and Charlotte be able to find the killer before they go to jail? Or worse get murdered themselves? Will hunky Detective Luke arrest Ally? Or will they develop a new romance?
Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe Included!
Book 3: A Bitter Sweet Murder
Ally Sweet is excited to be staying the night at a new luxury hotel for free because ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ is negotiating a lucrative deal for the hotel’s bed turndown service, where a chocolate will be placed on each guest’s pillow every night.
But then Ally stumbles across a dead body. It looks like she is being framed and when hunky Detective Luke Elm is inadvertently implicated in the murder, Ally does everything she can to find the killer.
With a little help from her grandmother, feline friend, pot-bellied pig and some chocolate creations, Ally sifts through the suspects to uncover the truth.
Will Ally’s snooping make the shop lose the deal? Will Ally find the murderer and clear her and Luke’s names before there is another victim?
Chocolate Cupcakes with Whipped Ganache Frosting Recipe Included!
Book 4: A Treacherous Tasty Trail
Ally and Charlotte Sweet are running a booth for ‘Charlotte’s Chocolate Heaven’ at a local farmer’s market. Their primary concerns are selling cookies and keeping their cat, Peaches, and pot-bellied pig, Arnold, under control at the market.
But then the son of a prominent and influential farmer is found dead and an old acquaintance of Ally’s is suspected of the murder. Ally’s investigative nature takes over and she goes on a search to find the killer.
590 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 30, 2017
707 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 18, 2022
another sweet shop
B&Bs, sweet shops, and young women coming home with broken hearts have been all the rage in cozy mysteries. In this set, Ally is coming home fresh from a divorce to work in her grandmother’s chocolate shop. As far as stories go, these are ok. The characters are realistic, although some of the dialogue is a bit far-fetched. Detectives decide on the killer before gathering evidence, but inept police seem to be the norm in cozies. I didn’t not like the books, they just not outstanding.
I do have some pet peeves that some might consider absurd. I wish writers would learn when to use try to and when to use try and. There is a difference. As in many of the books I’ve read recently, use of commas seems to be like throwing darts—give one a toss and see where it lands. There are rules for using them and rules to decide when not to. The rules are easy to find.
B&Bs, sweet shops, and young women coming home with broken hearts have been all the rage in cozy mysteries. In this set, Ally is coming home fresh from a divorce to work in her grandmother’s chocolate shop. As far as stories go, these are ok. The characters are realistic, although some of the dialogue is a bit far-fetched. Detectives decide on the killer before gathering evidence, but inept police seem to be the norm in cozies. I didn’t not like the books, they just not outstanding.
I do have some pet peeves that some might consider absurd. I wish writers would learn when to use try to and when to use try and. There is a difference. As in many of the books I’ve read recently, use of commas seems to be like throwing darts—give one a toss and see where it lands. There are rules for using them and rules to decide when not to. The rules are easy to find.
March 7, 2022
Kindle Freebie at time of download
Meh... I had read and reviewed the first one previously. The second one has some scrumptious chocolate but that's about it. Ally and Charlotte are both annoyng and dumb. Yes it's a cozy mystery and there are conventions but Ally is on par with Hannah Swensen for being annoying. I do like Luke, the detective and Arnold the pig. Even Peaches the cat is kind of adorable and sweet, for a cat.
Short reviews are under each indvidual book. I don't feel like writing in-depth reviews. The books don't deserve them.
Meh... I had read and reviewed the first one previously. The second one has some scrumptious chocolate but that's about it. Ally and Charlotte are both annoyng and dumb. Yes it's a cozy mystery and there are conventions but Ally is on par with Hannah Swensen for being annoying. I do like Luke, the detective and Arnold the pig. Even Peaches the cat is kind of adorable and sweet, for a cat.
Short reviews are under each indvidual book. I don't feel like writing in-depth reviews. The books don't deserve them.
March 5, 2022
Loved these characters! Binge read all four books! Who could luv a pot bellied pig? I sure did! And the cat is just perfect! Love all the characters but Mee Maw is special! If you want a great cozy mystery with great characters and animals and a little romance, these are the books for you! They made me laugh and so happy!
December 28, 2022
Review of these books.
Each book was an absolute delight to read ! I was on the edge of my reading the endings. I worried about how Ally and Mee Maw were going to get out of the trouble they kept getting into ? Arnold the pig was amazing. Who needs a dog when you have Arnold the pig ? He had to be the cutest little hero next to Peaches the cat. I love really good mysteries, especially when there are animals involved. If you enjoy good mystery books that involve animals, this series was written with you in mind ! These books are perfect for adults who enjoy really good mysteries without explicit sex, bad language, and graphic, gruesome murder scenes. Profanity and explicit sexual scenes ruin good mysteries for me. I am not a prude, but I it just seems to me that most authors think that they need to add these things to sell their books ! Kudos to the author for being brave enough to write these cozy mysteries. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantastic mystery books.
Each book was an absolute delight to read ! I was on the edge of my reading the endings. I worried about how Ally and Mee Maw were going to get out of the trouble they kept getting into ? Arnold the pig was amazing. Who needs a dog when you have Arnold the pig ? He had to be the cutest little hero next to Peaches the cat. I love really good mysteries, especially when there are animals involved. If you enjoy good mystery books that involve animals, this series was written with you in mind ! These books are perfect for adults who enjoy really good mysteries without explicit sex, bad language, and graphic, gruesome murder scenes. Profanity and explicit sexual scenes ruin good mysteries for me. I am not a prude, but I it just seems to me that most authors think that they need to add these things to sell their books ! Kudos to the author for being brave enough to write these cozy mysteries. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantastic mystery books.
January 22, 2020
Good writer terrible heroine
The characterization, plot & writing of this series are fine but the main character is just beyond annoying in the way she constantly impedes investigations, tampers with evidence & generally gets in the way. Whilst I understand plucky heroine forced to find the truth is a trope in this genre, this heroine just didn't seem to have any brains or reasoning skills to improve her investigative skills ,- despite the detective pointing out she'd made evidence inadmissible. I read the first two books hoping she would have some kind of revelation but by the beginning of the third threw in the towel as the was no sign of character development & honestly I couldn't deal with another page of ally's awful decisions for no apparent reason.
The characterization, plot & writing of this series are fine but the main character is just beyond annoying in the way she constantly impedes investigations, tampers with evidence & generally gets in the way. Whilst I understand plucky heroine forced to find the truth is a trope in this genre, this heroine just didn't seem to have any brains or reasoning skills to improve her investigative skills ,- despite the detective pointing out she'd made evidence inadmissible. I read the first two books hoping she would have some kind of revelation but by the beginning of the third threw in the towel as the was no sign of character development & honestly I couldn't deal with another page of ally's awful decisions for no apparent reason.
July 9, 2022
Never rush love
Ally was hurt due to distrust and adultery. When it feels like your I insides have been ripped out it is hard to trust again. I was very happy finally found peace in the end and I'm looking forward to the next set of adventures. She ask reasonable questions instead of taking things at face value and what people say. I wish more police officials would do that. The few in Michigan I have had to deal with take one small thing and blow it out of proportion, and try to force people with false imprisonment, so these stories hit close to home.
Keep up the excellent story telling
Ally was hurt due to distrust and adultery. When it feels like your I insides have been ripped out it is hard to trust again. I was very happy finally found peace in the end and I'm looking forward to the next set of adventures. She ask reasonable questions instead of taking things at face value and what people say. I wish more police officials would do that. The few in Michigan I have had to deal with take one small thing and blow it out of proportion, and try to force people with false imprisonment, so these stories hit close to home.
Keep up the excellent story telling
February 18, 2018
Animals Antics Too.
I loved these stories and the characters too. Ally is impulsive, intrepid and loyal, especially to her grandmother Charlotte who owns the chocolate shop. I loved the animals, a cat and a pot bellied pig whose adventures are hilarious and yet very helpful In Ally's search for justice. I only found one niggle and that was Ally's pet name for Charlotte, which was ' Mee-Maw' and it jarred for me.
I loved these stories and the characters too. Ally is impulsive, intrepid and loyal, especially to her grandmother Charlotte who owns the chocolate shop. I loved the animals, a cat and a pot bellied pig whose adventures are hilarious and yet very helpful In Ally's search for justice. I only found one niggle and that was Ally's pet name for Charlotte, which was ' Mee-Maw' and it jarred for me.
May 26, 2022
more like 3 and a half stars
So I found the style of writing to be childish, and talk about bad proof reading and editing. Firstly mee maw has a husband, then she doesn’t. Don’t know what happened to him, he just got completely left out of the stories. Luke’s eyes were blue then they turned hazel. And at the end of each story there were so many loose ends from solving the crime it was ridiculous. Like I said written childishly, and not nearly as exciting as Enid Blyton!
So I found the style of writing to be childish, and talk about bad proof reading and editing. Firstly mee maw has a husband, then she doesn’t. Don’t know what happened to him, he just got completely left out of the stories. Luke’s eyes were blue then they turned hazel. And at the end of each story there were so many loose ends from solving the crime it was ridiculous. Like I said written childishly, and not nearly as exciting as Enid Blyton!
June 5, 2022
Really good clean cozy mystery novels
I really enjoyed all of these novels. I like Ally, Luke and Charlotte very much. I did feel that Ally took things on herself more than she should have. When they were confronted by Tyler and Zac, she should have let Luke take over since he is a police officer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good exciting clean cozy mystery.
I really enjoyed all of these novels. I like Ally, Luke and Charlotte very much. I did feel that Ally took things on herself more than she should have. When they were confronted by Tyler and Zac, she should have let Luke take over since he is a police officer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a good exciting clean cozy mystery.
March 3, 2022
Ally gets in trouble again to solve a crime.
Ally has a knack for investigating crimes, but her eagerness gets her in trouble more often than her grandmother and her boyfriend would like. This time, Arnold, the pig, saves her. I wonder why Ally won't listen to anyone about danger from her search for truth, but it makes for an exciting read
Ally has a knack for investigating crimes, but her eagerness gets her in trouble more often than her grandmother and her boyfriend would like. This time, Arnold, the pig, saves her. I wonder why Ally won't listen to anyone about danger from her search for truth, but it makes for an exciting read
March 4, 2022
The Chocolate Store
Ally has come back to help her grandmother in her Chocolate Store. Her curiosity gets her involved in local crimes. Each story stands on it's own but reading them in order make them even more interesting. You won't be disappointed and get a delicious recipe at the end.
Ally has come back to help her grandmother in her Chocolate Store. Her curiosity gets her involved in local crimes. Each story stands on it's own but reading them in order make them even more interesting. You won't be disappointed and get a delicious recipe at the end.
July 15, 2022
Good plot childish spoiled lead.
I had to keep reading to find out who did it. There is very little in running a business or any background of life, just the unstated thought Osteen that she was the only one to find the killer and then wait to be rescued. Sorry I had to jump past the heroines thoughts. I
I had to keep reading to find out who did it. There is very little in running a business or any background of life, just the unstated thought Osteen that she was the only one to find the killer and then wait to be rescued. Sorry I had to jump past the heroines thoughts. I
November 17, 2022
Chocolate centred cost mysteries.
These stories are absolutely a delight to read. Each follow on and the characters become real friends, not forgetting the pig and the cat. The plot are all different but every time Ally ends up in danger that the reader is wondering what is going to happen next.
These stories are absolutely a delight to read. Each follow on and the characters become real friends, not forgetting the pig and the cat. The plot are all different but every time Ally ends up in danger that the reader is wondering what is going to happen next.
April 17, 2023
no depth
In the Dune House series the women were described. I just read these four books and I can’t tell you one thing about how Ally looks. I like that the writer just tells the story, but in this series she needs to explain more. Nothing is said of the area. I would like to know a little about the location.
In the Dune House series the women were described. I just read these four books and I can’t tell you one thing about how Ally looks. I like that the writer just tells the story, but in this series she needs to explain more. Nothing is said of the area. I would like to know a little about the location.
March 22, 2018
I Loved This Collection
I loved this collection featuring Ally and Charlotte solving mysteries.
These books are filled with colorful characters,lots of twists and turns and yummy chocolate.
I recommend this collection for those who love cozy.
I loved this collection featuring Ally and Charlotte solving mysteries.
These books are filled with colorful characters,lots of twists and turns and yummy chocolate.
I recommend this collection for those who love cozy.
June 4, 2018
Death by chocolare
Ally and MeeMaw are such characters if their hands aren't in chocolate their noises are in someone else's business. These are the kind of books I like to read and I would love to try a recipe or two.
Ally and MeeMaw are such characters if their hands aren't in chocolate their noises are in someone else's business. These are the kind of books I like to read and I would love to try a recipe or two.
August 17, 2018
Wonderful
I loved this book, it's brilliant, very well written and enjoyable, the characters are really good and really interesting, I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery.
I loved this book, it's brilliant, very well written and enjoyable, the characters are really good and really interesting, I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys a cozy mystery.
August 25, 2018
Do not read while hungry.
What a wonderful series. If these first 4 books are anything to go by (and they are) then Alley and her Me-maw have a lot of fun adventures to tell us about. If you're into cooking the recipes in every book should be worth a try.
What a wonderful series. If these first 4 books are anything to go by (and they are) then Alley and her Me-maw have a lot of fun adventures to tell us about. If you're into cooking the recipes in every book should be worth a try.
December 22, 2019
Great set
I got the set of books one to four and enjoyed all of them. Characters starting to grow and interesting storyline. Nice to read a mystery without all the graphic violent details. I will see if there are more in this series.
I got the set of books one to four and enjoyed all of them. Characters starting to grow and interesting storyline. Nice to read a mystery without all the graphic violent details. I will see if there are more in this series.
February 26, 2022
A pig, a cat, a detective , and a chocolate maker!
What a delight these books are. The main characters are realistic and sometimes funny. There is just enough romance between hero and heroine to make you smile and the mystery is unfolded with imagination. Well worth reading again.
What a delight these books are. The main characters are realistic and sometimes funny. There is just enough romance between hero and heroine to make you smile and the mystery is unfolded with imagination. Well worth reading again.
May 15, 2022
Good read! As usual.
Cindy Bell manages to write story after story without boring her readers to death! This ability makes for the development of characters who become friends who keep you on your toes, rather than boring with predictability.
Cindy Bell manages to write story after story without boring her readers to death! This ability makes for the development of characters who become friends who keep you on your toes, rather than boring with predictability.
June 13, 2022
Good series - nice characters - not too naive though I do wish Ally would not constantly put herself in danger. At least she often tells her Mee-Maw or boyfriend, Luke, what she is thinking. Mysteries make sense. Would continue to read.
September 20, 2025
Mysteries and Chocolate…
Ally and her grandmother run a chocolate shop, but they seem to get involved in all sorts of mysteries along the way! With the help of a handsome police detective, Luke, the mysteries are eventually solved. :-)
Ally and her grandmother run a chocolate shop, but they seem to get involved in all sorts of mysteries along the way! With the help of a handsome police detective, Luke, the mysteries are eventually solved. :-)
January 5, 2018
Great
What an exciting series. It was a wonderful story with happy endings. Hope there will be more adventures with Luke,Ally and Charlotte
What an exciting series. It was a wonderful story with happy endings. Hope there will be more adventures with Luke,Ally and Charlotte
March 22, 2018
Chocolate Centered Cozy Mysteries
This is a great series and the characters and the plots are great. Thanks. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
This is a great series and the characters and the plots are great. Thanks. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
May 21, 2018
I enjoyed reading her books. She holds your attention right until the very end! I am continuing to read the series.
June 27, 2018
All four!!
Great way to start a series. Easy reading, perfect for the weekend at the beach, or just in front of the fire.
Great way to start a series. Easy reading, perfect for the weekend at the beach, or just in front of the fire.
January 26, 2020
Grandma and Ally,'s chocolate shop and more.
Great little starter series. I have never read any of her book's before but look forward to the next series.
Great little starter series. I have never read any of her book's before but look forward to the next series.
January 27, 2020
Love
Cindy Bell writes some of the best quick reads. Love the characters and the messes these characters get into. The pig and cat are delughtful.
Cindy Bell writes some of the best quick reads. Love the characters and the messes these characters get into. The pig and cat are delughtful.
June 6, 2020
Four in one murder mystery
Such good stories. I loved all four. Ally is becoming a good detective with a pig and cat and chocolates.
Such good stories. I loved all four. Ally is becoming a good detective with a pig and cat and chocolates.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews