In Cold Chocolate

A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery #3

by Dorothy St. James

A new batch of chocolates and troubles of the heart cause a string of disasters for the Chocolate Box’s new owner, Charity Penn The vintage seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina seems like the perfect place for romance with its quiet beach and its decadent chocolate shop that serves the world’s richest dark chocolates. The Chocolate Box’s owner, Charity Penn, falls even further under the island’s moonlit spell as she joins Althea Bays and the rest of the turtle watch team to witness a new generation of baby sea turtles hatch and make their way into the wide ocean. Before the babies arrive, gunshots ring out in the night. Cassidy Jones, the local Casanova, is found dead in the sand with his lover Jody Dalton—the same woman who has vowed to destroy the Chocolate Box—holding the gun. It’s an obvious crime of passion, or so everyone believes. But when Jody’s young son pleads with Penn to bring his mother back to him, she can’t say no. She dives headfirst into a chocolate swirl of truth and lies, and must pick through an assortment of likely (and sometimes unsavory) suspects before it’s too late for Penn and for those she loves in Dorothy St. James’s third rich installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries, In Cold Chocolate.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Southern

263 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2018

About the author

Pseudonym for author Dorothy McFalls

Mystery author Dorothy St. James was born in New York but raised in South Carolina. She makes her home on an artsy island community in South Carolina with her husband, tiny little dog and fluffy cat. Though writing has always been a passion for her, she pursued an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Urban Planning. She put her educational experience to use, having worked in all branches and all levels of government including local, regional, state, and federal. She even spent time during college working for a non-profit environmental watchdog organization.

Switching from government service and community planning to fiction writing wasn't as big of a change as some might think. Her government work was all about the stories of the people and the places where they live. As an urban planner, Dorothy loved telling the stories of the people she met. And from that, her desire to tell the tales that were so alive in her heart grew until she could not ignore it any longer. In 2001, she took a leap of faith and pursued her dream of writing fiction full-time.

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent southern cozy mystery. The plot held a few surprises for me, plus I also found it educational. I’ve always wanted to be present when some baby sea turtles hatch, and it’s that time of the summer in the small island town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina where Charity Penn has inherited her grandmother’s chocolate shop, the Chocolate Box.

Penn’s best friend, Althea, has an emotional crisis over some missing sea turtle eggs, and Penn later discovers she’s interfered in Penn’s personal life in a way that’s very upsetting. Family, hearth, and home is on display and in the danger zone when Harley’s ex-wife, Jody; who’s somewhat of a loose cannon, is arrested for shooting and killing a local ladies’ man, Cassidy Jones. Unsure of Jody’s guilt, however, Penn promises Jody and Harley’s young son, Gavin, that his mom will be out of jail in time to take him to his first day of school.

The author adds several unusual red herrings using both characters and crime scene evidence which make for an absorbing and compelling storyline that Cozy readers are sure to enjoy. I was happy to see that Stella, the small Papillion that Penn’s ex dumped on her has finally won Penn’s heart. ❤️ Recipes included for your enjoyment.

I reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane. Thank you.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been seven months since Charity Penn inherited her grandmother's chocolate shop, The Chocolate Box, in Camellia Beach, SC. With rumblings and problems from her grandmother's family continuing, Penn isn't too surprised when Jody Dalton threatens to reveal information she knows that will run Penn's reputation and take away her shop. When local real estate agent and playboy, Cassidy Jones, is shot dead on the beach and Jody is accused of the killing, Penn promises to try to clear her name despite her threats. How can she say no to a little boy who wants his mama home in time to take him to his first day of school?

This book had a little bit of everything I love in a cozy series....chocolate, murder, sea turtles, lots of sleuthing, and secrets. And, a cute but impish dog, too. The mystery portion of the plot moved along at a nice speed, with plenty of suspects and twists. The plot isn't overly complex, but held my attention. I like the characters and the chocolate background theme.

In Cold Chocolate is the third book in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. But it isn't vitally necessary to read the books in order. There is enough of the backstory woven in with the new plot to make it easy for new readers to just jump in and enjoy this book. But, for the full story about Penn, her inheritance, the subsequent family squabbles and attempts to contest the will, and the story of Camellia Beach, try reading from Book one, Asking For Truffle.

There are several yummy recipes containing chocolate at the back of this book! Cookies, pancakes and cocoa pork tenderloin! Yummy!

I will definitely keep reading this series. Looking forward to the next book!

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Bullets! Missing turtle eggs! Missing chocolate turtles! The quiet seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina is having a crime wave. A local man is dead and someone is stealing sea turtle eggs from the nests on the beach, and Sea Salt Chocolate Turtles are disappearing almost right before Charity Penn’s eyes from her shop. Jody Dalton has accused Penn of lying to get The Chocolate Box Sweet Shop and taunts her almost daily about it, but when she is arrested for Cassidy Jones murder Penn just can’t believe it. Then Jody’s young son begs Penn to help get his mother out of jail. She finds herself quickly promising that she will do just that. There is nothing sweet about the point Penn finds herself in. There are several suspects in addition to Jody, but Penn needs to be careful or she may end up the killer’s next victim.

Penn has so much on her plate in this third Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery. Penn has found her mother, but the family has opened up yet another lawsuit to try to take The Chocolate Shop away from her. The shop is busy so she needs to hire more help and she is still trying diligently to learn all she can about making luscious chocolate treats. She has started observing with the sea turtle watch team her friend Althea Bays is in charge of. Her relationship with Harley, Jody’s ex, is starting to move in a new direction. And on top of all that she has told Harley and Jody’s son, she will get his mom out of jail before school starts next week.

I really enjoy how all the recurring characters not only grow from book to book but within the pages of this story. Penn is getting comfortable in Camellia Beach and is meeting new people and making friends. She is still struggling with the chocolate making but the woman does not give up. She has a great core of support when any sort o trouble arrives, but she is learning to stand up for herself much better when her family tries to take her shop away. She learns something in this story that shakes and bends her but doesn’t break her.

The author has written a dynamic story with a couple of mysteries swirled together with family drama. I really like the way all the subplots flowed together with the main plot almost effortlessly. This seaside mystery does have its share of red herrings and diversions that keep us readers on our toes. Penn seems to hone in on one individual but my mind kept pulling me in another direction. In my mind, the answer really depended on if the mysteries are separate or connected. The family battle over Penn’s inheritance gets a new twist that made me dislike members of that family even more. The ending left me surprised and wondering how I was going to wait the approximately 6 months until the next book comes out. 🙂

It was fun learning about the sea turtles and the great lengths people go to to protect their eggs and the species.

Oh and the chocolate! I have learned to have some nearby while reading this series. It doesn’t come close to what Penn and Bertie create for The Chocolate Box, but it takes care of my cravings.

Ms. St. James has penned another delectable treat for her readers to enjoy. I hope she writes the next one fast!

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is just getting better and better.

As always there were several different things going on in this mystery which didn't seem connected at first but in the end were tied all neatly together.

I love how the characters are developing and I especially liked how the relationship between Penn and her sweet little dog is improving.

This book can stand on its own but due to the background story it is so much more interesting to read the series in order.

I had a great time reading this book and am looking already forward to the next installment.

I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Crooked Lane Books and the author provided me with an advance copy.

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

Chocolate, baby sea turtles, and murder. Oh my!

In this third installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries, author Dorothy St. James offers up another sweet tale of murder and mayhem.

There are two mysteries between the covers of IN COLD CHOCOLATE. Both were extremely well done. And with all that was going on in this story, author James made it very difficult to solve either one of them. She has a true talent for deception. That is, in her books of course!

This book was so much fun to read, even if it did have me craving chocolate the entire time I was reading it. The cast of great characters kept me thoroughly entertained with some laugh out loud moments. The mystery aspect was intriguing and held me engrossed all the way through to the exciting end.

Give IN COLD CHOCOLATE a place on your bookshelves. It will have you excitedly awaiting the next title as much as I am.

[Mary Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:

In Dorothy St. James’s third delectable Southern Chocolate Shop mystery, a new batch of chocolate and troubles of the heart cause a string of disasters for the Chocolate Box’s new owner, Charity Penn.

The vintage seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina seems like the perfect place for romance with its quiet beach and its decadent chocolate shop that serves the world’s richest dark chocolates. The Chocolate Box’s owner, Charity Penn, falls even further under the island’s moonlit spell as she joins Althea Bays and the rest of the turtle watch team to witness a new generation of baby sea turtles hatch and make their way into the wide ocean.

Before the babies arrive, gunshots ring out in the night. Cassidy Jones, the local Casanova, is found dead in the sand with his lover Jody Dalton—the same woman who has vowed to destroy the Chocolate Box—holding the gun. It’s an obvious crime of passion, or so everyone believes. But when Jody’s young son pleads with Penn to bring his mother back to him, she can’t say no. She dives headfirst into a chocolate swirl of truth and lies, and must pick through an assortment of likely (and sometimes unsavory) suspects before it’s too late for Penn and for those she loves in Dorothy St. James’s third rich installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries, In Cold Chocolate. (Amazon)


Review:

Penn is a smart hardworking woman. She is the owner of The Chocolate Box and she loves what she is doing and is proud of what she has accomplished. But she has family members that want to claim the chocolate shop as their own. So she knows that she has a fight on her hands, one that she does not intend to lose. And when someone is killed, and a woman she does not like is accused of the crime, she knows that she has to find the killer, because the suspect’s young son begs her to bring his mom back. The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed reading about her relationships with the citizens of Camellia Beach. And I thought the dog, Stella, was really cute and a fun addition to the book.

I especially liked the time she spent with her best friend, Althea Bays, and the time spent with the sea turtles. I felt that this added another dimension to the story. I learned some things that I did not know and that always makes me happy.

The writing style flows smoothly and defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and she brought the seaside town to life in my mind. The mystery was well plotted and nicely paced. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through, which made it difficult to solve.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. There is a lot of action and a few mysteries to solve and you will be hooked from the start.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity Penn is the new owner of the Chocolate
Box in Camellia Beach, South Carolina. This town
is the natural nesting place for sea turtles.
Charity inherited from the shop from her
grandmother. Much to her dismay, her
grandmother’s family is disputing this inheritance.
It is time for the sea turtles to hatch and head out
to sea. Charity joins her friend, Althea Bays and
the rest of the turtle watch team to see the baby
turtles hatch and go to sea.
But before any hatching occurs, there are gun
shots.
Jody Dalton, nemeses of Charity’s is shooting out
lights left on in a house near where the turtles hatch.
Then the local Casanova, Cassidy Jones is found shot
to death with Jody standing over the body. Jody claims
she is innocent of killing Cassidy.
A mysterious shooting, a mysterious woman who
disappears after the shooting, a turtle nest egg robber,
a sea turtle chocolate thief, a determined sleuth to
bring the correct murderer to justice all combine to
make this a very interesting and intriguing southern
town murder mystery.
The characters are vivid, very colorful, well define and
typical of a small town story. The plot has twists and
turns that make a titillating story. A real page turner
with a surprise ending.
Stella the Papillon adds to the story as a local trainer is
helping Penn with training techniques plus teaching Penn
how humans need to relate with their animals.
This is book # 3 in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read In Cold Chocolate. Thanks to the
Facebook Cozy Mystery Review Crew for the opportunity.
My opinion is my own.

[Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoy the writing style of Dorothy St. James. It is such a pleasure to read her words and have them jump off the page creating images and settings that envelope you. In Cold Chocolate starts out beautifully and quickly builds suspense, climaxing in a satisfying ending. This is the third book in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. I somehow missed the debut book, which I plan to purchase this weekend. Fortunately, each book can stand on its own. This is one great cozy mystery series. I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher through NetGalley. This did not affect my rating. I have provided an unbiased and honest review.

[Sara Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and will need to get copies of the previous installments to catch up on a lot of back story. If you are looking to read this book without reading the previous, expect a little bit of information to be missing. While that is often a detail I am bothered with when picking up a book in a series out of order, this one didn't need as much of the back story right off the starting line. I enjoyed that there are multiple mysteries in this story and the whole island is full of secrets and scandals. Most everyone on the island has something to hide about something, it's intriguing!
Penn, runs a chocolate shop she inherited from a long missing from her life grandmother shortly before her passing. There seems to be some concern about the validity of the claim and it is causing her buckets of stress, not to mention the realty and developers that want the property as well. Trying to be a good friend and member in her new community, she joins the rest of the turtle team to help be sure the newly hatched sea turtles reach the ocean after hatching. Issues arise that lead to shots fired, a man dead, and her nemesis as the prime suspect. You'd think that would be a load off of Penn's shoulders, but her love interest Harley's son is also the prime suspect's son, and begs for her help. She can't say no, and into the line of fire she jumps.

I received this book for free to read and review from the author/publisher, the fact does not in any way sway my review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Cold Chocolate is the third installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop series. In addition to owning to the Chocolate Box, Charity Penn is now volunteering on the sea turtle watch. They guard the nests to ensure the next hatchlings make their way into the ocean safely. When Penn and some of the other women are volunteering, Cassidy Jones appears to have been shot by her nemesis, Jody Belton, who also shoots Penn. But did Jody actually pull the trigger to both guns? What seems like an open and shut case may not be so simple. While Cassidy was notorious for being a womanizer, others also had plausible motives for wanting him dead.

I have read the prior two books and while it is helpful to have read them, the book can be read as a standalone. Penn's first person point of view is different than many other cozies and I like that. She is an amiable character. The author has some well-placed red herrings and plot twists that make this series one that I recommend. You won't regret your visit to Camellia Beach, South Carolina and the Lowcountry. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My review is voluntary.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good story for this series! I like the continuation with the issue of her inheriting the shop while also introducing new issues. It made me feel like I was watching a soap opera. 😀😀 The ending was nice and made me want to get the fourth book soon! I hope it's good too!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seven months since Charity Penn inherited her grandmother's chocolate shop, and her family are still trying to prove she is not who she says she is. Legal wranglings continue to try and turn over Mabel's will but Charity is trying to make a go of the shop, The Chocolate Box, in Camellia Beach, SC. Althea tries to help Penn forget her troubles by inviting her to observe with the "turtle watch team". This is a serious activity as sea turtles are endangered and there are a lot of rules and laws revolving around sea turtle hatching time. When local real estate agent and playboy, Cassidy Jones, is shot dead on the beach, Jody is arrested for the killing. Penn has a very difficult relationship with Jody, as she is always threatening her shop and it's ownership, but she promises Gavin, Harley's son, that she will help get her out of jail in time for his first day of school.

This book had a little bit of everything that is good about cozy mysteries: chocolate, murder, lots of sleuthing, secrets, quirky characters, some romance and family dynamics. The mystery moved along at a nice speed, with plenty of suspects and twists. The plot isn't overly complex, but held my attention. There is a lot going on in the second mystery of who is Penn's mother, but I will not spill the beans about where that goes. Then there is the side story about Penn's dog. She is working with a dog trainer to try and get her to listen, but there is still a ways to go in that story line. I really enjoy how Dorothy St. James' series is more than just a quick mystery. There has been a lot of growth and development in Penn's character and I have really liked that. You would be able to follow this story without reading the others in this series, but I recommend you start at the beginning to get the full story of Penn and the Chocolate Shop. I will definitely keep reading this series. Looking forward to the next book! The publisher, Crooked Lane Books, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment definitely didn't disappoint! It was a real page turner at times and even though Penn got some weird news at one point, the book still had a good ending.

Penn's new relatives have been making it really hard for her by continuing to contest the will and spreading rumors that she'll lose the shop. As if she didn't have enough on her plate, the most disliked woman in town, Jody (Harley's ex) was found standing over her dead lover on the beach. Harley's son begged Penn to find the killer so his mom could come home. Not wanting to disappoint a little boy, Penn ignored the danger that could be and was involved in investigating. The real perp was flushed out, a little boy was happy again...and so was Penn.

I really love the character of Frank Gibbons, the detective that has been on all three of the books' cases. He's so much more understanding than Chief Byrd. While Byrd thinks Penn is just a menace who brought mainland killers to the island with her, Gibbons honestly cares about her well-being. She has a feeling that if her own dad had been a normal father, this is what it would be like to have someone care what happens to you. I was happy that she and Harley came to a good understanding, making a little more progress in their relationship. Penn and Althea had a falling-out, but I'm sure by the next book, Penn will be ready to forgive her and move on.

I also thought it was cool that even though Penn has issues following Mabel's recipes, she's becoming really creative in the candy kitchen and developing some flavors and products herself. I think she'll always be grateful for Bertie since Penn's attempts at Mabel's recipes usually result in the waste of good chocolate lol. Little Stella the Papillon got some more story this time since a local woman named Lidia is helping Penn to train the little ankle biter. She told Penn that Stella is picking up on her fear of love. As Penn progresses with her own life, hopefully Stella will too! The cover pics of Stella are so stinking cute that I really hope she turns into a nice, behaved dog.

I did guess the killer correctly and eventually figured out the why before it was revealed. But it was still fun watching Penn and her friends track them down. The showdown was really good!

I'm so anxious now for the next book but I'm sure it might be awhile. That's the only drawback when you binge-read everything so far in a series. ;) There are more recipes in the back of this book. I like how there's a little comment before each one--it's supposed to look like they've been published in the local newspaper.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In Cold Chocolate” earns 5/5 Chocolatey Delights…Very Clever!

Ok, first, it says “chocolate,” so it's a no-brainer that I'd pick up this book to read. I also love cozies, and the premise is common for the cozy mystery genre: girl is minding her own business, dead body is found, someone ends up in personal jeopardy, and justice is served. However, Dorothy St. James has gone beyond the formula by penning a clever mystery with a bit of Karma attached, well-defined characters that act and respond realistically, excellent descriptions of setting and inner thoughts, delightful banter, intriguing side dramas, and three recipes related to characters in the story. I am new to her work, but St. James provided enough background and character connections to keep me engaged. Most issues have a satisfying resolution, but the side story about Charity and the argument with her family continues into the next installment. This third book in her Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series is a new favorite!

With a first-person narrative, St. James pens an engaging mystery easily read…page-turner dipped in chocolate! Charity Penn inherited The Chocolate Box shop in the seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina. She is excited her role on the turtle watch protecting the area to assure the new batch of sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean safely, but it is interrupted by a gunshot, a dead lothario, and a lover holding a gun. Making matters worse the “lover” and Charity have had “issues,” but hard to ignore pleas to find answers puts Charity on the case. Beyond the mystery, suspects and motives, the investigation, and an “Oh, my!” ending, we have missing turtle eggs, “best of intentions” interferences, family squabbles, and lots of chocolate! I highly recommend this book, and as for me, the other two books have been moved up on the “TBR” queue.

"Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments."

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camelia Beach, South Carolina is all excited as it time for the hatching of baby sea turtles to leave the best and to the ocean in The third book of this series.The island very protective of the sea turtles and there are laws that are design for their safety. Pen joins the volunteers to see the sea turtle babies head for ocean. What is completely different as gun shots expose and Penn's is shot. When the area becomes silent again Jody Walker is found standby over Cassidy Jones who has been shot right through the heart. This story continues with many changes in the plot many will surprise Penn and others.The prep was well hidden? Penn has promised Gavin is Mother will be able to walk to his new school on the first Day of school.in order to do that she must showed that Jody was not guilty of shooting Cassidy. Will she succeed? I highly recommend this book and series.
Chocolate recipes are included

Disclosure: Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for a review copy.The opinions expressed are my own.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better. The characters have grown and developed so much over the three books so far. I find myself oddly invested in finding out if Penn will get to keep the Chocolate Shop, is she really related to the Maybank family and if so who is her mother and of course who is killing people this time around! The plot is interesting and the suspense is building to see who will turn out to be Penn's mother and will that person be sweet or miserable like her father's family. The murder plot was very interesting and intriguing that our main character ends up trying to free her nemesis from jail for a crime everyone thinks she committed. The guilty party was a bit obvious in this book, but it totally will not detract from the story, in fact, I found it enhanced it as you could see why they thought Jody was guilty and why others might be guilty, but Penn had to unravel the tangled information to lead them to the real killer. A very entertaining read and I definitely recommend the series!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Cold Chocolate by Dorothy St. James is the third story in A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. In Cold Chocolate can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. Charity Penn owns The Chocolate Box in Camellia Beach, South Carolina where she is currently finishing up renovations to the shop. The sea turtles will soon be hatching so Penn has created a delectable treat in their honor that is flying off the shelves. On the night of the hatching, Cassidy Jones is killed, and it looks like antagonistic Jody Dalton is responsible. Penn would love to avoid this investigation, but Jody’s son asks her to please help his mommy. Despite being warned to keep her nose out of the case, Penn is soon knee deep in suspects. I wanted to give this series another chance after not having been enthralled with Asking for Truffle. Charity Penn is a nice character and I just love the descriptions of the chocolates that she creates for the shop (they have me pining for a chocolatey treat). The island sounds like a lovely place to live, but there are too many mean people in this story for my liking. There were some slow sections that could have been peppier and some areas that could have been eliminated completely (seemed like filler). It was interesting to learn about the hatching of sea turtles. I had no idea they were considered a delicacy (that is just terrible and disgusting). I see why they need people to keep an eye on the hatching ground. The mystery was uncomplicated, and the guilty party can be identified before the coroner removes the body. I did enjoy the dog, Stella and her antics. She was a delightful addition to In Cold Chocolate. While In Cold Chocolate was not the right fit for me, I suggest you obtain a sample to judge for yourself. In Cold Chocolate is a light-hearted cozy mystery with sun, sand, sweets and sea turtles.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

IN COLD CHOCOLATE, is the third installment in the Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series by Dorothy St. James. This newest release is a worthy addition to a delightful story centered on protagonist, Charity Penn, who goes by the name of Penn. I love how the author has developed Penn’s character from the very first book and continues her progression through this third book. While this can be read as a stand-alone I personally think it is better to start at the beginning. The metamorphosis the protagonist experiences after inheriting her grandmother’s chocolate shop (whom she never even knew existed while growing up) can be better appreciated by reading the first two books first. There is a subplot thread through each book with Penn trying to find out who her mother is and trying to connect with family she never knew existed. Ms. St. James throws in several curves that had me thinking about the story long after I read the last page. After all, life is truly about family and friends and the author has centered the books on this important theme.

When I started the book, I didn’t have much time before I had to leave for an appointment. I thought I would sit down, read a few pages to get a sense of the story and then be on my way. But instead, the first chapter started off quickly with conflict and pulled me so deeply into the story that I didn’t want to put it down at all. (I may have been a tad late for that appointment.) Ms. St. James creates memorable characters and scenes. I especially loved her portrayal of the sea turtles nesting and the hatchlings. She brings their risk of survival to light and what rescue groups are doing to help the sea turtles. The author effortlessly weaves these themes into a tightly knit plot with plenty of clues and suspects to keep the reader guessing while providing a cohesive and exciting conclusion.

Not only was this a page-turner of a story, but also a sweet read that had me craving chocolate and the desire to visit Penn’s chocolate shop! Ms. St. James includes a few recipes at the back of the book and they all sound delicious!

I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.com.

Charity Penn, called Penn by her friends, is a relatively new resident to the town of Camellia Beach. She is now the owner of the Chocolate Box, which serves the world’s richest chocolates and some people are not happy about that. These include her estranged family and at least one of the town’s residents, Jody Dalton.

One night the town gathers to witness a batch of baby sea turtles hatching to in order to watch their journey into the ocean. However, while are approaching the ocean, they hear gunshots. A man is dead. His name was Cassidy Jones and he was the local Casanova. Oddly enough, Jody Dalton, the same woman that threatened to destroy the chocolate shop, is seen wielding two guns. It seems quite evident that she is the killer. The woman’s son begs Penn to prove that his mother is innocent. What a task!

This is not the first time that Penn has become involved in a murder investigation. As she begins to ask questions, much to the annoyance of the local police, it becomes quite possible that Jody is not the killer. Well, why did she have the guns in the first place, and if she is indeed innocent, who was it that killed Cassidy?

There is more going on than the murder. Turtle eggs on the beach are missing and chocolate turtles are being stolen from Penn’s shop - very expensive chocolate turtles. Meanwhile, there is a lawsuit pending against Penn and her shop is in a state of disrepair.

So with quite a bit facing Penn, along with her attraction to her neighbor, she seeks to divide her time in order to find answers. She has put herself in danger due to her actions. In this fast-paced story there are a lot of questions that need answering. Dorothy St. James does a great job at pulling many of these things together while capturing the readers’ attention, but there are some things that we are left to look forward to in the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity Penn is back in this new book in A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series. Penn thinks now she can finally settle in, run the Chocolate Box and be safe from her relatives. Sadly, her problems are only just beginning. Trouble with the woman she calls mother, a murder and more are brewing in this third installment of A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series.
In Cold Chocolate by Dorothy St. James is a cozy mystery novel with twists, surprises, and a suspect list a mile long. Penn has definitely got her work cut out for her as she works through the town trying to figure out who had motive, means and opportunity to take out the local Casanova. As she digs she learns quite a bit about not just him, but those who were around him as well. This is a fun, engaging story with interesting characters. This is the first book that I have read by Dorothy St. James and I truly enjoyed it. While this book is part of a series, I was able to follow along with the storyline with ease. I still intend to go back and read the first two books in this series though. I can tell from the storyline that Penn has come a long way from how she was in the beginning. I appreciate the author for filling in some spots for me here and there with the main characters. This helps to keep me engaged in the story.
There isn’t much that I don’t like about this book. The mystery is well done and I enjoyed piecing together who the true culprit is. I like being able to figure out who the guilty party is before the big reveal and the author gives the reader just enough to do so. While Penn and Stella, her dog, had their annoying moments I truly enjoyed this book.
I am rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. This book is truly enjoyable, fun and even leaves you with a bit of a sweet tooth at the end. For chocolate lovers, this book is a must read, and if you just enjoy a good mystery novel then I highly recommend you grab up this book.

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: https://bit.ly/2QuWBsv

The atmospheric and multilayered In Cold Chocolate is an impressive, compelling, and engrossing read. It not only fulfilled all my expectations for an enjoyable cozy read, but took everything several steps higher. The writing itself is excellent and Dorothy St. James knows how to craft a story that draws readers in from the very first page. Reading the previous two series books would probably have given me a better sense of all that’s going on with the regular characters, but sufficient background is provided so that this story works well as a standalone.

Tightly-knit plot, rich characters, and beautiful setting are skillfully woven together and contribute equally to the story’s pull. South Carolina’s Lowcountry setting is vividly conveyed and so integral to the story that it almost becomes a major character. I was literally transported to the seaside town of Camellia Beach, home to Charity Penn and her delightful chocolate shop. Missing turtle eggs, family dynamics, and a question of parentage are just a few of the intriguing elements in this story. The rescue efforts of newly-hatched turtle babies is fascinating and I’m pretty sure I would be involved if I lived in a community like Camellia Beach.

In Cold Chocolate has an emotional hook – two or three, even – that drew me to these characters. Charity Penn is an appealing leading lady and I could easily relate to her work ethic and desire to be accepted into the community. Environmental and real estate development are in conflict with each other as the question of who Charity’s mother was and right to ownership of the chocolate shop continue to develop.

A murder case that seems to be open and shut, with the guilt of Charity’s nemesis being obvious, becomes anything but that when Jody Dalton’s ten-year-old son begs her to help prove his mother’s innocence. Whether in tension-filled moments or less stressful scenes, the pace moves steadily and I never wanted to put this book down. This is an excellent series and I hope for many more stories by Dorothy St. James.

Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read and even though it is the third in the series I didn't feel as though I had missed much as the back story was cleverly woven in (mind you I WILL be getting the previous books and reading them!), this has Southern Charm and Midwestern tenacity in abundance and I want more!

Charity Penn is settling in to her life in Camellia Beach, she is slowly learning the art and skill of chocolate making, she also wishes to become involved in the Sea Turtle rescue (her good friend Althea is running the scheme this year), on a night checking the nests a previous volunteer goes crazy shooting out some lights, and then a dead body is discovered (oh and Penn is shot as well - luckily not seriously wounded), the victim seems to have annoyed most people and therefore there are no end of potential suspects, but Jody (the light shooter) is arrested and the police don't really seem to be looking at other prospects, so Penn does.

With a young boy wanting his mother home, another attempt to get the will that left the chocolate shop to Penn overturned, oh and a lady wanting to help train Penn's dog, there is a lot happening in Penn's world and danger doesn't seem to far away.

[Edyee Stocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed reading this book! I was hooked from the first page! The characters are a hoot! The author has a way of bringing you into the story even if you have not read the prior books (which I plan on doing soon). This is definitely a read I would recommend to people that want a "cozy" book to read. I love the way she brings in interesting tidbits about chocolate and sea turtles and the area where the book is based, it makes me want to visit!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Cold Chocolate by Dorothy St. James is the 3nd book in the A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series, located in Camellia Beach, South Carolina. In this exciting book Penn and her friends are trying to protect the baby sea turtles, so they can hatch and walk into the ocean. One night while watching for turtles a man was shot and murdered. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page. I love the unique people and situations in this book. I found this book to be a quick read, with a well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Cold Chocolate is the third installment in the A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series set in the small seaside town of Camellia Beach, SC and featuring Charity Penn, owner of the Chocolate Box. Penn is settling into her new life - thankfully her business partner, roommate and grandmother Mabel's best friend, Bertie Bays, is still helping her to perfect the delicious recipes left by her grandmother. Still having to contend with her aunts and uncle fighting for the building and trying to deny Penn's legitimacy and inheritance she is looking forward to the yearly hatch of the sea turtles.

Going with best friend Althea out at night to check on the protected nest and potentially witness a hatch, she is dismayed that Jody Dalton, ex wife of her tenant and sometime boyfriend, Harley joins the group. Jody has been kicked off the turtle team due to her volatile nature, and when she takes out a handgun and threatens to start shooting out the porch lights of a nearby beach house, Penn suspects trouble. Shots ring out and local playboy, Cassidy Jones is lying face down in the sand with Jody standing over him.

Making a promise to Harley and Jody's young son, Gavin to clear his mom's name before his first day of school, Penn sets out to find the killer. Quickly she finds herself in the midst of danger, someone is stealing her coveted salted sea turtles from her display case, someone is stealing the precious turtle eggs from the nests and Penn is sure that the two are connected.

Great plot with plenty of action from page one. The return of series main characters will transport the reader beach side, smelling the salty air and drooling over the luscious chocolates. The author does drop a bomb in the last chapter that will have the series faithful racing for the next addition.

I received an advanced copy of In Cold Chocolate from NetGalley via Crooked Lane Books. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity Penn is excited to join her best friend Althea to watch a new generation of sea turtles hatch and make their way to the ocean. Before the babies can hatch the watch team needs to cover a porch light that a careless person has left on. If the light stays on the baby turtles can become confused and go away from the ocean. Jody Dalton is determined to handle things her way. A few minutes after Jody leaves the nest area gunshots rang out in the night. Jody is found standing nearby the dead body of a man she’s been seeing. Jody and Harley's son is understandably upset and asks Penn to clear his mother’s name.

This is a delightful read! The mystery has several red herrings to keep the reader entertained and invested in the storyline. I love how Stella, Penn’s pup, and Penn have finally bonded. Also, I am happy that Penn has started to let people get close to her, such as Harley. Althea and her mother are equally enjoyable characters. The secondary storyline about the sea turtles was also a delight and informative which greatly added to the setting and overall storyline.

This is the third book in the series but can be enjoyed as a stand-alone mystery. I recommend this book to mystery and chocolate lovers (recipes are included in the book). I received an ARC copy through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and have been not been influenced in any way.

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/in...

In Cold Chocolate
A Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery
By Dorothy St. James, #3
ISBN13: 9781683317449
Author’s Website: dorothystjames.com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Summary:

In Dorothy St. James’s third delectable Southern Chocolate Shop mystery, a new batch of chocolate and troubles of the heart cause a string of disasters for the Chocolate Box’s new owner, Charity Penn.

The vintage seaside town of Camellia Beach, South Carolina seems like the perfect place for romance with its quiet beach and its decadent chocolate shop that serves the world’s richest dark chocolates. The Chocolate Box’s owner, Charity Penn, falls even further under the island’s moonlit spell as she joins Althea Bays and the rest of the turtle watch team to witness a new generation of baby sea turtles hatch and make their way into the wide ocean.

Before the babies arrive, gunshots ring out in the night. Cassidy Jones, the local Casanova, is found dead in the sand with his lover Jody Dalton—the same woman who has vowed to destroy the Chocolate Box—holding the gun. It’s an obvious crime of passion, or so everyone believes. But when Jody’s young son pleads with Penn to bring his mother back to him, she can’t say no. She dives headfirst into a chocolate swirl of truth and lies, and must pick through an assortment of likely (and sometimes unsavory) suspects before it’s too late for Penn and for those she loves in Dorothy St. James’s third rich installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop mysteries, In Cold Chocolate.

Review:

In Cold Chocolate, the third book in Dorothy St. James’s Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery series, Charity Penn seems to be still trying to be accepted by all the townsfolk of Camellia Beach. Not an easy task given that her mother, her aunt, and her uncle are trying to overturn Penn’s inheritance of The Chocolate Box from their mother (Penn’s grandmother). I came into this series at this 3rd book hopeful that I would be able to catch up with the characters and enjoy the series from this point on. I must say, there was enough of a backstory to various characters that overall, I was able to follow their stories without much difficulty. Would I have like to start from the beginning….yes… but my enjoyment of the story was not diminished in the least by starting at this 3rd book.

One plus in my mind regarding Penn is that she does not shy away from admitting that she is sleuthing. She does not make excuses… she has a goal and a timeline and she is sticking to it. You see, the murderer (Jody – the accused murderer) is the mother of sweet young Gavin, who also happens to be the son of Harley, a potential love interest but most definitely Penn’s lawyer. And with school starting in the next week, Gavin has always had his mother take him on the first day of school. So Penn, it seems, will stop at nothing to make sure Gavin has his mother available to take him to the first day of school.

Another plus for this lovely cozy mystery is the setting in that this seaside town of Camellia Beach is a natural nesting place for sea turtles. And let me tell you, this town does not joke around about this… everyone is on board with saving the sea turtles natural nesting place. I love how a mystery involving the sea turtles also springs up (besides the murder of one Cassidy Jones, the local Casanova). Actually, as time goes on, there are more mysteries that need to be solved – but I shall let the reader discover those on their own. J I loved Penn’s enthusiasm when Althea asked Penn to join her on the beach, much to Penn’s initial reluctance:

Althea huffed. “I was hoping to make it a surprise. Some babies are about to be born. Actually, they’re several days overdue. We’re out here to greet them and make sure they get a good start in life.”

“Babies?” That intrigued me. And since I really should trust my friends, I walked (albeit slowly) over the wooden walkover that served as a bridge over the beach’s fragile rolling dunes.

….

“Baby turtles? We’re going to help baby turtles hatch? Where’s the nest?” I started a mad dash down the sandy beach, my arms pumping, because I didn’t want to miss the little ones’ arrival.

This dialogue set the whole tone for me. I liked how friendships could be trusted and nature was respected.

The mystery of who the killer was did stump me for a while, though about ¾ of the way through it finally hit me… who the killer had to be. But what was the motive? And more importantly… did I actually guess right?

I loved the local constabulary. They kept reminding Penn that she should leave the investigating to them, but of course, we all know how cozy mysteries play out…our amateur sleuth could not leave well enough alone. The townsfolks were also colorful and played important roles in the story throughout.

I also found intrigue in the mystery surrounding Penn’s birthright to The Chocolate Box. This is where reading book one and two might have helped? I will reserve that judgment until I read those two books. Needless to say, that mystery twisted and turned and certainly produced anxiety in Penn’s life… and in this reader as well.

There are so many good things to say about this book. It flowed so well that I was hard-pressed to put the book down, even for sleep.

I need to see how the budding romance between Jenn and Harley plays out. And will Jenn fully forgive Althea? I will certainly be on the lookout for further titles by Dorothy St. James, possibly one of my new favorite authors in the cozy mystery genre!



*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

[Melanie Mckinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the “Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries”. Penn returns for the third installment of this mystery series. Cassidy Jones, a realtor and the town’s Casanova is found dead on the beach one night. All signs point to Jody as she is the one who was shooting guns in the dark night, and she was supposedly involved with him. However, not all things are as they appear. There was a list of women who might have wanted Cassidy dead. Penn didn’t have a good relationship with Jody as Jody is always threatening her shop and it’s ownership but she will do what she has to for justice. Penn makes a promise to Gavin, Jody’s son that she will make sure justice is served. Penn wants to see that Jody is released from prison for Gavin’s first day of school.

Not only has a murder developed but Penn also has a run in again with her family. The family is very upset that she inherited the shop from her grandmother. Not everyone in the family believes that Penn is who she says she is. Some of the family members will stop at nothing to prove their point!

Penn is also in the process of working with a dog trainer to train her dog throughout the book. I could completely relate to this part of the book as I am in the process of training two dogs myself.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! This book was a great combination of mystery, romance, turtles, and of course chocolates. The book is based in a small town called Camellia Beach, SC. I loved how the author incorporated the hatching of sea turtles in the book. Being a turtle lover myself this was just an added bonus when reading a cozy mystery murder with chocolate involved as well. Growing up in a small town I can relate to how everyone knows the people that live there. The author also did a great job of bringing in family and friends with this book as this is an important part of anyone’s life. This book has many twists and turns and subplots throughout the book. It was a great read. I didn’t read the two previous books 1. “Asking for Truffle, and 2. “Playing with Bonbon Fire”, but I didn’t have any problems following along with the characters within this book. I will be going back and reading both the first and second book of this series. I am looking forward to the next book in this series and where the author will take this story next. I am also excited to see where the relationship with Penn and Harley will go. :)

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is the third of Charity Penn's adventures in Camellia Beach, South Carolina. She has inherited the Chocolate Box - a store making and selling unique chocolates from a rare cocoa bean - from a woman she believes to be her grandmother. However, her aunts and uncles are contesting the will because they don't believe Penn is actually their mother's granddaughter. One of the aunts did confess that she was Penn's mother but only Penn and her lawyer Harley heard the confession and now she's denying it.

Penn has gotten involved with the turtle watch because the island is a prime breeding ground for sea turtles. One of the other volunteers in Jody Dalton who is Harley's ex-wife and an anger-filled person who seems to have a particular grudge for Penn. When Jody loses her temper because a new owner hasn't turned off his house lights and takes out her gun to take care of the lights, an accident happens and the local lothario, and Jody's current lover, is found shot to death with Jody holding the gun. It should be an open-and-shut case but Jody says she's innocent and Jody's 10-year-old son Gavin asks Penn to find out the truth.

Penn begins investigating but she receives threats and discouragement from almost everyone. As she investigates, she finds that many people wanted Cassidy dead since he delighted in gathering secrets about the town people.

Because this is the third book in the series, a lot of Penn's background isn't stated. I did learn that she is not a trusting person who was abandoned by her mother and left on her father's doorstep as an infant. Apparently, he wasn't a loving father and his mother didn't nurture her either. She grew up feeling that she wasn't valued. That seems to be why she is so determined to make a place for herself in Camellia Beach where her mother's mother welcomed her and valued her.

I figured out who the villain was pretty early on in this mystery but that didn't stop me from enjoying this cozy mystery. I liked Penn and feel, from some information at the end, that she has more adventures in store. I don't think the question of her parentage has been resolved yet even though her inheritance seems to be. I liked the setting of this story and the quirky characters, including Penn, who inhabit this story.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penn is at it again in this third installment of the Southern Chocolate Shop Mysteries.  The Maybanks are still contesting the will and Penn is determined to keep her shop.  But when a dark secret is revealed by her best friend, Penn is blindsided.  This secret could cause her to lose it all. 

On top of all that Jody is framed for murder and Penn makes a promise to Gavin, to prove her innocence.   While sea turtles and chocolates keep disappearing, Penn is determined to figure out the mystery, even as the death threats roll in.  With her life in danger, Penn's time might just run out and wouldn't that be a shame with things heating up between Harley and her.  Can Penn solve the mystery in time?  Or will this mystery be her death?

I really enjoy this series.  I was really excited with this book, because Harley and Penn finally start to move forward in their relationship.  I love Harley.  He is the small time cute lawyer with a heart of gold.  It is about time Penn had someone on her side to love her.  

In this book things really get heated with Penn and her mother.  A lot of secrets and truths are revealed and it is not pretty.  I cried reading this book.  It was sad and heart breaking at times.  This book is a steady pace cozy mystery, with fun-loving characters that will make you giggle.  I have fallen in love with these characters and look forward to more from Penn and the gang.  Especially since the ending has left me wondering who she is.  You will see what I am talking about when you read this one.  I can't say more without ruining the book for you.

You could try and read this book as a standalone, but it would make more sense to read in order so you don't feel like you are missing something.  I haven't read book 1 Asking for Truffle, but I did read book 2 Playing With Bonbon Fire.   Sometimes I wish I would have read book 1 so I could get the whole story on how Penn came about to be the owner of the chocolate shop.  

So if you are looking for a good cozy mystery with wonderful characters, then this book is for you.  So grab some truffles and bonbons and curl up with this book.  You are sure to enjoy.